bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR-NEPRILYSIN INHIBITOR SUPPRESSED CARDIAC DYSFUNCTION BY ANGIOGENESIS IN MICE MODEL OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Authors: Suematsu Yasunori , Ideishi Akihito , Tashiro Kohei , Miura Shin-Ichiro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objective:
We previously reported that Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) has the effects of suppression of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in addition to reduction of afterload by natriuretic effect. We investigated the effects of ARNI against mice model of atherosclerosis.

Design and method:
Atherosclerotic model was induced by high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to apolipoprotein E knockout mice. We divided into four groups: no treatment (CTL), valsartan 30 mg/kg (VAL), sacubitril (neprilysin inhibitor) 30 mg/kg (SAC), and ARNI 60 mg/kg for additional 13 weeks.

Results:
Body weight and systolic blood pressure in the VAL, SAC and ARNI groups did not show significant differences compared to those in the CTL group. Serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in ARNI group (605 ± 221 pg/ml) was significantly increased than that in VAL (391 ± 57 pg/ml) and SAC (357 ± 91 pg/ml) groups, but not CTL group (393 ± 192 pg/ml). Although the rate of atherosclerotic area in aorta was 16.3 ± 5.8 % after treatment, there were no significant differences between the groups. In the CTL group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 81.6 ± 4.8 %) and fractional shortening (FS, 44.8 ± 5.8 %) at baseline were significantly reduced after treatment (67.8 ± 8.2 % and 33.3 ± 6.1 %). Interestingly, LVEF (76.6 ± 6.7 %) and FS (40.1 ± 6.1 %) after treatment in the ARNI group were significantly preserved compared to those in the CTL group. In real time polymerase chain reaction analysis of LV after treatment, relative mRNA expression of BNP and angiogenetic factors including ATPase sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca transporting 2, vascular endothelial growth factor A, cluster of differentiation 34 in ARNI group were significantly increased than those in the CTL group.

Conclusions:
Although ARNI did not suppress atherosclerosis in mice, it preserved LVEF via improving angiogenetic ability.
THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
Authors: Almustafa Bader , Alshubini Aqeela , Alrumaih Zainab , Aljaffer Yasser , Alhai Saleh , Aldubaisi Bashayer , Alzayer Ahmed , Alfaraj Nada , Albabli Afrah 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objective:
To determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with hypertension attending primary health care clinics in QATIF province.

Design and method:
Thyroid dysfunction, defined as TSH levels below 0.5 or above 3.5 mU/L, was tested in a total of 1,092 patients with new diagnosis of HTN or DM2, from 15 Nov 2012 till 20 Sep 2017, in 3 Primary Health Care centers. Data of 20% of this population were traced by systematic random sampling to review their detailed demographic and clinical information. This included manual and electronic review of medical records.
Data collected include demographics, Hx of Comorbidity, ToD and other CVR, vital measures, lipids, FBS and A1c.
Data verified and cleaned for outliers, recoded and grouped. Analysis done by SPSS including Univariate, Bivariate, Crosstab, chi square and binary logistic regression for Thyroid Dysfunction.

Results:
TFT and basic demographic and clinical data were traceable in 163/185 (88.1% of the sample). Females constitute 61.3% while obesity 60.4%, Mean Age 50.6 (13) yrs, Hypertension 60.1%, DM2 58.3% and Dyslipidemia 73%.
Prevalence rate of thyroid dysfunction was 20.3%. No statistically significant difference was noted between groups of gender, BMI, Age, being DM or HTN or having an abnormal ECG finding.
Binary logistic regression showed no significant effect of any of the included independent variables, including Age, BMI Level, pulse, SBP, DBP, DM, FBS, Dyslipidemia, T. Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride, sex, Age Group, DBP by SBP and T. Cholesterol by LDL by Triglyceride. However, 97% of the them were at age of 35 or above.

Conclusions:
In newly diagnosed CMR patients, 20.9% are having Thyroid dysfunction. It was unpredictable by Hx, demographics, ToD and other CVR. TFT may be a must to-do test in these patients, regardless of their demographic and clinical presentations.
10-YEAR DYNAMIC OF FREQUENCY, USED DOSES AND ORIGINAL AND GENERIC FORMS OF MAIN DRUG GROUPS IN CORONARY HEART DISEASE REGISTRY
Authors: Tolpygina Svetlana , Martsevich Sergey 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objective:
To assess dynamics of reception frequency, used doses and use of original and generic forms of antiplatelet drugs, statins, beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors/ARBs in stable coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in 2004–2014 within the CHD registry.

