AI-based derivation of atrial fibrillation phenotypes in the general and critical care populations.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia worldwide and is linked to a higher risk of mortality and morbidity. To predict AF and AF-related complications, clinical risk scores are commonly employed, but their predictive accuracy is generally limited, given the inherent complexity and heterogeneity of patients with AF. By classifying different presentations of AF into coherent and manageable clinical phenotypes, the development of tailored prevention and treatment strategies can be facilitated.

Impact of Hypertension on the Dose-Response Association Between Physical Activity and Stroke: A Cohort Study.

Background: Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced stroke risk. However, this relationship might be attenuated in the presence of hypertension and antihypertensive medication use. We examined the dose-response relationship between physical activity and stroke in normotensive and hypertensive individuals.

Effects of Single Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Meal Consumption on Postprandial Lipemia and Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence.

Context: Postprandial lipemia (PPL) is associated with increased risk of endothelial dysfunction (ED), a precursor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The effects of low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diets on ASCVD risk are uncertain; therefore, gaining a greater understanding of LCHF meals on PPL may provide valuable insights.

Objective: The current systematic review investigated the effects of single LCHF meal consumption on PPL and markers of ED.

Post-exercise endothelial function is not associated with extracellular vesicle release in healthy young males.

Acute exercise can result in temporary decrease in endothelial functions, which may represent a transient period of risk. Numerous mechanisms underpinning these responses included release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from apoptotic or activated endothelial cells and platelets. This study aims to compare the time course of endothelial responses to moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and the associations with EV release.

VEGFA rs2010963 GG genotype is associated with superior adaptations to resistance versus endurance training in the same group of healthy, young men.

Purpose: We used a within-subject, cross-over study to determine the relationship between the intra-individual adaptations to four weeks' resistance (RT) versus four weeks' endurance (END) training, and we investigated whether three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with these adaptations.

Methods: Thirty untrained, healthy, young men completed a cycling test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen uptake (V̇O), and a knee extension (KE) maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the right leg before and after four weeks' supervised RT (four sets of 10 repetitions at 80% single repetition maximum unilateral KE exercise, three times weekly) and four weeks' supervised END (30 min combined continuous/interval cycling, three times weekly), separated by a three-week washout phase. Participants were genotyped for the ACTN3 rs1815739, NOS3 rs2070744 and VEGFA rs2010963 SNPs.

Association between atherogenic risk-modulating proteins and endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation in coronary artery disease patients.

Purpose: Endothelial dysfunction is an early and integral event in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). Reduced NO bioavailability, oxidative stress, vasoconstriction, inflammation and senescence are all implicated in endothelial dysfunction. However, there are limited data examining associations between these pathways and direct in vivo bioassay measures of endothelial function in CAD patients.

Physical activity assessment and vascular function in adults with cystic fibrosis and their non-CF peers.

An understanding of physical activity (PA) and related health benefits remains limited in adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Raw acceleration data metrics may improve the quality of assessment and further this understanding. The study aimed to compare PA between people with CF (pwCF) and non-CF peers and examine associations between PA, vascular function and health outcome measures.

Developing an ecological approach to physical activity promotion in adults with Cystic fibrosis.

Background: There are few examples of interventions designed to promote physical activity (PA) in adults with Cystic fibrosis (CF). Increasing levels of habitual PA may be more feasible and result in greater compliance than conventional exercise training inventions which give little or no attention to long-term PA behaviour. Despite this there is limited research exploring perceptions of PA among adults with CF.

Elevated shear rate-induced by exercise increases eNOS ser but not PECAM-1 Tyr phosphorylation in human conduit artery endothelial cells.

Although evidence demonstrates the fundamental role of shear stress in vascular health, predominantly through the release of nitric oxide (NO), the mechanisms by which endothelial cells (EC)s sense and transduce shear are poorly understood. In cultured ECs tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 has been shown to activate eNOS in response to shear stress. However, in the human skeletal muscle microcirculation PECAM-1 was not activated in response to exercise or passive leg movement.

Exercise modality, but not exercise training, alters the acute effect of exercise on endothelial function in healthy men.

We used a within-subject crossover design to examine the impact of exercise modality, i.e., resistance (RT) and endurance (END), on the acute impact of exercise on endothelial function.

Intra-individual differences in the effect of endurance versus resistance training on vascular function: A cross-over study.

We used a within-subject, cross-over design study to compare the impact of 4-weeks' resistance (RT) versus endurance (END) training on vascular function. We subsequently explored the association of intra-individual effects of RT versus END on vascular function with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the NOS3 gene. Thirty-five healthy males (21 ± 2 years old) were genotyped for the NOS3 rs2070744 SNP and completed both training modalities.

Reference Intervals for Brachial Artery Flow-Mediated Dilation and the Relation With Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

[Figure: see text].

Impact of proximal and distal cuff inflation on brachial artery endothelial function in healthy individuals.

Purpose: In this study, we examined whether the decrease in endothelial function associated with short-term exposure to elevated retrograde shear rate (SR), could be prevented when combined with a concurrent drop in transmural pressure in humans.

Methods: Twenty-five healthy individuals reported to our laboratory on three occasions to complete 30-min experimental conditions, preceded and followed by assessment of endothelial function using flow-mediated dilation (FMD). We used cuff inflation for 30-min to manipulate retrograde SR and transmural pressure in the brachial artery.

Impact of catheterization on shear-mediated arterial dilation in healthy young men.

