Metabolomics Analysis Identifies Differential Metabolites as Biomarkers for Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI), including ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI), is still a leading cause of death worldwide. Metabolomics technology was used to explore differential metabolites (DMs) as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of STEMI and NSTEMI. In the study, 2531 metabolites, including 1925 DMs, were discovered.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase and TRPC3 channels jointly contribute to homocysteine-induced cardiac hypertrophy: Interrelation and regulation by C/EBPβ.

Objectives: Studies in certain cardiac hypertrophy models suggested the individual role of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and canonical transient receptor potential 3 (TRPC3) channels, however, whether they jointly mediate hypertrophic process remains unexplored. Hyperhomocysteinemia promotes cardiac hypertrophy while the involvement of sEH and TRPC3 channels remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the role of, and interrelation between sEH and TRPC3 channels in homocysteine-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

The lncRNA-miRNA-integrin alpha V ceRNA network can affect the occurrence and prognosis of gastric cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the role of integrin alpha V (ITGAV) and the related long noncoding RNA-microRNA-messenger RNA competing endogenous RNA (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA) network in the development and prognosis of cancers, especially gastric cancer (GC), through bioinformatic analysis.

Methods: Pan-cancer and GC data were collected from the UCSC Xena website, and validation datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). R (version 3.

Targeting IRE1α-JNK-c-Jun/AP-1-sEH Signaling Pathway Improves Myocardial and Coronary Endothelial Function Following Global Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) upregulation/activation have been implicated in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We previously reported that ER stress mediates angiotensin II-induced sEH upregulation in coronary endothelium, whether and how ER stress regulates sEH expression to affect postischemic cardiac function remain unexplored. This study aimed to unravel the signaling linkage between ER stress and sEH in an model of myocardial I/R injury.

del Nido cardioplegia better preserves cardiac diastolic function but histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate is better for endothelial function.

Objectives: The effectiveness of myocardial protection of cardioplegia has been a matter of debate for decades. This study was designed to compare cardiac and endothelial protection of 3 clinically used cardioplegias: del Nido cardioplegia (DNC), histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) and blood cardioplegia (BC) followed by HTK (BC + HTK) in a rat model of ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R).

Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were subjected to either 120 min of global ischaemia at 4°C followed by 90 min of reperfusion (I/R) at 37°C or no I/R (control) in a Langendorff apparatus and were randomly allocated to 5 groups: control, I/R, DNC, HTK and BC + HTK.

[Effect of staging treatment of acupuncture on pregnancy outcome in patients with recurrent implantation failure of thin endometrium type].

Objective: To compare the effect of acupuncture combined with medication and medication alone on pregnancy outcome in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) of thin endometrium type.

Methods: A total of 74 patients with RIF of thin endometrium type undergoing freeze-thaw embryo transfer were randomly divided into an observation group (37 cases) and a control group (37 cases). The patients in the control group were treated with freeze-thaw embryo transfer in hormone replacement cycle, and the estradiol valerate tablets were taken orally from the fifth day of menstruation, 2 mg per day.

Homocysteine alters vasoreactivity of human internal mammary artery by affecting the K channel family.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic heart disease. We previously demonstrated that disruption of calcium-activated potassium (K) channel activity is involved in homocysteine-induced dilatory dysfunction of porcine coronary arteries. Recently we reported that the K channel family, including large-, intermediate-, and small-conductance K (BK, IK, and SK) subtypes, are abundantly expressed in human internal mammary artery (IMA).

Molecular characteristics of Brucella melitensis isolates from humans in Qinghai Province, China.

Background: The prevalence of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province of China has been increasing rapidly, with confirmed cases distributed across 31 counties. However, the epidemiology of brucellosis transmission has not been fully elucidated. To characterize the infecting strains isolated from humans, multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) and whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based approaches were employed.

Calcium-activated potassium channel family in coronary artery bypass grafts.

Objectives: We examined the expression, distribution, and contribution to vasodilatation of the calcium-activated potassium (K) channel family in the commonly used coronary artery bypass graft internal thoracic artery (ITA) and saphenous vein (SV) to understand the role of large conductance K (BK), intermediate-conductance K (IK), and small-conductance K (SK) channel subtypes in graft dilating properties determined by endothelium-smooth muscle interaction that is essential to the postoperative performance of the graft.

Methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were employed to detect the messenger RNA and protein level of K channel subtypes. Distribution of K channel subtypes was examined by immunohistochemistry.

Dietary energy density is positively associated with body composition of adults in Southwest China.

Objective: Dietary energy density (ED) might have influences on body composition. We therefore examined whether ED is associated with body composition among Chinese adults.

Design: We collected dietary data through validated two-day 24 h recalls.

Hydrogen sulfide improves endothelial dysfunction in hypertension by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta/endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the ameliorative effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on endothelium-dependent relaxation disturbances via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (PPARδ/eNOS) pathway activation in hypertensive patients and rats.

Methods: Renal arteries were collected from normotensive and hypertensive patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery. Renal arteries from 37 patients were cultured with or without sodium H2S (NaHS) 50 μmol/l.

