Association between Ward's triangle bone mineral density levels and abdominal aortic calcification: Data from the national health and nutrition examination survey 2013-2014.

Background & Aims: Despite extensive research into the cardiovascular implications of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), there is a scarcity of robust studies exploring its association with Ward's triangle bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to evaluate this relationship in a nationally representative sample and compare the predictive value with femoral neck BMD and total femur BMD.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, utilizing a complex, stratified, multistage, cluster sampling design.

Ferroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy: Advances in cardiac fibroblast-cardiomyocyte interactions.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common complication of diabetes, and its pathogenesis remains elusive. Ferroptosis, a process dependent on iron-mediated cell death, plays a crucial role in DCM via disrupted iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and weakened antioxidant defenses. Hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation may exacerbate ferroptosis in diabetes.

Transcriptional and functional analysis of plasma exosomal microRNAs in acute viral myocarditis.

Aim: To assess the differential expression profiles of exosome-derived microRNA (miRNA) and reveal their potential functions in patients with acute viral myocarditis (AVMC).

Materials & Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 9 patients diagnosed with AVMC and 9 healthy controls (HC) in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from July 2021 to September 2022. The exosomal miRNA expression were tested using RNA high-throughput sequencing.

MINOCA biomarkers: Non-atherosclerotic aspects.

Myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is an important subtype of myocardial infarction. Although comprising less than 50% stenosis in the main epicardial coronary arteries, it constitutes a severe health risk. A variety of approaches have been recommended, but definitive diagnosis remains elusive.

Glucose control independent mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) face a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, traditional hypoglycemic drugs have limited effects on macrovascular complications of the disease. Clinical trials have confirmed that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), in addition to their capability of controlling blood glucose, can also decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in T2DM.

Impact of serum uric acid levels on the clinical prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome and hypertension after percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: The impact of serum uric acid (sUA) levels on the clinical prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and hypertension after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not fully clear. This study aimed to assess the association among sUA levels, clinical prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with ACS and hypertension after PCI.

Design: In this prospective cohort study, we followed-up patients with ACS and hypertension after PCI for 1 year to explore the risk factors for 1 year total major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and multivessel coronary artery disease, the dose-effect relationship among sUA levels, MACEs and severity of coronary artery disease and correlation between sUA levels and severity of coronary artery disease (Gensini score).

Valsartan Prevented Neointimal Hyperplasia and Inhibited SRSF1 Expression and the TLR4-iNOS-ERK-AT1 Receptor Pathway in the Balloon-injured Rat Aorta.

Valsartan has the potential to attenuate neointimal hyperplasia and to suppress the inflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate the role of valsartan in neointimal hyperplasia and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway in the balloon-injured rat aorta.Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three groups: sham control (control), balloon-injured group (surgery), and balloon-injured+valsartan-treated group (valsartan).

The Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiotoxicity Induced by HER2, VEGF, and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: an Updated Review.

Aim: In recent decades, there has been a revolutionary decrease in cancer-related mortality and an increase in survival due to the introduction of novel targeted drugs. Nevertheless, drugs targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), angiogenesis, and other tyrosine kinases also come with unexpected cardiac side effects, including heart failure, hypertension, arterial thrombosis, and arrhythmias, and have mechanisms that are unlike those of classic chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, it is challenging to address some problems, as the existing guidelines need to be more specific, and further large-scale clinical trials and experimental studies are required to confirm the benefit of administering cardioprotective agents to patients treated with targeted therapies.

Exploration of CYP21A2 and CYP17A1 polymorphisms and preeclampsia risk among Chinese Han population: a large-scale case-control study based on 5021 subjects.

Background: Several genome-wide association studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), such as rs4409766, rs1004467, and rs3824755 in CYP17A1 and rs2021783 in CYP21A2, as new hypertension susceptibility genetic variants in the Chinese population. This study aimed to look into the relationship between preeclampsia (PE) and these SNPs in Chinese Han women.

Methods: Overall, 5021 unrelated pregnant women were recruited, including 2002 patients with PE and 3019 normal healthy controls.

The effect of olmesartan on aortic intimal thickening after balloon injury through Apelin/APJ.

Purpose: Restenosis is the main complication after percutaneous coronary intervention. The proliferation of new intima contributes to the process. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of olmesartan on intimal thickening after balloon injury and possible mechanism.

Comparison of Efficacy between Clopidogrel and Ticagrelor in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome after Interventional Treatment and Their Effects on IL-6.

Background: We aimed to compare the efficacy between clopidogrel and ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and their effects on IL-6.

Methods: A retrospective analysis and collection of 200 ACS patients diagnosed by the Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China in 2016 were performed. Patients were randomly divided into clopidogrel group and ticagrelor group.

The effect of genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy on outcomes of selective percutaneous coronary intervention patients: an observational study.

To observe if personalized antiplatelet therapy according to the phenotype can improve the outcomes of patients receiving selective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this observational study, 677 Chinese patients undergoing selective PCI were divided into gene group (n = 369) and conventional group (n = 308), and given antiplatelet therapy according to the genotype or clinical features, respectively. Incidence of MACE (death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and unplanned repeat revascularization) and bleeding was compared between the two groups after 18 months.

Cardio-protective effects of salvianolic acid B on oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated H9c2 cells.

The morphological feature of apoptosis is induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells. Salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) has been studied in several pathological progresses, whereas it is still unclear whether maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is an intermediate regulator during this progress. After pre-incubation with Sal-B and stimulation with OGD, viability and apoptosis of were examined in MEG3-overexpressed H9c2 cells.

Hypertension Is an Independent Predictor of Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in Young Adults with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Risk factors of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) among young acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients remain elusive now.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 187 consecutive young (age ≤45 years) ACS patients (75 STEMI, 30 NSTEMI, and 72 unstable angina) hospitalized in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2016. Thirty-six young male patients with normal coronary angiography (CAG) findings (no-CAD), who underwent CAG due to suspected chest pain in this period, served as control group.

Comparison of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel for Patients Undergoing Emergency Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: We compared treatments with the antiplatelets ticagrelor and clopidogrel used in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the perioperative period for emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 120 patients were selected and randomly divided into control and observation groups (60 patients in each) from 2014-2016 at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The patients in the control group received 300 mg clopidogrel and 300 mg aspirin for oral administration, while those in the observation group were given 180 mg ticagrelor and 300 mg aspirin orally prior to the PCI.

Chronic Kidney Disease Exacerbates Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to exacerbate myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. Despite various strategies for cardioprotection, limited studies have been focused on the prevention of CKD-induced myocardial susceptibility to IR injury.

Assessment of aflatoxin B1 myocardial toxicity in rats: mitochondrial damage and cellular apoptosis in cardiomyocytes induced by aflatoxin B1.

Objective The number of deaths from heart disease is increasing worldwide. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a toxin produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, is frequently detected in improperly processed/stored human food products. While AFB1 hepatotoxicity and carcinogenic properties have been well addressed, its myocardial toxicity is poorly documented.

Acute Coronary Stent Thrombosis in Modern Era: Etiology, Treatment, and Prognosis.

Acute stent thrombosis (AST) is a rare but life-threatening complication of coronary artery stenting. AST remains a challenging task for cardiologists, despite the application of modern procedural techniques and dual-antiplatelet therapy strategies as well as improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. This review focuses on the prevalence, risk factors, prognosis, multiple potential underlying pathogenesis, knowledge gaps, and recommends diagnosis and individualized management strategies of AST.