30-Day Outcomes of Transcatheter Tricuspid Annuloplasty With the K-Clip System: A Single-Center, Observational Study.

Background: Surgery for isolated functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) poses a high risk. Several transcatheter approaches are being evaluated for the treatment of such patients. The K-Clip system is a percutaneous approach designed for functional TR; however, its utility remains unknown.

Months-long tracking of neuronal ensembles spanning multiple brain areas with Ultra-Flexible Tentacle Electrodes.

We introduce Ultra-Flexible Tentacle Electrodes (UFTEs), packing many independent fibers with the smallest possible footprint without limitation in recording depth using a combination of mechanical and chemical tethering for insertion. We demonstrate a scheme to implant UFTEs simultaneously into many brain areas at arbitrary locations without angle-of-insertion limitations, and a 512-channel wireless logger. Immunostaining reveals no detectable chronic tissue damage even after several months.

Left ventricular myocardial work index and short-term prognosis in patients with light-chain cardiac amyloidosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Reports show that the left ventricular myocardial work index (LVMWI) is a novel parameter for evaluating cardiac function. Decompensated heart failure leads to a high rate of early mortality in advanced patients with light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) and prevents them from a relatively delayed response to chemotherapy. This study aimed to assess the association of the LVMWI with short-term outcomes and to construct a simple model for risk stratification.

Association of Cancer Antigen 125 with Long-Term Prognosis in Light-Chain Cardiorenal Amyloidosis.

Introduction: Light-chain (AL) cardiorenal amyloidosis has been characterized as type 5 cardiorenal syndrome with fluid overload and poor prognosis. Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) has the potential for its use in evaluating fluid load and prognosis for heart failure. However, less details for CA125 in AL cardiorenal amyloidosis have been reported.

Sacubitril/Valsartan Can Reduce Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose: This study compared the effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan (SV) vs. valsartan (V) for treating persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Methods: Patients with persistent AF who received RFCA were randomly assigned to the SV or V treatment group with the intervention lasting for 12 months.

Using deep learning method to identify left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiography.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent prognostic factor for cardiovascular events and it can be detected by echocardiography in the early stage. In this study, we aim to develop a semi-automatic diagnostic network based on deep learning algorithms to detect LVH.

Methods: We retrospectively collected 1610 transthoracic echocardiograms, included 724 patients [189 hypertensive heart disease (HHD), 218 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and 58 cardiac amyloidosis (CA), along with 259 controls].

Delayed papillary muscle rupture after radiofrequency catheter ablation: A case report.

Background: With an increased number of surgical procedures involving the mitral annular region, the risk of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has also increased. Previous studies have reported that worsening of MVP occurred early after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) at papillary muscles in ventricular tachycardia (VT) patients with preoperative MVP.

Case Summary: We report a case where MVP and papillary muscle rupture occurred 2 wk after RFCA in a papillary muscle originated VT patient without mitral valve regurgitation or prolapse before.

Reduced Firing of Nucleus Accumbens Parvalbumin Interneurons Impairs Risk Avoidance in DISC1 Transgenic Mice.

A strong animal survival instinct is to approach objects and situations that are of benefit and to avoid risk. In humans, a large proportion of mental disorders are accompanied by impairments in risk avoidance. One of the most important genes involved in mental disorders is disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), and animal models in which this gene has some level of dysfunction show emotion-related impairments.

Impact of Left Atrial Sphericity Index on the Outcome of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Left atrial sphericity index (LASI) is one significant geometric remodeling parameter to evaluate the prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to determine whether transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)-derived LASI may help predict the outcomes following AF radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). This prospective study enrolled 190 consecutive AF patients who underwent TTE 24 h before RFCA.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with bronchoscopic operation: A case report.

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), a syndrome of acute left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, is characterized by transitory hypokinesis of LV apices with compensatory hyperkinesis of the LV basal region. The symptoms of TTC mimic acute myocardial infarction, without significant coronary stenoses on coronary angiography. Echocardiogram plays a key role in the diagnosis and prognosis of TTC.

Circulating long noncoding RNA, GAS5, as a novel biomarker for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Circulating long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays a vital role in clinical disease diagnosis and prognosis. Here, we evaluate the role of a lncRNA, named growth arrest specific 5 (GAS5), in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Expression of GAS5 was measured by qRT-PCR.

