Previous studies found that regular physical activity (PA) can lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), yet its specific effects in young women have not yet been investigated. Thus, we aimed to examine whether regular physical activity reduces the number of symptoms during and after COVID-19 infection among young women aged between 18 and 34 (N = 802), in which the confounding effect of other morbidities could be excluded. The average time since infection was 23.5 months. Participants were classified into low, moderate, and high PA categories based on the reported minutes per week of moderate and vigorous PA. Using the Post-COVID-19 Case Report Form, 50 different symptoms were assessed. Although regular PA did not decrease the prevalence of COVID-19 infection and PCC but significantly reduced the number of mental and neurological symptoms both in acute COVID-19 and PCC. Importantly, the high level of PA had a greater impact on health improvements. In addition, the rate of reinfection decreased with an increased level of PA. In conclusion, a higher level of regular PA can reduce the risk of reinfection and the number of mental and neurological symptoms in PCC underlying the importance of regular PA, even in this and likely other viral disease conditions.

AbstractPurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous negative impact on the psychosomatic status of the general population, and especially of more vulnerable populations, such as older people. The present study aimed to assess changes in psychosomatic status before and after the COVID-19 pandemic among emeritus professors over 70 years of age.Materials/MethodsA total of 56 emeritus professors aged 77.4 ± 6.1 (74.1% male) participated in the study. The study was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023, after approximately two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics, including socioeconomic status, were assessed in the questionnaire, along with active involvement in academic life and healthcare/sports. Physical and mental fatigue were assessed using a self-report questionnaire, and the impact of fatigue on physical and cognitive function was measured using the Fatigue Impact Scale. Participants evaluated their physical/mental fatigue and physical/cognitive function before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsAmong the participating emeritus professors, 15% reported higher levels of physical fatigue (Z = −1.992, P = 0.046, r = 0.28) and mental fatigue (Z = −2.154, P = 0.031, r = 0.31) following the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant difference was found in physical function assessed before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, t(51) = −2.986, P = 0.004, g = 0.22, while cognitive function showed a non-significant difference, t(51) = −1.265, P = 0.212, g = 0.12. After the COVID-19 pandemic, 26.9% of participants reported reduced physical function and 19.2% showed reduced cognitive function. Infection with the COVID-19 virus resulted in increased mental fatigue and reduced cognitive function among the participating emeritus professors.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic (and the introduction of restrictions on social activities) had a substantial and similar impact on the psychosomatic status of emeritus professors at both medical and sports universities. Furthermore, the reduction in physical and mental/cognitive function was exacerbated in those who were infected by SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, however, the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was smaller in the population of emeritus professors than in the general elderly population. This may be due to the better maintenance of physical and mental activity in the former population, thus emphasising the importance of remaining physically and mentally active in old age, especially in the context of critical life events.

Objective: Pulse pressure (PP) received relative less attention in the guidelines regarding its potential role in the hypertension-mediated target organ damage. Recently it has been proposed that PP can be divided into two components: elastic PP (elPP) and stiffening PP (stPP). Thus the aim of our study was to explore the determinants of 24-hour, daytime and nighttime elPP and stPP in a new national ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) database. Design and method: ABPM data were collected from the Hungarian ABPM Registry between February 2021 and August 2022. The Hungarian ABPM Registry is a an ongoing multicenter, open-label, observational non-interventional study. Meditech ABPM-06 monitors were used for ABPM measurements. Basic patients’ data were documented in electronic case report forms and were later analyzed together with ABPM data. elPP and stPP were calculated according to Gavish et al (DOI:10.1097/HJH.0000000000003258). Results: 14817 ABPM data were analyzed. The average age of the subjects was 55.29 ± 15.1 years, 7845 (48.9%) of them were men. 24h, daytime and nighttime elPP were 47.42 ± 8.89, 46.45 ± 9.34 and 45.93 ± 10.94 mmHg, respectively. 24h, daytime and nighttime stPP were 8.51 ± 5.86, 9.15 ±6.56 and 8.62 ± 7.81 mmHg, respectively. Under the age of 50 years all elPPs were significantly lower in women compared to men, while all stPPs were lower in both sexes in age under 50 (p<0.05). Independently from age and sex, obesity increased all elPPs, while under the age of 50 years nighttime stPP was elevated only in obese women (p<0.05). The independent determinants of daytime and nighttime elPPs were age, systolic blood pressure (sBP), obesity and diabetes with adding ischemic heart disease in case of 24h elPP. The independent determinants of 24h and daytime stPPs were age, sBP and diabetes, while in case of nighttime stPP age, sBP and sex. Conclusions: The new Hungarian ABPM Registry underline the importance of PP and its elastic and stiffening components. The evaluation of their determinants can help to better understand the pathomechanisms responsible for the development of hypertension-mediated target organ damage.

