Cardiovascular age of aviation personnel: based on the principal component analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability

Objective: To introduce a method to calculate cardiovascular age, a new, accurate and much simpler index for assessing cardiovascular autonomic regulatory function, based on statistical analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV and BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) data. Methods: Firstly, HRV and BPV of 89 healthy aviation personnel were analyzed by the conventional autoregressive (AR) spectral analysis and their spontaneous BRS was obtained by the sequence method. Secondly, principal component analysis was conducted over original and derived indices of HRV, BPV and BRS data and the relevant principal components, PCi orig and PCi deri (i=1, 2, 3,...) were obtained. Finally, the equation for calculating cardiovascular age was obtained by multiple regression with the chronological age being assigned as the dependent variable and the principal components significantly related to age as the regressors. Results: The first four principal components of original indices accounted for over 90% of total variance of the indices, so did the first three principal components of derived indices. So, these seven principal components could reflect the information of cardiovascular autonomic regulation which was embodied in the 17 indices of HRV, BPV and BRS exactly with a minimal loss of information. Of the seven principal components, PC2 orig , PC4 orig and PC2 deri were negatively correlated with the chronological age ( P <0 05), whereas the PC3 orig was positively correlated with the chronological age ( P <0 01). The cardiovascular age thus calculated from the regression equation was significantly correlated with the chronological age among the 89 aviation personnel ( r =0.73, P <0 01). Conclusion: The cardiovascular age calculated based on a multi variate analysis of HRV, BPV and BRS could be regarded as a comprehensive indicator reflecting the age dependency of autonomic regulation of cardiovascular system in healthy aviation personnel.

Mediating function of heart failure in the causal relationship between diastolic blood pressure and hypertensive renal disease with renal failure:a mediated Mendelian randomization study

Objective:To study the causality relationship between diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and hypertensive renal disease with renal failure(HRDRF)and the mediating role of hear t failure(HF)in the causality relationship by network Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods:Genome-wide analysis of DBP,HRDRF,and HF was downloaded from the public database(Genome-Wide Analysis Study[GWAS])and was used to analyze the results and to conduct mediated MR analysis.Results:Analysis showed that DBP was positively correlated with HRDRF(OR=1.0002,95%CI:1.0001–1.0003,P=1.8076e-05)and DBP was positively correlated with HF(OR=1.0295,95%CI:1.0221–1.0370,P=2.5292e-15).HF and HRDRF had a positive causal effect(OR=1.0001,95%CI:1.0000–1.0001,P=0.0152).Mediation analysis showed that the contribution ratio of HF to the combined effect of DBP and HRDRF was 24.69%.Conclusions:DBP can increase the risk of renal disease with renal failure,and HF may play an impor tant role in mediating this causal relationship.

Effects of Impaired Glucose Metabolism on Heart Rate Variability and Blood Pessure Variability in Essential Hpertensive Patients

To investigate the effects of impaired glucose metabolism （IGM） on cardiovascular autonomic nervous systems in essential hypertensive （EH） patients by comparing heart rate variability （HRV） and blood pressure variability （BPV） in EH patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）. Simultaneous 24-h recordings of ambulatory ECG and blood pressure monitoring were performed in 36 male old patients with simple EH and 33 male old patients with EH combined with T2DM. HRV analysis included time domain parameters such as SDNN, SDANN, SDNNi, rMSSD and pNN50, and total spectral power （TP） of HRV, which mainly consists of VLF, LF and HF component along with LF/HF ratio, was also obtained. The value of ambulatory blood pressure was represented as the mean blood pressure （mean systolic/mSBP, diastolic/mDBP and pulse pressure/mPP） during different periods （24 h/24 h, day time/d and night time/n）. Standard deviation （SD） as well as coefficient of variance （CV） of blood pressure during each above-mentioned period were obtained to reflect the long-term BPV. Our result showed that SDNN, SDNNi, SDANN, rMSSD, PNN50, TP and HF of HRV in cases of EH with T2DM were all significantly lower than those in simple EH subjects （P〈0.05）. No significant differences in VLF or LF was found between the two groups （P〉0.05）, while LF/HF ratio was significantly higher in EH with T2DM patients than in simple EH subjects （P〈0.01）. Moreover, dmSBP, 24 h-mPP and dmPP were all significantly higher in EH with T2DM patients than in simple EH subjects （P〈0.05）, while nmSBP, 24 h-mSBP, 24 h-mDBP, dmDBP, nmDBP or nmPP showed no significant difference between this two groups of patients （P〉0.05）. And dSBPSD, dSBPCV and 24 h-SBPSD were all significantly higher in EH with T2DM patients than in simple EH subjects （P〈0.05）, while the other BPV indexes showed no significant difference between this two groups （P〉0.05）. It is concluded that the cardiovascular autonomic nervous systems in EH patients was further impaired by T2DM, displaying lowering of HRV and enlargement of BPV, which in turn induced abnormal structural and functional changes of cardiovascular systems. Therefore, improving cardiovascular autonomic nervous systems might reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in the EH patients with IGM.

