Prognostic Value of D-Dimer in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection and Intramural Hematoma: Observations from the Acute Aortic Syndrome Group of the Registry of Acute Non-Traumatic Chest Pain in China.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (AAD) and acute type A intramural hematoma (AIMH) are life-threatening conditions with high mortality rates, and prognostic indicators are critical for guiding urgent treatment decisions. We assessed the prognostic significance of admission D-dimer levels in patients with AAD and AIMH.

Methods And Results: The prospective, multicenter, observational study in China recruited participants from 2013 to 2019.

Days at Home After Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Versus Medical Therapy Alone in Heart Failure.

Background: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve (mTEER) reduced a hierarchical end point that included death and heart failure hospitalization in COAPT (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation Trial). However, the magnitude to which mTEER increases the number of days a patient spends at home (DAH) in the first few years after treatment, a patient-centered end point not captured routinely in clinical trials, has not been evaluated. We compared 1- and 2-year DAH among patients with functional mitral regurgitation and heart failure randomized to mTEER plus medical therapy versus medical therapy alone (control) by linking the COAPT trial to comprehensive health care claims data.

Myocarditis in Patients Starting Combination Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: Analysis of a Commercial Claims Database.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved the clinical outcomes of several cancers but have also been associated with a greater risk of immune-related adverse effects, especially when combined. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of myocarditis in relation to the use of dual concurrent versus single immune checkpoint inhibitors therapies.

Methods And Results: A cohort study was conducted using medical and pharmacy claims data (2011-2022) from a large US commercial insurer.

Changes in Blood Eosinophil Counts Predict the Death of Patients With Myocardial Infarction After Hospital Discharge.

Background: Preclinical studies demonstrate a cardioprotective role of eosinophils in acute myocardial infarction. Yet clinical studies show conflicting correlations between blood eosinophil counts and acute myocardial infarction risk and mortality. This study evaluates blood eosinophil counts of patients with acute myocardial infarction at hospital admission (EOS) and discharge (EOS) on all-cause and cardiac mortalities.

A self-assembled, genetically engineered, irradiated tumor cell debris vaccine.

Vaccine-based therapeutics for cancers face several challenges including lack of immunogenicity and tumor escape pathways for single antigen targets. It has been reported that radiotherapy has an in situ vaccine effect that provides tumor antigens following irradiation, helping to activate antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Herein, a new vaccine approach is developed by combining genetically engineered irradiated tumor cell debris (RTD) and hyaluronic acid (HA), termed HA@RTD.

Assessing Alzheimer's disease via plasma extracellular vesicle-derived mRNA.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder globally, has emerged as a significant health concern. Recently it has been revealed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a critical role in AD pathogenesis and progression. Their stability and presence in various biofluids, such as blood, offer a minimally invasive window for monitoring AD-related changes.

P53 Activation Promotes Maturational Characteristics of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes in 3-Dimensional Suspension Culture Via FOXO-FOXM1 Regulation.

Background: Current protocols generate highly pure human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in vitro that recapitulate characteristics of mature in vivo cardiomyocytes. Yet, a risk of arrhythmias exists when hiPSC-CMs are injected into large animal models. Thus, understanding hiPSC-CM maturational mechanisms is crucial for clinical translation.

Association of Lipoprotein (a) and Standard Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors With Incident Myocardial Infarction: The Mass General Brigham Lp(a) Registry.

Background: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a robust predictor of coronary heart disease outcomes, with targeted therapies currently under investigation. We aimed to evaluate the association of high Lp(a) with standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs) for incident first acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods And Results: This retrospective study used the Mass General Brigham Lp(a) Registry, which included patients aged ≥18 years with an Lp(a) measurement between 2000 and 2019.

Cardiovascular Risk in Young Patients Diagnosed With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: In older adults, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with several cardiovascular complications. Whether young patients diagnosed with OSA also are at higher risk of developing subsequent cardiovascular disease is uncertain. We aimed to estimate the risk of developing an incident cardiovascular event among young patients diagnosed with OSA.

Adverse Effects of Aldosterone: Beyond Blood Pressure.

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that primarily acts through activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a nuclear receptor responsible for downstream genomic regulation. Classically, activation of the MR in the renal tubular epithelium is responsible for sodium retention and volume expansion, raising systemic blood pressure. However, activation of the MR across a wide distribution of tissue types has been implicated in multiple adverse consequences for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal, and metabolic disease, independent of blood pressure alone.

Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories: Innovating aging research and Alzheimer's care.

This perspective outlines the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories (AITC) at Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Massachusetts, highlighting their roles in developing AI-based technologies for older adult care, particularly targeting Alzheimer's disease (AD). These National Institute on Aging (NIA) centers foster collaboration among clinicians, gerontologists, ethicists, business professionals, and engineers to create AI solutions. Key activities include identifying technology needs, stakeholder engagement, training, mentoring, data integration, and navigating ethical challenges.

Symptom Outcomes of Celiac Disease in Those on a Gluten-free Diet.

Goals: We aimed to evaluate symptom outcomes in those on a gluten-free diet during the 5 years after diagnosis.

Background: Celiac disease is common; however, little is known about long-term symptom outcomes.

Study: We performed a retrospective chart review on individuals with celiac disease followed at a tertiary referral center between 2012 and 2018.

A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) in the Pathogenesis of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: A Review of the Evidence.

A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL), the thirteenth member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, plays a key role in the regulation of activated B cells, the survival of long-lived plasma cells, and immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype class switching. Several lines of evidence have implicated APRIL in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Globally, IgAN is the most common primary glomerulonephritis, and it can progress to end-stage kidney disease; yet, disease-modifying treatments for this condition have historically been lacking.

Coronary Microcirculatory Dysfunction in People With HIV and Its Association With Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: HIV infection and abacavir-containing antiretroviral regimens are associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk. Positron emission tomography (PET)-derived myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR), the ratio of vasodilator stress to rest myocardial blood flow, is a well-validated measure of coronary microvascular health and marker of cardiovascular risk. Our objective was to compare MBFR among people with HIV (PWH) with matched non-HIV controls and to assess whether switching from dolutegravir/lamivudine/abacavir to the non-abacavir regimen bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) would improve MBFR.

Genome-Wide Assessment of Shared Genetic Architecture Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a 2- to 10-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the biological mechanisms and existence of causality underlying such associations remain to be investigated. We aimed to investigate the genetic associations and underlying mechanisms between RA and CVD by leveraging large-scale genomic data and genetic cross-trait analytic approaches.

Methods And Results: Within UK Biobank data, we examined the genetic correlation, shared genetics, and potential causality between RA (N=6754, N=452 384) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD, N=44 238, N=414 900) using linkage disequilibrium score regression, cross-trait meta-analysis, and Mendelian randomization.