Television Watching and Telomere Length Among Adults in Southwest China.

Objectives: To explore the independent associations of sedentary behavior and physical activity with telomere length among Chinese adults.

Methods: Data on total time of sedentary behavior, screen-based sedentary behavior (including television watching and computer or phone use), moderate to vigorous physical activity, and dietary intake of 518 adults in Chengdu, Guizhou, and Xiamen in China (54.25% women) aged 20 to 70 years were obtained between 2013 and 2015 through questionnaires.

High protein intake along with paternal part-time employment is associated with higher body fat mass among girls from South China.

Purpose: Protein intake has been suggested to be associated with body composition among western children. Our aim was to determine whether protein intake is associated with body composition among Chinese children and to investigate whether parental socioeconomic status modifies these associations.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from the baseline survey of an ongoing population-based prospective open cohort study conducted in 2013.

Hydrogen Sulfide Improves Endothelial Dysfunction via Downregulating BMP4/COX-2 Pathway in Rats with Hypertension.

Aims. We object to elucidate that protective effect of H2S on endothelium is mediated by downregulating BMP4 (bone morphogenetic protein 4)/cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 pathway in rats with hypertension. Methods and Results.

Hydrogen Sulfide Improves Myocardial Remodeling via Downregulated Angiotensin Ⅱ/AT1R Pathway in Renovascular Hypertensive Rats.

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is an important endogenous gaseous transmitter in many physiological functions. Plasma HS decreased, and angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) increased in the myocardial tissues in 2-kidney 1-clip (2K1C) rats than in normotensive rats. Accumulating evidences suggest that HS inhibited Ang II/AT1R pathway to regulate cardiovascular function.

[Dietary Fiber and Pubertal Development among Children and Adolescents--a Cross-sectional Study in Chengdu, Sichuan].

Objective: To determine the association between intake of dietary fiber and pubertal development among children and adolescents in Chengdu.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 1 340 children and adolescents aged 9-15 years. Data about dietary intake were collected through 24-h dietary self-recall.

Hydrogen Sulfide Improves Vascular Calcification in Rats by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

In this study, the vitamin D3 plus nicotine (VDN) model of rats was used to prove that H2S alleviates vascular calcification (VC) and phenotype transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Besides, H2S can also inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) of calcified aortic tissues. The effect of H2S on alleviating VC and phenotype transformation of VSMC can be blocked by TM, while PBA also alleviated VC and phenotype transformation of VSMC that was similar to the effect of H2S.

[Consumptions of Meat and Dairy Products, Zinc Intake and Pubertal Development in Adolescents in Chengdu].

Objective: To determine the associations between meat, dairy and zinc intake and pubertal development in adolescents in Chengdu.

Methods: A total of 1320 children and adolescents aged 9-15 years in Chengdu were recruited using a stratified cluster sampling strategy. Dietary intake was assessed by the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 3-day 24-hour dietary recall.

Cystathionine-β-Synthase Gene Transfer Into Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Exacerbates Hypertension via Nitric Oxide in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Background: Rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) plays a crucial role in the central regulation of cardiovascular functions. Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) is a major hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-generating enzyme that has been identified mainly in the brain. The present study was designed to examine CBS expression and determine its roles and mechanisms of regulating sympathetic outflow and blood pressure (BP) in the RVLM in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Mechanistic studies of AVE3085 against homocysteine in endothelial protection.

Purpose: Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases that impairs endothelial function. We investigated whether the impaired endothelial function can be restored by the eNOS transcription enhancer AVE3085 in porcine coronary arteries. The effects of AVE3085 against Hcy on eNOS-NO function were studied and further investigations were conducted to reveal the role of arginase and the signaling pathway of eNOS activation in the effect of AVE3085 on endothelial dysfunction caused by Hcy.

AVE3085 protects coronary endothelium from the impairment of asymmetric dimethylarginine by activation and recoupling of eNOS.

Purpose: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of eNOS and it is recognized as a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the effect of AVE3085, a newly developed transcription enhancer of eNOS, on ADMA-induced endothelial dysfunction in coronary arteries with underlying mechanisms explored.

Methods: Porcine coronary small arteries (diameter 600-800 μm) were studied in a myograph for endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin and endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside.

NO and EDHF pathways in pulmonary arteries and veins are impaired in COPD patients.

We investigated endothelial function of both pulmonary arteries and veins in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of varying severity in regard to the role of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Lung tissues were obtained from patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Patients were grouped to control, moderate COPD, and severe COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines.

[Effects of hydrogen sulfide on ouabain-induced delayed after-depolarization and triggered activity in guinea pig papillary muscles].

Objective: To explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) on delayed after-depolarization (DAD) and triggered activity induced by ouabain in male guinea pig papillary muscles and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: An intracellular microelectrode was used to record the patterns of DAD and triggered activity by K-H solution containing ouabain and a high concentration of calcium ion. The latent period, amplitude, duration of DAD and incidence of triggered activity were observed under a pre-treatment with different concentrations of NaHS (donor of H(2)S).