Hsa_circ_0129047 sponges miR-665 to attenuate lung adenocarcinoma progression by upregulating protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type B.

Compelling evidence has demonstrated the critical role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) during lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. Herein, we explored a novel circRNA, circ_0129047, and detailed its mechanism of action. The expression of circ 0129047, microRNA-665 (miR-665), and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type B (PTPRB) in LUAD tissues and cells was determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays were conducted to detect LUAD cell proliferation, and western blotting was performed to quantify apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax). Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were used to validate the predicted interaction between miR-665 and circ_0129047 or PTPRB. A xenograft assay was used for the in vivo experiments. Circ_0129047 and PTPRB were downregulated in LUAD tissues and cells, whereas miR-665 expression was upregulated. Overexpression of circ_0129047 suppresses LUAD growth in vivo and in vitro. Circ_0129047 is the target of miR-665, and the miR-665 mimic ablated the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic phenotypes of LUAD cells by circ_0129047 augmentation. MiR-665 targets the 3'UTR of PTPRB and downregulates PTPRB expression. PTPRB overexpression offsets the pro-proliferative potential of miR-665 in LUAD cells. Circ_0129047 sequestered miR-665 and upregulated PTPRB expression, thereby reducing LUAD progression, suggesting a promising approach for preventing LUAD.

Associations between ambient temperature and adult asthma hospitalizations in Beijing, China: a time-stratified case-crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the associations between ambient temperature and asthma hospitalizations are limited, and the results are controversial. We aimed to assess the short-term effects of ambient temperature on the risk of asthma hospitalizations and quantify the hospitalization burdens of asthma attributable to non-optimal temperature in adults in Beijing, China. METHODS: We collected daily asthma hospitalizations, meteorological factors and air quality data in Beijing from 2012 to 2015. We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design and fitted a distributed lag non-linear model with a conditional quasi-Poisson regression to explore the association between ambient temperature and adult asthma hospitalizations. The effect modifications of these associations by gender and age were assessed by stratified analyses. We also computed the attributable fractions and numbers with 95% empirical confidence intervals (eCI) of asthma hospitalizations due to extreme and moderate temperatures. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2015, we identified a total of 18,500 hospitalizations for asthma among adult residents in Beijing, China. Compared with the optimal temperature (22 °C), the cumulative relative risk (CRR) over lag 0-30 days was 2.32 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.57-3.42 for extreme cold corresponding to the 2.5th percentile (- 6.5 °C) of temperature distribution and 2.04 (95% CI 1.52-2.74) for extreme heat corresponding to the 97.5th percentile (29 °C) of temperature distribution. 29.1% (95% eCI 17.5-38.0%) of adult asthma hospitalizations was attributable to non-optimum temperatures. Moderate cold temperatures yielded most of the burdens, with an attributable fraction of 20.3% (95% eCI 9.1-28.7%). The temperature-related risks of asthma hospitalizations were more prominent in females and younger people (19-64 years old). CONCLUSIONS: There was a U-shaped association between ambient temperature and the risk of adult asthma hospitalizations in Beijing, China. Females and younger patients were more vulnerable to the effects of non-optimum temperatures. Most of the burden was attributable to moderate cold. Our findings may uncover the potential impact of climate changes on asthma exacerbations.

Evaluation of impact of "2+26″ regional strategies on air quality improvement of different functional districts in Beijing based on a long-term field campaign.

Consecutive measurements of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from February 2016 to April 2018 have been performed at four representative sites of Beijing to evaluate the impact of "2 + 26" regional strategies implemented in 2017 for air quality improvement in non-heating period (2017NH) and heating period (2017H). The decrease of PM2.5 were significant both in 2017NH (20.2% on average) and 2017H (43.7% on average) compared to 2016NH and 2016H, respectively. Eight sources were resolved at each site from the PMF source apportionment including secondary nitrate, traffic, coal combustion, soil dust, road dust, sulfate, biomass/waste burning and industrial process. The results show that the reductions of industrial process, soil dust, and coal combustion were most effective among all sources at each site after the regional strategies implementation with the large reductions in potential source areas. The decrease of coal combustion in 2017NH were larger than 2017H at all sites while that of soil dust and industrial sources were the opposite. Insignificant reduction of coal combustion contribution at the suburban site in the heating period indicated that rural residential coal burning need further control. The industrial source control in the suburbs were least effective compared with other districts. Traffic was the largest contributer at each site and control of traffic emissions were more effective in 2017H than 2017NH. The local nature and increase of biomass/waste burning contributions emphasized the effect of fireworks and bio-fuel use in rural areas and incinerator emissions in urban districts. Secondary nitrate and sulfate were mainly impacted by the regional transport from southern adjacent areas and favorable meteorological conditions played an important part in the PM2.5 abatements of 2017H. Secondary nitrate became a more major role in the air pollution process because of the larger decrease of sulfate. Finally suggestions for future control are made in this study.

Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and cardiovascular events in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

AIMS: The ratio of triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has been regarded as a novel surrogate indicator of insulin resistance and the atherogenic index of plasma. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and the incidence of cardiovascular events in the general population. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cohort studies reporting the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and cardiovascular events in the general population were obtained by a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases until April 11, 2021. 13 cohort studies with a total of 207,515 participants were included in this meta-analysis. In a random-effects model, compared with those with the lowest category of the TG/HDL-C ratio, participants with the highest category were independently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events (pooled HR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.26-1.62, I2 = 72.9%). For the presence of publication bias detected by the Egger's test (p = 0.011), correction for publication bias using the trim-and-fill method reduced the HR to 1.26 (95%CI: 1.11-1.44). This result was consistent with the finding of the TG/HDL-C ratio analyzed as a continuous variable (pooled HR per unit increment of the TG/HDL-C ratio: 1.08, 95%CI: 1.04-1.12, I2 = 67.0%). Subgroup analyses indicated that population gender, geographical region, duration of follow-up, adjustment for other lipid parameters, adjustment for diabetes and categorical number did not significantly vary the relationship. CONCLUSION: Elevated TG/HDL-C ratio may be independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in the general population. More well-designed studies are needed to confirm the current findings. REGISTRATION NUMBER IN PROSPERO: CRD42021244583.

Hsa_circ_0129047 regulates the miR-375/ACVRL1 axis to attenuate the progression of lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are attractive candidates to be used as biomarkers of human cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Our study aimed to investigate the functions and regulatory mechanisms of hsa_circ_0129047 in the tumorigenesis of LUAD. METHODS: Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the circRNA, microRNA (miRNA), and mRNA expression levels in LUAD cell lines and tissues. Tumor xenografts were established in nude mice to evaluate whether hsa_circ_0129047 affected LUAD tumor development in vivo. Cell counting kit-8 and transwell assays were performed to assess the mechanisms by which hsa_circ_0129047 influenced the viability and migration of LUAD cells, respectively. Apoptosis was evaluated via determination of the levels of the apoptotic markers, B-cell lymphoma-2, and Bcl-2-associated X, via Western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed to determine the relationships among miR-375 and hsa_circ_0129047 and activin A receptor-like type 1 (ACVRL1). RESULTS: Downregulation of hsa_circ_0129047 levels was observed in LUAD cell lines and tissues. Meanwhile, the upregulation of hsa_circ_0129047 levels repressed the proliferative, migratory, and survival capacities of LUAD cells in vitro. Hsa_circ_0129047 exerted antitumor effects during in vivo tumor development. Finally, we demonstrated that hsa_circ_0129047 sponged miR-375. This interaction facilitated the expression of the downstream target of miR-375, ACVRL1, whose upregulation inhibited the development and malignancy of LUAD. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that hsa_circ_0129047 functions as a tumor inhibitor in LUAD by modulating the miR-375/ACVRL1 axis. Hence, hsa_circ_0129047 may be a promising biomarker and gene target for LUAD treatment.

Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and abdominal aortic calcification in adults: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable marker of insulin resistance, which is a substantial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerotic diseases. The present study investigated the relationship between the TyG index and extensive AAC in middle-aged and elderly populations in the United States (US). METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed cross-sectional analyses of data from 1419 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014. AAC was detected using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on Hologic Discovery model A densitometer, and quantified using the Kauppila score system. Extensive AAC was defined as a Kauppila score ≥5. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association between AAC and the TyG index. The restricted cubic spline model was used for the dose-response analysis. Extensive AAC was detected in 196 (13.8%) participants. The odds of extensive AAC increased by 41% per unit increase in the TyG index (adjusted odds ratios [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.91). The multivariable-adjusted OR and 95% CI of the highest TyG index tertile compared with the lowest tertile was 1.80 (95% CI: 1.11-2.94). Extensive AAC showed a more robust association with the TyG index than with triglycerides or glycemia. The subgroup analyses indicated that the association was consistent irrespective of age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesteremia and smoking status. CONCLUSION: The TyG index was independently associated with the presence of extensive AAC in the study population. Further studies are required to confirm this relationship.