Objective: Current European guidelines recommend ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with known or suspected hypertension. Thus in 2021 the Hungarian Society of Hypertension initiated a nationwide registry in order to evaluate ABPM indications and patient characteristics. Design and method: This is an ongoing, multicenter, open-label, observational study. Data collection to an electronic case report form is performed by GPs, internists and cardiologists. For ABPM measurements Meditech-ABPM-06 monitors are used. Data of the current analysis were collected between 21.02.2021-5.10.2022. 15 835 ABPMs were performed; due to missing data or protocol deviation 1018 patients were excluded from the analysis. Results: 10 212 patients were known and treated hypertensives (HT), and 4 571 were newly diagnosed or suspected hypertensives (nHT) (69% and 31%, respectively; females: 51.1%, males 48.9%). 76% of the nHTs were untreated. They were 12 years younger than HT patients (46.7 ± 13.9 and 59.1 ± 13.9 years old, respectively p<0.001). Besides high BP, other atherosclerotic risk factors and comorbidities were less frequent in nHT patients than in HT patients: dyslipidemia was known only in 11.8% vs. 28.7%, obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m 2 ) in 32.2% vs. 40.3%, diabetes 2.7% vs. 13.1%, coronary heart disease in 0.8% vs. 9.6% of patients, respectively. In the HT group compared to the nHT group there were more cerebrovascular (3.3% vs 0.8%, p<0.001) and peripheral arterial diseases (1.8% vs 0.4%, p<0.001). In both groups the main indication of ABPM was high (62%) or labile (39.5%) home BP values. More ABPMs were performed in the nHT group because of the suspicion of white-coat- (19.2% vs. 9.0%, p<0.001), or masked hypertension (3.9% vs. 0.9%, p<0.001). Hypertension was diagnosed by the largest percentage in patients with suspected resistant hypertension (83%) and by the lowest percentage with suspected nocturnal hypertension (57%). Conclusions: The major indications for ABPM are the high or labile home BP values. Among nHTs suspected white coat hypertension is the third most important indication for ABPM, while in HT patients the follow up of therapies. Additional risk factors and comorbidities are less known in nHTs.

Abstract Background: The knowledge and help provided by the medical guidelines are essential to make informed clinical decisions. However, there are no systematic methods to assess the efficacy of guidelines, i.e., how much contribution they provide to informed decisions in various health conditions. Methods: A mathematical analysis was developed to assess the efficacy of guidelines. As an example, the “2020 ESC Guidelines on sports cardiology and exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease” (GL-SCE) was analysed/assessed. The analysis was conducted on the Classes of Recommendations (CLASS) and the Levels of Evidence (LEVEL). LEVEL areas under CLASS were calculated to form a Certainty Index (CI:–1 to+1). Results: The frequency of CLASS I (‘to do’) and CLASS III (‘not to do’) was relatively high in GL-SCE. Yet, the most frequent LEVEL was C, indicating a low quality of scientific evidence. The GL-SCE showed a relatively high CI (+0.57), 78.4% Certainty and 21.6% Uncertainty. Conclusions: GL-SCE provides a substantial help to decision-making through the recommendations, but the supporting evidence in most CLASS-es has low quality, which is well-reflected in the developed Certainty Index identifying issues that should be clarified and investigated in future studies. We propose that the developed mathematical analysis should be used as a Guideline to Guidelines to assess their efficacy and support their implementation in clinical practice thus providing a ‘quality control’.

