bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract 17065: Cardiac Progenitor Cell-mediated Cardiac Regeneration in the Poastnatal Mammalian Heart
Authors: Liu Yuan-Hung , Lai Ling-Ping , Huang Shih-Yun , Lin Yi-Shuan , Huang Hsing-Yu , Lin Jiunn-Lee 
Published: July 2021

The massive loss of cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction often results in cardiac fibrosis, chamber dilatation and heart failure. Several studies have shown that inflammation contributes to adverse left ventricular remodeling, however, anti-inflammatory therapy with NSAID during the acute phase of myocardial infarction augments the adverse cardiac remodeling and increases mortality. We hypothesized that inflammation in the acute phase of myocardial infarction might trigger the activation of cardiac progenitors and that anti-inflammatory therapy might attenuate the repair by the cardiac progenitors.
We confirmed that Nkx2.5 enhancer-expressing cells existed in the postnatal mouse heart and could differentiate into striated cardiomyocytes in vitro. Using the Nkx2.5 enhancer-eGFP transgenic mice, we found the number of eGFP+ cells and inflammatory cells (marked by Gr1. Mac1, B220, CD45) increased remarkably and significantly after coronary artery ligation. The activated Nkx2.5 enhancer expressing cells expressed up-regulated cardiogenesis genes and could differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vivo by lineage tracing.
To prove that anti-inflammatory therapy might attenuate the repair by the cardiac progenitors, we added NSAID (ibuprofen) to the feeding water after coronary ligation on the Nkx2.5-eGFP transgenic mice and found the activated level of progenitor cells was decreased by 73% after the mice were treated with ibuprofen. We further lineage-traced the post-inury inducible Nkx2.5-Cre; ROSA26-LacZ double transgenic mice with ibuprofen or water and found the LacZ+ positive area was decreased by 80% in the heart sections of ibuprofen-treated mice.
We concluded that the inflammatory signaling enhances the cardiac progenitor cells to proliferate and differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Understanding the factors regulating cardiac regeneration helps us treat the patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure.
Abstract 17861: Injectable Shear-thinning Hydrogels to Deliver Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Reduce Ventricular Strain, and Dynamic Stiffness to Stabilize Cardiac Function Following Ischemic Injury
Authors: Gaffey Ann C , Chen Minna H , Trubelja Alen , Venkataraman Chantel M , Chen Carol W , S Susan , Sehgal Chandra M , Burdick Jason A , Atluri Pavan 
Published: July 2021

The ventricle undergoes adverse remodeling, post-infarction. We developed an injectable shear-thinning hyaluronic acid hydrogel(STG) and endothelial progenitor cell construct(STG-EPC) to enhance vasculogenesis(shown previously) and mechanically stabilize the infarcted myocardium. We hypothesize that this tissue-engineered therapy will minimize adverse remodeling and maintain myocardial tensile properties in a clinically translatable therapy.
EPCs(DiLDL+ VEGFR2+ CD34+) were harvested from adult Wistar Rats and suspended in STG. STG-EPC constructs were circumferentially injected at the borderzone of ischemic rat myocardium, following LAD ligation. Engraftment and retention were assessed by near infrared cellular tag. Myocardial remodeling, tensile properties, and hemodynamic function were analyzed in 4 groups: control(PBS), EPC injection(EPC), STG injection(STG), and STG-EPC construct(STG-EPC). High-resolution ultrasound with speckle tracking (VSI Vevo 2100) allowed analysis of regional epicardial and endocardial strain. Uniaxial testing assessed tensile strength.
STG-EPC injection significantly increased engraftment, migration, and retention of the EPCs one-week post implant compared to EPC (0.7 vs 0.4 RFU, p=0.02). Using strain echocardiography a significant increase in left ventricular function was noted in the STG-EPC cohort. Strain echocardiography examination revealed a significant retention of myocardial longitudinal displacement with subsequent stabilization of myocardial velocity with STG-EPC therapy. A reduction in dynamic stiffness was noted in the STG-EPC cohort.(Table)
This novel injectable shear-thinning hyaluronic acid hydrogel seeded with EPCs demonstrates stabilization of borderzone myocardium with reduction in adverse myocardial remodeling and preservation of myocardial biomechanics. There is a markedly increased retention of delivered stem cells with this tissue engineered therapy.
Abstract 18055: Induced Growth of Hypoplastic Cardiac Structures to Facilitate Repair of Congenital Defects
Authors: Labuz Daniel F , Pyles Lee A , Berry James A , Foker John E 
Published: July 2021

