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Background: There is little information regarding the prognostic role of resting heart rate (HR) in older compared with younger patients with chronic heart failure (HF)., Methods and Results: In patients enrolled in the Trial of Intensified Medical Therapy in Elderly Patients With Congestive Heart Failure (TIME-CHF) with sinus rhythm, effects of baseline HR (≥70 vs <70 beats/min [bpm]) on 18-month outcomes were compared between older (≥75 years; n = 186) and younger (<75 years; n = 141) patients. Older patients with lower (61 ± 6 bpm) and higher (83 ± 9 bpm) HR had similar left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and survival and HF hospitalization-free survival. In contrast, younger patients with higher HR (81 ± 7 bpm) had higher NT-proBNP and NYHA functional class, lower LVEF, and a higher risk of death (hazard ratio 4.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17 -13.69]; P = .02) and death or HF hospitalization (hazard ratio 2.35 [95% CI 1.01-5.50]; P = .04) than those with lower HR (62 ± 5 bpm), with the association between higher HR and survival remaining significant after adjustment for NYHA functional class, LVEF, and NT-proBNP., Conclusions: In contrast to HF patients aged <75 years, we found no association between HR and worse outcomes in HF patients aged ≥75 years., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Amyloid β aggregation is an important factor in Alzheimer's disease. Since calcium homeostasis plays an important role in amyloid β aggregation, it is crucial to study the interaction between calcium ions and amyloid β directly at the surface of the lipid membrane. With supercritical angle techniques, the signal of interest at the surface is easily separated from the bulk solution, making them a powerful tool for aggregation study. In this work, the influence of calcium ions on amyloid β aggregation over different aggregation time periods is investigated with supercritical angle Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. Note that calcium ions have a larger influence on amyloid β1–42 than on the 40 amino acid variant. We found that a small layer of calcium ions significantly protects the lipid membrane against the protein insertion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel biomaterials are becoming more crucial in treating human diseases. However, many materials require complex artificial modifications and synthesis, leading to potential difficulties in preparation, side effects, and clinical translation. Recently, significant progress has been achieved in terms of direct self‐assembly of natural products from herbal medicine (NPHM), an important source for novel medications, resulting in a wide range of bioactive supramolecular materials including gels, and nanoparticles. The NPHM‐based supramolecular bioactive materials are produced from renewable resources, are simple to prepare, and have demonstrated multi‐functionality including slow‐release, smart‐responsive release, and especially possess powerful biological effects to treat various diseases. In this review, NPHM‐based supramolecular bioactive materials have been revealed as an emerging, revolutionary, and promising strategy. The development, advantages, and limitations of NPHM, as well as the advantageous position of NPHM‐based materials, are first reviewed. Subsequently, a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the self‐assembly strategies specific to seven major classes of NPHM is highlighted. Insights into the influence of NPHM structural features on the formation of supramolecular materials are also provided. Finally, the drivers and preparations are summarized, emphasizing the biomedical applications, future scientific challenges, and opportunities, with the hope of igniting inspiration for future research and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Inflammation is part of the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure (CHF). However, little is known about the impact of the presence of systemic inflammatory disease (SID), defined as inflammatory syndrome with constitutional symptoms and involvement of at least two organs as co-morbidity on the clinical course and prognosis of patients with CHF., Methods and Results: This is an analysis of all 622 patients included in TIME-CHF. After an 18 months follow-up, outcomes of patients with and without SID were compared. Primary endpoint was all-cause hospitalization free survival. Secondary endpoints were overall survival and CHF hospitalization free survival. At baseline, 38 patients had history of SID (6.1%). These patients had higher N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide and worse renal function than patients without SID. SID was a risk factor for adverse outcome [primary endpoint: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.18-2.55, P = 0.005); survival: HR = 2.60 (1.49-4.55, P = 0.001); CHF hospitalization free survival: HR = 2.3 (1.45-3.65, P < 0.001)]. In multivariate models, SID remained the strongest independent risk factor for survival and CHF hospitalization free survival., Conclusion: In elderly patients with CHF, SID is independently accompanied with adverse outcome. Given the increasing prevalence of SID in the elderly population, these findings are clinically important for both risk stratification and patient management.

