Cholesterol efflux promoting function of high-density lipoproteins in calcific aortic valve stenosis.

Background And Aims: Cholesterol efflux capacity is a functional property of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) reflecting the efficiency of the atheroprotective reverse cholesterol transport process in humans. Its relationship with calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) has not been fully assessed yet.

Methods: We evaluated HDL-CEC in a patient population with varying degrees of aortic valvular calcific disease, assessed using echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography.

Association of dietary and gut microbiota-related metabolites with calcific aortic stenosis.

Background: Histopathological changes in calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) resemble changes in coronary atherosclerosis. Concerning recent evidence on dietary and gut microbiota-related metabolites representing players in atherosclerosis, we aimed to investigate the link between dietary and gut microbiota-derived metabolites and CAS.

Methods: We consecutively recruited eligible subjects with moderate-severe CAS ( = 60), aortic sclerosis (ASc) ( = 49) and age and gender-matched control subjects ( = 48) in May 2016-December 2016.

Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in acute coronary syndrome: a clinical analysis.

Background: Although off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery has many beneficial effects compared with on-pump surgery, switch to on-pump surgery has significantly higher risks of operative mortality. Benefits of OPCAB over on-pump surgery strategies concerning myocardial revascularization are still debatable. We have aimed to develop an "algorithm of off-pump surgical strategy" on preventing conversion to on-pump.

Is there any association between hepatitis G virus (HGV), other hepatitis viruses (HBV, HCV) and Behçet's disease?

Infectious agents, especially viruses, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD). The aim of this study was to determine whether BD is associated with hepatitis viruses. In this study, the serological markers of hepatitis (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HCV) and viral nucleic acid (HGV-RNA) were studied in the sera of 35 patients, all of whom fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of the International Study Group for BD, and the results were compared with those of 36 healthy controls.