Clinical profiles and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection and intramural hematoma in the current era: lessons from the first registry of aortic dissection in China.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and acute type A intramural hematoma (ATAIMH) are life-threatening diseases with high mortality. To better understand their clinical features in the Chinese population, we analyzed the data from the first Registry of Aortic Dissection in China (Sino-RAD) to promote the understanding and management of the diseases.

Methods: All patients with ATAAD and ATAIMH enrolled in Sino-RAD from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016 were involved.

Lipopolysaccharide impairs permeability of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells via Connexin40.

The endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier disruption is a key pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying LPS-impaired permeability of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) are not fully understood. Gap junctions, particularly Connexin40 (Cx40), are necessary for the maintenance of normal vascular function.

Lacidipine attenuates TNF-α-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

This study was designed to investigate whether lacidipine elicited a protective role on cardiomyocyte against apoptosis induced by TNF-α. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were randomly assigned into different groups. TUNEL staining was utilized to detect apoptosis, and caspase-3 and caspse-12 were determined.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor promotes Fas-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via its receptor phospholipase A2.

Aims: Cardiovascular diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, our research team demonstrated that a multifunctional cytokine, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), plays a critical role in regulating myocardial infarction. However, few researchers have studied the molecular mechanisms by which PEDF and its receptors influence the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease.

Κ-opioid receptor stimulation improves endothelial function in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of κ-opioid receptor stimulation with U50,488H on endothelial function and underlying mechanism in rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Chronic hypoxia-induced HPH was simulated by exposing the rats to 10% oxygen for 2 wk. After hypoxia, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricular pressure (RVP) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) were measured.

Anxiolytic actions of motilin in the basolateral amygdala.

Motilin is a 22-amino-acid gastrointestinal polypeptide that was first isolated from the porcine intestine. We identified that motilin receptor is highly expressed in GABAergic interneurons in the basolateral nucleus (BLA) of the amygdala, the structure of which is closely involved in assigning stress disorder and anxiety. However, little is known about the role of motilin in BLA neuronal circuits and the molecular mechanisms of stress-related anxiety.

The effect of hyperoside on the functional recovery of the ischemic/reperfused isolated rat heart: potential involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway.

One of the leading causes of death in the world is ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-mediated acute myocardial infarction. There are a lot of Chinese traditional patent medicines, such as Xin'an capsules, Xin Xuening tablets, and so on, which have protective effects against myocardial I/R injury and have been routinely used in treating cardiac diseases for a long time in China. Hyperoside (Hyp) is the chief component of these medicines.

Vasculoprotective effect of U50,488H in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia: role of Akt-stimulated NO production.

Impairment of pulmonary endothelium function in the pulmonary artery is a direct result of chronic hypoxia. This study is to investigate the vasculoprotective effects of U50,488H (a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist) and its underlying mechanism in hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery endothelial functional injury. Chronic hypoxia was simulated by exposing the rats to 10% oxygen for 2 wk.

Development of a rat respiratory mask and its application in experimental chronic myocardial ischaemia.

In addressing the challenge of the low survival rates of rats with myocardial ischaemia, we developed a novel respiratory mask. We tested this mask on the rat model. We gave attention to several features of the mask: (1) shape, (2) size, (3) inlet, (4) outlet, (5) compatibility between rat head and the mask, (6) connection between mask and ventilator.

κ-opioid receptor activation prevents against arrhythmias by preserving Cx43 protein via alleviation of intracellular calcium.

κ-opioid receptor (κ-OR) activation with U50,488H, a selective κ-OR agonist, has been previously demonstrated to prevent against cardiac arrhythmias via stabilizing the synthesis and degradation of an integral membrane protein, Cx43, in gap junctions. However, the exact prevention mechanism remains unclear. The present study tested the hypothesis that the kappa OR agonist U50,488H mediates the prevention of arrhythmia through the regulation of intracellular calcium leading to the preservation of Cx43 protein.

Improvement of vascular function by acute and chronic treatment with the GPR30 agonist G1 in experimental diabetes mellitus.

The G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 30 (GPR30) is a seven-transmembrane domain receptor that mediates rapid estrogen responses in a wide variety of cell types. This receptor is highly expressed in the cardiovascular system, and exerts vasodilatory effects. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of GPR30 on vascular responsiveness in diabetic ovariectomized (OVX) rats and elucidate the possible mechanism involved.

The association between OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis of 27 studies.

Background: Numerous studies have investigated association of OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism with lung cancer susceptibility; however, the findings are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis based on 27 publications encompass 9663 cases and 11348 controls to comprehensively evaluate such associations.

Methods: We searched publications from MEDLINE and EMBASE which were assessing the associations between OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and lung cancer risk.

Calpain inhibitor MDL 28170 protects against the Ca2+ paradox in rat hearts.

The calcium paradox represents an important model in which to study myocardial injuries due to intracellular Ca(2+) overload. In a previous study, calpain was transiently activated in Ca(2+) -paradoxic hearts. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of calpain in myocardial dysfunction in hearts subjected to the Ca(2+) paradox and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

[Initial experience of transcatheter implantation with a new aortic valve in sheep].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and short-term results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using a new transcatheter valve.