Analysis of Hospital Charges of Inpatients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Beijing, China, 2012-2015.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to analyze the hospital charges of the inpatients with acute ischemic stroke in Beijing and determine the factors associated with hospital costs. METHODS: Medical records of hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke according to International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes were collected from 121 hospitals in Beijing from March 1, 2012, to February 28, 2015. Distribution characteristics of hospital charges for different hospital levels (level 2 hospitals and level 3 hospitals) and types (Western medicine hospitals and Chinese medicine hospitals) were studied. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association among hospital costs and factors that influenced total hospital charges. RESULTS: There were 158,781 admissions for ischemic stroke, 63.1% of the patients were male and their mean age was 67.7 ± 12.4 years, the median length of hospital stay (LOHS) was 13.5 days (interquartile range 9.9-18.1 days). The median hospital charge was 2,112 (1,436-3,147) US dollars. Of these, 46.7% were for medicine, 21.1% for laboratory and examination, and 16.3% for therapy. LOHS, hospital level, and pulmonary infection were key determinants of the hospital charges. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of medicine fees for the ischemic stroke inpatients showed a downward trend during the period from 2012 to 2015, but medicine fees still accounted for the largest percentage of hospital charges in China. LOHS emerged to be the main determinant of the cost. Decreasing medicine fees and LOHS might be strategies to decrease hospital charges and reduce economic burden of stroke in China.

Effects of the short-term exposure to ambient air pollution on atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important arrhythmia associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study is focused on exploring the potential relationship between short-term air pollution exposure and occurrence of AF. METHODS: A case-crossover design was used to investigate the effect of pollutants on AF occurrence among 100 patients from 2013 to 2014. The air pollutants included ambient particulate matter less than 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5 ), particulate matter less than 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3 ). Participants with cardiac implantable electronic devices implanted were followed-up to December 31, 2014. RESULTS: A 10 µg/m3 increase of PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with 3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-6.2) and 2.7% (95% CI: 0.6-4.8) increase in the risk of AF occurrence, respectively. No statistically significant association was noted with SO2 , NO2 , CO, and O3 . CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to particular matter, both PM2.5 and PM10 , is associated with an increased risk of AF. This further demonstrates the urgency for air quality monitoring and control in geographical area with intense pollution.

Genome-wide association study in Chinese identifies novel loci for blood pressure and hypertension.

Hypertension is a common disorder and the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature deaths worldwide. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in the European population have identified multiple chromosomal regions associated with blood pressure, and the identified loci altogether explain only a small fraction of the variance for blood pressure. The differences in environmental exposures and genetic background between Chinese and European populations might suggest potential different pathways of blood pressure regulation. To identify novel genetic variants affecting blood pressure variation, we conducted a meta-analysis of GWASs of blood pressure and hypertension in 11 816 subjects followed by replication studies including 69 146 additional individuals. We identified genome-wide significant (P < 5.0 × 10(-8)) associations with blood pressure, which included variants at three new loci (CACNA1D, CYP21A2, and MED13L) and a newly discovered variant near SLC4A7. We also replicated 14 previously reported loci, 8 (CASZ1, MOV10, FGF5, CYP17A1, SOX6, ATP2B1, ALDH2, and JAG1) at genome-wide significance, and 6 (FIGN, ULK4, GUCY1A3, HFE, TBX3-TBX5, and TBX3) at a suggestive level of P = 1.81 × 10(-3) to 5.16 × 10(-8). These findings provide new mechanistic insights into the regulation of blood pressure and potential targets for treatments.

