BRD2 protects the rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia‑reoxygenation injury by targeting Nrf2/HO‑1 signaling pathway.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common complication of acute myocardial infarction following percutaneous coronary intervention, but there are currently no effective pharmacological targets for adjuvant therapy due to a lack of knowledge of I/R injury mechanisms in cardiomyocytes. To evaluate the effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation on the plasma proteome of cardiomyocytes and prospective therapeutic targets, five sets of H9C2 cardiomyocytes from rats were cultured under various hypoxic circumstances. Using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, the cell viability and LDH release of H9C2 cells were analyzed.

Predictive value of acoustic cardiography for post-PCI early ventricular remodeling in acute myocardial infarction.

Acoustic cardiography is a completely new technology, it has great advantages in the rapid diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of the fourth heart sound (S4), cardiac systolic dysfunction index (SDI), and the cardiac cycle time-corrected electromechanical activation time (EMATc) in the prediction of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) early ventricular remodeling (EVR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We recruited 161 patients with AMI of 72-h post-PCI, including 44 EVR patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% and 117 Non-EVR patients (normal left ventricular systolic function group, LVEF ≥ 50%).

Selenium deficiency causes hypertension by increasing renal AT receptor expression via GPx1/HO/NF-κB pathway.

Epidemiological studies show an association between low body selenium and the risk of hypertension. However, whether selenium deficiency causes hypertension remains unknown. Here, we report that Sprague-Dawley rats fed a selenium-deficient diet for 16 weeks developed hypertension, accompanied with decreased sodium excretion.

G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 causes renal angiotensin II type 2 receptor dysfunction by increasing its phosphorylation.

Activation of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) induces diuresis and natriuresis. Increased expression or/and activity of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) or genetic variants (e.g.

Identification of potential molecular mechanisms and small molecule drugs in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury is a complex phenomenon that causes severe damage to the myocardium. However, the potential molecular mechanisms of MI/R injury have not been fully clarified. We identified potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets in MI/R injury through analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Prasugrel or ticagrelor relative to clopidogrel in triple-antiplatelet treatment combined with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor for patients with STEMI undergoing PCI: a meta-analysis.

Background: For patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the efficacy and safety of novel P2Y antagonists, including prasugrel or ticagrelor, has not been established relative to that of the clopidogrel-based triple-antiplatelet treatments (TAPTs; in combination with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor). The present meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of prasugrel- or ticagrelor-based TAPTs relative to that of clopidogrel TAPTs in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI.

Methods: The databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane's Library were systematically searched for relevant randomized controlled trials concerning prasugrel or ticagrelor (test) relative to clopidogrel (control).

Identification of the molecular mechanisms associated with acute type A aortic dissection through bioinformatics methods.

Aortic dissection is characterized by the redirection of blood flow, which flows through an intimal tear into the aortic media. The purpose of this study was to find potential acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD)-related genes and molecular mechanisms by bioinformatics. The gene expression profiles of GSE52093 were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, including 7 AAAD samples and 5 normal samples.

Profiles of alternative splicing in colorectal cancer and their clinical significance: A study based on large-scale sequencing data.

Background: Alternative splicing (AS), as a potent and pervasive mechanism of transcriptional regulatory, expands the genome's coding capacity and involves in the initiation and progression of cancer. Systematic analysis of alternative splicing in colorectal cancer (CRC) is lacking and greatly needed.

Methods: RNA-Seq data and corresponding clinical information of CRC cohort were downloaded from the TCGA data portal.

Activation of adenosine A2b receptor attenuates high glucose-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cells via PI3K/Akt signaling.

High glucose plays a vital role in apoptosis in H9C2 cells. However, the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cardio-protective role of A2b receptor in high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via PI3K/Akt pathway.

Klotho attenuates isoproterenol-induced hypertrophic response in H9C2 cells by activating Na/K-ATPase and inhibiting the reverse mode of Na/Ca-exchanger.

Cardiac hypertrophy plays a major role in heart failure and is related to patient morbidity and mortality. Calcium overloading is a main risk for cardiac hypertrophy, and Na/K-ATPase (NKA) has been found that it could not only regulate intracellular Na levels but also control the intracellular Ca ([Ca]) level through Na/Ca-exchanger (NCX). Recent studies have reported that klotho could affect [Ca] level.

Resveratrol attenuates high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis via mediation of store-operated calcium entry.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of resveratrol on HG-induced calcium entry in islet microvascular (MS-1) endothelial cells. MS-1 cells were pretreated with resveratrol or 2-APB (an inhibitor of store-operated calcium entry) and then incubated with high glucose. Cell viability was determined using the cell counting kit-8 method.

The CD4/CD8 ratio is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in elderly Chinese patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between number of circulating T cells and coronary artery disease (CAD) in an elderly Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 295 elderly inpatients (age≥60) were included in this cross-sectional study. Their clinical and biochemical characteristics were recorded.

FGF21 represses cerebrovascular aging via improving mitochondrial biogenesis and inhibiting p53 signaling pathway in an AMPK-dependent manner.

