Circulating long non-coding RNA Coromarker expression correlated with inflammation, coronary artery stenosis, and plaque vulnerability in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between circulating long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) OTTHUMT00000387022 (named Coromarker) expression and disease severity, inflammatory cytokine levels, and plaque vulnerability in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: A total of 134 participants who received coronary angiography were enrolled and classified them as CAD patients (N = 89) and controls (N = 45). Blood samples were obtained from all subjects. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate Coromarker expression. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent test was used to measure inflammatory cytokines including high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and markers of coronary plaque stability including matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). The severity of coronary stenosis was determined from the Gensini Score. RESULTS: LncRNA Coromarker expression was elevated to a greater extent in CAD patients than in control subjects before and after adjustments for age/gender (both p < 0.001); it was an independent predictor of CAD risk (area under curve: 0.824, 95% CI: 0.732-0.915). Additionally, Coromarker expression was significantly associated with Gensini Score (r = 0.574, p < 0.001), hsCRP (r = 0.221, p = 0.015), IL-1ß (r = 0.351, p < 0.001), IL-6 (r = 0.286, p < 0.01), and NLRP3 levels (r = 0.312, p < 0.001). Coromarker expression was found to be linked with MMP-9 (r = 0.260, p < 0.01) and sCD40L (r = 0.441, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Circulating lncRNA Coromarker expression correlates with increased disease severity and inflammation as well as plaque vulnerability in patients with CAD.

Meta-Analysis of Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); However, the prognostic impact of AF on HFpEF patients has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases on literature published through April 2019 was undertaken. Combined hazard ratio (HR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects models, depending on the heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Fourteen (14) eligible studies with 1,948,923 patients with HFpEF were included in the analysis. Atrial fibrillation was associated with an 11% increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with HFpEF (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.09-1.12). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results. The stratification of studies by controlled or uncontrolled confounding factors affected the final estimate (confounder-controlled HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.12-1.30; confounder-uncontrolled HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.96-1.31). In addition, AF was an independent predictor of hospitalisation for heart failure (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.15-1.52), cardiovascular death (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.01-1.89) and stroke (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.54-2.27). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial fibrillation was associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF. Further investigation is required to see whether AF is the primary offender in these patients or merely a bystander to worse diastolic function.

Inhibitory effect of CP-25 on intimal formation and vascular hyperplasia via suppression of GRK2/ERK1/2/EVI1 signaling.

Excessive proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the center of intimal formation during in-stent restenosis and vein graft disease. Paeoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate (CP-25) is known to suppress inflammation and atherogenesis. However, the potential effect of CP-25 on intimal formation remains elusive. In the present study, we found that CP-25 significantly attenuated wire injury-induced intimal formation in C57BL/6 mice (intimal area: 2.64 ± 0.25 × 104 µm2 vs. 1.53 ± 0.21 × 104 µm2, P < 0.05) and vascular hyperplasia indicated by PCNA staining. In vitro experiments showed that CP-25 significantly alleviated human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation induced by PDGF-BB. Mechanistically, CP-25 inhibited GRK2 phosphorylation through PDGF receptor in the presence of PDGF-BB. In accordance with these results, CP-25 disrupted the interaction of GRK2 with ERK1/2 and suppressed the activation of ERK1/2 signaling in HASMCs. EVI1, which is considered as a downstream of ERK1/2 signaling and a novel transcription factor for VSMC differentiation, was also downregulated by CP-25 treatment. Moreover, overexpression of EVI1 partly restored the decreased proliferation and dedifferentiation of HASMCs treated by CP-25. Collectively, these findings suggested that CP-25 could alleviate intimal formation in response to wire injury via suppression of the interaction of GRK2 and ERK1/2 and EVI1 activation, indicating CP-25 might serve as a potent pharmaceutical for intimal formation.

Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Pre-Procedural Serum Albumin on Mortality in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Pre-procedural serum albumin's impact on prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been studied. Literature on the prognostic role of serum albumin in the survival of patients undergoing TAVR shows conflicting results. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of pre-procedural serum albumin on outcomes after TAVR. A comprehensive literature search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library was undertaken through July 2019. The primary end points were 30-day and one-year all-cause mortality after TAVR. Risk ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effect model. Ten eligible studies with 8,236 patients were analyzed. Of the 8,236 patients undergoing TAVR, with a mean age of 83 years, 48.8% were men and were categorized into two groups according to low and normal serum albumin (cut-off value: 3.5 or 4 g/dL). Overall, low albumin was significantly associated with an approximately two-fold increase in 30-day all-cause mortality (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.53-2.86) and a 61% increase risk for one-year mortality (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.31-1.98) in patients after TAVR. Sensitivity analyses showed the results to be robust. The association of low albumin level with an increase in one-year mortality risk was not modified by study design, albumin cut-off value, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM), and study quality. In conclusion, low albumin levels were associated with poor prognosis in patients after TAVR. Pre-procedural albumin can be used as a simple tool related to prognosis after TAVR.

Impacts of Preoperative Smoking and Smoking Cessation Time on Preoperative Peripheral Blood Inflammatory Indexes and Postoperative Hospitalization Outcome in Male Patients with Lung Cancer and Surgery Treatment.

Objective s To investigate the effects of preoperative smoking and smoking cessation time on preoperative peripheral blood inflammatory indexes and postoperative hospitalization outcomes in male patients with lung cancer and surgery therapy.Methods We retrospectively enrolled 637 male patients who underwent curative-intent lung cancer resection between January 2014 and December 2016. Patients were classified as the current smokers, the never smokers, and the ex-smokers based on their smoking history, and the ex-smokers were allocated into five subgroups according to their smoking cessation times (CeT): CeT≤6 weeks, 6weeks10years. The preoperative peripheral blood white blood cells (WBCs), albumin, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), intraoperative blood loss, 30-day mortality, in-hospital days, hospitalization costs, intensive care unit (ICU), admission days and placement time of closed thoracic drainage tube were compared among different groups.Results There were significant differences in WBC (F=5.275, P<0.001) and albumin (F=2.470, P<0.05) among patients of current smokers, ex-smokers with different smoking cessation time, and never-smokers. The blood WBC count in current smokers (7.7×10 9/L) was significantly higher than that in ex-smokers (7.0×10 9/L)and never-smokers (5.9×10 9/L) (t=-2.145, P<0.05; t=-6.073, P<0.01, respectively). The level of peripheral blood albumin in current smokers (41.1 g/L) was lower than that in ex-smokers (42.1 g/L) and never-smokers (43.2 g/L) (t=2.323, P<0.05; t=3.995, P<0.01, respectively). The level of peripheral blood NLR in current smokers (3.7) was higher than that in ex-smokers (3.1) and never smokers (2.8) (t=-1.836, P<0.05; t=-2.889, P<0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference in WBC, albumin and NLR among five subgroups of different smoking cessation time. No significant difference was observed in intraoperative blood loss, 30-day mortality, hospitalization costs, hospital stay, ICU stay and placement time of closed thoracic drainage tube among groups either. Conclusion Smoking increases the preoperative inflammatory indexes in peripheral blood of lung cancer patients. Smoking cessation has beneficial effect on reducing levels of these inflammatory indexes, which may be not impacted by the time length of smoking cessation. Therefore, lung cancer patients should be encouraged to quit smoking at any time.

