Chromium, Zinc and Magnesium Concentrations in the Pubic Hair of Obese and Overweight Women

The study addressed chromium, zinc and magnesium concentrations in the pubic hair of obese and overweight women. It was carried out on hair collected from 85 women at the age of 16-80 living in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship (southern Poland). The experimental and control groups consisted of 39 and 46 females, respectively. The pubic hair was prepared under a procedure established by the International Atomic Energy Agency, followed by wet digestion in a microwave oven. The concentration of the metals in the pubic hair and reference material was assayed with the flame (Mg, Zn) and flameless (Cr) atomic absorption spectrometry. The pubic hair of overweight and obese women from the experimental group revealed significantly higher chromium and magnesium concentrations and significantly lower concentrations of zinc than in the control group. An increase in BMI brought about an increase in chromium and magnesium concentrations while zinc concentration decreased with increasing BMI. The disturbances in the mineral balance of overweight and obese women were also demonstrated by significantly different ratios of the elements compared with the control group.     

Maternal hair zinc concentration in neural tube defects in Turkey

Hair zinc concentration was measured in samples taken from 57 mothers who delivered infants with neural tube defects (NTD) (mainly anencephaly). Control groups consisted of 30 healthy mothers with normal offspring and 37 nonpregnant women from middle-income backgrounds. Zinc concentration was also measured in the hair of eight infants with NTD (four being anencephalic). The mean maternal hair zinc concentration in the NTD group (128.2 +/- 38.9 micrograms/g) was lower than that of the control women (p less than 0.001), whereas the mean hair zinc level of malformed babies (250.4 +/- 85.2 micrograms/g) was significantly higher than that of normal infants (193.4 +/- 39.2 micrograms/g) (p less than 0.05). Maternal nutritional zinc deficiency was thought to be one of the factors responsible for NTD in Turkey.     

Chromium and manganese levels in the scalp hair of normals and patients with breast cancer

The adverse health effects linked with chromium and manganese and the diverse cellular and molecular effects of chromium and manganese make the study of chromium and manganese carcinogenesis and toxicology very interesting and complex. Quantitative elemental analysis of scalp hair of breast cancer patients (stage III) (n=26) and controls (n=27) were used to study to find correlation and possible changes between breast cancer and healthy controls. The graphite furnace atomic absorption analysis of quantitative method was used for the determination of chromium and manganese element levels. Comparison of mean elemental contents of the breast cancer patients with controls shows a significant enhancement of chromium (p<0.05) but declining trends for manganase (p<0.05) in breast cancer patients. Changes in element content in hair can serve as a guide to opening up new vistas in the treatment of breast cancer on the basis of an overall analysis of symptoms and signs.     

脑磁共振灌注成像在大脑中动脉狭窄与闭塞患者中的应用价值分析

目的:研究脑磁共振灌注成像(PWI)在大脑中动脉(MCA)狭窄与闭塞患者中的应用价值。方法:纳入我院从2017年5月~2019年3月收治的单侧MCA狭窄与闭塞患者80例,对所有患者均实施经颅内数字减影血管造影(DSA)以及PWI检查,并将所有患者按照狭窄程度的不同分成轻度/中度组与重度/闭塞组。分析两组患者患侧与健侧大脑半球PWI相关参数,并作相关性分析。此外,分析PWI检查MCA狭窄或闭塞所致脑梗死类型分布情况。结果:DSA诊断结果显示:MCA轻度/中度狭窄患者35例,MCA重度/闭塞患者45例,其中MCA重度/闭塞的PWI检出率为100.00%,显著高于MCA轻度/中度狭窄的80.00%(P<0.05)。MCA轻度/中度组、重度/闭塞组患者患侧大脑半球的平均通过时间(rMTT)、达峰时间(rTTP)均显著高于健侧(均P<0.05)。经Spearman相关性分析可得:MCA患者狭窄程度与患侧大脑半球rMTT、rTTP均呈正相关关系(均P<0.05)。PWI检查结果显示,80例患者共检查出脑梗死患者53例,其中重度/闭塞组脑梗死总检出率以及纹状体内囊区脑梗死检出率分别为82.22%、11.11%,均明显高于轻度/中度组的45.71%、0.00%(均P<0.05)。结论:PWI应用于MCA狭窄与闭塞患者中的价值较高,可作为临床诊断MCA狭窄与闭塞的有效手段之一,值得临床推广应用。     