Aims: Diabetic cardiomyopathy, characterized by left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and LV hypertrophy independent of myocardial ischaemia and hypertension, could contribute to the increased life-time risk of congestive heart failure seen in patients with diabetes. We assessed prospectively the prevalence, effectiveness of screening methods [brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein in combination with clinical parameters], and outcome of pre-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy., Methods and Results: We studied 100 adults (mean age 57.4 +/- 10.2 years, 44% females) with diabetes and no previous evidence of structural heart disease. By echocardiography, diabetic cardiomyopathy was present in 48% of patients. Screening with combinations of clinical parameters (gender, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index), but not BNP, resulted in high negative predictive values for diabetic cardiomyopathy. During a mean follow-up of 48.5 +/- 9.0 months, in the groups with and without diabetic cardiomyopathy, 12.5 vs. 3.9% (P < 0.2) patients died or experienced cardiovascular events and 37.5 vs. 9.6% (P < 0.002) had a deterioration in NYHA functional class. Overall event-free survival was 54 vs. 87% (P = 0.001) in the groups with and without diabetic cardiomyopathy, respectively. Brain natriuretic peptide was an independent predictor of events [odds ratio 3.5 (1.1-10.9), P = 0.02]., Conclusion: Pre-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy is common. Screening with combinations of simple clinical parameters, but not BNP, can be useful to identify those patients needing further evaluation. Patients with pre-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy are at increased risk for functional deterioration and possibly cardiovascular events during follow-up. Brain natriuretic peptide was shown to be an independent predictor of future events.

Background: Contemporary heart failure (HF) patients are elderly and have a high rate of early rehospitalization or death, resulting in a high burden for both the patients and the health care system. Prior studies were focused on younger and less well-characterized patients. We aimed to identify predictors of early hospital readmission and death in elderly patients with HF., Methods: Patients with chronic HF taking part in the TIME-CHF study (n = 614, age 77 +/- 8 years, 41% female, left ventricular ejection fraction 35% +/- 13%) were evaluated with respect to predictors of hospital readmission or death 30 and 90 days after inclusion. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and social variables were obtained at baseline and included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of early events., Results: The rate of hospital readmission or death was high at 30 (11%) and 90 days (26%). The reason for hospitalization was HF in 33%, other cardiovascular in 32%, and noncardiovascular in 45% of the cases, respectively. Predictors of readmission or death at 30 days were angina, lower systolic blood pressure, anemia, more extensive edema, higher creatinine levels, and dry cough; and at 90 days were coronary artery disease, prior pacemaker implantation, high jugular venous pressure, pulmonary rales, prior abdominal surgery, older age, and depressive symptoms., Conclusions: Early hospital readmission or death was frequent among elderly HF patients. A very large proportion of readmissions were due to noncardiovascular causes. In addition to clinical signs of HF, comorbidities are important predictors of early events in elderly HF patients., (Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Persons with diabetes are at risk for developing a cardiomyopathy through several pathophysiological mechanisms independent of traditional risk factors for heart failure. Among those with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DbCM), the relationship between natriuretic peptides, cardiac structural abnormalities and functional capacity is largely unknown. Methods: In this prespecified subgroup analysis of the Aldose Reductase Inhibition for Stabilization of Exercise Capacity in Heart Failure (ARISE-HF) trial, 685 participants with asymptomatic DbCM underwent baseline echocardiography data, laboratory investigations, and functional assessments. Participants were stratified by N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) quartiles, and correlation with echocardiographic and functional parameters were assessed using Spearman correlation test. Results: The median NT-proBNP was 71 (Q1, Q3: 33, 135) ng/L. No association was observed between NT-proBNP concentrations and echocardiographic parameters of either diastolic or systolic dysfunction including global longitudinal strain, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index, left atrial volume index, E/E', or right ventricular systolic pressure. In contrast, NT-proBNP was significantly correlated with overall Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score (rho = − 0.10; p = 0.007), the Physical Activity Scale in the Elderly (rho = − 0.12; p = 0.004), duration of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (rho = − 0.28; p < 0.001), peak VO2 (rho = − 0.26; p < 0.001), and ratio of minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (rho = 0.12; p = 0.002). After adjustment for known confounders, the correlation with Physical Activity Scale in the