Peripheral endothelial function may predict the effectiveness of beta-blocker therapy in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: Beta-blockers have improved the prognosis of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy as they improve left ventricular (LV) systolic function and structure, which are crucial for myocardial recovery. However, to date, no accurate methods can predict the effectiveness of β-blocker therapy. Our goal was to evaluate whether peripheral endothelial function could be a useful predictor for β-blocker responses and related LV reverse remodeling (LVRR) in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC).

Efficacy of statin monotherapy or in combination with coenzyme a capsule in patients with metabolic syndrome and mixed dyslipidemia.

Background: Patients with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Combination lipid-lowering therapy is often needed in patients with metabolic syndrome and mixed dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of statin combined with a new hypolipidemic agent, coenzyme A (CoA) with moderate-dose statin monotherapy in subjects with metabolic syndrome and mixed dyslipidemia by evaluating data from a subgroup of patients with metabolic syndrome and mixed dyslipidemia from a previously conducted randomized study.

Processing of visually evoked innate fear by a non-canonical thalamic pathway.

The ability of animals to respond to life-threatening stimuli is essential for survival. Although vision provides one of the major sensory inputs for detecting threats across animal species, the circuitry underlying defensive responses to visual stimuli remains poorly defined. Here, we investigate the circuitry underlying innate defensive behaviours elicited by predator-like visual stimuli in mice.

Activated astrocytes enhance the dopaminergic differentiation of stem cells and promote brain repair through bFGF.

Astrocytes provide neuroprotective effects against degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons and play a fundamental role in DA differentiation of neural stem cells. Here we show that light illumination of astrocytes expressing engineered channelrhodopsin variant (ChETA) can remarkably enhance the release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and significantly promote the DA differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in vitro. Light activation of transplanted astrocytes in the substantia nigra (SN) also upregulates bFGF levels in vivo and promotes the regenerative effects of co-transplanted stem cells.

Efficacy and tolerability of adding coenzyme A 400 U/d capsule to stable statin therapy for the treatment of patients with mixed dyslipidemia: an 8-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Patients with mixed hyperlipidemia usually are in need of combination therapy to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) target values for reduction of cardiovascular risk. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of adding a new hypolipidemic agent, coenzyme A (CoA) to stable statin therapy in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.

Methods: In this multi-center, 8-week, double-blind study, adults who had received ≥8 weeks of stable statin therapy and had hypertriglyceridemia (TG level at 2.

The novel mitochondrial 16S rRNA 2336T>C mutation is associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary disorder characterised by asymmetric thickening of septum and left ventricular wall, with a prevalence of 0.2% in the general population.

Objective: To describe a novel mitochondrial DNA mutation and its association with the pathogenesis of HCM.

Light-controlled astrocytes promote human mesenchymal stem cells toward neuronal differentiation and improve the neurological deficit in stroke rats.

Astrocytes are key components of the central nervous system (CNS) and release factors to support neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is one of the key factors released upon activation of astrocytes that regulates the neural stem cell's function. However, it is not clear whether ATP derived from the depolarized astrocytes plays a vital role in promoting the neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and in vivo.

Possible involvement of fibrocytes in atrial fibrosis in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.

Background: Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by a remodeling process with prominent atrial fibrosis. Fibrocytes, a bone marrow-derived population of fibroblast-like cells, have been placed at the center of a number of fibrosing conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of fibrocytes to atrial fibrosis in patients with chronic AF and the possible mechanisms.

Long-term isosorbide mononitrate treatment impairs endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Sustained use of nitrates is associated with adverse effects on vascular function by increasing oxidative stress. It remains unclear whether oxidative stress impairs endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) during long-term oral use of nitrates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) treatment on oxidative stress and endothelial function in patients with CAD.

Mitochondrial ND5 12338T>C variant is associated with maternally inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Chinese pedigree.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a primary disorder characterized by asymmetric thickening of the septum and left ventricular wall, which affects 1 in 500 individuals in the general population. Mutations in mitochondrial DNA have been found to be one of the most important causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Here we report the clinical, genetic and molecular characterization of a Han Chinese family with a likely maternally transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.