Megan Wolfe

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bone formation and dystrophic calcification are present in carotid endarterectomy plaques. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bone formation and extensive dystrophic calcification are associated with stable plaques and protective against ischemic vascular events. METHODS: Carotid endarterectomy plaques were collected from 142 patients (94 men) with carotid stenosis. The specimens were evaluated for lamellar bone formation, dystrophic calcifications, inflammatory infiltrates, neovascularization, and histological type or grade of plaque according to a standard AHA grading system. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify vascular endothelial cells in neovascularization (factor VIII) and lymphocytes. Clinical data, including history of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events, were recorded at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Patients with calcification of carotid plaques had fewer symptoms of stroke and transient ischemic attack (P=0.042) than those without calcification. Stroke and transient ischemic attack occurred less frequently in patients with plaques with large calcific granules (P=0.021). Of the patients, 13% had lamellar bone formation, which directly correlated with the presence of sheetlike calcifications (P=0.0001) and inversely correlated with ulcerated lesions (P=0.048). The presence of bone also correlated with diabetes (P<0.01) and coronary artery disease (P<0.01). Of the 20 patients with bone, 6 had a history of stoke and transient ischemic attack (P=0.5). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that bone formation tends to occur in heavily calcified carotid lesions devoid of ulceration and hemorrhage. Patients with extensive calcification of the carotid plaques are less likely to have symptomatic disease.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence favors apolipoprotein B (apoB) over LDL cholesterol as a predictor of cardiovascular events, but data are lacking on coronary artery calcification (CAC), especially in type 2 diabetes, where LDL cholesterol may underestimate atherosclerotic burden. We investigated the hypothesis that apoB is a superior marker of CAC relative to LDL cholesterol. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed cross-sectional analyses of white subjects in two community-based studies: the Penn Diabetes Heart Study (N = 611 type 2 diabetic subjects, 71.4% men) and the Study of Inherited Risk of Coronary Atherosclerosis (N = 803 nondiabetic subjects, 52.8% men) using multivariate analysis of apoB and LDL cholesterol stratified by diabetes status. RESULTS: In type 2 diabetes, apoB was associated with CAC after adjusting for age, sex, and medications [Tobit regression ratio of increased CAC for 1-SD increase in apoB; 1.36 (95% CI 1.06-1.75), P = 0.016] whereas LDL cholesterol was not [1.09 (0.85-1.41)]. In nondiabetic subjects, both were associated with CAC [apoB 1.65 (1.38-1.96), P < 0.001; LDL cholesterol 1.56 (1.30-1.86), P < 0.001]. In combined analysis of diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, apoB provided value in predicting CAC scores beyond LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol and triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratios, and marginally beyond non-HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma apoB, but not LDL cholesterol, levels were associated with CAC scores in type 2 diabetic whites. ApoB levels may be particularly useful in assessing atherosclerotic burden and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes.

The textile and apparel production and consumption generate a huge amount of solid textile waste. Mechanical recycling is one main method to recycle cotton waste; however, shredding in mechanical recycling shortens fiber length and reduces fiber quality. As a result, the application of mechanically recycled textiles may be limited. This research investigated mechanical methods to recycle post-consumer cotton textile waste and designed and developed second-life products. This study applied research through design methodology and documented step-by-step textile and product development practices to communicate the results. Using the textiles from deconstructed end-of-use garments with a high cotton content (80% or higher), combined with other materials, the researchers developed yarns, and nonwoven, woven, quilted, tufted fabrics. The researchers tested textile properties such as “yarn” tensile strength and elongation, fabric thickness, thermal resistance, air permeability, and stiffness. Using fabrics developed from end-of-use cotton waste, the researchers designed and developed high-value products such as bags, decorative textile, a hat, cell phone and glasses cases, and garments to contribute to the sustainability and circularity of cotton.