bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
APATINIB MESYLATE CAN PROMOTE THE ACTIVATION OF NOX4/DRP1/NLRP3 IN AORTIC TISSUES OF NUDE MICE WITH GASTRIC CANCER
Authors: Si Fei , Ma Xin , Yu Jing 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
Apatinib is a VEGFR-TKI for the treatment of gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate whether apatinib can increase the expression of NOX4/Drp1/NLRP3 pathway in the aorta of mice with gastric cancer.

Design and method:
Six 5-week-old SPF male nude mice were randomly divided into tumor group (T, n=3) and tumor + apatinib treatment group (T+A, n=3). Human gastric cancer cells (MKN45) were inoculated into the armpit of mice. The T group was given normal saline 0.2 ml per day by gavage, and the T + A group was given apatinib 100mg/kg by gavage for one month. The aortic tissues of all nude mice were collected to extract protein. The protein expression levels of NOX4, Drp1, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-18, and GAPDH in aortic tissues were detected by Western blot. ImageJ was used to measure the gray value, and the gray value of the target protein /GAPDH gray value was considered as the relative expression of the target protein. Independent sample T-test was used to compare the statistical differences between the two groups using GraphPad 8.0.2. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
The results showed that compared with the tumor group, The expression of NOX4 in T+A group was increased (2.320±0.2365 VS 1.718±0.1635, P = 0.0223). The expression of Drp1 in T+A group was increased (1.317±0.2160 VS 0.8216±0.2178, P= 0.0489), and the expression of NLRP3 was increased in T+A group (1.634±0.1271 VS 0.7997±0.1848, P=0.0030). The expression of Caspase-1 was increased in T+A group (1.075±0.1088 VS 0.5912±0.05073, P=0.0022). The expression of GSDMD was also increased in T+A group (0.7845±0.01213 VS 0.3443 ±0.07458, P=0.0144). Compared with the tumor group, the expression of IL-18 in the aorta of the T+A group was not significantly different (1.266±0.1236 VS 1.198 ±0.1821, P=0.6170).

Conclusions:
The conclusions show that Apatinib can activate the expression of NOX4/Drp1/NLRP3 pathway in the aorta of mice with gastric cancer, which may cause vascular damage by affecting oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory response in the aorta. Further in-depth research is needed.
FEMALE GENDER: AN INDEPENDENT PREDICTOR OF HIGH NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE IN LONG -TERM ADULT SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT CANCER
Authors: Ouabdesselam Souhila , Benkhedda Salim 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
Determine the blood pressure profile in longterm adult survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer.
Determine predictive factors for abnormal blood pressure figures in these patients.

Design and method:
104 patients aged over 18, who had received chemotherapy with or without mediastinal radiotherapy for the treatment of neoplasia diagnosed and treated before the age of 21. High blood pressure was defined by a SBP > = 140 mmHg and/or DBP > = 90 mmHg or by the use of antihypertensive drugs. High normal blood pressure corresponded to a SBP between 130 mmHg and 139 mmHg and/or a DBP between 85 and 89 mmHg.

Results:
Male predominance (56.7%) with a sex ratio of 1.3. Mean current age 25.12 +/-5.40 years, age at diagnosis 13.4 ±5.13 years, duration since end of treatment of cancer 10.67 +/-5.80 years, BMI 22.77 ±4.66 kg/m2, male waist circumference (WC) 82.7 ±12.6 cm, female (WC) 78.6 ± 10.4 cm, SBP 114.5 ±11.7 mmHg, DBP 74.2 ±7.4 mmHg. Chemotherapy alone 80.8%, chemotherapy + mediastinal radiotherapy 19.2%, anthracyclines 100%, platinum salts 32%, corticoids 9%. Low HDL-cholesterol 44.7%, high normal blood pressure 24.3%, abdominal obesity 15.8%, hypertriglyceridemia 9.7%, obesity 8.7%, prediabetes 6.9%, fasting plasma glucose > = 110 mg/dl 6.9%, metabolic syndrome (MS) 3.8%. Multivariate study: Gender (OR = 3.32 95% CI 1.11 - 9.92 p=0.03) - MS (OR = 0.07 95% CI 0.06 - 0.81 p=0.03).