THE CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION OF ADRENOMEDULLIN AND ITS EFFECTS ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE IN RATS

The present study was designed to make certain whether there exists adrenomedullin (ADM) in the rat central nervous system and evaluated the hemodynamic actions of intracerebroventricular administration (ICVA) of human ADM[13-52]. By immunohistochemistry (ABC method),We found that there was a discrete localization of ADM-positive immunoreactivity in the rat central system including cerebral cortex,paraventricular tissues, hypothalamus, cerebella cortex, mesencephalon and medulla oblongata. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis, rat ADM mRNA was found to be expressed in rat brain. These above results of immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR suggest that ADM exists in the rat brain. We also found that centrally administered ADM[13-52]in a dose of 0.4 to 3. 2 nmol/kg provoked marked, prolonged and dosedependent increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR). To clarify the mechanisms of the hemodynamic changes induced by centrally administered ADM [13-52]. the effect of centrally administered ADM [13-52] on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was studied. The result showed that centrally administered ADM [13-52] ( 1. 6 nmol/kg) provoked a marked increase in RSNA .therefore .the increases in MABP and HR induced by centrally administered ADM [13-52]might be due to the stimulation of central sympathetic mechanism. In addtion,we also compared the relationship of activity and structure among the different fragments of ADM. In conclusion, ADMexists in the rat brain, and it may play an important role in the central control of cardiovascular system.

A Study into Blood Flow, Heart Rate Variability, and Body Surface Temperature While Listening to Music

In this study we examined the relaxing effects of listening to music on a total of 12 women aged from their 20s to their 40s by measuring their blood flow, heart rate variability, and their body surface temperature. As a result, We found that there was a tendency for the volume of blood flow to the fingertips to significantly increase when listening to classical music, but there was a variety of changes in blood flow between each age group for healing music and J-Pop music. When measuring heart rate it was found that the LF/HF value, which is an index for the autonomic nervous system which shows tension and stress, fell significantly when listening to each type of music. Lastly, there was a trend for body surface temperature to rise when listening to classical or healing music, a rise which was particularly significant when listening to healing music. This study shows that a relaxing effect can be expected for all indices when listening to classical music. However, for healing music and J-Pop, personal musical preferences seemed to have an effect and the results were varied.

Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements Using Photoplethysmography with Modified LRCN

In this study,single-channel photoplethysmography(PPG)signals were used to estimate the heart rate(HR),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),and systolic blood pressure(SBP).A deep learning model was proposed using a long-term recurrent convolutional network(LRCN)modified from a deep learning algorithm,the convolutional neural network model of the modified inception deep learning module,and a long short-term memory network(LSTM)to improve the model’s accuracy of BP and HR measurements.The PPG data of 1,551 patients were obtained from the University of California Irvine Machine Learning Repository.How to design a filter of PPG signals and how to choose the loss functions for deep learning model were also discussed in the study.Finally,the stability of the proposed model was tested using a 10-fold cross-validation,with an MAE±SD of 2.942±5.076 mmHg for SBP,1.747±3.042 mmHg for DBP,and 1.137±2.463 bpm for the HR.Compared with its existing counterparts,the model entailed less computational load and was more accurate in estimating SBP,DBP,and HR.These results established the validity of the model.