Design and method:
Patients with angiographically confirmed in 2004–2007 CHD, who came for a follow-up visit in 2010 (n = 303) and in 2014 (n = 125) were included.

Results:
Statins were taken by 7.6% of patients prior to hospitalization and by 86.5% of patients at discharge, antiplatelet drugs by 68% and 96%, beta-blockers by 24,8% and 94%, and ACE-inhibitors by 19% and 83% of patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Statins were taken by 67% and 70% of patients 4 and 7 years after discharge, respectively, antiplatelet drugs by 80% and 90%, beta-blockers by 80% and 75%, ACE-inhibitors by 66% and 65% of patients, respectively. The main 4 groups of drugs for secondary prevention of CHD were taken by 15% of patients prior to hospitalization, by 69% of patients at discharge (p < 0.001), by 41% 4 years, and by 35% 7 years after discharge (p < 0.01). From 2004 to 2014 all groups of drugs with an exception of antiplatelets were used in low and medium doses with an increase in the use of generic forms, especially for statins (76%).

Conclusions:
Frequency of assignment of beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors/ARBs and statins in patients with stable CHD was low prior to hospitalization, increased during their hospital stay and decreased 4 and 7 years after discharge. Throughout these 10 years all drugs were used in medium and low doses, with an increase in the use of generic forms.
ELEVATED ONE-HOUR POSTLOAD PLASMA GLUCOSE LEVELS IDENTIFY CORONARY HEART DISEASE PATIENTS WITH GREATER SEVERITY OF CORONARY ARTERY LESIONS AND HIGHER RISK OF ONE-YEAR RE-ADMISSION
Authors: Cao Lifei , Wang Ping , Luan Hui , Chen Hui , Luo Chaodi , Tian Gang 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
To investigate the relationship of one-hour postload plasma glucose (1-h PG) during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with the severity of coronary artery lesions and risk of one-year re-admission with adverse cardiovascular events in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).

Design and method:
266 consecutive CHD patients who underwent coronary angiography and had NGT confirmed by OGTT during hospitalization were prospectively enrolled and followed in two groups according to the 1-h PG cut-off point of 155 mg/dL (1-h PG<155 mg/dL, n = 149 and elevated 1-h PG levels, n = 117). Angiographic severity was assessed by number of diseased vessels, lesion morphology and Gensini score. The risk of one-year re-admission with adverse cardiovascular events after discharge was analysed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results:
Subjects with elevated 1-h PG levels had higher incidence of multi-vessel disease and complex lesions (76.9% vs 47.7%,P < 0.001 and 48.7% vs 32.2%,P = 0.002), Gensini score [60(33–88) vs 28(16–44), P < 0.001], and risk of one-year re-admission (19.8 vs 8.9%,Breslow test P = 0.016) than subjects with a 1-h PG<155 mg/dL. In the stepwise multivariate regression analysis, the variable that remained significantly associated with the Gensini score was 1-h PG accounting for 13.1% of its variation. Subgroup analyses by sex showed that men with elevated 1-h PG levels had higher incidence of complex lesions (46.8% vs 32.1%, P = 0.033) and risk of one-year re-admission (19.9 vs 8.9%, Breslow test P = 0.031) than men with a 1-h PG<155 mg/dL, but this trend was not seen in women.
Figure 1. Kaplan–Meier curves showing the cumulative risk of one-year re-admission with adverse cardiovascular events after discharge in all subjects and stratified by sex.

Conclusions:
CHD patients with NGT and elevated 1-h PG levels had a greater severity of coronary artery lesions and an increased risk of re-admission with adverse cardiovascular events, particularly in men.
HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS ON TREATMENT AND COVID-19 IN FRANCE: FLAHS 2020 SURVEY
Authors: Hanon Olivier , Pathak Atul , Silhol François , Wimart Marie Catherine , Girerd Xavier 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Evaluate the occurrence of COVID-19 in the first half of 2020 in treated hypertensive patients and describe their medical follow-up during lockdown.