Objective: In 2021 the Hungarian Society of Hypertension initiated a program to promote the nationwide use of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) (Hungarian ABPM Registry) aiming to increase the awareness of high BP and to monitor the efficacy of therapies. The goal was to collect and analyze the ABPM values of treated hypertensive (HT) and newly diagnosed patients (nHT) and assess the influence of other risk factors, comorbidities and patient characteristics. Design and method: Adults (18-100 years old) can be included into this ongoing, multicenter, open-label, observational study. Data collection to an electronic case report form is performed by GPs, internists, and cardiologists. Meditech ABPM-06 monitors are used. Data of the current analysis were collected between 21.02.2021-5.10.2022. 15 835 ABPMs were performed; due to missing data or protocol deviation 1018 patients were excluded from the analysis. Results: 10212 patients were HTs, 4571 were nHTs (69% and 31%, respectively). 76% of nHT patients were untreated during ABPM. Mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP was 134.03±14.6 mmHg and 79.3±10.1 mmHg, respectively. There was no difference in the 24-hour mean systolic BP between nHT and HT patients (134.08±14.9 mmHg vs. 133.91±14.6 mmHg, respectively, p = NS). Two-third of the patients (all: 68.2%, HT: 68.5%, nHT: 67.6%) were hypertensive according to ABPM measurements. Obesity (BMI>30 kg/m 2 ) doubled the risk of hypertension in both groups (OR = 2.18 [2.03;2.34] for 24-hour average), but it had a higher impact in nHTs (OR = 2.57[2.22;2.98] for 24-hour average in nHT and OR = 2.12[1.94;2.30] for 24-hour average in HT patients). Snoring increased the risk of hypertension in both group of patients (OR = 1.45[1.34;1.56] for 24-hour average) irrespectively of gender, and – interestingly – it had a greater impact on the daily values of BP (day: OR = 1.51[1.40;1.62] and night: OR = 1.32[1.22;1.42]). Conclusions: The new ABPM Hungary Registry revealed hypertension in the majority of screened individuals, regardless of gender or treatment. In addition, in both gender, obesity, snoring, increased the risk of hypertension. These data underline the importance of ABPM in the screening for and treatment of hypertension leading to the earlier and more effective treatment.

Objective: Exercise and sports are important components of preventing/delaying the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as evidenced by reduced all-cause morbidity and mortality. Because of that, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published “2020 ESC Guidelines on sports cardiology and exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease” (GL-SCE) summarizing recommendations and supporting evidence to ‘prescribe’ various types of exercise and sports regimens that can be used to prevent, delay, or alleviate CVD. Thus we aimed to assess quantitatively the efficacy of the GL-SCE providing help in the sport- /exercise-related treatment decision-making in specific cardiovascular condition Design and method: An analytic study was conducted on the GL-SCE regarding the Classes of Recommendations (CLASS) and the Levels of Evidence (LEVEL) (n = 159). Then LEVEL areas under CLASS were calculated to form a Certainty Index (CI: -1 to +1). Results: The frequency of CLASS I and CLASS III was relatively high in GL-SCE (52.2%) and GL-CS) (in Clinical Settings: 50.7%). Yet, the most frequent LEVEL was C (41.2%–83.8%), indicating only a relatively low quality of scientific evidence in GL-SCE. The GL-SCE showed a relatively high CI (+0.57), 78.4% Certainty, and 21.6% Uncertainty. Conclusions: The GL-SCE provides substantial help in decision-making through the recommendations (CLASS), but the supporting evidence (LEVEL) in most cases is only lower quality, which is well reflected in the newly developed Certainty Index identifying issues that should be clarified and investigated in future studies.

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in a worldwide pandemic, due to its great capacity to invade the human body. Previous studies have shown that the primary route of invasion of this virus is the human respiratory tract via the co-expression of ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2, a serine protease on the cellular surface. Interestingly, this condition is present not only on the respiratory epithelium but on the conjunctival mucosa, as well. Thus, we hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 is present on the conjunctival mucosa. Aim To prove that SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the conjunctiva. Methods Previously nasopharyngeal swab-sample based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive COVID-19 infected patients were selected at the COVID Care Centers of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. The study was approved by the ethical committee of Semmelweis University. During their recovery, both nasopharyngeal and conjunctival swab-samples were taken and PCR method was used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Results The study population consisted of 97 patients, 49 females (50.5%) and 48 males (49.5%), with a mean age of 67.2 ± 11.9 years. During recovery, with nasopharyngeal swabs, the PCR test was positive in 55 cases (56.70%), whereas with conjunctival swabs it was positive in 8 cases (8.25%). Both tests were positive in 5 cases (5.15%). In some patients, ocular symptoms were observed as well. The rest of the patients (29 cases) had negative nasopharyngeal PCR tests during recovery. Conclusions Although only in few cases, the data of the present study provides a proof of concept that SARS-CoV-2 can be present on the conjunctival mucosa even in nasopharyngeal negative patients, a finding, which can have clinical importance. Also, on the basis of these findings one can hypothesize that - in addition to the respiratory tract - the conjunctiva can be an entrance route for SARS-CoV-2 to the human body. Thus, in high-risk conditions, in addition to covering the mouth and nose with mask, the protection of the eyes is also strongly recommended.