Methods: Twenty healthy adult sheep received general anesthesia. Under the guidance of X-ray and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), the new anti-calcification transcatheter valve was released from delivery system and implanted at the level of native aortic annulus via left common carotid artery.

Protective effects of hyperoside against human umbilical vein endothelial cell damage induced by hydrogen peroxide.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Hyperoside (Hyp) is a flavonoid compound isolated from Rhododendron ponticum L. leaves that elicits vascular protective effects in vitro. Treatment with Hyp has been found to attenuate endothelial cell damage induced by oxidative stress, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear.

Deletion of RBP-J in adult mice leads to the onset of aortic valve degenerative diseases.

Transcription factor RBP-J-mediated Notch signaling has been implicated in several inherited cardiovascular diseases including aortic valve diseases (AVD). But whether Notch signal plays a role in AVD in adults has been unclear. This study aims to test whether the deletion of RBP-J in adult mice would lead to AVD and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

[Clinical follow-up of staged hybrid approach for patients with ventricular septal defects combined with patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of staged hybrid approach in treating ventricular septal defect (VSD) patients combined with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).

Methods: From July 2004 to July 2009, 22 VSD patients with PDA and PAH were enrolled and received staged hybrid approach treatment (transcatheter PDA occlusion and elective open surgery for VSD several days after PDA occlusion). All patients were followed up to examine rhythm change, residual shunt, shape of occlude, possible valve regurgitation, and aortic stenosis by echocardiography.

[Surface modification of RGD peptides onto acellularized porcine aortic valve to promote cell adhesion].

Objective: To investigate the impact of RGD peptides on cell adhesion to acellularized procine aortic valve.

Methods: The acellular porcine aorta valve (APAV) was prepared by removing the cells and cellular components from porcine aortic valve using trypsin and hyposmosis TritonX-100. With the help of epoxy chloropropane (EC), the decelluarized valve scaffolds were immobilized with YGRGDSP peptide.

Role of 5-HT 2B receptors in cardiomyocyte apoptosis in noradrenaline-induced cardiomyopathy in rats.

1. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) plays important roles in the development of cardiac hypertrophy via activation of 5-HT receptors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of 5-HT(2B) receptors in the development of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and hypertrophy associated with noradrenaline (NA) overload.

Modulation of intracellular calcium transient in response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation in the hearts of 4-wk-old rats during simulated weightlessness.

Modulation of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) transient in response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation in the hearts of hindlimb unweighted (HLU) rats during simulated weightlessness has not been reported. In the present study, we adopted the rat tail suspension for 4 wk to simulate weightlessness. Effects of simulated microgravity on beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness were then studied.

[Study on the influence of the configuration of porcine aortic root on the stentless valve design].

Objective: To provide the reference for the stentless aortic valve design with the study of the inner configuration of porcine aortic root.

Methods: The orifice areas of porcine aortic root at 4 levels (OA1 to 4), the average area of leaflets (Sa), the area analogue of leaflets (AA, AA = 1/2PH), the average area analogue of leaflets (AAa), the value PH of the left, right, non coronary leaflets (PHl, PHr, PHn) and the sums of PHs of the left and non-coronary leaflets (PHln) in the fresh and glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin-treated porcine aortic valves (20 respectively) were measured and calculated. The linear correlation and regression analysis by SPSS 12.

Antegrade cerebral perfusion during deep hypothermia circulatory arrest attenuates the apoptosis of neurons in porcine hippocampus.

Background: Cerebral damage is a major problem after reconstructive surgery of the aortic arch and the descending aorta. Current protective strategies, including deep hypothermia and antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP), are used to prolong the tolerated duration of circulatory arrest. The aim of the study was to observe the influence of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and ACP on neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus.

Myocardial apoptosis and infarction after ischemia/reperfusion are attenuated by kappa-opioid receptor agonist.

Background And Aims: It remains unclear whether U50488H (a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist) produces anti-apoptotic effect during ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Therefore, the effect of U50488H on myocardial apoptosis was investigated in the present study.

Methods: Rats were subjected to 45min coronary artery occlusion and 180min of reperfusion.

Effects of U50,488H on hypoxia pulmonary hypertension and its underlying mechanism.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether U50,488H, a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, inhibits the remodeling of the pulmonary artery (PA). In addition, changes in the concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET) and angiotensin II (AngII) in hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive (HPH) rats were investigated to explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of U50, 488H on HPH. We found that intraperitoneal administration of U50,488H (every other day) during hypoxia depressed mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and attenuated right ventricular pressure (RVP) and right ventricular hypertrophy, at the same time it inhibited remodeling of the PA compared with hypoxia for 2 wk.

The short-term pulsatile ventricular assist device for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock: a clinical trial in China.

Despite the recent advances in myocardial protection, surgical techniques, intra-aortic balloon therapy, and maximal pharmacological support, postoperative ventricular dysfunction continues to occur in 0.5-1.0% of all patients undergoing cardiac surgery.