Autonomic Afferent Dysregulation in Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the role of cardiac afferent reflexes in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Efferent autonomic tone is not associated with atrial remodeling and AF persistence. However, the role of cardiac afferents is unknown.

A Comprehensive 6A Framework for Improving Patient Self-Management of Hypertension Using mHealth Services: Qualitative Thematic Analysis.

Background: Hypertension affects over 15% of the world's population and is a significant global public health and socioeconomic challenge. Mobile health (mHealth) services have been increasingly introduced to support hypertensive patients to improve their self-management behaviors, such as adherence to pharmacotherapy and lifestyle modifications.

Objective: This study aims to explore patients' perceptions of mHealth services and the mechanisms by which the services support them to self-manage their hypertension.

Marfan syndrome resulting from a rare pathogenic FBN1 variant, ascertained through a proband with IgG4-related arteriopathy.

A 57-year-old man with a family history of aortic aneurysm was found, during assessment of unexplained fever, to have an infrarenal aortic aneurysm requiring immediate repair. Dilatation of popliteal and iliac arteries was also present. Progressive aortic root dilatation with aortic regurgitation was documented from 70 years leading to valve-sparing aortic root replacement at 77 years, at which time genetic studies identified a likely pathogenic FBN1 missense variant c.

Green space and cardiovascular health in people with type 2 diabetes.

Associations between green space type and 9-year risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalisations and deaths were analysed in 4166 people with type 2 diabetes in the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study. Incidence of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, fatal or non-fatal CVD events and acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) were 14.67%, 7.

Iodine staining outperforms phosphotungstic acid in high-resolution micro-CT scanning of post-natal mice cardiac structures.

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scan provides high-resolution three-dimensional images of mineralized tissues in small animal models. Contrast enhancement is essential to visualize non-mineralized tissues with micro-CT scan. We attempted to compare the two most common contrast agents to stain and image mouse cardiac structures.

Multilevel modeling of geographic variation in general practice consultations.

Objective: To test relatively simple and complex models for examining model fit, higher-level variation in, and correlates of, GP consultations, where known nonhierarchical data structures are present.

Setting: New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Design: Association between socioeconomic circumstances and geographic remoteness with GP consultation frequencies per participant was assessed using single-level, hierarchical, and multiple membership cross-classified (MMCC) models.

Neutralizing the pathological effects of extracellular histones with small polyanions.

Extracellular histones in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) or in chromatin from injured tissues are highly pathological, particularly when liberated by DNases. We report the development of small polyanions (SPAs) (~0.9-1.

Rates of Attrition and Dropout in App-Based Interventions for Chronic Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Chronic disease represents a large and growing burden to the health care system worldwide. One method of managing this burden is the use of app-based interventions; however attrition, defined as lack of patient use of the intervention, is an issue for these interventions. While many apps have been developed, there is some evidence that they have significant issues with sustained use, with up to 98% of people only using the app for a short time before dropping out and/or dropping use down to the point where the app is no longer effective at helping to manage disease.

Micro-CT scan with virtual dissection of left ventricle is a non-destructive, reproducible alternative to dissection and weighing for left ventricular size.

Micro-CT scan images enhanced by iodine staining provide high-resolution visualisation of soft tissues in laboratory mice. We have compared Micro-CT scan-derived left ventricular (LV) mass with dissection and weighing. Ex-vivo micro-CT scan images of the mouse hearts were obtained following staining by iodine.

Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated With Syncope and Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To examine the potential association of atrial fibrillation (AF) to syncope and falls, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis given the increasing prevalence of AF in older adults as well as emerging data that it is a risk factor for dementia.

Patients And Methods: CENTRAL, PubMed, and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to January 31, 2019, to retrieve relevant studies. Search terms consisted of MeSH, tree headings, and keywords relating patients with "AF," "falls," "syncope," and "postural hypotension.

Clinical evidence of autonomic dysfunction due to atrial fibrillation: implications for rhythm control strategy.