Impairment of moment-to-moment adjustment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) to the increased oxygen and energy requirements of active brain regions via neurovascular coupling (NVC) contributes to the genesis of age-related cognitive impairment. Aging is associated with marked deficiency in the vasoprotective hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Preclinical studies on animal models of aging suggest that circulating IGF-1 deficiency is causally linked to impairment of NVC responses. The present study was designed to test the hypotheses that decreases in circulating IGF-1 levels in older adults also predict the magnitude of age-related decline of NVC responses. In a single-center cross-sectional study, we enrolled healthy young (n = 31, 11 female, 20 male, mean age: 28.4 + / − 4.2 years) and aged volunteers (n = 32, 18 female, 14 male, mean age: 67.9 + / − 4.1 years). Serum IGF-1 level, basal CBF (phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)), and NVC responses during the trail making task (with transcranial Doppler sonography) were assessed. We found that circulating IGF-1 levels were significantly decreased with age and associated with decreased basal CBF. Age-related decline in IGF-1 levels predicted the magnitude of age-related decline in NVC responses. In conclusion, our study provides additional evidence in support of the concept that age-related circulating IGF-1 deficiency contributes to neurovascular aging, impairing CBF and functional hyperemia in older adults.

Cardiometabolic Research Group and MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, Budapest 1085, Hungary; Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Morphology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Budapest 1085, Hungary; Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, Budapest 1085, Hungary; Res Center for Sports Physiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest 1085, Hungary; New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA; Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität (LMU) München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Vienna, Austria; Chair of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Diagnostic and Therapeutic Heart Center, Kappelistr. 35, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland; and Hirslanden Klinik im Park, Seestrasse 220, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland

This study aimed to determine the mechanosensing role of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) in flow-induced dilation (FID) and oxidative stress production in middle cerebral arteries (MCA) of Sprague-Dawley rats. Eleven-weeks old, healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats on a standard diet were given the AT1R blocker losartan (1 mg/mL) in drinking water (losartan group) or tap water (control group) ad libitum for 7 days. Blockade of AT1R attenuated FID and acetylcholine-induced dilations was compared to control group. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (INDO) significantly reduced FID in control group. The attenuated FID in losartan group was further reduced by INDO only at ∆100 mmHg, whereas L-NAME had no effect. In losartan group, TEMPOL (a superoxide scavenger) restored dilatation, while TEMPOL+L-NAME together significantly reduced FID compared to restored dilatation with TEMPOL alone. Direct fluorescence measurements of NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in MCA, in no-flow conditions revealed significantly reduced vascular NO levels with AT1R blockade compared to control group, while flow increased the NO and ROS production in losartan group and had no effect in control group. In losartan group, TEMPOL decreased ROS production in both no-flow and flow conditions. AT1R blockade elicited increased serum concentrations of AngII, 8-iso-PGF2α, and TBARS, and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT). These results suggest that in small isolated cerebral arteries: 1) AT1 receptor maintains dilations in physiological conditions; 2) AT1R blockade leads to increased vascular and systemic oxidative stress, which underlies impaired FID.

Objective: Guidelines (GLs) for medical practice are essential collection of knowledge, helping the daily clinical decision making in specific health conditions. Accordingly, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) also develops and publishes GLs. We hypothesized that not every GL of ESC is equally efficient in decision making due to the lack of sufficient evidence. Design and method: Design: Exploratory data analysis. Methods: A total of 636 levels of evidence (LEVEL) of and classes of recommendations (CLASS) data were processed on four ESC GLs – Arterial Hypertension (AH), Myocardial Revascularization (MR), Syncope (S) and Pregnancy (P). Results: Results: The frequency distributions of LEVEL by CLASS showed that AH had the highest rate of Evidence A in each class of recommendations. However, the percent of Evidence A was under 50% on ‘to do’ and ‘not to do’ classes. MR showed a similar frequency distribution than AH, but the frequency of Evidence A was only 36.4% on ‘to do’ and 25.0% on ‘not to do’ classes. In S and P, the percent of Evidence B and/or C was the highest in each class of recommendations. Percent of uncertainty was between 24.3% (AH) and 75.5% (P). The deviation of LEVEL from an optimal decision making revealed that the observed percentages were significantly lower in Evidence A than the expected percentages in the studied GLs. Thus Arterial Hypertension GL provided the highest level of Certainty, whereas Pregnancy GL the highest level of Uncertainty. Conclusions: Conclusions: There is a great disparity of certainty among the four ESC GLs. To ensure the relevant level of Certainty, our findings recommend to reveal the ratio of certainty and uncertainty in the GLs, and to increase the level of strong evidence by conducting new basic science experimental studies and clinical investigations, such as multiple randomized clinical trials or meta-analyses.

