bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DISCRIMINATION, CALIBRATION, AND STRATUM-SPECIFIC LIKELIHOOD RATIOS FOR THE ALDOSTERONOMA RESOLUTION SCORE: A META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Marzano Luigi , Husain-Syed Faeq , Reis Thiago , Poletto Francesco , Ronco Claudio , Zanella Monica 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
The Aldosteronoma Resolution Score (ARS) is the most studied scoring system for predicting the high likelihood of complete resolution of hypertension (CRH) after adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism (PA). We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of the accuracy, discrimination, and calibration of the ARS using a novel approach to calculation of stratum-specific likelihood ratios (SSLR).

Design and method:
We searched PubMed, Embase (Ovid), the Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, the Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE) to November 2021 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. The quality assessment used adapted TRIPOD (Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis) and PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool) criteria.

Results:
Thirteen studies comprising 2,158 PA patients from North America (43%), Europe (32%), Asia (22%), and other continents, were included. The pooled estimate of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for all studies was 0.77 (95% CI 0.73–0.81), and the ratio of the observed to expected CRH for all studies was 0.9 (95% CI 0.8–1.0). The summary estimates of the SSLR for all studies were 0.3, 0.9, and 3.1, for the low (ARS 0–1), medium (ARS 2–3), and high-likelihood group (ARS 4–5) of CRH, respectively. For studies with a mean follow-up closest to 6, 12, and 36 months, the likelihood ratios were 0.3, 0.8, and 2.6; 0.3, 0.7, and 3.9; and 0.3, 1.8, and 7.0, respectively. When we compared studies that had performed adrenal vein sampling (AVS) in at least 50% of the cohort (mean 77% vs. 38%), the ARS model’s accuracy doubled in the high-likelihood group (ARS 4–5) and tripled in the only study in which all patients were underwent AVS (Figure).

Conclusions:
In patients with unilateral PA, the ARS is currently the easiest, cheapest, and accurate prediction tool for identifying the long-term high likelihood of CRH after adrenalectomy, particularly when the adrenalectomy is AVS-guided.
DOES GENDER-AFFIRMING HORMONAL THERAPY CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT RISE OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUNG TRANSGENDER PEOPLE?
Authors: Kuzior Agnieszka , Hernandez-Lazaro Alba , De Leon-Durango Ricardo , Rios-Gomez Carlos , Arnas-Leon Claudia , Acosta-Calero Carmen , Fernandeztrujillo-Comenge Paula Maria , Santana-Suarez Ana Delia , Gonzalez-Diaz Paula , Tocino-Hernandez Alba Lucia , Perdomo-Herrera Esperanza , Martin-Perez Marta , Del Pino Perez-Garcia Maria , Del Sol Sanchez-Bacaicoa Maria , Javier Martinez-Martin Francisco 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Treatment of male transgender people with testosterone might raise BP (attributed to sodium/water retention), however the available literature is inconclusive. Treatment with estradiol plus androgen blockade has not usually been associated with increased BP.

Design and method:
Retrospective review of the subjects’ clinical records and the relevant literature. All included subjects gave their consent. People who started gender-affirming therapy after 30 or had antihypertensive treatment at baseline were excluded.

Results:
We obtained BP, height, body weight and medication use from 276 male and 259 female transgender people, before and 3–4 months after initiation of testosterone or estradiol (53 of the male and 35 of the female subjects had previously used LHRH agonists). The SBP of male transgender people was raised by 1.3 ± 2.8 and DBP by 0.6 ± 2.5 mmHg after testosterone initiation. This increase was not significant (paired t-test), and in bivariate analysis, mean BP was not significantly correlated to age, baseline BMI, change in body weight or testosterone dosage. The SBP of female transgender people changed by 2.7 ± 3.1 and DBP by 0.6 ± 2.5 mmHg after estradiol initiation. This change was significant for SBP (p = 0.043) but not for DBP (p = 0.078). Mean BP was not significantly correlated to age, baseline BMI, or estradiol dosage. However it correlated positively with change in body weight (Pearson’s r = 0.129, p = 0.026). The choice of androgen blocker was also relevant, with unchanged SBP in the 29 subjects who remained with LHRH agonists during estradiol initiation, but significantly increased (3.5 ± 4.0 mmHg, p = 0.012) in the 168 subjects who received cyproterone acetate along with estradiol, and significantly reduced in the 61 subjects who received spironolactone (-3.2 ± 2.5 mmHg, p = 0.028).

