Mouse Pachytene piRNAs Cleave Hundreds of Transcripts, But Alter the Steady-State Abundance of Only a Minority of Targets.

In animals, 18-35-nt piRNAs guide PIWI proteins to regulate complementary RNAs. During male meiosis, mammals produce an exceptionally abundant class of piRNAs called pachytene piRNAs. Pachytene piRNAs are required for spermatogenesis and have been proposed to control gene expression by various mechanisms.

Relaxed targeting rules help PIWI proteins silence transposons.

In eukaryotes, small RNA guides, such as small interfering RNAs and microRNAs, direct AGO-clade Argonaute proteins to regulate gene expression and defend the genome against external threats. Only animals make a second clade of Argonaute proteins: PIWI proteins. PIWI proteins use PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) to repress complementary transposon transcripts.

Predictive value of oxidative, antioxidative, and inflammatory status for left ventricular systolic recovery after percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between left ventricular ejection fraction recovery and the total oxidant status, total antioxidant capacity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.

Methods: A total of 264 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients were classified into two groups according to baseline and 6-month follow-up left ventricular systolic function: reduced and recovery systolic function. Predictors of the recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction were determined by multivariate regression analyses.

Predictive value of oxidant and antioxidant status for contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a life-threatening complication after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI). Oxidative stress and inflammation may play an important role in the development of CIN.

Objective: We aimed to assess the relationship between total oxidant status, total antioxidant capacity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid (UA) in the development of CIN in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Long term effects of mild severity COVID‑19 on right ventricular functions.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly recognized infectious disease that has spread rapidly. COVID-19 has been associated with a number of cardiovascular involvements, including ventricular functions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the right ventricular functions of mild severity COVID-19 patients 3 months after, and compare them to the right ventricular functions of healthy volunteers.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index May Predict the Development of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive capacity of a systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in the detection of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A total of 477 STEMI patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to CIN development.

Relationship between morning blood pressure surge and the frontal plane QRS-T angle in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Background: Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) plays an important role in target organ damage and major adverse cardiac events. The frontal QRS-T [f(QRS-T)] angle is the electrocardiographic marker and index of ventricular arrhythmogenic events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MBPS and the f(QRS-T) angle, which is an indicator of ventricular repolarization disorder, in patients with newly diagnosed HT.

Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts new-onset atrial fibrillation after ST elevation myocardial infarction.

To investigate the predictive capacity of a systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in detecting new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) following ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A total of 402 STEMI patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to NOAF development.

The effect of Systolic and diastolic blood pressure on Tp-e interval in patients divided according to World Health Organization classification for body mass index.

: Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio and Tp-e/QTc ratio are electrocardiographic markers and indices of ventricular arrhythmogenic events. We aimed to investigate ventricular repolarization in normal weight, overweight, obese and morbidly obese individuals by using ECG parameters including the above markers. A total of 310 obese patients with various cardiac complaints, who were admitted to our outpatient clinic between May 2020 and January 2021, were prospectively included in the study.

The frontal plane QRS-T angle may affect our perspective on prehypertension: A prospective study.

Backround: The frontal plane QRS-T [f(QRS-T)] angle is an easy marker of myocardial repolarization and was associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes like prehypertension (PHT). This study was aimed to investigate to evaluate the f(QRS-T) angle in patients with PHT.

Methods: We measured f(QRS-T) angle of 70 subjects with PHT, 109 patients with hypertension (HT), and 102 normotensive healthy volunteers.

Incidence of aspirin resistance is higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome and atrial fibrillation than without atrial fibrillation.

In patients with atrial fibrillation, standard anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist plus dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin is the standard of care after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While this therapy reduces the risk of thrombosis and stroke, it increases the risk of bleeding. It is unclear whether the antiplatelet effect of aspirin and clopidogrel may worsen atrial fibrillation (AF).

EEG based Classification of Long-term Stress Using Psychological Labeling.

Stress research is a rapidly emerging area in the field of electroencephalography (EEG) signal processing. The use of EEG as an objective measure for cost effective and personalized stress management becomes important in situations like the nonavailability of mental health facilities. In this study, long-term stress was classified with machine learning algorithms using resting state EEG signal recordings.

