bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GALECTIN-3 AS A BIOMARKER OF CARDIOVASCULAR FIBROSIS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WITH SUPPRESSED INFLAMMATION
Authors: Anyfanti Panagiota , Dimitriadou Antonia , Gavriilaki Eleni , Triantafyllou Areti , Nikolaidou Barbara , Angeloudi Elena , Koravou Evdoxia Evaggeli , Dimitroulas Theodoros , Gkaliagkousi Eugenia 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
Galectin-3 has emerged as a biomarker of cardiovascular fibrosis in high cardiovascular risk individuals. Increased levels of galectin-3 have been previously reported in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Nevertheless, it has not been elucidated whether this finding is secondary to the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities and/or the pronounced inflammatory burden of the populations most commonly included in relevant studies. We investigated whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by excess cardiovascular risk, present increased levels of galectin-3 even in the absence of cardiovascular comorbidities and pronounced inflammatory load.

Design and method:
We recruited patients with RA who presented low levels of systemic inflammation and were free from cardiovascular comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and established CVD, and non-RA individuals matched for age, sex and office systolic/diastolic blood pressure. Galectin-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercially available kits. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was estimated with applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor AtCor Medical, Sidney, Australia).

Results:
In a total of 48 individuals (mean age 53.4±8.6 years, 83.3% females), hsCRP did not significantly differ between RA patients (n = 24) and controls (n = 24) [2.0 (5.6) vs 1.7 (2.4) μg/ml), p = 0.718]. By contrast, significantly increased levels of galectin-3 were observed in the RA group compared to controls [6.9 (6.7) vs 4.6 (4.7)] ng/dl, p = 0.015]. Galectin-3 was associated with PWV (r = 0.390, p = 0.009), but this association was rendered non-significant after adjustment for age and sex.

Conclusions:
Patients with RA present increased levels of galectin-3. These findings were observed even in a meticulously selected population such as ours, characterized by suppressed inflammation and the absence of hypertension and cardiovascular comorbidities. Further studies are warranted to investigate the potential role of galectin-3 as a potential prognostic marker or therapeutic target in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
BLOOD PRESSURE REDUCTION AFTER RENAL DENERVATION IN PATIENTS WITH OR WITHOUT CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: THE ERLANGER EXPERIENCE
Authors: Günes-Altan Merve , Schmid Axel , Ott Christian , Bosch Agnes , Schiffer Mario , Uder Michael , Schmieder Roland , Kannenkeril Dennis 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
Renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as an adjacent option for the treatment of hypertension. This analysis of the ERLANGER registry aimed of comparing the blood pressure (BP) lowering effects and safety of RDN in patients with and without CKD.

Design and method:
Radiofrequency, ultrasound or alcohol-infusion device based RDN was performed in 47 patients with and 127 without CKD. Office and 24-h ambulatory BP were measured at baseline, after 6 and 12 months. We splitted the study cohort based on the median systolic 24h ABP reduction after 6 months into responders and non-responders and compared baseline characteristics between these groups. CKD was defined by clinical diagnosis, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR: 15-59 ml/min/1.73m2) or A2 albuminuria (> = 30 mg/g creatinine ).

Results:
174 patients with a mean age of 59.0±10 were followed up for at least 12 months. At baseline mean eGFR was 55.8±21 ml/min/1.73m2 in patients with CKD and 87.3±13 ml/min/1.73m2 in patients without CKD according to the CKD-EPI formula. There was no significant eGFR decline in either of the groups during follow up. Office and 24-h systolic and diastolic BP were significantly reduced from baseline in patients with or without CKD at all time points after RDN (all p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the reduction of 24h, day- and nighttime ABP between the 2 groups at any time point (see table below). In addition to 24h baseline systolic ABP we identified several predictors (all p < 0.05): patients with a high baseline office heart rate (HR), without T2D, without diuretic medication and current smokers were more likely to be responders. With exception of rare local adverse events (e.g. haematoma at the puncture site), we had no safety signals, especially in our patients with CKD.

