Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Courtney Bisson, Sydney Dautel, Easha Patel, Sunitha Suresh, Patricia Dauer, Sarosh Rana
Summary: Preeclampsia is a disease that has wide-ranging effects on the body's organ systems, with consequences lasting beyond the immediate postpartum period. Current research aims to understand the pathophysiology of preeclampsia for accurate screening and treatment. Preeclampsia impacts maternal morbidity and mortality in the cardiovascular system and other organs, with effects persisting after pregnancy. This review discusses the current understanding of preeclampsia's pathophysiology and ways to improve overall outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anik Banerjee, Louise D. McCullough
Summary: Both biological sex and aging play important roles in the host immune response in ischemic stroke. Older women tend to have poorer functional outcomes compared to men, possibly due to their older age at first stroke and increased comorbidities. In addition, the immune response differs between men and women, potentially contributing to sex differences in poststroke recovery.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Eliza Honybun, Rebecca Thwaites, Charles B. Malpas, Genevieve Rayner, Alison Anderson, Janet Graham, Alison Hitchcock, Terence J. O'Brien, Frank J. E. Vajda, Piero Perucca
Summary: In this study, prenatal exposure to VPA was found to offset the usual male sex-related predominance in the incidence of ASD. Males exposed to other AEDs had higher ASD symptoms, while this typical sex dynamic was not evident in VPA-exposed children. No dose-response relationship was found between VPA exposure and ASD symptoms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jieun Kang, Sangwon Hwang, Tae Sic Lee, Jooyoung Cho, Dong Min Seo, Seong Jin Choi, Young Uh
Summary: This study reveals the relationship between serum creatinine level and adverse pregnancy outcomes, taking into account the pregnancy-related biological changes. The analysis shows that the gestational age-specific distribution of serum creatinine can be used to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Kristen Sullivan, Barbara S. Doumouras, Bernadet T. Santema, Mary Norine Walsh, Pamela S. Douglas, Adriaan A. Voors, Harriette G. C. Van Spall
Summary: Heart failure is a major cause of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality in Canada, with sex-specific differences playing a significant role in outcomes. Under-representation of female participants in HF randomized controlled trials is a major limitation in assessing the sex-specific efficacy of treatments. Further investigation is needed to address disparities in services and gaps in knowledge related to sex-specific differences in HF treatment response.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Julia Stehli, Sarah Zaman, Barbara E. Stahli
Summary: This review summarizes the sex-based differences in aortic valve stenosis, including pathophysiology, disease progression, clinical presentation, comorbidities, diagnostic assessment, treatment, and outcomes. Important topics of discussion include differences in aortic valve calcification, left ventricular response to pressure overload, referral to procedures, and outcomes following surgical or transcatheter procedures. Understanding these differences is crucial for providing optimal and personalized care for patients.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Alexa Desimone, James Hong, Sydney T. Brockie, Wenru Yu, Alex M. Laliberte, Michael G. Fehlings
Summary: This study investigates the role of ApoE4 in DCM, showing that ApoE4-positive DCM patients had significantly lower improvement after decompression surgery compared to their ApoE3 counterparts. This suggests a potential personalized medicine approach for ApoE4 carriers in the treatment of DCM.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ralph K. Akyea, Yana Vinogradova, Nadeem Qureshi, Riyaz S. Patel, Evangelos Kontopantelis, George Ntaios, Folkert W. Asselbergs, Joe Kai, Stephen F. Weng
Summary: The study found that in the UK, the incidence of initial stroke and subsequent major adverse outcomes is higher in women, older populations, and people living in socially deprived areas.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Simone Evers-Dorpfeld, Stefanie Aeschbacher, Elisa Hennings, Ceylan Eken, Michael Coslovsky, Nicolas Rodondi, Juerg H. Beer, Giorgio Moschovitis, Peter Ammann, Richard Kobza, Selinda Ceylan, Melina Krempke, Christine S. Meyer-Zurn, Elisavet Moutzouri, Anne Springer, Christian Sticherling, Leo H. Bonati, Stefan Osswald, Michael Kuehne, David Conen
Summary: In patients with established AF, women had a lower risk of death than men, but there were no sex-specific differences in other adverse outcomes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bernhard Wernly, Raphael Romano Bruno, Behrooz Mamandipoor, Christian Jung, Venet Osmani
Summary: The study compared critically ill septic male and female patients and found no clinically relevant differences in ICU mortality. Female patients had slightly lower biochemical indicators compared to males, but overall mortality and ICU length of stay were similar between the two sexes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Zoe R. Lincoln, Wesley T. Blumenburg, Brett L. Cross, Joseph D. Vondrasek, Joseph C. Watso, Andrew A. Flatt, Braxton Linder, Austin T. Robinson, Gregory J. Grosicki
Summary: This study found that there are sex differences in pain modulation of cardiovascular reactivity in young adults, and habituation blunts pain and cardiovascular reactivity during postexercise circulatory occlusion, irrespective of sex.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Harriette G. C. Van Spall, Ersilia M. DeFilippis, Shun Fu Lee, Urun Erbas Oz, Richard Perez, Jeff S. Healey, Larry A. Allen, Adriaan A. Voors, Dennis T. Ko, Lehana Thabane, Stuart J. Connolly
Summary: The transitional care model reduced all-cause emergency department visits among females but not males following hospitalization for heart failure.