Introduction:
Congenital heart defects (CHD) may include hypoplastic valves, ventricles and vessels which complicate repairs. Our hypotheses were that hypoplastic structures are developmental rather than primarily genetic in origin and the correct biomechanical signal would induce catch up growth. Our corollary hypothesis was that the growth signal is provided by flow, not pressure. First stage operations, therefore, were designed to increase flow and induce growth. Once growth was sufficient, a second operation would often complete the repair. We report our results using flow induced growth of hypoplastic structures to facilitate repair in 3 types of CHD.

Methods:
Three groups of CHD patients with associated hypoplastic structures: unbalanced atrioventricular canal defects (UAVC); pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS); and coarctation of the aorta (CoA) were reviewed. Operations increased flow through the hypoplastic structures, such as creating restrictive septal defects to increase flow through the hypoplastic AV valves and ventricles (UAVC, PAIVS) or relieving obstruction (CoA) to enhance aortic valve and arch flow.

Results:
On follow up, virtually all (85/90) hypoplastic structures reached normal size and the rest had nearly comparable growth (Table).

Conclusions:
1) Operations designed to increase flow through hypoplastic structures reliably induced catch up growth of UAVC, PAIVS and CoA lesions.

2) The growth response supported underdevelopment as the cause of hypoplasia and flow as the growth signal to reverse it.
3) Growth induction allowed two ventricle repairs in UAVC and PAIVS patients and avoided extended arch repairs in CoA; all with decreased operative risk.
4) Following catch up growth of the hypoplastic lesions, the outlook improved to that of patients with balanced AVCs, normal sized RVs in pulmonary atresia and well repaired CoA.
5) Once normal size was reached growth continued, producing a durable result.
Abstract 18889: Circulating microRNA Implicated in the TGF-β Signalling Pathway are Altered in Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Robertson Elizabeth N , Lu Yaxin , Sahagian Alex , Lai Donna , Kekic Murat , Hambly Brett , Jeremy Richmond 
Published: July 2021

Thoracic aortic aneurysms in Marfan Syndrome (MFS) caused by mutations in FBN1 are associated with altered TGF-β signaling. Regulation of gene expression can occur at the level of microRNA, which can modify signaling pathways.
We hypothesized that there would be altered microRNA expression in MFS that may alter the expression of signaling proteins.
Total RNA was isolated from whole blood collected in PAXgene® tubes (PreAnalytiX), from 13 MFS patients with aortic dilatation (6F, 7M; Ao Diameter 44.4±6.0mm; Age 39±12yrs) and 10 normal controls (5F, 5M; Ao Diameter 32.3±5mm; Age 34±10yrs). The RNA was reverse transcribed with Human Pool A & B primers and qPCR was performed on the subsequent cDNA using TaqMan® OpenArray® Human miRNA Panels (2454 targets) (ThermoFisher). microRNA expression was considered to be significantly altered if there was >2 fold change (p<0.05) compared to controls. microRNA that were identified as significantly altered were then validated with qPCR using targeted primers on an additional 33 MFS patients (15F, 21M; Ao Diameter 44.2±5.0mm; Age 37±13yrs).
In MFS patients, the OpenArray® identified 30 microRNA were significantly altered (22 up regulated, 8 down regulated). Of these, 12 were confirmed to be altered using targeted qPCR (Graph 1). Three of these have previously been identified as modifiers of the TGF-β signaling pathway (miR 17, miR 93, miR 93*). Three were from the let-7 family (let-7e, let-7f, let-7g), which are involved in terminal cell differentiation and have been implicated in several cardiovascular disease processes. Another three have been shown to be dysregulated in various cardiovascular disease states including atherosclerotic thoracic aortic aneurysm and left ventricular hypertrophy (miR 208, miR 486, miR 378).
This study provides novel evidence for adaptive responses at the post-transcriptional level of gene expression that may modulate aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome.
Abstract MP12: Comparing Effectiveness of Mass Media Campaigns vs. Price Reductions Targeting Fruit and Vegetable Intake on US Cvd Mortality and Race Disparities
Authors: Pearson-Stuttard Jonathan , Bandosz Piotr , Rehm Colin D , Afshin Ashkan , Penalvo Jose , Whitsel Laurie , Danaei Goodarz , Gaziano Thomas , Bromley Helen , Lloyd-Williams Ffion , Mozaffarian Dariush , Capewell Simon , O’Flaherty Martin 
Published: July 2021