Determinants of Blood Pressure Variability in Individuals with Essential Hypertension: A Survey-Based Study

Background: Blood pressure variability (BPV) in hypertensive patients is implicated as a remarkable feature leading to additional cardiovascular complications. The aim of the study was to identify the determinants influencing BPV among patients with essential hypertension seen at the Cardiology department of the faculty of medicine, University of Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted from August 2019 to November 2019. All the eligible patients were made to fill out a standard questionnaire to obtain family and personal clinical history and undergo routine physical examination, laboratory tests and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. BPV was summarized as the standard deviation (SD) of all-day systolic and diastolic BP in both normal patients (with SD 11) and abnormal patients (with SD ≥ 11). Results: Out of a total of 114 patients, 18 (15.8%) non-hypertensive patients were included in the control group and the remaining 96 (84.3%) were classified based on the degree of hypertension. BPV in all these patients was found to be significantly related to the male gender, a mild or moderate degree of hypertension, high prevalence of non-dipping, diabetes, use of beta-blockers as antihypertensive medication, heart rate variability, BMI, and increased day-time variability. Conclusion: Variability in blood pressure influenced by different intrinsic and extrinsic factors plays an important role in the management of hypertension. In order to reduce the burden of disease and for a better quality of life for hypertensive patients, it is important that physicians start considering lowering BPV in addition to reducing physiological BP levels.

Blood pressure circadian rhythm and heart rate turbulence in hypertensive patients: relationship with left ventricular hypertrophy

Objective To investigate the relationship of blood pressure circadian rhythm with myocardial hypertrophy and the changes of autonomic nerve function in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Methods Eighty-two female patients with essential hypertension (EH) underwent 24-hours ambulatory blood pressure monitorings (ABPM), dynamic electrocardiogram (Holter) and echocardiography examination. Patients were classified into non-dipping group (n=40) and dipping group (n=42) according to the result of ABPM. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), heart rate variability (HRV) in time domain (including SDNN, SDANN, rMSSD, PNN50) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) parameters (including turbulence onset [TO] and turbulence slope [TS]) were measured. Results Compared with those in dipping group, patients in non-dipping group have higher incidence of LVH (19.0% vs 52.5%, P<0.01), greater mean LVMI (112.39±12.79 g/m2 vs 121.98±13.35 g/m2, P<0.01), decreased PNN50 and rMSSD. TS value was decreased while TO was increased in non-dipping group compared with those in dipping group (both P <0.01); patients with LVH showed decreased TS and increased TO, compared with those without LVH. Conclusion In female patients with EH, non-dipping blood pressure circadian is associated with higher incidence of LVH. The HRV and HRT were more remarkably blunted in non-dipping patients, as well as those with LVH.

Predictive Value of Blood Pressure,Heart Rate,and Blood Pressure/Heart Rate Ratio in a Chinese Subpopulation with Vasovagal Syncope

Objective:The head-up tilt test(HUTT)is widely used but is time-consuming and not cost-effective to evaluate patients with vasovagal syncope(VVS).The present study aims to verify the hypothesis that ambulatory blood pressure(BP)monitoring(ABPM)and the simplistic tilt test may be potential alternatives to the HUTT.Methods:The study consecutively enrolled 360 patients who underwent the HUTT to evaluate VVS.BP),heart rate(HR),and BP/HR ratios derived from ABPM and the simplistic tilt test were evaluated to predict the presence,pattern,and stage of syncope during the HUTT.Results:Mixed response was the commonest pattern,and syncope occurred frequently with infusion of isoproterenol at a rate of 3μg/min.During the simplistic tilt test,the cardioinhibitory group had higher tilted BP/HR ratios than the vasodepressor group,while the vasodepressor group had a faster tilted HR and a larger HR difference than the cardioinhibitory group.The higher the BP/HR ratio in the tilted position,the higher the isoproterenol dosage needed to induce a positive response.During ABPM,BP/HR ratios were signifi cantly higher in the cardioinhibitory group than in the vasodepressor group.The higher the ABPM-derived BP,the higher the dosage of isoproterenol needed to induce syncope.There were signifi cant correlations in BP/HR ratios between ABPM and the supine position in the vasodepressor group,while signifi cant correlation was found only for the diastolic BP/HR ratio between ABPM and the tilted position in the cardioinhibitory group.The mixed pattern shared correlative features of the other two patterns.Conclusion:ABPM and the simplistic tilt test might be used as promising alternatives to the HUTT in VVS evaluation in clinical settings.

