Burden of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter From 1990 to 2021 in China: Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 Update.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) represent increasingly significant health burden globally. We aimed to systematically evaluate the status and trends of AF/AFL burden and attributable risk factors in China.

Methods: We assessed the burden of AF/AFL measured as prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), by sex and age groups in China based on the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2021 project.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 and outcomes of atrial fibrillation: from clinical association to genetic evidence.

Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has been implicated in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), but its prognostic value in AF patients remains unclear.

Methods And Results: A total of 35 197 AF patients with available follow-up data (3.56, 0.

Immunomodulatory effect of efferocytosis at the maternal-fetal interface.

Efferocytosis is a mechanism by which phagocytes efficiently clear apoptotic cells, averting their secondary necrosis and the subsequent release of potentially immunogenic or cytotoxic substances that can trigger strong immune and inflammatory responses. During efferocytosis, the metabolic pathways of phagocytes are transformed, which, along with the catabolism of apoptotic cargo, can affect their function and inflammatory state. Extensive apoptosis occurs during placental development, and some studies reported the immunomodulatory effects of efferocytosis at the maternal-fetal interface.

Association between the preprocedural serum potassium level and atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: The association between serum potassium and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation remains unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preprocedural serum potassium level influences AF recurrence in patients who underwent catheter ablation.

Methods: We used data of patients with AF who underwent de novo catheter ablation from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising alternative in the therapy of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a common morbid complication during pregnancy, affecting 2%-8% of pregnancies globally and posing serous risks to the health of both mother and fetus. Currently, the only effective treatment for PE is timely termination of pregnancy, which comes with increased perinatal risks. However, there is no effective way to delay pathological progress and improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel donepezil-tacrine hybrids as multi-functional agents with low neurotoxicity against Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss and deficits in cognitive domains. Low choline levels, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation are the primary mechanisms implicated in AD progression. Simultaneous inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by a single molecule may provide a new breath of hope for AD treatment.

Systolic Blood Pressure Time in Target Range and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertension: Insights From the SPRINT Trial.

Background: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) time in target range (TTR) indicates the mean value, exposure time, and variability in blood pressure over time. The prognostic value of SBP TTR for incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertension is unclear.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), a randomized controlled trial comparing intensive (<120 mm Hg) and standard (<140 mm Hg) SBP interventions in participants with hypertension.

Hypoxic Preconditioning Enhances Cellular Viability and Migratory Ability: Role of DANCR/miR-656-3p/HIF-1α Axis in Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a common complication of pregnancy characterized by new-onset hypertension, albuminuria, or end-stage organ dysfunction, which is seriously harmful to maternal and infant health. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stem cells derived from extraembryonic mesoderm. They have the potential for self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, immunomodulation, and tissue regeneration.

Pregnancy feasibility in women with mild pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pregnancy feasibility of women with mild pulmonary hypertension according to pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the differences in maternal and fetal outcomes between mild and moderate-to-severe pulmonary hypertension. Relevant English and Chinese literature were searched in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (COCHRANE), CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases between January 1st, 1990 and April 18th, 2023, and the references of the included articles and relevant systematic reviews were reviewed to determine whether studies were missed.

Deeper insight into the role of IL-17 in the relationship beween hypertension and intestinal physiology.

With the incidence of hypertension increasing worldwide, more and more the mechanisms of hypertension from the perspective of immunity have found. Intestinal microbiota as well as its metabolites relationship with hypertension has attracted great attention from both clinicians and investigators. However, the associations of hypertension with lesions of a large number of immune factors including IL-17, MCP-1, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-10 and others have not been fully characterized.

Functions of Dendritic Cells and Its Association with Intestinal Diseases.

Dendritic cells (DCs), including conventional DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), serve as the sentinel cells of the immune system and are responsible for presenting antigen information. Moreover, the role of DCs derived from monocytes (moDCs) in the development of inflammation has been emphasized. Several studies have shown that the function of DCs can be influenced by gut microbes including gut bacteria and viruses.

Restraint Stress in Hypertensive Rats Activates the Intestinal Macrophages and Reduces Intestinal Barrier Accompanied by Intestinal Flora Dysbiosis.

Purpose: Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In recent years, there were numerous studies on the function of stress in HTN. However, the gut dysbiosis linked to hypertension in animal models under stress is still incompletely understood.

Rhubarb extract relieves constipation by stimulating mucus production in the colon and altering the intestinal flora.

Background: Constipation, mainly characterized by the difficulty in defecation, is a clinical symptom caused by a variety of factors. It can be manifested as normal or slow colonic transport abnormalities, which can occur alone or concurrently with defecation disorders. As there is not uniform definition and assessment standard, no clear plan could be used for the treatment of constipation.

Biological characteristics of IL-6 and related intestinal diseases.

The intestine serves as an important digestive and the largest immune organ in the body. Interleukin-6(IL-6), an important mediator of various pathways, participates in the interactions between different kinds of cells and closely correlates with intestinal physiological and pathological condition. In this review we summarize the signaling pathways of IL-6 and its functions in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.