Small Arteries From Old Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Exhibit Enhanced Endothelium-Independent Vasodilatory Capacity and Reduced Stiffness.

Objective: In conduit arteries, aging and hypertension are associated with stiffening characterized by increased cytoskeletal F-actin and endothelial dysfunction. Herein, we determined if this also happens at the level of the resistance vasculature.

Methods: We retrospectively compared the mechanical and structural characteristics of small arteries isolated from older hypertensive and younger normotensive (64.

LIM kinases in cardiovascular health and disease.

The Lim Kinase (LIMK) family of serine/threonine kinases is comprised of LIMK1 and LIMK2, which are central regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics via their well-characterized roles in promoting actin polymerization and destabilizing the cellular microtubular network. The LIMKs have been demonstrated to modulate several fundamental physiological processes, including cell cycle progression, cell motility and migration, and cell differentiation. These processes play important roles in maintaining cardiovascular health.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy in trauma patients with grade IV-V duodenal or pancreatic injuries: a post hoc analysis of an EAST multicenter trial.

Introduction: The utility of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for high-grade traumatic injuries remains unclear and data surrounding its use are limited. We hypothesized that PD does not result in improved outcomes when compared with non-PD surgical management of grade IV-V pancreaticoduodenal injuries.

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter analysis from 35 level 1 trauma centers from January 2010 to December 2020.

Impact of dietary supplementation of glycocalyx precursors on vascular function in type 2 diabetes.

Degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is thought to contribute to impaired shear stress mechanotransduction, leading to endothelial dysfunction and the development of cardiovascular disease. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that restoration of the endothelial glycocalyx with dietary supplementation of glycocalyx precursors (DSGPs, containing glucosamine sulfate, fucoidan, superoxide dismutase, and high-molecular weight hyaluronan) improves endothelial function and other indices of vascular function in T2D. First, in db/db mice, we showed that treatment with DSGP (100 mg/kg/day) for 4 wk restored endothelial glycocalyx length, as assessed via atomic force microscopy in aortic explants.

PAI-1 Regulates the Cytoskeleton and Intrinsic Stiffness of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

Background: Plasma concentration of PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) correlates with arterial stiffness. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) express PAI-1, and the intrinsic stiffness of SMCs is a major determinant of total arterial stiffness. We hypothesized that PAI-1 promotes SMC stiffness by regulating the cytoskeleton and that pharmacological inhibition of PAI-1 decreases SMC and aortic stiffness.

Neuraminidase-induced externalization of phosphatidylserine activates ADAM17 and impairs insulin signaling in endothelial cells.

Endothelial insulin resistance represents a causal factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and vascular disease, thus the need to identify molecular mechanisms underlying defects in endothelial insulin signaling. We previously have shown that a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17 (ADAM17) is increased while insulin receptor α-subunit (IRα) is decreased in the vasculature of patients with T2D, leading to impaired insulin-induced vasodilation. We have also demonstrated that ADAM17 sheddase activity targets IRα; however, the mechanisms driving endothelial ADAM17 activity in T2D are largely unknown.

Neuraminidase inhibition improves endothelial function in diabetic mice.

Neuraminidases cleave sialic acids from glycocalyx structures and plasma neuraminidase activity is elevated in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, we hypothesize circulating neuraminidase degrades the endothelial glycocalyx and diminishes flow-mediated dilation (FMD), whereas its inhibition restores shear mechanosensation and endothelial function in T2D settings. We found that compared with controls, subjects with T2D have higher plasma neuraminidase activity, reduced plasma nitrite concentrations, and diminished FMD.

Operative Management Improves Near-term Survival of Patients With Odontoid Type II Fractures: A Propensity-matched National Registry Analysis.

Study Design: National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) review and propensity-matched analysis.

Objective: To evaluate differences in clinical outcomes by operative management.

Summary Of Background Data: Odontoid type II fractures are the most prevalent cervical fracture.

Registered Reports: A new chapter at .

Ecology & Evolution has published its first Registered Report and offers the perspective of the editor, author, and student on the publication process.

Outcomes among trauma patients with duodenal leak following primary versus complex repair of duodenal injuries: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter trial.

