Background Little is known regarding whether arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden are each independently associated with brain structural changes. Simultaneous assessments of both arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden in associations with brain could provide insights into the mechanisms of brain structural changes. Methods and Results Using data from the SESSA (Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis), we analyzed data among 686 Japanese men (mean [SD] age, 67.9 [8.4] years; range, 46-83 years) free from history of stroke and myocardial infarction. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and coronary artery calcification on computed tomography scans were measured between March 2010 and August 2014. Brain volumes (total brain volume, gray matter, Alzheimer disease signature and prefrontal) and brain vascular damage (white matter hyperintensities) were quantified using brain magnetic resonance imaging from January 2012 through February 2015. In multivariable adjustment models including mean arterial pressure, when brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and coronary artery calcification were entered into the same models, the β (95% CI) for Alzheimer disease signature volume for each 1-SD increase in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was -0.33 (-0.64 to -0.02), and the unstandardized β (95% CI) for white matter hyperintensities for each 1-unit increase in coronary artery calcification was 0.68 (0.05-1.32). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and coronary artery calcification were not statistically significantly associated with total brain and gray matter volumes. Conclusions Among Japanese men, higher arterial stiffness was associated with lower Alzheimer disease signature volumes, whereas higher atherosclerotic burden was associated with brain vascular damage. Arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden may be independently associated with brain structural changes via different pathways.
<b>Background and Objective:</b> The <i>Helarctos malayanus</i> is the sole bear species-living in Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo). The available biological data for sun bears (<i>H. malayanus</i>) in Sumatra is limited, especially for morphological and genetic data. A morphological approach is difficult to do. Therefore, a molecular approach is the most likely choice. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out on <i>H. malayanus</i> in Central Sumatra (Dharmasraya, South Solok and Riau) using the Cytochrome B gene. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Blood samples from three individuals of <i>H. malayanus</i> were obtained at the Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center, Dharmasraya. Three <i>H. malayanus</i> Central Sumatra sequences and 62 GenBank sequences were used in the analysis. The DNA sequences were analyzed using the DNA Star, AliView, Bioedit, DNA SP, haplotype network, IQ Tree and MEGA software. <b>Results:</b> Forty-one haplotypes were identified in 65 sequences, with 17 haplotypes belonging to <i>H. malayanus</i>. Haplotype network analysis divides <i>H. malayanus</i> into Haplogroup I (Sundaland) and Haplogroup II (Mainland). All individuals of <i>H. malayanus</i> in Central Sumatra have the same haplotype as Peninsular Malaysia sequence. The sun bear (<i>H. malayanus</i>) has a monophyletic relationship with other bear species. The <i>H. malayanus</i> has a higher genetic distance between the two lineages (1.0-2.3%) than the genetic distance within the subpopulations of each lineage. <b>Conclusion:</b> The study results supported sun bear (<i>H. malayanus</i>) divided into two different lineages: Mainland (subcluster 1) and Sundaland (subcluster 2 and 3). The geographic isolation causes the absence of gene flow, which results in high genetic distance between sun bears (<i>H. malayanus</i>) in Sundaland and Mainland lineages.