bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factor, arterial stiffness and vascular aging in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension
Authors: Nebieridze N N , Safronova T , Podzolkov V I 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Arterial stiffness and vascular aging is associated with a risk factors for cardiovascular complications in hypertension. It is known that, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), a pleiotropic cytokine, enhances proliferation and growth of smooth muscle cells, as well as the accumulation of extracellular matrix, that is, the processes underlying vascular remodeling in hypertension. But still there is no data about influence off TGF-β1 on arterial stiffness and vascular aging.

Purpose
The aim of our study was to identify the relationship between TGF-β1, arterial stiffness and vascular age in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension

Materials and methods
The study included 140 patients: 30 people with uncontrolled hypertension (UAH), 80 people with controlled hypertension (CAH) and 30 people in the control group. All patients underwent determination of arterial stiffness, vascular age using cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) by means of volumetric sphygmography and TGF-β1 concentration level.

Results
The TGF-β1 level was 19,2 [17,2; 24,7] ng/ml in the CAH group. In the UAH group – 22,6 [20,6; 25,6] ng/ml. In the control group - 17.4 [11,8; 19,3] ng/ml. Value of the CAVI was 9,2 [8,5; 9,9] in UAH group, 7.8 [7,0; 8,5] in CAH group and 7 [6,5; 7,5] in control group. The maximum and minimum values vascular age were observed in the group UAH 71,5 [64; 74] and control group 54 [44; 59], respectively (p&lt;0,05), in the CAH group there was an intermediate value of the vascular age 59 [49; 69] (p&lt;0,05). There was significant difference between vascular and passport age in CAH and UAH groups (p&lt;0,05) and no significant difference between passport and vascular age in control group (p&gt;0,05). The correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the TGF-β1 level and CAVI for patients with hypertension (CAH r=0,777; UAH r=0,753; p&lt;0.05). Positive correlation was also revealed between TGF-β1 and vascular age in UAH group (r=0,657) and CAH (r=0,649) p&lt;0,05.

Conclusion
An increase in the concentration of TGF-β1, vascular age and an increase of arterial stiffness were revealed in patients of the UAH group in comparison with the other groups. The relationship between TGF-β1, vascular age and arterial stiffness was also found in patients with arterial hypertension.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
“Stifflammation” in hypertension is a predictor of future cardiovascular hospitalizations
Authors: Terentes-Printzios D , Christopoulou G , Korogiannis L , Ioakeimidis N , Aznaouridis K , Gardikioti V , Dima I , Oikonomou D , Gkini K P , Tsioufis K , Vlachopoulos C 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background/Introduction
Hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, inflammation and arterial stiffness.

Purpose
We sought to investigate the role of inflammation and arterial stiffness in the prognosis of cardiovascular hospitalizations in hypertensive patients over an extended follow-up.

Methods
One hundred and seventy-three patients (mean age 52.5±13.2 years, 57% males) untreated hypertensives at baseline without cardiovascular disease, were included in the study. Arterial stiffness was assessed with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured in venous blood samples. Other markers of subclinical organ damage [left ventricular mass index (LVMI) by echocardiography and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)] were also evaluated in all patients.

Results
During 13.6±0.4 years of follow-up, forty-four patients (25.4%) patients were admitted in hospital due to cardiovascular causes. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, only higher hsCRP (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.34, 95% Confidence intervals [CI]: 1.22–9.51, P=0.02) and increased PWV (OR = 1.48, 95% Confidence intervals [CI]: 1.03–2.12, P=0.036) were associated with higher risk of cardiovascular hospitalizations, which was independent of age, gender, systolic blood pressure, LVMI and presence of diabetes. In further analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the ability of hsCRP and PWV to discriminate subjects with cardiovascular hospitalization. The area under the curve (AUC) and 95% CIs of the ROC curves were AUC=0.69 (95% CI: 0.59–0.78, p&lt;0.001) for hsCRP and AUC=0.74 (95% CI: 0.65–0.83, P&lt;0.001) for PWV (Figure).

