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Nanotechnology has widespread applications in sports; however, there are very few studies reporting the use of nanotechnology to enhance physical performance. We hypothesize that a natural-mineral-based novel nanomaterial, which was developed from Japanese hot springs, might overcome the limitations. We examined if it could enhance physical performance. We conducted a treadmill exercise test on 18 students of athletic clubs at Fukushima University, Japan, and measured heart rate, oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen consumption, CO 2 production, and respiratory quotient 106 times in total. The results showed that the elevation of heart rate was significantly suppressed in the natural-mineral-based nanomaterial group, while no differences were observed in oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen consumption, CO 2 production, and respiratory quotient between groups. To our knowledge, this result is the first evidence where an improvement of cardiovascular and pulmonary functions was induced by bringing a natural-mineral-based nanomaterial into contact with or close to a living body without pharmacological intervention or physical intervention. This could open new avenue of biomedical industries even in an eco-friendly direction. The precise mechanisms remain a matter for further investigation; however, we may assume that endothelial NO synthase, hemoglobin and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor are deeply involved in the improvement of cardiovascular and pulmonary functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compared with age-matched untrained men, resistance-trained men who have undergone long duration training (> 2 years) at a high frequency (> 5 days/week) may be lower cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) because of central arterial stiffening. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of greater central arterial stiffness in resistance-trained men on cardiovagal BRS in a cross-sectional study to compare resistance-trained men with age-matched untrained men. Methods: This cross-sectional study included resistance-trained men (n = 20; age: 22 ± 3; body mass index: 26.7 ± 2.2) and age-matched untrained men (control group: n = 20; age: 25 ± 2; body mass index: 23.7 ± 2.4). The β-stiffness index and arterial compliance were assessed at the right carotid artery using a combination of a brightness mode ultrasonography system for the carotid artery diameter and applanation tonometry for the carotid blood pressure. And, the cardiovagal BRS was estimated by the slope of the R–R interval and systolic blood pressure during Phase II and IV of Valsalva maneuver (VM). The participants maintained an expiratory mouth pressure of 40 mmHg for 15 s in the supine position. Results: The β-Stiffness index was significantly higher in the resistance-trained group than in the control group (5.9 ± 1.4 vs. 4.4 ± 1.0 a.u., P < 0.01). In contrast, the resistance-trained group had significantly lower arterial compliance (0.15 ± 0.05 vs. 0.20 ± 0.04 mm2/mmHg, P < 0.01) and cardiovagal BRS during Phase IV of VM (9.0 ± 2.5 vs. 12.9 ± 5.4 ms/mmHg, P < 0.01) than the control group and. Moreover, cardiovagal BRS during Phase IV of VM was inversely and positively correlated with the β-stiffness index (r = − 0.59, P < 0.01) and arterial compliance (r = 0.64, P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion: Resistance-trained group had greater central arterial stiffness and lower cardiovagal BRS Phase IV compared with control group. Moreover, the central arterial stiffening was related to cardiovagal BRS Phase IV. These results suggest that greater central arterial stiffness in resistance-trained men may be associated with lower cardiovagal BRS. Trial Registration University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) in Japan, UMIN000038116. Registered on September 27, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of pulmonary venous systolic flow reversal (PVSFR) in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR), and to examine the relationship between PVSFR profile and cardiac parameters. Methods and results A total of 125 patients with severe MR who had transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) performed were reviewed. Of these, 121 (96.8%) patients showed all four pulmonary venous (PV) flows by TOE. They were categorized into three groups by the MR aetiology: degenerative MR (DMR) (n  = 72), ventricular functional MR (V-FMR) (n  = 20), and atrial functional MR (A-FMR) (n  = 16). Eighteen (16.7%) patients had PVSFR in all four PVs. Twenty-nine (26.9%) had PVSFR in three PVs, 23 (21.3%) in two PVs, and 23 (21.3%) in one PV. PVSFR appeared at right PVs more frequently compared with left PVs. A high number of PVSFR was significantly correlated with higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and 3D vena contracta area (3D-VCA). With regard to MR aetiology, the number of PVSFRs was correlated with high 3D-VCA in patients with DMR and A-FMR, while it was correlated with high PCWP in patients with V-FMR. Laminar-type PVSFR appeared more frequently in FMR compared with DMR, and it had a relationship with higher PCWP and lower right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC). Conclusion All four PV were detected in 96.8%, and 16.8% patients had PVSFR in all four PVs. PCWP and 3D-VCA were correlated with the number of PVSFRs in severe MR patients. Laminar-type PVSFR was related to higher PCWP and lower RVFAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Arterial stiffness is related to arteriolosclerotic diseases and is a marker of adverse cardiovascular events. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is progressive calcium deposition on the posterior and inferior mitral annulus and is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a measurement technique used to estimate the degree of arterial stiffness without effect from blood pressure. The aim of this study is to research arterial stiffness using CAVI in patients with MAC. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional and observational and included 98 patients with MAC confirmed by echocardiography who referred to the cardiology clinics and met study inclusion criteria and 38 controls without MAC. CAVI measurements were obtained by using the Vascular Screening System VaSera VS-1000 (Fukuda Denshi, Tokyo, Japan) device. Results: The two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics, including age, sex, hypertension, coronary artery disease, body surface area, and smoking (P > .05). Left atrial volume index was significantly higher in patients with MAC compared with the control group (P < .001). Right arm CAVI, left arm CAVI, and mean CAVI were significantly higher in the MAC group than the control group (P = .037, P = .005, and P = .014, respectively) and increased with MAC severity. There was a significant positive correlation between mean CAVI and MAC grade (r = 0.278, P = .001). Also, when ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured with CAVI, left and right extremity ABI values were significantly lower in patients with MAC (P = .017 and P = .005, respectively). Conclusion: CAVI increased in all patients with MAC and associated with increasing grade of calcification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Nutrition plays an important role in the development of frailty, and the present study examined the association between energy, macronutrient, and food intake and the development of physical frailty.Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting: The National Institute for Longevity Sciences — Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA), a community-based study.Participants: Participants included 166 men and 117 women aged 65-86 years without frailty components at baseline who participated in both the sixth (2008-2010) and seventh (2010-2012) waves of the NILS-LSA.Measurements: Physical frailty was assessed using the modified criteria established by the Cardiovascular Health Study (2001). All participants were classified as "robust (number of frailty components: 0)," "prefrail (1-2)," or "frail (3-5)." Energy, macronutrient, and food intake was calculated based on 3-day dietary records during the sixth wave. Associations between dietary intake per day and the development of frailty 2 years later (from robust at the sixth wave to prefrail/frail at the seventh wave) were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for sex, baseline age, and other covariables.Results: Among the participants included, 36% were classified as prefrail/frail 2 years later. Higher energy [1 standard deviation (SD), odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 362 kcal, 0.68 (0.49-0.94)], protein [16 g, 0.72 (0.53-0.97)], and fat [15 g, 0.69 (0.52-0.92)] intake was negatively associated with frailty development. Higher meat [38 g, 0.68 (0.51-0.92)] and dairy [114 g, 0.73 (0.55-0.96)] intake was negatively associated with frailty development. Higher energy intake was negatively associated with the development of weakness (low grip strength) and low activity, while higher protein intake was negatively associated with the development of low activity.Conclusion: Increased consumption of meat and dairy products may provide sufficient protein and fat necessary for achieving higher energy intake, thereby effectively preventing physical frailty among older Japanese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Arterial stiffness is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and it is considered to be affected by dietary intake. However, few studies have examined the relationship between major dietary patterns and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) among Japanese middle-aged subjects. We studied whether major dietary patterns were associated with baPWV in this population.Methods and Study Design: Between 2009 and 2012, 70 Japanese middle-aged subjects (39 men and 31 women) with no history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer were studied. Dietary intake was documented using a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were generated using factor analysis. Correlational analyses were performed between baPWV and identified dietary patterns and between baPWV and individual risk factors (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], non- HDL-C, LDL/HDL ratio, and augmentation index).Results: Two dietary patterns were identified: a rice-rich pattern (high in rice, breads, oils and fats, meats, and confectionery) and a vegetable-rich pattern (high in vegetables, fruit, fish, and seaweed). The rice-rich pattern was not associated with baPWVor other risk factors. A significant inverse correlation was found between baPWV and the vegetable-rich dietary pattern (p<0.05).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of vegetables, seafood, seaweed, fruit, and pulse is inversely associated with arterial stiffness measured by baPWV. This diet offers an additional nutritional approach to the prevention and treatment of arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) with arterial stiffness assessed by cardioankle vascular index (CAVI).Subjects and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 23,257 healthy Japanese subjects (12,729 men and 10,528 women, aged 47.1 ± 12.5 years, BMI 22.9 ± 3.4 kg/m2) who underwent health screening between 2004 and 2006 in Japan. Exclusion criteria were current medication use and a past history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and nephritis.Results: Male subjects showed significantly higher BMI, CAVI, and triglycerides and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol compared with female subjects. Next, the subjects were divided into tertiles of BMI: lower, middle, and upper, in a gender-specific manner. After adjusting for confounders including age, systolic blood pressure, and HDL-cholesterol identified by multiple regression analysis, the mean CAVI decreased progressively as BMI tertile increased in both genders. Furthermore, a negative inverse relationship between BMI and adjusted CAVI was observed throughout the BMI distribution. Multivariate logistic regression model for contributors of high CAVI (≥90th percentile) identified obesity (odds ratios (95% confidence interval): 0.804 (0.720-0.899)], older age [15.6 (14.0-17.4)], male gender [2.26 (2.03-2.51)], hypertension [2.28 (2.06-2.54)], impaired fasting glucose [1.17 (1.01-1.37)], and low HDL-cholesterol [0.843 (0.669-1.06)] as independent factors.Conclusion: We demonstrated an inverse relationship between CAVI and BMI in healthy Japanese subjects, suggesting that systemic accumulation of adipose tissue per se may lead to a linear decrease of arterial stiffness in nonobese and obese subjects without metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: A recent large clinical study demonstrated the association between intermediate CD14++CD16+monocytes and cardiovascular events. However, whether that monocyte subset contributes to the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been clarified. We compared the circulating monocyte subsets in AF patients and healthy people, and investigated the possible role of intermediate CD14++CD16+monocytes in the pathophysiology of AF.Methods and Results: This case-control study included 44 consecutive AF patients without systemic diseases referred for catheter ablation at our hospital, and 40 healthy controls. Patients with systemic diseases, including structural heart disease, hepatic or renal dysfunction, collagen disease, malignancy, and inflammation were excluded. Monocyte subset analyses were performed (three distinct human monocyte subsets: classical CD14++CD16-, intermediate CD14++CD16+, and non-classical CD14+CD16++monocytes). We compared the monocyte subsets and evaluated the correlation with other clinical findings. A total of 60 participants (30 AF patients and 30 controls as an age-matched group) were included after excluding 14 AF patients due to inflammation. Atrial fibrillation patients had a higher proportion of circulating intermediate CD14++CD16+monocytes than the controls (17.0 ± 9.6 vs. 7.5 ± 4.1%, P < 0.001). A multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only the proportion of intermediate CD14++CD16+monocytes (odds ratio: 1.316; 95% confidence interval: 1.095-1.582, P = 0.003) was independently associated with the presence of AF. Intermediate CD14++CD16+monocytes were negatively correlated with the left atrial appendage flow during sinus rhythm (r= -0.679, P = 0.003) and positively with the brain natriuretic peptide (r = 0.439, P = 0.015).Conclusion: Intermediate CD14++CD16+monocytes might be closely related to the pathogenesis of AF and reflect functional remodelling of the left atrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus (hereafter called diabetes) is considered to accelerate arteriosclerosis leading to coronary heart disease and stroke. Thus, it is important to quantitatively estimate the extent of subclinical arteriosclerosis. A new method called cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is developed to reflect arterial stiffness independently from blood pressure at the time of measurement. Then, we examined if CAVI scores could discriminate the extent of arteriosclerosis between persons with prediabetes (or borderline diabetes) and with diabetes among Japanese urban workers and their families.Methods: Subjects were 9881 men and 12033 women of company employees and their families who participated in cardiovascular disease screening in Japan. Persons having diabetes and prediabetes were defined based on the criteria set by American Diabetes Association. CAVI scores were measured by VaSera VS-1000. We applied the established age-sex specific cutoff points of CAVI scores above which were determined to be abnormally high or advanced level of arteriosclerosis. To examine the association of prediabetes and diabetes with CAVI scores, CAVI scores of screening participants were converted to a binary variable: 1 for less than cutoff points and 2 for equal or greater than cutoff points or abnormally high CAVI scores. Logistic regression method was used to examine the association of prediabetes and diabetes with CAVI scores after adjusting for major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.Results: Prevalence of abnormally high CAVI scores was significantly higher after 40 years of age among persons with diabetes than either among persons with prediabetes or among normal persons in both genders. Significantly elevated odds ratios (ORs) of abnormally high CAVI scores appeared among persons with prediabetes: 1.29 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.48) for men and 1.14 (CI, 1.01-1.28) for women, and among persons with diabetes: 2.41 (CI, 1.97-2.95) for men and 2.52 (CI, 1.94-3.28) for women.Conclusions: The extent of subclinical arteriosclerosis (including arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis) was moderately enhanced among persons with prediabetes and was further advanced among persons with diabetes. Thus, it is important to introduce earlier interventions for changing lifestyle and diet of persons with prediabetes in order to prevent them from developing diabetes and further advancing arteriosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Despite increasing attention toward forest therapy as an alternative medicine, very little evidence continues to be available on its therapeutic effects. Therefore, this study was focused on elucidating the health benefits of forest walking on cardiovascular reactivity. Methods. Within-group comparisons were used to examine the cardiovascular responses to walking in forest and urban environments. Forty-eight young adult males participated in the two-day field research. Changes in heart rate variability, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured to understand cardiovascular reactivity. Four different questionnaires were used to investigate the changes in psychological states after walking activities. Results. Forest walking significantly increased the values of ln(HF) and significantly decreased the values of ln(LF/HF) compared with the urban walking. Heart rate during forest walking was significantly lower than that in the control. Questionnaire results showed that negative mood states and anxiety levels decreased significantly by forest walking compared with urban walking. Conclusion. Walking in the forest environment may promote cardiovascular relaxation by facilitating the parasympathetic nervous system and by suppressing the sympathetic nervous system. In addition, forest therapy may be effective for reducing negative psychological symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]