The bFGF Can Improve Angiogenesis in Oral Mucosa and Accelerate Wound Healing.

Background: The role of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has well known in the angiogenesis and ulcer healing. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of bFGF on tissue repair in a rat oral mucosal wound.

Methods: Musosal wound induced on the lip mucosa of rats and bFGF was injected along the edge of the mucosal defect immediately after surgery.

Associations of cardiac injury biomarkers with risk of peripheral artery disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Introduction: We investigated the associations of high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels with risk of developing clinical peripheral artery disease (PAD) or a low ankle-brachial index (ABI).

Methods: Hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were measured in 6692 and 5458 participants respectively without baseline PAD between 2000 and 2002 in the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. A significant number also had repeat biomarker measurement between 2004 and 2005.

Change in NT-proBNP (N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide) Level and Risk of Dementia in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Cross-sectionally measured NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) is related to incident dementia. However, data linking changes in NT-proBNP to risk of future dementia are lacking. We aimed to examine the association of change in NT-proBNP over 3.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet Concordance and Incident Heart Failure: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Introduction: In observational studies, the association between the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and incident heart failure has been inconsistent. It was hypothesized that higher DASH diet concordance has a protective effect on heart failure in a multi-ethnic cohort.

Methods: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort includes men and women of multiple ethnicities who were aged 45-84 years and free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline.

Accuracy of Administrative Coding to Identify Reduced and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Background: Coding of systolic function in heart failure is important, but the accuracy is uncertain.

Methods And Results: We used data from a chart review of VA heart failure hospitalizations from 2006 to 2013. Trained abstractors determined the documented diagnosis of heart failure and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Association Between Inflammatory Markers and Myocardial Fibrosis.

Inflammation promotes adverse ventricular remodeling. T1 mapping has been used to noninvasively assess interstitial myocardial fibrosis. We examined the association of baseline markers of systemic inflammation with interstitial myocardial fibrosis measured by extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and native T1 mapping at 10-year follow-up in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Drug Use for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in Golestan, Iran: Results From the Golestan Cohort Study.

Background: Little is known about secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, using cardio-protective drugs, in the community-level, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to assess main drug use and its predictors in Northeast of Iran.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis on the Golestan Cohort Study data (2004-2008) with 50 045 participants.

Association of Cardiovascular Biomarkers With Incident Heart Failure With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Importance: Nearly half of all patients with heart failure have preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as opposed to reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), yet associations of biomarkers with future heart failure subtype are incompletely understood.

Objective: To evaluate the associations of 12 cardiovascular biomarkers with incident HFpEF vs HFrEF among adults from the general population.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This study included 4 longitudinal community-based cohorts: the Cardiovascular Health Study (1989-1990; 1992-1993 for supplemental African-American cohort), the Framingham Heart Study (1995-1998), the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000-2002), and the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-stage Disease study (1997-1998).

Predictors and outcomes of heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction.

Aims: While heart failure with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are well described, determinants and outcomes of heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) remain unclear. We sought to examine clinical and biochemical predictors of incident HFmrEF in the community.

Methods And Results: We pooled data from four community-based longitudinal cohorts, with ascertainment of new heart failure (HF) classified into HFmrEF [ejection fraction (EF) 41-49%], HFpEF (EF ≥50%), and HFrEF (EF ≤40%).

Differences in Natriuretic Peptide Levels by Race/Ethnicity (From the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Natriuretic peptides (NP) are cardiac-derived hormones with favorable cardiometabolic actions. Low NP levels are associated with increased risks of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, conditions with variable prevalence by race and ethnicity. Heritable factors underlie a significant proportion of the interindividual variation in NP concentrations, but the specific influences of race and ancestry are unknown.

Progression of Coronary Artery Calcium and Incident Heart Failure: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Although the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) and future heart failure (HF) has been shown previously, the value of CAC progression in the prediction of HF has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the association of CAC progression with subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and incident HF in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods And Results: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis is a population-based study consisting of 6814 men and women aged 45 to 84, free of overt cardiovascular disease at enrollment, who were recruited from 4 ethnicities.

HIV Infection and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases Beyond Coronary Artery Disease.

Purpose Of Review: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) increasingly afflicts people living with HIV (PLWH) in the contemporary era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most widely studied cardiovascular problem in PLWH; however, less is known about other clinically relevant subtypes of CVD such as heart failure (HF), cerebrovascular disease, sudden cardiac death, pericardial diseases, and pulmonary hypertension. This paper reviews evidence of other subtypes of CVD as emerging issues in the post-ART era.

Coronary Artery Disease in HIV-Infected Patients: Downside of Living Longer.

Purpose Of Review: Introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has increased the life expectancy of patients with HIV infection, allowing them to live longer with this chronic medical condition and consequently experiencing conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Several studies have investigated the increased risk of CVD in people living with HIV (PLWH). However, less is known about the exact mechanisms involved in this increased risk.

A cohort study protocol to analyze the predisposing factors to common chronic non-communicable diseases in rural areas: Fasa Cohort Study.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become the main causes of morbidity and mortality even in rural areas of many developing countries, including Iran. In view of this increased risk, Fasa Cohort Study (FACS) has been established to assess the risk factors for NCDs with the ultimate goal of providing optimal risk calculators for Iranian population and finding grounds for interventions at the population level.

