Early-pregnancy prediction of risk for pre-eclampsia using maternal blood leptin/ceramide ratio: discovery and confirmation.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a blood test for the prediction of pre-eclampsia (PE) early in gestation. We hypothesised that the longitudinal measurements of circulating adipokines and sphingolipids in maternal serum over the course of pregnancy could identify novel prognostic biomarkers that are predictive of impending event of PE early in gestation.

Study Design: Retrospective discovery and longitudinal confirmation.

Changes in pregnancy-related serum biomarkers early in gestation are associated with later development of preeclampsia.

Background: Placental protein expression plays a crucial role during pregnancy. We hypothesized that: (1) circulating levels of pregnancy-associated, placenta-related proteins throughout gestation reflect the temporal progression of the uncomplicated, full-term pregnancy, and can effectively estimate gestational ages (GAs); and (2) preeclampsia (PE) is associated with disruptions in these protein levels early in gestation; and can identify impending PE. We also compared gestational profiles of proteins in the human and mouse, using pregnant heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) heterozygote (Het) mice, a mouse model reflecting PE-like symptoms.

Early-Onset Preeclampsia Is Associated With Gut Microbial Alterations in Antepartum and Postpartum Women.

Imbalances in gut microbiota composition are linked to hypertension, host metabolic abnormalities, systemic inflammation, and other conditions. In the present study, we examined the changes of gut microbiota in women with early-onset preeclampsia (PE) and in normotensive, uncomplicated pregnant women during late pregnancy and at 1 and 6 weeks postpartum. Gut microbiota profiles of women with PE and healthy pregnant women in the third trimester and at 1 and 6 weeks postpartum were assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

The Dynamics of Circulating Monocyte Subsets and Intra-Plaque Proliferating Macrophages during the Development of Atherosclerosis in ApoE Mice.

To detect the development of monocytes and proliferative macrophages in atherosclerosis of ApoE mice, we randomly assigned 84 ApoE mice fed western diet or chow diet. On weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 after fed high-fat diet or normal chow diet, animals were euthanized (n = 7 for each group at each time point). Flow cytometry methods were used to analyze the proportions of circulation monocyte subsets.

Correlation between angiopoietin-like proteins in inflammatory mediators in peripheral blood and severity of coronary arterial lesion in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The effects of angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl 2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in inflammatory mediators on the severity of coronary arterial lesion in patients with acute myocardial infarction were investigated. One hundred and twenty-six patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to Tianjin Union Medical Center (the myocardial infarction group) and 133 healthy individuals (the control group) were selected for retrospective analysis from January 2013 to December 2015. The levels of Angptl 2 and IL-6 in serum of patients were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the correlation analysis between the levels and the degree of coronary stenosis in patients with myocardial infarction was conducted.

Effects of allisartan isoproxil on blood pressure and target organ injury in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.

Evidence has shown that angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists have lower blood pressure and have target organ protective effects, but this is not the case for the drug allisartan isoproxil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of allisartan isoproxil on blood pressure and target organ injury in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.In total, 80 essential hypertensive participants were randomly divided into an allisartan group and a nifedipine group (n = 40 per group), and their blood pressure was measured once per month for 6 months.

Fabrication of Organic Hec Nanocomposites Modified with Lysine as a Potential Adsorbent for Bilirubin Removal.

As one of the typical phyllosilicate clays, hectorite (Hec) has some excellent characteristics and has been greatly applied in adsorption field for the removal of dye, endotoxin, etc. In this study, organic Hec nanocomposites modified with L-Lysine (Lys/Hec NCs) were prepared via solution intercalation method for BR removal. The effects of ionic strength, pH values, initial concentration of BR, and BSA concentration on the adsorption capacity for BR of Lys/Hec NCs were investigated.

The effect of Telmisartan on the expression of connexin43 and neointimal hyperplasia in a rabbit iliac artery restenosis model.

We established a rabbit iliac artery restenosis model to explore the impact of Telmisartan on the expression of Connexin43 (Cx43) and neointimal hyperplasia. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 10), restenosis group (n = 10), and Telmisartan group (n = 10). The restenosis model was established by high-cholesterol diet combined with double-balloon injury of iliac arteries.