Conclusions:
The BP increase associated with testosterone initiation in male transgender subjects is very small in our experience and hardly relevant from a clinical point of view, except for occasional individuals with significantly raised BP. However estradiol initiation was often accompanied with increased SBP and body weight. The use of cyproterone acetate was also associated with increased BP, and is known to increase the thromboembolic risk (and rarely of meningioma) suggesting that LHRH blockade or spironolactone may be safer alternatives.
ENDOTHELIUM DYSFUNCTION PATHWAY AND CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: ROLE OF NOS3 (RS2070744) AND GNB3 (RS5443) GENES’ POLYMORPHISMS
Authors: Sydorchuk Andrii , Voroniuk Ksenia , Sydorchuk Larysa , Repchuk Yulia , Sydorchuk Ruslan , Semianiv Marianna 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
The crucial function of endothelium’s regulatory mechanisms is to maintain the balance between Monoxide Nitrogen (NO) release and endothelium-derived contracting factors production. Therefore, it is prognostically important to clarify the endothelial function (EF) deterioration pathway through the early biomarkers of EF and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) changes depending on GNB3 (rs5443) and NOS3 (rs2070744) genes’ polymorphism in essential arterial hypertension (EAH).

Design and method:
One-hundred EAH patients with hypertensive-mediated organ damage (moderate-very high cardiovascular risks, aged 45–65 years) and 48 practically healthy (control) participated in the cohort case-control study. Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (sVCAM-1), total NO metabolites (NO2-/NO3-), transcriptional activity of NOS3 gene, Endothelium-Dependent Flow-Mediated Dilation of the Brachial Artery (FMD BA) and carotid IMT were studied. GNB3 (rs5443) and NOS3 (rs2070744) genotyping performed by TaqMan probes (CFx96ÔReal-Time PCR).

Results:
The connections of NOS3 (rs2070744) with decreased total NO metabolites (F = 71.11; p < 0.001), reduced NOS3 gene’s transcription activity (F = 8.71; p < 0.001) and sVCAM-1 increase (F = 6.96; p = 0.002) were found, especially in the C-allele carriers (particularly in CC-genotype patients with lower total NO metabolites value – by 16.46% and 40.88% (p < 0.001), lower transcription activity of NOS3 gene – 46.03% and 7 times (p < 0.001), higher sVCAM-1 – 35.48% and 89.48% (p < 0.001), respectively). ANOVA analysis didn’t confirm association of GNB3 (rs5443) gene with EF and carotid IMT. Severe EAH is associated with increased carotid IMT – 50.0% (p < 0.001) and 57.14% (p < 0.007), dilated carotid arteries – 17.36% (p = 0.012) and 21.79% (p = 0.004), decreased NOS3 gene’s transcription activity – 34.54% (p = 0.003). Severe structural carotid IMT changes in EAH patients (IMT > 0.9 mm) is followed by higher blood pressure values (p < 0.001), deterioration of EF: FMD BA decrease – 11.80% with compensatory increase of carotid arteries diameters – 17.38% and 21.99% (p < 0.001) and serum sVCAM-1 concentration – by 20.49% (p = 0.005).

Conclusions:
NOS3 (rs2070744), but not GNB3 (rs5443) gene associate with endothelial function impairment and carotid IMT in EAH patients.
FUNCTIONAL FOOD ENRICHED IN N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS, SELENIUM, LUTEIN AND VITAMIN E ENHANCES MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION OF COMPETITIVE ATHLETES
Authors: Kolar Luka , Stupin Marko , Susnjara Petar , Stupin Ana , Drenjancevic Ines 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
A substantial proportion of competitive athletes do not reach dietary goals for various macro- and micronutrients, important in creating a favorable oxidative environment, which is one of a principal determinant of normal endothelial function. The present study aimed to determine the effect of functional food consumption enriched in four nutrients (Nutri4) on microvascular endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation of skin microcirculation in competitive athletes.

