Circulating serum amyloid A levels but not SAA1 variants predict long-term outcomes of angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease.

Objectives: Circulating serum amyloid A (SAA) levels are strongly associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and severity. The association between genetic variants, SAA levels, inflammatory marker levels, and coronary artery disease (CAD) prognosis has not been fully understood.

Materials And Methods: In total, 2199 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) participants were enrolled for a genome-wide association study (GWAS), and the long-term outcomes in 481 patients with CAD were analyzed.

Combined corrected QT interval and growth differentiation factor-15 level has synergistic predictive value for long-term outcome of angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease.

Background: The corrected QT interval (QTc) predicts prognosis for the general population and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a biomarker of myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular (LV) remodelling. The interaction between these two parameters is unknown.

Dual Fresnel mirror system for 360 degree viewable three-dimensional displays.

360-degree viewable three-dimensional (3D) display systems have gained considerable attention for the unique manner in which they display objects. Most of the optical display devices in these systems employ two parabolic mirrors facing each other separated by a distance equal to the focal length of the mirrors. However, the current configuration is limited to unity magnification and provides a small image relative to the volume of the system.

Osteoprotegerin and osteopontin levels, but not gene polymorphisms, predict mortality in cardiovascular diseases.

This study aims to investigate whether osteoprotegerin (OPG) or osteopontin (OPN) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will predict survival. This study enrolled 617 participants undergoing health examination, 536 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and 86 peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. Genotypes of SNP rs2073618 and SNP rs11730582 were determined.

Circulating Chemerin Levels, but not the Polymorphisms, Predict the Long-Term Outcome of Angiographically Confirmed Coronary Artery Disease.

Chemerin, a novel adipokine, has been associated with metabolic, inflammatory, and atherosclerotic diseases. We aimed to determine the genetic basis of chemerin levels by conducting a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and to investigate the role of polymorphisms and circulating chemerin levels in the long-term outcome of coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 2197 participants from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) were recruited for the GWAS analysis, and 481 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD were enrolled for long-term outcome analysis.

Doses of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors but not beta-blockers predict outcome after ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

: In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is not clear whether low-dose renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and beta-blockers can result in the same benefits achievable with higher target doses. This observational study aims to investigate whether higher doses of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and beta-blockers can improve outcomes in patients with STEMI. : We recorded daily doses of ACEI, ARB, and beta-blockers in 331 patients with STEMI.

In-Hospital Implementation of Evidence-Based Medications is Associated with Improved Survival in Diabetic Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome - Data from TSOC ACS-DM Registry.

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) receive less aggressive treatment and have worse outcomes in Taiwan. We sought to explore whether the current practices of prescribing guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for ACS and clinical outcomes have improved over time.

Methods: A total of 1534 consecutive diabetic patients with ACS were enrolled between 2013 and 2015 from 27 hospitals in the nationwide registry initiated by the Taiwan Society of Cardiology (the TSOC ACS-DM Registry).

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 May Predict Mortality of Peripheral and Coronary Artery Diseases and Correlate with Their Risk Factors.

Plasma GDF15 concentrations were measured in 612 Taiwanese individuals without overt systemic disease. Clinical parameters, genetic variants, and 22 biomarker levels were analyzed. We further enrolled 86 patients with PAD and 481 patients with CAD, who received endovascular intervention and coronary angiography, respectively, to examine the role of GDF15 level in predicting all-cause mortality.

IL1RL1 single nucleotide polymorphism predicts sST2 level and mortality in coronary and peripheral artery disease.

Background And Aims: There are many IL1RL1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) significantly associated with circulating sST2 concentration. Little is known about the effects of IL1RL1 SNP on the outcome of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to investigate whether IL1RL1 SNP can predict mortality.

Association between NF-κB Pathway Gene Variants and sICAM1 Levels in Taiwanese.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) is crucial to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in two of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway genes, NFKBIK and RELA, are associated with soluble ICAM1 (sICAM1) levels. However, neither of these two gene variants is found in the Asian populations.

Activin A Predicts Left Ventricular Remodeling and Mortality in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Activin A levels increase in a variety of heart diseases including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the level of activin A can be beneficial in predicting left ventricular remodeling, heart failure, and death in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We enrolled 278 patients with STEMI who had their activin A levels measured on day 2 of hospitalization.

Interactive effects of C-reactive protein levels on the association between APOE variants and triglyceride levels in a Taiwanese population.

Background: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) plays a major role in lipid metabolism and inflammation. However, the association between APOE gene polymorphisms and serum triglyceride levels remains controversial. We tested the effects of APOE variants on triglyceride levels and their interactions with the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) in a Taiwanese population.

Effects of obesity on the association between common variations in the gene and matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels in Taiwanese.

Objectives: The gene, a member of the T-box family, is associated with congenital heart disease, electrocardiographic parameters, and development of atrial fibrillation in the general population. This study aimed to elucidate the role of gene polymorphisms in metabolic and inflammatory profiles possibly linked to -related pathologies.