Conclusions:
Nearly a quarter of the patients in our study (24%) had a high normal blood pressure, which was associated with female gender and the presence of metabolic syndrome. These results confirm the need for early screening of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypertension, in long-term adult survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer.
PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2018 ESH/ESC RECOMMENDATION TOWARDS SINGLE PILL COMBINATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION: A RETROSPECTIVE SINGLE-CENTER ANALYSIS
Authors: Vischer Annina , Nafaa Fiona , Schaffhauser David , Socrates Thenral , Mayr Michael , Breidthardt Tobias , Burkard Thilo 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
The 2018 guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension by the European Societies of Hypertension and Cardiology recommend prescription of two or more antihypertensive drugs in a single pill combination (SPC). The aim of this analysis was to assess implementation of this recommendation and compare prescriptions of SPCs in 2019 and 2021.

Design and method:
We performed a retrospective, exploratory analysis from a hospital database that included patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards at a tertiary hospital during two time periods (01.10.-30.11.2019/01.06.-31.07.2021). Exclusion criteria were acute cardiovascular hospitalisation, symptomatic elevated blood pressure (BP) values and an age <18 years. We collected baseline characteristics, BP readings and compared antihypertensive medication at baseline and at discharge. Adverse events (AE), consisting of myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, intracerebral bleeding, ischemic stroke/TIA, fall/syncope and death, were assessed during hospitalisation and within 30 days of discharge. 30-day hospital readmissions were evaluated using electronic health records.

Results:
The results are shown in the figure below. The prevalence of participants on antihypertensive therapy at baseline was 57.9% (216/373) (Figure). A SPC dual therapy at baseline was used in 10/13 (76.9%) patients in 2019 and in 19/23 (82.6%) in 2021, p-value 0.684. A SPC triple therapy was used in 3/13 (23.1%) patients in 2019 and in 4/23 (17.4%) in 2021, p-value 1.000. In 2019, 50/85 (58.8%) patients had a daily number of antihypertensive pills >1, in 2021, 90/131 (68.7%), p-value 0.147. Median maximum systolic BP (with SPC) was 165 mmHg versus 162 mmHg (without SPC), p-value 0.539. Median maximum diastolic BP was 93 mmHg (with SPC) versus 92 mmHg (without SPC), p-value 0.638.

Conclusions:
Overall, our results showed no significant increase of patients treated with SPC at baseline and of the daily number of antihypertensive pills >1 in 2021. A significantly higher rate of treatment modification was found in patients who already had a SPC in their initial treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of AE during and after hospitalisation between patients with or without SPCs, though numerically, there were less AE after discharge in patients with SPCs.
HYPERTENSION GAMING: A NEW DIVULGATION METHOD FOR GUIDELINES
Authors: Borrell Joan Torras , Camps Mencia Benítez , Nadal Oriol Rebagliato , Salgueiro Maria Cecilia , Artero Melania Priego , Nicolau Marta Vanrell , Vila Laura Camps , Eustaquio Marta Tafalla , Todó Montse Iracheta , Costa Mar Serrat , Ugena Josep Agudo , De Tuero Gabriel Coll , Coll Maria Antònia Vila , Vilaubi Josep Maria Pepió , Bargalló Ernest Vinyoles 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
The usual techniques for disseminating knowledge are very often unpractical, useful for those doing the dissemination but sometimes little remembered by those attending.
Our goal is to present three adaptations of different game formats for the dissemination of the approach to hypertension (HT) with the knowledge of new guidelines.

Design and method:
We developed three board games for teams in a participative workshop format: the Hypertension Goose game (similar to the snakes and ladders’ game), a question and answers’ game on different topics adapted to the phases of HTA approach, and a strategy card game about the goal being to achieve the control objectives before the other groups as they solve the game scenarios. The maximum recommended number of players/students is 30.

Results:
The acceptance of the 3 modalities in the 9 editions carried out has been good with high satisfaction of the attendees.

