Sex-Specific Clinical and Genetic Factors Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Females with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy present at a more advanced stage of the disease and have a higher risk of heart failure and death. The factors behind these differences are unclear. We aimed to investigate sex-related differences in clinical and genetic factors affecting adverse outcomes in the Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry.

Early Use of Liraglutide for the Treatment of Acute COVID-19 Infection: An Open-Label Single-Center Phase II Safety Study with Biomarker Profiling.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are an existing treatment option for patients with insulin-resistant states, which elicit further pleiotropic effects related to immune cell recruitment and vascular inflammation. GLP-1 agonists downregulate the cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) receptor, one of several receptors for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that mediate viral infection of host cells.

Methods: We conducted an open-label prospective safety and tolerability study including biomarker responses of the GLP-1 agonist Liraglutide, administered for 5 days as an add-on therapy to the standard of care within 48 h of presentation in a cohort of 13 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Structural and Functional Characterization of the Aorta in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Changes in the phenotype and genotype in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are thought to involve the myocardium as well as extracardiac tissues. Here, we describe the structural and functional changes in the ascending aorta of obstructive patients with HCM.

Methods: Changes in the aortic wall were studied in a cohort of 101 consecutive patients with HCM undergoing myectomy and 9 normal controls.

Antimicrobial peptide glatiramer acetate targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides to breach membranes without altering lipopolysaccharide modification.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of innate immunity across all domains of life. Natural and synthetic AMPs are receiving renewed attention in efforts to combat the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis and the loss of antibiotic efficacy. The gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most concerning infecting bacteria in AMR, particularly in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) where respiratory infections are difficult to eradicate and associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters associated with an indicator of heart rate variability: The ADVANCE cohort study.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is governed by of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulatory systems. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may influence these systems and consequently affect cardiovascular functioning.

Methods: The sample consisted of 860 UK male military personnel approximately half of who had sustained physical combat injuries in Afghanistan.

Is videoconference pulmonary rehabilitation associated with improvements in knowledge in people living with COPD? A propensity-matched service-evaluation.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services are increasingly using alternative programme delivery modes, for example telerehabilitation strategies including videoconferencing, to improve patient choice and accessibility. Although telerehabilitation results in improvements in core outcomes, the effect on knowledge attainment is not known. To observe the real-world responses of patients choosing to undergo videoconference PR to a matched control group choosing to undergo in-person PR, in terms of knowledge attainment.

Piloting creative engagement strategies to explore themes of parenthood with fathers.

Introduction: The role of the arts in health is increasingly recognised, with participatory arts-based approaches facilitating public engagement. However, little is known about men's involvement in art-based participatory research. We aimed to investigate how men who are fathers may be engaged creatively to explore experiential aspects of fathering and parenthood.

Current practice of using the airway pressure release ventilation mode in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients among respiratory therapists in Saudi Arabia.

Background: There is a limited data examining the practice of using the airway pressure release ventilation mode for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome among respiratory therapists.

Objectives: To evaluate the current practice and barriers when using airway pressure release ventilation mode in the management of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was disseminated between November 2022 and April 2023 to respiratory therapists in Saudi Arabia.

Distribution of the four type VI secretion systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and classification of their core and accessory effectors.

Bacterial type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are puncturing molecular machines that transport effector proteins to kill microbes, manipulate eukaryotic cells, or facilitate nutrient uptake. How and why T6SS machines and effectors differ within a species is not fully understood. Here, we applied molecular population genetics to the T6SSs in a global population of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Improved Annotation of Asthma Gene Variants with Cell Type Deconvolution of Nasal and Lung Expression-Quantitative Trait Loci.

Asthma is a genetically complex inflammatory airway disease associated with over 200 Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, the functional effects of many asthma-associated SNPs in lung and airway epithelial samples are unknown. Here, we aimed to conduct expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis using a meta-analysis of nasal and lung samples.

COPD Airway Epithelial Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles Spread Cellular Senescence via MicroRNA-34a.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with the acceleration of lung aging, and the accumulation of senescent cells in lung tissue. MicroRNA (miR)-34a induces senescence by suppressing the anti-aging molecule, sirtuin-1 (SIRT1). Senescent cells spread senescence to neighbouring and distant cells, favouring COPD progression and its comorbidities.

Lung function and onset of cardiometabolic diseases in the longitudinal Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study.

Introduction: Previous population-based studies, mainly from high-income countries, have shown that a higher forced vital capacity (FVC) is associated with a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the longitudinal association between spirometry measures and the onset of cardiometabolic diseases across sites in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries.

