Coronary CT Angiography-Based Radiomics to Predict Vessel-Specific Ischemia by Stress Dynamic CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

Rationale And Objectives: To investigate the predictive value of coronary CT angiography (CCTA)-based radiomics for vessel-specific ischemia by stress dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).

Materials And Methods: Patients with typical angina/atypical angina/non-angina chest pain who underwent both stress dynamic CT MPI and CCTA scans were retrospectively enrolled. The following models were constructed for ischemic prediction using logistic regression and CCTA-derived quantitative and radiomic features: plaque quantitative model, lumen quantitative model, CT-fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) model, integrative quantitative model, plaque radiomic model, peri-coronary adipose tissue (pCAT) radiomic model, integrative radiomic model, and quantitative and radiomic fusion model.

Assessment of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and coronary plaque characteristics by computed tomography in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Background: To evaluate the coronary plaque characteristics of coronary arteries using computed tomography angiography (CTA) in order to assess the risk of coronary artery disease and the relevance of high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM).

Methods: The clinical data of 400 DM patients and 400 non-DM patients from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected, including the results of coronaryCTA. The plasma hs-CRP level of the two groups were divided into three groups: CRP ≤ 1, 1 < CRP ≤ 2, CRP > 2.

CT pulmonary angiogram for assessing the treatment outcome of acute pulmonary embolism.

Objective: To discuss the value of CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) for assessing the treatment outcome of acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Materials And Methods: CT pulmonary angiogram data and other clinical data were collected for 28 cases diagnosed as APE and analyzed retrospectively. The number and positions of emboli in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary artery obstruction index, right ventricular/left ventricular diameter ratio, main pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio and blood oxygen saturation, and pulmonary arterial pressure were compared before and after treatment.

Multislice spiral CT angiography for evaluation of acute aortic syndrome.

Objective: To discuss the diagnostic value of multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) in acute aortic syndrome (AAS).

Materials And Methods: The clinical and imaging data of 36 cases diagnosed as AAS by MSCTA were collected. The manifestations of the MSCTA images were reviewed retrospectively, and the average x-ray dose was calculated.

Differential expression profile of long non-coding RNA in cardiomyocytes autophagy induced by angiotensin II.

Autophagy is a ubiquitous intracellular process for cellular homeostasis maintenance by recycling damaged protein and organelles. Dysregulation of cardiomyocytes autophagic activity is implicated in various heart diseases. Recent studies had demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) played crucial roles on modulation of autophagic activity.

MicroRNA-22 Promoted Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells by Targeting HDAC6.

Stem cells transplantation is a promising therapy strategy for accelerating periodontal regeneration and reconstruction. Genetic modification could induce stem cells directional differentiation to facilitate recovery of physiological functions. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of miR-22 on human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

ECG-gated pulmonary artery CTA for evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Objective: To evaluate right ventricular function in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) using electrocardiogram-gated CTA and to discuss the clinical value of pulmonary artery CTA PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on death risk evaluation, 86 APE patients were divided into high-risk group (n=46) and non-high-risk group (n=40). The CT pulmonary embolism (PE) index and parameters of right ventricular function were analyzed from the CTPA images and compared between the two groups. Potential correlation between the two was also discussed.

Dynamic autophagic activity affected the development of thoracic aortic dissection by regulating functional properties of smooth muscle cells.

The aortic medial degeneration is the key histopathologic feature of Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD). The aim of this study was to identify the change of autophagic activity in the aortic wall during TAD development, and to explore the roles of autophagy on regulating functional properties of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Firstly, compared with control group (n = 11), the increased expression of autophagic markers Beclin1 and LC3 was detected in the aortic wall from TAD group (n = 23) by immunochemistry and western blot.

Evaluation of image quality in carotid and cerebrovascular disease: a comparative study between subtraction and routine computed tomography angiography.

Objective: Few data exist comparing the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of subtraction computed tomography (CT) angiography (SCTA) in carotid and cerebrovascular arteries with routine CT angiography (RCTA).

Patients And Methods: In this study, 56 patients underwent 128-row CT angiography of these vessels with review by two radiologists using routine, nonsubtracted, and SCTA protocols. Comparisons were made using a 4-point subjective rating scale in all patients.

Inhibition of heat shock protein 90 improves pulmonary arteriole remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

While the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological processes, its role relating to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect in which HSP90 improves pulmonary arteriole remodeling, and explored the therapeutic utility of targeting HSP90 as therapeutic drug for PAH. By Elisa and immunohistochemistry, HSP90 was found to be increased in both plasma and membrane walls of pulmonary arterioles from PAH patients.

Involvement of Oct4 in the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic dissection via inducing the dedifferentiated phenotype of human aortic smooth muscle cells by directly upregulating KLF5.

Objective: To investigate the expression of Oct4 in human thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) and the regulation mechanisms of Oct4 on phenotype transition of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs).

Methods: Aortic samples from TAD patients (n = 12) and organ donors (n = 6) were collected. qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed to identify Oct4 expression in aortic media.

Brahma-related gene 1 inhibits proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells by directly up-regulating Ras-related associated with diabetes in the pathophysiologic processes of aortic dissection.

Objective: To elucidate the mechanisms of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) involvement in the pathophysiologic processes of aortic dissection.

Methods: Seventeen dissecting, 4 dilated, and 10 healthy human aorta samples were collected. Expression of Brg1 in the medium of aorta was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining, respectively.

Combining Coronary with Carotid and Cerebrovascular Angiography Using Prospective ECG Gating and Iterative Reconstruction with 256-slice CT.

Objective: To investigate the image quality and radiation dose of combined coronary and carotid/cerebrovascular angiography with ECG gating and iterative reconstruction using 256-slice CT compared with the findings with the two examinations performed separately.