Conclusions
Our study shows the independent complimentary prognostic role of inflammation and arterial stiffness in the prognosis of hypertensives even in studies with extended follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. ROC curves for the prediction of outcome
March, September and December months with the greatest influence of atmospheric pressure on blood pressure in patients with hypertension
Authors: Cieslik-Guerra U I , Kaminski M , Kotas R , Trzos E , Wierzbowska-Drabik K , Bednarkiewicz Z , Rechcinski T , Tylman W , Kasprzak J D , Kurpesa M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Objectives
For a long time, science has searched for the relationship between weather and human health. Atmospheric pressure is the most objective weather factor because, regardless of whether the objects are outdoors or indoors, it affects all objects in the same way. In cardiology, we often look for factors that worsen blood pressure control. Could atmospheric pressure be one of them?
The main objective of our research was to assess the relationship between atmospheric pressure and blood pressure in patients with treated hypertension in different months in the moderate climate of Central Poland.

Material and methods
The study group consisted of 4191 patients with arterial hypertension, divided into 2 near equal groups due to a lower or higher average value of atmospheric pressure when blood pressure was recorded. Blood pressure was monitored by a means of 24-h ABPM. Atmospheric pressure was recorded with the frequency of 1 measurement per minute using a meteorological station. The observations were conducted in the years 2009–2019. Comparisons between blood pressure values in the 2 groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results
We observed a significant difference in blood pressure recorded during the periods of lower and higher atmospheric pressure: for systolic blood pressure during the days of September (125.01±14.99 vs 120.14±12.83, p&lt;0.001) and December (124.22±15.45 vs 127.50±14.35, p&lt;0.05), for diastolic pressure during the days of March (72.24±10.92 vs 69.81±9.13, p&lt;0.02) and for diastolic pressure during the nights of March (61.53±8.96 vs 59.58±9.17, p&lt;0.04).

Conclusions
A significant inverse relationship between atmospheric pressure and blood pressure was observed; during March days and nights for diastolic blood pressure and during September and December days for systolic blood pressure.
This finding may be important for the understanding of why during some months the pharmacological control of blood pressure is poor, and of the consequences of this fact.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): own resources
Risk factors in young patients with myocardial infarction: what is different from the general population?
Authors: Wienbergen H , Guenther K , Boakye D , Schmucker J , Mkalaluh S , Retzlaff T , Ruehle S , Osteresch R , Fach A , Ahrens W , Hambrecht R 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Patients that suffer from myocardial infarction (MI) at a younger age are of special medical and socioeconomic interest. Data on risk factors for MI in this patient group are however scarce.

Methods
In this case–control study, clinical characteristics of consecutive patients admitted to hospital with MI at age of ≤45 years were compared to a randomly selected cohort from the general population in the same geographic region in Germany. After 3:1 matching on age and gender and multivariable analyses, independent risk factors for the occurrence of MI at a younger age were analyzed.

Results
522 patients with MI ≤45 years were compared to 1191 matched controls from the general population. The proportion of active smokers was more than 3-fold higher in younger MI-patients compared to the general population (82.4% vs. 24.1%, p&lt;0.01), while the proportion of persons consuming alcohol at least 2 times a week was higher in the general population (19.9% vs. 36.6%, p&lt;0.01). Younger patients with MI were more often obese (median body mass index 28.4 vs. 25.5 kg/m2, p&lt;0.01), had a higher proportion of hypertension (25.1% vs. 0.5%, p&lt;0.01) or diabetes mellitus (11.7% vs. 1.7%, p&lt;0.01) and had more often a family history of the father (22.4% vs. 7.1%, p&lt;0.01) or the mother (7.5% vs. 1.3%, p&lt;0.01) for premature coronary artery disease.
In multivariable analysis, hypertension or diabetes, active smoking, family history and body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 were strong predictors for the occurrence of MI at a younger age, while alcohol consumption was a protective factor (Figure).