Conclusions:
According to our single center experience, we observed a similar reduction in 24-h, day and nighttime ambulatory BP as well as in office BP in patients with and without CKD at any time point up to 12 months. We conclude that RDN is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with arterial hypertension and CKD.
IMPACT OF RENAL DENERVATION TREATMENT ON LEFT VENTRICLE REMODELING IN RESISTANT HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: THREE YEARS FOLLOW-UP
Authors: Moiseeva Anna , Caraus Alexandru , Cociu Maria , Ciobanu Nicolae , Abras Marcel , Surev Artiom 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
Evaluation of effects of RDN on left ventricle remodeling in patients with resistant hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Design and method:
The study enrolled 125 hypertensive patients, who after 3-week of standardized treatment with Losartan, Amlodipine and Indapamide and confirmation of their drug resistance, were randomly assigned into three groups depending on medication supplemented to previously administered: group I - selective I1-imidazoline agonist Moxonidine, group II - cardioselective beta-blocker Bisoprolol and group III - renal denervation. All patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram at baseline, one, two and three years follow-up. Renal denervation was performed in the main renal arteries and their branches.

Results:
Transthoracic echocardiography at baseline revealed LV hypertrophy in all patients. The majority of patients in all three research groups had concentric hypertrophy (52% versus 60% and 56% in group I, II and III, respectively), the normal pattern not being recorded in any group.
An authentic reduction in LV mass index was noted from 1-year follow-up in all three observational groups, the progressive reduction being maintained until the end of the study, the group of patients undergoing renal denervation manifested a net superior effect to both pharmacological groups. So, at 3-years follow-up LV mass index was 128,57±4,91 g/m2 in Moxonidine group versus 126,0±5,34 g/m2 in Bisoprolol group and 94,44±3,90 g/m2 in RDN group, p < 0.001.
Analyzing the impact of various therapeutic regimes on the geometric pattern of the LV, we can note the fact that both treatment schemes with SNS blockers and RDN favored LV reverse remodeling, its normal pattern being regained by 5 (10%) patients from group I and 7 (28%) patients from group III. This time as well RDN demonstrated absolute superiority over both pharmacological treatment regimens (Figure 1).

Conclusions:
The obtained data confirm the benefit of RDN treatment on the reverse remodeling of the LV by significantly reduction in LV mass index and inducing the recovery of its normal physiological pattern in practically a third of treated patients at 3 years post-procedurally.
THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION
Authors: Duysewnbaeva Aziza , Srojidinova Nigora , Saidakbarova Feruza 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
To study the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) markers in patients with arterial hypertension(AH).

Design and method:
Retrospective analysis of 188 case histories of patients with AH of 1-3 degrees (ESC/ESH, 2018) who received inpatient treatment was carried out. 109 women and 79 men were studied. Mean age 62.8 ± 10.2 years. CKD stages were established according the modern KDIGO 2013 classification.

Results:
Among the examined patients there were 18% patients with CKD 1(n = 34); 56.3% patients with CKD 2 (n = 106); 17.5% patients with CKD 3A(n = 33); 5.3% patients with CKD 3B (n = 10); 2.6% patients with CKD 4 (n = 5) (p<0.00001). It should be noted that patients with stage 4 CKD were significantly older (55±8 vs 62±9 vs 68±8 vs 69±9 vs 74±16; p = 0.00001). According to the level of SBP, DBP, heart rate, the patients did not differ significantly. SBP (p = 0.26). DBP (p = 0.25). Patients with stage 4 CKD had severe abdominal obesity. WC: 102.4 ± 10 vs 104.7 ± 13.6 vs 103.2 ± 10.7 vs 101.5 ± 12.4 vs 110 ± 27.3 (p = 0.68). Mean creatinine in the groups was 70.6 ± 14.7 vs 85.2 ± 14.4 vs 102.3 ± 14.6 vs 121.6 ± 25.3 vs 209.6 ± 45.5 (p<0.00001) . Mean eGFR 98.2 ± 7.3 vs 72.9 ± 7.4 vs 53.7 ± 4.2 vs 37.5 ± 4.1 vs 22.6 ± 3.8 p (p<0.00001). The analysis showed that as the stage of CKD increases, the level of microalbuminuria increases. Thus, MAU indicators were 31.05 ± 25.5 vs 41.6 ± 50.2 vs 38.6 ± 46 vs 96.6 ± 144.7 vs 308.8 ± 147.5 (p<0.00001). It should be noted, that the high stages of CKD are characterized by significantly more pronounced asymptomatic hyperuremia. At the same time, the level of uric acid in group I was 5.4 ± 1.4 vs 6.5 ± 4.7 vs 6.5 ± 1.7 vs 7.5 ± 1.7 vs 7.8 ± 1.01 (p <0.00001).