Blood Pressure Variability and Its Relationship with Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients with Essential Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: To investigate blood pressure variability of Elder hypertensives with type 2 diabetes and its relationship with cognition. Methods: A total of 143 elderly hypertensives were enrolled and divided into diabetic group (59 cases) and non-diabetic group (84 cases). The difference of general clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters, carotid ultrasound, a neuropsychological Scales and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (24hABPM) parameters between the two groups of subjects were compared. Then, the two groups (diabetic group and non-diabetic group) were further divided into (Mild cognitive dysfunction) subgroup (MMSE>26) and normal cognition subgroup (MMSE≤26), respectively. On the basis of MMSE scores, the difference of the parameters of ABPM between the two subgroups was analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, 24hSBP, 24hPP, dSBP, dPP, nSBP, nPP, 24hSSD, dSSD, nSSD, 24hSCV, dSCV and nSCV were significantly higher in the diabetic group (p<0.05). However, cognition was lower in the diabetic group. No significant difference was found in the circadian pattern of blood pressure between the two groups. 24hSSD, dSSD, nSSD, 24hSCV, dSCV, nSCV were significantly higher in the MCI subgroup than normal cognition subgroup in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups(p<0.05), and they were negatively associated with scores of MMSE, the correlation coefficient were -0.235,-0.246,-0.341,-0.158,-0.222,-0.238 (0.001≤P<0.05). Conclusion: The study showed that in the elderly with hypertension, the mean systolic blood pressure and blood pressure variability were both higher in the diabetic group, and the cognition was lower instead. Whether or not with diabetes, blood pressure variability was always higher in the MCI subgroup. Blood pressure variability increased in patients with diabetes, and was associated with cognitive decline.

Empirical Studies of Effects of High Blood Pressure on Medical Costs and Heart Disease: Is the 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline Supported by Enough Evidence?

Background: The American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA) and other organizations announced a new hypertension guideline in November 2017. However, previous studies have pointed out that this new guideline might lack sufficient evidence to justify its use. Data and Methods: The effects of blood pressure (BP) on medical costs and on the probability of having heart disease as anamnesis are analyzed. We used a dataset containing 175,123 medical checkups and 6,312,125 receipts from 88,211 individuals obtained from three health insurance societies from April 2013 to March 2016. The dataset was divided into subgroups based on whether the patients had diabetes and took hypertension medications. The power transformation and probit models were used in the study. Results: We observed negative effects of systolic BP (SBP) on medical costs in most subgroups. We could not find evidence that higher SBP made the medical costs and probability of having heart diseases higher. The results raise uncertainty about the reliability of the new guideline, at least for SBP. Conclusion: The results of this study did not support the new 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, at least for SBP. The new guideline must be more carefully reevaluated by additional studies. Limitations: The dataset was observatory, the sample period was only 3 years, and we could not complete a time-series analysis of individuals.

Acu-TENS lowers blood lactate levels and enhances heart rate recovery after exercise

Objective:The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupuncture points(Acu-TENS)on postexercise blood lactate level.The secondary aim is to explore the effect of Acu-TENS on heart rate recovery and its association with autonomic nervous system.Methods:Twenty healthy subjects(mean age 26.9
1.3)acting as their own controls,were randomized to receive either Acu-TENS or Placebo-TENS as the first of two intervention protocols,implemented one week apart.During Acu-TENS,subjects received 45 min TENS bilaterally over the acupoints Neiguan(PC6).Subjects receiving Placebo-TENS had identical electrode placement but with no electrical output from the TENS unit despite an active output light.Interventions were followed by a 10-min ergometer exercise at 70%age-predicted maximal heart rate.Oxygen consumption and heart rate(HR)were recorded continuously throughout exercise.Blood lactate and blood pressure were taken at 4 time points:prior to,immediately after,at 15-min after exercise,and when HR had returned to baseline values.Results:The post-exercise blood lactate level in the Acu-TENS group was lower than that of the placebo group by 1.12
0.39 mmol/L(p Z 0.01).The Acu-TENS group also had a faster return of HR to pre-exercise level compared to placebo(9.98
4.54 min,p Z 0.047).Heart rate variability analysis inferred reduced sympathetic modulation during exercise after Acu-TENS.There was no between-group difference in post-exercise oxygen consumption.Conclusion:Acu-TENS lowered post-exercise blood lactate level and enhanced heart rate recovery after moderate exercise.The role of Acu-TENS in exercise performance and energy metabolism warrants further investigation.(ClinicalTrails.gov Identifier:NCT01102634)a 2014 Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).