Design and method:
The FLAHS 2020 survey was performed in July/August 2020 by a self-administered questionnaire sent to 6,000 individuals aged 35 years and over from Kantar Health's Métascope permanent sampling base (a representative panel of the population living in metropolitan France). A subject was declared ill with COVID if he answered Yes to the question: Have you been ill with COVID-19 with a diagnosis confirmed or not by a doctor? The representativeness of the results for the metropolitan French population was performed by adjusting the data on geographical area, living conditions, socioeconomic category, gender and age.

Results:
Among the 4069 adults aged 35 years and older, symptomatic COVID-19 was reported by 2.2% [CI95:1.9–2.5] of respondents. The prevalence was 2.7% [CI95:1.4–4.0] among those treated with antihypertensive medication, 2.0% [1.7–2.3] among those not treated, 1.9% [1.3–2.5] among men and 2.5% [1.9–3.1] among women. Among subjects reporting COVID-19. During lockdown, 61.9% of treated hypertensive patients [60.6–63.2] were able to have medical contact, of which 9.8% [8.5–11.1] was by telephone and 5.9% [4.6–7.2] by videoconsultation, which was more frequent in the 35–54 age group with 13.1% [12.5–16.7] than in the 75+ age group with 3.5% [1.2–5.5]. 81.4% [2.8–5.4] of treated hypertensive patients visited the pharmacy at least once, and 4.1% [2.8–5.4] had their treatment delivered at home. Discontinuation of usual treatment was reported by 0.9% [0–2.2] of hypertensive patients, with a higher frequency in those aged 75 years and over (1.7% [0–4.0]).

Conclusions:
In the first half of 2020 in metropolitan France, COVID-19 in its symptomatic and self-reported form concerned treated hypertensive patients and the general population in a similar way. During lockdown there was no obvious disruption of care in the treated hypertensive patients and teleconsultation had a significant development, particularly for the visio-consultation in the 35–54 age group.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COVID-19 PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION
Authors: Ciarambino Tiziana , Ciaburri Filippina , Paoli Vera Delli , D’avino Marinella , Campania Direttivo Fadoi 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
To evaluate the gender differences in covid-19 patients with arterial hypertension.

Design and method:
This is a retrospective observational study comparing the association by gender of hypertensive status and with mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. All patients admitted to our Hospitals, from 12 March to 12 April 2020 with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Patients with COVID-19 included in this study were diagnosed according to World Health Organization interim guidance. Patients’ demographic characteristics and clinical data (symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory findings, and outcomes) during hospitalization were collected from electronic medical records. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality by gender during hospitalization.
Other endpoints included the time elapsed between onset of symptoms and discharge, the rates of use of invasive mechanical ventilation, and the differences by gender in the treatment.
The diagnosis of hypertension was given by the patient's physician prior to the infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Results:
In total, 877 consecutive hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled in the study.
The median time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 4.6 for men and 2.6 days for women (p < 0.05).
Among these patients, 58% had a medical history of hypertension (57% men and 46% for women), p < 0.05.
The spectrum of symptoms of COVID-19 at admission between the two cohorts did not differ significantly.
A total of (15.0%) patients died in the hypertension cohort (14% for men and 16% for women; p ns)
In particular, patients with hypertension had the propensity to develop more severe/critical COVID-19 disease (P for trend < 0.001) and were more likely to receive invasive mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:
Patients with COVID-19 and hypertension have been reported to have an increased risk of adverse outcomes. In particular female patients with hypertension require intensive care (16% vs 11% for men, p < 0.05) but no differences by gender for mortality rate we report. As described above, these data showed that hypertensive patients are at the highest risk for outcomes adverse. To further verify our results, as well as this hypothesis, we have also designed a randomized controlled trial.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM TOTAL BILIRUBIN CONCENTRATION AND MACROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Tanaka Masami , Nishimura Takeshi , Meguro Shu , Irie Junichiro , Saisho Yoshifumi , Mitsuishi Masanori , Itoh Arata , Inaishi Jun , Nakajima Yuya , Itoh Hiroshi 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
The presence of more than one atherosclerotic macrovascular disease (cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and peripheral arterial diseases) in the same patient is called polyvascular disease, which carries a very high cerebro- and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recently, hypobilirubinemia is recognized as a possible risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis besides classical risk factors such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. We investigated this study to clarify the pathophysiological significance of total bilirubin in type 2 diabetic patients complicated by polyvascular diseases.