Conclusions:
Among patients with hypertension, the prevalence of CKD is significantly high (82%), which additionally increases the cardiovascular risk of this category of patients.
CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS AFTER CADAVERIC RENAL TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: Mahmoud Nouha Ben , Ayed Amel , Salem Meriem Ben , Hamouda Mouna , Sala Manel Ben , Bchir Sirine , Letaief Ahmed , Aloui Sabra , Skhiri Habib 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
Renal transplantation is the treatment for end-stage renal disease. Cadaveric donor renal transplantation (CDRT) is still uncommon in Tunisia, constituting less than 20% of total renal transplants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results and cardiovascular complications in our center

Design and method:
A retrospective analysis of 30 CDRT was performed between November 1995 and December 2018.
Data analysis included. age, gender, cold ischemia time, graft function graft function, dialysis requirements dialysis requirements, rejection episodes rejection, infectious episodes, new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT), hypertension and cardiovascular events

Results:
Thirty patients underwent CDRT among 172 renal transplants performed in our unit. Among the donors, there were 23 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 32 ± 9 years.
All transplants were blood group compatible with 3 HLA matches in the majority of cases (45%). The mean age of the recipients was 34 ± 9 years.
Chronic glomerulonephritis (40%) and chronic chronic interstitial nephropathy (32%) represented the main type of native renal disease. 88.5% of the patients were hemodialysis before transplantation and the median time to transplantation on dialysis was dialysis was eight years. The mean nadir of creatinine was 108 ± 27 μmol/l.
Two biopsies showed acute tubular injury, four patients had acute rejection and two patients had allograft nephropathy allograft nephropathy with one case of segmental and focal hyalinosis. segmental and focal hyalinosis. The major infectious complication was a cytomegalovirus cytomegalovirus infection (33.3%) followed by a urinary tract infection (23.8%). Regarding metabolic complications metabolic complications, NODAT and hypertension were observed in three and four patients respectively.
Two patients presented an acute coronary syndrome treated with medical therapy. Five patients returned to dialysis. The rest (57.7%) have been followed up regularly in our consultation so far over a period of 87 months (range 16-209 months).

Conclusions:
CDRT is not common in our center, but the analysis shows good results and provides encouraging data that support broadening the criteria for potential donors eligible for organ donation especially in the face of increasing organ shortages. Cardiovascular complications are not as common
MACROPHAGIC ACTIVATION SYNDROME IN POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION REVEALED BY PERITONITIS: CASE REPORT
Authors: Zemmouchi Souheila , Tebbani Rachida , Maouche Amina 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
Macrophage activation syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal condition. The diagnosis is often difficult, because the symptoms are not very specific and can mimic those of sepsis, however, its diagnosis is based on the association of clinical and biological, non-specific signs, coupled with cytological or histological research of hemophagocytosis and an exhaustive etiological investigation.

Design and method:
We report the case of a 40-year-old man with a history of chronic renal failure of undetermined origin, who received a kidney transplant in 2011 from a living related donor. The clinical objective shows signs of dehydration associated with non-fetid diarrhea with the presence of a tense and sensitive abdomen on palpation evoking a surgical abdomen, all evolving in a febrile context; Haematological involvement such as bicytopenia and a positive CMV PCR. Our patient was operated on urgently for peritonitis, after performing peritoneal cleansing, the surgeon took biopsy samples from the various mesenteric lymph nodes.

Results:
The diagnosis of Macrophage activation syndrome is made in the face of clinical and biological arguments in favor, the histological study of the mesenteric lymph nodes revealing non-Langerhancan lymph node histiocytosis CD 68 + CD 10 evoking a syndrome of macrophage activation and confirmed by the myelogram

Conclusions:
Much progress remains to be made in the field of SAM in adults, the severity of its prognosis, essentially in a kidney transplant patient, requires an aggressive diagnostic approach and multidisciplinary therapeutic management.
EVALUATION OF DEPENDENCE OF AGE AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD PRESSURE IN TWO PULSE WAVE VELOCITY ESTIMATION METHODS
Authors: Martin Jose F. Vilela , Silva Marco A. Vieira da , Oliveira Ana Paula Silva de , Queiroz Ana Carolina Silva , Landim Manoel I. Paz , Yugar-Toledo Juan C. , Lopes Valquíria Silva , Fernandes Leticia A. Barufi , Uyemura Jessica Rodrigues , Polegati Aleandra , Cosenso-Martin Luciana N. 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
To evaluate the dependence of age and blood pressure (BP) on the estimated pulse wave velocity (PWV) by Mobil-o-Graph and an equation derived from the Reference Values for Arterial Stiffness Collaboration.