Design and method:
Thirty-one competitive athletes were divided to Nutri4 group (N = 17) who ate three n-3 PUFAs, selenium, lutein, and vitamin E enriched hen eggs/daily for 3 weeks (mg per egg: n-3 PUFAs 342, selenium 0.0191, lutein 0.616, vitamin E 1.098), and Control group (N = 14) who ate three regular hens’ eggs/daily (mg per egg: n-3 PUFAs 146, selenium 0.0183, lutein 0.110, vitamin E 0.595). Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), body composition and serum lipid profile were measured before and after respective dietary protocol. Microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and iontophoresis of acetylcholine (AChID), and endothelium-independent vasodilation in response to iontophoresis of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was assessed by Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF).

Results:
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) significantly decreased, and BMI, body composition and serum lipid profile remained unchanged following dietary protocol in Nutri4 group, while all variables remained unchanged in Control group. Microvascular PORH (R-O% before 162.6 ± 40.1 vs. after 185.5 ± 63.8, P = 0.050) and AChID (flow increase before 15.6 ± 4.7 vs. after 18.8 ± 5.0, P = 0.045) was significantly increased, while SNPID remained unchanged following dietary protocol in Nutri4 group (flow increase before 15.8 ± 4.9 vs. 14.0 ± 4.2, P = 0.209). In contrast, none was significantly changed in Control group.

Conclusions:
Consumption of n-3 PUFA, selenium, lutein, and vitamin E enriched functional foods improves peripheral endothelium-dependent microvascular reactivity in competitive athletes, independently of changes in BP and blood lipid concentrations. Importantly, consumption of large amounts of regular hen eggs (3/day for 3 weeks) did not have a detrimental effect on vascular function, BP and serum lipid profiles in athletes.
DOES FUNCTIONAL FOOD PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH? ONGOING STUDIES IN SCIENTIFIC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Authors: Drenjancevic Ines , Stupin Ana , Susnjara Petar , Kolobaric Nikolina , Kolar Luka , Masle Ana Marija , Curic Zeljka Breskic , Kozina Natasa , Jukic Ivana , Stupin Marko , Kibel Aleksandar , Selthofer-Relatic Kristina , Mihalj Martina 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Functional food (FF) is a food with presumably additional health benefits beyond its nutritional effects. We have been investigating health effects of consumption of hen eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) in healthy young sedentary populations, athletes and patients with acute and chronic coronary syndrome. Hereby, summarized data are presented to provide overall conclusions on the effect of n-3 PUFAs enriched eggs consumption on microvascular function, blood biochemical markers of inflammation and serum lipid profile of these participants.

Design and method:
Randomized controlled clinical interventional studies were conducted on a total of 90 healthy young (sedentary or athletes) and 40 cardiovascular participants. Participants were given n-3PUFAs enriched hen eggs (app.1 g n-3PUFAs (3 pcs)/ day for 3 consecutive weeks or regular eggs; n-3PUFAs 245 mg/day). Microvascular blood flow in response to various stimuli was assessed in skin microcirculation by laser Doppler flowmetry. Serum lipid profile, free fatty acids profile and various proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were measured. The study protocol and procedures conformed with the standards set by the latest revision of the Declaration of Helsinki, were approved by the Institutional Ethical Committees and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Results:
Young healthy sedentaries on n-3 PUFAs eggs had significantly lower cholesterol and higher HDL-cholesterol after protocol. Microvascular flow was significantly increased after n-3 PUFAs consumption in sedentary and athletes. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and SOD activity decreased.
Cardiovascular patients: LDL cholesterol and IL-6 (in Ac-CAD patients), and hsCRP and IL-1a (in all CAD patients) significantly decreased in n-3PUFAs group. GPx activity decreased, while microvascular reactivity remained unchanged.

Conclusions:
Consumption of FF can enhance microvascular function in healthy young participants and athletes; this effect is not observed in cardiovascular patients. The difference probably occurred due to the duration of the dietary protocol and medications taken by cardiovascular patients. Modest anti-inflammatory effects were observed in all study groups that consumed FF. Consumption of eggs does not have adverse effects on serum lipid profile. On the contrary; consumption of FF has a beneficial effect on the n-3 to n-6 free fatty acids ratio in serum of participants.
NON-INVASIVE INSTRUMENTAL EVALUATION OF COENZYME Q10 PHYTOSOME ON ENDOTHELIAL REACTIVITY IN HEALTHY NON-SMOKING YOUNG VOLUNTEERS: A RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CROSS-OVER STUDY
Authors: Cicero Arrigo F.G. , Fogacci Federica , Di Micoli Antonio , Veronesi Maddalena , Borghi Claudio 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
The present study aimed to investigate the effect on endothelial reactivity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of either acute and chronic supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) phytosome in a sample of 20 healthy young not smoking subjects.