Conclusions:
Group and dynamic board games, adapted to HTA teaching, are valued positively by students. We are currently working on a new line of research to measure not only satisfaction, but specifically the improvement in pre- and post-knowledge in each of the games and in the future we look forward to being able to compare these results with other more classic activities in the future that divulge the same contents.
UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION AND HYPERTENSIVE URGENCY – ONE YEAR SINGLE CENTER EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT EXPERIENCE
Authors: Nowicki Jakub , Silka Wojciech , Zalustowicz Aleksandra , Rajzer Marek , Olszanecka Agnieszka 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a frequent cause of admittance to the Emergency Department (ED). Since this group of patients is characterized by great heterogeneity, considerable efforts were put to stratify them according to medical state severity and corresponding prognosis. Little is known about this cohort of patients, which in light of their substantial volume burden pose a significant challenge for physicians at the EDs
Aim: To characterize patients admitted to an ED for elevated BP and to evaluate factors associated with hospitalization.

Design and method:
Methods: This retrospective analysis comprised all patients (N=578) admitted to an ED of the university hospital in 2022 due to acute BP rise with an exclusion of hypertensive emergencies.

Results:
The studied group constituted 1.5% of all ED visits in 2022. The median age was 67 years; 69% were females. Headache, and vertigo (36.3%), chest pain (26.8%) as well as shortness of breath (11.4%), and neurological deficits (10.9%) were the most common complaints, however every fifth patient was asymptomatic (22.8%). Median SBP (200 mmHg, n=346) and diastolic BPs (DBP) (105 mmHg, n=316) measured at home were significantly higher than median SBP (173 mmHg n=578) and DBP (95 mmHg, n=578) during triage (p<0.0001). BP-lowering agents prior to admission to ED was taken by 38.6% of patients. In vast majority of patient captopril was used as prehospital BP lowering agent (91%). In the ED nitrendipine was administrated 53.5% of admitted patients, captopril was being administered often (37.5%), whereas furosemide (16.1%), urapidil (9.9%), and nitroglycerine (1.9%) were used less likely. Eventually, a median SBP/DBP of 140/82 mmHg was reached in the median of 289 minutes spent at the ED, i.e. approximately 5 hours. Hospitalization was necessary in 5.4% of patients, whereas 40% of them underwent antihypertensive treatment adjustment. Multivariable regression revealed that median arterial pressure (MAP) was not associated with hospitalization, however, furosemide (odds ratio (OR), 2.2, p<0.01) or urapidil administration (OR, 1.999, p<0.01) increased such risk.

Conclusions:
Improvements in pre-ED management and long-term hypertension treatment may reduce patients seeking ED for elevated BP without end-organ damage.
BLOOD PRESSURE VARIABILITY AND VENTRICULO-ARTERIAL COUPLING
Authors: Dumitrescu Silviu Ionel , Hantulie Ileana , Popescu Raluca , Boingiu Rares , Gherasim Corina , Cecoltan Serghei , Buican Luiza , Ionescu Ruxandra , Stanciu Silviu , Gurzun Magdalena , Munteanu Alice 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
To investigate the influence of blood pressure variability on the parameters of arterial load and ventriculo-arterial coupling in apparently healthy individuals.

Design and method:
We screened 193 persons in a primary prevention program recording risk factors, blood pressure and ultrasound data: LV systolic/diastolic dimensions and volumes, septal/posterior wall thickness (SWT/PWT), left ventricle mass (LVM), ejection fraction, Doppler parameters, brachial artery Flow Mediated Dilatation (FMD), carotid artery Intima-Media Thickness (IMT). We calculated: systemic arterial compliance (C=stroke volume/pulse pressure), vascular resistance/cardiac circle length ratio (R/T where R=mean blood pressure/(stroke volume x heart rate)), effective arterial elastance (Ea=0.9 x systolic BP/stroke volume), as an index of artery load. The modified single-beat method was used to estimate left ventricular end-systolic elastance (Ees(sb)) and the ratio of Ea/Ees(sb) was computed as an index of ventriculo-arterial coupling. All subjects underwent a 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) on a working day, performing usual daily activities and avoiding heavy physical exercise. Blood pressure and heart rate readings were obtained every 15 minutes during daytime and every 30 minutes during nighttime. We calculated BP variability (BPV) as the Standard Deviation (SD) of mean blood pressure.