Design and method:
This study is a secondary analysis of a database from a cross-sectional study conducted in a specialized center in inner Brazil to diagnose and treat non-communicable diseases. We included individuals with hypertension and at least one risk factor, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, body mass index (BMI) > = 30 kg/m2. Three accurate office BP measurements were made and calculated the average (OBP) using Microlife equipment BP3AC1-1PC (Onbo Electronic Co, Shenzhen, China). The average of four measures of office PWV (oPWV) was calculated using Mobil-O-Graph device (I.E.M., Stolberg, Germany). Also, estimated PWV (ePWV) was calculated by utilizing age and the mean arterial pressure of OBP (MBP) from an equation derived by the Reference Values for Arterial Stiffness Collaboration as follows:
ePWV = 9.58748315543126-0.402467539733184*age+4.56020798207263*10-3*age2-2.6207705511664*10-5*age2*MBP+3.1762450559276*10-3*age*MBP-1.8321025*MBP
Five multilevel regression models were used to determine how much ePWV and PWV depend on age, age2, systolic OBP, MBP, and all of them together. Forkman test was used to compare the coefficient of determination (R2).

Results:
Table 1 shows the main clinical characteristics of the sample. Table 2 demonstrates the results for comparing the coefficient of determination for ePWV and oPWV. Age determines 75% of ePWV variance and 85% of oPWV (p = 0.0001), age2 78% of ePWV and 90% of oPWV (p = 0.0001), SBP 41% of ePWV and 18% of oPWV (p<0.0001), MBP 24% of ePWV and 5% of oPWV (p<0.0001). The model 5 shows that the variables studied together determine better the variance of ePWV (99%) than oPWV (94%).

Conclusions:
Age, age2, SBP, and MBP explain almost the overall variance of ePWV and oPWV. However, ePWV is significantly more dependent on BP than oPWV, which is considerably more dependent on age.
EFFICACITY OF COMBINATION ACID ACETYLSALICYLIC AND GLUCOCORTICOID IN TAKAYASU ATERITIS TREATMENT: A CASE CLINIC TAKAYASU ARTERITIS IN VIET NAM
Authors: Nguyen Thao 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
This brings up the potential of medical management for patients who are diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis, instead of using invasive methods such as aortic stent placement or operations.

Design and method:
A young female 14 years old was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis. Initial symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle pain, followed by palpitations and abdominal pain, and loose stools. The test showed an increased hypersensitive C-reactive protein level (CRPhs: 28.7 mg/L). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) chest with contrast shows two segments of thoracic aneurysms involving descending aorta, the aortic diameter of the superior and inferior segment aneurysms is #1.6-1.8 cm, #2x 2.1cm, respectively, and the length is #2.5cm, # 3.2cm, respectively. According to the American College Rheumatology 1994, we classified this patient as type III.
The patient was treated with corticosteroid therapy consisting of: prednisolone at an initial dose of 20 mg/day, reduced to a dose of 10 mg/day at month 3, and reduced to a dose of 5 mg/day after 6 months until now. In addition, we also added low-dose aspirin (81mg/day), ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers to increase the effectiveness of treatment

Results:
After 3 months, Hs-CRP levels returned to normal (from 28.7 mg/L to 1.23 mg/L) and remained below the 3 mg/L thresholds during the next 15 months.
After 12 months of combined treatment with corticosteroids and aspirin as described above, the patient's aortic diameter had returned to almost normal on CTA. After that, we have reduced the patient's corticosteroid dose (prednisolone 5 mg/day) and are going to finish the treatment after 18 months.