Dose-response relationship between dietary magnesium intake, serum magnesium concentration and risk of hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: The findings of prospective cohort studies are inconsistent regarding the association between dietary magnesium intake and serum magnesium concentration and the risk of hypertension. We aimed to review the evidence from prospective cohort studies and perform a dose-response meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between dietary magnesium intake and serum magnesium concentrations and the risk of hypertension. METHODS: We searched systematically PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases from October 1951 through June 2016. Prospective cohort studies reporting effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension in more than two categories of dietary magnesium intake and/or serum magnesium concentrations were included. Random-effects models were used to combine the estimated effects. RESULTS: Nine articles (six on dietary magnesium intake, two on serum magnesium concentration and one on both) of ten cohort studies, including 20,119 cases of hypertension and 180,566 participates, were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. We found an inverse association between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of hypertension [relative risk (RR) = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98] comparing the highest intake group with the lowest. A 100 mg/day increment in magnesium intake was associated with a 5% reduction in the risk of hypertension (RR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.00). The association of serum magnesium concentration with the risk of hypertension was marginally significant (RR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.80, 1.02). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence supports the inverse dose-response relationship between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of hypertension. However, the evidence about the relationship between serum magnesium concentration and hypertension is limited.

Time Rate of Blood Pressure Variation Is Associated With Endothelial Function in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome.

The time rate of blood pressure (BP) variation indicates the speed of BP fluctuations. Previous studies have demonstrated that the time rate of BP variation was associated with target organ damage. However, the association between time rate of BP variation and endothelial function has not been evaluated.24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed in 61 patients with metabolic syndrome. Time rate of BP variation was calculated from BP recordings of ABPM. Endothelial function was assessed using reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry index (RHI) by EndoPat2000. Multiple linear regression models were used to detect the association between time rate of BP variation and RHI.Among all the subjects (n = 61), the multiple linear regression models revealed that the daytime rate of systolic blood pressure (SBP) variation was independently associated with RHI (ß = -0.334, P = 0.008). A 0.1 mmHg/minute increase in the daytime rate of SBP variation correlated with a decline of 0.20 in RHI. The same effect was also found in the subjects with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/ (minute*1.73 m(2)). A greater association was found in those who were not taking a statin, ß-blocker, ACEI/ARB, or diuretic and those without diabetes compared with those with any antihypertensive medication or with diabetes. Other ambulatory blood pressure parameters and central hemodynamics were not found to be associated with RHI.Our findings have shown that the daytime rate of SBP variation was associated with endothelial function in patients with metabolic syndrome, independent of other BP parameters and central hemodynamics.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Resulting from a Troponin I Type 3 Mutation in a Chinese Family.

Objective To identify the pathogenic variant responsible for restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in a Chinese family.Methods Next generation sequencing was used for detecting the mutation and Results verified by sequencing. We used restriction enzyme digestion to test the mutation in the family members and 200 unrelated normal subjects without any cardiac inherited diseases when the mutation was identified.Results Five individuals died from cardiac diseases, two of whom suffered from sudden cardiac death. Two individuals have suffered from chronic cardiac disorders. Mutation analysis revealed a novel missense mutation in exon 7 of troponin I type 3 (TNNI3), resulting in substitution of serine (S) with proline (P) at amino acid position 150, which cosegregated with the disease in the family, which is predicted to be probably damaging using PolyPhen-2. The mutation was not detected in the 200 unrelated subjects we tested.Conclusion Using next generation sequencing, which has very recently been shown to be successful in identifying novel causative mutations of rare Mendelian disorders, we found a novel mutation of TNNI3 in a Chinese family with RCM.