Conclusions
This case-control study demonstrates a very strong association of active smoking, metabolic syndrome and family history with the occurrence of MI at a younger age. The contrary is found regarding alcohol consumption.
These data suggest that the risk of young-onset MI goes beyond family history and underline the importance of primary prevention efforts to reduce smoking and metabolic syndrome in children, adolescents and young adults in order to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Bremen Heart FoundationLeibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology
Should we really avoid fat in diet? The beneficial effects of low carbohydrate diet versus low fat diet on cardiovascular health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ishak A I , Harikrishna A H , Chrysostomou S C , Karpettas N K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
European Society of Cardiology and the American College of cardiology recommend a diet that is considerably low in fat (&lt;35%) and high in carbohydrates (45–55%) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. However, recent evidence suggests that low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) can provide similar, if not, better CVD protection.

Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis

Methods
3 databases were screened until 17th of August 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two investigators selected studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results
25 trials with a total of 2438 patients were included. LCD resulted in greater reductions in body weight (WMD −1.93 (95% CI −2.69, −1.16) kg; p&lt;0.0001), triglycerides (WMD −26.13 (95% CI −23.45, −14.29) mg/dL; p&lt;0.0001), TNF-alpha (WMD −0.5 (95% CI −0.82, −0.17) pg/mL; p=0.003) and IL-6 (95% CI −2.29, −0.59) pg/mL; p=0.0009) with a greater increase in HDL-C (WMD 3.73 (95% CI 2.92, 4.54) mg/dL; p&lt;0.ehab724.24271) and LDL-C (WMD 5.07 (95% 1.9, 8.23) mg/dL; p=0.002) compared to low fat diet (LFD). There was no statistical difference in systolic (WMD 0.5 (95% CI −1.06, 2.05) mmHg; p=0.53) and diastolic blood pressure reduction (WMD −0.22 (95% CI −1.35, 0.91) mmHg; p=0.70).

Conclusions
Obese patients with other cardiovascular risk factors assigned to an LCD achieved greater reductions in weight loss and triglycerides levels with a greater increase in HDL-C levels and a more pronounced anti-inflammatory state than patients assigned to an LFD. Hence, low carbohydrate diets could be an alternative tool for cardiovascular protection in selected patients.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
A-posteriori protein-rich dietary patterns and their association with ten-year transition to metabolically unhealthy status: highlights from a population-based cohort study
Authors: Kouvari M , Chrysohoou C , Georgousopoulou E , Skoumas J , Pitsavos C , Panagiotakos D B 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background/Introduction
The role of dietary protein on cardiometabolic health remains complex influenced by concomitant changes in overall diet composition. The quality of protein sources is currently suggested as more detrimental than the level of consumption itself.

Purpose
The association between different protein-rich dietary patterns and 10-year transition to metabolically unhealthy status in a sample from Greece was evaluated.

Methods
A prospective study was conducted during 2001–2012 studying n=1,514 men and n=1,528 women (&gt;18 years old) free of CVD. Healthy metabolic status was defined as absence of all NCEP ATP III (2005) metabolic syndrome components. Baseline dietary assessment was based on a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary protein was calculated through standardized food database. Follow-up cardiometabolic assessment (2011–2012) was achieved in n=2,020 participants. Protein-rich dietary patterns were derived through factor analysis in the subsample of participants with high daily protein intake (&gt;15% of total energy intake corresponding to the median consumption level). Patterns were named according to food scores that correlated most with the factor (scores&gt;0.5).

Results
Overall, six of ten participants lost their metabolically healthy status within a decade. Multiadjusted analysis revealed an inverse yet non-significant association between total energy-standardized protein intake and transition to metabolically unhealthy status [Odds ratio (OR) (high vs. low protein intake)=0.59, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) (0.32, 1.10), p=0.09]. Factor analysis extracted three protein-rich dietary patterns, explained 55% of the total variation in intake. Factor A was characterized by increased consumption of processed meet, unprocessed red meat and eggs, factor B was characterized by increased consumption of nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grain products and fish while factor C was characterized by increased consumption of dairy products, poultry and vegetables. Multiadjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that factor B had the strongest protective effect against 10-year transition to metabolically unhealthy status [ORper 1 point increase in factor B score=0.74, 95% CI (0.60, 0.85), p=0.01] followed by a marginally protective effect of factor C [ORper 1 point increase in factor C score=0.89, 95% CI (0.73, 1.05), p=0.07]. Participants with higher adherence to factor A had an increased likelihood to lose their metabolically healthy status [ORper 1 point increase in factor A score=1.15, 95% CI (1.02, 1.30), p=0.04].