Aortic plaque-targeted andrographolide delivery with oxidation-sensitive micelle effectively treats atherosclerosis via simultaneous ROS capture and anti-inflammation.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are two major factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A smart drug delivery system that responds to the oxidative microenvironment of atherosclerotic plaques was constructed in the present study. Andrographolide-loaded micelle was assembled from the block copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene sulphide) (PEG-PPS) for the purpose of simultaneously decreasing inflammatory response and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to treat atherosclerosis. Owing to the ROS-responsive nature of PEG-PPS, the micelle not only serves as a stimuli-responsive drug carrier to quickly release the encapsulated drug, andrographolide, but also consumes ROS by itself at the pathologic sites, upon which the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines are effectively suppressed and oxidative stress is alleviated. Consequently, the andrographolide-loaded micelle demonstrated remarkable therapeutic effects both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the andrographolide-loaded PEG-PPS micelle can synchronically alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress, providing a promising and innovative strategy against atherosclerosis.

1 kHz, 96 W pulse-burst picosecond laser system with six equal spacing and amplitude pulses.

An average power of 96 W pulse-bursts picosecond laser system at a pulse repetition frequency of 1 kHz was reported with six pulses in bursts. Pulses in bursts have equal spacing and amplitude; spacing between each pulse was 800 ps, which repetition rate was up to gigahertz. The beam quality of M2 factor was less than 3, and pulse width was 50 ps. Pulses from a Nd:YVO4 mode-locked laser were broadened to 115 ps by a volume-Bragg grating and each pulse was divided into six pulses by beam splitter mirrors to obtain seed bursts. A Nd:YAG regenerative amplifier and two stages of single passed high gain Nd:YAG amplifier with serrated aperture were applied to achieve high power.

Compact KGd(WO4)2 picosecond pulse-train synchronously pumped broadband Raman laser.

We demonstrate an efficient approach to realizing an extra-cavity, synchronously pumped, stimulated Raman cascaded process under low repetition frequency (1 kHz) pump conditions. We also construct a compact KGd(WO4)2 (KGW) crystal picosecond Raman laser that has been configured as the developed method. A pulse-train green laser pumped the corresponding 70 mm long KGW crystal Raman cavity. The pulse train contains six pulses, about 800 ps separated, for every millisecond; thus, it can realize synchronous pumping between pump pulse and the pumped Raman cavity. The investigated system produced a collinear Raman laser output that includes six laser lines covering the 532 to 800 nm spectra. This is the first report on an all-solid-state, high-average-power picosecond collinear multi-wavelength (more than three laser components) laser to our knowledge. This method has never been reported on before in the synchronously pumped stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) realm.

Continuous angiotensin-(1-7) infusion improves myocardial calcium transient and calcium transient alternans in ischemia-induced cardiac dysfunction rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Ang-(1-7) on calcium transient (CaT) in cardiomyocytes during the pathogenesis of heart failure. Cardiac dysfunction was induced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery in adult SD rats. Randomly selected rats were ligated and continuously infused with Ang-(1-7) [HF + Ang-(1-7) group] or saline (HF + saline group) via osmotic minipumps. After 28 days, hemodynamic parameters, the CaT, and the heart rate threshold of CaT alternans (CaT-Alt) were measured. Continuous Ang-(1-7) treatment could attenuate the impairment of cardiac function following LAD ligation. The amplitudes (F/F0) and 50%/90% recovery time of CaT were significantly different among HF + saline, HF + Ang-(1-7) and Sham-operated group. Compared to the Sham-operated group, the HF + saline group showed decreased CaT amplitude, and a prolonged 50%/90% CaT recovery time; Ang-(1-7) significantly improved these abnormalities. Compared with Sham-operated group, heart rate thresholds of CaT-Alt significantly reduced in HF + saline group, and Ang-(1-7) partly restored it. These findings indicate that Ang-(1-7) attenuates the CaT disturbance and increases the heart rate threshold of CaT-Alt during the pathogenesis of ischemic heart failure.