Evaluation of blood vessel injury, oxidative stress and circulating inflammatory factors in an L-NAME-induced preeclampsia-like rat model.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by hypertension as well as proteinuria after the 20th week of pregnancy. Animal models are effective tools for studying the pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and treatment methods of preeclampsia. The present study sought to establish and evaluate a preeclampsia-like Sprague Dawley (SD) rat model using N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).

Excessive umbilical cord coiling confers risk of elevated nocturnal blood pressure and severe/early-onset preeclampsia.

Background: The associations between umbilical cord coiling, feto-placental vascular resistance and maternal blood pressure (BP) are not well understood.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed 502 pregnant women suspected of hypertensive disorders in the third trimester from a hospital-based cohort, who underwent ambulatory BP monitoring and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry examinations within 14 days before delivery. By applying quantile regression, a significant quantile-dependent positive association between umbilical cord coiling index and umbilical artery pulsatility index (UAPIMOM; converted to multiples of median) was observed from above 0.

Excessive gestational weight gain in accordance with the IOM criteria and the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a meta-analysis.

Background: Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is a potential risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).

Methods: We systematically reviewed three electronic databases for relevant articles published in English: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality.

Evaluation of Visceral Adipose Tissue Oxygenation by Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent MRI in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) to evaluate visceral adipose tissue (VAT) oxygenation in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and its associations with systemic metaflammation.

Methods: Five-week-old ZDF rats and Zucker lean (ZL) rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 18 weeks. A baseline BOLD-MRI scan of perirenal adipose tissue was performed after 8 weeks of HFD feeding, and then the rats were randomized to receive pioglitazone or a vehicle for the following 10 weeks.

Proteomics Analysis Reveals Abnormal Electron Transport and Excessive Oxidative Stress Cause Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Placental Tissues of Early-Onset Preeclampsia.

Purpose: Early-onset preeclampsia (EOS-PE) refers to preeclampsia that occurred before 34 gestation weeks. This study is conducted to explore the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and the pathogenesis of EOS-PE using proteomic strategy.

Experimental Design: To identify altering expressed mitochondrial proteins between severe EOS-PE and healthy pregnancies, enrichment of mitochondria coupled with iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic method is performed.

Predictive Value of Four-Dimensional Strain Echocardiography for Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Objectives: To investigate the predictive value of four-dimensional (4D) strain echocardiography for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Methods: Consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful primary coronary interven tion (PCI) were enrolled and followed, with 2D and 4D strain echocardiography performed within 1 week after PCI.

Results: Twenty-six first MACE were recorded in 81 patients who finished a ∼3.

Effects of a low salt diet on isolated systolic hypertension: A community-based population study.

Evidence has shown that long-term sodium reduction can not only reduce blood pressure, but also provide cardiovascular benefits. To date, there is little evidence related to the effects of salt reduction on isolated systolic hypertension (ISH).A total of 126 hypertensive patients were divided into an ISH group (n = 51) and a non-ISH (NISH) group (n = 75).

Gut-dependent microbial translocation induces inflammation and cardiovascular events after ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Post-infarction cardiovascular remodeling and heart failure are the leading cause of myocardial infarction (MI)-driven death during the past decades. Experimental observations have involved intestinal microbiota in the susceptibility to MI in mice; however, in humans, identifying whether translocation of gut bacteria to systemic circulation contributes to cardiovascular events post-MI remains a major challenge.

Results: Here, we carried out a metagenomic analysis to characterize the systemic bacteria in a cohort of 49 healthy control individuals, 50 stable coronary heart disease (CHD) subjects, and 100 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Association of rs2282679 A>C polymorphism in vitamin D binding protein gene with colorectal cancer risk and survival: effect modification by dietary vitamin D intake.

Background: The rs2282679 A>C polymorphism in the vitamin D binding protein gene is associated with lower circulating levels of vitamin D. We investigated associations of this SNP with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival and whether the associations vary by dietary vitamin D intake and tumor molecular phenotype.

