Association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and early-onset coronary artery disease: a retrospective case-control study.

Background: Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity has been proposed as a promising predictor of atherosclerosis-related complications and a prognostic marker for cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential correlation between serum levels of GGT and early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD).

Methods: A retrospective, hospital-based case-control study was conducted, which included 860 patients with EOCAD and gender- and age-matched controls.

Hematological parameters and early-onset coronary artery disease: a retrospective case-control study based on 3366 participants.

Background: Thrombosis and inflammation are crucial elements in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Hematological parameters elucidate information involving the inflammatory and blood coagulation processes.

Objectives: The current study explored the association of hematological parameters with EOCAD to identify specific risk factors.

Serum fatty acids profile and association with early-onset coronary artery disease.

Background: Fatty acids (FAs) play crucial roles in modulating and preventing diseases in humans, including early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD). In this study, we aimed to provide a profile of FAs in the serum of EOCAD patients and identify potential EOCAD-associated FAs.

Methods: In the first stage, we analyzed the FAs profiles in pooled samples of patients with EOCAD using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Quantitative Assessment of Serum Amino Acids and Association with Early-Onset Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Amino acids play essential roles in protein construction and metabolism. Our study aims to provide a profile of amino acid changes in the serum of patients with early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD) and identify potential disease biomarkers.

Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-multistage/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MRM-MS/MS) was used to determine the amino acid profile of patients with EOCAD in sample pools.

Serum adenosine deaminase activity and coronary artery disease: a retrospective case-control study based on 9929 participants.

Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) regulates purine metabolism through the conversion of adenosine to uric acid (UA). Adenosine and UA are closely associated with cardiovascular events, but the correlation between serum ADA activity and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been defined.

Methods: We performed a hospital-based retrospective case-control study that included a total of 5212 patients with CAD and 4717 sex- and age-matched controls.

Association Between MTHFR Gene Common Variants, Serum Homocysteine, and Risk of Early-Onset Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study.

The common variants of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are related to the activity of the MTHFR enzyme and the concentrations of blood homocysteine (Hcy). This study was designed to investigate the associations of MTHFR in Chinese populations with early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD). The two common variants of the MTHFR gene were genotyped in 875 EOCAD patients and 956 controls using PCR, followed by direct sequencing of the PCR product.

Serum Uric Acid as an Independent Risk Factor for the Presence and Severity of Early-Onset Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Serum uric acid (UA) is the final product of purine metabolism in humans. The present study is aimed at identifying the potential association between serum UA and early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD). The study population consisted of 1093 EOCAD patients aged ≤50 years, and 1117 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy people served as controls.

Screening and Identification of Pregnancy Zone Protein and Leucine-Rich Alpha-2-Glycoprotein as Potential Serum Biomarkers for Early-Onset Myocardial Infarction using Protein Profile Analysis.

Purpose: The present study aims to discover novel serum biomarkers of early-onset myocardial infarction (MI) using proteomic analysis.

Experimental Design: In the first stage, the iTRAQ-coupled LC-MS/MS technique is utilized to investigate protein profiles of patients with early-onset MI. In the second stage, these candidate proteins are validated using ELISA.

Increased serum concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in patients with early-onset coronary artery disease.

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We investigated the role of serum ADMA concentrations in early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD).

Methods: Candidates for coronary artery angiography (age<50y for men and <55y for women) who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study.

Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH 2) Gene Polymorphism, Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) Concentrations, and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH 2) promotes the metabolism of ADMA and plays a key role in the regulation of acute inflammatory response. With the present study, we investigated the relationship between DDAH 2 polymorphisms and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its association to plasma ADMA concentrations.

L-citrulline for protection of endothelial function from ADMA-induced injury in porcine coronary artery.

Endogenous nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a cardiovascular risk factor. We tested the hypothesis that L-citrulline may ameliorate the endothelial function altered by ADMA in porcine coronary artery (PCA). Myograph study for vasorelaxation, electrochemical measurement for NO, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis for expression of eNOS, argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), and p-eNOS(ser1177) were performed.

Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and risk of coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis based on 4713 participants.

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by competing with L-arginine. As a result, the expression of nitric oxide decreases and endothelial dysfunction occurs. Studies have evaluated the association between the serum ADMA level and risk of coronary artery disease.

Association between MTHFR polymorphisms and congenital heart disease: a meta-analysis based on 9,329 cases and 15,076 controls.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the risk for congenital heart disease (CHD). Electronic literature databases were searched to identify eligible studies published before Jun, 2014. The association was assessed by the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Diagnostic accuracy of glycosylated hemoglobin in chinese patients with gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis based on 2,812 patients and 5,918 controls.

Background And Aims: The accuracy of glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c) detection for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been extensively studied in the Chinese population, but the exact role of these detections remains controversial. The present meta-analysis was performed to establish the overall accuracy of HBA1c for the diagnosis of Chinese patients with GDM.

Methods: After a systematic review of related studies, the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and other measures about the accuracy of HBA1c in the diagnosis of GDM were pooled using random-effects models.

Outbreak of infections caused by Group A Streptococcus after modified radical mastectomy.

Background: Eight infections occurred after modified radical mastectomies in a tertiary-care hospital. Group A streptococci (GAS) were isolated from three of the eight patients.

Methods: To control the outbreak, an epidemiologic investigation was conducted, and healthcare workers were screened for pathogens.

PTPN22 gene polymorphism (C1858T) is associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes: a meta-analysis of 19,495 cases and 25,341 controls.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase N22 (PTPN22) gene C1858T polymorphism has been reported to be associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D) in relatively small sample sizes. This study aimed at investigating the pooled association by carrying out a meta-analysis on the published studies. The Medline, EBSCO, and BIOSIS databases were searched to identify eligible studies published in English before June 2012.

Polymorphism of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in Chinese population.

Aim: We conducted a case-control study in China to clarify the association between the XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism and HCC risk.

Methods: A total of 202 cases and 236 controls were selected from the the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from May 2008 to May 2010. Assessment of the XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism was based upon duplex polymerase-chain-reactions with the confronting-two-pair primer (PCR- CTPP) method.

Alanine aminotransferase in amphioxus: Presence, localization and up-regulation after acute lipopolysaccharide exposure.

Alanine aminotransferase (AAT) is mainly synthesized in the liver, and its level in mammalian serum is elevated after acute phase induction. Here we demonstrated that sheep anti-human AAT antibody cross-reacted with amphioxus humoral fluids as well as human serum; and the concentration of AAT in the humoral fluids in amphioxus increased after the acute challenge with lipopolysaccharide, while the level of total proteins remains unchanged. These suggest the presence of the same acute phase response pattern in amphioxus, as observed in some mammalian species.