Background: Duodenal leak is a feared complication of repair, and innovative complex repairs with adjunctive measures (CRAM) were developed to decrease both leak occurrence and severity when leaks occur. Data on the association of CRAM and duodenal leak are sparse, and its impact on duodenal leak outcomes is nonexistent. We hypothesized that primary repair alone (PRA) would be associated with decreased duodenal leak rates; however, CRAM would be associated with improved recovery and outcomes when leaks do occur.

Border-fence falls versus domestic falls at a South Texas trauma center.

Objectives: Falling from height may lead to significant injuries and time hospitalized; however, there are few studies comparing the specific mechanism of fall. The purpose of this study was to compare injuries from falls after attempting to cross the USA-Mexico border fence (intentional) with injuries from domestic falls (unintentional) of comparable height.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients admitted after a fall from a height of 15-30 ft to a level II trauma center between April 2014 and November 2019.

Correlation between intracranial pressure monitoring for severe traumatic brain injury with hospital length of stay and discharge disposition: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Objectives: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is recommended for severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) but some data suggests it may not improve outcomes. The objective was to investigate the effect of ICP monitoring among TBI.

Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study (1/1/2015-6/1/2020) included severe TBI patients.

Evaluation of therapy in traumatic elderly falls to return autonomy and functional status.

Background: Traumatic falls among the elderly (≥ 65 years old) are the leading cause of injury, morbidity and mortality are increasing with rising medical costs.

Methods: This is a retrospective medical record review of elderly mechanical fall patients (288 patients) admitted to an American College of Surgeons level II trauma center from January 2016 to January 2021. Demographics and comorbidities were determined, and physical/occupational therapy used to predict subsequent fall readmissions.

Computer Vision and Machine Learning-Based Gait Pattern Recognition for Flat Fall Prediction.

Background: Gait recognition has been applied in the prediction of the probability of elderly flat ground fall, functional evaluation during rehabilitation, and the training of patients with lower extremity motor dysfunction. Gait distinguishing between seemingly similar kinematic patterns associated with different pathological entities is a challenge for the clinician. How to realize automatic identification and judgment of abnormal gait is a significant challenge in clinical practice.

ADAM17 cleaves the insulin receptor ectodomain on endothelial cells and causes vascular insulin resistance.

Inflammation and vascular insulin resistance are hallmarks of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, several potential mechanisms causing abnormal endothelial insulin signaling in T2D need further investigation. Evidence indicates that the activity of ADAM17 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17) and the presence of insulin receptor (IR) in plasma are increased in subjects with T2D.

Endothelial Glycocalyx.

The glycocalyx is a polysaccharide structure that protrudes from the body of a cell. It is primarily conformed of glycoproteins and proteoglycans, which provide communication, electrostatic charge, ionic buffering, permeability, and mechanosensation-mechanotransduction capabilities to cells. In blood vessels, the endothelial glycocalyx that projects into the vascular lumen separates the vascular wall from the circulating blood.

Plasma syndecan-1 concentration as a biomarker for endothelial glycocalyx degradation in septic adult horses.

Background: Limited information is available regarding endothelial glycocalyx degradation during sepsis in horses. Plasma syndecan-1 concentrations are increased in consequence of sepsis in other species and have been useful for prognostication.

Objectives: To determine whether plasma syndecan-1 levels are increased in adult horses affected with sepsis.

SGLT2 inhibition attenuates arterial dysfunction and decreases vascular F-actin content and expression of proteins associated with oxidative stress in aged mice.

Aging of the vasculature is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening, two key events in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Treatment with sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is now known to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes. However, whether SGLT2 inhibition attenuates vascular aging is unknown.

Rising Geographic Disparities in US Mortality.

The 21st century has been a period of rising inequality in both income and health. In this paper, we find that geographic inequality in mortality for midlife Americans increased by about 70 percent between 1992 and 2016. This was not simply because states like New York or California benefited from having a high fraction of college-educated residents who enjoyed the largest health gains during the last several decades.

LIMK (LIM Kinase) Inhibition Prevents Vasoconstriction- and Hypertension-Induced Arterial Stiffening and Remodeling.

Increased arterial stiffness and vascular remodeling precede and are consequences of hypertension. They also contribute to the development and progression of life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. Yet, there are currently no agents specifically aimed at preventing or treating arterial stiffening and remodeling.