bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ISOLATED DIASTOLIC HYPERTENSION IS NOT A BENIGN SITUATION REGARDING HYPERTENSION MEDIATED ORGAN DAMAGE IN PATIENTS WITH FIRST DIAGNOSED AND NEVER TREATED ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION
Authors: Triantafyllidi Helen , Birmpa Dionyssia , Benas Dimitris , Fabri Anastasia , Schoinas Antonios , Thymis Ioannis , Kostelli Gavriela , Ikonomidis Ignatios 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) usually remains untreated as it is considered benign compared to isolated systolic or combined systolic/diastolic hypertension. Hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) needs to be assessed in each individual hypertensive patient in order to estimate cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate the HMOD differences between first diagnosed and never treated patients with IDH compared to normotensive subjects.

Design and method:
We studied 68 non-diabetic, first diagnosed and never-treated hypertensive patients with IDH (mean age = 49 + 9, 65% males, 24% smokers) and 30 normotensives (mean age = 51 + 10, 17% males, 20% smokers). Office and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24 h ABPM), CV risk factors [smoking, obesity (BMI), hyperlipidemia and HMOD [aortic stiffness (PWV), left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (EEa), cardiac hypertrophy (LVMI), coronary arteries microcirculation (CFR), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were estimated in each hypertensive patient as well as normotensive subject.

Results:
IDH patients had similar age, BMI and smoking habit, decreased LDL-C and increased diastolic (89 + 9 vs. 84 + 9 mmHg, p = 0.02) and mean office BP (106 + 9 vs. 99 + 12 mmHg, p = 0.01) as well as 24 h systolic (126 + 3 vs. 119 + 6 mmHg, p < 0.001) and diastolic ABPM (84 + 4 vs. 73 + 4 mmHg, p < 0.001) compared to normotensives. Regarding HMOD, IDH patients had increased LVMI (78 + 17 vs. 68 + 19 g/m2, p = 0.03) and IMT (0.9 + 0.1 vs. 0.8 + 0.1 mm, p = 0.03) but similar PWV, E/Ea and CFR compared to normotensives. LVMI was related to diastolic (r = 0.32, p = 0.008) and mean (r = 0.32, p = 0.01) office BP in IDH patients.

Conclusions:
The presence of HMOD in patients with first diagnosed and never treated IDH underscores the need for antihypertensive treatment (life style changes and medication). As HMOD may regress with successful antihypertensive treatment, there is still time for physicians to reduce future CV events in those patients.
EFFECTS OF PARENTAL GENERATION PRENATAL FAMINE EXPOSURE ARE OBSERVED IN THE DESCENDANTS OF BESIEGED LENINGRAD RESIDENTS
Authors: Tolkunova Kristina , Moguchaya Ekaterina , Boyarinova Maria , Usoltsev Dmitry , Rotar Oxana , Konradi Aleksandra , Artomov Mykyta 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
The influence of famine at early development stages may contribute to the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of phenotypic variability. The research aims to compare the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in the descendants of Leningrad Siege survivors and in control groups matched for age, sex and body mass index (BMI).

Design and method:
83 descendants (children and grandchildren) of Leningrad Siege survivors (who were exposed to famine in early childhood during Second World War) were examined. The participants were questioned and anthropometry, blood pressure measurement, biochemical blood tests were performed. 83 controls matched for gender, age, and BMI were selected from epidemiological Russian study ESSE RF (random sample of Saint-Petersburg inhabitants)

Results:
are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Comparison of Leningrad Siege survivors’ descendants and control group.

Conclusions:
The transgenerational effect of ancestral famine contributes to a higher level of nonatherogenic cholesterol in the descendants of besieged Leningrad residents.
INFLUENCE OF CONCOMITANT ATHEROSCLEROSIS OF THE ARTERIES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES ON THE PARAMETERS OF ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION
Authors: Safronenko Viktoria , Chesnikova Anna , Sementsova Nadejda , Skarzhinskaya Natalia 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
To assess the effect of atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities on the parameters of arterial stiffness in patients with arterial hypertension.

