Shear and hydrostatic stress regulate fetal heart valve remodeling through YAP-mediated mechanotransduction.

Clinically serious congenital heart valve defects arise from improper growth and remodeling of endocardial cushions into leaflets. Genetic mutations have been extensively studied but explain less than 20% of cases. Mechanical forces generated by beating hearts drive valve development, but how these forces collectively determine valve growth and remodeling remains incompletely understood.

Local fluid shear stress operates a molecular switch to drive fetal semilunar valve extension.

Background: While much is known about the genetic regulation of early valvular morphogenesis, mechanisms governing fetal valvular growth and remodeling remain unclear. Hemodynamic forces strongly influence morphogenesis, but it is unknown whether or how they interact with valvulogenic signaling programs. Side-specific activity of valvulogenic programs motivates the hypothesis that shear stress pattern-specific endocardial signaling controls the elongation of leaflets.

Changes of gut microbiota between different weight reduction programs.

Background: Gut microbiota may induce obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Different weight reduction programs may induce different changes in gut microbiota.

Objectives: To assess the changes in gut microbiota between obese adults who participated in 2 different weight reduction programs, the dietary counseling (DC) group and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) group, for 3 months.

The prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in Tibetan immigrants living in high altitude areas in Ladakh, India.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of obesity and related cardiovascular disease risk factors among Tibetan immigrants living in high altitude areas.

Research Methods & Procedures: A total of 149 Tibetan immigrants aged 20 years and over were recruited in 2016 in Ladakh, India. Anthropometric indices and biochemical factors were measured.