Efficacy and Safety of Edoxaban in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

GOALS: Edoxaban is a potential alternative to warfarin for preventing thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation. However, the efficacy and safety, and the optimal regimen of edoxaban are still controversial. This study compared the efficacy and safety of edoxaban and warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and the effects of different edoxaban dosages. METHODS: A systematic search for randomized controlled trials comparing edoxaban with warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases. The main measures and outcomes included efficacy end points (thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality) and safety end points (all bleeding events, major bleeding events, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, and minor bleeding). RESULTS: Four studies including 23,001 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Edoxaban was noninferior to warfarin for preventing stroke and systemic embolism (risk ratio [RR] = 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], .88-1.13; Z = .01; P = .99). In safety analyses, edoxaban was superior to warfarin in terms of major bleeding, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, and minor bleeding (all P <.00001). In terms of optimal dosing, 30 mg/day edoxaban had a significantly lower risk of all bleeding (RR = .79; 95% CI, .75-.83; Z = 9.07; P <.00001) than 60 mg/day, but was inferior at preventing stroke and systemic embolism (RR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.13-1.51; Z = 3.56; P = .0004). CONCLUSIONS: Edoxaban was noninferior to warfarin in terms of efficacy and superior to warfarin in terms of safety. The benefits of edoxaban were related to the dose; efficacy was better at 60 mg/day, but there was lower risk of bleeding at 30 mg/day.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide alleviates high glucose-induced cardiotoxicity via inhibition of leptin signaling in H9c2 cells.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) protects cardiomyoblasts against high glucose (HG)-induced injury by inhibiting the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). This study aims to determine whether the leptin-p38 MAPK pathway is involved in HG-induced injury and whether exogenous H2S prevents the HG-induced insult through inhibition of the leptin-p38 MAPK pathway in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were treated with 35 mM glucose (HG) for 24 h to establish a HG-induced cardiomyocyte injury model. Cell viability; mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ m); apoptosis; reactive oxygen species (ROS) level; and leptin, leptin receptor, and p38 MAPK expression level were measured by the methods indicated. The results showed pretreatment of H9c2 cells with NaHS before exposure to HG led to an increase in cell viability, decrease in apoptotic cells, ROS generation, and a loss of ΔΨ m. Exposure of H9c2 cells to 35 mM glucose for 24 h significantly upregulated the expression levels of leptin and leptin receptors. The increased expression levels of leptin and leptin receptors were markedly attenuated by pretreatment with 400 µM NaHS. In addition, the HG-induced increase in phosphorylated (p) p38 MAPK expression was ameliorated by pretreatment with 50 ng/ml leptin antagonist. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated for the first time that the leptin-p38 MAPK pathway contributes to the HG-induced injury in H9c2 cells and that exogenous H2S protects H9c2 cells against HG-induced injury at least in part by inhibiting the activation of leptin-p38 MAPK pathway.

[Allelopathy autotoxicity effects of aquatic extracts from rhizospheric soil on rooting and growth of stem cuttings in Pogostemon cablin].

OBJECTIVE: To study the allelopathy effects of aquatic extracts from rhizospheric soil on the rooting and growth of stem cutting in Pogostemon cablin, and to reveal its mechanism initially. METHODS: The changes of rhizogenesis characteristics and physic-biochemical during cutting seedlings were observed when using different concentration of aquatic extracts from rhizospheric soil. RESULTS: Aquatic extracts from rhizospheric soil had significant inhibitory effects on rooting rate, root number, root length, root activity, growth rate of cutting with increasing concentrations of tissue extracts; The chlorophyll content of cutting seedlings were decreased, but content of MDA were increased, and activities of POD, PPO and IAAO in cutting seedlings were affected. CONCLUSION: Aquatic extracts from rhizospheric soil of Pogostemon cablin have varying degrees of inhibitory effects on the normal rooting and growth of stem cuttings.