Introduction and aims: Research evidence is the basis of guidelines used by healthcare professionals to make difficult decisions every day. We hypothesized that due to the available evidence the four selected cardiovascular guidelines have different degrees of certainty for making efficient decisions. Methods: We conducted an analytic study on the guidelines on arterial hypertension (AH), myocardial revascularization, syncope and cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy to assess the levels of evidence (LEVEL) and the classes of the recommendations (CLASS). Results: A total of 636 LEVEL and CLASS data were analyzed. To define certainty, LEVEL areas under CLASS were calculated. The frequency of LEVEL by CLASS showed that AH had the highest rate of evidence A in each CLASS. Myocardial revascularization showed a frequency pattern similar to that of AH. In syncope and pregnancy, the percentage of evidence B and/or C was the highest in each class; the percentages of certainty were 24.3% - pregnancy and 75.7% - AH. Deviations from an optimal decision revealed that the observed percentages of certainty were significantly lower on higher LEVEL than the expected percentages. Conclusion: Analyzing recommended procedures for diagnosis and treatments revealed a great disparity of certainty among the guidelines, and that the guideline of AH is superior to other guidelines, probably due to the substantial scientific evidence available in this field. Revealing the ratio of certainty/uncertainty in guidelines can identify issues to be clarified and investigated in future studies.

Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Emory University School of Medicine, 1518 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Cardiovascular Program (ICCC), IR-Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. CiberCV-Institute Carlos III. Autonomous University of Barcelona, C/ Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1364 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, 670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA, 30033, USA; Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy; Cardiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy ‘Carol Davila’ of Bucharest, Emergency Clinical Hospital of Bucharest, Calea Floreasca 8, Sector 1, Bucuresti, 014461, Romania; Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Cardiovascular Research Institute COEUR, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Institute of Natural Sciences, University of Physical Education, Alkotas street, 44, 1123, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA; Department for Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb, Kispaticeva 12, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Physiology, Charitè-University Medicine, Thielallee 71, D-14195, Berlin, Germany; First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Vasilissis Sofias 114, TK 115 28, Athens, Greece; Department of Cardiology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia; School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia; Institut für Physiologie, Universität zu Lübeck and Deutsches Zentrumfür Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK), Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany; GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences, Departments of Cardiology, Heart Valve Clinic, CHU Sart Tilman, University of Liège Hospital, Liège, Belgium; Anthea Hospital, Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, VIA C. Rosalba, 35/37, Bari, Italy; and Preventive Medicine and Public Health Institute, Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biomedicine (FCVB; previously called Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology) is the main biennial congress of the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Science (CBCS) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).It is a widely inclusive congress in collaboration with several scientific cardiovascular sister societies.By now, FCVB meetings are considered to be one of the most relevant exchange platforms for basic and translational cardiovascular biomedicine in Europe and beyond.The change of the name of the congress from Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology to Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biomedicine was intended to reflect and emphasize the focus of these meetings being the facilitation of laboratory findings into clinical medicine.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces cerebrovascular oxidative stress, which is associated with neurovascular uncoupling, autoregulatory dysfunction and persisting cognitive decline in both preclinical models and patients. However, single mild TBI, the most frequent form of brain trauma increases cerebral generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) only transiently. We hypothesized, that co-morbid conditions may exacerbate long term ROS generation in cerebral arteries after mTBI. Since hypertension is the most important cerebrovascular risk factor in populations prone to mild brain trauma, we induced mTBI in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and assessed changes in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial superoxide (O2-) production by confocal microscopy in isolated middle cerebral arteries (MCA) two weeks after mTBI using dihydroethidine (DHE) and the mitochondria-targeted redox sensitive fluorescent indicator dye MitoSox. We found that mTBI induced a significant increase in long term cytoplasmic and mitochondrial O2- production in MCAs of SHRs and increased expression of the NADPH oxidase subunit Nox4, which were reversed to the normal level by treating the animals with the cell-permeable, mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptide SS-31(5.7 mg kg-1 day-1 , i.p.). Persistent mTBI-induced oxidative stress in MCAs of SHRs was significantly decreased by inhibiting vascular NADPH oxidase (apocyinin). We propose, that hypertension- and mTBI-induced cerebrovascular oxidative stress likely lead to persistent dysregulation of CBF and cognitive dysfunction, which might be reversed by SS-31 treatment.