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Introduction: Elevated plasma LDL cholesterol levels play a crucial role in cardiovascular disease development. Squalene synthase (SQS), a regulatory enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, is a target for controlling hypercholesterolemia. Traditional medicine recommends Crataegus Azarolus L. for heart-related conditions, including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and arteriosclerosis. Our research focuses on drug-likeness/ADMET prediction and molecular docking studies of C. azarolus constituents for cardiovascular disease prevention. Material & Methods: Chemical constituents of C. azarolus L. were selected based on the squalene synthase co-crystal molecule (3ASX). After energy optimization with Hyperchem, Auto Dock Vina facilitated ligand docking into the SQS active site, providing data on binding methods and compound binding energy. SwissADME and SCF Bio IITD webserver were used for in silico drug-likeness/ADME predictions. Results: Auto Dock Vina results and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies revealed that 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol exhibited the highest alignment with the synthetic co-crystal molecule concerning position, binding energy, and pharmacokinetic properties among herbal compounds. Conclusion: Overall, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol demonstrated significant affinity for squalene synthase, suggesting its potential to occupy the enzyme's active site. This compound holds promise as a viable substitute for the synthetic co-crystal molecule, pending laboratory confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are common in elderly men. This study aimed to correlate the Doppler resistive indices of prostatic arteries with the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostate volume in men with concomitant BPE and T2DM. Material and methods Fifty men with T2DM and BPE (BPE-DM) as cases and 50 age-matched men with BPE but no T2DM (BPE-ND) as controls were enrolled. B-mode and power Doppler ultrasonography of the prostate gland were done for both groups. Results The mean total prostatic volume of the BPE-DM was 79.18 ±8.9 ml, while that of BPE-ND was 60.73 ±10.6 ml (p <0.0001). The mean prostatic resistive index (PRI) was significantly higher among BPE-DM than BPE-ND (0.74 ±0.02 vs 0.68 ±0.09 for right capsular artery; 0.77 ±0.04 vs 0.71 ±0.02 for left capsular artery; and 0.76 ±0.04 vs 0.70 ±0.02 for the urethral artery). BPE-DM with higher glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and longer duration of T2DM experienced more severe lower urinary tract symptoms and had higher PRI. Conclusions In conclusion, the BPE-DM group presented larger prostate glands and more bothersome LUTS, which correlated with higher PRI. Strict glycaemic control is necessary in men with co-existing BPE and T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries has long been associated with heightened cardiovascular risk. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) play an important role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis by participating in the oxidation and reduction reactions in vascular endothelial cells. The purpose was to investigate the relationship of ALDH2 and MTHFR gene polymorphisms with arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries. Methods: 410 patients with arteriosclerosis in single artery and 472 patients with arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries were included. The relationship between ALDH2 rs671 and MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphisms and arteriosclerosis in single artery and arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries was analyzed. Results: The proportion of ALDH2 rs671 A allele (35.6% vs. 30.9%, P = 0.038) and MTHFR rs1801133 T allele (32.6% vs. 27.1%, P = 0.012) in patients with arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries was significantly higher than that in arteriosclerosis in single artery, respectively. The proportion of history of alcohol consumption in patients with ALDH2 rs671 G/G genotype was higher than those in ALDH2 rs671 G/A genotype and A/A genotype (P < 0.001). The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that ALDH2 rs671 A/A genotype (A/A vs. G/G: OR 1.996, 95% CI: 1.258–3.166, P = 0.003) and MTHFR rs1801133 T/T genotype (T/T vs. C/C: OR 1.943, 95% CI: 1.179–3.203, P = 0.009) may be independent risk factors for arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries (adjusted for age, sex, smoking, drinking, hypertension, and diabetes). Conclusions: ALDH2 rs671 A/A and MTHFR rs1801133 T/T genotypes may be independent risk factors for arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Early identifying arteriosclerosis in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients could contribute to choosing proper subjects for early prevention. Here, we aimed to investigate whether radiomic intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) analysis could be used as a novel marker to indicate arteriosclerosis in newly diagnosed T2D patients. Methods: A total of 549 patients with newly diagnosed T2D were included in this study. The clinical information of the patients was recorded and the carotid plaque burden was used to indicate arteriosclerosis. Three models were constructed to evaluate the risk of arteriosclerosis: a clinical model, a radiomics model (a model based on IMAT analysis proceeded on chest CT images), and a clinical-radiomics combined model (a model that integrated clinical-radiological features). The performance of the three models were compared using the area under the curve (AUC) and DeLong test. Nomograms were constructed to indicate arteriosclerosis presence and severity. Calibration curves and decision curves were plotted to evaluate the clinical benefit of using the optimal model. Results: The AUC for indicating arteriosclerosis of the clinical-radiomics combined model was higher than that of the clinical model [0.934 (0.909, 0.959) vs. 0.687 (0.634, 0.730), P < 0.001 in the training set, 0.933 (0.898, 0.969) vs. 0.721 (0.642, 0.799), P < 0.001 in the validation set]. Similar indicative efficacies were found between the clinical-radiomics combined model and radiomics model (P = 0.5694). The AUC for indicating the severity of arteriosclerosis of the combined