Purpose: Animal studies have shown that endothelial denudation abolishes vasodilation in response to increased shear stress. Interestingly, shear-mediated dilation has been reported to be reduced, but not abolished, in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients following catheterization. However, it is not known whether this resulted from a priori endothelial dysfunction in this diseased population.

12-Month changes of muscle strength, body composition and physical activity in adults with dystrophinopathies.

Purpose: Muscular dystrophy (MD) is an umbrella term for muscle wasting conditions, for which longitudinal changes in function and body composition are well established in children with Duchenne (DMD), however, changes in adults with DMD and Beckers (BMD), respectively, remain poorly reported. This study aims to assess 12-month changes in lower-limb strength, muscle size, body composition and physical activity in adults with Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

Methods: Adult males with Duchenne MD (DMD;  = 15) and Beckers MD (BMD;  = 12) were assessed at baseline and 12-months for body composition (Body fat and lean body mass (LBM)), Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (Knee-Extension (KEMVC) and Plantar-Flexion (PFMVC)) and physical activity (tri-axial accelerometry).

Exercise-induced vasodilation is not impaired following radial artery catheterization in coronary artery disease patients.

Diagnosis and treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD) often involves angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the radial artery catheterization required during both procedures may result in acute artery dysfunction/damage. While exercise-based rehabilitation is recommended for CAD patients following catheterization, it is not known if there is a period when exercise may be detrimental due to catheter-induced damage.

Quality of life in adults with muscular dystrophy.

Background: Muscle weakness is a defining characteristic of Muscular Dystrophy (MD); however, yet while speculated, objective measures of muscle weakness has not been reported in relation to quality of life in adults with MD.

Objectives: 1) compare the self-reported QoL of adults with Duchenne MD (DMD), Beckers MD (BMD), Limb-Girdle MD (LGMD) and Fascioscapulohumeral MD (FSHD, and a non-MD (CTRL) group; 2) present and compare between groups measures of Impairment (Muscle Strength and Activities of Daily Living) and Perception (Fatigue, Pain and Self-Efficacy); and 3) identify associations between QoL domains and measures of Impairment and Perception (See above).

Methods: Seventy-Five males, including MD classifications DMD, BMD, LGMD, FSHD and CTRL, completed measures for QoL, Knee-Extension Maximal Voluntary Contraction (KEMVC), Fatigue, Pain, Self-Efficacy and Activities of Daily Living (ADL).

Home-hit improves muscle capillarisation and eNOS/NAD(P)Hoxidase protein ratio in obese individuals with elevated cardiovascular disease risk.

Key Points: Obesity and sedentary behaviour are associated with capillary rarefaction and impaired muscle microvascular vasoreactivity, due to reduced nitric oxide bioavailability. Low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIT) is a time-efficient alternative to traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), but its effect on the muscle microvasculature has not been studied. The applicability of current laboratory- and gym-based HIT protocols for obese individuals with low fitness and mobility has been disputed by public health experts, who cite the strenuous nature and complex protocols as major barriers.

Fluctuation in shear rate, with unaltered mean shear rate, improves brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in healthy, young men.

Increase in mean shear stress represents an important and potent hemodynamic stimulus to improve conduit artery endothelial function in humans. No previous study has examined whether fluctuations in shear rate patterns, without altering mean shear stress, impacts conduit artery endothelial function. This study examined the hypothesis that 30-min exposure to fluctuations in shear rate patterns, in the presence of unaltered mean shear rate, improves brachial artery flow-mediated dilation.

Physical activity and associations with clinical outcome measures in adults with cystic fibrosis; a systematic review.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is important in the management of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and is associated with a number of beneficial effects. PA assessment is not commonplace or consistent in clinical practice, therefore understanding of PA in adults with CF remains limited. The purpose of this review was to evaluate PA levels in this population and compare PA to global recommendations and non-CF peers.

Relationship Between Endothelial Function and the Eliciting Shear Stress Stimulus in Women: Changes Across the Lifespan Differ to Men.

Background Premenopausal women have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, which may partly be due to a protective effect of estrogen on endothelial function. Animal studies suggest that estrogen may also improve the relationship between shear rate ( SR ) and endothelial function. We aimed to explore the relationship between endothelial function (ie, flow-mediated dilation [ FMD ]) and SR (ie, SR area under the curve [ SRAUC ]) in women versus men, and between pre- versus postmenopausal women.

Effects of Catheterization on Artery Function and Health: When Should Patients Start Exercising Following Their Coronary Intervention?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; angioplasty) are commonly used to diagnose and/or treat the obstructed coronaries. Exercise-based rehabilitation is recommended for all CAD patients; however, most guidelines do not specify when exercise training should commence following PTCA and/or PCI. Catheterization can result in arterial dysfunction and acute injury, and given the fact that exercise, particularly at higher intensities, is associated with elevated inflammatory and oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and a pro-thrombotic milieu, performing exercise post-PTCA/PCI may transiently elevate the risk of cardiac events.

Cardiac output during exercise is related to plasma atrial natriuretic peptide but not to central venous pressure in humans.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Is cardiac output during exercise dependent on central venous pressure? What is the main finding and its importance? The increase in cardiac output during both rowing and running is related to preload to the heart, as indicated by plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, but unrelated to central venous pressure. The results indicate that in upright humans, central venous pressure reflects the gravitational influence on central venous blood rather than preload to the heart.

Abstract: We evaluated the increase in cardiac output (CO) during exercise in relationship to central venous pressure (CVP) and plasma arterial natriuretic peptide (ANP) as expressions of preload to the heart.