Results:
After data collection, we investigated the correlations (Pearson's r) between systolic BPV values and the parameters of arterial load and ventriculo-arterial coupling. We found a weak correlation between BPV and Ea/Ees(sb) ratio (r = 0,257,p < 0,001). We did not find any significant correlations between BPV values and arterial compliance, vascular resistance, effective arterial elastance and left ventricular end-systolic elastance. When we examined the correlations between systolic BPV values and the other markers of subclinical cardiovascular disease we found a moderate correlation with brachial artery FMD (r = -0,399,p < 0,001) and with carotid artery IMT(r = 0,314, p < 0,001) and a weak correlation with LV mass index (r = 0,170, p = 0,019).

Conclusions:
Our study indicates that blood pressure variability differences measured in apparently healthy individuals generate an adaptation of the ventriculo-arterial coupling parameters and correlate with markers of cardiac and vascular remodeling.
THE ASSOCIATION OF 24-HOUR URINARY SODIUM EXCRETION WITH INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES
Authors: Wistrand Henrik , Kaartinen Niina , Jousilahti Pekka , Niiranen Teemu , Langén Ville 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
The complex pathogenesis of hypertension, potentially involving inflammatory pathways, remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and multiple inflammatory cytokines alongside C-reactive protein in a nationwide Finnish sample.

Design and method:
265 participants drawn from the general population who participated in the FINRISK 2002 study were included in the analyses. We examined the multivariable-adjusted associations of 24-hour urinary sodium excretion with levels of circulating C-reactive protein and 26 cytokines in a cross-sectional setting.

Results:
We observed that 24-hour urinary sodium level was not significantly associated with any of the cytokines or C-reactive protein (p >= 0.02 for all). Adjustments for age, sex, serum creatinine concentration, and alcohol intake did not materially alter these results.

Conclusions:
This cross-sectional study revealed no significant associations between 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and cytokine or C-reactive protein levels. These findings do not imply that reducing salt intake would be unbeneficial in hypertension. Instead, they underscore the epidemiological challenges in establishing a direct link in population studies between sodium intake and potential mediators of sustained hypertension. Additional research is required to clarify the mechanisms through which salt may induce hypertension.
PATIENTS WITH CKD SECONDARY TO GLOMERULAR DISORDERS HAVE DECREASED ARTERIAL STIFFNESS, AS COMPARED TO HYPERTENSIVE AND DIABETIC CKD
Authors: Lencovsky Ori , Leiba Adi , Angel-korman Avital 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
To compare pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, between CKD patients of different etiologies: hypertensive and diabetic nephrosclerosis. vs. CKD secondary to glomerular disorders.

Design and method:
Clinical data were collected on 56 patients followed at the Nephrology and Hypertension Institute in Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital. All patients had at least one visit at our Nephrology clinics prior to recruitment. All patients with a glomerular disorder had a clinical-pathological diagnosis based on a recent kidney biopsy.
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured using a validated Sphygmocor XCEL® device. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare PWV between hypertensive/diabetic CKD and CKD secondary to glomerular disorders.

Results:
PWV was significantly higher in the hypertensive/diabetic CKD group, compared to the CKD-GN group, with an average of. 12.2 m/s vs 8.3 m/s, respectively.
In a multivariate linear regression model, having CKD secondary to glomerulonephritis was associated with a significantly lower PWV, compared with CKD secondary to hypertension and diabetes, with adjustment of age, creatinine, and comorbidities.

Conclusions:
CKD Patients secondary to glomerulonephritis, have lower PWV when compared to CKD patients with diabetes and/or hypertension, even after adjusting for age, renal function, and the presence of comorbidities. It is intriguing to further study the possible protective role of immunosuppression on the arterial properties of CKD patients.
LIPOPROTEIN ASSOCIATED PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 ACTIVITY IS NEGATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH DECREASED BAROREFLEX SENSITIVITY IN HIGH NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE
Authors: Celovska Denisa , Janeckova Katarina , Gonsorcik Jozef 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
The relationship between baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and inflammatory vascular biomarker Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in subjects with high normal blood pressure (HNBP, prehypertensives) with a positive family history of hypertension (FHH+) to hypertension history free control subjects (FHH-) was evaluated.