Methods: The study population comprised 5916 individuals from 15 countries participating in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease baseline and follow-up assessments.

IL-25 Enhances B Cell Responses in Type 2 Inflammation Through IL-17RB Receptor.

Background: Alarmin cytokine IL-25 promotes type 2 inflammatory responses in disorders such as asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and known targets include ILC2 and Th2 cells. However, other cellular targets for IL-25 remain poorly defined.

Objective: To investigate induction and expression of IL-25 receptor (IL-17RB) by B cells and evaluate responsiveness of IL-17RB-expressing B cells to IL-25 in vitro.

Severity trend of recurrence in pediatric Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES).

Background: Reintroduction of offending food in pediatric patients affected by Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) is carried out in hospitals with Oral Food Challenge (OFC), which leads to long waiting time and increases the societal burden of medical cost and human resources.

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess severity trend of acute FPIES adverse reactions over time in the same patient for possible outpatient or home reintroduction of offending food.

Methods: All children (<18 years-old) with a diagnosis of acute FPIES referred to 2 Italian pediatric allergy clinics were retrospectively enrolled.

Diabetic foot ulcer in the Western Pacific Region: Current data on ulceration rates and microbial profiles, gaps and charting strategies.

The Western Pacific Region hosts the largest proportion of people with diabetes. Despite being a key diabetes-related complication, diabetic foot ulcer has been neglected in both prevention and treatment efforts. This narrative review highlights available data on the burden (either prevalence or incidence), as well as microbial profiles of diabetic foot ulcers in the Western Pacific Region, identifies data gaps, and discusses strategies to address these gaps.

Central venous pressure as a method of optimising atrio-ventricular delay after cardiac surgery.

Introduction: Haemodynamic atrioventricular delay (AVD) optimisation has primarily focussed on signals that are not easy to acquire from a pacing system itself, such as invasive left ventricular catheterisation or arterial blood pressure (ABP). In this study, standard clinical central venous pressure (CVP) signals are tested as a potential alternative.

Methods: Sixteen patients with a temporary pacemaker after cardiac surgery were studied.

Current and novel biomarkers in cardiogenic shock.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) carries a 30-50% in-hospital mortality rate, with little improvement in outcomes in the last decade. Challenges in improving outcomes are closely linked to the frequent late presentation or diagnosis of CS where the 'point of no return' has often passed, leading to haemodynamic dysregulation, progressive myocardial depression, hypotension, and a downward spiral of hypoperfusion, organ dysfunction and decreasing myocardial function, driven by inflammation and metabolic derangements. Novel therapeutic interventions may have varying efficacy depending on the type and stage of shock in which they are applied.

Automated system for diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis using crackle analysis in recorded lung sounds based on iterative envelope mean fractal dimension filter.

Patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) often experience long waits before getting a correct diagnosis, and this delay in reaching specialized care is associated with increased mortality, regardless of the severity of the disease. Early diagnosis and timely treatment of PF can potentially extend life expectancy and maintain a better quality of life. Crackles present in the recorded lung sounds may be crucial for the early diagnosis of PF.

Trends in Mortality Due to Cardiovascular Diseases Among Patients With Parkinson's Disease in the United States: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) present significant health burdens, particularly among older adults. Patients with PD have an elevated risk of CVD-related mortality. Analyzing mortality trends in this population may help guide focused interventions.

Proteomic profiling of the large-vessel vasculitis spectrum identifies shared signatures of innate immune activation and stromal remodelling.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), can result in serious morbidity. Understanding the molecular basis of LVV should aid in developing better biomarkers and treatments.

Methods: Plasma proteomic profiling of 184 proteins was performed in two cohorts.

Valvular Heart Disease-Related Mortality Between Middle- and High-Income Countries During 2000 to 2019.

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) management has evolved rapidly in recent decades, but disparities in health care access persist among countries with varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate global mortality trends from VHD and assess the difference between middle- and high-income countries.

Methods: We obtained mortality data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database for VHD and its subgroups (rheumatic valvular disease [RVD], infective endocarditis [IE], aortic stenosis [AS], and mitral regurgitation [MR]) from 2000 to 2019.

Efficacy of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor in hypertension management: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Dysregulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) often leads to hypertension and severe cardiorenal complications. Although RAAS-targeted therapies have proven effective, it remains yet optimal in reducing cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) compared to control in patients with hypertension.