The American journal of the medical sciences
-
Observational Study
The Effects of Long-Term Tai-Chi Practice on Blood Pressure under Normal Conditions.
Tai-Chi is a popular form of mind-body activity that is suitable for people of all ages. Accumulating evidence have shown that Tai-Chi can help ameliorate cardiovascular diseases. However, the benefits of long-term practice of Tai-Chi on blood pressure control remains unclear. A total of 898 villagers of Chenjiagou were enrolled in this study based on certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. ⋯ The long-term practice of Tai-Chi was associated with better blood pressure, at least partly through the improvement of BMI and mental state. However, the short-term practice of Tai-Chi may not provide significant benefits on blood pressure in the long term.
-
Various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as stay-at-home orders and school closures have been employed to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study measures the impact of social distancing policies on COVID-19 transmission in US states during the early outbreak phase to assess which policies were most effective. ⋯ Stay-at-home orders had the largest effect of any policy analyzed. Multivariate analyses with cellphone tracking data suggest social distancing adherence drives these effects. States that plan to scale back such measures should carefully monitor transmission metrics.
-
The information on electrocardiographic features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Our aim was to determine if baseline electrocardiographic features of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are associated with markers of myocardial injury and clinical outcomes. ⋯ The presence of QRS duration longer than 120 ms and lateral ST-T segment abnormality were associated with worse clinical outcomes and higher levels of myocardial injury biomarkers.
-
Secondary hyperparathyroidism, a condition of excess parathyroid hormone (PTH, Pth) production, is often seen in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23, Fgf23). Elevated FGF23 levels stimulate secondary hyperparathyroidism-associated parathyroid αKlotho signaling. As overexpression of rationally selected microRNAs can suppress target gene activation, we hypothesized that microRNA-based suppression of parathyroid FGF23/αKlotho axis activity may be a potential strategy to combat secondary hyperparathyroidism. ⋯ miR-129 negatively regulates pro-proliferative, Pth-inducing Fgf23/αKlotho signaling in the parathyroid glands of CKD mice.