Elderly and overall Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score was no longer significant. Conclusion: Among patients with subclinical DbCM, elevated NT-proBNP concentrations are associated with worse health status, lower activity levels, and reduced functional capacity, but not with cardiac structural abnormalities. These findings suggest that regardless of cardiac structural abnormalities, biomarker concentrations reflect important deterioration in functional capacity in affected individuals. Trial registration: ARISE-HF, NCT 04083339 Date Registered August 23, 2019. Abnormal ECHO defined as Myocardial Global Longitudinal Strain < − 16 or left ventricular mass index > 95 for females or > 115 for males or E/e' >13 or left atrial volume index > 34. †Normal ECHO is defined as the absence of these abnormalities. Low NT-proBNP is defined as < 71 ng/L while high NT-proBNP is defined as ≥ 71 ng/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background and Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality both in the general population and heart failure patients. Inflammation may promote the initiation, maintenance and perpetuation of AF, but the impact of inflammatory molecular signaling on the association between AF and heart failure remains elusive. (2) Materials and Methods: In 111 patients with chronic stable heart failure, baseline values of conventional (IL-6 and hsCRP) and selected novel inflammatory biomarkers (IL-10, IL-6/IL-10 ratio, orosomucoid and endocan) were determined. Inflammatory biomarkers were compared with respect to the presenting cardiac rhythm. (3) Results: Patients aged below 75 years with AF had significantly higher values of IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio; IL-6 levels were a significant predictor of AF in both univariate (OR 1.175; 95%CI 1.013–1.363; p = 0.034) and multivariate logistic regression analysis when accounting for other inflammatory biomarkers (OR 1.327; 95% CI 1.068–1.650; p = 0.011). Conversely, there was no association between other novel inflammatory biomarkers and AF. (4) Conclusions: IL-6 levels and the IL-6/IL-10 ratio are associated with AF in patients with chronic stable heart failure under the age of 75 years, suggesting that inflammatory molecular signaling may play a role in the development of AF in the heart failure population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The area of drug delivery systems has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, with a particular focus on improving efficacy, stability, and patient compliance. Transdermal drug delivery offers numerous benefits compared to conventional methods of drug administration through the skin. It helps in avoiding gastric irritation, hepatic first-pass metabolism, and gastric degradation of the drug. It bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, eliminating the risk of first-pass metabolism and allowing drugs to be administered without being affected by pH, enzymes, or intestinal bacteria. Additionally, it allows for sustained release of the drug, is noninvasive, and enhances patient adherence to the treatment regimen. The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) can serve as an alternative route for drug administration in individuals who cannot tolerate oral medications, experience nausea, or are unconscious. When compared to intravenous, hypodermic, and other parenteral routes, TDDS stands out due to its ability to eliminate pain, reduce the risk of infection, and prevent disease transmission associated with needle reuse. Consequently, the overall patient compliance is significantly improved with the utilization of TDDS. Among the noteworthy developments are cubosomes and ethosomes, two distinct yet promising carriers that have garnered attention for their unique properties. In conclusion, this review synthesizes the current knowledge on cubosomes and ethosomes, shedding light on their individual strengths and potential synergies. The exploration of their application in various therapeutic areas underscores their versatility and establishes them as key players in the evolving landscape of drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) caused by structural or functional cardiac abnormalities is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While HF with reduced ejection fraction (HErEF) is well understood, more than half of patients have HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Currently, the treatment for HFpEF primarily focuses on symptom alleviation, lacking specific drugs. The stressed heart undergoes metabolic switches in substrate preference, which is a compensatory process involved in cardiac pathological remodeling. Although metabolic reprogramming in HF has gained attention in recent years, its role in HFpEF still requires further elucidation. In this review, we present a summary of cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac metabolic reprogramming in HFpEF. Additionally, we emphasize potential therapeutic approaches that target metabolic reprogramming for the treatment of HFpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microvascular integrity is a critical factor in myocardial fluid homeostasis. The subtle equilibrium between capillary filtration and lymphatic fluid removal is disturbed during pathological processes leading to inflammation, but also in hypoxia or due to alterations in vascular perfusion