Power Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability of Driver Fatigue

This investigation was to evaluate the driving fatigue based on power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) under vertical vibration. Forty healthy male subjects (29.7±3.5 years) were randomly divided into two groups, Group A (28.8±4.3 years) and Group B (30.6±2.7 years). Group A (experiment group) was required to perform the simulated driving and Group B (control group) kept calm for 90 min. The frequency domain indices of HRV such as low frequency (0.04 0.15 Hz, LF), high frequency (0.150.4 Hz, HF), LF/HF together with the indices of hemodynamics such as blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) of the subjects between both groups were calculated and analyzed after the simulated driving. There were significances of the former indices between both groups (P<0.05). All the data collected after experiment of Group A was observed the remarkable linear correlation (P<0.05) and parameters and errors of their linear regression equation were stated (α=0.05, P<0.001) in this paper, respectively. The present study investigated that sympathetic activity of the subjects enhanced after the simulated driving while parasympathetic activities decreased. The sympathovagal balance was also improved. As autonomic function indictors of HRV reflected fatigue level, quantitative evaluation of driving mental fatigue from physiological reaction could be possible.

An Analysis of the Effects of Blood Pressure and Antihypertensive Drugs on Heart Disease

Background: The American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA) and other organizations announced a new hypertension guideline (2017 ACA/AHA Guideline) in November 2017. However, other organizations such as the European Society of Cardiology and European Society of Hypertension maintained their diagnostic thresholds. It is necessary to evaluate the effects of blood pressure (BP) and antihypertensive drugs on the probability of having heart disease (HD). Data and Methods: The effects of BP, antihypertensive drugs and other factors on the probability of undergoing HD treatment were analyzed. We used a dataset containing 83,287 medical check-up and treatment records obtained from 35,504 individuals in 5 fiscal years. The probit models were used in the study. Considering the possibility of endogeneity problems, different types of models were used. Results: We could not find evidence that a higher systolic BP increased the probability of undergoing HD treatment. However, diastolic BP increased the probability in most of the models. Taking antihypertensive drugs also increased the probability of undergoing HD treatment. Diabetes was another important risk factor. Conclusion: The results of this study did not support the new 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline. It is necessary to choose proper drugs and methods to reduce the risks of side effects. Limitations: The dataset was observatory, the data were obtained from just one medical society, and sample selection bias might exist.

The Effect of Baroreflex Function on Blood Pressure Variability

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of blood pressure variability (BPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) to investigate the effect of baroreflex function on blood pressure variability. Methods: This study consisted of 111 subjects, including 32 normotensives and 79 hypertensives. All the subjects were given two concurrent tests: 24-hour Holter ECG and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. According to standard deviation of normal-to-normal sinus RR intervals (SDNN) derived from the Holter ECG, the hypertensives were divided into two groups: an HRV normal group with SDNN > 100 ms and an HRV abnormal group with

Psychological stress and long-term blood pressure variability of military young males:The cardiorespiratory fitness and hospitalization events in armed forces study