Design and method:
This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial. Enrolled subjects were adhering to a low-fat low-sodium Mediterranean diet for four weeks before being randomized to receive CoQ10 supplement or placebo. At baseline and on the day of crossover, the immediate acute effect of dietary supplementation with CoQ10 phytosome was assessed at baseline and two hours after receiving a double dose of either active treatment or placebo. Study’s participants received adequate doses of either CoQ10 phytosome or placebo to complete the one of two 4-week treatment sequences. The crossover to the second treatment was preceded by a 2-week wash-out period.

Results:
The immediate acute effect of dietary supplementation with CoQ10 phytosome on pulse volume (PV) was sustained in the actively treated group in comparison with placebo and the baseline (p < 0.05). Chronic supplementation of the tested pharmaceutical formulation of CoQ10 significantly improved mean arterial pressure and TAC compared to placebo and baseline values (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). In the actively treated group, the effect on dietary supplementation with CoQ10 phytosome on PV was also sustained when compared to the baseline (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
In conclusion, CoQ10 phytosome exerts beneficial effects on endothelial reactivity in healthy young subjects. Further studies are needed that confirms our observations in the long term by directly comparing different CoQ10 pharmaceutical formulations.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF CARDIAC TROPONIN-I IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS VISITING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
Authors: Shin Jeong-Hun , Kim Byung Sik , Kim Woohyeun , Kim Hyung-Jin 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) is the representative marker of myocardial injury. Elevation of cTnI is frequently accompanied in patients with hypertensive crisis, but there are few studies on its prognostic significance in hypertensive crisis. The aim of this study was to determine whether cTnI could predict the all-cause mortality in patients with hypertensive crisis visiting the emergency department (ED).

Design and method:
In this observational study, we enrolled patients aged > = 18 years who visited an ED between 2016 and 2019 for hypertensive crisis, which was defined as systolic blood pressure > = 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > = 110 mmHg. Among the 6,467 patient, 3,938 patients who performed assay for cTnI were finally analyzed.

Results:
Among the 3,938 patients, 596 (15.1%) patients had cTnI levels above the 99th percentile upper reference limit (elevated cTnI, > 0.04 ng/mL) and 600 (15.2%) patients had cTnI levels between the detection limit (> = 0.01 ng/mL) and the 99th percentile upper reference limit (borderline cTnI). The 3-year all-cause mortality in elevated cTnI group, borderline cTnI groups, and normal cTnI groups were 41.6%, 36.5%, and 12.8%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, patients with elevated cTnI (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61–2.52) and patients with borderline cTnI (adjusted HR 1.64; 95% CI, 1.32–2.04) showed significantly higher risk of 3-year all-cause mortality than patients with normal cTnI.

Conclusions:
In patients with hypertensive crisis, cTnI levels provide useful prognostic information and permit the early identification of patients with an increased risk of death. Moreover, borderline cTnI was also significantly associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality. More intensive treatment and follow-up strategies are needed for patients with hypertensive crisis with elevated cTnI.
IMPACT OF THE ESTIMATED GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE ON LONG-TERM MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS VISITING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Authors: Shin Jeong-Hun , Kim Byung Sik , Kim Hyung-Jin , Yu Mi-Yeon 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
The association between renal function and all-cause mortality among patients with hypertensive crisis is unclear. We aimed to identify the impact of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on all-cause mortality in patients with hypertensive crisis visiting the emergency department (ED).

Design and method:
This retrospective study included patients aged > = 18 years admitted to the ED between 2016 and 2019 for hypertensive crisis (systolic blood pressure: > = 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure: > = 110 mmHg). They were classified into four groups according to the eGFR at admission to the ED: > = 90, 60–89, 30–59, and < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Results:
Among the 4,821 patients, 46.7% and 5.8% had an eGFR of > = 90 and < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The patients with a lower eGFR were older and more likely to have comorbidities. The 3-year all-cause mortality was 7.7% and 41.9% in those with an eGFR of > = 90 and < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. After adjustments for confounding variables, those with an eGFR of 30–59 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53–2.62) and < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.79–3.37) had significantly higher 3-year all-cause mortality risks than those with an eGFR of > = 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. The patients with an eGFR of 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2 had a higher mortality (21.1%) than those with an eGFR of > = 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (7.7%); however, the difference was not significant (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.96–1.58).

