Left atrial morpho-functional remodeling in atrial fibrillation assessed by three dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and its value in atrial fibrillation screening.

Background: Three dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D STE) is a novel technique combining 3D echocardiography and speckle tracking analysis. 3D STE software dedicated to the left atrium (LA) was recently available. Our study aimed to assess (1) atrial fibrillation (AF) related LA morpho-functional remodeling using 3D STE and (2) value of LA function parameters in identifying paroxysmal AF (PAF).

Slit guidance ligand 2 promotes the inflammatory response of periodontitis through activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background And Objectives: Periodontitis is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease associated with dental plaque biofilms. Slit guidance ligand 2 (SLIT2) has been shown to guide neuronal migration, regulate the inflammatory response and cancer progression. However, the role of SLIT2 in periodontitis is poorly understood.

The lncRNA H19/miR-541-3p/Wnt/β-catenin axis plays a vital role in melatonin-mediated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Implant dentures become the first choice for denture restoration in patients with tooth loss. However, oral implants often fail in osteoporosis (OP) patients. Melatonin (MT) induces osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), suggesting its therapeutic potential in OP treatment.

Simultaneous surgery of mandibular reduction and impacted mandibular third molar extraction: A retrospective study of 65 cases.

A considerable number of patients with prominent mandibular angle have mandibular third molar impaction that needs surgical removal. Mandibular reduction is a popular and effective surgery to correct prominent mandibular angle, but it has been rarely performed simultaneously with impacted third molar extraction. In order to decrease the number of operations and suffering of patients, safely performing these 2 operations together is necessary and important.

Three-dimensional mitral valve structure in predicting moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation improvement after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: Focusing on 3-dimensional mitral valve structure, this study investigated predictors for moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) improvement after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

Methods: This study included 143 patients (age 67.6 ± 7.

Left ventricular regional dyssynchrony predicts improvements in moderate ischaemic mitral regurgitation after off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the predictors of the improvement in moderate ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) focusing on left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony.

Methods: A prospective study was performed among 135 patients (age at surgery, mean ± SD: 67.0 ± 8.

The comprehensive impact on human body induced by resolution of growth hormone excess.

Context: Chronic excess of growth hormone (GH) often leads to systemic complications. The reversibility of these complications after GH resolution is not fully understood.

Objective: To investigate when and to what extent will the comorbidities be ameliorated.

Predictors of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation improvement after off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the predictors of improvement of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: A prospective study was performed among 109 patients (aged 66.6 ± 8.

The gene polymorphism of LOX1 predicts the incidence of LVH in patients with essential hypertension.

Background: Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) has been shown to play an important role in cardiac remodeling under different pathologic conditions. The role of genetic polymorphisms in the LOX1 gene, however, remains unclear in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) for patients with hypertension.

Methods: A total of 536 patients diagnosed with essential hypertension (EH) were recruited in this study.

Arctigenin promotes cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages through PPAR-γ/LXR-α signaling pathway.

Cholesterol efflux from macrophages is a critical mechanism to prevent the development of atherosclerosis. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of arctigenin, a bioactive component of Arctium lappa, on the cholesterol efflux in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-loaded THP-1 macrophages. Our data showed that arctigenin significantly accelerated apolipoprotein A-I- and high-density lipoprotein-induced cholesterol efflux in both dose- and time-dependent manners.

Rs12218 In SAA1 gene was associated with serum lipid levels.

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a kind of apolipoprotein. Several studies indicated that SAA genetic polymorphism rs12218 was associated with carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and serum uric acid levels. However, the relation between rs12218 and lipid levels remains unclear.

Left atrial and right atrial deformation in patients with coronary artery disease: a velocity vector imaging-based study.

Background: Impaired left ventricular (LV) function has been shown by strain rate (SR) imaging in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim was to investigate global and regional, systolic and diastolic left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) longitudinal deformation in CAD using velocity vector imaging.

