2023:A year of accomplishments for the 13 Science Citation Index Expanded-and Emerging Sources Citation Index-indexed Baishideng journals

In 2023,Baishideng Publishing Group(Baishideng)routinely published 47 openaccess journals,including 46 English-language journals and 1 Chinese-language journal.Our successes were accomplished through the collective dedicated efforts of Baishideng staffs,Editorial Board Members,and Peer Reviewers.Among these 47 Baishideng journals,7 are included in the Science Citation Index Expanded(SCIE)and 6 in the Emerging Sources Citation Index(ESCI).With the support of Baishideng authors,company staffs,Editorial Board Members,and Peer Reviewers,the publication work of 2023 is about to be successfully completed.This editorial summarizes the 2023 activities and accomplishments of the 13 SCIEand ESCI-indexed Baishideng journals,outlines the Baishideng publishing policy changes and additions made this year,and highlights the unique advantages of Baishideng journals.

Left atrial diameter and atrial fibrillation,but not elevated NT-proBNP,predict the development of pulmonary hypertension in patients with HFpEF

Background The determinants of pulmonary hypertension(PH)due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)have been poorly investigated in patients with cardiovascular diseases(CVD).Methods From July 12017 to March 312019,a total of 149 consecutive HFp EF patients hospitalized with CVD were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study.A systolic pulmonary artery pressure(PASP)>35 mm Hg estimated by echocardiography was defined as PH-HFp EF.Logistic regression was performed to establish predictors of PH in HFpEF patients.Results Overall,the mean age of participants was 72±11 years,and 74(49.7%)patients were females.A total of 59(39.6%)patients were diagnosed with PH-HFpEF by echocardiography.The left atrial diameter(LAD)was related to the ratio of the transmitral flow velocities/mitral annulus tissue velocities in early diastole(E/E’)and the left ventricular diameter in systole(LVDs).N-Terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)was not found to be associated with LAD and impaired diastolic or systolic function of the left ventricle.Multivariable logistic regression showed that atrial fibrillation(AF)increased the risk of PH-HFpEF incidence 3.46-fold with a 95%confidence interval(CI)of 1.44–8.32,P=0.005.Meanwhile,LAD≥45 mm resulted in a 3.43-fold increased risk,95%CI:1.51–7.75,P=0.003.However,the significance levels of NT-proBNP,age and LVEF were underpowered in the regression model.Two variables,AF and LAD≥45 mm,predicted the PH-HFpEF incidence(C-statistic=0.773,95%CI:0.695–0.852,P<0.001).Conclusions Two parameters associated with electrical and anatomical remodelling of the left atrium were related to the incidence of PH in HFpEF patients with CVD.

Risks of incident heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in Chinese patients hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases

Background Endogenous aldehyde damages DNA and potentiates an ageing phenotype. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2(ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism has a prevalence of 30%–50% in Asian populations. In this study, we aimed to analyze risk factors contributing to the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF) along with the genetic exposure in Chinese patients hospitalized with cardiovascular diseases(CVD). Methods From July 2017 to October 2018, a total of 770 consecutive Chinese patients with normal left ventricular ejection fractions(LVEF) and established CVD(hypertension, coronary heart diseases, or diabetes) were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. HFpEF was defined by the presence of at least one of symptom(dyspnoea and fatigue) or sign(rales and ankle swelling) related to heart failure;N-terminal pro-B-Type natriuretic peptide(NT pro-BNP ≥ 280 pg/mL);LVEF ≥ 50%;and at least one criterion related to elevated ventricular filling pressure or diastolic dysfunction(left atrial diameter > 40 mm, E/E’ ≥ 13, E’/A’ < 1 or concurrent atrial fibrillation). Logistic regression was performed to yield adjusted odds ratios(ORs) for HFp EF incidence associated with traditional and/or genetic exposures. Results Finally, among 770 patients with CVD, 92(11.9%) patients were classified into the HFpEF group according to the diagnostic criteria. The mean age of the participants was 67 ± 12 years, and 278(36.1%) patients were females. A total of 303(39.4%) patients were ALDH2*2 variant carriers. In the univariate analysis, eight exposures were found to be associated with HFpEF: atrial fibrillation, ALDH2*2 variants, hypertension, age, anaemia, smoking, alcohol consumption and sex. Multivariable logistic regression showed that 4 ‘A’ variables(atrial fibrillation, ALDH2*2 variants, age and anaemia) were significantly associated with an increased risk of HFpEF. Atrial fibrillation was associated with a 3.8-fold increased HFpEF risk(95% CI: 2.21–6.61, P < 0.001), and the other three exposures associated with increased HFpEF risk were the ALDH2*2 variant(OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.49–3.87, P < 0.001), age(OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.27–3.60, P = 0.004), and anaemia(OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.05–3.03, P = 0.032). These four variables predicted HFpEF incidence in Chinese CVD patients(C-statistic = 0.745, 95% CI: 0.691–0.800, P < 0.001). Conclusions 4 A traits(atrial fibrillation, ALDH2*2 variants, age and anaemia) were associated with an increased risk of HFpEF in Chinese CVD patients. Our results provide potential clues to the aetiology, pathophysiology and therapeutic targets of HFpEF.

Effects of compatibility of Scutellaria baicalensis stems and Polygonum cuspidatum on TRPV1 expression and inflammatory cytokines in rats with acute lung injury

Objective:The protective effect of Scutellaria baicalensis Stems and Polygonum Cuspidatum compatibility on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)in rats was studied by observing the expression of TRPV1 and inflammatory cytokines.Methods:48 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group,model group,dexamethasone group(5mg/kg)and Scutellaria baicalensis Stems-Polygonum Cuspidatum(3.5,7 and 14g/kg).The administration group was gavaged for 7 days,and the control group and model group were given the same amount of 0.9%sodium chloride.On the 8th day,except the control group,rats in other groups were injected with 8mg/kg LPS through caudal vein to induce Ali model.Take the rat lung tissue 6 hours after modeling,and calculate the wet/dry weight ratio(W/D)of the rat lung tissue;HE staining to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue;Determine the content of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(1L-1β)in alveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in serum;Detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPV1 receptor in rat lung tissue.Results:Compared with the model group,Scutellaria baicalensis Stems-Polygonum Cuspidatum can significantly reduce the damage of lung tissue structure and bleeding state,W/D value and TNF-α、IL-1βThe content of TRPV1 decreased,the level of SOD increased,and the mRNA and protein expression of TRPV1 receptor decreased.Conclusion:The combination of Scutellaria baicalensis Stems-Polygonum has a protective effect on acute lung injury in rats,and its mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expression of TRPV1 and inhibiting the levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin inflammatory cells.

Low Shear Stress Regulating Autophagy Mediated by the p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase and p53 Pathways in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

To the Editor：Autophagy is reported to play a critical role in low shear stress （LSS）-induced endothelial cell injury and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.[1] However,the corresponding mechanisms remain unclear.[2-8] This study was to investigate the changes and mechanism of LSS-induced autophagy in human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs）.HUVECs were treated with LSS of 5 dyn/cm2 for 0,5,15,30,and 60 min in a parallel plate flow chamber system.Light chain （LC） Ⅱ,LC3 Ⅰ,and p62,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） and their protein of phosphorylation of p38 （p-p38） were detected with Western blot analysis.The protein levels of p-p53 （ser15） and their distribution were detected by immunofluorescence （IF）.