Conclusions
The present work confirms that within an increased level of dietary protein intake, different cardiometabolic outcomes were observed according to the quality of protein food sources consumed.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Intervention to decrease salt intake inadequacy using a control device to monitor and control salt use when cooking at home – iMC SALT preliminary results
Authors: Goncalves C , Silva-Santos T , Padrao P , Abreu S , Graca P , Oliveira L , Esteves S , Norton P , Moreira P , Pinho O 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Excessive salt intake is one of the greatest risks to public health, making urgent to propose measures to reduce its intake and bring great benefits to reduce cardiovascular diseases risk. In the Portuguese population, the main source of salt consumption is the salt that is added during food preparation and cooking meals.

Purpose
The main aim of this study was to assess whether an intervention using a dosing salt device (Salt Control H) in food preparation and cooking has beneficial effects in salt intake.

Methods
This was a two-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 88 workers from a public university (50% female; mean age 47.2±11.4 years), were randomly assigned to a intervention (I; n=42) or a control group (C; n=46). The intervention was delivered by health professionals in an occupational medicine setting, asking participants to use a salt control device that delivers the maximum amount of salt to add in food preparation and cooking, according to the number and age of the persons who will consume the meal, during 8 weeks. Primary outcome was the 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (Na24), validated by creatinine coefficient, and secondary outcome was 24-h urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na/K24). Parametric tests were used to assess differences between urinary data stratified by C or I group and Mann-Whitney to evaluate differences between stratified groups according to meet WHO daily recommendations of intake.

Results
At baseline, there was no significant differences in mean Na24 (C: 3145.5±1420.1 and I:3268.7±1159.8 mg/d, p=0.096) and Na/K24 (C: 2.0±0.9 and I: 2.1±0.8 mg/d, p=0.792) between the two groups. After 8 weeks intervention, a Na24 and Na/K24 non statistically significant decrease was observed in the I group (to 3094.1±1391 and 2.0±0.8 mg/d), as opposed to the C group (to 3262.5±1527.0 and 2.2±0.9 mg/d). The proportion of participants from I group that present Na&lt;2000 mg/d increased (from 17 to 29%) as the proportion of participants that present Na/K24 &lt;1 (from 0 to 12%) without significant differences from C group (p=0.214 for Na &lt;2000 mg/d and p=0.383 for Na/K24 &lt;1).

Conclusion
The Salt Control H measurement device showed promising results to increase adherence to daily salt intake recommendations. The device is a useful and practical tool for educating individuals about dietary salt doses to add to meals cooked at home.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia Figure 1
Beta-receptor desensitization after a multistage ultralong distance exercise in the desert?
Authors: Chague F , Carre F , Gudjoncik A , Richard C , Compagnon F , Ganancia O , Pasquereau V , Zeller M , Cottin Y 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Although cardiac function has been largely investigated during ultra-endurance exercise, few studies addressed to multi-stage endurance race.

Methods
Serial echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function was performed in male healthy subjects during the 2014 Marathon des Sables before the race (T1), at the second (T2) and fifth (T3) arrival (236 km) then after 48h recovery. Analysis were performed by 2 sonographers blind for the results of the other and the time of measure.