and coagulability. The degradation of the glycocalyx as the main component of the endothelial filtration barrier as well as pericyte disintegration results in the accumulation of interstitial and intracellular water. Moreover, lymphatic dysfunction evokes an increase in metabolic waste products, cytokines and inflammatory cells in the interstitial space contributing to myocardial oedema formation. This leads to myocardial stiffness and impaired contractility, eventually resulting in cardiomyocyte apoptosis, myocardial remodelling and fibrosis. The following article reviews pathophysiological inflammatory processes leading to myocardial oedema including myocarditis, ischaemia-reperfusion injury and viral infections with a special focus on the pathomechanisms evoked by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In addition, clinical implications including potential long-term effects due to viral persistence (long COVID), as well as treatment options, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. It is often associated with clinical manifestations such as arrhythmias and heart failure, and significantly reduces the quality of life and years of survival of patients. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is the removal of unfolded and misfolded proteins and is an important mechanism for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. ERS plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DCM by causing cardiomyocyte apoptosis, insulin resistance, calcium imbalance, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Targeting ERS is a new direction in the treatment of DCM. A large number of studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicine and active ingredients can significantly improve the clinical outcome of DCM patients through intervention in ERS and effects on myocardial structure and function, which has become one of the hot research directions. Purpose: The aim of this review is to elucidate and summarize the roles and mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine and active ingredients that have the potential to modulate endoplasmic reticulum stress, thereby contributing to better management of DCM. Methods: Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Internet, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform were used to search, analyze, and collect literature, in order to review the mechanisms by which phytochemicals inhibit the progression of DCM by targeting the ERS and its key signaling pathways. Keywords used included "diabetic cardiomyopathy" and "endoplasmic reticulum stress". Results: This review found that Chinese herbs and their active ingredients can regulate ERS through IRE1, ATF6, and PERK pathways to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis, ameliorate myocardial fibrosis, and attenuate myocardial hypertrophy for the treatment of DCM. Conclusion: A comprehensive source of information on potential ERS inhibitors is provided in this review. The analysis of the literature suggests that Chinese herbal medicine and its active ingredients can be used as potential drug candidates for the treatment of DCM. In short, we cannot ignore the role of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating ERS and treating DCM, and look forward to more research and new drugs to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An association between high Galectin-4 (Gal-4) and prevalence of diabetes in subjects with heart failure (HF) has previously been reported. The purpose of this study was to confirm these findings, as well as to further investigate this association, in a Swedish HF population. In addition, a second aim was to explore Gal-4's association with obesity and biomarkers of metabolism and heart failure. Gal-4 was measured using a proximity extension array technique in 324 hospitalized HF patients within the Swedish HeArt and bRain failure investigation trial cohort. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore associations between Gal-4 and diabetes/obesity, and linear regression models were used to explore the associations between Gal-4 and biomarkers. A total of 309 participants (29.1% female; mean age 74.8 years) provided complete data for the analysis of associations between Gal-4 and diabetes. Additionally, for the analysis of heart failure phenotype, complete data was available for 230 subjects. Gal-4 was positively associated with prevalent diabetes (OR 2.60; CI 95% 1.56–4.32). In multivariable models, Gal-4 levels were significantly associated with obesity, but only for subjects with diabetes (OR 2.48; 1.09–5.62). Additionally, Gal-4 demonstrated a significant association with the incretin Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), as well as with biomarkers of HF. In the stratified analyses, the association between Gal-4 and diabetes was prominent in patients with reduced ejection fraction (n = 160, OR 3.26; 95%CI 1.88–5.66), while it was not observed in those without (n = 70, 1.96 (0.75–5.10)). In this cross-sectional, observational study, higher Gal-4 levels in HF patients were associated with higher GIP levels. Further, increased levels of Gal-4 were associated with increased likelihood of diabetes, and obesity. This association was particularly pronounced in individuals with HF characterized by reduced ejection fraction. Additionally, Gal-4 levels were significantly elevated in heart failure patients with