Methods: A population-based case-control study identified 637 incident CRC cases (including 489 participants with follow-up data on mortality end-points) and 489 matched controls.

Prediction of Incident Hypertension Within the Next Year: Prospective Study Using Statewide Electronic Health Records and Machine Learning.

Background: As a high-prevalence health condition, hypertension is clinically costly, difficult to manage, and often leads to severe and life-threatening diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate prospectively a risk prediction model of incident essential hypertension within the following year.

Methods: Data from individual patient electronic health records (EHRs) were extracted from the Maine Health Information Exchange network.

Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses unveil dysbiosis of gut microbiota in chronic heart failure patients.

Previous studies suggested a possible gut microbiota dysbiosis in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, direct evidence was lacking. In this study, we investigated the composition and metabolic patterns of gut microbiota in CHF patients to provide direct evidence and comprehensive understanding of gut microbiota dysbiosis in CHF.

Trajectories of Circulating Monocyte Subsets After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction During Hospitalization: Latent Class Growth Modeling for High-Risk Patient Identification.

It remains unclear if the developmental trajectories of a specific inflammatory biomarker during the acute phase of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) provide outcome prediction. By applying latent class growth modeling (LCGM), we identified three distinctive trajectories of CD14++CD16+ monocytes using serial flow cytometry assays from day 1 to day 7 of symptom onset in 96 de novo STEMI patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Membership in the high-hump-shaped trajectory (16.

The Effect of Different l-Carnitine Administration Routes on the Development of Atherosclerosis in ApoE Knockout Mice.

Scope: l-Carnitine (LC) is abundant in red meat and is widely added to health supplements and food. This study focuses on the adverse effects of oral supplementation of 1.3% LC in ApoE mice and whether the parenteral administration of LC (subcutaneously, sub) has any impact on the development of atherosclerosis.

Chitosan-Based Surface Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Microspheres for Sustained Release of Sinomenine Hydrochloride in Aqueous Media.

The surface molecular imprinting technique has been proposed as a prospective strategy for template molecule recognition and separation by devising the recognition sites on the surface of imprinted materials. The purpose of this study was to establish a novel drug delivery system which was developed by surface molecular imprinting method using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-grafted chitosan (CS) (CS-g-β-CD) microspheres as matrix and sinomenine hydrochloride (SM) as the template molecule. By adjusting the amount of functional monomer and cross-linking agent, we got the more excellent adsorption of CS-g-β-CD molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs-CS-g-β-CD).

Systemic Evaluation of Vascular Dysfunction by High-Resolution Sonography in an N -Nitro-l-Arginine Methyl Ester Hydrochloride-Induced Mouse Model of Preeclampsia-Like Symptoms.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate vascular function, including arterial resistance and endothelial function, by high-resolution sonography in an N -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME)-induced mouse model of preeclampsia-like symptoms.

Methods: Pregnant mice were subcutaneously injected with a saline solution (control; n = 10) or l-NAME (n = 10) between the 7th and 18th days of gestation. The resistive index and pulsatility index (RI and PI, indicators of arterial resistance) of the uteroplacental, umbilical, femoral, and common carotid arteries and the flow-mediated dilatation (index of endothelial function) of the femoral artery were measured by high-frequency sonography in both groups.

Discordance Between VASP Phosphorylation and Platelet Aggregation in Defining High On-Clopidogrel Platelet Reactivity After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

To investigate potential clinical characteristics associated with discordance between platelet vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP-P) flow cytometry (FCM) assay and light transmission aggregometry (LTA) in defining high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (HPR) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this study, platelet responsiveness was measured by the above 2 methods simultaneously on day 1 and on day 6 of STEMI onset in 90 consecutive patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The FCM-derived platelet reactivity index and LTA-derived platelet aggregation rate were both significantly reduced after dual antiplatelet therapy on day 6.

Inflammatory diet and risk for colorectal cancer: A population-based case-control study in Newfoundland, Canada.

Objective: Chronic inflammation is implicated in causing cancer. Diet plays an important role in regulating chronic inflammation by altering circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Effect of single food or nutrient on cancer often is inconclusive; perhaps due to dietary interactions and multicolinearity.