Impact of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on long-term clinical outcomes of patients with rheumatic heart disease.

Aims: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a major global health problem. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) are commonly administered in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, but its role in RHD patients is still limited. We performed a retrospective study to determine the effect of RAASi on long-term outcomes for RHD patients.

Aerosol and Surface Distribution of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Hospital Wards, Wuhan, China, 2020.

To determine distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in hospital wards in Wuhan, China, we tested air and surface samples. Contamination was greater in intensive care units than general wards. Virus was widely distributed on floors, computer mice, trash cans, and sickbed handrails and was detected in air ≈4 m from patients.

A study of blood soluble P-selectin, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor levels in idiopathic and lone atrial fibrillation.

Aims: A prothrombotic state with elevated levels of soluble P-selectin (sP-sel), fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (vWf), and other haemostatic indices has been reported in some patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether these changes are due to AF itself or coexistent cardiovascular diseases remains a matter of debate. Therefore, in the present study, the differences in plasma levels of sP-sel, fibrinogen, and vWf between patients with idiopathic/lone AF and sex-, age-, and risk factor-matched controls were investigated to determine whether AF itself might be associated with a hypercoagulable state.

[Changes of endothelial function indices and their relation to platelet activation in idiopathic atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To investigate the changes of endothelial function indices and their relation to platelet activation in patients with idiopathic atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: We studied 61 patients with idiopathic AF with 34 age- and sex-matched healthy persons as control. Platelet counts in the blood were tested, and plasma levels of NOx were analyzed using Griess method.

[Effects of oxygen and calcium on the expression of wild-type and mutated hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha eukaryotic vectors in HEK293 cells].

Objective: To study the effects of oxygen and calcium on the expression of eukaryotic vectors harboring wild-type or mutated hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-11alpha) in HEK293 cells.

Methods: HEK293 cells were transiently transfected with pcDNA3.1+/HIF-11alpha, pcDNA3.

[Effect of porcine relaxin on NO production of human microvascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To observe effect of porcine relaxin(pRLX) on NO production of human microvascular endothelial cells(HMVECs) and discuss its possible mechanism.

Methods: iNOS and cNOS expression of HMVECs with or without pRLX were detected using western blotting. NO production of HMVECs with pRLX at different concentration or different time were determined by method of Griess.

[Construction of eukaryotic expression vectors of two mutants of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and their expressions in human microvascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To construct eukaryotic expression vectors of two mutants of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1alpha) and study their expressions in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs).

Methods: Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to induce the mutation of the codons for the residue Pro564 (ccc) in HIF-1alpha into gcc (Ala) in pcDNA3.1(+)-HIF-1alphato obtain single-site-mutated vector pcDNA3.

[Construction and expression analysis of recombinant vector pcDNA3.1+-HIF-1alpha].

Objective: To construct the eukaryotic expression vector for human hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) gene and examine its expression.

Methods: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on the total RNA extracted from HT29 cells to obtain the cDNA of HIF-1alpha, which was inserted into T vector pUC18. DNA sequencing was performed before the amplified products were cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.

Dynamic changes in type I collagen, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 after angioplasty.

Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes of type I collagen, and the activity of metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) after angioplasty.

Methods: The restenotic model of iliac arteries of domestic microswine was established with hypercholesterol feed plus two angioplasties. Angioplastied vessels were harvested at the end of 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after the second angioplasty.