clinical-radiomics model was higher than that of both the clinical model and radiomics model [0.824 (0.765, 0.882) vs. 0.755 (0.683, 0.826) and 0.734 (0.663, 0.805), P < 0.001 in the training set, 0.717 (0.604, 0.830) vs. 0.620 (0.490, 0.750) and 0.698 (0.582, 0.814), P < 0.001 in the validation set, respectively]. The decision curve showed that the clinicalradiomics combined model and radiomics model indicated a better performance than the clinical model in indicating arteriosclerosis. However, in indicating severe arteriosclerosis, the clinical-radiomics combined model had higher efficacy than the other two models. Conclusion: Radiomics IMAT analysis could be a novel marker for indicating arteriosclerosis in patients with newly diagnosed T2D. The constructed nomograms provide a quantitative and intuitive way to assess the risk of arteriosclerosis, which may help clinicians comprehensively analyse radiomics characteristics and clinical risk factors more confidently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Christian Matthias Theodor Mommsen (1817-1903), brilliant German historian of ancient Roman history and Nobel Prize Laureate in 1902, had excellent health in his youth and maturity but developed serious health problems in his elderly years that greatly limited his work and social activities. Prominent tortuous temporal arteries can be clearly appreciated in Mommsen's portraits and photographs. Additionally, he had recurrent small strokes becoming blind in his final years. He finally died of a stroke in 1903. Autopsy of his brain did not include a reference to the superficial temporal arteries, was inconclusive regarding Mommsen's underlying neurological disease. Giant cell arteritis (GCA, Horton's disease), first reported in 1934, affects elderly people and can contribute to unilateral or bilateral blindness and brain strokes fitting well Mommsen's symptoms. Unluckily the lack of temporal biopsy findings leaves the differential diagnosis of Mommsen's disease, GCA versus brain arteriosclerosis open to debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to analyze the proteomics of the liver in rabbits on a high cholesterol diet (HCD). We randomly divided New Zealand white rabbits into the normal diet group and the HCD group. We established the atherosclerosis model and measured plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. The model was successfully established using ultrasound examination and histopathological staining of the intima of aorta and liver of the two groups of rabbits. The differential proteins in the rabbit liver were analyzed using Tandem Mass Tags proteomic analysis technology. Finally, we used western blot to verify the reliability of proteomics. The results showed that compared with the control group, the serum lipid levels of rats in the HCD group was significantly increased, and the pathological sections showed the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta, inflammation, and adipose lesions in the liver. Proteomic analysis of the liver revealed 149 differences in HCD-expressed protein, which is mainly involved in inflammation and regulation of lipid and sugar metabolism. In addition, we verified differentially expressed liver proteins in the HCD group using western blot. We found that HCD caused lipid accumulation, abnormal glucose metabolism, and inflammatory response in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We conducted an observational study to test the hypothesis that intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are independently associated with pulse wave velocity (PWV), indicating arteriosclerosis progression. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, patients on hemodialysis in whom brachial‐ankle PWV (baPWV) was measured from November 2020 to November 2021, were included. Results: One hundred seventy‐four patients, with a mean age of 69.9 years (standard deviation [SD], 11.9), were included in this study. In multivariate linear regression analysis, serum intact PTH levels were correlated with baPWV (β coefficient: 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1 [0.22, 3.99]; p = 0.029). The subgroup analysis, which was divided according to the presence of diabetes, showed that diabetes has a significant interaction between PTH and PWV. Conclusion: These results suggest that intact PTH is independently associated with PWV. Moreover, physiological mechanisms characteristic of diabetes may be involved in the association between PTH and arteriosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are a common MRI finding, representing underlying cerebral microhemorrhages (CMH). The etiology of CMB and microhemorrhages is obscure. We conducted a pathological investigation of CMH, combining standard and immunohistological analyses of postmortem human brains. We analyzed 5 brain regions (middle frontal gyrus, occipital pole, rostral cingulate cortex, caudal cingulate cortex, and basal ganglia) of 76 brain bank subjects (mean age ± SE 90 ± 1.4 years). Prussian blue positivity, used as an index of CMH, was subjected to quantitative analysis for all 5 brain regions. Brains from the top and bottom quartiles (n = 19 each) were compared for quantitative immunohistological findings of smooth muscle actin, claudin-5, and fibrinogen, and for Sclerosis Index (SI) (a measure of arteriolar remodeling). Brains in the top quartile (i.e. with most extensive CMH) had significantly higher SI in the 5 brain regions combined (0.379 ± 0.007 vs 0.355 ± 0.008; p

The results of the ISCHEMIA (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approach) trial were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in November, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and recently published on March 30, 2020 in the New England Journal of Medicine. After an average follow-up of 3.5 years, invasive therapy did not reduce the major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate compared with optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. However, the ISCHEMIA trial results might stem from the revascularization of inappropriate vessels and from the lack of a lesion-specific ischemia detection algorithm to guide revascularization instead of conventional stress testing. The utilization of an initial computed tomography (CT) angiogram with or without fractional flow reserve CT could have produced better revascularization results.

