ObjectiveDespite of the tentative role of asbestos in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their lung function variation in relation to air pollution remains unexplored. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the effects of air pollution on severe airway obstruction (SAO) in asbestos-related COPD.MethodsCOPD subjects were retrospectively recruited, and their asbestos exposure and SAO were verified using the existence of pleural plaque in chest X-ray and the predicted value of forced expiratory volume in 1 second in percentage less than 50%, respectively, followed by examining the association between PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, and CO and SAO stratified by asbestos exposure using regression model.ResultsSAO percentage was 67.2% (41/61) and 65.2% (15/23) in COPD subjects without and with asbestos exposure, respectively. An increased 3-day average concentration of CO and O₃ correlated with SAO (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.06, 0.01-0.41 and 0.09, 0.01-0.64, respectively). Moreover, an increased 5-day average CO concentration also correlated with SAO (0.13, 0.02-0.71) prior to hospital admission of COPD subjects irrespective of asbestos exposure, and SAO failed to be associated with asbestos exposure.ConclusionsCertain gaseous pollution at low concentration might generally exhibit a negative association with SAO in COPD subjects, indicating the negligibly negative impact of air pollution on lung function deterioration in asbestos-related COPD.

BACKGROUND Above-average exercise capacity and a high threshold for symptoms such as dyspnea or chest pain in athletes can create false reassurance regarding the absence of clinically significant coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this report is to present the diagnostic reasoning and therapeutic management of an amateur endurance athlete who developed exertional dyspnea during a marathon run. CASE REPORT A 50-year-old man who was an amateur long-distance runner with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia reported recurrent exertional dyspnea with the onset approximately at the 20th kilometer of a marathon run, forcing a short rest but not preventing completion. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) showed normal exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake of 34 ml/min/kg, 104% of the predicted value). No dyspnea or chest pain occurred during maximal exertion, although ECG showed 1- to 2-mm ST-segment depression and T-wave changes in leads II, III, aVF, V5, and V6. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showed a circumferential non-calcified plaque in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, suggesting spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Coronary angiography confirmed severe left anterior descending artery (LAD) disease with 80% stenosis in segment 6 and a critical lesion in segment 7. Two drug-eluting stents were implanted into the LAD during a single procedure. CONCLUSIONS Firstly, supranormal exercise capacity and mildness of symptoms in endurance athletes can mask advanced CAD. Secondly, electrically positive CPET findings (1-2 mm ST-segment depression) warrant further anatomical assessment even in patients with low risk factor-weighted clinical likelihood. Finally, CCTA should be considered early in athletes with new-onset exertional symptoms, as it can reveal significant stenosis.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) poses a serious threat to the poultry industry and public health due to its global spread to avian and non-avian hosts. To combat the spread of HPAIVs in poultry and reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission, the World Health Organization underscores the importance of strategic surveillance and advancements in vaccination strategies. For the prevention of avian influenza outbreaks in poultry and their transmission to humans and cattle, vaccination would be a critical tool. We critically review the limitations of current vaccine platforms and highlight innovative vaccine strategies against HPAIV that are essential for addressing future pandemic threats. The aim is to clarify the progress and challenges in AIV vaccine development and offer insights into recent technological advancements shaping future vaccination strategies.