Purpose: The role of the autonomic nervous system in the genesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been well studied; however, the converse remains poorly understood. Pulmonary veins (PV) contain receptors important in cardiac reflexes. Here, we evaluated reflex responses in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) to lower body negative pressure (LBNP).

A pilot study examining the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular risk factors in cancer survivors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in cancer survivors.

Methods: Cancer survivors within 24 months post-diagnosis were randomly assigned into the low-volume high-intensity interval training group ( = 8) or the continuous low to moderate intensity training group ( = 8) group for 36 sessions (12 weeks) of supervised exercise. The low-volume high-intensity interval training (LVHIIT) group performed 7 × 30 s intervals (≥85% maximal heart rate) and the continuous low to moderate intensity training (CLMIT) group performed continuous aerobic training for 20 min (≤55% maximal heart rate) on a stationary bike or treadmill.

Guideline for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in adults - 2016.

The National Heart Foundation of Australia has updated the Guide to management of hypertension 2008: assessing and managing raised blood pressure in adults (updated December 2010). Main recommendations For patients at low absolute cardiovascular disease risk with persistent blood pressure (BP) ≥ 160/100 mmHg, start antihypertensive therapy. The decision to treat at lower BP levels should consider absolute cardiovascular disease risk and/or evidence of end-organ damage, together with accurate BP assessment.

Glutathione transferase M2 variants inhibit ryanodine receptor function in adult mouse cardiomyocytes.

Release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is an essential step in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. Excess Ca(2+) release due to overactive RyR2 can cause arrhythmia that can lead to cardiac arrest. Fragments derived from the carboxy-terminal domain of human glutathione transferase M2 (GSTM2C) specifically inhibit RyR2 activity.

Regulator of G protein signaling 5 is a determinant of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a systemic vascular disorder of pregnancy and is associated with increased sensitivity to angiotensin II (AngII) and hypertension. The cause of preeclampsia remains unknown. We identified the role of regulator of G protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein) signaling 5 (RGS5) in blood pressure regulation during pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Diastolic function is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in patients with stage 4-5 Chronic Kidney disease (CKD, eGFR < 30). There are only limited data on the risk factors predicting these complications in CKD patients. Our aim was to determine the role of clinical and echocardiographic parameters in predicting mortality and cardiovascular complications in CKD patients.

Brain and mood changes over 2 years in healthy controls and adults with heart failure and ischaemic heart disease.

Aims: Heart failure (HF) has been associated with cognitive dysfunction, a high prevalence of mood disorders, and a relative loss of grey matter in several brain regions. This study aimed to determine if, compared with controls with and without ischaemic heart disease (IHD), adults with HF show evidence of progressive loss of cerebral grey matter, and whether morphological changes are associated with changes in cognition, depression and anxiety symptoms over a follow-up period of 2 years.

Methods And Results: This was a 24-month longitudinal study of 19 participants with systolic HF, 43 with IHD, and 45 controls.

Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 controls blood pressure homeostasis and vessel wall remodeling.

Rationale: Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 (RGS5) modulates G-protein-coupled receptor signaling and is prominently expressed in arterial smooth muscle cells. Our group first reported that RGS5 is important in vascular remodeling during tumor angiogenesis. We hypothesized that RGS5 may play an important role in vessel wall remodeling and blood pressure regulation.

Effect of transfer delay on left ventricular function after primary PCI for ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Primary PCI (PPCI) is superior to thrombolysis for treatment of acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). However, transfer to a PCI centre results in a treatment delay compared to those presenting directly to such hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of transfer delay on LV function and clinical outcomes in PPCI patients.

Homocysteine, grey matter and cognitive function in adults with cardiovascular disease.

Background: Elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) has been associated with cognitive impairment, vascular disease and brain atrophy.

Methods: We investigated 150 volunteers to determine if the association between high tHcy and cerebral grey matter volume and cognitive function is independent of cardiovascular disease.

Results: Participants with high tHcy (≥15 µmol/L) showed a widespread relative loss of grey matter compared with people with normal tHcy, although differences between the groups were minimal once the analyses were adjusted for age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and prevalent cardiovascular disease.