Design and method:
This is a retrospective cross-sectional study including 696 type 2 diabetic patients. First, we compared serum total bilirubin concentration (TBC) between patients with and without cerebrovascular disease (CBVD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Secondly, we performed logistic regression analyses in order to find independent risk factors for atherosclerotic cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases (CBVD, CAD, and PAD). Lastly, we compared TBC among the patients with none, one, and two or three macrovascular diseases.

Results:
Among 696 type 2 diabetic patients, 106, 131, and 45 patients were complicated by CBVD, CAD, and PAD, respectively. Patients with CBVD and PAD showed significantly lower serum TBC than those withoutCBVD and PAD (CBVD: 0.67 ± 0.25 vs. 0.76 ± 0.38 mg/dL, p = 0.011, PAD: 0.65 ± 0.26 vs. 0.76 ± 0.34 mg/dL, p = 0.030). In addition, there was a tendency that TBC was lower in patients with CAD than in those without CAD (0.69 ± 0.27 vs. 0.76 ± 0.33 mg/dL, p = 0.06). It was shown that TBC was an independent risk factor for CBVD (p = 0.022), but not for CAD (p = 0.35) or PAD (p = 0.19). TBC of the patients with none (n = 469), one (n = 172), two (n = 51) or three (n = 4) macrovascular diseases were 0.77 ± 0.39, 0.65 ± 0.27, and 0.60 ± 0.37 mg/dL, respectively.

Conclusions:
Diabetic patients without macrovascular diseases exhibited the highest TBC among three categories of the patients. On the other hand, patients with two or three macrovascular complications showed the lowest TBC. Therefore, TBC can be used as a possible biomarker which identifies type 2 diabetic patients with polyvascular disease.
APIGENIN ATTENUATES DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY IN TYPE 1 DIABETIC RATS
Authors: Malik Salma , Arya Dharamvir Singh 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of apigenin on progression and development of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic rats.

Design and method:
Adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups: control, diabetic control, apigenin treatment groups (5–20 mg/kg; p.o.), ramipril (2 mg/kg; p.o.) and apigenin per se (20 mg/kg) group. Except control and per se groups, type 1 diabetes in other groups were induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg; i.p). After confirmation of diabetes (FBG>250 mg/dl), rats were randomly divided into different treatment groups and observed for period of 8 months.

Results:
After 8 months, STZ resulted in attenuation of renal function (increased BUN and serum creatinine), increased oxidative stress and inflammation (increased cytokines and NF-kappa B) in the diabetic rats. In addition, there was fibrosis (increased transforming growth factor, fibronectin and type IV collagen), apoptosis (increased bax, caspase-3 and decreased bcl-2) and activation of MAPK pathway in diabetic-control group. These results were further supported by histopathological examination, which revealed presence of inflammation, collagen deposition and glomerulosclerosis in renal tissue of diabetic rats. In contrast, pre-treatment with apigenin significantly ameliorated STZ-induced functional and pathological changes in diabetic rats. In addition, it attenuated fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis and also prevented activation of MAPK pathway in diabetic rats. All these protective effects were comparable to the ramipril treated group.

Conclusions:
Apigenin ameliorated oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis in diabetic rats by attenuation of MAPK pathway and prevented diabetic complication in diabetic rats.
INTRARENAL RESISTANCE INDEXES ARE INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS IN NON-DIABETIC ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION
Authors: Catena Cristiana , da Porto Andrea , Colussi Gianluca , Vivarelli Cinzia , Bulfone Luca , Sechi Leonardo A. 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Intrarenal resistance indexes (IRI) are markers of an early renal microvascular damage. The identification of factors that can influence the IRI could be useful in the prevention of renal damage in essential hypertensive (EH) patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether mild changes of glucose metabolism are associated with increased IRI in non-diabetic EH patients.

Design and method:
In 271 EH patients (age 50 ± 13 years, 141 males, 102 never treated) with normal renal function we measured the glomerular filtration rate, plasma lipids levels, fasting plasma glucose (PG), insulin (I), and glycated hemoglobin (GH), the HOMA-index, the area under the curve of PG (GAUC) and I (IAUC) after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the PG level at 120 minutes of OGTT (G120), and we measured IRI by Doppler ultrasound of intrarenal vessels.