Patients And Methods: One hundred sixty-five consecutive patients underwent a single-injection single-pass combination of coronary and carotid/cerebrovascular CT angiography (group A), coronary CT angiography alone (group B), or carotid/cerebrovascular CT angiography alone (group C). We assessed the image quality of the combined and separate examinations and calculated the respective effective radiation doses.

Elevated microRNA-155 promotes foam cell formation by targeting HBP1 in atherogenesis.

Aim: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in inflammatory responses of macrophages. However, the function of miRNAs in macrophage-derived foam cell formation is unclear. Here, we investigated the role of miRNAs in macrophage-derived foam cell formation and atherosclerotic development.

Activation of receptor for advanced glycation end products contributes to aortic remodeling and endothelial dysfunction in sinoaortic denervated rats.

Objective: The aim of present study was to test the hypothesis that activation of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) pathway contributes to aortic remodeling and endothelial dysfunction in sinoaortic denervated (SAD) rats.

Methods And Results: Experiment 1: 8 weeks after sinoaortic denervation, aortas were removed for measurement of AGE/RAGE pathway. Sinoaortic denervation in rats resulted in enhanced activity of aldose reductase, reduced activity of glyoxalase 1, accumulation of methylglyoxal and AGE, and upregulated expression of RAGE in aortas.

Increased gibberellin contents contribute to accelerated growth and development of transgenic tobacco overexpressing a wheat ubiquitin gene.

Overexpressing TaUb2 promoted stem growth and resulted in early flowering in transgenic tobacco plants. Ubiquitin are involved in the production, metabolism and proper function of gibberellin. The ubiquitin-26S proteasome system (UPS), in which ubiquitin (Ub) functions as a marker, is a post-translational regulatory system that plays a prominent role in various biological processes.

The antioxidative defense system is involved in the delayed senescence in a wheat mutant tasg1.

Wheat, which is the most important food crop worldwide, is a cereal that presents considerable potential for increased yield. A new wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) mutant tasg1 with delayed leaf senescence was constructed using ethyl methane sulfonate as a mutagen.

Attenuation of microRNA-22 derepressed PTEN to effectively protect rat cardiomyocytes from hypertrophy.

Cardiac hypertrophy, which is characterized by the enlargement of cell size, reactivation of fetal genes, remains one of the most important triggers to heart failure. Increasing evidence shows that microRNA (miRNA) is extensively involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. But the effects of miRNAs on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy have not been completely solved yet.

Uracils at nucleotide position 9-11 are required for the rapid turnover of miR-29 family.

MicroRNAs are endogenous small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. Although the biogenesis of microRNAs and their regulation have been thoroughly elucidated, the degradation of microRNAs has not been fully understood. Here by using the pulse-chase approach, we performed the direct measurement of microRNA lifespan.

Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation is influenced by let-7d microRNA and its interaction with KRAS.

Background: Several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to regulate cardiovascular biological and pathological processes through inhibiting the translation of certain RNA transcripts. However, little is known about the association between miRNAs and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. The aim was to investigate the role of miRNAs in VSMC growth and the potential mechanism.

Plasma miR-216a as a potential marker of pancreatic injury in a rat model of acute pancreatitis.

Aim: To study the potential value and specificity of plasma miR-216a as a marker for pancreatic injury.

Methods: Two rat models were applied in this article: L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis was used as one model to explore the potential value of plasma miR-216a for detection of pancreatic injury; nonlethal sepsis induced in rats by single puncture cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used as the other model to evaluate the specificity of plasma miR-216a compared with two commonly used markers (amylase and lipase) for acute pancreatitis. Plasmas were sampled from rats at indicated time points and total RNA was isolated.

Attenuation of microRNA-1 derepresses the cytoskeleton regulatory protein twinfilin-1 to provoke cardiac hypertrophy.

MicroRNAs are involved in several aspects of cardiac hypertrophy, including cardiac growth, conduction, and fibrosis. However, their effects on the regulation of the cardiomyocyte cytoskeleton in this pathological process are not known. Here, with microRNA microarray and small RNA library sequencing, we show that microRNA-1 (miR-1) is the most abundant microRNA in the human heart.

MicroRNAs are dynamically regulated in hypertrophic hearts, and miR-199a is essential for the maintenance of cell size in cardiomyocytes.

Cardiac hypertrophy, which is characterized by an increase in cell size and reactivation of fetal genes, occurs as an adaptive response to diverse forms of stress and often results in heart failure and sudden death. Growing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in cardiac hypertrophy, but the function of these miRNAs remains elusive. Here, using real time PCR analysis, we showed that several miRNAs were dynamically regulated in the rat hypertrophic hearts and miR-199a was up-regulated by 10-fold in hypertrophic hearts after abdominal aorta constriction for 12 weeks.

Circulating microRNA: a novel potential biomarker for early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in humans.

Aims: microRNA (miRNA) is reported to be present in the blood of humans and has been increasingly suggested as a biomarker for diseases. We aim to determine the potential of cardiac-specific miRNAs in circulation to serve as biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods And Results: By verifying their tissue expression patterns with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, muscle-enriched miRNAs (miR-1, miR-133a, and miR-499) and cardiac-specific miR-208a were selected as candidates for this study.

Phytase expression in transgenic soybeans: stable transformation with a vector-less construct.

A minimal linear gene cassette (35S-phytase gene-nos) with T-DNA borders was acquired by PCR and directly introduced into soybean through the pollen tube pathway. A total of 13% of T(1 )plants were positive for phyA by specific PCR. Southern blot analyses showed that phyA insertions were harbored stably in T(2) progeny.