Jellyfish-Inspired Artificial Spider Silk for Luminous Surgical Sutures.

The development of functional surgical sutures with excellent mechanical properties, good fluorescence, and high cytocompatibility is highly required in the field of medical surgeries. Achieving fibers that simultaneously exhibit high mechanical robustness, good spinnability, and durable fluorescence emission has remained challenging up to now. Taking inspiration from the spinning process of spider silk and the luminescence mechanism of jellyfish, this work reports a luminous artificial spider silk prepared with the aim of balancing the fiber spinnability and mechanical robustness.

Establishing superfine nanofibrils for robust polyelectrolyte artificial spider silk and powerful artificial muscles.

Spider silk exhibits an excellent combination of high strength and toughness, which originates from the hierarchical self-assembled structure of spidroin during fiber spinning. In this work, superfine nanofibrils are established in polyelectrolyte artificial spider silk by optimizing the flexibility of polymer chains, which exhibits combination of breaking strength and toughness ranging from 1.83 GPa and 238 MJ m to 0.

Bioinspired Mechanically Robust and Recyclable Hydrogel Microfibers Based on Hydrogen-Bond Nanoclusters.

Mechanically robust hydrogel fibers have demonstrated great potential in energy dissipation and shock-absorbing applications. However, developing such materials that are recyclable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly remains an enormous challenge. Herein, inspired by spider silk, a continuous and scalable method is introduced for spinning a polyacrylamide hydrogel microfiber with a hierarchical sheath-core structure under ambient conditions.

Effects of radiofrequency balloon angioplasty on the abdominal aorta in atherosclerotic rabbits.

Objectives: A novel temperature-controlled intravascular radiofrequency balloon angioplasty (RFBA) technique was designed and developed for atherosclerosis (AS) management.

Methods: After establishing an AS model based on a balloon denudation injury of the abdominal aorta and a high cholesterol diet in rabbits, 46 animals were randomly assigned to the RFBA group (n = 28) or the plain balloon angioplasty (PBA) group (n = 28). The groups were further subdivided based on post-treatment euthanasia times (1 hour, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days).

CircRNA_0263 and circRNA_1507 are dysregulated in a rat model of atrial fibrosis induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia.

: This study aimed to characterize circular RNA (circRNA) profiles associated with atrial fibrosis-related atrial fibrillation (AF) and reveal critical circRNAs for AF. : Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and atrial fibrosis-related AF groups (n = 15 in each group). The rats in the atrial fibrosis-related AF group were induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), and then confirmed by electrocardiograms, echocardiography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, immunohistochemistry assays and western blotting.

Establishment of a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in a rat model of atrial fibrosis by whole transcriptome sequencing.

Purpose: Dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) plays important roles in atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to identify crucial lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in AF based on whole transcriptome sequencing.

Methods: Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly stratified into control and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) groups (n = 15 in each).

MiRNA21 and IL-18 levels in left atrial blood in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cryoablation and their predictive value for recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: The recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cryoablation still needs to be prioritized, including discriminating predictive indicators.

Methods: Eighty-seven patients aged 43-83 years who underwent cryo-balloon ablation were divided into paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (non-PAF) groups. Baseline data, intraoperative index, and miRNA21, IL-18, NLRP3, and visfatin levels in peripheral venous blood and left atrial blood were assessed.

Serum Beta-2 Microglobulin: A Possible Biomarker for Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common persistent arrhythmia that can cause complications (including stroke). Therefore, its diagnosis and treatment require increased attention. Although beta-2 microglobulin (b2-MG) is a novel marker of cardiovascular disease, its role in AF has not been evaluated.

Combined treatment with valsartan and fluvastatin to delay disease progression in nonpermanent atrial fibrillation with hypertension: A clinical trial.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice with increasing incidence. However, the effects of statins on patients with AF are not quite clear.

Hypothesis: To investigate the protective effect of calcium channel blocker (CCB) and valsartan combined fluvastatin on hypertension (HTN) patients with nonpermanent AF.

Screening and functional analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs in rapid atrial pacing dog atrial tissue.

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most commonly sustained arrhythmias in clinical practice. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are gene regulatory elements involved in the development of several diseases. We aimed to explore the expression characteristics of lncRNAs associated with AF.

Biomarkers for Predicting Left Atrial or Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Anticoagulated Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is often associated with thromboembolic complications, there is no definite biomarker for detecting the presence of thrombi in the left atrial (LA) or left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods: NVAF patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to evaluate LA/LAA thrombus and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) before AF ablation were included. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were performed to explore the independent risk factors of LA/LAA thrombus and indicate the best cutoff point.

MicroRNA-124 inhibits macrophage cell apoptosis via targeting p38/MAPK signaling pathway in atherosclerosis development.

The objective of this study is to characterize the function of microRNA (miR)-124 in the process of coronary artery disease (CAD). Eighty patients, including 40 CAD patients and 40 non-CAD control patients were enrolled in this study. Atherosclerosis model was established in -/- mice and in RAW264.

