ACACA reduces lipid accumulation through dual regulation of lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function via AMPK- PPARα- CPT1A axis.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifaceted metabolic disorder, whose global prevalence is rapidly increasing. Acetyl CoA carboxylases 1 (ACACA) is the key enzyme that controls the rate of fatty acid synthesis. Hence, it is crucial to investigate the function of ACACA in regulating lipid metabolism during the progress of NAFLD.

del Nido cardioplegia in surgery for aortic root disease: a historically controlled study.

Background: To determine the safely and effectively of del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) in surgery for aortic root disease, with mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: From July to December 2017, all patients undergoing the surgery for aortic root disease (total aortic root replacement, valve-sparing aortic root replacement and replacement of aortic valve plus ascending aorta), with mild hypothermic CPB, were retrospectively reviewed at our institution. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of cardioplegia: the classical blood cardioplegia (CBC group) and del Nido cardioplegia (DNC group).

Single-dose del Nido cardioplegia used in adult minimally invasive valve surgery.

Background: To analyze the protective effect of single-dose del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) in adult minimally invasive valve surgery.

Methods: From January to December 2017, 165 consecutive adult patients who underwent minimally invasive valve surgery by the same team of surgeons were divided into two cohorts based on the type of cardioplegia administered during surgery: (I) single-dose DNC (DNC group (n=76, male 41, female 35) used in patients from May to December, 2017 and (II) intermittent standard 4:1 blood cardioplegia based on St.Thomas solution (SBC group, n=89, male 45, female 44) used in patients from January to April, 2017.

Single Femoral Venous Drainage Versus Both Vena Cava Drainage in Isolated Repeat Tricuspid Valve Surgery.

To assess the potential advantages of minimally invasive surgery using a single femoral venous drainage method versus femoral venous and superior vena cava or jugular venous drainage method during repeat tricuspid valve surgery.From January 2010 to December 2016, 50 repeat tricuspid valve procedures were performed using a minimally invasive approach without aortic cross-clamping at our institution. The arterial cannula was inserted into the femoral artery, and at the same time, the venous cannula was placed in the femoral vein in 28 patients (FV group) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Superior vena cava reconstruction under the left internal jugular vein to left femoral vein bypass support.

The complete surgical resection of malignant thymoma is recommended. We present a rare case of tumor resection and superior vena cava (SVC) reconstruction under veno-venous bypass support from the left internal jugular vein to the left femoral vein. The full amount of systemic heparinization (3 mg/kg) was avoided.

A New Venous Drainage Technique in Minimally Invasive Redo Tricuspid Surgery: Vacuum-Assist Venous Drainage via a Single Femoral Venous Cannula.

Objective: To summarise the experiences of applying vacuum-assist with a single femoral venous cannula drainage technique in minimally invasive isolated redo tricuspid surgery.

Methods: Eight consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive redo tricuspid surgery through a right thoracotomy at our institute. All of the patients had isolated significant tricuspid regurgitation after previous cardiac surgeries, and received minimally invasive redo tricuspid surgery.

Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for treating wet age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of blindness. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor is used to prevent further neovascularization due to wet AMD. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effect and protocol of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment on wet AMD.

Kininogen 1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6: candidate serum biomarkers of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Background: The aim was to validate whether kininogen 1 (KNG1) or insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6) are serum biomarkers of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Methods: Samples from vitreous and corresponding serum samples were collected from patients with PVR. The donor vitreous samples and serum samples from healthy volunteers and volunteers who had undergone vitrectomies for other conditions were used as controls.

Elucidation of the pathogenic mechanism of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy by proteomic analysis.

Purpose: To understand the molecular mechanisms of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), the vitreous proteome in RRD patients with severe PVR (grade C or D) was investigated.

Methods: The analysis of the vitreous proteome in RRD patients with PVR (n = 24) and donor samples (n = 8) was analyzed by one-dimensional (1D) SDS-PAGE and reverse-phase liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (RP-LC-MS/MS). The data were analyzed using GeneGO MetaCore software.