Introduction:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for over 800,000 US deaths annually, with substantial disparities by race. Poor diet is a leading CVD risk factor, including low intake of fruit and vegetable (F&V). Few data exist regarding the potential population level impact and effect on race disparities of policies aimed at increasing F&V intake.

Aim:
To estimate CVD mortality reductions, including by race, potentially achievable by price reduction and mass media campaign interventions in the US population up to 2030.

Methods:
We developed a US IMPACT Food Policy Model to compare three contrasting policies targeting F&V intake: A - a national mass media campaign (MMC); B and C - a universal F&V price reduction of 10 and 30% respectively. The MMC assumed unequal coverage by age, gender and race, and duration of either 1 or 15 years.

Data sources included the National Vital Statistics System, SEER single year population estimates, the US Bureau 2012 National Population projections and NHANES. We used US population and CVD projections to 2030, F&V mortality effect sizes and best evidence effect sizes for each policy. We modelled cumulative deaths prevented or postponed and life years gained (LYG) by age, gender, race and CVD subtype from 2015 to 2030. Results were tested in a probabilistic sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulation.

Results:
Scenario A (MMC) could result in 27,000 (95% CI: 21,000-33,000) to 85,000 (83,000-89,000) fewer deaths dependent upon media campaign duration (from 1 to 15 years), gaining up to 1,280,000 LYGs (1,250,000-1,320,000) by 2030. Approximately 62% of deaths prevented would be CHD; and 53% would be in men, with 20% being saved in year 1.

Scenario B (10% price decrease) could prevent approximately 90,000 deaths (71,000-114,000) and gain 1,450,000 LYGs (1,180,000-1,740,000) by 2030. Scenario C (30% price decrease) could prevent some 270,000 deaths (215,000-338,000) by 2030, representing a 3.9% reduction in expected CVD mortality.
Price reduction policies would have equitable effects in non-hispanic whites vs. blacks. In comparison, a MMC would be ~ 35% less effective in preventing CVD deaths in non-Hispanic blacks.

Conclusions:
Price reduction policies (10 or 30%) and a nationwide MMC would each effectively reduce US CVD mortality. A 30% price reduction policy would save most lives and do so most equitably. Deaths prevented via a MMC might reduce substantially after year 1 and also increase disparities. These results inform potential fiscal and population level strategies to reduce CVD mortality in the US.
Abstract MP68: Populations with Multiple Adverse Behavioral Factors
Authors: Eckstein Thomas , Houghtaling Laura , Quick Mariah 
Published: July 2021

