PCSK9 inhibitor added to high-intensity statin therapy to prevent cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention: a randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter SHAWN study.

Background: It is currently uncertain whether the combination of a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor and high-intensity statin treatment can effectively reduce cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for culprit lesions.

Methods: This study protocol describes a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study aiming to investigate the efficacy and safety of combining a PCSK9 inhibitor with high-intensity statin therapy in patients with ACS following PCI. A total of 1,212 patients with ACS and multiple lesions will be enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either PCSK9 inhibitor plus high-intensity statin therapy or high-intensity statin monotherapy.

Zinc as a countermeasure for cadmium toxicity.

Cadmium (Cd) is an important environmental pollutant and long-term Cd exposure is closely related to autoimmune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and hepatic dysfunction. Zinc (Zn) is an essential metal that plays key roles in protein structure, catalysis, and regulation of their function. Numerous studies have shown that Zn can reduce Cd toxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been extensively explored.

Zinc protects against cadmium-induced toxicity in neonatal murine engineered cardiac tissues via metallothionein-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential heavy metal and a prevalent environmental toxin that has been shown to induce significant cardiomyocyte apoptosis in neonatal murine engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs). In contrast, zinc (Zn) is a potent metallothionein (MT) inducer, which plays an important role in protection against Cd toxicity. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Zn against Cd toxicity in ECTs and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Exacerbation of diabetic cardiac hypertrophy in OVE26 mice by angiotensin II is associated with JNK/c-Jun/miR-221-mediated autophagy inhibition.

Both diabetes and angiotensin II (Ang II) excess trigger cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that cardiac hypertrophy associated with the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy is worsened by increased Ang II. Male type 1 diabetic OVE26 and wild-type mice were given Ang II (sc.

miR-125a inhibits porcine preadipocytes differentiation by targeting ERRα.

MicroRNAs are a family of small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. Estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) is an orphan nuclear receptor which plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation. Our previous Solexa sequencing results indicated a high expression of miR-125a in adult pig backfat.

MicroRNA-199a-5p affects porcine preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, have emerged as novel and potent regulators of adipogenesis. However, few miRNAs have been fully investigated in porcine adipogenesis, given the fact that pig is not only an apropos model of human obesity research, but also a staple meat source of human diet. In this study, we showed that miRNA-199a-5p is highly expressed in porcine subcutaneous fat deposits compared to several other tissue types and organs measured alongside.

Efficacy of a combined contraceptive regimen consisting of condoms and emergency contraception pills.

Background: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the combined regimen (consisting of condoms and emergency contraception pills (ECP)) and using condoms only for the purpose of preventing pregnancy.

Methods: One-thousand-five-hundred-and-sixty-two (1,562) couples as volunteers enrolled at nine centers in Shanghai. Eight-hundred-and-twelve (812) were randomized to use male condoms and ECP (i.

Male rural-to-urban migrants and risky sexual behavior: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China.

This study examined the prevalence and the determinants of risky sexual behavior (defined as having multiple sex partners and paying for sex) among male rural-to-urban migrants in China. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior associated with increased risk of risky sexual behavior from 4,069 subjects. In total 1,132 (27.

Unmarried male migrants and sexual risk behavior: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China.

Background: In China, there is increasing concern because of the rapid increase in HIV infection recorded over recent years. Migrant workers are recognized as one of the groups most affected. In this study, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among unmarried migrant workers in Shanghai are investigated, with the aim of providing critical information for policy makers and sex educators to reinforce sexual health services and sex health education targeting the behavior and sexual health of unmarried male migrants.