Methods: Echocardiographic and velocity vector imaging studies were performed in 20 patients with mild CAD, 40 patients with severe CAD and 25 controls.

Therapeutic effect of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia on myocardial infarction in rats.

Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) preconditioning protects the heart against ischemic injuries. However, little is known about the therapeutic effect of IHH on myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to test whether IHH treatment influences infarct size and cardiac performance after MI.

2D-speckle tracking echocardiography contributes to early identification of impaired left ventricular myocardial function in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background/aims: Our aim was to investigate left ventricular (LV) physiology and short-axis and long-axis regional LV myocardial function throughout the cardiac cycle with 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods: The study population consisted of 40 maintenance hemodialysis patients (hemodialysis group), 20 uremic patients hospitalized for creation of primary arteriovenous fistula (nondialysis group), and a control group of 20 healthy volunteers. LV regional longitudinal, circumferential and radial peak systolic velocity (Vs); early diastolic velocity (Ve); and peak systolic strain (ε) were measured with 2D-STE.

Assessment of left ventricular segmental function after autologous bone marrow stem cells transplantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction by tissue tracking and strain imaging.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that stem cells can be used to improve cardiac function in patients after acute myocardial infarction. In this randomized trial, we aimed to use Doppler tissue tracking and strain imaging to assess left ventricular segmental function after intracoronary transfer of autologous bone-marrow stem cells (BMCs) for 6 months' follow up.

Methods: Twenty patients with acute myocardial infarction and anterior descending coronary artery occlusion proven by angiography were [corrected] randomized into intracoronary injection of bone-marrow cell (treated, n = 9) or diluted serum (control, n = 11) groups.

Progression of aortic valve sclerosis and aortic valve stenosis: what is the role of statin treatment?

Background: It has recently been suggested that statins could slow the progression of aortic stenosis, but this hypothesis has not been validated in large series. Moreover, there is little information about the role of statin treatment in patients with aortic valve sclerosis.

Methods: From our database 1988--2002, we retrospectively identified 1136 consecutive patients with aortic valve sclerosis (peak aortic velocity [Vmax] > 1.

Spontaneous closure of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. A case report.

Spontaneous closure of a postinfarction ventricular septal rupture is extremely rare. We present such a case in which the postinfarction ventricular septal rupture closed spontaneously during follow-up. We postulate that the spontaneous closure of the ventricular septal rupture was probably due to thrombosis in the apical and septal aneurysm.

Asymptomatic isolated congenital left ventricular muscular diverticulum in an adult: a case report.

Congenital ventricular diverticulum is a very rare malformation in adults. We describe a 21-year-old male with a congenital muscular left ventricular diverticulum in the inferior wall. The lesion was suspected on two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography; transesophageal echocardiography allowed clear detection of the diverticulum as well of mild mitral valve prolapse.

Symptomatic aortic stenosis: does systemic hypertension play an additional role?

Hypertension and aortic stenosis represent 2 different models of left ventricular systolic overload. Previous studies have observed different remodeling patterns in these conditions. There is, however, little information about patients with coexisting aortic stenosis and hypertension.

[Safety and effectiveness of dual chamber pacing in patients over 80 years of age with previous episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

Background: Dual chamber pacing (DDD) in the elderly is still a controversial issue because of its short life expectancy and the risk of atrial fibrillation. The aim of the study was 1) to evaluate the cumulative survival and the events capable of modifying it, 2) to evaluate the stability of sinus rhythm, and 3) to try to identify patients who are at a higher risk of developing permanent atrial fibrillation after DDD implantation. We evaluated clinical, electrophysiological and pacing parameters at the time of implantation.

Thrombus in the right atrial appendage during pulmonary and paradoxical embolism: a case report.

We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who was admitted because of left pulmonary embolism. An episode of ischemic stroke occurred during hospitalization. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a right atrial appendage thrombus and a patent foramen ovale with right to left shunting.