Etiological characteristics of acute respiratory infections during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Guizhou Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: Acute respiratory infections are a major global public health concern. However, there are few epidemiological studies investigating pathogens associated with respiratory tract infections in Guizhou Province, China. METHODS: We collected 17,850 blood samples from Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital between November 2018 and May 2023 to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogens and their spread during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Guizhou Province. RESULTS: We identified influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the predominant pathogens involved in acute respiratory infections in the study area. Immunoglobulin M positivity for respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and M. pneumoniae showed a strong correlation with the clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Seasonal epidemic patterns were observed for influenza A and B viruses. Following the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, there was a significant decrease in the positive rates for most respiratory pathogens, particularly influenza A and B, Legionella pneumophila, and respiratory syncytial virus. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study contributes to the epidemiological evidence regarding respiratory pathogens in Guizhou Province, thereby enhancing the surveillance network for respiratory pathogens in China and providing valuable guidance for local hospitals.

A novel method for septal reduction therapy by three-dimensional guided transvenous intraseptal pulsed-field ablation.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a nonthermal method for achieving selective cell death with little inflammation response. However, there are no reports of PFA for septal reduction therapy (SRT). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of PFA for SRT. METHODS: A novel transvenous intraseptal PFA method with 3-dimensional (3D) guidance was introduced in Yorkshire pigs. Electrocardiographic parameters, transthoracic echocardiography, and histopathology were used to evaluated. RESULTS: The maximum injury diameter of intramyocardial PFA increased with electric field intensity. After PFA, bipolar electrogram amplitude and pacing threshold measured by the PFA electrodes significantly decreased (F = 6.945, P = .007) or increased (F = 5.842, P = .024), respectively. In the ablated septal region, motion amplitude and systolic wall thickening rate significantly decreased and remained at low levels (motion amplitude: F = 20.793, P = .000; systolic wall thickening rate: F = 14.343, P = .000); however, septal thickness did not significantly change after PFA (F = 1.503, P = .248). Histologic examination showed specific cardiomyocyte death with gradually increased hyperchromatic cytoplasm and nuclear pyknosis, without obvious inflammatory cell infiltration in acute phase. TUNEL stain for fragmented DNA showed extensively positive in the ablation region 24 hours after PFA. During PFA, no sustained ventricular arrhythmia or atrioventricular conduction block occurred. CONCLUSION: A novel intraseptal PFA method with 3D guidance was described. Intraseptal PFA resulted in effective myocardial injury and local hypokinesis without significant acute edema. Histologic examination showed widely programmed cardiomyocyte death with little inflammatory cell infiltration.

Physiological roles of mycothiol in detoxification and tolerance to multiple poisonous chemicals in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Mycothiol (MSH) plays important roles in maintaining cytosolic redox homeostasis and in adapting to reactive oxygen species in the high-(G + C)-content Gram-positive Actinobacteria. However, its physiological roles are ill defined compared to glutathione, the functional analog of MSH in Gram-negative bacteria and most eukaryotes. In this research, we explored the impact of intracellular MSH on cellular physiology by using MSH-deficient mutants in the model organism Corynebacterium glutamicum. We found that intracellular MSH contributes significantly to resistance to alkylating agents, glyphosate, ethanol, antibiotics, heavy metals and aromatic compounds. In addition, intracellular MSH is beneficial for withstanding oxidative stress induced by various oxidants in C. glutamicum. This study greatly expanded our current knowledge on the physiological functions of mycothiol in C. glutamicum and could be applied to improve the robustness of this scientifically and commercially important species in the future.

Relationship between mean platelet volume and coronary blood flow in patients with atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impaired coronary flow by means of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is elevated in patients with AF. In the present study we aimed to investigate the relationship between MPV and TFC in patients with AF in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This observational study enrolled 185 AF patients and 189 control subjects, all with angiographically documented normal coronary arteries. MPV was measured at baseline and mean TFC was assessed after diagnostic coronary angiography. RESULTS: The MPV was 9.95±1.32 in the AF group and 9.02±1.16 in the control group (p<0.001). In AF patients, MPV was significantly correlated with mean TFC (r=0.419, p<0.001), AF duration (r=0.407, p<0.001), AF classification (r=0.378, p<0.001), systemic hypertension (r=0.165, p=0.024), diabetes mellitus (r=0.233, p=0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.347, p<0.001), and baseline use of diuretics (r=0.177, p=0.016). In linear regression analysis, mean TFC, left ventricular ejection fraction and diabetes mellitus were found to be independently associated with MPV (p<0.001, p=0.028 and p=0.045 respectively). CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume seems to be independently associated with coronary blood flow in patients with atrial fibrillation in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.

