Identification of the optimal reference genes for atrial fibrillation model established by iPSC-derived atrial myocytes.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) stands as a prevalent and detrimental arrhythmic disorder, characterized by intricate pathophysiological mechanisms. The availability of reliable and reproducible AF models is pivotal in unraveling the underlying mechanisms of this complex condition. Unfortunately, the researchers are still confronted with the absence of consistent in vitro AF models, hindering progress in this crucial area of research.

Mapping the landscape of PSC-CM research through bibliometric analysis.

Objectives: The discovery of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs) has not only deepened our understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of heart disease, but also advanced the development of engineered cardiac tissues, cardiac regenerative therapy, drug discovery and the cardiotoxicity assessment of drugs. This study aims to visualize the developmental trajectory of PSC-CM research over the past 18 years to identify the emerging research frontiers and challenges.

Methods: The literature on PSC-CMs from 2007 to 2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science and PubMed databases.

Postoperative delirium prediction after cardiac surgery using machine learning models.

Objective: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common postoperative complication in elderly patients, especially those undergoing cardiac surgery, which seriously affects the short- and long-term prognosis of patients. Early identification of risk factors for the development of POD can help improve the perioperative management of surgical patients. In the present study, five machine learning models were developed to predict patients at high risk of delirium after cardiac surgery and their performance was compared.

Talin mechanotransduction in disease.

Talin protein (Talin 1/2) is a mechanosensitive cytoskeleton protein. The unique structure of the Talin plays a vital role in transmitting mechanical forces. Talin proteins connect the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton by linking to integrins and actin, thereby mediating the conversion of mechanical signals into biochemical signals and influencing disease progression as potential diagnostic indicators, therapeutic targets, and prognostic indicators of various diseases.

Embryonic exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics affects cardiac development.

Micro- and nanoplastics have recently been detected in human blood and placentas, indicating inevitable embryonic exposure to these particles. However, their influence on human embryogenesis and the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) exposure on cardiac differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were evaluated.

The role of 14-3-3 in the progression of vascular inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Objective: To explore the role of 14-3-3 protein and the Hippo and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular inflammation.

Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and C57B6 mice were treated with LPS to establish cell and animal models of vascular inflammation. Lentiviral transfection, Western blot, qPCR, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, co-immunoprecipitation, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure inflammatory factors and expression of 14-3-3 protein and phosphorylation of YAP at S127.

Low shear stress induces inflammatory response via CX3CR1/NF-κB signal pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Low shear stress (LSS) has been reported to induce atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation induced by LSS are still poorly understood. The objective of our study is the comprehensive identification of molecular circuitry involved in low shear stress-induced inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through protein profiling and cell function experiment.

Emerging Piezo1 signaling in inflammation and atherosclerosis; a potential therapeutic target.

Atherosclerosis is the principal cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) which are the major cause of death worldwide. Mechanical force plays an essential role in cardiovascular health and disease. To bring the awareness of mechanosensitive Piezo1 role in atherosclerosis and its therapeutic potentials we review recent literature to highlight its involvement in various mechanisms of the disease.

Mechanosensitive Piezo1 Channel Evoked-Mechanical Signals in Atherosclerosis.

Recently, more and more works have focused and used extensive resources on atherosclerosis research, which is one of the major causes of death globally. Alongside traditional risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia, smoking, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, mechanical forces, including shear stress, pressure and stretches exerted on endothelial cells by flow, is proved to be crucial in atherosclerosis development. Studies have recognized the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel as a special sensor and transducer of various mechanical forces into biochemical signals, and recent studies report its role in atherosclerosis through different mechanical forces in pressure, stretching and turbulent shear stress.

Diverticulum of mitral valve.

Diverticulum arising from the heart is an uncommon finding. They are incidentally detected by echocardiography as masses arising from the cardiac valves. We present a case of an incidental finding of a diverticulum arising from the mitral valve.

Single-cell analysis reveals the purification and maturation effects of glucose starvation in hiPSC-CMs.

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) play a critical role in most translational and clinical applications. Although glucose starvation (GS) has been evaluated during cellular purification, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the transcriptional heterogeneity of these cells. Here, we applied GS for 3 days starting at day 10 of differentiation, and then, harvested hiPSC-CMs at day 20 for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

LncRNA-MYL2-2 and miR-124-3p Are Associated with Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders in Patients after Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) resulting from cardiac surgery is a complication with high morbidity and mortality. However, the pathogenesis is unknown.

Methods: For the sake of investigating the risk factors and mechanism of PND, we collected the characteristics and neurological scores of patients undergoing cardiac surgery in the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University and Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from Jan 1, 2016 to Dec 11, 2018.

Low Shear Stress Upregulates CX3CR1 Expression by Inducing VCAM-1 via the NF-κB Pathway in Vascular Endothelial Cells.

Atherosclerosis is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. Studies suggest that the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 plays a critical role in atherogenesis. Shear stress is an important mechanical force that affects blood vessel function.

Inhibitory Effects of Dronedarone on Small Conductance Calcium Activated Potassium Channels in Patients with Chronic Atrial Fibrillation: Comparison to Amiodarone.

BACKGROUND Dysfunction of small conductance calcium activated potassium (SK) channels plays a vital role in atrial arrhythmogenesis. Amiodarone and dronedarone are the most effective class III antiarrhythmic drugs. It is unclear whether the antiarrhythmic effect of amiodarone and dronedarone is related to SK channel inhibition.

Upregulation of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical Type 3 Channel via AT1R/TGF-1/Smad2/3 Induces Atrial Fibrosis in Aging and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Fibroblast proliferation and migration are central in atrial fibrillation (AF) promoting structure remodeling, which is strongly associated with aging and hypertension. Transient receptor potential canonical-3 channel (TRPC3) is a key mediator of cardiac fibrosis and the pathogenesis of AF. Here, we have observed the increased TRPC3 expression that induced atrial fibrosis which possibly is either mediated by the aging process or related to hypertensive progression.