Studies of five microelement contents in human serum, hair, and fingernails correlated with aged hypertension and coronary heart disease

Using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), five microelements in human serum, hair, and fingernails of aged hypertension, coronary heart disease (diseased group) and aged health control (healthy group) were detected. Results of the t-test are as follows: The iron, zinc, and cadmium contents and Zn/Cu (mol/mol) ratio of the diseased group were significantly higher than that of the healthy group in serum (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.05, respectively); the chromium contents in the serum, hair, and fingernails (p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.05, respectively); the iron and zinc contents in the hair and fingernails (p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.01 respectively) and Zn/Cu ratio in the hair (p<0.01) of the diseased group were significantly lower than that of the healthy group. Pathogenic factors of cardiovascular disease have three probabilities: (1) The iron contents of the diseased group were higher than that of the healthy group in serum and lower in hair and fingernails (i.e., abnormal iron metabolism); (2) the zinc contents and the Zn/Cu ratio of the diseased group were higher than that of the healthy group in the serum and the zinc contents in the hair and fingernails and the Zn/Cu ratio in the hair of the diseased group were significantly lower than that of the healthy group; (3) the chromium contents of the diseased group were significantly lower than that of the healthy group in the serum, hair, and fingernails.     

Studies of five microelement contents in human serum,hair, and fingernails correlated with aged hypertension and coronary heart disease

Context: Complementary alternative medicine therapies based on the use of cesium chloride preparations for the treatment of cancer and radiation poisoning, have generated therapeutic interest; but oral or intravenous administration of cesium chloride (CsCl) to cancer patients as an alternative mode of cancer therapy have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Objective: Cesium (Cs) levels from human tissue were measured to determine exposure to an alternative medical treatment. Cesium levels are reported from two patients who were administered cesium chloride in conjunction with aloe vera as part of an alternative cancer treatment. Design: The samples were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction. As a reference, Cs was also determined in brain, liver, kidney, and whole blood from control case materials retrieved from the National Tissue Repository of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Results: High levels of cesium were found in brain, liver, kidney, bile, gastric content, and whole blood collected at autopsy as compared to reference levels. The administration of cesium chloride resulted in blood levels a factor of 1100 higher than normal. The highest Cs concentrations were found in the liver (1029 μg/g, dry wt), followed by the kidney (815 μg/g, dry wt) and brain (219 μg/g, dry wt). Conclusion: The high accumulation in the liver suggests that hepatotoxicity from Cs might be an initial presenting symptom in Cs-poisoning cases. This is the first report describing two cases with high Cs levels in human tissues. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.     

Trace Elements in the Hair of Hemodialysis Patients

Trace element disturbance is often observed in hemodialysis patients. While trace element concentrations have been reported in blood samples from hemodialysis patients, they have not been well investigated in scalp hair. In the present study, 22 trace elemental concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry in the scalp hair of 80 male hemodialysis patients and compared with those of 100 healthy male subjects. In hemodialysis patients, the concentrations of beryllium, arsenic, magnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, selenium, molybdenum, iodine, vanadium, and cobalt were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects, while lead, mercury, copper, germanium, and bromine were significantly lower than those in the former group. No significant differences were observed for lithium, aluminum, cadmium, zinc, boron, or nickel. There were significant positive correlations between the duration of hemodialysis and the magnesium and manganese concentrations. There was a significant negative correlation between cadmium concentration and the duration of hemodialysis. There were significant positive correlations between dialysis efficacy (Kt/V) and magnesium, manganese, zinc, and selenium concentrations. In conclusion, trace element concentrations of the scalp hair are different between hemodialysis patients and healthy subjects. Essential trace elements, such as magnesium, manganese, zinc, and selenium, may be affected by the duration of hemodialysis and Kt/V.     