Conclusions:
Renal impairment is common in patients with hypertensive crisis visiting the ED. There is a strong independent association between decreased eGFR and all-cause mortality in these patients. The eGFR provides useful prognostic information and permits early identification of patients with hypertensive crisis with an increased mortality risk. Intensive treatment and follow-up strategies are needed for patients with a decreased eGFR visiting the ED.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTER IN NORTH-WEST OF ALGERIA
Authors: Abdrebbi Samira Benbekhti , Meguenni Kaouel 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
High blood pressure is the number one chronic disease in the world. He is a silent killer, who acts in the shadows. One in three adults suffer from high blood pressure, a medical condition responsible for around half of deaths from stroke and heart disease.
The objective of our study was to know the characteristics of arterial hypertension at the University Hospital Center of TLEMCEN.

Design and method:
Prospective descriptive study, involving a sample of hypertensive patients at the TLEMCEN University Hospital for a period of 05 months. A questionnaire was administered to the patients. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi-info 6 software.

Results:
The study concerned 130 hypertensive patients with a sex ratio of 0.8. The average age was 63.77 ± 13.87 years with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 93 years.
77.7% of the patients were married, 70% illiterate, 56.20% without profession and 69% had a low socio-economic level.
The associated risk factors found can be summarized as follows: stress was found in 83%, ¼ of the population studied were smokers, 1/3 obese (BMI> 30 kg/m2) and 26.2% diabetics.
The average duration of hypertension was 05.26 ± 05.85 years with a minimum of one month and a maximum of 30 years. Hypertension was treated and monitored in 96.2% of cases. 86.2% had health insurance. Hypertension in the family was found in 69 subjects (53.07%).

Conclusions:
The recognition of hypertension offers the opportunity to screen all the vascular risk factors at the individual level. Treating high blood pressure is not very difficult or very restrictive. The difficulty remains to properly treat a disease, when one does not feel sick.
MICRORNA PROFILE ANALYSIS IN PERICORONARY ADIPOSE TISSUE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Authors: Zervakis Stylianos , Marketou Maria , Plevritaki Anthoula , Kontaraki Joanna , Kalogerakos Paris , Savva Eirini , Maragkoudakis Spyros , Kampanieris Emmanouil , Kalomoirakis Petros , Peponaki Eirini , Lazopoulos Georgios , Kochiadakis George 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) regulates arterial homeostasis, is considered to act in paracrine manner, and plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. PCAT may be a source of microRNAs (miRs) that target other tissues and act as messengers for intercellular communication. In this study, we investigated whether the PCAT surrounding coronary occlusive atherosclerotic lesions shows specific miRs expression patterns in patients with diabetes type 2 compared to non-diabetic patients.

Design and method:
We enrolled 46 patients (30 men, aged 65 ± 12 years old) with 3-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent elective coronary bypass surgery with and without diabetes type 2. The PCAT samples were received from all participants. miR-133a, miR-21, miR-26b, miR-9 and miR-143 expression levels in PCAT cells were quantified by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results:
Twenty-four patients with diabetic type 2 (15 men, 64 ± 10 years old) and twenty-two non-diabetic patients (15 men, 62 ± 15 years old) were included in the study. PCAT analysis showed a significant upregulation of miR-21 levels in diabetic compared to non-diabetic patients (184 ± 77 versus 21 ± 15, p = 0.04). Diabetic patients also revealed a significant increase of miR-26b and miR-143 expression in PCAT samples compared to on-diabetics (33 ± 22 versus 16 ± 13, p = 0.02, 93 ± 42 versus 16 ± 23, p = 0.01). No significant differences between the two sites were observed in PCAT expression of miR-133a and miR-9 (73 ± 12 versus 130 ± 143, 56 ± 44 versus 34 ± 33, respectively, p = NS for both).

Conclusions:
miRs expression in PCAT from diabetic patients with significant coronary disease show a distinct expression profile. Our study opens new perspectives in the pathophysiologic role of PCAT in atherosclerotic complications of diabetes and should be further investigated.