Results:
Patients were divided according to quartiles of IRI. PG, GAUC, G120 and GH increased progressively with increasing levels of IRI. No differences were found in I levels and HOMA across IRI quartiles. IRI was significantly and directly correlated with age, diastolic blood pressure, PG, I, HOMA, GAUC, G120, and GH. At logistic regression analysis, the highest IRI quartile (average value: 0.68 ± 0.04) was independently associated with HG>5.9% (OR = 4.09, P = 0.027) and G129 (OR = 1.01, P = 0.009).

Conclusions:
In non-diabetic EH patients with normal renal function, subtle changes in glucose homeostasis are associated with increased intrarenal vascular resistance and might contribute to development of overt renal damage.
SHORT-TERM TEMPERATURE VARIATION ON THE LEVEL OF HIGH SENSITIVITY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN CHINA
Authors: Kang Yuting , Wang Zengwu , Chen Zuo , Zhang Liinfeng , Wang Xin , Zhen Congyi , Jiang Linlin , Shao Lan , Tian Ye 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Epidemiological studies have shown associations between air temperature and inflammatory markers, but few studies have estimated the relationship of temperature variation (TV) with serum biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The current study first to explore the association between ambient temperature variation and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCrp).

Design and method:
A cross-sectional survey of CVD risk factors was conducted among Chinese participants aged 35 to 64 years in 2009 to 2010, during which hsCrp was also collected. Ambient maximum and minimum temperature were from National climate center. TV was defined as the standard deviation of daily minimum and maximum temperatures during exposure days. Using linear mixed effects models, we examined the relationships between TV and hsCrp for Chinese population.

Results:
Our study population consisted of 11,623 participants with mean age of 49.80 years (± 8.0 years) enrolled in our study. Per 1 °C increase in temperature variation were significantly related with 2.32% (95%CI: 1.38–3.28), 3.63% (95%CI: 2.45–4.83), 6.08% (95%CI: 4.65–7.53) and 6.81% (95%CI: 5.28–8.36) increase in hsCrp, with greater effect during warm season.

Conclusions:
Exposure to TV is associated with increased hsCrp. Our findings add to the growing evidence regarding the potential impact of climatic factors on important health outcomes.
ACTIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY AGAINST RECEPTOR FOR ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS ATTENUATES THE PROGRESSION OF DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Azegami Tatsuhiko , Hayashi Kaori , Hishikawa Akihito , Yoshimoto Norifumi , Nakayama Takashin , Itoh Hiroshi 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
To combat global increases in the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), we aimed to develop a new therapeutic vaccine targeting receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE).

Design and method:
RAGE vaccine was a water-in-oil emulsion composed of Freund's adjuvant and RAGE partial peptide that was conjugated to the carrier protein KLH. Male DBA2/J mice were subcutaneously immunized with three doses of KLH (vehicle) or RAGE vaccine and subsequently induced diabetes by multiple low-dose streptozotocin. To investigate the renal protective effect of RAGE vaccine, we measured urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and analyzed renal histology using light and electron microscopy.

Results:
There was no difference in blood glucose between vehicle-treated mice and vaccinated mice. On the other hand, immunization with the RAGE vaccine significantly attenuated the increase in UACR (vehicle group 850.6 ± 208.6 vs vaccine group 333.6 ± 104.7 ug/mg, n = 10/group, p < 0.05). In the histological analyses, total glomerular volume of vaccinated mice was siginificantly less than that of vehicle-treated mice (vehicle group 5.28 ± 0.52 vs vaccine group 3.18 ± 0.17 um3, p < 0.01) and glomerular mesangial matrix expansion was attenuated in vaccine-treated mice (vehicle group 23.6 ± 1.6 vs vaccine group 18.8 ± 0.8%, p < 0.01). Ultrastructural morphometric study (n = 3/group) also indicated that glomerular basement membrane thickness was significantly suppressed in vaccinated mice compared with vehicle-treated mice (vehicle group 215.3 ± 1.9 vs vaccine group 181.3 ± 1.8 nm, p < 0.01).

Conclusions:
These results suggest that active immunotherapy targeting RAGE is effective for the attenuation of DKD in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.