Design and method:
120 patients with hypertension: group 1- patients with hypertension and manifested atherosclerosis of the lower limb arteries (AANC), group 2 - with hypertension and asymptomatic AANC, group 3 - with hypertension without AANC. The aortic augmentation index (AIXao), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao), the duration of the ejection period (ED) of the left ventricle (LV) and the efficiency index of subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) were determined. Statistica 12.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Results:
The values of AIXao (%) in patients of the 1st group (38 [29; 45] %) were significantly higher than those in patients of the 2nd (30 [23;38], p < 0.017) and the 3rd (30 [21;32], p < 0.017) groups, while the indices in the patients of the 2nd and 3rd groups did not differ statistically significantly. In patients of the 1st group higher values of PWVao (11 [10.3;11.9]) were also recorded in comparison with the third group (10.3 [9,6;11.3], p = 0.03). There were no statistically significant differences between the PWVao values in patients of the 1st and 2nd (11 [10.3;11.9] and 10.4 [9.4;11.4], p> 0.05) groups, and also in patients of groups 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). Higher ED values were also determined in patients of group 1 compared with others group. No differences were found when comparing the SEVR (%) in patients of the 2nd and 3rd groups, at the same time, in the patients of the 1st group, the SEVR values were significantly lower as compared with the 2nd group (113 [92;134] and 121 [110;134], p = 0.03), and with the 3rd group (128[106;138], p < 0.017).

Conclusions:
In patients with hypertension, the development of asymptomatic AANC did not have a significant effect on the parameters of arterial stiffness, together with the presence of concomitant clinically manifested AANC led to an increase in the rigidity of the vascular wall, which indicates a higher risk of cardiovascular complications.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERIVASCULAR ADIPOSE TISSUE AND VASCULAR REMODELING
Authors: Bragina Anna , Osadchiy Konstantin , Rodionova Yuliya , Djafarova Zarema , Lobanova Mariya , Dishkaya Selen , Khalenyan Milena , Litvinenko Nadezhda , Ananeva Vera , Balutskaya Anastasia , Podzolkov Valeriy 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
To study the relationship between the volume of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and the vascular emodelling.

Design and method:
We examined 318 patients without manifested cardiovascular diseases (average age 63.5 ± 13.7 years). Anthropometric indicators were measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Lipid profile was evaluated. Arterial wall stiffness was assessed by calculation of the cardio-ankle index (CAVI) using VaSera (VS-1000) (Fucuda Denshi, Japan). Thickness of the intima-media complex and vasomotor function of the endothelium of the brachial artery were evaluated by ultrasound using LOGIQ F6 (GE Healthcare, USA). All patients underwent multi-detector chest computed tomography in spiral mode on Toshiba Aquilion Prime scanner using standardized protocol. PVAT was detected using specialized semi-automatic software Tissue Composition Module QCTPro (Mindways Software, Inc., USA) after scanner calibration with special phantom. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 10.0 software (StatSoft Inc., USA).

Results:
Male to female ratio in the cohort was shifted towards males, however this difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.066). Prevalence of hypertension in the study group was high – 268 (84.3%) patients. The majority (74.2%) of study participants had elevated BMI. Average PVAT volume was 0.3[0.2;0.4] cm³. The PVAT volume was significantly higher in obese patients vs patients with normal body mass: 0.4 [0.3;0.5] cm³ vs 0.25[0.2;0.4] cm³ (p = 0.0007). The PVAT volume was significantly higher in patients with elevated CAVI vs patients with normal CAVI: 0.4[0.3;0.5] cm³ vs 0.3[0.25;0.3] cm³ (p = 0.02). Correlation analysis revealed significant correlation between the PVAT volume and BMI (r = 0.27; p < 0.005), waist circumference (r = 0.41; p < 0.005), CAVI (r = 0.49; p < 0.05), endothelial dysfunction of the brachial arteries (r = 0.38; p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated significant association of CAVI with age (±SE, 0.51 ± 0.15; p = 0.002) and the volume of PVAT (±SE,0.41 ± 0.13; p = 0.005).

