Body Fat Distribution and Ectopic Fat Accumulation as Mediator of Diabetogenic Action of Lipid-Modifying Drugs: A Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study.

Objective: To investigate the causal relationship between various lipid-modifying drugs and new-onset diabetes, as well as the mediators contributing to this relationship.

Methods: Mediation Mendelian randomization was performed to investigate the causal effect of lipid-modifying drug targets on type 2 diabetes (T2D) outcomes and the proportion of this association that is mediated through ectopic fat accumulation traits. Specific sets of variants in or near genes that encode 11 lipid-modifying drug targets (LDLR, HMGCR, NPC1L1, PCSK9, APOB, ABCG5/ABCG8, LPL, PPARA, ANGPTL3, APOC3, and CETP; for expansion of gene symbols, use search tool at www.

Dietary inflammation and vascular calcification: a comprehensive review of the associations, underlying mechanisms, and prevention strategies.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death globally, and vascular calcification (VC) has been recognized as an independent and strong predictor of global CVD and mortality. Chronic inflammation has been demonstrated to play a significant role in the progression of VC. This review aims to summarize the literature that aimed to elucidate the associations between dietary inflammation (DI) and VC as well as to explore the mechanisms underlying the association and discuss strategies (including dietary interventions) to prevent VC.

Association between estimated pulse wave velocity and in-hospital and one-year mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease and atherosclerotic heart disease: a retrospective cohort analysis of the MIMIC-IV database.

Background: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity has been identified as an autonomous predictor of cardiovascular mortality and kidney injury. This important clinical parameter can be non-invasively estimated using the calculated pulse wave velocity (ePWV). The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between ePWV and in-hospital as well as one-year mortality among critically ill patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD).

Levosimendan: A New Therapeutical Strategy in Patients with Renal Insufficiency.

Levosimendan, a Ca2 + sensitizer with positive inotropic effects, is primarily employed for the short-term treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Levosimendan exerts renal function protection through various mechanisms, including anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in vivo. Additionally, levosimendan may have a protective effect on individuals with heart failure and renal insufficiency, as well as on renal function impairment after cardiac surgery.

Three-Dimensional Thermo-Chemo-Mechanical Coupled Curing Analysis for the Filament Wound Composite Shell.

Carbon fiber resin-based composite materials are widely employed in the manufacturing of composite shells. During the curing process, the temperature gradients and cure degree gradients make it easy to generate thermal strains in both carbon fibers and resin, with the resin experiencing cure shrinkage strain due to the curing reaction, ultimately leading to residual stresses and strains. In this paper, a three-dimensional thermo-chemo-mechanical coupled curing model of the composite shell was established based on a resin test, and the changes of temperature, curing degree, residual stress, and strain during the solidification of the composite shell were investigated.

Notoginsenoside R decreases intraplaque neovascularization by governing pericyte-endothelial cell communication via Ang1/Tie2 axis in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis represents the major cause of mortality worldwide and triggers higher risk of acute cardiovascular events. Pericytes-endothelial cells (ECs) communication is orchestrated by ligand-receptor interaction generating a microenvironment which results in intraplaque neovascularization, that is closely associated with atherosclerotic plaque instability. Notoginsenoside R (R) exhibits anti-atherosclerotic bioactivity, but its effect on angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque remains elusive.

Stress, Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype and Atherosclerosis: Novel Insight into Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transition in Atherosclerosis.

Purpose Of Review: Our work is to establish more distinct association between specific stress and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypes to alleviate atherosclerotic plaque burden and delay atherosclerosis (AS) progression.

Recent Finding: In recent years, VSMCs phenotypic transition has received significant interests. Different stresses were found to be associated with VSMCs phenotypic transition.

Identification of Circulating Plasma Proteins as a Mediator of Hypertension-Driven Cardiac Remodeling: A Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: This study focused on circulating plasma protein profiles to identify mediators of hypertension-driven myocardial remodeling and heart failure.

Methods: A Mendelian randomization design was used to investigate the causal impact of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure on 82 cardiac magnetic resonance traits and heart failure risk. Mediation analyses were also conducted to identify potential plasma proteins mediating these effects.

Association between estimated pulse wave velocity and in-hospital mortality of patients with acute kidney injury: a retrospective cohort analysis of the MIMIC-IV database.

Background: Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) has been found to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and kidney injury, which can be estimated noninvasively. This study aimed to investigate the association between ePWV and in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: This study included 5960 patients with AKI from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database.

Persistence of severe global inequalities in the burden of Hypertension Heart Disease from 1990 to 2019: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019.

Aims: Assessing the global burden and health inequalities of Hypertension Heart Disease (HHD) during the period from 1990 to 2019.

Methods: Secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study in 2019, focusing on the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors worldwide. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) data related to HHD are extracted from the 2019 GBD.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1: Regulatory mechanisms and drug therapy in myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI), an acute cardiovascular disease characterized by coronary artery blockage, inadequate blood supply, and subsequent ischemic necrosis of the myocardium, is one of the leading causes of death. The cellular, physiological, and pathological responses following MI are complex, involving multiple intertwined pathological mechanisms. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a crucial regulator of hypoxia, plays a significant role in of the development of MI by modulating the behavior of various cells such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts under hypoxic conditions.

Advances in the study of vascular related protective effect of garlic (Allium sativum) extract and compounds.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a functional food containing multiple bioactive compounds that find widespread applications in culinary and medicinal practices. It consists of multiple chemical components, including allicin and alliin. This article offers a comprehensive review of the protective effects of garlic extracts and their active constituents on the vascular system.