[Activated clotting time post therapeutic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activated clotting time (ACT) level after administration of guideline-recommended dose of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and to confirm the importance of ACT monitoring in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 1 062 patients undergoing elective PCI in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012. All patients were administrated weight-adjusted UFH (70-100 U/kg) based on PCI guideline of ACCF/AHA/SCAI. Patients were divided into 3 groups: ACT < 300 s (598 cases), ACT 300-350 s (183 cases) and ACT > 350 s (281 cases). ACT level and factors that may affect UFH anticoagulation were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) The mean age was (63.0 ± 10.6) years and 751 (70.7%) patients were men. The mean weight was (70.5 ± 11.7) kg, and the mean UFH dose used was (100.7 ± 9.1) U/kg. (2) The median ACT was 285 (240-352) s after the UFH use. Pre-defined ACT target (300-350 s) was achieved only in 17.2% (183/1 062) patients. (3) Age, gender, height, weight, UFH/weight and the risk factors of coronary heart disease were similar among 3 groups (all P > 0.05). Multifactor linear correlation analysis showed that UFH/weight was related to ACT level (r = 0.07, P < 0.01), but other factors were not related to ACT level (all P > 0.05). (4) Among 598 patients with ACT < 300 s, 444 (74.2%) patients received additional UFH. No major bleeding events were observed in 1 062 patients. The incidence of minor bleeding and ischemic complications within 48 h after procedure were similar among 4 groups of ACT < 300 s with additional UFH, ACT < 300 s without additional UFH, ACT 300-350 s and ACT > 350 s (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center study, only a small proportion of patients reached the ACT target after administration of weight-adjusted UFH. Our results supported the recommendation of ACT monitoring in current PCI guideline to improve efficacy and safety of UFH anticoagulation therapy.

[Influence of gender on 30-day outcomes of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of gender on early outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as their reperfusion strategy. METHODS: The present study included consecutive patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI in our hospital from November 2003 to December 2012. Gender difference and predictors of 30 day all-cause death were examined among 957 patients, 197 of whom were women (20.6%). The impact of gender on 30 all-cause death was further evaluated by a propensity-matched analysis to adjust the differences in baseline characteristics between men and women. RESULTS: Compared with men, women were older ((69.4±10.2) years old vs. (60.6±12.6) years old, P<0.001), more likely to have hypertension (72.1% (142/197) vs. 54.6% (415/760), P<0.001) and diabetes (45.2% (89/197) vs. 32.4% (246/760), P = 0.001), but less likely to be treated with ß-blockers (85.3% (168/197) vs. 92.0% (699/760), P = 0.006) and angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers (82.2% (162/197) vs. 88.4% (672/760), P = 0.024). Symptom-to-balloon time was longer in women than in men (330 (240, 600) minutes vs. 270 (180, 450) minutes, P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis of log-transformed symptom-to-balloon time revealed that female gender was an independent predictor of longer symptom-to-balloon time (ß = 0.141, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.053-0.228, P = 0.002). Women with STEMI had higher unadjusted 30 day all-cause death (12.6% vs. 4.2%, P < 0.001) than men. Female gender independently predicted 30 day all-cause mortality both with (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.497, 95% CI 1.485-8.234, P = 0.004) and without (HR = 2.495, 95% CI 1.170-5.323, P = 0.018) the adjustment for baseline characteristics by propensity-matched analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Even with primary PCI as their reperfusion strategy, women with STEMI had higher 30 day all-cause death than men. Aggressive control of cardiovascular risk factors, adequate medical treatment and shortening of delay in reperfusion therapy might further improve the outcomes of female STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

Association between synoptic types in Beijing and acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations: A comprehensive analysis of environmental factors.

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors like air pollution and temperature can trigger acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the link between large-scale weather patterns (synoptic types) and AMI admissions has not been extensively studied. This research aimed to identify the different synoptic air types in Beijing and investigate their association with AMI occurrences. METHODS: We analyzed data from Beijing between 2013 and 2019, encompassing 2556 days and 149,632 AMI cases. Using principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering, classification into distinct synoptic types was conducted based on weather and pollution measurements. To assess the impact of each type on AMI risk over 14 days, we employed a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM), with the reference being the lowest risk type (Type 2). RESULTS: Four synoptic types were identified: Type 1 with warm, humid weather; Type 2 with warm temperatures, low humidity, and long sunshine duration; Type 3 with cold weather and heavy air pollution; and Type 4 with cold temperatures, dryness, and high wind speed. Type 4 exhibited the greatest cumulative relative risk (CRR) of 1.241 (95%CI: 1.150, 1.339) over 14 days. Significant effects of Types 1, 3, and 4 on AMI events were observed at varying lags: 4-12 days for Type 1, 1-6 days for Type 3, and 1-11 days for Type 4. Females were more susceptible to Types 1 and 3, while individuals younger than 65 years old showed increased vulnerability to Types 3 and 4. CONCLUSION: Among the four synoptic types identified in Beijing from 2013 to 2019, Type 4 (cold, dry, and windy) presented the highest risk for AMI hospitalizations. This risk was particularly pronounced for males and people under 65. Our findings collectively highlight the need for improved methods to identify synoptic types. Additionally, developing a warning system based on these synoptic conditions could be crucial for prevention.

