Quantification of functional hemodynamics in aortic valve disease using cardiac computed tomography angiography.

Background And Objective: Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) is the preferred modality for preoperative planning in aortic valve stenosis. However, it cannot provide essential functional hemodynamic data, specifically the mean transvalvular pressure gradient (MPG). This study aims to introduce a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach for MPG quantification using cardiac CTA, enhancing its diagnostic value.

Quantitative analysis of molecular transport in the extracellular space using physics-informed neural network.

The brain extracellular space (ECS), an irregular, extremely tortuous nanoscale space located between cells or between cells and blood vessels, is crucial for nerve cell survival. It plays a pivotal role in high-level brain functions such as memory, emotion, and sensation. However, the specific form of molecular transport within the ECS remain elusive.

Fatty acid β-oxidation and mitochondrial fusion are involved in cardiac microvascular endothelial cell protection induced by glucagon receptor antagonism in diabetic mice.

Introduction: The role of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) in diabetic cardiomyopathy is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate whether a glucagon receptor (GCGR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) ameliorated diabetic cardiomyopathy and clarify whether and how CMECs participated in the process.

Research Design And Methods: The db/db mice were treated with GCGR mAb or immunoglobulin G (as control) for 4 weeks.

The NO-cGMP-PKG Axis in HFpEF: From Pathological Mechanisms to Potential Therapies.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for almost half of all heart failure (HF) cases worldwide. Unfortunately, its incidence is expected to continue to rise, and effective therapy to improve clinical outcomes is lacking. Numerous efforts currently directed towards the pathophysiology of human HFpEF are uncovering signal transduction pathways and novel therapeutic targets.

Peri-operative Takotsubo syndrome after non-cardiac surgery: a retrospective nested case-control study.

Aims: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute reversible cardiac dysfunction that may occur during the peri-operative period and among patients with serious illness. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, peri-operative management, and prognosis of peri-operative TTS (pTTS) and explore the factors associated with pTTS.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective nested case-control study using the database of patients who underwent in-hospital non-cardiac surgeries between January 2017 and December 2020 in Peking University Third hospital.

Development and Validation of Predictive Model-HASBLAD Score-For Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events During Perioperative Period of Non-cardiac Surgery: A Single Center Experience in China.

Background: Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) represent a significant reason of morbidity and mortality in non-cardiac surgery during perioperative period. The prevention of perioperative MACEs has always been one of the hotspots in the research field. Current existing models have not been validated in Chinese population, and have become increasingly unable to adapt to current clinical needs.

Short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and STEMI events: Insights into STEMI onset and related cardiac impairment.

Aims: Evidence on the impacts of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) events is limited. We aimed to assess the acute effects of TRAP exposure on the clinical onset of STEMI and related cardiac impairments.

Methods And Results: We recruited patients who were admitted for STEMI and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention at Peking University Third Hospital between 2014 and 2020.

Refining age stratum of the CHEST score for predicting incident atrial fibrillation in a hospital-based Chinese population.

Background: The CHEST score (C: coronary artery disease [CAD] / chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] (1 point each); H: Hypertension; E: Elderly (Age≥75, doubled); S: Systolic heart failure (doubled); T: Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism)) has been validated to predict incident atrial fibrillation (AF). Its performance in the hospital-based Chinese population has never been evaluated.

Methods: Risk factors for incident AF were investigated in a hospital-based population.

A Non-Invasive Nanoprobe for In Vivo Photoacoustic Imaging of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque.

Vulnerable atherosclerotic (AS) plaque is the major cause of cardiovascular death. However, clinical methods cannot directly identify the vulnerable AS plaque at molecule level. Herein, osteopontin antibody (OPN Ab) and NIR fluorescence molecules of ICG co-assembled Ti C nanosheets are reported as an advanced nanoprobe (OPN Ab/Ti C /ICG) with enhanced photoacoustic (PA) performance for direct and non-invasive in vivo visual imaging of vulnerable AS plaque.