Xiao-Hui Song,1,&ast; Bo Liu,2,3,&ast; Fang Lei,2,4 Ye-Mao Liu,2,5,6 Xingyuan Zhang,2,4 Ze Chen,7 Peng Zhang,2,4 Xiao-Jing Zhang,2,4 Zhi-Gang She,1,2 Jingjing Cai,2,8 Jin-Hua Wang,9 Hongliang Li1– 3,6 1Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 2Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 3Medical Science Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Cardiology, Huanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze University, Huanggang, People’s Republic of China; 6Huanggang Institute of Translational Medicine, Huanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze University, Huanggang, People’s Republic of China; 7Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 8Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; 9Department of Neurology, Huanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze University, Hubei, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hongliang Li, Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Luojia Mount Wuchang, Wuhan, 430072, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-27-68759302, Email lihl@whu.edu.cn Jin-Hua Wang, Department of Neurology, Huanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze University, Hubei, 438000, People’s Republic of China, Email wangjinhua1985@qq.comPurpose: Emerging evidence suggested that metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was significantly associated with atherosclerotic diseases. Atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries is the most common cause of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which has not been substantially controlled in the past. We aimed to investigate the association between MAFLD and PAD in the Chinese population.Patients and Methods: This observational study covered 102,115 participants who underwent health checkups with detailed examinations for PAD and MAFLD. PAD was measured by ankle-brachial index, and MAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. The generalized linear mixed models and random-effects Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the relationship between MAFLD and PAD.Results: The baseline characteristics showed that patients with MAFLD had higher prevalence of PAD compared with those without MAFLD (2.7% vs 2.2%). Compared to non-MAFLD, the individuals with MAFLD were associated with a higher risk of the presence of PAD (adjusted odds ratio: 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19– 1.42, P < 0.001). In the prospective cohort study, 6833 participants underwent a follow-up of 2.76 (standard deviation: 1.36) years, and MAFLD at baseline was a higher risk of associated with incident PAD (adjusted hazards ratio: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.17– 2.38, P = 0.005). Moreover, with the accumulation of metabolic abnormalities, the risk of the PAD was increased in the individuals with MAFLD. Furthermore, MAFLD attributed risk of PAD was more evident in participants without metabolic comorbidities.Conclusion: MAFLD was associated with a significantly higher risk for the prevalence and incidence of PAD in the Chinese population. The finding suggested that individuals with MAFLD are not only have a higher risk of coronary heart diseases but also have an increased risk of atherosclerosis in peripheral arteries.Keywords: chronic liver disease, metabolic disorder, arteriosclerosis, cross-sectional study, prospective cohort study

动脉粥样硬化是缺血性卒中、冠心病等心脑血管疾病的主要病因。既往研究发现DNA甲基化在动脉粥样硬化斑块的发生、进展中具有重要调节作用，并在病变的不同阶段表现出细胞特异性改变。本文综述了动脉粥样硬化斑块中内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞、巨噬细胞以及动脉粥样硬化性疾病患者外周血免疫细胞中DNA甲基化模式改变相关研究，总结了动脉粥样硬化性卒中患者的DNA甲基化改变，以期为新靶点的发现和疾病诊治提供新的思路。 Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease. Previous studies have found that DNA methylation plays a crucial regulatory role in the occurrence and progression of atherosclerotic plaques, with a cell-specific pattern in different stages of the progression. This article reviewed the DNA methylation changes in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques and peripheral blood immune cells in patients with atherosclerotic disease, and summarized DNA methylation changes in patients with atherosclerotic stroke, to provide new ideas for clinical prevention and treatment of CVD and exploring new targets.

It is known that vasa vasorum contributes substantially to the blood supply and nutrition of one-third of the wall of the ascending thoracic aorta. Therefore, we focused on studying the relationship between inflammatory cells and vasa vasorum vessels in patients with aortic aneurysm. The material for the study was biopsies of thoracic aortic aneurysms taken from patients during an aneurysmectomy (34 men, 14 women, aged 33 to 79 years). The biopsies belonged to patients with non-hereditary thoracic aortic aneurysm. An immunohistochemical study was carried out using antibodies to antigens of T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8); macrophages (CD68); B cells (CD20); endothelium (CD31, CD34, von Willebrand factor (vWF)); and smooth muscle cells (alpha actin). Samples without inflammatory infiltrates contained less vasa vasorum in the tunica adventitia than samples with inflammatory infiltrates, and this difference was statistically significant p < 0.05. T cell infiltrates in the adventitia of aortic aneurysms were found in 28 of 48 patients. In the vessels of the vasa vasorum, surrounded by inflammatory infiltrates, T cells that adhered to the endothelium were found. The same cells were also localized in the subendothelial area. The number of adherent T cells in patients with inflammatory infiltrates in the aortic wall dominated the number of these cells in patients without inflammation of the aortic wall. This difference was statistically significant, p < 0.0006. Hypertrophy and sclerosis of the arteries of the vasa vasorum system, the narrowing of their lumen, and, as a result, impaired blood supply to the aortic wall, were found in 34 patients with hypertension. In 18 patients (both in patients with hypertension and in patients without hypertension), T cells that adhered to the vasa vasorum endothelium were found. In nine cases, massive infiltrates of T cells and macrophages were found, which surrounded and squeezed the vasa vasorum, preventing blood circulation. In six patients, parietal and obturating blood clots were found in the vasa vasorum vessels, which disrupted the normal blood supply to the aortic wall. We believe that this indicates the importance of the state of the vessels of the vasa vasorum in the development of an aortic aneurysm. In addition, pathological changes in these vessels may not always play a primary role, but always a very important role, in the pathogenesis of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess uterine artery arteriosclerosis prevalence in women undergoing total hysterectomy for benign diseases, and any associations between clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound factors and uterine artery arteriosclerosis occurrence. Methods: A single center, observational, prospective, cohort study was performed enrolling all symptomatic patients scheduled for total hysterectomy from May to December 2021. Our outcomes were: uterine artery arteriosclerosis prevalence and the difference in clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic factors between patients with and without uterine artery arteriosclerosis. Results: Forty women were included. Uterine artery arteriosclerosis prevalence was 70%. Body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.04) and triglycerides (P = 0.04) were significantly higher in patients with uterine artery arteriosclerosis than in patients without; while