Design and method:
A total of 24 HNBP participants (age 39.5 ± 2.5 years, 18 male/ 6 female) were studied. 14 HNBP subjects FHH+ were compared to 10 HNBP participants FHH-, being of similar age and body mass index. BRS (ms/mmHg) and BRSf (Hz/mmHg) were determined by the sequence and spectral methods (five-minute non-invasive beat-to-beat recording of blood pressure and inter-beat interval, controlled breathing at a frequency of 0.1 Hz). Venous blood was analysed for Lp-PLA2 biomarker of vascular inflammation and atherothrombotic activity.

Results:
A significant negative correlation between spontaneous BRS obtained by both methods and blood pressure (BP) was present (BRS spect r = –0.54, p<0.001, BRS seq r = –0.59, p<0.001). BRS obtained by sequence and spectral methods were reduced in HNBP FHH+ compared to group of HNBP without history of hypertension (P= 0.0317 BRS seq, P = 0.0395 BRS spect). There was no difference between both groups of HNBP subjects in BRSf values. Lp-PLA2 was significantly higher in HNBP FHH+ compared to FHH- controls (P = 0.025). Lp-PLA2 was negatively correlated with BRS obtained by sequence method (r = - 0.6758, P = 0.00028) and BRS obtained by spectral method (r = - 0.5935, P = 0.00031).

Conclusions:
Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 is negatively associated with decreased baroreflex sensitivity in subjects with high normal blood pressure and positive family history of hypertension. These findings demonstrate that reduced baroreflex sensitivity as marker of autonomic dysfunction is linked with vascular inflammation predominantly in otherwise healthy participants with positive history of hypertension that could predispose to increased risk of hypertension. Further research is needed.
BAROREFLEX SENSITIVITY AND HEART RATE VARIABILITY PREDICT INCIDENT HYPERTENSION AND SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASE IN A MULTI-ETHNIC COHORT: THE HELIUS STUDY
Authors: Bouwmeester Thomas , Collard Didier , Vriend Esther , Galenkamp Henrike , Westerhof Berend , Van Den Born Bert -Jan 
Published: May 2024

Objective:
Cross-correlation baroreflex sensitivity (xBRS) and heart rate variability (HRV) provide valuable insight into neurocardiovascular control. However, their prospective utility in predicting new-onset hypertension and increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP) over time within the general population has not yet been demonstrated.

Design and method:
Data was collected from participants of the HEalthy Life In an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study. A non-invasive continuous finger blood pressure (BP) measurement at baseline was used to calculate xBRS, standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) and the squared root of mean squared successive differences between normal-to-normal intervals (RMSDD). In the normotensive individuals at baseline, we used logistic regression models to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of developing hypertension at follow-up, and in the full cohort we assessed the change in SBP, corrected for the use of antihypertensive medication, between baseline and follow-up using linear regression with tertiles and splines where appropriate. A subgroup analyses was performed in the younger (aged < 50 years) and older (aged > 50 years) part of the cohort. Both the logistic and linear regression models were corrected for demographic and confounding factors.

Results:
Follow-up data from 4,910 participants were available, mean follow-up time was 6.6 years (SD 1.1 years). A 50% reduction in xBRS was associated with an OR of 1.31 (95% CI 1.09–1.57) for developing hypertension at follow-up, with no significant difference between the younger and older subgroups of the cohort. No significant association between SDNN or RMSDD and new-onset hypertension was found. Splines depicting the relation between delta SBP and xBRS, SDNN and RMSDD are depicted in Figure 1. Compared to the lowest tertile, an xBRS in the highest tertile was associated with a 3.61 mmHg (95%CI 2.50-4.71) higher change in SBP over time, whereas this was 1.11 mmHg (95%CI 0.12-2.09) and 1.76 mmHg (95%CI 0.73-2.79) for SDNN and RMSDD, respectively.

Conclusions:
In the general population, a lower xBRS is associated with increased odds of developing hypertension, and a steeper increase in SBP over time.