Conclusions:
This study demonstrated an association of PVAT volume with visceral obesity and indicators of vascular wall stiffness.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF VASCULAR STIFFNESS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE
Authors: Pietschner Robert , Kolwelter Julie , Bosch Agnes , Striepe Kristina , Kannenkeril Dennis , Ott Christan , Schiffer Mario , Achenbach Stephan , Schmieder Roland E. 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Risk factors for chronic heart failure (CHF) lead as well to vascular stiffness of the large arteries, increasing thereby the afterload imposed on the left ventricle and deteriorating the clinical condition of CHF. The aim of this project was twofold: to compare vascular stiffness of patients with CHF (CHF+) to those without CHF (CHF-) and to analyse whether vascular stiffness is related to the severity of CHF.

Design and method:
In this cross-sectional project a total of 223 patients were included (CHF+: n = 105, CHF-: n = 118). Patients in an euvolaemic state with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were included in the CHF+ group. The measurement of the pulse wave velocity (PWV), the most accepted vascular stiffness parameter, and the recording of the arterial pulse wave were performed using the SphygmoCor TM XCEL System under resting conditions. Under ambulatory conditions, blood pressure (BP) and vascular stiffness parameters were assessed by a validated device (Mobil-O-Graph, I.E.M.) over 24 hours. Additionally, blood and spot urine samples were used to measure laboratory markers, in particular NT-pro-BNP.

Results:
Vascular stiffness parameters between the CHF+ and the CHF- group differed for resting central SBP (CHF+: 116.66 ± 15.18 mmHg, CHF-: 122.83 ± 15.87 mmHg, p = 0.004) and central augmentation index (CHF+: 21.24 ± 11.76 %, CHF-: 13.69 ± 11.49 %, p = <0.001) as well as for ambulatory central SBP (CHF+: 114.46 ± 15.35 mmHg, CHF-: 120.69 ± 13.97 mmHg, p = 0.007) and PWV (CHF+: 9.39 ± 1.56 m/s, CHF-: 8.19 ± 1.65 m/s, p = <0.001). In patients with CHF, greater levels of NT-pro-BNP were related to a higher central SBP (r = 0.292, p = 0.005), higher PWV (r = 0.340, p = <0.001) and a trend to higher central PP (r = 0.198, p = 0.058), after full adjustment for CHF risk factors and gender. In accordance, higher levels of NT-pro-BNP were related to a higher ambulatory peripheral PP (r = 0.322, p = 0.002) and total peripheral resistance (r = 0.227, p = 0.041).

Conclusions:
In patients with stable CHF we observed a worse vascular stiffness and function, compared to patients with no CHF. The extent of vascular stiffness and dysfunction was related to the severity of CHF.
SERUM CHOLESTEROL, LDL-C, TG/HDL-C WERE HIGHER IN APOE-/- MICE WITH BOTH ARTERIAL STIFFNESS INCREASE AND PLAQUE FORMATION THAN IN THOSE WITH ARTERIAL STIFFNESS INCREASE ALONE
Authors: Ma Jun , Chen Xiaoping 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Atherosclerosis is currently thought to be strongly associated with arterial stiffness. However, several clinical studies have shown no significant correlation between serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and arterial stiffness. This is in contradiction with that TC and LDL-C lead to atherosclerosis. Here, we explored and discussed the effect of blood lipid levels on arterial stiffness in ApoE-/- mice with or without atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Design and method:
ApoE-/- mice were fed with a normal chow diet (4.5 % fat, control group), a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (40% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, HFHC group) and a high-fat diet (60 % fat, HF group) respectively. Body weight changes were recorded. Serum TC, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) levels were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. PWV was measured by ultrasound, Russell-Movat’s pentachrome stain was used to detect structural arterial stiffening and oil red O stain was used to detect atherosclerotic plaque formation. Cell death was detected by flow cytometry and protein expression was measured by western blot.

Results:
After 14 weeks of feeding, a significant increase in PWV and a decrease in diastolic capacity and elastic fibers were observed in both HF and HFHC group. When the HFHC group atherosclerotic plaques appeared, no plaques were formed in the HF group. Serum TC, LDL-C, TG/HDL-C were significantly higher in the HFHC group than in the HF group, but TG, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C were not significantly different between the HFHC and HF group. In vitro, cholesterol crystals induced increase of death in mouse arterial endothelial cells, while knockdown of caspase-1 expression partially alleviated the cell death.