diabetes and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small‐Angle Scattering (SAS) techniques are essential tools for the characterization of catalysts before, during and after catalytic reactions. Either based on X‐Rays (SAXS) or neutrons (SANS), they provide unique structural information that helps to understand catalytic processes at the nanoscale level, allowing a rational improvement of the catalysts design. In this review, we present the key aspects involved in the use of these techniques in the catalysis field. Firstly, we introduce some of the fundamentals of the techniques and describe their main features and their impact in the catalyst design. Then, we analyze key examples of the use of SAS to study catalysts' structure through ex situ analysis, focusing on examples involving different porous materials and metallic nanoparticles. Afterwards, we discuss in situ and operando approaches for studying catalytical processes monitored using SAS. Finally, we present perspectives and challenges for the future use of SAS in the catalysis field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Impaired left ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) has been shown to correlate with worse prognosis in cardiac diseases and heart failure (HF). The extent of the relationship between VAC and circulating biomarkers associated with HF has been scarcely documented. We aimed to explore associations of VAC with proteins involved in HF pathophysiology within a large population-based cohort of middle-aged individuals., Methods and Results: In the forth visit of the STANISLAS family cohort, involving 1309 participants (mean age 48 ± 14 years; 48% male) from parent and children generations, we analysed the association of 32 HF-related proteins with non-invasively assessed VAC using pulse wave velocity (PWV)/global longitudinal strain (GLS) and arterial elastance (E a )/ventricular end-systolic elastance (E es ). Among the 32 tested proteins, fatty acid-binding protein adipocyte 4, interleukin-6, growth differentiation factor 15, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and MMP-9 and adrenomedullin were positively associated with PWV/GLS whereas transforming growth factor beta receptor type 3, MMP-2 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were negatively associated. In multivariable models, only MMP-2 and NT-proBNP were significantly and inversely associated with PWV/GLS in the whole population and in the parent generation. Higher levels of NT-proBNP were also negatively associated with E a /E es in the whole cohort but this association did not persist in the parent subgroup., Conclusion: Elevated MMP-2 and NT-proBNP levels correlate with better VAC (lower PWV/GLS), possibly indicating a compensatory cardiovascular response to regulate left ventricular pressure amidst cardiac remodelling and overload., (© 2024 The Author(s). European Journal of Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a pivotal role in diverse renewable energy storage and conversion technologies, including water electrolysis, electrochemical CO 2 reduction, nitrogen fixation, and metal-air batteries. Among various water electrolysis techniques, proton exchange membrane (PEM)-based water electrolysis devices offer numerous advantages, including high current densities, exceptional chemical stability, excellent proton conductivity, and high-purity H 2 . Nevertheless, the prohibitive cost associated with Ir/Ru-based OER electrocatalysts poses a significant barrier to the broad-scale application of PEM-based water splitting. Consequently, it is crucial to advance the development of non-noble metal OER catalysis substance with high acid-activity and stability, thereby fostering their widespread integration into PEM water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). In this review, a comprehensive analysis of the acidic OER mechanism, encompassing the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM), lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) and oxide path mechanism (OPM) is offered. Subsequently, a systematic summary of recently reported noble-metal-free catalysts including transition metal-based, carbon-based and other types of catalysts is provided. Additionally, a comprehensive compilation of in situ/operando characterization techniques is provided, serving as invaluable tools for furnishing experimental evidence to comprehend the catalytic mechanism. Finally, the present challenges and future research directions concerning precious-metal-free acidic OER are comprehensively summarized and discussed in this review., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Purpose of Review: People with HIV have an elevated risk of developing heart failure even with optimally controlled disease. In this review, we outline the various mechanisms through which HIV infection may directly and indirectly contribute to heart failure pathology and highlight the emerging relationship between HIV, chronic inflammation, and cardiometabolic disease., Recent Findings: HIV infection leads to chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and metabolic imbalances even in those with well controlled disease. These dysregulations occur through several diverse mechanisms which may lead to manifestations of different phenotypes of heart failure in people with HIV. While it has long been known that people with HIV are at risk of developing