Correlation of Hair Mineral Concentrations with Insulin Resistance in Korean Males

Calcium and magnesium that are associated with insulin resistance play an antagonistic role with each other in cells. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between hair mineral concentrations and insulin resistance in Korean adult males. A total of 123 male subjects (63 patients with metabolic syndrome and 60 normal control patients) were recruited and fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, as well as HDL cholesterol levels, HOMA-IR, and hair mineral concentrations were measured. The ratio of calcium/magnesium in hair showed a significantly positive correlation with the HOMA-IR (r?=?0.191, P?=?0.038) and insulin (r?=?0.198, P?=?0.031). The result of multiple regression analysis after adjusting the age also showed a significant correlation of the Ca/Mg ratio with HOMA-IR (R ²?=?0.115, P?=?0.047). The hair chromium concentration was lower in the metabolic syndrome group than in the control group, and it showed a significantly negative correlation with the fasting blood glucoseand the triglyceride. The result of this study showed that insulin resistance increased as the ratio of Ca/Mg increased, or as the chromium concentration in hair decreased.     

Role of chromium supplementation in Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder with adverse cardiovascular risk. The role of micronutrients has not yet been well clarified in this condition, especially in India.THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS STUDY WERE TO: (1) evaluate chromium status in Indian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, (2) assess the effect of chromium picolinate (200 &mgr;g trivalent chromium twice daily) administration on glycaemic control and lipid profile in these subjects and (3) comment on the possible mechanism of any beneficial effect noted above.Fifty subjects were studied in a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, with each treatment arm (chromium/placebo) lasting 12 weeks and 4 weeks' wash-off period in between. 50 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers served as controls. Serum chromium level appeared to be higher in the general population in our country compared to western countries (36.5-59.5 nmol/L as compared to 2.3-40.3 nmol/L) However, the local diabetics were found to have a lower serum chromium level than the healthy controls (32.3 nmol/L against 44.7 nmol/L; p < 0.0001) and a mean increase of 3.5 nmol/L was noted after 12 weeks of chromium supplementation that was, expectedly, not seen in the placebo phase (p < 0.0001).Significant improvement in glycaemic control was noted in the chromium-treated group (DeltaFasting serum glucose = 0.44 mmol/L, p < 0.001; DeltaPost-prandial serum glucose = 1.97 mmol/L, p < 0.001; Deltaglycated hemoglobin = 0.01; p = 0.04, in comparison to placebo) This was accompanied by a significant greater fall in fasting serum insulin in the chromium-treated group, p < 0.05.The change in lipid parameters (total serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides) did not show significant difference between the chromium and placebo groups.Clinically significant hematological, renal or hepatic toxicity were excluded by routine hemogram, serum urea, creatinine, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase estimations.In conclusion, chromium supplementation seems to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients, which appears to be due to an increase in insulin action rather than stimulation of insulin secretion.     

Assessment of copper and zinc status in hair and urine of young women descendants of NIDDM parents

The concentration of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in hair and urine were studied in young nonpregnant healthy women whose both parents were diagnosed for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM descendants) and were compared with those of young healthy nonpregnant females with no family history of NIDDM or hypertension (non-NIDDM descendants) and NIDDM patients. The concentration of Zn in hair in NIDDM descendants was significantly higher than that of non-NIDDM descendants (p < 0.001) and insignificantly higher than that of NIDDM patients. The hair Cu concentrations in NIDDM descendant and patients were significantly lower than that of non-NIDDM descendants (p < 0.001). Hyperzincuria was detected in some NIDDM patients and hypocuperuria in all NIDDM descendants and patients. The data suggest that the young healthy NIDDM descendants possess high-Zn and low-Cu reserves in their bodies, and the observed perturbation appears to be associated with Cu-Zn antagonism.     