Methods: In a population-based cohort, at least 10,000 people within the age range of 35 to 70 years old from Sheshdeh, the suburb of Fasa city and its 24 satellite villages are being recruited.

Inflammatory Markers Associated With Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease: The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

Background: Despite evidence for higher risk of coronary artery disease among HIV+ individuals, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated associations of inflammatory markers with subclinical coronary artery disease in 923 participants of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (575 HIV+ and 348 HIV- men) who underwent noncontrast computed tomography scans for coronary artery calcification, the majority (n=692) also undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography.

Methods And Results: Outcomes included presence and extent of coronary artery calcification, plus computed tomography angiography analysis of presence, composition, and extent of coronary plaques and severity of coronary stenosis.

Computerized tomography measured liver fat is associated with low levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic protein (NT-proBNP). Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background And Aims: N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is inversely associated with diabetes mellitus, obesity and metabolic syndrome. We aim to characterize the association between NT-proBNP and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition strongly associated with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: 4529 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) free of cardiovascular disease, without self-reported liver disease and not diabetic at their baseline visit in 2000-2002 were included in this analysis.

Extra-coronary calcification (aortic valve calcification, mitral annular calcification, aortic valve ring calcification and thoracic aortic calcification) in HIV seropositive and seronegative men: Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between HIV infection and coronary artery disease (CAD); little is known about potential associations between HIV infection and extra-coronary calcification (ECC).

Methods: We analyzed 621 HIV infected (HIV+) and 384 HIV uninfected (HIV-) men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study who underwent non-contrast computed tomography (CT) from 2010-2013. Agatston scores were calculated for mitral annular calcification (MAC), aortic valve calcification (AVC), aortic valve ring calcification (AVRC), and thoracic aortic calcification (TAC).

Serial measurement of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin T for cardiovascular disease risk assessment in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Background: N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (TnT) predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in a variety of populations. Whether their predictive value varies by ethnicity is unknown. We sought to determine whether NT-proBNP and TnT improve prediction of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and CVD, independent of CVD risk factors, in a multiethnic population; whether NT-proBNP improves prediction compared with the Framingham Risk Score or the Pooled Cohort Risk Equation; and whether a second NT-proBNP further improves prediction.

Cardiovascular Effects of Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarettes: Clinical Perspectives From the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Section Leadership Council and Early Career Councils of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as a result of inhaled tobacco products continues to be a global healthcare crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income nations lacking the infrastructure to develop and implement effective public health policies limiting tobacco use. Following initiation of public awareness campaigns 50 years ago in the United States, considerable success has been achieved in reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. However, there has been a slowing of cessation rates in the United States during recent years, possibly caused by high residual addiction or fatigue from cessation messaging.

The association between N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and lipoprotein particle concentration plateaus at higher N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide values: Multi-Ethnic Study on Atherosclerosis.

Background: The association between N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and blood levels of small and large LDL- and HDL- particle (P) concentration may not be linear throughout the whole range of NT-proBNP values.

Methods: Linear spline regression analysis between NT-proBNP and lipoprotein particle concentrations was performed cross-sectionally in 5597 individuals from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis adjusted for age, race, sex, body mass index, % of energy from saturated fats, intentional exercise, statin use, antihypertensive medication use, diabetes, IL-6 and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Spline knots were selected as the point at which the linear slope changed in these associations.

Increasing aminoterminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide precedes the development of arterial hypertension: the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Background: Longitudinal associations between the aminoterminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and incident hypertension are lacking.

Methods: We tested associations between baseline NT-proBNP (bNT-proBNP) and change in NT-proBNP (ΔNT-proBNP) (visit 3 NT-proBNP - bNT-proBNP, 3.2 years apart) with incident hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 and/or DBP ≥90 mmHg or taking antihypertensive medications).

The associations between metabolic variables and NT-proBNP are blunted at pathological ranges: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Objective: Under physiological conditions brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is inversely associated with metabolic risk factors, but under pathological conditions these associations may tend to plateau.

Material And Methods: 5597 individuals in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), 45-84years of age, free of overt cardiovascular disease in 2000-02 and then again in 2003-05 participated in this study. Associations between NT-proBNP and BMI, blood lipids, homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) using linear regression models were adjusted for age, race, sex, BMI, % of energy from saturated fats, intentional exercise, statin use, antihypertensive medication use, diabetes and glomerular filtration rate.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a predictor of incident atrial fibrillation in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis: the effects of age, sex and ethnicity.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common source of medical costs, morbidity and mortality. NT pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a remarkably strong predictor of AF in older whites; we aimed to assess if this biomarker was as predictive in other racial groups.

Design: We used covariate-adjusted Cox model regressions to estimate the HRs of developing AF as a function of NT proBNP, and tested for interactions of NT proBNP with age, gender and race/ethnicity.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, left ventricular mass, and incident heart failure: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is associated with clinically overt heart failure (HF). However, whether it provides additive prognostic information for incident HF beyond traditional risk factors and left ventricular (LV) mass index among multi-ethnic asymptomatic individuals has not yet been determined. We studied the associations of plasma NT-proBNP and magnetic resonance imaging defined LV mass index with incident HF in an asymptomatic multi-ethnic population.