heart failure, recent studies have suggested numerous complex mechanisms involving chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and metabolic derangement through which this may be mediated. Further comprehensive studies are needed to elucidate the precise relationship between these mechanisms and the development of different subtypes of heart failure in people with HIV., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Heart failure (HF) is a heterogeneous condition that can be categorized according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) into HF with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) EF. Although HFrEF and HFpEF share some common clinical manifestations, the mechanisms underlying each phenotype are often found to be distinct. Identifying shared and divergent pathophysiological features might expand our insights on HF pathophysiology and assist the search for therapies for each HF subtype. In this study, we evaluated and contrasted two new murine models of non-ischaemic HFrEF and cardiometabolic HFpEF in terms of myocardial structure, left ventricular function, gene expression, cardiomyocyte calcium handling, mitochondrial polarization and protein acetylation in a head-to-head fashion. We found that in conditions of similar haemodynamic stress, the HFrEF myocardium underwent a more pronounced hypertrophic and fibrotic remodelling, whereas inflammation was greater in the HFpEF myocardium. We observed opposing features on calcium release, which was diminished in the HFrEF cardiomyocyte but enhanced in the HFpEF cardiomyocyte. Mitochondria were less polarized in both HFrEF and HFpEF cardiomyocytes, reflecting similarly impaired metabolic capacity. Hyperacetylation of cardiac proteins was observed in both models, but it was more accentuated in the HFpEF heart. Despite shared features, unique triggering mechanisms (neurohormonal overactivation in HFrEF vs. inflammation in HFpEF) appear to determine the distinct phenotypes of HF. The findings of the present research stress the need for further exploration of the differential mechanisms underlying each HF subtype, because they might require specific therapeutic interventions. KEY POINTS: The mechanisms underlying heart failure with either reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction are often found to be different. Previous studies comparing pathophysiological traits between HFrEF and HFpEF have been conducted on animals of different ages and strains. The present research contrasted two age-matched mouse models of non-ischaemic HFrEF and cardiometabolic HFpEF to uncover divergent and shared features. We found that upon similar haemodynamic stress, the HFrEF heart experienced a more pronounced hypertrophic and fibrotic remodelling, whereas inflammation appeared to be greater in the HFpEF myocardium. Calcium release was diminished in the HFrEF cardiomyocyte and enhanced in the HFpEF cardiomyocyte. Mitochondria were comparably less polarized in both HFrEF and HFpEF myocytes. Hyperacetylation of proteins was common to both models, but stronger in the HFpEF heart. Casting light on common and distinguishing features might ease the quest for phenotype-specific therapies for heart failure patients., (© 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2024 The Physiological Society.)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbimortality in Europe and worldwide. CVD imposes a heterogeneous spectrum of cardiac remodelling, depending on the insult nature, that is, pressure or volume overload, ischaemia, arrhythmias, infection, pathogenic gene variant, or cardiotoxicity. Moreover, the progression of CVD-induced remodelling is influenced by sex, age, genetic background and comorbidities, impacting patients' outcomes and prognosis. Cardiac reverse remodelling (RR) is defined as any normative improvement in cardiac geometry and function, driven by therapeutic interventions and rarely occurring spontaneously. While RR is the outcome desired for most CVD treatments, they often only slow/halt its progression or modify risk factors, calling for novel and more timely RR approaches. Interventions triggering RR depend on the myocardial insult and include drugs (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors), devices (cardiac resynchronization therapy, ventricular assist devices), surgeries (valve replacement, coronary artery bypass graft), or physiological responses (deconditioning, postpartum). Subsequently, cardiac RR is inferred from the degree of normalization of left ventricular mass, ejection fraction and end-diastolic/end-systolic volumes, whose extent often correlates with patients' prognosis. However, strategies aimed at achieving sustained cardiac improvement, predictive models assessing the extent of RR, or even clinical endpoints that allow for distinguishing complete from incomplete RR or adverse remodelling objectively, remain limited and controversial. This scientific statement aims to define RR, clarify its underlying (patho)physiologic mechanisms and address (non)pharmacological options and promising strategies to promote RR, focusing on the left heart. We highlight the predictors of the extent of RR and review the prognostic significance/impact of incomplete RR/adverse remodelling. Lastly, we present an overview of RR animal models and potential future strategies under pre-clinical evaluation., (© 2024 European Society of Cardiology.)