Antiproteinase 3 Positive Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Presenting with Heart Failure and Intraventricular Thrombosis.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis commonly with cardiac complications. We describe a case of anti-PR3 ANCA-positive EGPA complicated by congestive heart failure and intraventricular thrombosis. Interestingly, the thrombus was resolved rapidly with steroid and cyclophosphamide in the setting of interrupted anticoagulation.

Myeloperoxidase-oxidized high density lipoprotein impairs atherosclerotic plaque stability by inhibiting smooth muscle cell migration.

Background: High density lipoprotein (HDL) has been proved to be a protective factor for coronary heart disease. Notably, HDL in atherosclerotic plaques can be nitrated (NO-oxHDL) and chlorinated (Cl-oxHDL) by myeloperoxidase (MPO), likely compromising its cardiovascular protective effects.

Method: Here we determined the effects of NO-oxHDL and Cl-oxHDL on SMC migration using wound healing and transwell assays, proliferation using MTT and BrdU assays, and apoptosis using Annexin-V assay in vitro, as well as on atherosclerotic plaque stability in vivo using a coratid artery collar implantation mice model.

Connexin43 and Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Recently, the treatment and prevention of ischemic cardiomyopathy is one of the emerging research topics in the cardiovascular field. Gap junction is the basic structure of cardiac electrophysiology. Connexin is the basic unit of gap junctions.

Macrophage Foam Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Adhesion.

Background: A new mechanism for intercellular communication has recently emerged that involves intercellular transfer of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Several studies have indicated that EVs may play a potential role in cell-to-cell communication between macrophage foam cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerotic lesion.

Methods And Results: This study involved the comparison of circulating EVs from atherosclerotic patients and control participants.

Elevated plasma migration inhibitory factor in hypertension-hyperlipidemia patients correlates with impaired endothelial function.

Migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been shown to be critical in the pathology of early artherosclerosis; this article aim to investigate the plasma levels of MIF in hypertension plus hyperlipidemia patients.A total of 39 hypertension plus hyperlipidemia patients without any previous treatment were enrolled (HTN-HLP). Twenty-five healthy subjects were enrolled as the healthy control group (HEALTHY).

Relationship between metabolites of arachidonic acid and prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolites and prognosis in ACS patients.

Methods And Results: This is a mono-center retrospective nested case-control study. We followed up 470 ACS patients, of whom 39 patients had MACE in a mean follow up time of 1037days (identified as MACE group).

Time course of various cell origin circulating microparticles in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention.

The present study aimed to investigate the time course of changes in microparticles (MPs) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 24 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were enrolled, and circulating MPs were detected immediately prior to and after PCI, and at 4, 24 and 48 h post-PCI. Standard Megamix beads, based measurement protocols, were employed to measure MPs of different cell origin, including endothelial MPs (EMPs), platelet MPs (PMPs) and leukocyte-derived MPs (LMPs), which were identified by CD144, CD41 and CD45, respectively.

Proteomic research of high-glucose-activated endothelial microparticles and related proteins to Alzheimer's disease.

The study was designed to discover the biological function of endotheliocyte-derived microparticles in diabetes condition. A quantitative shotgun proteomics methodology was performed to study the proteome of these high-glucose-activated endothelial microparticles. A total of 1428 proteins were identified, containing 1421 and 1423 proteins in control and high-glucose groups, respectively.

Ischemic preconditioning inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening through the PTEN/PDE4 signaling pathway.

Objectives: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) induces cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury by inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Here, we tested the hypothesis that IPC-induced cardioprotection is mediated by the phosphatase PTEN and PDE4 (phosphodiesterase 4).

Methods: Isolated hearts from wild-type mice (WT, n = 110) and myocyte-specific PTEN-knockout mice (PKO, n = 94) were exposed to IPC or control conditions followed by IR.