Materials And Methods: A sample population of 597 individuals having routine health examinations was enrolled.

QT interval Independently Predicts Mortality and Heart Failure in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: Heart-rate corrected QT (QTc) interval predicts cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality in the general population. Little is known about the best cut-off value of QTc interval for predicting clinical events in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We enrolled 264 patients with STEMI who received measurement of QTc intervals at ER (QTc-ER), on day 2 (QTc-D2), and on day 3 (QTc-D3) of hospitalization.

Associations between TRPV4 genotypes and body mass index in Taiwanese subjects.

Body weight regulation is influenced neuronally via the hypothalamus, which strongly expresses TRPV4. TRPV4 deficiency in mice confers resistance against diet-induced obesity. We investigated the association between TRPV4 gene variants and body mass index (BMI) in Taiwanese subjects.

Diagnostic role of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and effector molecules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in tuberculous pleural effusion.

Background And Objective: Early diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) remains difficult. While some inflammatory markers in pleural effusion (PE) are helpful in diagnosis, the roles of anti-inflammatory cytokines and effector molecules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes have not been investigated.

Methods: Lymphocyte-predominant exudative PE samples were assayed for inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and effector molecules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Growth-differentiation factor-15 and major cardiac events.

Background: Growth-differentiation factor (GDF)-15 is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the effects of GDF-15 on left ventricular (LV) remodeling have not been clearly elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate whether GDF-15 will be of benefit in predicting LV remodeling, heart failure and death in patients with STEMI.

Genetic variants associated with circulating MMP1 levels near matrix metalloproteinase genes on chromosome 11q21-22 in Taiwanese: interaction with obesity.

Background: MMP1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease. We aimed to elucidate genetic determinants of inflammatory marker levels, including circulating MMP1, in Taiwanese, and their association with obesity.

Methods: Five genetic polymorphisms around matrix metalloproteinase genes on chromosome 11q21-22 region were genotyped in 519 subjects.

Correlates of impaired global right ventricular function in patients with a reperfused acute myocardial infarction and without right ventricular infarction.

Background: The frequency and clinical correlates of global right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for a first acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) without a coexisting RV infarction is not well known.

Materials And Methods: One hundred seven consecutive patients underwent conventional echocardiography and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) within 72 hours after a successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention to assess their RV function. Global RV function was quantified with the RV myocardial performance index (MPI) by pulsed-wave TDI.

Association of SELE genotypes/haplotypes with sE-selectin levels in Taiwanese individuals: interactive effect of MMP9 level.

Background: E-selectin is implicated in various inflammatory processes and related disorders. We aimed to investigate the role of SELE-gene genotypes/haplotypes on plasma levels of MMP9 and sE-selectin in Taiwanese individuals.

Methods: Five hundred twenty individuals were enrolled.

Resveratrol protects left ventricle by increasing adenylate kinase and isocitrate dehydrogenase activities in rats with myocardial infarction.

Our prior study had shown that resveratrol was a potent cardioprotective agent in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we further evaluated the mechanism of cardioprotection of resveratrol by proteomic analysis. After permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery under isoflurane anesthesia, surviving rats were randomly allocated to three groups and treated with resveratrol at 1 mg/kg/day (MI/R group), or vehicles (sham group and MI group) once daily for four weeks.

Right ventricular function in patients with different infarction sites after a first acute myocardial infarction.

Introduction: To investigate the effect of different infarction sites on right ventricular (RV) functional changes in patients with a first acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction without concomitant RV infarction.

Methods: Sixty consecutive patients underwent conventional echocardiography and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging for RV function evaluation after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention. They were divided into 2 groups according to infarct location based on the electrocardiographic findings: group I consisted of 35 patients with anterior (including anteroseptal) wall infarction and group II included 25 patients with inferior (including inferoposterior) wall infarction.

Data feedback reduces door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Current guidelines recommend a goal of door-to-balloon (D2B) time < 90 min for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aim to prospectively determine the effect of data feedback on D2B time and its seven individual components in primary PCI. From December 7, 2007, to June 2, 2009, 116 consecutive patients with STEMI who received PCI within 12 h of symptom onset were enrolled, including 56 patients before and 60 patients after the implementation of data feedback on July 28, 2008.

Association of matrix metalloproteinase 9 genotypes and cardiovascular disease risk factors with serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 concentrations in Taiwanese individuals.

Background: Circulating concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) are associated with cardiovascular disease mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. We investigated the determinants of MMP-9 concentrations by analyzing MMP-9 genotypes and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Methods: A total of 596 individuals were recruited for this study.

Resveratrol reduces infarct size and improves ventricular function after myocardial ischemia in rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol, a polyphenol present in grapes and red wine, on ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. After permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery, surviving rats were randomly allocated to three groups and treated with 1 mg/kg/day resveratrol (R-1 group), 0.1 mg/kg/day resveratrol (R-0.