Synthesis and structural characterization of ß -cyclodextrin butenate.

ß-cyclodextrin butenate was synthesized by using N, N'-Carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) activating reagent and 4-Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as catalyst. The best preparation condition of ß-CD butenate was described as below: reaction temperature was 25°C, concentration of 2-butenoic acid was 450 mmol/L, concentration of DMAP was 12.5 mmol/L and reaction time was 20 minutes and at this condition the yield of ß-CD butenate was 0.83 mmol/g. According to the results of FT-IR spectrum, NMR spectroscopy and HPLC-QTof-mass spectrum of ß-CD butenate, there were four types ß-CD butenate synthesized, which were ß-CD-2-butenoic acid monoester, ß-CD-2-butenoic acid diester, ß-CD-2-butenoic acid triester and ß-CD-2-butenoic acid tetraester, respectively.

Validation of the YuWell YE660D oscillometric upper-arm blood pressure monitor for clinic and home in general population according to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization Universal Standard (International Organization for Standardization 81060-2:2018) and the International Organization for Standardization Amendment 1. 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of the YuWell YE660D oscillometric upper-arm blood pressure (BP) monitor in general population (for clinic and home BP measurements in adults) according to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization (AAMI/ESH/ISO) Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2 : 2018) and its Amendment 1. 2020. METHODS: Subjects were recruited to fulfill the age, sex, BP and cuff distribution criteria of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard in general population using the same arm sequential BP measurement method. Two cuffs of the test device were used for arm circumferences 22-32 cm (standard) and 22-45 cm (wide range). RESULTS: Ninety-two subjects were recruited and 85 subjects were analyzed. For validation criterion 1, the mean ±â€…SD of the differences between the test device and reference BP readings was 0.3 ±â€…7.2/2.2 ±â€…5.5 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). For validation criterion 2, the SD of the averaged BP differences between the test device and reference BP per subject was 6.1/4.8 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). CONCLUSION: The YuWell YE660D oscillometric upper-arm electronic BP monitor has passed the requirements of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2 : 2018) and its Amendment 1. 2020 in adults and hence can be recommended for home and clinical use.

Effects of six different microbial strains on polyphenol profiles, antioxidant activity, and bioaccessibility of blueberry pomace with solid-state fermentation.

To explore the effect of different microbial strains on blueberry pomace with solid-state fermentation (SSF), three fungi strains and three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were utilized to investigate with respect to polyphenol profiles, antioxidant capacities, and bioaccessibility. Different strains exhibited different capacities for metabolizing polyphenolic compounds in blueberry pomace. The contents of 10 phenolic acids and 6 flavonoids (except (+)-catechin) were increased in blueberry pomace fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA). A similar tendency was observed in blueberry pomace fermented by Aspergillus niger (AN) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), where the concentration of 8 phenolic acids and 5 flavonoids was enhanced, with the following exceptions: (+)-catechin, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, and quercitrin. Chlorogenic acid and quercetin were the maximum phenolic acids and flavonoids in blueberry pomace with SSF, upgraded at 22.96 and 20.16%, respectively. Contrary to the growth of phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds, all individual anthocyanins showed a decreased trend. Only in the blueberry pomace fermented by AN, all anthocyanidins exhibit a rising trend. After SSF, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) radical scavenging abilities were increased by up to 33.56, 59.89, and 87.82%, respectively. Moreover, the simulated gastrointestinal digestion system revealed that SSF improved the bioaccessibility of polyphenolic compounds. Compared with other strains, LA, LP, and AN showed better excellent capacities for metabolizing polyphenolic compounds, which led to a greater increase in antioxidant activity and bioaccessibility in fermented blueberry pomace.