Safety and Effectiveness Outcomes between Apixaban Versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Atrial Fibrillation Patients on Dialysis.

Background: Anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing dialysis poses significant challenges. This review aimed to furnish clinicians with the latest clinical outcomes associated with apixaban and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in managing AF patients on dialysis.

Methods: Literature from the PubMed and Embase databases up to March 2024 underwent systematic scrutiny for inclusion.

miR-23b-3p Ameliorates LPS-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by Inhibiting EndMT via DPP4 Inhibition.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a disease triggered by severe pulmonary and systemic inflammation that may lead to fibrosis and the decline of lung function. Lung capillary endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is one of the primary sources of fibroblasts in pulmonary fibrosis. The role of miRNAs as molecular markers of pulmonary fibrosis, and miRNAs as nucleic acid drugs has attracted increasing attention.

Vitamin D, vitamin D supplementation and atrial fibrillation risk in the general population: updated systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Background: Since the association of vitamin D with atrial fibrillation (AF) risk is still unclear, we conducted this updated meta-analysis of prospective studies to identify the relationship between vitamin D or vitamin D supplementation and AF in the general population.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases up to May 2023 for studies reporting vitamin D and AF. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by a random-effects model.

Participation of ASK-1 in the cardiomyocyte-protective role of mechanical ventilation in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

Non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) has been demonstrated to exhibit a cardioprotective function in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). However, the mechanism underlying NIPPV-mediated MI progression requires further investigation. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and corresponding mechanism of NIPPV in an acute MI-induced heart failure (HF) rat model.

Toll-like receptor 4 promotes the inflammatory response in septic acute kidney injury by promoting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

Septic acute kidney injury (AKI) contributes to the mortality and morbidity of sepsis patients. Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) has prominent roles in septic AKI. This study investigated the functions of TLR4 in septic AKI.

Mechanical ventilation reduces myocardial injury in rats with acute heart failure by inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which mechanical ventilation improves myocardial injury in rats with acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into a sham group, heart failure (HF) group, and mechanical ventilation (MV) group. The AHF rat model was established by pentobarbital perfusion under right internal jugular vein monitoring.

The predictive value of lung ultrasound combined with central venous oxygen saturation variations in the outcome of ventilator weaning in patients after thoracic surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of lung ultrasound score (LUS) combined with central venous oxygen saturation variations (ΔScvO) in the outcome of ventilator weaning in patients after thoracic surgery.

Methods: The clinical data of 60 patients who received tracheal intubation ventilator-assisted breathing after thoracic surgery were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into successful (n = 35) and failed (n = 25) groups according to the postoperative weaning outcomes. The factors influencing the failure of weaning in patients after thoracic surgery were compared and analyzed, and the values of LUS, ΔScvO as well as the combination of both were calculated to predict the failure of weaning in patients after thoracic surgery.

Effects of oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with pulmonary diseases.

Background: To evaluate the effect of oral anticoagulants (OACs) therapy, including vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in patients with pulmonary diseases.

Methods: Literature from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library were screened until June 2022. Studies assessing OACs for pulmonary hypertension (PH), pulmonary embolism (PE), pulmonary fibrosis (PF), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were evaluated for inclusion.