不同时间点测定急性脑梗死患者的血浆促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇的临床意义

目的:检测急性脑梗死患者在不同时间点的血浆促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇,观察并分析测定结果,探讨血浆促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇含量的变化对急性脑梗死判断及预后的临床意义。方法:选择我院2011年5月至2013年6月收治的75例急性脑梗死患者为观察组,另选75位健康志愿者为对照组。采用电化学发光法测定两组不同时间点的血浆促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇含量,分析检测结果。结果:观察组患者在8时、16时、24时的血浆促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇水平均明显高于对照组,差异明显且具有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组中,预后好的患者不同时间点的血浆促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇明显低于预后差的患者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:不同时间点测定急性脑梗死患者的血浆促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇,对病情的判断及预后具有重要的临床意义。     

新疆哈萨克族脑梗塞与ICAM-1 基因G241R 多态性的关系

目的:探讨新疆哈萨克族脑梗死与细胞黏附分子1(ICAM-1)G241R基因多态性的关系。方法:采用多聚酶链式反应法及限制性内切酶片段长度多态性技术,对新疆哈萨克族100例脑梗死患者及110例健康者(对照组)进行ICAM-1基因G241R多态性检测,比较不同基因型与哈萨克族脑梗塞发病风险的关系。结果:脑梗塞患者ICAM-1基因G41R多态性的基因型频率和等位基因频率与健康对照组相比无明显差异。结论:ICAM-1基因G214R多态性可能不是新疆哈萨克族脑梗塞发病的遗传学危险因素。     

高血压脑出血患者血浆Hcy水平变化及其预后评估价值

目的:研究高血压脑出血患者血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平变化及其预后评估价值。方法:选择2012年5月至2015年5月在我院接受治疗的高血压脑出血患者82例纳入观察组。根据患者入院时的格拉斯哥评分(GCS)对患者进行分组,其中轻型38例;中型25例;重型19例。所有患者均给予对症治疗后康复者41例,未愈者26例,死亡者15例。另选同期在我院接受健康体检者82例作为对照组,检测所有受检者血浆Hcy水平,分析患者的病情严重程度以及预后与其血浆Hcy水平的关系。结果:观察组中Hcy正常者的比例显著低于对照组,而Hcy升高者的比例显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。观察组中各亚组的血浆Hcy水平均分别显著高于对照组,中、重型病情的患者Hcy水平显著高于轻型患者,且重型病情的患者Hcy水平显著高于中型患者,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。康复者的血浆Hcy水平显著低于未愈者及死亡者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。根据Pearson法分析相关性可知,血浆Hcy水平与患者的病情严重程度呈明显正相关,与预后呈弱正相关。结论:监测高血压脑出血患者的血浆Hcy水平变化能够较好地判断其病情,对预后亦具有一定的评估价值,值得临床重视。     

Chromium homeostasis in patients with type II (NIDDM) diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to assess chromium handling in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients (NIDDM) compared to healthy volunteers. Chromium handling was evaluated using fasting blood and second morning void urine samples from 93 NIDDM patients and 33 healthy volunteers. Significant differences in chromium homeostasis were seen between patients and controls. NIDDM patients had mean levels of plasma chromium around 33% lower and urine values almost 100% higher than those found in health. Healthy volunteers showed a significant negative correlation between fasting levels of plasma chromium and insulin. This was not evident in NIDDM patients. In the early years of onset of NIDDM, plasma chromium values were inversely correlated with plasma glucose. This was lost in patients with diabetes of more than 2 years duration. We suggest large losses of chromium over many years may exacerbate an already compromised chromium status in NIDDM patients and might contribute to the developing insulin resistance seen in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Comparative Study of Liver Cancer Patients in Arsenic Exposed and Non-exposed Areas of Pakistan