BACKGROUND Acute stress might increase short-term heart rate variability and blood pressure variability(BPV);however,chronic stress would not alter short-term BPV in animal models.AIM To examine the association of psychological stress with long-term BPV in young male humans.METHODS We prospectively examined the association of chronic psychological stress with long-term BPV in 1112 healthy military males,averaged 32.2 years from the cardiorespiratory fitness and hospitalization events in armed forces study in Taiwan.Psychological stress was quantitatively evaluated with the Brief Symptom Rating Scale(BSRS-5),from the least symptom of 0 to the most severe of 20,and the five components of anxiety,insomnia,depression,interpersonal sensitivity,and hostility(the severity score in each component from 0 to 4).Longterm BPV was assessed by standard deviation(SD)for systolic and diastolic blood pressure(SBP and DBP),and average real variability(ARV),defined as the average absolute difference between successive measurements of SBP or DBP,across four visits in the study period from 2012 to 2018(2012-14,2014-15,2015-16,and 2016-18).RESULTS The results of multivariable linear regressions showed that there were no correlations of the BSRS-5 score with SDSBP,SDDBP,ARVSBP,and ARVDBP after adjusting for all the covariates[β(SE):-0.022(0.024),-0.023(0.026),-0.001(0.018),and 0.001(0.020),respectively;P>0.05 for all].In addition,there were also no correlations between each component of the BSRS score and the long-term BPV indexes.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that chronic psychological stress might not be associated with long-term BPV in military young male humans.

High frequency heart rate variability evoked by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the medial prefrontal cortex: A preliminary investigation on brain processing of acute stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactivity

Introduction: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique for brain stimulation. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) over the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC), Broadman Area 10 (BA10) may stimulate transynaptically perigenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex (pACC, BA 33), insula, amigdala, hypothalamus and connected branches of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) involved in stressorevoked cardiovascular reactivity. Stressors are associated with an increase in sympathetic cardiac control, a decrease in parasympathetic control, or both, and, consequently, an increase in systolic/stroke volume, total vascular impedance/resistance and heart rate, a decrease of baroreflex sensitivity, i.e., an increase in blood pressure/arterial tension. Objectives and Aims: The present work aims, using TMS and accordingly to Gianaros modeling, based on functional neuroimaging studies and previous neuroanatomical data from animal models, to probe the connectivity of brain systems involved in stressor-evoked cardiovascular reactivity and to explore TMS potential as a tool for detection and stratification of individual differences concerning this reactivity and hemorreological risk factors correlated with the development of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Methods: Both subjects, a 52 years old male and a 40 years old female with previous increased Low Frequency (LF)/High Frequency (HF) Heart Rate Variability (HRV) ratios (respectively, 4.209/3.028) without decompensated cardiorespiratory symptoms, gave informed consent, and ethico-legal issues have been observed. Electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring has been performed for safety purposes. Immediately after administration, over the mPFC, of 15 pulses of rTMS, during 60 second, with an inductive electrical current, at the stimulating coil, of 85.9 Ampère per μsecond and 66 Ampère per μsecond, respectively, for male and female subjects (a “figure-of-eight” coil and magnetic stimulator MagLite, Dantec/Medtronic, have been used), HRV spectrum analysis (cStress software) has been performed (during 5 minutes, in supine position). Results: In both subjects, LF power, HF power and LF/HF ratio results, before and after rTMS administration, pointed towards sympathetic attenuation and parasympathetic augmentation (respectively, in male/female subject: decreased LF power—65.1 nu/69.3 nu, before rTMS;56.1 nu/41.6 nu, after rTMS;increased HF power—15.5 nu/22.9 nu, before rTMS;30.9 nu/45.5 nu, after rTMS). Conclusions: In this preliminary investigation, the existence of a link between “mind” and heart’s function has been put in evidence, through a reversible “virtual” lesion, of brain systems involved in cardiovascular control, caused by TMS. Repetitive TMS over mPFC decreased brain function involved in stressorevoked cardiovascular reactivity, suggesting the importance of TMS in the management of stress-related cardiovascular disorders.

