Hyperlipidemia induces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation involving Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Hyperlipidemia has been shown to stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Wnt signaling pathway plays a critical role in embryonic development and cell proliferation. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats fed with high-fat or normal diet for 12 weeks were sacrificed, and the thoracic aorta was harvested to determine wnt3a, β-catenin, T-cell factor 4 (TCF4), and cyclin D1 expressions.

Overexpression of vasostatin-1 protects hypoxia/reoxygenation injuries in cardiomyocytes independent of endothelial cells.

Introduction: Vasostatin-1 (VS-1) has been suggested in protecting hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injuries in isolated hearts. However, the molecular mechanisms remained to be elucidated.

Methods: Cardiomyocytes were treated with recombinant Ad-VS-1 adenoviral vector before H/R.

Early outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in Chinese aged patients with diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To compare the early outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in aged diabetic patients, and evaluate the affection of diabetes on the early outcomes of CABG in aged patients.

Methods: The study took place in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai, China, between January 2000 and July 2008. Five hundred and ninety-three elderly patients (age > or = 70-years-old), undergoing isolated CABG were retrospectively divided into diabetic group and non-diabetic group.

[Effect of Astragalus on cytokines in patients undergoing heart valve replacement].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of astragalus (As) on cytokines in patients undergoing heart valve replacement (HVR).

Methods: Thirty patients undergoing HVR were randomized into the As group and the control group. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was set up routinely and to the As group, As injection (40 mL, 10 mL containing 2 g of crude drug) was added into the prime solution just before CPB.

A prospective evaluation of apolipoprotein M gene T-778C polymorphism in relation to coronary artery disease in Han Chinese.

Objectives: Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is important for the formation of pre-beta-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and cholesterol efflux in macrophages. It is demonstrated that single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T-778C of apoM gene is related to type 2 diabetes in Han Chinese. In the present study, we investigated the possible association of apoM polymorphism in relation to coronary artery disease (CAD) in Han Chinese.

[Analysis of the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency following coronary artery bypass grafting].

Objective: To study the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency (ARI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: The clinic data of 2242 patients undertaking CABG between July 1997 and July 2006 were retrospectively analyzed, and ARI following CABG was included.

Results: ARI occurred in 219 patients, with an incidence of 9.

[Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients over the age of seventy].

Objective: To discuss the choice of surgical methods and the safety and efficacy of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in elderly patients.

Methods: From Sept. 1997 to Feb.

[Establishment of model human stem cell of transplantation into myocardium of chick embryos].

Objective: To establish an animal model of human stem cell transplantation into myocardium in chick embryos.

Methods: Hoechsst 33,258 labeled human primordial germ cells (hPGC) were microsurgically injected into the myocardium of 633 chick embryos of 3-4 days development. Ten days after, the hearts were isolated from the 94 surviving chick embryos, embedded, and sliced.

Cardiac myxoma and myxosarcoma: clinical experience and immunohistochemistry.

From January 1978 to February 1999, 120 patients (42 males and 78 females) with cardiac myxoma (115) or myxosarcoma (5) underwent surgical excision or biopsy. There were 5 early postoperative deaths (mortality, 4.2%).