CIRCULATION-HEART FAILURE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
R. D. Szepanowski, S. Haupeltshofer, S. E. Vonhof, B. Frank, C. Kleinschnitz, A. Casas
Summary: Despite efforts in translational research, ischemic stroke remains a major unmet medical need, causing significant burden to global healthcare systems. This study reviews the role of different immune cell types, such as neutrophils, macrophages, T and B cells, as mediators of the neuroinflammatory response after stroke. Additionally, the interaction between platelets and immune cells is highlighted for its relevance in microvascular dysfunction, neovascularization, and cellular adhesion. The study also provides an up-to-date overview of therapeutic approaches targeting thromboinflammation in various clinical trials.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Courtney J. Wright, Snezana Milosavljevic, Ana Pocivavsek
Summary: Sleep is essential for daily functioning and homeostatic balance, and sleep deprivation can have detrimental physiological consequences. However, the role of biological sex in the response to sleep loss is often overlooked, particularly in women and female rodents. Understanding sex differences in the stress response and other effects of sleep deprivation can greatly improve our ability to address the health consequences of insufficient sleep. This review explores the various ways in which sleep loss affects men and women differently, including the activation of stress pathways and other physiological changes.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebekka Vogtmann, Mian Bao, Monia Vanessa Dewan, Alina Riedel, Rainer Kimmig, Ursula Felderhoff-Mueser, Ivo Bendix, Torsten Ploesch, Alexandra Gellhaus
Summary: Fetal adaptations to harmful intrauterine environments due to pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia (PE) can negatively program the offspring's metabolism, resulting in long-term metabolic changes. In this study, researchers examined the consequences of sFLT1 overexpression in transgenic mice with PE/FGR on the offspring's metabolic phenotype. The results showed that sFLT1 overexpression led to growth-restricted fetuses with altered liver development and metabolic gene expression. The postnatal follow-up revealed increased weight gain and abnormal hormone levels in male PE offspring, suggesting adverse metabolic pre-programming specifically targeting males.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Lina Ya'Qoub, Islam Y. Elgendy, Carl J. Pepine
Summary: This article discusses the definition, epidemiology and risk factors, pathophysiology, management, and current knowledge gaps and ongoing clinical trials of patients with ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). Studies have shown that INOCA is associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiac events and significant burden on the health care system. The recent CorMicA trial showed that stratified medical therapy based on the type of INOCA improved patients' symptoms and quality of life.
CURRENT ATHEROSCLEROSIS REPORTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Carl J. Pepine, C. Noel Bairey Merz
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Steven M. M. Smith, Almut G. G. Winterstein, Matthew J. J. Gurka, Marta G. G. Walsh, Shailina Keshwani, Anne M. M. Libby, William R. R. Hogan, Carl J. J. Pepine, Rhonda M. M. Cooper-DeHoff
Summary: This study reveals significant variation in initial antihypertensive prescribing among new users, highlighting a gap between current guideline recommendations and real-world implementation in early hypertension care.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Judy M. Luu, Pankaj Malhotra, Galen Cook-Wiens, Carl J. Pepine, Eileen M. Handberg, Steven E. Reis, Nathaniel Reichek, Vera Bittner, Janet Wei, Sheryl F. Kelsey, Reddy Sailaja Marpuri, George Sopko, C. Noel Bairey Merz
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mario Gaudino, Stephen E. Fremes, Roxana Mehran, C. Noel Bairey Merz
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Paul Marano, Janet Wei, C. Noel Bairey Merz
Summary: This article reviews recent research progress related to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and its association with multiple cardiovascular disease processes. CMD is prevalent in patients with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease (INOCA), particularly in women. CMD is associated with adverse outcomes, including the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, in various patient populations. Stratified medical therapy based on invasive coronary function testing can improve symptoms in patients with INOCA.
