MicroRNA-122 aggravates angiotensin II-mediated apoptosis and autophagy imbalance in rat aortic adventitial fibroblasts via the modulation of SIRT6-elabela-ACE2 signaling.

Abnormal aortic adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) play essential roles in the development of vascular remodeling and disorders. Previous studies revealed that microRNA-122 (miR-122) levels were elevated in the aortic adventitia of hypertensive rats with vascular injury. Here, we aim to evaluate the biological effects and underlying mechanisms of miR-122 in rat AFs.

The association between orthostatic blood pressure changes and subclinical target organ damage in subjects over 60 years old.

Background: Although recent studies have indicated that both orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension independently predict cardiovascular events, the underlying mechanisms are still controversial. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between orthostatic changes and organ damage in subjects over 60 years old.

Methods: This is a prospective observational cohort study.

Progress in Therapies for Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Experimental studies of acute myocardial infarction have revealed that up to half of the final infarct size may be due to reperfusion injury rather than the initial ischemic incident. Research over the past three decades has deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ischemic reperfusion injury and several therapeutic strategies to decrease the incidence and severity of reperfusion injury have been explored.

Objective: To discuss the promising therapies and future perspectives on methods to attenuate myocardial reperfusion injury.

Clinical Application of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are generated by reprogramming human somatic cells through the overexpression of four transcription factors: Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. iPSCs are capable of indefinite self-renewal, and they can differentiate into almost any type of cell in the body. These cells therefore offer a highly valuable therapeutic strategy for tissue repair and regeneration.

The ideal cardiovascular health metrics associated inversely with mortality from all causes and from cardiovascular diseases among adults in a Northern Chinese industrial city.

Background And Aims: The American Heart Association has recently established seven ideal cardiovascular health metrics for cardiovascular health promotion and disease reduction (i.e., non-smoking, normal body mass index, physically active, healthy diet, and normal levels of cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose).

Downregulation of microRNA-19b contributes to angiotensin II-induced overexpression of connective tissue growth factor in cardiomyocytes.

Objectives: The present study was designed to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying angiotensin (Ang) II-induced overexpression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cultured cardiomyocytes.

Methods: Cardiomyocytes isolated from 1- to 3-day-old neonatal rats were cultured and treated with 100 nM Ang II with or without pretreatment with 10 nM telmisartan, an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist. The role of microRNA (miR)-19b in the regulation of Ang II-induced CTGF expression was evaluated in cultured cardiomyocytes with quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.

[Hyperglycemia at admission and outcome in elderly patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To investigate the association between hyperglycemia and outcome in elderly patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed on 284 elderly patients (age > or = 60 years) with acute STEMI underwent primary PCI between January 2000 to April 2004 in our department. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the level of blood glucose on admission: group A, < 7.

Relation of hyperglycemia to ST-segment resolution after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Hyperglycemia has been shown to be a powerful predictor of poor outcome after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of admission glucose on microvascular flow after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with STEMI.

Methods: Successful primary PCI was performed in 267 patients with STEMI.

[Effects of reperfusion arrhythmia on myocardial apoptosis and left ventricular remodeling in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To observe plasma soluble Fas/APO-1 concentration in patients with reperfusion arrhythmia immediately after coronary reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to investigate the impact of reperfusion arrhythmia on left ventricular (LV) remodeling in AMI patients. To observe the relationship between cardiomyocytes apoptosis with reperfusion arrhythmia in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and investigate the impact of reperfusion arrhythmia on left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with AMI.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-six patients with AMI who received reperfusion therapy were selected as subjects.

[Equivalent cardioprotective effect of "half-conditioning" and post-conditioning in a canine model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion].

Objective: To study the effects of "half-conditioning", a modified postconditioning process, on myocardial injury induced by severe myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in anesthetized dogs.

Methods: Mongrel dogs of both sexes were subjected to 40 min ischemia (coronary blood flow reduced by 80% via controlled coronary stenosis). At the end of ischemia, dogs were randomly received one of the following treatments: (1) control, reperfusion for 3 h (n = 7); (2) post-conditioning, three cycles of ischemia 30 s followed by reperfusion for 30 s and then reperfusion for 3 h (n = 7); (3) half-conditioning, coronary blood flow recovered to 50% for 2 min, then 80% for 2 min, thereafter 100% for 3 h (n = 7).