Conclusions:
Serum cholesterol, LDL-C, TG/HDL-C were higher in ApoE-/- mice with arterial stiffness increase and atherosclerotic plaques formation than in ApoE-/- mice with an equal increase in arterial stiffness but no plaque formation. Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis of artery endothelial cell activated by cholesterol crystals may be an important mechanism leading to atherosclerotic plaque formation.
INCREASE ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN MOYAMOYA DISEASE PRESENTING WITH HYPERTENSION AND STROKE: A NOVEL FINDING IN A VERY RARE CASE IN SINGAPORE
Authors: Chinnaaiah Kausalia , Lo Francis Albert , Sule Ashish Anil , Chin Tay Jam 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Arterial stiffness in Moyamoya disease (MMD) has not been described before in literature. We describe a young 42 year-old lady who initially presented as hypertensive urgency and recurrent stroke and was later diagnosed with MMD. We would like to highlight increased arterial stiffness as a cause of hypertension in patients with MMD.

Design and method:
This is a case report of a 42 year old lady 42 year Singaporean lady presented in 2015 with headache and transient ischemic attack(TIA) and systolic blood pressure was 200mmHg. She was diagnosed with hypertension at the age 28 years and started on telmisartan 40 mg OD.
There was no end organ damage and secondary hypertension work up was negative. She has recurrent TIAs and was started on T. atorvastatin 40 mg ON and T clopidogrel 75 mg OD in Feb 2017.
She presented with stroke in March 2019, and MRI revealed left posterior temporal-parietal infarct, MRA revealed severe stenosis of left terminal internal carotid artery(ICA).
She presented with recurrent stroke in April 2019 and MRI/MRA revealed scattered acute infarcts in left MCA and ACA territories and severe steno-occlusive disease involving left ICA. She underwent left external carotid –internal carotid bypass in June 2019. In light of these findings, MMD was diagnosed.

Results:
She was started on T spironolactone and her blood pressure was kept in stable range of 130–150/80–95mmHg. An arterial stiffness study by SphygmoCor in June 2020 showed markedly increased arterial stiffness with markedly increased augmentation index, aortic augmentation pressure, aortic systolic pressure and aortic pulse pressure for the patient’s age.

Conclusions:
We present an interesting and rare case of hypertension in a young patient with MMD associated with increased arterial stiffness, with no renovascular disease. This is one of the first cases reported in MMD with increased arterial stiffness. We also highlighted genetic studies and case reports that have suggested that the histopathological process underlying Moyamoya vessels may also affect systemic vessels. We hope that this article will inspire more research on the relationship between MMD and hypertension, particularly in terms of how systemic vasculature is affected.
ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS(AGES) AND DIETARY METABOLITES RESULTED IN NEUTROPHIL EXTRACELLULAR TRAPS (NETS) AND VASCULAR CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND STIFFNESS
Authors: Chen I Chun , Chen Szu Ting , Cheng Hao Min , Chen Chen Huan 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Inflammaging is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are proteins or lipids that become glycated as a result of exposure to sugars, they are thought to be a detrimental metabolite involving in inflammation and some age-related chronic diseases. To explore the effects of vascular aging via the immune pathway.

Design and method:
To investigate the role of AGEs in inducing neutrophil activation and cause neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), Neutrophil cell line treated with AGEs analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and proinflammatory cytokines expression. Whether AGEs cause the morphological and functional change in endothelial cells by using a human cell line HMEC-1. Next, we investigate if older people bear spontaneous NET in the circulation that may bring detrimental impact in the vasculature system. We enrolled volunteers > 65 years-old, the serum was measured with MPO-DNA complex by ELISA. In vivo, we established an animal model by feeding mice with a high-fat diet (HFD) for long period to induce chronic intestinal inflammation. The aortic stiffness was assessed in vivo by the pulse wave velocity (PWV) after HFD feeding and normal diet (ND) feeding for 20 weeks.

Results:
AGE not only caused neutrophil cell line cellular ROS generation in time-dependent manners but also significantly increased expression of TNF and il-1, and AGE increased expression of inflammation markers including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, DLC-1 and reduced tube formation by HMEC-1. AGEs induced the NETs formation in primary neutrophils in a time-dependent manner. Volunteer serum MPO-DNA complex is higher than younger donors, HFD-feeding mice had increased and PWV and decreased colon of length, compared with ND-feeding mice, suggesting PWV tends to increase with higher arterial stiffness.