Barth syndrome (BTHS; OMIM 302060) is an ultra-rare, life-limiting genetic disorder characterized by cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle myopathy, neutropenia, gastrointestinal issues, and fatigue. Formal analyses of survival and clinical progression remain limited. Barth Syndrome Foundation has maintained an intake database (n = 502), representing > 80% of the known global population, as well as a patient-inputted registry for a subset of individuals (n = 162) with up to 11 years of longitudinal outcome data. We estimate the survival curve, identify factors associated with mortality, characterize clinical manifestations over time, and evaluate causes of death. Death disproportionately affected young children, with a 59% transplant-free survival rate for those age < 5. The risk of death plateaued between ages 5-25 before rising again. Heart transplantation (HR = 0.316, 95% CI: 0.162-0.619, p < 0.001) and living in a developed country (HR = 0.109, 95% CI: 0.018-0.659, p < 0.05) were associated with reduced risk of death. Clinical manifestations increased with age, with musculoskeletal/fatigue (66%) being most frequent. Top causes of death were cardiac-related complications, with cardiomyopathy/heart failure (51.3%), mostly in young children < 5, and arrhythmia/cardiac arrest (15%). This is the most comprehensive longitudinal assessment of BTHS survival, mortality risk, and clinical manifestation progression. Early childhood is a period of high mortality risk, driven in large part by heart failure. Although risk of death and hospitalizations plateaued between ages 5-25, the clinical burden of BTHS increases throughout the lifespan. Our results may guide clinical care, identify time windows for optimal intervention, and help clinicians better recognize BTHS clinical features.

An ultrasound artifact is a feature in an ultrasound image that does not accurately represent the true anatomy or pathology. Cardiac ultrasound artifacts are common and inevitable findings as they originate from the physical properties of ultrasound. Additionally, artifacts may occur due to interference from external equipment and devices producing ultrasound waves. This document provides a uniform and structured approach to managing ultrasound artifacts, including the appearance of the artifact on the image, the mechanism behind the artifact generation, the clinical impact of the artifact on the diagnosis and management of the patient, examples of real cases, and how the artifact can be avoided or mitigated. In addition to true artifacts, we also discuss a series of artifact-like phenomena. Everyone involved in performing or interpreting cardiac ultrasound should be familiar with artifacts and their potential for misdiagnosis, which in some instances may lead to serious clinical consequences. Despite continued improvements in ultrasound imaging technologies, artifacts remain common in all echocardiographic modes, including two-dimensional, spectral, and color Doppler, as well as three-dimensional echocardiography.

Aortic stiffness increases ventricular afterload and limits exercise capacity in heart failure (HF), but its dynamic response to exercise remains insufficiently defined. This study aimed to evaluate exercise-induced changes in aortic stiffness and their association with functional capacity in patients with early-stage HF. Heart-rate recovery (HRR) was assessed as secondary parameter.

This prospective study enrolled 42 compensated HF patients (ejection fraction <45%) in sinus rhythm. Aortic diameters were measured 3 cm above the aortic valve using M-mode echocardiography to calculate the Stiffness Index (SI), Peterson's Elastic Modulus (Ep), and Aortic Distensibility (D). All patients underwent a symptom-limited treadmill test using the modified Bruce protocol. HRR was defined as the difference between peak heart rate and heart rate at 1 min of recovery. Echocardiographic measurements were repeated within 60 s after exercise.

Aortic stiffness increased significantly after exercise [SI: 5.05 (4.18-6.30) to 6.03 (4.59-7.79); p < 0.001], while distensibility decreased [2.64 to 1.90 ×10 - 6 cm2·dyn-1; p < 0.001]. Patients with NYHA class II had higher SI and Ep and lower D at rest and post- exercise than NYHA class I patients (all p < 0.001). NYHA class was the only independent predictor of post-exercise stiffness (β = 3.32; 95% CI 1.33-5.30; p = 0.002). Exercise capacity was significantly lower in NYHA II patients (7.0 vs 10.1 METs; p < 0.001). HRR showed no significant association with aortic stiffness or exercise capacity.

In early-stage HF, increased resting and exercise-induced aortic stiffness is strongly associated with reduced functional capacity, indicating early impairment of vascular compliance reserve during physiological stress.

The mortality following cardiac surgery remains high. The neutrophil-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHR) is a marker that reflects both inflammation and metabolic status, and it has shown promise in predicting outcomes across various diseases. However, the association of NHR with the outcomes in cardiac sur gery patients has not been fully validated.

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the MIMIC-Ⅳ database, including 2784 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Patients were categorized into three groups (Q1, Q2, Q3) based on the NHR value. The primary outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes included 180-day and 360-day all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were employed to assess the relationship between NHR and all-cause mortality.