high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) (P = 0.02) was significantly lower. Uterine arteries with arteriosclerosis showed higher peak systolic velocity (PSV) values compared with vessels without arteriosclerosis (P = 0.05). Conclusions: Uterine artery arteriosclerosis shows a high prevalence in women undergoing total hysterectomy for benign diseases. Higher BMI, serum triglycerides, and PSV, and lower serum HDL appear as risk factors for uterine artery arteriosclerosis. Synopsis: Uterine artery arteriosclerosis has a high prevalence in women undergoing hysterectomy. Dyslipidemia and higher BMI and peak systolic velocity appear as risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To explore the mediating effect of Th17/Treg cell functional axis on arteriosclerosis induced by depressive stress in older adults. Methods From May 2018 to August 2019, 539 older individuals aged 60 and above were enrolled in community in Jinan area, Shandong. Geriatric depression scale (GDS) was used to evaluate depressive stress of the participants. According to the quintile of the GDS scores, participants were divided into low depressive stress group (n =349) and high depressive stress group (n =190). Common carotid intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) were used to assess arteriosclerosis and stiffness. The serum level of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the frequencies of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells and relative cytokines were detected. Results Compared with the low depressive stress group, CCA-IMT, cfPWV, Th17 cell frequencies, the levels of hs-CRP, interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-6 and IL-23, the expression of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptoryγt (RORγt) mRNA, and the ratio of Th17/Treg cells in the high depressive stress group increased by 24. 58%, 18. 22%, 51. 59%, 44. 79%, 77. 60%, 55. 94%, 61. 49%, 41. 13%, 72. 11% and 150. 00% respectively; while the Treg cell frequencies, the levels of IL-10 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and the expression of forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3) mRNA decreased by 36. 53%, 32. 96%, 27. 65% and 35. 35% respectively (all P<0. 001). After adjusting for confounding factors, GDS score was independently and positively correlated with CCA-IMT, cfPWV, Th17 cell frequencies, hs-CRP, IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-23, RORγt mRNA expression, and Th17/Treg cells ratio, whereas it was independently negatively correlated with Treg cell frequencies, IL-10, TGF-β1, and Foxp3 mRNA expression (all P<0. 001). The results of Hayes Process analysis showed that hs-CRP, Th17/Treg cells ratio, IL-17, and IL-10 played significant mediating roles in the correlations of GDS with CCA-IMT and cfPWV. Conclusions Depressive stress is an independent risk factor for arteriosclerosis in the elderly. Chronic inflammation may be an important mediating effector in the process of arteriosclerosis induced by depressive stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is critical for natural killer cell-mediated anti-tumor and anti-microbe killing. • TRAIL expression varies between individuals and is unpredictable. • Nutrition was an independent predictive factor for low TRAIL expression. • TRAIL expression on liver natural killer cells was associated with atherosclerosis severity. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is critical for natural killer (NK) cell-mediated anti-tumor and anti-microbe killing. The TRAIL expression on the donor's liver NK cells from the liver perfusate after interleukin-2 stimulation varies between individuals and is unpredictable. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors for low TRAIL expression by analyzing perioperative donor characteristics. This retrospective study of living donor liver transplant (LDLT) donors between 2006 and 2022 was performed to analyze low TRAIL expression risk factors. Seventy-five donors who had undergone hepatectomy for LDLT were divided into 2 groups, low and high TRAIL, according to their TRAIL expression on liver NK cells, using median values. The low TRAIL group (N = 38) was older and had lower nutrition and a higher low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) cholesterol ratio, related to arteriosclerosis, than the high TRAIL group (N = 37). In multivariate analysis, the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76–0.94; P <.001) and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio (odds ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.10-4.86; P =.005) were independent predictive factors for low TRAIL expression on liver NK cells. Furthermore, the TRAIL expression of liver NK cells decreased in donors who already had atherosclerosis and in donors at risk of potentially developing atherosclerosis. The TRAIL expression on liver NK cells in donors had a strong relationship with atherosclerosis and GNRI. Atherosclerosis can reflect the TRAIL expression on liver NK cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-year mortality of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is 50–60% and coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of death of CLTI patients, followed by stroke. The aim of this study is to quantify and qualify the calcium load in different arterial territories in patients with CLTI. Prospectively, 60 patients with CLTI were included and received a full-body CT scan. 6 patients were excluded. Different arterial territories (the peripheral lower extremity arteries, coronary arteries, extracranial and intracranial carotid arteries, thoracic and abdominal aorta) were analyzed. Analysis and interrelations of both quantitative and semi-quantitative CT measurements was performed. Mean age was 72 years (range 47–95; SD 11.4). Almost all CLTI patients had calcified arterial beds (femoropopliteal 100%, crural 98.1%, coronary 100%, carotid bifurcation 96.2%, internal carotid artery 98.1%, thoracic aorta 96.2%, abdominal aorta 92.3%). Nearly all arterial territories had severe calcifications. 57% had a very high coronary Agatston score (>1000), and 35% extremely high (>2000). Calcifications in the lower extremity were significantly correlated to CAC score, carotid artery bifurcation calcification score, and to a lesser extent correlated to annular calcifications in the aorta. Very high and extremely high total CAC scores were strongly correlated with severe lower extremity arterial calcifications and severe carotid and intracranial internal carotid artery, thoracic and abdominal aorta calcifications in patients with CLTI patients. In CLTI patients nearly all arterial territories are severely calcified, suggesting that systemic calcification plays an important role in the poor outcome of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE To evaluate the frequency of abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and interrogate the relationship between abdominal CT findings and patient demographic features, clinical findings, and laboratory test results as well as the CT atherosclerosis score in the abdominal aorta. METHODS This study was designed as a multicenter retrospective study. The abdominal CT findings of 1.181 patients with positive abdominal symptoms from 26 tertiary medical centers with a positive polymerase chain-reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were reviewed. The frequency of ischemic and non-ischemic CT findings as well as the association between CT findings, clinical features, and abdominal aortic calcific atherosclerosis score (AA-CAS) were recorded. RESULTS Ischemic and non-ischemic abdominal CT findings were