Traditionally, population behavioral characteristics are reported at the individual level. However, just like diseases, the combination of multiple adverse risk factors, even though they are often highly correlated, presents a different challenge and impact on community health than examining these same behaviors in isolation. We analyzed 5 risk factors in the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey; smoking (currently a smoker), inactivity (no physical activity outside of work), excessive alcohol consumption (for women, 4 or more drinks in one sitting or an average of greater than one drink per day; for men, 5 or more drinks in one sitting or an average of greater than two drinks per day), obesity (BMI >=30), and insufficient sleep (< 7 hours per night). These five measures were selected because of their strong association with heart and other disease. We studied the frequency of multiple factors by state, sex, race, urbanicity, educational attainment and income. The attached map illustrates the variation among states in the prevalence of 3 or more risk factors in the population. In Utah, Colorado, and California, less than 9% of the population has 3 or more; in Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi, 16% or more of the population has 3 or more of these risk factors. Among demographic subpopulations, differences also exist. For non-Hispanic Asian population 4.5% (CI:3.5%-5.4%) have 3 or more risk factors compared to 16% or more exhibiting 3 or more risk factors in the non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native, and non-Hispanic multi-racial populations. The variation among these subpopulations within states was also explored.
Understanding the distribution of multiple adverse risk factors within a state’s population can help guide the efforts of public health officials, policy makers, advocacy groups and others to focus on the most affected populations and develop interventions that address multiple related conditions.
Abstract P036: Exploring Systems Thinking as an Underlying Mechanism in Improving Healthy Lifestyles of Overweight and Obese Adolescents: Psychometrics of the Systems Thinking Scale for Adolescent Behavior Change
Authors: Moore Shirley M 
Published: July 2021

We have learned from the past that interventions targeting health behavior change involve assisting participants to identify and make changes in the habitual systems in their daily routines. Although the skills to change these habitual systems involve systems thinking (the ability to recognize patterns, interactions and interdependencies in a set of activities), no current measure exists to assess the extent to which systems thinking influences health behavior change. Our team is currently investigating the mediating role of systems thinking in enhancing healthy eating and exercise in overweight and obese adolescents. The purpose of this study was to develop and conduct psychometric testing of the Systems Thinking Scale for Adolescent Behavior Change (STS-AB).
In a first phase of this study, a panel of experts in systems thinking was used to develop an initial item set that was tested for understandability, content validity and stability in a small sample (N= 24) of adolescents enrolled in a weight management program. In a second phase, using a larger study of 359 urban adolescents enrolled in a weight management trail aged 10-13 (58% girls; 80% African American), factor analysis, reliability, and validity of the 16-item STS-AB were assessed.
Results of an exploratory factor analysis of the STS-AB indicated a 1-factor solution with good factor loadings, ranging from .40 to .67. The internal consistency reliability coefficient was .87. Test-retest reliability of the STS-AB was .48, p<.05. Systems thinking scores were higher in children who received systems thinking training compared to children not receiving training. Evidence of construct validity was supported by significant correlations with established measures of other variables commonly associated with health behavior change (motivation and self-efficacy for diet and physical activity). These findings indicate that the STS-AB is a valid and reliable measure of systems thinking for health behavior change in adolescents that can assist investigators to examine the extent to which systems thinking is a mechanism in health behavior change.
Abstract P209: Socioeconomic Position is Associated with Cardiovascular Health Following the E-Mechanic Exercise Intervention
Authors: Myers Candice A , Broyles Stephanie T , Martin Corby , Church Timothy S 
Published: July 2021