Attenuation of atrial remodeling by aliskiren via affecting oxidative stress, inflammation and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. Atrial remodeling is a major factor to the AF substrate. The purpose of the study is to explore whether aliskiren (ALS) has a cardioprotective effect and its potential molecular mechanisms on atrial remodeling.

Gender-specific associations of CD36 polymorphisms with the lipid profile and susceptibility to premature multi-vessel coronary artery heart disease in the Northern Han Chinese.

Background: The aim of the present study was to detect potential gender-specific associations between some common CD36 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the lipid profile, as well as the susceptibility to premature multi-vessel coronary artery heart disease (CHD) in the Han population of Northern China.

Methods: A systematic three-step study process was employed to detect associations between CD36 gene variants and blood lipid profiles, as well as premature multi-vessel CHD in a gender-specific manner.

Results: The current study documented the following novel findings: (I) the full population-based association study in 329 Northern Han Chinese showed that four common CD36 polymorphisms were significantly related to extreme lipid profiles, with statistically significant effects based on gender interactions (rs1049673: P = 0.

Excessive Supraventricular Ectopic Activity and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose Of Review: Excessive supraventricular ectopic activity (ESVEA), in the form of frequent premature atrial contractions (PACs) and runs of PACs, is commonly observed in clinical practice and is frequently considered to be benign. Yet, recent studies have demonstrated a link between ESVEA and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the association between ESVEA and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, and mortality.

Suppression of experimental atrial fibrillation in a canine model of rapid atrial pacing by the phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor cilostazol.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common arrhythmia encountered in cardiology department. The purpose of this study was designed to investigate whether cilostazol, an oral phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor (PDE3) could have protective effects on atrial remodeling in a canine model of AF and explore the potential molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Dogs were randomly assigned to Sham, Paced, Paced + cilostazol group, 7 dogs in each group.

Clinical efficacy of "ICE-FIRE" ablation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Catheter ablation is less successful for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (NPAF) according to numerous follow-up studies. The choice of ablation strategy for patients with NPAF remains controversial. The objective of the study was to explore the clinical efficacy of the "ICE-FIRE" ablation.

Efficacy of Wenxin Keli Plus Amiodarone versus Amiodarone Monotherapy in Treating Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Use of amiodarone (AMIO) in atrial fibrillation (AF) has significant side effects over prolonged periods. Wenxin Keli (WXKL), a Chinese herb extract, has been shown to be effective in atrial-selective inhibiting peak and hence beneficial in treating atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate potential effects of AMIO plus WXKL on conversion rate and time in patients with recent-onset AF.

Upstream therapeutic strategies of valsartan and fluvastatin on hypertensive patients with non-permanent atrial fibrillation.

Aim: To investigate the upstream therapeutic effects of fluvastatin and valsartan on hypertensive patients with non-permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 189 patients who were admitted to outpatient and inpatient department from eight medical centers in China, diagnosed as hypertension with non-permanent AF, were divided into four groups randomly: the CCBs group (group A, n = 45); CCB + fluvastatin group (group B, n = 48); valsartan group (group C, n = 46); valsartan + fluvastatin group (group D, n = 50). The four groups were followed up for 24 months.

Aliskiren protecting atrial structural remodeling from rapid atrial pacing in a canine model.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) contributing to the increasing mortality risk is the most common disease in clinical practice. Owing to the side effects and relative inefficacy of current antiarrhythmic drugs, some research focuses on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) for finding out the new treatment of AF. The purpose of this study is to confirm whether aliskiren as a proximal inhibitor of renin, which completely inhibits RAS, has beneficial effects on atrial structural remodeling in AF.

The potential role of atrial natriuretic peptide in the effects of Angiotensin-(1-7) in a chronic atrial tachycardia canine model.

Objective: The objective of this article is to investigate the possible role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) signaling pathway on atrial electrical and structural remodeling in a chronic rapid atrial pacing canine model.

Methods: Twenty-four dogs were randomly assigned to four groups: a sham group, paced control group, a paced + Ang-(1-7) group and a paced + Ang-(1-7) + A-71915 group. Atrial rapid pacing (ARP) at 600 bpm was maintained for 14 days except in the animals from the sham group.

[Discrete potentials guided ablation for idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias].

Objective: Discrete potentials (DPs) have been recorded and targeted as the site of ablation of the outflow tract arrhythmias. The aim of the present study was to investigate the significance of DPs with respect to mapping and ablation for idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or ventricular tachycardias (VTs).

Methods: Seventeen out of 24 consecutive patients with idiopathic right or left ventricular outflow tract PVCs/VTs who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation between September 2012 and December 2013 in our department were included.

Serum levels of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 are associated with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Recent evidence indicates that nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species have a pivotal role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study aimed to investigate the potential association between serum levels of NOX4, as well as inflammatory biomarkers and AF. In total, 108 patients with AF (71 with paroxysmal AF and 37 with persistent/permanent AF) and 68 patients without AF, as the controls, were enrolled.