Atrial Fibrillation and Risk of Dementia: Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Effect of Anticoagulation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the cardiovascular risk factors for dementia. Several longitudinal studies have reported an association between AF and dementia independently of stroke history. Although the mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood, proposed mechanisms include cerebral hypoperfusion, inflammation, genetic factors, cerebral microbleeds, and recurrent silent cerebral ischemia.

Mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with apical aneurysm: An important subtype of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (MVOHCM) is an uncommon type of HCM. LV apical aneurysms are present in more than 20% MVOHCM cases and has been identified as an independent predictor of potentially lethal arrhythmic events, including non-sustained or sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF), as well as SCD. Although the pathogenesis of LVA remains unknown, but it has been suggested that apical aneurysm may be secondary to the increased after-load and high apical pressure arising from significant pressure gradient of the midventricular obstruction.

Probucol Protects Against Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2)/JNK-Caspase 3 Pathway in Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is an important clinical problem, yet its pathogenic mechanisms are incompletely understood. In this study we explored the potential beneficial effects of probucol as treatment of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rats were divided into 3 groups: i) diabetic control, ii) diabetic with contrast, and iii) probucol treatment groups.

High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: High-intensity exercise may beneficially impact on insulin sensitivity. However, there is still uncertainty on the actual impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on chronic physiologic adaptations among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to systematically search and appraise the evidence base on the effects of HIIT in comparison to mild- or moderate-intensity interval training (MMIIT) on glycemic control inT2DM.

Clinical Implications of Unmasking Dormant Conduction After Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Atrial Fibrillation Using Adenosine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) is a routine ablation strategy of atrial fibrillation (AF). The adenosine test can be used to unmask dormant conduction (DC) of pulmonary veins after CPVI, thereby demonstrating possible pulmonary vein re-connection and the need for further ablation. However, whether adenosine test could help improve the long term successful rate of CPVI is still controversial.

Mechanisms of Intravascular Linear Ablation Induced Restenosis in Rabbit Abdominal Aorta.

Objectives: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the mainstay treatment for coronary artery disease but complications such as in-stent restenosis and thrombosis remain problematic. Radiofrequency balloon angioplasty (RBA) can improve lumen dimension, fusing intimal tears, and artery dissection but is associated with higher restenosis rate.

Methods: After establishing an atherosclerosis model based on endothelial abrasion and high cholesterol diet, forty-five rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: RBA (n=20), percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) (n=20), and control groups (n=5).

Evaluation of the safety profiles of estrogenic Chinese herbal medicines in breast cancer.

Background: An increasing number of breast cancer patients in Asian countries has been found to consume dietary supplements including phytoestrogen-rich Chinese herbal medicines with an expectation to alleviate the side effects of conventional cancer therapies.

Purpose: The question of whether estrogenic Chinese herbal medicines are beneficial or detrimental to the health of breast cancer patients remains uncertain.

Study Design: The present study aimed at establishing a systematic approach to look at the safety profiles of estrogenic Chinese herbal medicines (CHM).

The Role of Connexins in Gastrointestinal Diseases.

Gap junctions are hexagonal arrays of protein molecules in the plasma membrane and were first described in Mauthner cell synapses of goldfish. They form pathways for coupling between cells, allowing passive, electrotonic spread of ions and also passage of larger molecules such as amino acids and nucleotides. They are expressed in both excitable and non-excitable tissues.

Efficacy of Wenxin Keli Plus Amiodarone versus Amiodarone Monotherapy in Treating Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Use of amiodarone (AMIO) in atrial fibrillation (AF) has significant side effects over prolonged periods. Wenxin Keli (WXKL), a Chinese herb extract, has been shown to be effective in atrial-selective inhibiting peak and hence beneficial in treating atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate potential effects of AMIO plus WXKL on conversion rate and time in patients with recent-onset AF.

Figure Correction: Resting and Postexercise Heart Rate Detection From Fingertip and Facial Photoplethysmography Using a Smartphone Camera: A Validation Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/mhealth.7275.

Prognostic value of frontal QRS-T angle in predicting survival after primary percutaneous coronary revascularization/coronary artery bypass grafting for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Frontal QRS-T angle (FQRST) has previously been correlated with mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease, but its role as survival predictor after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unknown.

Methods: We evaluated 267 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing reperfusion or coronary artery bypass grafting. Data assessed included demographics, clinical presentation, electrocardiograms, medical therapy, and one-year mortality.

Alogliptin prevents diastolic dysfunction and preserves left ventricular mitochondrial function in diabetic rabbits.

Background: There are increasing evidence that left ventricle diastolic dysfunction is the initial functional alteration in the diabetic myocardium. In this study, we hypothesized that alogliptin prevents diastolic dysfunction and preserves left ventricular mitochondrial function and structure in diabetic rabbits.

Methods: A total of 30 rabbits were randomized into control group (CON, n = 10), alloxan-induced diabetic group (DM, n = 10) and alogliptin-treated (12.

T-T, T-T/QT ratio and T-T dispersion for risk stratification in Brugada Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Brugada syndrome is an ion channelopathy that predisposes affected subjects to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF), potentially leading to sudden cardiac death (SCD). T-T intervals, (T-T)/QT ratio and T-T dispersion have been proposed for risk stratification, but their predictive values in Brugada syndrome have been challenged recently.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine their values in predicting arrhythmic and mortality outcomes in Brugada Syndrome.

Quantification of Beat-To-Beat Variability of Action Potential Durations in Langendorff-Perfused Mouse Hearts.

Beat-to-beat variability in action potential duration (APD) is an intrinsic property of cardiac tissue and is altered in pro-arrhythmic states. However, it has never been examined in mice. Left atrial or ventricular monophasic action potentials (MAPs) were recorded from Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts during regular 8 Hz pacing.

Endothelial cell transient receptor potential channel C5 (TRPC5) is essential for endothelium-dependent contraction in mouse carotid arteries.

Augmented endothelium-dependent contractions (EDC) contributes to endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease progression. An early signal in EDC is cytosolic [Ca] rise in endothelial cells, which stimulates the production of contractile prostanoids, leading to vascular contraction. In this study, the molecular identity of Ca-permeable channels in endothelial cells and its function were investigated.

Cancer antigen-125 and outcomes in acute heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA125) is an ovarian cancer marker, but recent work has examined its role in risk stratification in heart failure. A recent meta-analysis examined its prognostic value in heart failure generally. However, there has been no systematic evaluation of its role specifically in acute heart failure (AHF).

Oral anticoagulants and risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a documented risk factor for dementia. However, it is unclear whether oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment can reduce the development of dementia or cognitive impairment. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between OAC use and subsequent dementia development in AF patients by searching databases from their inception to February 2018 without language restriction.

Expression of biomarkers in the AKT pathway correlates with malignancy and recurrence in phyllodes tumours of the breast.

Aims: Phyllodes tumours (PTs) of the breast are uncommon fibroepithelial neoplasms with the potential to recur and metastasise. Apart from histological grading, the expression of biological markers and its relationship with tumour behaviour have been topics of interest. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway regulates diverse biological functions, and is one of the most frequently deregulated pathways in cancers.