Ambient fine particulate matter and ozone exposures induce inflammation in epicardial and perirenal adipose tissues in rats fed a high fructose diet.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and oxidative stress play critical roles in the pathogenesis of inhaled air pollutant-mediated metabolic disease. Inflammation in the adipose tissues niches are widely believed to exert important effects on organ dysfunction. Recent data from both human and animal models suggest a role for inflammation and oxidative stress in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) as a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that inhalational exposure to concentrated ambient fine particulates (CAPs) and ozone (O3) exaggerates inflammation and oxidative stress in EAT and perirenal adipose tissue (PAT). METHODS: Eight- week-old Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal diet (ND) or high fructose diet (HFr) for 8 weeks, and then exposed to ambient AIR, CAPs at a mean of 356 µg/m3, O3 at 0.485 ppm, or CAPs (441 µg/m3) + O3 (0.497 ppm) in Dearborn, MI, 8 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 9 days over 2 weeks. RESULTS: EAT and PAT showed whitish color in gross, and less mitochondria, higher mRNA expression of white adipose specific and lower brown adipose specific genes than in brown adipose tissues. Exposure to CAPs and O3 resulted in the increase of macrophage infiltration in both EAT and PAT of HFr groups. Proinflammatory genes of Tnf-α, Mcp-1 and leptin were significantly upregulated while IL-10 and adiponectin, known as antiinflammatory genes, were reduced after the exposures. CAPs and O3 exposures also induced an increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression, and decrease in mitochondrial area in EAT and PAT. We also found significant increases in macrophages of HFr-O3 rats. The synergetic interaction of HFr and dirty air exposure on the inflammation was found in most of the experiments. Surprisingly, exposure to CAPs or O3 induced more significant inflammation and oxidative stress than co-exposure of CAPs and O3 in EAT and PAT. CONCLUSION: EAT and PAT are both white adipose tissues. Short-term exposure to CAPs and O3, especially with high fructose diet, induced inflammation and oxidative stress in EAT and PAT in rats. These findings may provide a link between air-pollution exposure and accelerated susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and metabolic complications.

[Prevalence and risk factors of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: A total of 2506 patients with suspected and known coronary heart disease (CAD) at our hospital underwent simultaneous coronary and renal angiography. Renal artery stenosis was defined as at least one of renal artery stenosis ≥ 50% narrowing of luminal diameter. The prevalence of ARAS was summarized from the results of angiography. And single- and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between clinical characteristics and ARAS. RESULTS: Among them, there were 1479 males and 1027 females with a mean age of 62.7 ± 11.4 years. ARAS was detected in 409 patients (16.3%), including 214 (8.5%) with significant stenosis (≥ 75%); Bilateral ARAS was detected in 98 patients (3.9%), including 27 (1.1%) with significant stenosis (≥ 75%). Left and right ARAS were detected in 162 patients (6.5%) and 148 patients (5.9%) respectively, including 84 patients (3.4%) with significant stenosis (≥ 75%) in left ARAS and 72 patients (2.9%) in right ARAS. Univariate analysis indicated that age, females, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, peripheral artery disease, coronary heart disease, renal insufficiency, dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia were the predictor for ARAS (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that age ≥ 65 years (P = 0.025, OR = 1.358), females (P < 0.01, OR = 1.678), hypertension (P < 0.01, OR = 1.650), peripheral artery disease (P < 0.01, OR = 14.678), renal insufficiency (P < 0.01, OR = 1.835), coronary heart disease including 3-vessel (P < 0.01, OR = 1.746) and left main coronary (P < 0.01, OR = 3.416)disease were independent risk factors for ARAS. CONCLUSION: Renal angiography should be routinely performed in female patients aged ≥ 65 years with hypertension, peripheral artery disease, elevated creatinine and coronary heart disease, especially for 3-vessel and left main coronary disease to identify ARAS in time.

Association between the temperature difference and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A time-series analysis with 143,318 hospital admissions in Beijing, China.