Blood pressure and stature in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative persons

To evaluate vital signs and body indices in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive and negative persons. A total of 22 centres entered the study. They were spread over the whole country, corresponding well to the geographical distribution of the Czech population. A total of 1818 subjects (aged 5-98 years) took part in the study, randomly selected out of 38147 subjects. H. pylori infection was investigated by means of a 13C-urea breath test. Data on height, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were collected at the clinics of general practitioners. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 30.4% (402/1321) in adults (≥ 18 year-old) and 5.2% (26/497) in children and adolescents (≤ 17 year-old). Once adjusted for age and gender, only a difference in body mass index remained statistically significant with H. pylori positive adults showing an increase of 0.6 kg/m2 in body mass index. Once adjusted for age and gender, we found a difference in height between H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative children and adolescents. On further adjustment for place of residence, this difference became statistically significant, with H. pylori positive children and adolescents being on average 3.5 cm shorter. H. pylori positive adults were significantly older compared to H. pylori negative subjects. Once adjusted for age and gender, H. pylori infection had no impact on body weight, body mass index and vital signs either in adults or children and adolescents. Chronic H. pylori infection appeared to be associated with short stature in children. H. pylori infection did not influence blood pressure, body weight and body mass index either in adults or children and adolescents.

Impact of metabolism-related mutations on the heart rate of gastric cancer patients after peritoneal lavage

BACKGROUND During surgery for gastric cancer,peritoneal lavage using warm distilled water can cause temporary hemodynamic changes.AIM To examine the associations between changes in heart rate and single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs).METHODS This was a prospective observational study of patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy and peritoneal hypotonic lavage at the Third Afliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2018 to March 2019.Related SNPs were selected,and the verified exons were analyzed.Heart rate and blood pressure(BP)were measured before and after lavage.The patients were grouped as heart rate change≥30%vs<30%.Comparison and regression analyses of the selected SNPs were performed between the two groups.RESULTS According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria,194 patients were included in the analysis.Of these patients,138 were male,with a mean age of 65.9±0.8 years,and 56 were female,with a mean age of 65.0±1.3 years.Heart rate dropped by 0%-10%in 65 participants,by 10%-15%in 29,by 15%-20%in 23,by 20%-50%in 39,by 50%-100%in four,six had a cardiac arrest,and 28 had an increase in heart rate.Considering the possible impact of exonic SNPs on the phenotypes,TEP1(rs938886),TEP1(rs1713449),and RECQL5(rs820196)were analyzed.The haplotype analysis suggested that the haplotypes CTT[odds ratio(OR)=2.018,95%confidence interval(CI):1.012-4.025,P=0.0430]and GCC(OR=2.293,95%CI:1.174-4.477,P=0.0131)of TEP1(rs938886),TEP1(rs1713449),and RECQL5(rs820196)increased the risk of a drop in heart rate>30%.CONCLUSION The TEP1(rs938886),TEP1(rs1713449),and RECQL5(rs820196)SNPs were associated with changes in heart rate≥30%during intraperitoneal lavage using distilled water after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Efectsofmoxonidineinjectedintorostralventrolateralmedulaonbloodpressure,heartrate,andrenalsympatheticnerveactivityinrats

目的：观察延髓腹外侧头端（ＲＶＬＭ）注射莫索尼定（Ｍｏｘ）对麻醉大鼠血压（ＢＰ）、心率（ＨＲ）及肾交感神经放电（ＲＳＮＡ）的影响．方法：麻醉大鼠ＲＶＬＭ注射１μＬＭｏｘ１，１０，１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１，同步记录ＢＰ，ＨＲ及ＲＳＮＡ．结果：Ｍｏｘ１，１０，１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１分别使ＢＰ从１３９±１０ｋＰａ降至１３０±１７ｋＰａ（Ｐ＜００５），１３８±１８ｋＰａ至１１４±１５ｋＰａ（Ｐ＜００１），ａｎｄ１３９±１９ｋＰａ至９４±１７ｋＰａ（Ｐ＜００１）．Ｍｏｘ不影响ＨＲ．Ｍｏｘ１μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１增加ＲＳＮＡ５０％（Ｐ＜００５），１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１对ＲＳＮＡ无影响（Ｐ＞００５），１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１则降低ＲＳＮＡ２３％（Ｐ＜００５）．在缓冲神经切断大鼠，Ｍｏｘ１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１抑制ＲＳＮＡ５０％（Ｐ＜００５），明显不同于缓冲神经完整的动物（Ｐ＜００１）．结论：麻醉大鼠ＲＶＬＭ注射Ｍｏｘ可降低ＢＰ，但不影响ＨＲ。