Conclusions:
This successful case high value on the role of pharmacological therapy in cases of Takayasu arteritis. It also brings up a debate regarding the concept of surgery required in cases of Takayasu arteritis complicated with dilatation, aneurysm, or stenosis. The combination of glucocorticoid therapy with aspirin can reduce the cost of treatment as well as avoids the side effects of the combination of glucocorticoid with immunosuppressive drugs. This opens up great treatment opportunities for Takayasu arteritis patients in low-economic countries like Vietnam.
INCREASED LEVELS OF ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER AORTIC STIFFNESS IN YOUNGER INDIVIDUALS OF THE GENERAL POPULATION
Authors: Johansson Madeleine , Jujic Amra , Engström Gunnar , Nilsson Peter 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) is an established risk marker in diabetic vascular disease, and associated with the degree of diabetes complications, renal failure, and atherosclerosis in older individuals. The relationship between aortic stiffness and AGEs has not been thoroughly examined in the younger population. We aimed to evaluate the association between AGEs and aortic stiffness in the general population of young and mid-aged adults with few comorbidities.

Design and method:
We cross-sectionally analysed 2518 participants from a prospective population-based cohort (mean age 41.8±14.5 years, 52.2% women). Advanced glycation end-products were measured as skin autofluorescence with AGE-Reader™, which is a well-validated, non-invasive method. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and augmentation index adjusted for resting heart rate (Aix) at the arteria radialis using SphygmoCor®. Linear regression stratified by age equal to or below 50 years (n = 1689) and 51 years and above (n = 829) was used to analyse associations between AGEs, and PWV and Aix in a univariate model and multivariable model adjusted for sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, fasting glucose, estimated glomerular filtration rate, low-density-lipoprotein, and current smoking.

Results:
Mean cf-PWV and Aix across quartiles of AGEs in both age groups are shown in Figure 1. We found that one unit increase in skin autofluorescence was significantly associated with direct aortic stiffness (cf-PWV) after adjustment in younger individuals below or equal to 50 years old (unstandardized beta-coefficient (B) cf-PWV 0.59 m/s, p<0.001), however not in older individuals (B 0.14m/s, p = 0.32). Higher levels of AGEs were significantly associated with indirect aortic stiffness as assessed by mean Aix in both younger individuals (B 8.27, p<0.001) and older individuals (B 3.98, p<0.001).

Conclusions:
Our findings show that higher levels of advanced glycation end products are positively associated with increased direct and indirect arterial stiffness in younger individuals with few comorbidities, independent of cardiometabolic risk factors. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the effect of reduced AGE dietary consumption and AGE-inhibition on aortic stiffness.
SHORT-TERM AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE AND MEASURES OF ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND CENTRAL HAEMODYNAMICS IN HEALTH YOUNG ADULTS
Authors: Pereira Telmo , Silva Ruben , Loureiro António , Seco Sílvia , Ferreira Ana , Conde Jorge 
Published: June 2023

Objective:
The practice of outdoor physical exercise is increasingly present in modern societies, as the increasing levels of health literacy corresponds to greater awareness about the positive impact of physical activity. Notwithstanding, the exposure to polluted urban environments during outdoor activities may have deleterious biological effects that should not be overlooked. In particular, the effects of exposure to air pollution in vascular function has been reported in several studies, even though the current evidence is still inconsistent.

Objective:
To study the effect of outdoor short-term exposure to air pollution in arterial stiffness and central haemodynamics in healthy young adults.

Design and method:
Twenty young and healthy participants (20 and 25 years) were enrolled in an observational study. Participants performed a mild outdoor walk (1 hour duration) in two ecological settings: green environment (control) and urban environment (experimental). The activities were performed in random order and with at least two weeks interval. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was measured with the Complior device at baseline and at the end of the outdoor walk. Pulse wave analysis (PWA) was performed at baseline and with 15 minute intervals during the outdoor walk with the Mobil-o-Graph device. Air pollution was measured with appropriate devices, including ambulatory measurements of particulate matter (PM).

Results:
As expected, significant differences were observed in the measures of air pollution between control and experimental settings for all the major air components, particularly for PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 (mean difference, respectively, 18.71 ± 2.18 μg/m3, 19.53 ± 2.19 μg/m3 and 26.32 ± 2.66 μg/m3; p<.001). PWV was significantly higher after the exposure in the experimental setting (mean increase of 0.2 ± 0.02 m/s; p<.001), with no variation occurring in the control situation. Also brachial and central blood pressure (BP) depicted greater magnitude of increase during the outdoor walk in the urban setting, as compared with the green environment.

Conclusions:
Short-term exposure to air pollution during an outdoor walk was shown to be associated with arterial stiffness. The deleterious association of air pollution with vascular function is further buttressed by its hemodynamic impact, particularly increasing brachial and central BP.