The association of SPARC with hypertension and its function in endothelial-dependent relaxation.

Background And Aims: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is involved in the pathological processes of many metabolic diseases. However, studies on the relevance of SPARC to hypertension and its involvement in endothelial function are scarce. In this study, we aim to explore the relevance of SPARC to hypertension and investigate its role in endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR).

Nonoptimum Temperatures Are More Closely Associated With Fatal Myocardial Infarction Than With Nonfatal Events.

Background: Ambient temperatures trigger hospitalisation, mortality, and emergency department visits for myocardial infarction (MI). However, nonoptimum temperature-related risks of fatal and nonfatal MI have not yet been compared.

Methods: From 2007 to 2019, 416,894 MI events (233,071 fatal and 183,823 nonfatal) were identified in Beijing, China.

Associations between urban exposome and recurrence risk among survivors of acute myocardial infarction in Beijing, China.

Few previous studies have investigated the impacts of coexposure to multiple urban environmental factors on the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) events. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the urban exposome and AMI recurrence. We used data from 88,509 AMI patients from a large cohort obtained from the Beijing Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System between 2013 and 2019.

Current perspective on biological properties of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and dysfunction in gut.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a subtype of DC, possess unique developmental, morphological, and functional traits that have sparked much debate over the years whether they should be categorized as DCs. The digestive system has the greatest mucosal tissue overall, and the pDC therein is responsible for shaping the adaptive and innate immunity of the gastrointestinal tract, resisting pathogen invasion through generating type I interferons, presenting antigens, and participating in immunological responses. Therefore, its alleged importance in the gut has received a lot of attention in recent years, and a fresh functional overview is still required.

Impact of pre-ablation left appendage flow velocities on long term recurrence of catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Despite undergoing a single ablation, many patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) experience a gradually increasing recurrence rate. This study aims to examine the relationship between left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAeV) and filling velocity (LAAfV) profiles and 3-year recurrence of AF after ablation.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 658 consecutive PAF patients who underwent their first ablation between January 2018 and December 2019.

Prevalence and correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese myocardial infarction survivors: A cross-sectional study.

Individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Although vaccinations should be a priority for individuals with high-risk CVDs, some may be hesitant to pursue such interventions. This cross-sectional study was designed to document the prevalence and correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among myocardial infarction (MI) patients in China.

Real world time trends in antithrombotic treatment for newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in China: reports from the GLORIA-AF Phase III registry : Trends in antithrombotic therapy use in China.

Background: Stroke prevention with oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, including non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), is recommended in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This analysis describes the antithrombotic prescription patterns for Chinese patients enrolled post-dabigatran approval during Phase II and III of the Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF) program in China.

Methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with newly diagnosed (< 3 months before baseline visit) nonvalvular AF at risk of stroke (CHADS-VASc score ≥ 1) were consecutively enrolled in the GLORIA-AF registry.

The immunoproteasome subunit β2i ameliorates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating Parkin-Mfn1/2-mediated mitochondrial fusion.

Mitochondrial dynamics are critical for maintaining mitochondrial morphology and function during cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). The immunoproteasome complex is an inducible isoform of the proteasome that plays a key role in modulating inflammation and some cardiovascular diseases, but the importance of immunoproteasome catalytic subunit β2i (also known as LMP10 or MECL1) in regulating mitochondrial dynamics and cardiac I/R injury is largely unknown. Here, using β2i-knockout (KO) mice and rAAV9-β2i-injected mice, we discovered that β2i expression and its trypsin-like activity were significantly attenuated in the mouse I/R myocardium and in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

Sex-specific associations between daytime sleepiness, chronic diseases and mortality in obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is common in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has been linked to adverse outcomes, albeit inconsistently. Furthermore, whether the prognostic impact of EDS differs as a function of sex is unclear. We aimed to assess the associations between EDS and chronic diseases and mortality in men and women with OSA.

Enhanced amygdala-cingulate connectivity associates with better mood in both healthy and depressive individuals after sleep deprivation.