Effect of Astragaloside IV on improving cardiac function in rats with heart failure: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis.

Astragaloside IV (ASIV) is the primary pharmacologically active compound found in Schischkin, which has potential protective effects on cardiac function. However, there are almost no systematic evaluations of ASIV for the treatment of heart failure (HF). Preclinical studies published before 27 December 2022, were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP information database, and Wanfang Data information site.

Advances in the study of the vascular protective effects and molecular mechanisms of hawthorn ( Sarg.) extracts in cardiovascular diseases.

Hawthorn belongs to the rose family and is a type of functional food. It contains various chemicals, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and organic acid compounds. This study aimed to review the vascular protective effects and molecular mechanisms of hawthorn and its extracts on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Normal saline: Past, present, and future.

Normal saline (NS) is the most widely used agent in the medical field. However, from its origin to its widespread application, it remains a mystery. Moreover, there is an ongoing debate on whether its existence is reasonable, harmful to the human body, or will still exist in the future.

Panax Notoginseng Saponins Protect H9c2 Cells From Hypoxia-reoxygenation Injury Through the Forkhead Box O3a Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 Alpha Cell Signaling Pathway.

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are commonly used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Whether PNS can protect myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the forkhead box O3a hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (FOXO3a/HIF-1α) cell signaling pathway remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of PNS on H9c2 cardiomyocytes through the FOXO3a/HIF-1α cell signaling pathway.

Panax Notoginseng Saponins Attenuate Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through the HIF-1α/BNIP3 Pathway of Autophagy.

Background And Objective: Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) is a formula of Chinese medicine commonly used for treating ischemia myocardial in China. However, its mechanism of action is yet unclear. This study investigated the effect and the mechanism of PNS on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) through the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/bcl-2/adenovirus E1B19kDa-interacting protein3 (BNIP3) pathway of autophagy.

Photoluminescence properties of aeschynite-type LaNbTiO6:RE3+ (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho) down-converting phosphors.

In this study, a series of LaNbTiO6:RE(3+) (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho) down-converting phosphors were synthesized using a modified sol-gel combustion method, and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated as a function of activator concentration and annealing temperature. The resultant particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and PL spectra. The highly crystalline LaNbTiO6:RE(3+) (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho) phosphors with an average size of 200-300 nm obtained at 1100°C have an orthorhombic aeschynite-type structure and exhibit the highest luminescent intensity in our study range.

Morphology-tunable fibers with Fe3O4 nanocrystals fabricated through assembly.

A facile method has been developed to encapsulate Fe(3)O(4) nanocrystals (NCs) in morphology-tunable fibers (belt-like, solid, and tubal) by using a sonochemistry driven synthesis and a subsequent reflux procedure. By adapting the use of tetraethyl orthosilicate, ammonia, Cd(2+), and thiolglycolic acid (TGA) to an ultrasound-driven synthesis, the Fe(3)O(4) NCs were coated with a thin composite shell. Supersonic treatment plays an important role to prevent the agglomeration of the Fe(3)O(4) NCs in an alkaline condition.

Interfacial confined formation of mesoporous spherical TiO2 nanostructures with improved photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Uniform mesoporous TiO(2) nanospheres were successfully developed via an interfacial confined formation process for application in dye-sensitized solar cells. The mesoporous spherical structures greatly promote the dye-loading capacity, electron transfer, and light scattering, resulting in remarkable enhancement of the cell performance. The designed interfacial platform caused a reaction-limited aggregation of the TiO(2) nanocrystals, resulting in the formation of mesoporous spherical nanostructures with sphere diameter of 216 nm and pore size of 8 nm.

Synthesis of anatase TiO(2) nanoshuttles by self-sacrificing of titanate nanowires.

Anatase TiO(2) nanoshuttles have been successfully prepared via a hydrothermal method under alkaline conditions by employing titanate nanowires as the self-sacrificing precursors. The experimental results showed that a radical structural rearrangement took place from titanate wires to anatase TiO(2) shuttles during the hydrothermal reaction on the basis of a dissolution-recrystallization process. The surface of titanate nanowires plays a key role in the transformation process by providing both the structural units (e.

Combustion synthesis of novel Li 0.9 Y(0.9-x-y)Zr 0.1 O2:Eu x 3+, R y 3+(R = Ce,Bi) red luminescence nanocrystal and emission-mechanism research.

Novel Li(0.9)Y((0.9-x-y))Zr(0.

Novel class of aeschynite structure LaNbTiO6-based orange-red phosphors via a modified combustion approach.

A novel class of orange-red phosphors based on Eu(3+)-activated LaNbTiO(6) was successfully fabricated by a wet chemical method, called a modified combustion approach. XRD, TG-DTA, SEM, and EDS results show that the heat-treatment of the powders above 1000 degrees C is enough to obtain highly crystallized and phase-pure LaNbTiO(6) and Eu(3+)-doped samples, which is of prime importance in investigating the optical properties of the novel phosphors using LaNbTiO(6) as the host material. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy reveals that the direct band gap of LaNbTiO(6) with large grains (above 200 nm) is calculated to be 3.

Aqueous synthesis of copper nanocubes and bimetallic copper/palladium core-shell nanostructures.

We have synthesized copper nanocubes with uniform shape and size and copper/palladium core-shell bimetallic nanostructures in high yield by a two-stage procedure in the presence of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid sodium. The copper nanocubes with a slight hole in the centers of the six {100} surfaces was prepared at the first stage. Later, the bimetallic copper/palladium core-shell nanostructures formed on the basis of the successive reduction of H2PdCl4 and the Pd growth on the surfaces of the Cu seeds.