The investigated data shows that arsenic (As) in drinking water is associated with increased mortality from different types of cancers including liver cancer. In this study, blood and scalp hair samples of male liver cancer patients and healthy referents belonging to As exposed areas of Sindh Pakistan were analyzed for As contents. The As levels in drinking water of understudy area showed that sections of this population was exposed to 3-15-folds higher concentrations of As than permissible limit. For comparative purposes, blood and scalp hair samples of matched cancerous patient as referent patients belonging to big city (Hyderabad) who have used municipal treated water with low As levels <10?μg/L were also collected. The results of this study showed that the average As concentration was higher in the blood and scalp hair of exposed and non-exposed referent cancer patients as compared to referents (p?相似文献   

Local and global cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization in the α-galactosidase A knockout mouse model of Fabry disease

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal disorder characterized by deficient alpha-galactosidase A activity and intracellular accumulations of glycosphingolipids, mainly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). Clinically, patients occasionally present CNS dysfunction. To examine the pathophysiology underlying brain dysfunction, we examined glucose utilization (CMR(glc)) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) globally and locally in 18 brain structures in the alpha-galactosidase A gene knockout mouse. Global CMR(glc) was statistically significantly reduced by 22% in Fabry mice (p < 0.01). All 18 structures showed decreases in local CMR(glc) ranging from 14% to 33%. The decreases in all structures of the diencephalon, caudate-putamen, brain stem, and cerebellar cortex were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and local CBF measured in the same 18 structures were lower in Fabry mice than in control mice, but none statistically significantly. Histological examination of brain revealed no cerebral infarcts but abundant Gb3 deposits in the walls of the cerebral vessels with neuronal deposits localized to the medulla oblongata. These results indicate an impairment in cerebral energy metabolism in the Fabry mice, but one not necessarily due to circulatory insufficiency.     

老年急性脑梗死患者血清CRP, FG, LP(a)变化研究

目的:探讨老年急性脑梗死患者检测血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、纤维蛋白原(FG)及脂蛋白(a)(LP(a))的变化及意义。方法:选择2013年12月-2014年12月在我院就诊的年龄≥60岁的急性脑梗死患者90例作为实验组,根据中国脑卒中患者临床神经功能缺损程度评分标准(NDS),分为轻型、中型和重型;根据病灶直径及Adama分型法分为腔隙性脑梗死、小梗死和大梗死,另外选择90例健康老人为对照组。测定所有受试者血清中的CRP、FG及LP(a)的水平,并比较它们在实验组与对照组、实验组不同严重程度和不同病变类型的患者中的差异。结果:实验组血清CRP、FG和LP(a)的水平高于对照组,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);重型患者血清CRP、FG和LP(a)水平明显高于中型患者,中型患者显著高于轻型患者,且差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);大梗死患者血清CRP、FG和LP(a)水平明显高于小梗死患者,小梗死患者显著高于腔隙性梗死患者,且差异均有统计意义(P0.05)。结论:血清CRP、FG和LP(a)水平异常升高与老年急性脑梗死的发生发展密切相关。     