Results
Among the 20 athletes, 18 completed the study (mean age 42.4, median 42). RR intervals and (Left ventricular End Diastolic Volume (Simpson) (LVEDV) changed during the race and were correlated (r2 = 0.539, p&lt;0.001); afterload approched by Left Ventricular Meridional Wall Stress (LVMWS) did not change. LV Global Longitudinal Peak Strain (PS) and subepicardial (Epi) PS did not vary. Subendocardial (Endo) LV.PS was lower at T2 /T1, concomitant to a (non-significant) drop in LVEDV; LV strain rate (SR) was lower at T4. RR and LVEDV were higher at T3 than at T2, and higher at T4 compared to T1 and T2. As preload conditions changed during the race, we studied the response of PS and SR to the change in preload (Starling mechanism). EndoPS/LVEDV, LVPS/LVEDV and SR/LVEDV did not change during the race but were lower after recovery.

Conclusions
48h after a multistage ultralong duration exercise, we observed a drop in heart rate and contractility response to preload. The evolution of these parameters could be explained by a beta-receptors desensitization. These data need to be confirmed by other studies.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): CHU Dijon Bourgogne ARS Bourgogne Franche Comté Evolution of parameters
Effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism on cardiovascular death and nonfatal myocardial infarction in Japanese general population
Authors: Saito Y , Otaki Y , Watanabe T , Wanezaki M , Kutsuzawa D , Tamura H , Kato S , Nishiyama S , Arimoto T , Takahashi H , Watanabe M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) have been reported to be associated with diabetes mellitus and myocardial infarction. However, few reports have prospectively investigated the effects of NOS3 SNP on cardiovascular death and nonfatal myocardial infarction.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of NOS3 SNP on cardiovascular death and the development of nonfatal myocardial infarction.

Methods
This prospective cohort study included 2,752 subjects (aged ≥40) who participated in a community based health checkup. We genotyped two SNPs within NOS3 (rs1808593, rs1799983). All subjects were prospectively followed during the median follow-up period of 15.4 years with the end point of cardiovascular death and nonfatal myocardial infarction.

Results
The homozygous G-allele (GG), heterozygous (GT), and homozygous T-allele (TT) carriers of rs1808593 were identified in 60 (2%), 706 (26%), and 1,986 (72%) subjects, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that homozygous G-allele carriers of rs1808593 had the greater risk than those without. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that the homozygous G allele of rs1808593 was associated with cardiovascular death and the development of nonfatal myocardial infarction after adjusting for confounding risk factors.

Conclusions
NOS3 gene polymorphism could be a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular death and nonfatal myocardial infarction in the Japanese general population.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1
High risk characteristics in patients with hypertrophic cardiomiyopathy for predicting cardiovascular events
Authors: Keskin B , Arslan S A , Uzunhasan I U 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Aim
Sudden cardiac death is the most feared complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to its tendency to appear in young asymptomatic patients. Although intracardiac defibrillators proved to be most efficient treatment, the selection of patients for primary prevention is controversial due to lack of randomized trials. Current risk algorithms fail to determine all high risk patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate high risk factors to predict cardiovascular events in our hypertrophic cardiomyopathy population.

Method
A total of 254 patients who fulfill the criteria of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by echocardiography between 2011 and 2020 were retrospectively included in the study. Data on recent comprehensive vital clinical and survival status were obtained up to 30th January 2020, by hospital visit or from hospital system. The primary endpoints were described as all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular events, appropriate ICD therapy interventions.

Results
The median follow up in this study was 54.5 months. During follow up 18 (%7.1) all-cause mortality, 4 (%1.6) myocardial infarction, 12 (%4.7) cerebrovascular events, 19 appropriate ICD interventions, 83 (%32.7) hospitalization due to cardiovascular cause were encountered. Median time of the primary end points was 37.5 months. The incidence of ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, syncope, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia were higher in primary end points group. The outcomes and predictors of our study are given in Tables 1 and 2.

Conclusion
In our study, the primary outcome was observed more frequently in high-risk patients according to the ESC algorithm, but primary outcomes were also observed in a significant portion of low and intermediate risk patients.Therefore, current risk algorithms for sudden cardiac death still have certain limitations in predicting clinical outcomes and new algorithms with high sensitivity and specificity are needed.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Table 1Table 2