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The American Heart Association set national goals for cardiovascular health, including 7 metrics for ideal cardiovascular health. Research has shown that social factors, such as socioeconomic position (i.e., income, education), are important influences on cardiovascular health. Specifically, disparities in cardiovascular health exist between higher and lower socioeconomic positions.
We assessed the hypothesis that higher socioeconomic position would be associated with improved cardiovascular health, measured as 4 cardiovascular health factors as outlined by the American Heart Association Life’s Simple 7, following an exercise intervention.
This study used data from the Examination of Mechanisms (E-Mechanic) of Exercise-Induced Weight Compensation randomized control trial. Cardiovascular health factors included 1) BMI, 2) cholesterol, 3) glucose, and 4) systolic blood pressure, which were used to create composite cardiovascular health scores based upon ideal (2 points), intermediate (1 point), and poor (0 points) health for each factor for a possible range of 0 points (worst CVH) to 8 points (best CVH). These scores were calculated pre- and post-intervention. The primary covariate, socioeconomic position, was created using principal components analysis with income and educational attainment to produce a single socioeconomic factor that was dichotomized to indicate high socioeconomic position (=1). We also included covariates for age, sex, race, and marital status.
Among the 114 participants (21-65 years old; 72% female; 30% black) who received the E-MECHANIC exercise intervention, the mean cardiovascular health factor score pre-intervention was 5.1 points (SD=1.2 points) and post-intervention 5.4 (SD=1.2 points). Regression analysis revealed that the exercise intervention increased cardiovascular health overall (p=0.03). However, participants with higher socioeconomic position had significantly (p=0.002) greater improvement in cardiovascular health factor scores. At baseline participants with higher socioeconomic position had better cardiovascular health, but not significantly better (LS-means difference = 0.38; p=0.35). Yet, after the intervention the difference in cardiovascular health between high and low socioeconomic position participants had increased (LS-means difference = 0.71; p=0.01).
Although cardiovascular health improved for all intervention participants, those with higher socioeconomic position demonstrated better improvement in cardiovascular health thusly increasing socioeconomic health disparities. This provides further evidence that in order for interventions to be equally effective among participants consideration should be given to socioeconomic influences and interventions may need to be customized for different populations.
Abstract MP067: Reducing US Cardiovascular Disease Disparities Through Dietary Policy
Authors: Pearson-Stuttard Jonathan , Bandosz Piotr , Rehm Colin D , Penalvo Jose , Whitsel Laurie , Gaziano Tom , Conrad Zach , Wilde Parke , Micha Renata , Lloyd-Williams Ffion , Capewell Simon , Mozaffarian Dariush , O’Flaherty Martin 
Published: July 2021

Quantifying reductions in US cardiovascular deaths and disparities by different diet policies

Background:
Large disparities exist in US dietary habits and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. While economic incentives have demonstrated success in improving dietary choices, the quantitative impact of different dietary policies on CVD disparities is not well-established

Methods:
Using a US IMPACT Food Policy Model and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, we estimated and compared the reductions in CVD mortality and disparities in the US population potentially achievable from 2015 to 2030 with specific dietary policy scenarios

a) a national mass media campaign (Media campaign) aimed to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) or reduce sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs),
b) national fiscal policies to tax SSB and increase price by 10% and subsidize F&V to reduce prices by 10%; and
c) a targeted policy, to subsidize F&V to reduce prices by 30% among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP) participants only.
We also evaluated a combined multi-component approach, combining each of the above policies.

Results:
Among individual policy options, a national 10% F&V subsidy was estimated to be most effective, resulting in approximately 150,500 (95% CI, 142,700-157,900) CVD deaths potentially prevented or postponed (DPPs) by 2030. This far exceed the approximately 35,100 (32,000-37,900) DPPs from a 30% F&V subsidy targeting SNAP participants, or some 23,000 (21,700-24,600) DPPs from a 1-year Media campaign or approximately 21,400 (19,500-23,600) DPPs from a 10% SSB tax.

Neither the Media campaign nor individual national economic policies would significantly reduce CVD disparities. However, the SNAP-targeted intervention would significantly reduce CVD disparities between SNAP participants and SNAP-ineligible individuals, by approximately 7% (10 DPPs per 100,000 population).
The combined policy approach would save more lives than any single policy studied (approximately 215,500 DPPs by 2030) while also significantly reducing disparities by approximately 5% (7 DPPs per 100,000 population).

Conclusions:
Fiscal strategies targeting diet could reduce CVD burdens. A national 10% F&V subsidy would save by far the most lives, while a SNAP-targeted 30% F&V subsidy would most reduce disparities.

A combined policy would have the greatest overall impact on both mortality and disparities.