detected in 240 (20.3%) and 328 (27.7%) patients, respectively. In 147 patients (12.4%), intra-abdominal malignancy was present. The most frequent ischemic abdominal CT findings were bowel wall thickening (n = 120; 10.2%) and perivascular infiltration (n = 40; 3.4%). As for non-ischemic findings, colitis (n = 91; 7.7%) and small bowel inflammation (n = 73; 6.2%) constituted the most frequent disease processes. The duration of hospital stay was found to be higher in patients with abdominal CT findings than in patients without any positive findings (13.8 ± 13 vs. 10.4 ± 12.8 days, P < 0.001). The frequency of abdominal CT findings was significantly higher in patients who did not survive the infection than in patients who were discharged after recovery (41.7% vs. 27.4%, P < 0.001). Increased AA-CAS was found to be associated with a higher risk of ischemic conditions in abdominal CT examinations. CONCLUSION Abdominal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 are usually associated with positive CT findings. The presence of ischemic findings on CT correlates with poor COVID-19 outcomes. A high AA-CAS is associated with abdominal ischemic findings in patients with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a frequent complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients, especially when the underlying disease is diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we investigated cardiovascular events and lipid and fatty acid profile in maintenance HD patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Patients and Methods: The subjects were 123 patients undergoing HD at Oyokyo Kidney Research Institute Hirosaki Hospital, who were considered to have DKD as the underlying cause of dialysis induction. Among these patients, the lipid and fatty acid profile were examined in two groups, CVD group (n=53) and non-CVD group (n=70), according to the presence or absence of a history of cardiovascular events (coronary artery disease, stroke, arteriosclerosis obliterans, valvular disease, and aortic disease). For serum lipid profile, the levels of total-cholesterol (T-C), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured, and for fatty acid balance, 24 fractions of fatty acid composition in plasma total lipids were measured. These markers were compared between the CVD and non-CVD groups. Results: The levels of T-C and TG were significantly lower in the CVD group compared with the non-CVD group (147.7±36.9 mg/dl vs. 159.2±35.6 mg/dl, p<0.05, 120.2±65.7 mg/dl vs. 143.8±124.4 mg/dl, p<0.05). In the plasma fatty acid composition, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) were significantly lower in the CVD group compared with the non-CVD group (0.74±0.26 wt% vs. 0.84±0.31 wt%, p<0.05; 0.61±0.21 wt% vs. 0.70±0.30 wt%, p<0.05). Conclusion: Abnormal fatty acid balance, especially low levels of ALA and DPA, rather than serum lipids, are more likely the factors associated with cardiovascular events in maintenance HD patients with underlying DKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the primary indicators of plaque vulnerability is the lipid composition of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, the medical industry requires a method to evaluate necrotic nuclei in atherosclerosis imaging with sensitivity. In this regard, photoacoustic imaging is a plaque detection method that provides chemical information on lipids and cholesterol thickness in the arterial walls of the patient. This aspect aims to increase the low-frequency axial resolution by developing a new photoacoustic-based system. A photoacoustic system has been developed to detect the cholesterol thickness of the blood vessels to observe the progression of plaque in the heart's blood vessels. The application of the coherent photoacoustic discontinuous correlation tomography technique, which is based on a novel signal processing, significantly increased the cholesterol oleate's sensitivity to plaque necrosis. By enhancing the quality of thickness detection, the system for measuring the thickness of cholesterol in blood vessels has been reduced to approximately 23 microns. The results show that the phase spectrum peaked at 100 Hz at 58.66 degrees, and at 400 Hz, the phase spectrum was 46.37 degrees. The minimum amplitude is 1.95 at 100 Hz and 17.67 at 400 Hz. In conclusion, it can be stated that photoacoustic imaging as a method based on new technologies is of great importance in medical research, which is based on the use of nonionizing radiation to perform diagnostic processes and measure different types of body tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness. We investigated PWV and blood pressure (BP) to determine to what extent BP changes contribute to arterial stiffness, and secondly, to identify influencing factors on BP in children after kidney transplantation. Methods: Seventy children ≥ 2.5 years post-transplantation with at least two PWV measurements were included. Changes of systolic (Δ SBP) and diastolic BP (Δ DBP) were classified into "stable/decreasing," "1–10 mmHg increase," and " > 10 mmHg increase." Linear mixed modeling for PWV z-score (PWVz) adjusted either for Δ SBP or Δ DBP was performed. An extended dataset with monthly entries of BP, immunosuppression, and creatinine was obtained in 35 participants over a median of 74 months to perform linear mixed modeling for SBP and DBP. Results: PWVz increased with a rate of 0.11/year (95% CI 0.054 to 0.16). Compared to participants with stable BP, those with 1–10-mmHg SBP and DBP increase showed a higher PWVz of 0.59 (95% CI 0.046 to 1.13) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.43 to 1.30), respectively. A > 10-mmHg BP increase was associated with an even higher PWVz (SBP β = 0.78, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.34; DBP β = 1.37, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.94). Female sex and participants with lower eGFR showed higher PWVz. In the extended analysis, DBP was positively associated with cyclosporin A and everolimus trough levels. Conclusions: A higher increase of PWV is seen in patients with greater BP increase, with higher cyclosporin A and everolimus trough levels associated with higher BP. This emphasizes the role of BP as a modifiable risk factor for the improvement of cardiovascular outcome after transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Patients with RA present increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease compared with the general population. Moreover, CV risk factors that have a causal relationship with atherosclerosis do not seem to fully explain the accelerated process that they exhibit. We evaluated the association of a 10 microRNAs panel with surrogate markers of subclinical arteriosclerosis [carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid plaque presence (cPP), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and distensibility] in a cohort of RA patients. Material and methods A total of 199 patients with RA were included. Surrogate markers of arteriosclerosis were measured with My Lab 60 X-Vision sonographer. MicroRNAs were extracted from plasma and quantified with qPCR. Multivariate models and classification methods were performed. Results Multivariate models showed that microRNAs-24 (β = 15.48), 125a (β = 9.93), 132 (β = 11.52), 146 (β = 15.12), 191 (β = 13.25) and 223 (β = 13.30) were associated with cIMT globally. MicroRNA-24 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.41], 146 (OR = 0.36) and Let7a (OR = 0.23) were associated with cPP in men. Including the microRNAs in a partial least square discriminant analysis model properly classified men with and without cPP. MicroRNA-96 (β = –0.28) was