Purpose: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has the adverse influence on quality of life and creates significant healthcare costs. However, there were sparse studies investigating the correlation between AECOPD hospital admissions and temperature change. Therefore, it is noteworthy to investigate the impact of various temperature differences and recognize the susceptible population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of temperature differences on AECOPD hospital admissions, and to give potentially helpful material for disease preventative efforts. Methods: The distributed lag non-linear model was adopted to characterize the exposure-response relationship and to assess the impact of temperature difference. The stratified analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted to determine the susceptible populations and examine the robustness of the results. Results: There were 143,318 AECOPD hospital admissions overall during the study period. The AECOPD hospital admissions had significant association with the daily mean temperature difference (DTDmean) such as the extreme-cold temperature difference (1st DTDmean), the ultra-cold temperature difference (5th DTDmean), the ultra-hot temperature difference (95th DTDmean) and the extreme-hot temperature difference (99th DTDmean). Besides, there was the "U-shaped" association between DTDmean and 21 days cumulative relative risk of AECOPD. Conclusion: The AECOPD hospital admissions was correlated with the DTDmean temperature differences, especially the extreme-cold and extreme-hot temperature difference. Moreover, people older than 65 years were more susceptible to the extreme-hot and extreme-cold temperature difference.

Appropriateness of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since the foundation of appropriate use criteria (AUC) for coronary revascularization, the proportion of inappropriate (later revised as "rarely inappropriate") percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) varied in different populations. However, the pooled inappropriate PCI rate remains unknown. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Sinomed databases for studies related to AUC and PCIs. Studies that reported inappropriate/rarely appropriate PCI rates were included. A random effects model was employed in the meta-analysis because of the high statistical heterogeneity. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies were included in our study, of which eight studies reported the appropriateness of acute PCIs or PCIs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, 25 studies reported the appropriateness of non-acute/elective PCIs or PCIs in non-ACS/stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) patients, and 15 studies reported both acute and non-acute PCIs or did not distinguish the urgency of PCI. The pooled inappropriate PCI rate was 4.3% (95% CI: 2.6-6.4%) in acute scenarios, 8.9% (95% CI: 6.7-11.0%) in non-acute scenarios, and 6.1% (95% CI: 4.9-7.3%) overall. The inappropriate/rarely appropriate PCI rate was significantly higher in non-acute than acute scenarios. No difference in the inappropriate PCI rate was detected based on the study location, the country's level of development, or the presence of chronic total occlusion (CTO). CONCLUSIONS: The worldwide inappropriate PCI rate is generally identical but comparatively high, especially under non-acute scenarios.

Temperature fluctuation and acute myocardial infarction in Beijing: an extended analysis of temperature ranges and differences.

Purpose: Few studies examined the relationship between temperature fluctuation metrics and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospitalizations within a single cohort. We aimed to expand knowledge on two basic measures: temperature range and difference. Methods: We conducted a time-series analysis on the correlations between temperature range (TR), daily mean temperature differences (DTDmean), and daily mean-maximum/minimum temperature differences (TDmax/min) and AMI hospitalizations, using data between 2013 and 2016 in Beijing, China. The effects of TRn and DTDmeann over n-day intervals were compared, respectively. Subgroup analysis by age and sex was performed. Results: A total of 81,029 AMI hospitalizations were included. TR1, TDmax, and TDmin were associated with AMI in J-shaped patterns. DTDmean1 was related to AMI in a U-shaped pattern. These correlations weakened for TR and DTDmean with longer exposure intervals. Extremely low (1st percentile) and high (5°C) DTDmean1 generated cumulative relative risk (CRR) of 2.73 (95% CI: 1.56-4.79) and 2.15 (95% CI: 1.54-3.01). Extremely high TR1, TDmax, and TDmin (99th percentile) correlated with CRR of 2.00 (95% CI: 1.73-2.85), 1.71 (95% CI: 1.40-2.09), and 2.73 (95% CI: 2.04-3.66), respectively. Those aged 20-64 had higher risks with large TR1, TDmax, and TDmin, while older individuals were more affected by negative DTDmean1. DTDmean1 was associated with a higher AMI risk in females. Conclusion: Temperature fluctuations were linked to increased AMI hospitalizations, with low-temperature extremes having a more pronounced effect. Females and the older adult were more susceptible to daily mean temperature variations, while younger individuals were more affected by larger temperature ranges.