Apelin receptor inhibition in ischemia-reperfused mouse hearts protected by endogenous n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

While the protective effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury have been previously reported, limited data are available regarding how these fatty acids affect membrane receptors and their downstream signaling following IR injury. We aimed to identify potential receptors activated by n-3 PUFAs in IR hearts to understand the regulatory mechanisms of these receptors. We used mice, which naturally have elevated levels of n-3 PUFAs, and C57BL/6J mice as a control group to create a myocardial IR injury model through Langendorff perfusion.

Establishment and Evaluation of a Porcine Vein Graft Disease Model.

Venous graft disease (VGD) is the leading cause of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) failure. Large animal models of CABG-VGD are needed for the investigation of disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies. To perform the surgery, we enter the cardiac chamber through the third intercostal space and carefully dissect the internal mammary vein and immerse it in normal saline.

Differential mRNA Expression and Circular RNA-Based Competitive Endogenous RNA Networks in the Three Stages of Heart Failure in Transverse Aortic Constriction Mice.

Background: The murine transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model is frequently used to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure. However, limited data is available regarding the expression of mRNAs and circRNAs in murine heart failure progression induced by pressure overload.

Methods: Transverse aortic constriction was used to induce pressure overload for 2, 4, and 8 weeks in mice.

A Surgical Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Tibetan Minipigs.

More than half of heart failure (HF) cases are classified as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) worldwide. Large animal models are limited for investigating the fundamental mechanisms of HFpEF and identifying potential therapeutic targets. This work provides a detailed description of the surgical procedure of descending aortic constriction (DAC) in Tibetan minipigs to establish a large animal model of HFpEF.

Cardioprotective Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Orchestration of mRNA Expression, Protein Phosphorylation, and Lipid Metabolism in Pressure Overload Hearts.

Pressure overload can result in dilated cardiomyopathy. The beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on heart disorders have been widely recognized. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their protective effects against cardiomyopathy remain unclear.

[An adrenal neuroblastoma regression diagnosed and followed by ultrasound: a case report].

Neuroblastoma is an embryonal tumor of the sympathetic nervous system, arising during fetal or early post-natal life from sympathetic cells derived from the neural crest. A 9-day-old boy was diagnosed as adrenal neuroblastoma with liver metastasis by biopsy. After 6 years of follow-up with ultrasound observation, the boy presents a process of spontaneous recovery without any special treatment.

[Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign and malignant hepatic tumors].

Objective: To determine the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign and malignant hepatic tumors.

Methods: A total of 83 patients with 123 focal liver lesions (FLLs) underwent contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examination. The contrast enhanced characterization of FLLs were compared.