associated with PWV in male patients. Finally, several miRNAs were also associated with cIMT, cPP and arterial stiffness in the high DAS28 group and in the earlier tertile groups of disease duration. Conclusion Plasmatic expression of microRNA-24, 96, 103, 125a, 132, 146, 191, 223 and Let7a were associated with surrogate markers of CV disease and could be predictors of CV risk in patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The loss of vascular wall cells in allotransplanted arteries is the initial event leading to transplant arteriosclerosis (TA) and ensuing loss of allograft function. Pharmacological agents able to prevent TA are currently lacking. We previously showed that selective inhibition of the immunoproteasome prevented the chronic rejection of renal allografts. However, the role and mechanisms of selective inhibition of a single immunoproteasome subunit to prevent immune-mediated vascular allograft rejection and TA is not clear. Methods and results The effect and potential mechanism of combined or individual inhibition of peptidolytically active immunoproteasome LMP7 (β5i) and LMP2 (β1i) subunits on immune rejection-mediated TA was investigated using the epoxyketone inhibitor ONX 0914, and the recently developed LMP7-selective inhibitor KZR-329 and LMP2-selective inhibitor KZR-504 in a rat aorta transplantation model. We find that co-inhibition of LMP7 and LMP2 in allogeneic recipients significantly suppressed T-cell activation and function by expressing inhibitory surface markers and then activating inhibitory signals. Moreover, co-inhibition of LMP7 and LMP2 substantially reduced the number of immunoglobulin G-secreting cells and plasma cells and production of alloantibodies through activating the unfolded protein response and incapacitating the survival niche of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Consequentially, the accumulation of inflammatory cytokines, complement, and antibodies is reduced and the apoptosis of vascular wall cells decreased in aortic allografts via LMP7 and LMP2 co-inhibition with ONX 0914 treatment or combined KZR-329 and KZR-504 treatment. However, neither individual inhibition of LMP7 by KZR-329 nor individual inhibition of LMP2 by KZR-504 showed suppression of immune rejection and TA. Conclusions We define a critical role of LMP7 and LMP2 in TA and strongly propose co-inhibition of both immunoproteasome subunits as promising therapeutic approach to suppress TA and allograft rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) can provide information about exact occluded length, etiology, and the presence of intraluminal thrombus or residual cavity. Purpose: To investigate the extra value of HR-VWI in screening patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO) for recanalization suitability in comparison with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent endovascular recanalization with no internal carotid artery signal on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and whose both preoperative DSA and HR-VWI data were available. Patients were classified into type I (focal occlusion distal to ophthalmic artery), type II or III (occlusion proximal or at/distal to clinoid segment), and near-occlusion. Occlusion etiology and suitability for recanalization were analyzed both on preoperative DSA and HR-VWI. Accuracy of occlusion classification and differences in the modified Rankin scale scores between the baseline and follow-up were estimated. Results: A total of 20 patients were included. With intraoperative DSA as the gold standard, we found HR-VWI could additionally show intraluminal thrombi. Preoperative DSA misclassified one near-occlusion, one type I occlusion, and one type II occlusion as type III occlusions, and one near-occlusion as a type II occlusion. Therefore, compared with the preoperative DSA, three additional cases were successfully recanalized based on HR-VWI. The accuracy of HR-VWI was higher than preoperative DSA (100% vs. 80%). Prognosis improvement of type I was significantly better than type II and near-occlusion (P <0.05). Conclusion: HR-VWI can identify occluded etiology, extent, and classification of CICAO. This information is potentially useful in screening candidates for endovascular recanalization and helpful to indicate prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skin is one of the major immune organs producing large amounts of proinflammatory and inflammatory cytokines in response to internal or exogenous stimuli, inducing systemic inflammation in various internal organs. In recent years, organ damage associated with inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis has received increasing attention, and vascular disorder such as arteriosclerosis is one of the serious complications of chronic inflammatory skin diseases. However, the detailed mechanism of arteriosclerosis in dermatitis and the role of cytokines have not been clarified so far. In the current study, using a spontaneous dermatitis model, we investigated the pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis and the treatment option for inflammatory skin conditions. We employed spontaneous dermatitis model mice overexpressing human caspase-1 in the epidermal keratinocyte (Kcasp1Tg). The thoracic and abdominal aorta was investigated histologically. GeneChip and RT-PCR analysis were performed to measure the changes in mRNA levels in the aorta. To elucidate the direct effect on the artery by major inflammatory cytokines, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and fibroblast cells were co-cultured with several cytokines, and mRNA expression levels were measured. In order to observe the efficacy of IL-17A/F in arteriosclerosis, cross-mating with IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17A/F deficient mice was performed. Finally, we also measured snap tension in the abdominal aorta in WT, Kcasp1Tg, and IL17A/F-deficient mice. Kcasp1Tg showed a decrease in the diameter of the abdominal aorta compared to wild-type mice. mRNA levels for six genes including Apol11b, Camp, Chil3, S100a8, S100a9, and Spta1 were increased in the abdominal aorta of Kcasp1Tg. Some of the above mRNA levels were also increased in the co-culture with major inflammatory cytokines, IL-17A/F, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Dermatitis improved and mRNA levels were partially ameliorated in Kcasp1Tg with IL-17A/F deletion. Arterial fragility was also evidenced in the inflammatory model, but arterial flexibility was revealed in the IL-17A/F deletion model. Severe dermatitis is closely related to secondary arteriosclerosis caused by the persistent release of inflammatory cytokines. The results also proved that treatment against IL-17A and F may ameliorate arteriosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study recruited 9,830 participants to identify whether the interaction between obesity and hypertension affects the occurrence of arteriosclerosis in Chinese adults. Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured to diagnose arteriosclerosis. Unconditional logistic regression was used for multiplicative interaction. The additive interaction was represented by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy (S). Hypertension was an independent risk factor for baPWV (p <.01), but obesity was not (p =.08). The interaction between obesity and hypertension on arteriosclerosis was not multiplicative (adjusted odds ratio = 0.89 (0.79–1.01), p =.07), but a negative additive interaction (RERI = −4.33, AP = −2.91, S = 0.10; p <.01) exists. Therefore, obesity may reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis caused by hypertension when hypertension and obesity coexist, especially in women and middle-aged people, which supports the obesity paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantification of the dynamics of the carotid artery wall is useful in evaluating arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. As the carotid artery wall moves not only in the radial direction but also in the longitudinal direction, longitudinal movement should be considered in the analysis of the dynamic properties of the carotid artery wall. In this study, we propose a "lateral M-mode" method for visualizing the longitudinal movement of the intima–media complex (IMC). For the lateral M-mode, we set the target line in the longitudinal direction along the IMC and visualize the signals on the target line frame-by-frame by correcting the position of the target line along the radial displacement estimated by the phased tracking method. Differentiating the envelope signals between consecutive ultrasound beams was effective in visualizing the lateral movement of the IMC. The precision of the longitudinal displacement of the IMC estimated using the conventional block-matching method was validated by comparing it with the lateral M-mode. Because the conventional M-mode sequence plays an important role in evaluation of the dynamics of various tissues, the proposed "lateral M-mode" contributes to a detailed understanding of vascular dynamics and the development of diagnostic methods for vascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parched gangrene has been attributable to a reduction in the flow of blood through arteries. This would seem progressively as well as gentle advances. Like most citizens, its infected area doesn't become more afflicted. Inside this kind of gangrene, its tissue will become extremely difficult but also dark starts of about parched, but also subsequently sluffing out. Parched gangrene is usually noticed in individuals with blocking of arteries (arteriosclerosis). Someone else provokes involve tao, Reynaud's disorder but also brain injury. This is generally shown in a few of the toes which would be far from the circulatory system and usually contain such little blood supply which even invading microorganisms find it difficult of about develop within necroses tissue. Its gangrene gradually continues to spread upward until it gets to a place with sufficient blood supply to keep its tissue viable. The road-like detachment brought most of the total separation, as for ultimate dropping off the gangrenous tissue if this is not surgically removed, furthermore considered auto surgical excision. Amputation = withdrawal of such a part of the body through the surgical procedure as well as brain injury. "To trim away", through the ambi-("about", "around") as well as 'putare' ("to prune"). Disarticulation is the removal of a limb with its joint. This is one of the important antiquated general surgical of all surgical interventions. Chemotherapeutics & antibacterial drugs have made it easier to regulate the invasion of infectious diseases and reduced the risk of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation closely correlates with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammation index that can be obtained by routine blood tests. We aimed to investigate the associations between MHR and atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. We enrolled 2451 participants from the Northern Shanghai Study. Atherosclerosis (carotid plaque (CP), lower extremity atherosclerotic (LEA) assessed by ankle-brachial index) and arteriosclerosis (arterial stiffness (AS) assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) were measured using standard methods. In the univariable logistic regression model, higher MHR was significantly associated with increased AS, CP, and LEA risk. In the multivariable logistic regression model, after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, smoking habit, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and family history of premature CVD, quartile 4 (Q4) of MHR was associated with an increased risk of AS (odds ratio (OR) = 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.05–1.88; P for trend = 0.036), CP (OR = 1.35; 95%CI:1.04–1.77; P for trend = 0.044), and LEA (OR = 2.23; 95%CI:1.49–3.35; P for trend < 0.001). Similar results were observed when MHR was analyzed as a continuous variable. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve showed that the association between MHR and AS was nonlinear (P nonlinear = 0.021), but not LEA (P nonlinear = 0.177) or CP (P nonlinear = 0.72). MHR presents a linear association with atherosclerosis and a nonlinear association with arteriosclerosis in the elderly Chinese population. These findings may indicate the need for early assessment and intervention for inflammation. The registration number for clinical trials: NCT02368938. • Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammation index. • MHR presents a linear association with atherosclerosis and nonlinear association with arteriosclerosis. • MHR may a potential biomarker identified to anti-inflammatory therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluid management in haemodialysis is a delicate balancing act. Determination of target weight mainly relies on clinical assessment, but this may be subjective and imprecise. There is a need to find methods that can reduce the prevalence of chronic fluid overload and intra- and inter-dialytic symptoms related to fluid alterations in people with chronic kidney disease treated with haemodialysis. New technologies like bioimpedance can be used as aids in fluid management and target weight estimation in haemodialysis; however, these methods cannot be expected to provide a simple target applicable to all patients. This summary report reflects some of the current evidence and empirical knowledge on fluid management in haemodialysis. It stresses the importance of paying careful attention to patients' fluid status and provides suggestions for an individualised approach to target weight estimation. The report highlights several patient-related factors that may impact bioimpedance measurements, as well as treatment components that should be involved in the decision process of fluid management, target weight estimation and bioimpedance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective: to determine the pathomorphological changes in the placenta by antenatal asphyxia of the fetus associated with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in pregnant women. Materials and methods. 21 placentas by fetal antenatal asphyxia which occurred at different terms of pregnancy in women with COVID-19 were examined. COVID-19 was diagnosed by a positive PCR test – detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The study groups were defined depending on the duration of the post-covid interval (time from the diagnosis of COVID-19 to delivery). I group (n=12) included placentas of women with antenatal fetal asphyxia, in whom the postpartum interval was 1–4 weeks; II group (n=9) – placentas of women with fetal death, in whom the postpartum interval was 5–14 weeks. In the I group, antenatal asphyxia of the fetus occurred in the term from the 13th to 36th weeks of gestation, in the II group – in period from the 29th to the 41st week. Macroscopic, organometric, microscopic methods of placenta research and a statistical method were applied. Fetal-placental index (FPI) was calculated Results. In the studied cases, antenatal fetal death occurred in different terms of pregnancy, namely, from the 14th to the 41st week of gestation (median is 32 weeks). Pregnant women had COVID-19 from the 13th to the 35th week of gestation (median is 25 weeks); when the