Repeated programmability has emerged as a desired property in smart device engineering, but the programmability will fatigue upon repeated applications due to the unmatched mechanical property between the layer materials and the polymeric glue that is required to integrate the two individual oriented layers. It is reported here that glue-free antifatigue programmable laminate materials can be made with films resulted from solid-phase molecular self-assembly (SPMSA). The SPMSA films are created by squeezing the precipitates of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and DTAB with a noodle machine, where the hydrophobic DTAB molecules self-assembled into wormlike micelles and oriented along the squeezing direction. The surface molecules in this film are endowed with sufficient mobility in the presence of hydration water, so that two such films are able to be pressed into a laminate material owing to the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between the molecules on the two adjacent surfaces. As the water evaporated gradually, the left laminate materials are glue-free with the same composition. When many of such films are integrated with specific designs, complicated shape programming is able to be achieved, and the programmability is reversible without fatigue. The current strategy is envisioned as a potent intriguing pathway leading to advanced programable materials., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Confronted with the pressing issue of energy scarcity, the development of an economical and potent bifunctional catalyst is of paramount importance. We adopt an interface engineering strategy to modify the surface of NiFe-LDH nanoplates with O 2 plasma treatment. This process enhances the local electric field of NiFe-LDH, resulting in the formation of a self-assembled polycrystalline nanowire array on the nanoplate surface. After O 2 plasma treatment for 30 min, the NiFe-LDH-P30 not only formed a heterostructure with rough surface, but also regulated the exposure of crystal surfaces. Due to the strong interface coupling between the self-assembled 3D nanoflowers, 2D nanoplates and 1D nanowires, the NiFe-LDH-P30 exhibits an excellent structural stability. Moreover, it demonstrated exceptional HER and OER activities in alkaline condition, achieving a low overpotentials of 154 mV and 242 mV at 10 mA cm -2 , respectively. Furthermore, NiFe-LDH-P30 as the dual-electrode material for the cathode and anode in the process of water splitting results in a low voltage of 1.63 V at a current density of 10 mA cm -2 . Through the strategic application of interface engineering, this work has pioneered a novel approach to the creation of transition metal-based electrocatalysts, which is benefit to a range of practical energy applications., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Solar fuel production by photosynthetic systems strongly relies on developing efficient and stable oxygen-evolution catalysts (OECs). Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) has been the most commonly used sacrificial oxidant to investigate OECs. Although many metal oxides have been extensively investigated as OECs in the presence of CAN, mechanistic studies were rarely reported. Herein, first, Fe(III) (hydr)oxide (FeOxHy) was prepared by the reaction of Fe(ClO4)3 and KOH solution and characterized by some methods. Then, changes in Fe oxide in the presence of CAN during the OER were tracked using in situ Raman spectroscopy, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, in situ visible spectroscopy, and in situ electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. FeOxHy in the presence of CAN and during the OER converted to γ-Fe2O3 and [Fe(H2O)6]3+, and a small amount of oxygen was formed. A maximum turnover frequency and turnover number of 10−6 s−1 and 1.3 × 10−3 mol(O2)/mol(Fe) (for half an hour) in the presence of CAN (0.20 M) and FeOxHy were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) now accounts for the majority of new heart failure diagnoses and continues to increase in prevalence in the United States. Importantly, HFpEF is a highly morbid, heterogeneous syndrome lacking effective therapies. Inflammation has emerged as a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of HFpEF. Many of the risk factors for HFpEF are also associated with chronic inflammation, such as obesity, hypertension, aging, and renal dysfunction. A large amount of preclinical evidence suggests that immune cells and their associated cytokines play important roles in mediating fibrosis, oxidative stress, metabolic derangements, and endothelial dysfunction, all potentially important processes in HFpEF. How inflammation contributes to HFpEF pathogenesis, however, remains poorly understood. Recently, a variety of preclinical models have emerged which may yield much needed insights into the causal relationships between risk factors and the development of HFpEF, including the role of specific immune cell subsets or inflammatory pathways. Here, we review evidence in animal models and humans implicating inflammation as a mediator of HFpEF and identify gaps in knowledge requiring further study. As the understanding between inflammation and HFpEF evolves, it is hoped that a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying immune cell activation in HFpEF can open up new therapeutic avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]