Cerebrovascular aging has a high relationship with stroke and neurodegenerative disease. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on angiotensin (Ang II)-mediated cerebrovascular aging in human brain vascular smooth muscle cells (hBVSMCs). Ang II induced remarkable aging-phenotypes in hBVSMCs, including enhanced SA-β-gal staining and NBS1 protein expression.

Triglycerides are Independently Associated with Atherosclerosis in Elderly Chinese Patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum triglycerides (TG) levels and atherosclerosis and to explore its predicated value for atherosclerosis in elderly Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 593 elderly patients (age ≥ 60) were included in this cross-sectional study. Their clinical and biochemical characteristics were detected.

Association Between Serum Cystatin C and High Blood Pressure (HBP): A Cross-Sectional Study of an Elder Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Population.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum CysC levels and high blood pressure (HBP) and to explore its diagnostic value for HBP in elder type 2 diabetic (T2D) population.

Methods: A total of 369 elder T2D patients (age > 60) were included in this cross-sectional study. Their clinical and biochemical characteristics were detected.

Klotho ameliorated isoproterenol-induced pathological changes in cardiomyocytes via the regulation of oxidative stress.

Aims: Oxidative stress is a common pathological process in stress-stimulated heart failure. Klotho, known as an anti-aging protein, has been shown to play important pleiotropic roles. This study characterized the effect of klotho on the mechanism of pathological alternations in isoproterenol-treated cardiomyocytes.

Meta-analysis of the association between whole grain intake and coronary heart disease risk.

Epidemiologic studies evaluating the association of whole-grain intake with risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) have produced inconsistent results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence from observed studies regarding the association between whole-grain intake and risk for CHD. Pertinent studies were identified by searching the Web of Knowledge and PubMed up to July 2014.

An accurate, flexible and small optical fiber sensor: a novel technological breakthrough for real-time analysis of dynamic blood flow data in vivo.

Because of the limitations of existing methods and techniques for directly obtaining real-time blood data, no accurate microflow in vivo real-time analysis method exists. To establish a novel technical platform for real-time in vivo detection and to analyze average blood pressure and other blood flow parameters, a small, accurate, flexible, and nontoxic Fabry-Perot fiber sensor was designed. The carotid sheath was implanted through intubation of the rabbit carotid artery (n = 8), and the blood pressure and other detection data were determined directly through the veins.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 protects against high glucose induced cellular damage and dysfunction of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase in endothelial cells.

Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a powerful endocrine hormone modulating glucose and lipid metabolism and represents a promising drug for type 2 diabetes. The present study was to determine the effect of FGF21 on high glucose-induced damage and dysfunction in endothelial cells.

Methods: The protein expression of β-klotho was examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) using immunofluorescence and Western blotting.

A transendocardial delivery and intracardiac ultrasound irradiation treatment catheter.

Objectives: This study introduces the structural design, working principles, performance testing and treatment effects of a newly developed ultrasonic irradiation delivery and treatment catheter system that integrates interventional catheterization technology.

Background: Systemic administration method needs a high dose of gene and induces side effect of non-target organ delivery. Direct intramyocardial injection of a low-dose angiogenic gene followed by insonation treatment can enhance gene expression.

Antigen-specific immunotherapy regulates B cell activities in the intestine.

Mature B cells (BCs) express CD23 and B cell receptors. Whether activation of CD23 and B cell receptors has different effects on BC activities is unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which the specific antigen immunotherapy regulates the activation of BCs in the skewed Th2 responses.

Adenosine A2A receptor: a target for regulating renal interstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy.

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the common pathological process of chronic kidney diseases leading inevitably to renal function deterioration. RIF and its preceding epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are commonly triggered by an early occurring renal inflammation. However, an effective approach to prevent EMT and RIF is still lacking and of urgent need.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in the cardioprotective effects of intermittent hypoxia in rats.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of short-term intermittent hypoxia (IH) preconditioning on cardiac structure and function in rats and the influence of ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Special attention was then paid to the involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Methods: Wistar rats were given IH treatment for 1, 7, 14, or 28 days.

Induction of oxidative stress by oxidized LDL via meprinα-activated epidermal growth factor receptor in macrophages.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore meprinα-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in macrophages.

Methods And Results: Accelerated atherosclerotic lesions were established by administration of a high-fat diet in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Lentiviral overexpression of meprinα in the thoracic aortic artery during plaque formation enhanced intra-plaque macrophage induction of ROS as well as formation of atherosclerotic plaques, whereas AG1478 (specific inhibitor of the EGFR) treatment exerted the opposite effect.

Transendocardial delivery of HGF via microbubbles and ultrasound to treat acute myocardial infarction.

To enhance the safety of transendocardial delivery and the efficacy of intramyocardial angiogenic gene expression, a visible, less invasive, targeted, high-efficiency gene delivery strategy was tested. Progress toward clinical approval of systemic administration of genes and microbubbles (MBs) has been limited. The feasibility of transendocardially delivering MBs as extracellular markers and gene carriers in conjunction with intracardiac ultrasound (US) treatment remains unknown.