mother was diagnosed with COVID-19 after the 35th week, there was no case of antenatal fetal death. The severity of the course of the coronavirus disease was mild in 7 pregnant women, moderate – 12 persons, and a severe course with pneumonia was diagnosed in 2 women. The severity of morphological changes in the placenta did not depend on the severity of the course of COVID-19 in the pregnant woman (chorioamnionitis, p=1.0; intervillositis, p=0.63; obliteration of arterioles, p=0.32). In the I group, a slight increase in FPI was found up to 0.19 [0.12; 0.34], in the II group – a similar indicator was 0.16 [0.13; 0.24]. However, the absolute values of the weight of the fetus and placenta in both groups were lower than those for the given gestational age. The I group of placentas there were the pronounced inflammatory changes – placentitis: chorioamnionitis – 100% (95%CI: 85.4– 100) and basal deciduitis – 91.7% (95%CI: 67.1–100). In the II group the inflammatory changes of the chorioamniotic membranes and basal plate were focal and were found in 6 placentas – 66.7% (95% CI: 29.2–94.8). Intervillositis was detected in 11 placentas – 91.7% (95%CI: 67.1–100) in the I group versus 2 placentas – 22.2% (95%CI: 1.1–58.9; p=0.006) in the II group. Villositis in the I group was determined in 8 cases – 66.7% (95%CI: 35.4–91.4) and in only one placenta in the II group – 11.1% (95%CI: 0.0–43.91; p=0.034). In the placentas of both groups the fibrinoid necrosis of the arteriole wall, proliferative changes in the vessel wall and necrosis of the endothelium were detected – 100% (95%CI: 85.4–100), dyscirculatory disorders (stasis, thrombosis, hemorrhages) were found in 75% (95% CI: 44.4–95.8) of cases in the I group and in 66.7% (95% CI: 29.2–94.8) – in the II group. An increased number of syncytial nodules was observed as a manifestation of compensatory mechanisms: in the I group – 83.3% (95%CI: 54.7–98.9), in the II group – 88.9% (95%CI: 56.1–100). All studied cases in the II group were accompanied by obliteration of the lumen of the arterioles of trunk and semi-trunk villi – 100% (95%CI: 80.9–100; p=0.0006), versus the I group – 16.7% (95%CI: 1.1–45.3). At the same time, in 6 cases in the II group the morphological manifestations of restoration of the lumen (revascularization) were detected – the formation of intravascular septa – 66.7% (95% CI: 29.2–94.8), which were not found in the I group (р=0.0093). In 100% (95%CI: 80.9–100) of placentas of the II group and in 66.7% (95%CI: 35.4–91.4) of the I group the stroma fibrosis of stem and semi-stem villi, obliteration intervillous space, and hypoplasia of terminal villi were determined. Conclusions. Statistically significant differences of placentas in antenatal asphyxia of the fetus depended on the length of the postcovid interval: in the postcovid interval of 1–4 weeks (I group) the inflammatory changes prevailed – placentitis: chorioamnionitis – 100% (95%CI: 85.4–100), intervillositis – 91.7% (95% CI: 67.1–100), p=0.006; villositis – 66.7% (95%CI: 35.4–91.4), p=0.034. When the duration of the postcovid interval increased to 5–14 weeks (II group), arteriosclerosis prevailed – 100% (95% CI: 80.9–100); p=0.0006. The cause of antenatal fetal death in the women with COVID-19 in the I group is acute placental insufficiency associated with the exudative phase of inflammation (chorioamnionitis, villositis, intervillositis). In the II group, the cause of antenatal fetal asphyxia is the formation of chronic placental dysfunction caused by the proliferation phase, which was manifested by proliferative changes in the muscular layer of arterioles and their subsequent fibrosis with obliteration of the lumen of arterioles (arteriosclerosis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of perceived social support (PSS) on sleep quality in arteriosclerotic obliterans patients in China and examined whether psychological flexibility (PF) has a mediating effect between PSS and sleep quality. Design: A cross‐sectional survey. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted between September 2020 and December 2021 on 172 patients with atherosclerotic obliterans recruited from a hospital in China. Results: PSS was negatively associated with sleep quality and PF, whereas PF was positively associated with sleep quality. This relationship between PSS and sleep quality was mediated by PF. Patient or public contribution: Vascular surgery specialist nurses assisted the members of the research group in distributing the questionnaires after the patients gave oral informed consent, and the patients cooperated to complete the questionnaires. We thank both parties for their contributions to this survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Acute (immediate) or regular (mid- or long-term) stretching increases arterial compliance and reduces arterial stiffness. Stretching is widely known to induce arterial functional factor changes, but it is unclear whether stretching alters arterial structural factors. Ultrasound shear wave elastography can quantify the distribution of tissue elastic properties as an index of arterial structural factors. This study thus aimed to examine the effects of acute cervical stretching on arterial wall tissue elastic properties.Methods: Seventeen healthy young adults participated in two different trials for 15 min in random order on separate days: a resting and sitting trial (CON) and a supervised cervical stretching trial (CS). In CS, subjects performed 10 different stretches. At each site, the stretch was held for 30 s followed by a 10-s relaxation period. In CON, subjects rested on a chair for 15 min.Results: After the experiment, carotid arterial compliance, assessed by combined ultrasound imaging and applanation tonometry, was significantly increased in CS, but not in CON. However, there was no significant change in tissue elasticity properties of the arterial wall in either trial, as assessed by ultrasound shear wave elastography.Conclusion: Acute cervical stretching significantly increased carotid artery compliance in young participants, but did not reduce elastic tissue properties (i.e., arterial structural factors) of the carotid artery wall. These results strongly suggest that changes in structural factors have little relation to stretching-induced acute increases in arterial compliance.

Atherosclerosis affects human health in many ways, leading to disability or premature death due to ischemic heart disease, stroke, or limb ischemia. Poststenotic blood flow disruption may also play an essential role in artery wall impairment linked with hemolysis related to shear stress. The maximum shear stress in the atherosclerotic plaque area is the main parameter determining hemolysis risk. In our work, a 3D internal carotid artery model was built from CT scans performed on patients qualified for percutaneous angioplasty due to its symptomatic stenosis. The obtained stenosis geometries were used to conduct a series of computer simulations to identify critical parameters corresponding to the increase in shear stress in the arteries. Stenosis shape parameters responsible for the increase in shear stress were determined. The effect of changes in the carotid artery size, length, and degree of narrowing on the change in maximum shear stress was demonstrated. Then, a correlation for the quick initial diagnosis of atherosclerotic stenoses regarding the risk of hemolysis was developed. The developed relationship for rapid hemolysis risk assessment uses information from typical non-invasive tests for treated patients. Practical guidelines have been developed regarding which stenosis shape parameters pose a risk of hemolysis, which may be adapted in medical practice.