CURRENT ATHEROSCLEROSIS REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Scott M. Vouri, Earl J. Morris, Marta Walsh, Jessica Agalliu, Alyssa Dempsey, Leonie Hochleitner, Matthew R. Muschett, Stephan Schmidt, Carl J. Pepine, Steven M. Smith
Summary: This study aimed to comprehensively assess prescribing cascades related to statin medications. The results identified potential prescribing cascades, including laxatives, analgesics, and cephalosporins. These findings are important for reducing the occurrence of prescribing cascades.
PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jing Li, Elaine M. Richards, Ramakumar Tummala, Carl J. Pepine, Mohan K. Raizada, Tao Yang
Summary: Hypertension is associated with gut dysbiosis and altered intestinal immunity. Using sorting techniques and gene sequencing, we found significant differences in IgA(+) and IgA(-) bacteria between hypertensive and normotensive rats. We also identified several IgA-coated bacteria that were negatively correlated with various pathways involved in immune response and epithelium development.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
David L. DeRemer, Nam K. Nguyen, Avirup Guha, Faraz S. Ahmad, Rhonda M. Cooper-DeHoff, Carl J. Pepine, Michael G. Fradley, Yan Gong
Summary: This study evaluated the differences in cardiac surveillance among different racial and ethnic groups among survivors of cancer after exposure to anthracycline-based treatment. The study found that African American and Hispanic patients had lower participation rates in cardiac surveillance. These results suggest that healthcare providers need to be aware of social inequities and take measures to ensure recommended cardiac surveillance after anthracycline therapy.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Teja Chakrala, Roshni Prakash, Carlos Valdes, Carl J. J. Pepine, Ellen C. C. Keeley
Summary: Coronary microvascular dysfunction is often unrecognized but has significant clinical implications. Circulating biomarkers can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and management of this condition, reflecting key pathological processes like inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, coagulation, and others.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sadiya S. Khan, Lucia C. Petito, Xiaoning Huang, Katharine Harrington, Rebecca B. McNeil, Natalie A. Bello, C. Noel Bairey Merz, Eliza C. Miller, Rupa Ravi, Christina Scifres, Janet M. Catov, Victoria L. Pemberton, Jasmina Varagic, Phyllis C. Zee, Lynn M. Yee, Mitali Ray, Jin Kyung Kim, Abbi D. Lane-Cordova, Jennifer Lewey, Lauren H. Theilen, George R. Saade, Philip Greenland, William A. Grobman
Summary: This study found a significant association between early pregnancy obesity and postpartum hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes risk. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were related to increased incidence of postpartum hypertension and hyperlipidemia. However, these adverse pregnancy outcomes only partially mediated the association between early pregnancy obesity and postpartum hypertension.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Robert F. Hamburger, Yasmeen Taha, Mohammed Ruzieh, James R. Clugston, Eileen M. Handberg, Fred Reifsteck, Matthew W. Martinez, Carl J. Pepine, Katherine M. Edenfield
Summary: This study investigated the effects of intense training on cardiac remodeling in American collegiate football players. The findings showed that training was associated with increases in chamber sizes, left atrial size, and aortic root diameter.
CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Grace Hsin-Min Wang, Earl Morris, Scott M. Vouri, Shailina Keshwani, Stephan Schmidt, Carl J. Pepine, Steven M. Smith
Summary: This study aims to identify modifiable statin characteristics associated with lower risk of prescribing cascades. The results show that compared to low-intensity statins, moderate- or high-intensity statins and the choice of individual statin agents are associated with increased risk of prescribing cascades.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yasmeen K. Taha, Jennifer R. Dungan, Michael T. Weaver, Ke Xu, Eileen M. Handberg, Carl J. Pepine, C. Noel Bairey Merz
Summary: Identifying ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women based on symptoms is challenging, as women are more likely to experience non-cardiac symptoms. More than 50% of women with suspected ischemia have no obstructive coronary disease, leading to impaired outcomes during follow-up. A study aimed to identify symptoms that can predict non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) in women with clinical evidence of coronary ischemia. The study found that age, left side chest pain, chest discomfort, neck pain, and palpitations had a positive relationship with INOCA, while impending doom and pain in the jaw, left or bilateral arm, and right hand were inversely related to INOCA. The best-fit model accurately predicted INOCA based on age and symptom presentation about 72% of the time.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)