Sleep loss robustly disrupts mood and emotion regulation in healthy individuals but can have a transient antidepressant effect in a subset of patients with depression. The neural mechanisms underlying this paradoxical effect remain unclear. Previous studies suggest that the amygdala and dorsal nexus (DN) play key roles in depressive mood regulation.

Using street view imagery to examine the association between urban neighborhood disorder and the long-term recurrence risk of patients discharged with acute myocardial infarction in central Beijing, China.

Background: To examine the association between urban neighborhood disorder and the recurrence risk of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in central Beijing, China.

Methods: Recurrent AMI was identified by the Beijing Monitoring System for Cardiovascular Diseases through the end of 2019 for patients discharged with AMI between 2007 and 2017. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to estimate associations between neighborhood disorder and AMI recurrence.

Association between Intermediate-Density Lipoprotein Particles and the Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Community-Based Cohort Study.

Aim: Experimental studies report that intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), the precursor of low-density lipoprotein, promotes atherosclerotic plaque formation. However, whether IDL is involved in the development of atherosclerosis in humans is still unclear. The aim of this community-based study is to examine the association between IDL particle (IDL-P) concentrations and the 5-year progression of carotid atherosclerosis.

Administration of a new nano delivery system coated with Tirofiban to prevent early thrombosis of vein graft.

Objective: To verify the administration of a new nano delivery system coated with Tirofiban on preventing early thrombosis in vein graft.

Methods: Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups with eight rabbits in each group. The rabbits of all groups underwent jugular vein transplantation, except group I with only neck opening and closing operation.

Practice of reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in China: findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome project.

Background: Reperfusion therapy is fundamental for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the details of contemporary practice and factors associated with reperfusion therapy in China are largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore reperfusion practice and its associated factors among hospitalized patients with STEMI in China.

Quantitative infrapatellar fat pad signal intensity alteration as an imaging biomarker of knee osteoarthritis progression.

Objective: To determine the association of quantitative infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) signal intensity alteration with knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression.

Method: This study was performed based on the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health OA Biomarkers Consortium study, a nested case-control study consisting of 600 participants. The IPFP signal intensity alterations were quantitatively measured at baseline, 12 months and 24 months.

Double outlet ventricles: review of anatomic and imaging characteristics.

Hearts with double outlet ventricles and concordant atrioventricular connections account for about 1%-3% of all cases of congenital heart disease. We review hearts with two ventricles and concordant atrioventricular connections with double outlet right ventricle (DORV), double outlet left ventricle (DOLV) and double outlet both ventricles (DOBV) from the morphological and clinical imaging perspectives. These hearts are a heterogeneous group of congenital cardiac malformations with a wide range of pathophysiologies that require an individualised surgical approach based on a precise understanding of the complex cardiovascular anatomy.

Risk of resistant hypertension associated with insomnia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a high prevalence of hypertension but vary in blood pressure (BP) control, which may be partially explained by comorbid insomnia. We investigated the association of insomnia symptoms with uncontrolled BP and resistant hypertension (RH) in OSA patients.

Methods: Between 2018 and 2021, hypertensive patients with OSA were enrolled.

The independent role of nasal obstruction in resistant hypertension for uncontrolled hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: To determine the independent predictive role of nasal obstruction in resistant hypertension (RH) in uncontrolled hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: This prospective cohort study comprised of 236 OSA patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) using 1 or 2 classes of antihypertensive drugs visiting Sleep Medicine Center from April 2021 to March 2022. Information on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, BP control and classes of antihypertensive medication, sleep-related symptoms, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale and sleep parameters was collected.

Angiopoietin-like protein 8 deficiency attenuates thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection development in β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced model mice.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disorder. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis are involved in TAAD progression. The Protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway is associated with VSMC apoptosis.

Global trends and regional differences in incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease, 1990-2019: findings from 2019 global burden of disease study.

Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is linked with a regional economic burden. We analysed and compared global trends as well as regional and sociodemographic differences in CVD incidence and mortality.

Methods And Results: We obtained data to annual incident cases, deaths, age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of CVD during 1990-2019 from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.