A total of 2784 patients (73.10% male) were enrolled. Higher NHR index levels were associated with an increased risk of 90-day,180-day, and 360-day all-cause mortality as shown by Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the elevated NHR index was significantly related to all-cause death. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis confirmed a linear positive relationship between NHR and all-cause mortality.

NHR is significantly associated with all-cause mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. As a simple and cost-effective measure, NHR can support clinicians in the early identification of high-risk patients and guide personalized postoperative management strategies. To confirm its clinical utility and improve postoperative risk assessment and patient care, further large-scale, multicenter retrospective cohort studies are needed.

Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful discipline for capturing dynamic biochemical states and linking molecular processes to human health, disease, and biotechnology. This chapter explores the evolution of metabolomics from early profiling efforts to its current integration with advanced analytical platforms, computational biology, and precision medicine. We highlight how targeted and untargeted metabolomic strategies have advanced biomarker discovery, clarified disease mechanisms, and informed the development of personalized therapies in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions. The role of pharmacometabolomics in refining drug response predictions and guiding therapeutic decisions is also examined. Beyond biomedicine, metabolomics drives innovation in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and bio-based production, while emerging tools such as single-cell metabolomics and machine learning continue to expand its scope. By directly tracing metabolic fluxes and engineering new pathways, metabolomics is becoming a practical engine for designing microbes, optimizing bioprocesses, and accelerating drug discovery.

This study aimed to validate the analytical performance of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assays, and to establish age- and sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) using a large multicenter Chinese cohort.

hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP were measured on a fully automated chemiluminescence platform (Maglumi X8, Snibe, China). Analytical performance was validated following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Sex- and age-specific RIs for hs-cTnI (n=2,323) and NT-proBNP (n=2,333) were determined nonparametrically from IFCC-compliant cohorts across six Chinese provinces.

Analytical validation confirmed high sensitivity, specificity, satisfactory linearity, and strong interference resistance of hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP. hs-cTnI demonstrated 3.19 % total imprecision near 99th percentile URLs and >99.5 % detectable rates (>LoD) in healthy individuals, meeting third-generation hs-cTn criteria. RIs were established stratified by age and sex. In plasma, RIs of hs-cTnI were 11.97 ng/L for males and 11.61 ng/L for females, while 97.5th percentile URLs of NT-proBNP were 145.00 ng/L overall, 113.63 ng/L for males, and 160.75 ng/L for females. Elevated hs-cTnI levels were observed in residents of Ningxia and in women with central obesity.

The Snibe hs-cTnI assay fulfills IFCC high-sensitivity criteria. Age- and sex-specific RIs of hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP were established from a large multicenter Chinese cohort, confirming their essential role in accurate cardiovascular risk stratification.

Several observational and genetic studies have found an association between high urate serum levels and hypertension, heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality. Bempedoic acid is a recently approved hypocholesterolemic agent acting by inhibiting the ATP citrate lyase and thus the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. Despite its optimal safety profile, a minor and reversible increase of serum uric acid levels has been observed. This effect is due to the inhibition by bempedoic acid of organic anion transporters 2 and 3 (OAT2 and OAT3) which mediate the renal excretion of urate.

The increased levels of uric acid were associated with higher incidence of gout and could potentially have a negative effect on cardiovascular diseases. However, any adverse urate effect seems not to be clinically dominant for at least two reasons: 1) the extent of cardiovascular events reduction with bempedoic acid was similar to the one achieved with statins for a given magnitude of LDL-C lowering; 2) bempedoic acid was not associated with increased incidence of hypertension and heart failure, cardiovascular diseases strictly associated with hyperuricemia. Finally, uric acid lowering agents have not consistently demonstrated cardiovascular benefit in randomized clinical trials, and other drugs increasing, to the same extent, uric acid plasma levels, i.e. thiazide diuretic, do not increase cardiovascular risk.

Thus, the iatrogenic increase of plasma uric acid levels by the inhibition of OAT does not appear to have a clinically relevant negative impact on cardiovascular diseases.