Predictive value of ATRIA risk score for contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: The AnTicoagulation and Risk factors In Atrial fibrillation (ATRIA) risk score used to detect the thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risk in atrial fibrillation patients has been shown recently to predict poor clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (ACS), regardless of having atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to analyze the relationship between different risk scores and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) development in patients with ACS who underwent urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and compare the predictive ability of the ATRIA risk score with the MEHRAN risk score.

Methods: We analyzed 429 patients having St-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) who underwent urgent PCI between January 2016 and February 2017.

The Relationship Between Mitral Annular Calcification, Metabolic Syndrome and Thromboembolic Risk.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as an association between diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with several cardiovascular disorders, including coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure, ischemic stroke and increased mortality. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to estimate thromboembolic risk in AF.

The CHA2DS2-VASc score for predicting atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction: prospective observational study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of supraventricular arrhythmia following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The CHA2DS2-VASc and CHADS2 scores are used to estimate thromboembolic risk in cases of AF. Their usefulness in predicting the development of AF in patients presenting STEMI is unknown.

Brain arterial dilatation modifies the association between extracranial pulsatile hemodynamics and brain perivascular spaces: the Northern Manhattan Study.

Pulsatile hemodynamics are associated with brain small perivascular spaces (SPVS). It is unknown whether the stiffness of intermediary arteries connecting the aorta and brain modifies this association. Participants from the Northern Manhattan Study were assessed for SPVS (defined as ≤3 mm T1 voids) and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMH) using MRI.

Regional Subclinical Cerebrovascular Disease Is Associated with Balance in an Elderly Multi-Ethnic Population.

Introduction: White matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) and subclinical brain infarcts (SBI) are associated with impaired mobility, but less is known about the association of WMHV in specific brain regions. We hypothesized that anterior WMHV would be associated with lower scores on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), a well-validated mobility scale.

Methods: The SPPB was measured a median of 5 years after enrollment into the Northern Manhattan MRI sub study.

Spaceflight-Induced Visual Impairment and Globe Deformations in Astronauts Are Linked to Orbital Cerebrospinal Fluid Volume Increase.

Objective: Most of the astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) develop visual impairment and ocular structural changes that are not fully reversible upon return to earth. Current understanding assumes that the so-called visual impairments/intracranial pressure (VIIP) syndrome is caused by cephalad vascular fluid shift. This study assesses the roles of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and intracranial pressure (ICP) in VIIP.

Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensities and Functional Decline.

Background/objectives: We previously showed that global brain white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) was associated with accelerated long-term functional decline. The objective of the current study was to determine whether WMHV in particular brain regions is more predictive of functional decline.

Design: Prospective population-based study.

Spaceflight-induced changes in white matter hyperintensity burden in astronauts.

Objective: To assess the effect of weightlessness and the respective roles of CSF and vascular fluid on changes in white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden in astronauts.

Methods: We analyzed prespaceflight and postspaceflight brain MRI scans from 17 astronauts, 10 who flew a long-duration mission on the International Space Station (ISS) and 7 who flew a short-duration mission on the Space Shuttle. Automated analysis methods were used to determine preflight to postflight changes in periventricular and deep WMH, CSF, and brain tissue volumes in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and high-resolution 3-dimensional T1-weighted imaging.

Differential Effect of Left vs. Right White Matter Hyperintensity Burden on Functional Decline: The Northern Manhattan Study.

Asymmetry of brain dysfunction may disrupt brain network efficiency. We hypothesized that greater left-right white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) asymmetry was associated with functional trajectories. In the Northern Manhattan Study, participants underwent brain MRI with axial T1, T2, and fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequences, with baseline interview and examination.

Systemic Atherosclerosis Relate to Brain Arterial Diameters: The Northern Manhattan Study.

Background: Phenotypic expressions of arterial disease vary throughout the body and it is not clear to what extent systemic atherosclerosis influences brain arterial remodeling. We aim to test the hypothesis that systemic atherosclerosis is associated with brain arterial diameters.

Methods: Stroke-free participants in the Northern Manhattan Study MRI subcohort in whom carotid ultrasound, transthoracic echocardiogram, and brain MRA (n = 482) were performed were included in this analysis.

Solution of the Dirac equation using the Rayleigh-Ritz method: Flexible basis coupling large and small components. Results for one-electron systems.

An algebraic solution of the Dirac equation is reinvestigated. Slater-type spinor orbitals and their corresponding system of differential equations are defined in two- and four-component formalism. They describe the radial function in components of the wave function of the Dirac equation solution to high accuracy.