急性脑梗死患者血清心肌酶学变化的临床意义及相关危险因素分析

目的：探讨急性脑梗死患者血清心肌酶学变化与预后的关系及导致急性脑梗死患者心肌酶学变化的相关危险因素。方法：回顾性分析临床及影像资料齐全且确诊的140例急性脑梗死患者（发病14天内）,根据有无血清心肌酶学升高分为血清心肌酶学升高的急性脑梗死组A组（43例）,血清心肌酶学正常的急性脑梗死组B组（97例）,应用美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表评分（NIHSS）比较两组神经功能缺损情况,并对两组病人血清心肌酶学（包括天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、肌酸激酶（CK）、肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、血糖、血脂、纤维蛋白原和血压等结果进行分析。结果：A组（31%）患者血清心肌酶学均增高,与B组比较均有显著性差异（P〈0.01）;发病后1天A、B两组患者临床神经功能缺损程度评分无显著性差异,发病后4、8、10天A、B两组患者临床神经功能缺损程度评分有显著性差异（P〈0.01）;A组高血压、糖尿病与B组比较有显著性差异（P〈0.05）;而血脂及纤维蛋白原两组比较无显著性差异。结论：急性脑梗死患者血清心肌酶学升高者预后不良;高血压、糖尿病是急性脑梗死患者血清心肌酶学升高的相关危险因素。     

动态监测血清炎症因子和氧化应激产物在急性脑出血患者病情及预后评估中的应用

目的:动态监测急性脑出血患者血清炎症因子和氧化应激产物水平,探讨其与患者病情及预后的关系。方法:采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA法)测定150例急性脑出血患者(病例组)和120例健康志愿者(对照组)发病24 h内、3 d、7 d及14 d时血清炎症因子白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),采用黄嘌呤氧化酶法(XTO)和硫代巴比妥酸法(TBA)测定两组的血清氧化应激产物超氧歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)水平,并分析血液炎症因子与氧化应激产物与患者病情及预后的关系。结果:病例组血清IL-6、TNF-α、SOD及MDA水平高于对照组,并在发病后7d各指标水平达到最高,发病后14d各指标水平低于发作≤24 h,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。大量出血组血清IL-6、TNF-α、SOD及MDA水平最高,中量出血组其次,小量出血组各指标水平最低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。重型组血清IL-6、TNF-α、SOD及MDA水平均最高,中型组其次,轻型组各指标水平最低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:动态监测急性脑出血患者血清炎症因子及氧化应激产物水平有助于准确判断患者的病情及评估预后,临床有重要参考价值。     

Detection of potentially myocardial infarction susceptible individuals in Indian population

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations in hair and urine of patients diagnosed and hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI patients) and in their descendants (MI descendants) were estimated and compared with their age-matched healthy volunteers with no family history of MI (control group and control descendants). The data revealed approximately twofold higher Zn and twofold lower Cu in the urine of the patients; Zn was lower and Cu was higher in the urine of MI descendants than those of the patients (p<0.001), but Zn in hair and urine was higher and Cu in hair was lower in MI descendants compared with their control counterparts (p<0.001). The data suggested that there was a consistent rise in Zn and fall in Cu reserves in the genetically predisposed subjects (MI descendants) prior to the manifestation of clinical symptoms. Based on this, the data were subjected to logistic regression and a model was obtained to predict the susceptibility to MI (LR-MI), having impact factors values as follows: constant (C), −3.342; impact factor of body mass index, −0.776; impact factor of hair Zn, −2.449; impact factor of urine Zn, +3.441; impact factor of hair Cu, −15.077; impact factor of urine Cu, −24.153. For the equation Y=e ^x (1+e ^x ), the value of x was obtained as follows: −3.342+[BMI (kg/m²) (−0.776)]+[Hair Zn (μmol/g) (−2.449)]+[Urine Zn (μmol/L) (3.441)]+[Hair Cu (μmol/g) (−15.077)]+[Urine Cu (μmol/L) (−24.153)]. On substituting the values of BMI, hair Zn, urine Zn, hair Cu, and urine Cu in x, the response variable Y as zero for healthy controls and 0.99 or 99.9% susceptibility in MI patients were obtained. In between these two extremes, the response variable ranged between 0 and 0.99 or 99.9% susceptibility to MI in their descendants. It is envisaged that the MI patients have an operational component of a genetic disorder of ionic imbalance at a young age that can be exploited in making a prediction of susceptibility to heart stroke in individuals much before its onset and diagnosis in asymptomatic patients, particularly in genetic and epidemiological studies of MI.