[Correlation of cardiac troponin T gene mutations to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Chinese patients].

Objective: To study cardiac troponin T (TNNT2) gene mutations in Chinese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and analyze the correlation between the genotype and phenotype.

Methods: Ninety-five unrelated Chinese patients with HCM and 120 control individuals were screened for TNNT2 gene mutations. Seven exons (8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, and 16) in the functional regions of TNNT2 gene were amplified using PCR and the products were sequenced.

[Association between myocardial calpain activation and apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide-induced septic mouse model].

Objective: in septic mice, myocardial calpain was activated and induced caspase-3 activation, the association between calpain activation and apoptosis was explored in this experiment.

Methods: in in vivo model, adult C57 mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 4 mg/kg, i.p.

Curculigoside attenuates human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury induced by H2O2.

Aim Of The Study: Vessel endothelium injury caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) including H(2)O(2) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, agents or antioxidants that can inhibit production of ROS has highly clinical values in cardiovascular therapy. Curculigoside is the major bioactive compounds present in Curculigo orchioides, and possess potent antioxidant properties against oxidative stress insults through undefined mechanism(s).

[Link between cardiac myosin binding protein-C gene mutation of Pro1208fs and Gly507 Arg and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Chinese patients].

Objective: To detect gene mutations associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Chinese patients and possible correlations between genotype and phenotype.

Methods: Twenty-one unrelated patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were studied. The clinical data including symptoms, physical examination, echocardiography and electrocardiography were collected.

[Overexpression of endothelin-1 induces hypertrophy of rat pulmonary arterial microvascular smooth muscle cells via Akt/mTOR pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) overexpression on hypertrophy of the rat pulmonary arterial microvascular smooth muscle cells (RPMCs) in vitro.

Methods: Lung tissue perfusion method was used to obtain the primary RPMCs, and then the cells were transiently transfected with ET-1 plasmids or empty vectors via Lipofectamine. Flow cytometry was used to determine the distributions of the cell cycle and cell size of RPMCs.

[Endothelin-1 overexpression inhibits rat pulmonary arterial microvascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis via Akt/PKB pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) overexpression on apoptosis of the rat pulmonary arterial microvascular smooth muscle cells (RPMC) in vitro.

Methods: Primary RPMC obtained from the pulmonary artery and lung microvasculature were identified by immunofluorescence staining and electron microscope technique. The RPMC was transient transfected with the pMEXneo-ET1 and pCDNA5-FRT-TO-ET1-3'UTR plasmids as well as the empty vector respectively via lipofectamine.

[Association between myocardial ADAMTS-1 expression and myocardial fibrosis in a murine model of viral myocarditis].

Objective: To investigate the association between myocardial ADAMTS-1 expression and myocardial fibrosis in coxsackievirus B(3) (CVB(3))-induced acute and chronic murine myocarditis model.

Methods: Balb/c mice were infected with CVB(3) (single injection or monthly injection for 3 months) to establish acute or chronic myocarditis model. Normal controls received equal-volume Eagles minimal essential medium (EMEM) without CVB(3).

Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography can predict functional recovery and left ventricular remodeling after revascularization in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: Previous studies showed that preservation of microvascular integrity after myocardial ischemia was associated with myocardial viability. Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RT-MCE) is a promising modality for non-invasive evaluation of microcirculation perfusion. Thus, it provides a unique tool to detect myocardial viability.

Assessment of left ventricular systolic synchronicity by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Recent advances in real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) offer the potential to assess the left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony simultaneously by analyzing the 17 segments time-volume curves. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and accuracy of RT3DE for quantitative evaluation of left ventricular systolic synchronicity.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and twenty-five healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.

Usefulness of dobutamine stress myocardial contrast echocardiography for assessing coronary artery disease.

Background: Quantitatively assessing myocardial perfusion and its reserve is of great importance for the diagnosis and stratification of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and represents an important goal of myocardial contrast echocardiography. In this study we sought to test the usefulness of low dose dobutamine stress real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RT-MCE) in the assessment of CAD, and to explore the relationship between perfusion reserve and contractile reserve.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with suspected or clinical diagnosed CAD were enrolled and underwent RT-MCE at baseline and under low dose dobutamine stress, and subsequent coronary angiography.

[Frequency of the anomalous coronary origin in the Chinese population with coronary artery stenosis].

Objective: To estimate the frequency of anomalous coronary origin with angiography in the Chinese population and evaluate the correlation between anomalous coronary origin and development of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis.

Methods: All of the patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography from January 2001 to June 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Those with anomalous origin of the coronary arteries were selected for further assessment and any significant stenosis in one or more coronary arteries or in a major branch was recorded.

[Value of low dose dobutamine real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography in the assessment of coronary artery disease].

Objective: To evaluate the value of quantitative real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RT-MCE) combined with low dose dobutamine stress test in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD), and to assess the contribution of collateral blood flow (CBF) to myocardial perfusion.

Methods: Twenty-six hospitalized patients referred for coronary angiography and subsequent revascularization underwent routine echocardiography, RT-MCE at baseline and after low dose dobutamine administration. The images of RT-MCE were analyzed quantitatively from microbubble replenishment curves for myocardial perfusion and its reserve by using the QLab software.

Microarray analysis of extracellular matrix genes expression in myocardium of mouse with Coxsackie virus B3 myocarditis.

Background: Extracellular matrix (ECM) orchestrates cell behaviour including growth, death, apoptosis, adhesion, migration, and invasion by activating several signalling pathways. Certain components of ECM, such as integrins, may act as receptors or co-receptors of enterovirus. ECM-activated gene expressions in myocardium of viral heart disease including myocarditis and partial cardiomyopathy remain elusive.

Identification of syndrome X using intravascular ultrasound imaging and Doppler flow mapping.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological changes and physiological function of coronary arteries in patients presenting with chest pain but having normal coronary angiograms, using intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) and intracoronary Doppler (ICD) flow measurements, in order to elucidate the mechanism of syndrome X.

Methods: A total of 126 patients [67 males, 59 females, mean age (53.1 +/- 13.

The role of inflammatory stress in acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: To summarize current understanding of the roles of anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory mechanisms in the development of atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome and to postulate the novel concept of inflammation stress as the most important factor triggering acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, markers of inflammation stress and ways to block involved pathways are elucidated.

Data Sources: A literature search (MEDLINE 1997 to 2002) was performed using the key words "inflammation and cardiovascular disease".

[Changing trends of etiologic characteristics of cardiovascular diseases among inpatients in Shanghai: a retrospective observational study from 1948 to 1999].

Objective: To investigate the trends in the change of etiologic types of cardiovascular disease among inpatients in Shanghai area from 1948 to 1999.

Methods: The retrospective estimate was based on the data survey in two major general hospitals of Shanghai. Descriptive statistics were provided for all patients meeting the inclusion criteria.