Conclusions:
In conclusion, AGEs, a metabolite from HFD is able to induce neutrophil activation and NET formation. Volunteers > 65 years old have high MPO-DNA complex, suggesting the “Netting” neutrophil in the circulation would be one of the potential factors causing the inflammation in the vessel and leading to vessel stiffness. The HFD-feeding mice with intestinal inflammation display vascular stiffness.
FAMINE EXPOSURE IN EARLY-LIFE AND HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN ADULTHOOD: FINDINGS FROM THE CHINA PATIENT-CENTERED EVALUATIVE ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC EVENTS MILLION PERSONS PROJECT
Authors: Chaolei Chen , Zhiqiang Nie , Yanqiu Ou , Yuqing Huang , Yingqing Feng 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
Previous studies reported that early-life exposure to undernutrition play key roles in the development of metabolic diseases, but the association with high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in later life remains unclear. We aimed to investigate whether exposure to famine in early life is associated with high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adulthood.

Design and method:
This study included 85,473 participants from the China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Million Persons Project in southern China who were born around the time of the Chinese Great Famine. They were divided into four famine exposure groups according to the birth year, including nonexposed (1963–1974), fetal exposed (1959–1962), childhood exposed (1949–1958), and adolescent exposed (1941–1948). High CVD risk was defined as having previous heart disease or a predicted 10-year risk of CVD greater than 20% based on the WHO/ISH criteria. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between famine exposure and high CVD risk.

Results:
Among the participants included, 4.6% (3893) participants had high risk for CVD, including 2543 (3.0%) participants had a predicted 10-year risk of CVD greater than 20%. Compared with the nonexposed group, childhood-exposed and adolescent exposed but not fetal-exposed participants had increased risk of having high CVD risk in adulthood, with odd ratios (ORs) (95% CIs) of 1.40 (1.15–1.70), 1.43 (1.07–1.90) and 1.14 (0.97–1.33), respectively, after adjusting for age and other covariates. For individuals without previous heart disease, fetal, childhood, and adolescent famine exposure were associated with higher likelihood of predicted 10-year risk of CVD greater than 20%, with multivariable-adjusted ORs (95%CI) of 1.34 (1.08–1.66), 2.17 (1.69–2.78), and 2.84 (1.98–4.07). Sensitivity analysis showed similar results by combining the relatively older and younger age group as the reference, which neutralized the age gap between the nonexposed group and the exposed groups in the main analysis.

Conclusions:
Early-life exposure to famine is significantly associated with higher risk of developing CVD in later life. These findings have important epidemiological and clinical implications on the understanding and prevention of CVD.
IMPACT OF ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND HYPERTENSION CONTROL IN MILITARY OF THE KINSHASA GARNISON
Authors: Buila Nathan , Kabanda Gilbert , Nkodila Aliocha , Mundu Gustave , Beya Felix Espoir , Kiana Nicaise , Mety Rawell , Buila Nathan , Kayembe Jean-Marie , Longo-Mbenza Benjamin , Mbuyamba-Kabanga Jean-René 
Published: June 2022

Objective:
To evaluate the impact of adapted physical activity (APA) on blood pressure (BP) and hypertension control among soldiers in the Kinshasa garrison.

Design and method:
We assessed variation in BP level and hypertension control in 229 soldiers randomly allocated to endurance training (active group n = 119) or maintained at rest (control group n = 110) for 8 weeks. Both study groups comprised of 58 % drug treated hypertensive patients.

Results:
At the last available visit after randomization BP was 5.1/3.0 mmHg lower in the active than in the control group for all randomized participants and 4.3/2.0 mmHg lower for the cohort of participants who completed the protocol. Exercise induced BP reduction was greater in participants < 50y, in high graded officers and in hypertensive individuals. The control of hypertension, unchanged in the control group, increased from 43.8% at randomization to 85.3% in the active group (p < 0.001). The probability to control hypertension was greater for the active group (RR: 3.38 [95% CI: 1.48–4.84]; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:
Our results support the recommendation that endurance physical activity constitutes a cornerstone not only for the prevention but also for the treatment and control of arterial hypertension.