Public Awareness of Stroke and the Appropriate Responses in China: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study (FAST-RIGHT).

Background and Purpose—Early presentation is critical for receiving effective reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke, therefore, we undertook a national survey of awareness and responses to acute stroke symptoms in China. Methods—We undertook a cross-sectional community-based study of 187 723 adults (age ≥40 years) presenting to 69 administrative areas across China between January 2017 and May 2017 to determine the national stroke recognition rate and the correct action rate. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with stroke recognition and intention-to-avail emergency medical services.

Regulation of Atrial Fibrosis by the Bone.

MR (mineralocorticoid receptor) antagonists have been demonstrated to provide beneficial effects on preventing atrial fibrosis. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We aim to determine the role of osteoblast MR in atrial fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanism.

Glucose-Sensitive Myokine/Cardiokine MG53 Regulates Systemic Insulin Response and Metabolic Homeostasis.

Background: Mitsugumin 53 (MG53 or TRIM72), a striated muscle-specific E3 ligase, promotes ubiquitin-dependent degradation of the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 and subsequently induces insulin resistance, resulting in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it is unknown how MG53 from muscle regulates systemic insulin response and energy metabolism. Increasing evidence demonstrates that muscle secretes proteins as myokines or cardiokines that regulate systemic metabolic processes.

Early Prediction of Malignant Brain Edema After Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- Malignant brain edema after ischemic stroke has high mortality but limited treatment. Therefore, early prediction is important, and we systematically reviewed predictors and predictive models to identify reliable markers for the development of malignant edema. Methods- We searched Medline and Embase from inception to March 2018 and included studies assessing predictors or predictive models for malignant brain edema after ischemic stroke.

Feasibility of Thrombectomy in Treating Acute Ischemic Stroke Because of Cervical Artery Dissection.

Background and Purpose- Acute ischemic stroke caused by cervical artery dissection tend to result in unfavorable outcomes even with appropriate medical treatment. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy in treating acute ischemic stroke associated with cervical artery dissection. Methods- Patients with acute ischemic stroke and with large artery occlusion associated with dissection were selected.

linc-SCRG1 accelerates liver fibrosis by decreasing RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin.

The biologic roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in liver fibrosis remained unknown. Through microarray analysis, linc-SCRG1 (a lncRNA with transcript length 3118 bp) was found up-regulated 13.62-fold in human cirrhotic tissues.

Organ-specific changes in vascular reactivity and roles of inducible nitric oxide synthase and endothelin-1 in a rabbit endotoxic shock model.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock-induced changes in vascular reactivity appear organ-specific. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that vascular reactivity induced by septic shock similarly displays organ-specific differences and is regulated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1).

Methods: Endotoxic shock was induced in rabbits by administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/kg), and organ specificity of vascular reactivity of superior mesenteric artery (SMA), celiac artery (CA), and left renal artery (LRA) as well as the potential involvement of iNOS and ET-1 examined.

Liver Fibrosis with Two-dimensional US Shear-Wave Elastography in Participants with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic performance of two-dimensional (2D) shear-wave elastography (SWE) in chronic hepatitis B. Materials and Methods This prospective multicenter study from January 2015 to January 2016 was conducted at 12 hospitals and included 654 participants with chronic hepatitis B who had undergone liver biopsy and 2D SWE examination. Participants were divided into chronic infection and chronic hepatitis groups.

Liuzijue Qigong vs traditional breathing training for patients with post-stroke dysarthria complicated with abnormal respiratory control: study protocol of a single center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Stroke-induced dysarthria is caused by muscle weakness, sacral or muscular dystonia, and incoordination of the articulatory organ formed by organic lesions caused by cerebral vascular obstruction or sudden bursting of blood vessels in the brain, which may cause abnormal breathing patterns, pronunciation, resonance, rhythm, and unclear articulation. The Six Character Formula, or Liuzijue qigong (LQG), is an essential part of Chinese traditional exercises and focuses on breathing-speech synchronization. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of LQG with traditional breathing training (combined with basic articulation training in both groups) in patients with post-stroke dysarthria.

Beclin-1-Dependent Autophagy Protects the Heart During Sepsis.

Background: Cardiac dysfunction is a major component of sepsis-induced multiorgan failure in critical care units. Changes in cardiac autophagy and its role during sepsis pathogenesis have not been clearly defined. Targeted autophagy-based therapeutic approaches for sepsis are not yet developed.

Clinical Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment within 24 Hours in Patients with Mild Ischemic Stroke and Perfusion Imaging Selection.

Background And Purpose: Endovascular thrombectomy has been accepted as the standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Our aim was to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with mild ischemic stroke with acute proximal large-vessel occlusion after endovascular treatment within 24 hours of symptom onset.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2014 and August 2017, ninety-three Chinese patients with mild ischemic stroke (NIHSS scores, 0-8) and large-vessel occlusion with endovascular treatment were retrospectively enrolled from 7 comprehensive stroke centers.

Genetic Lineage Tracing of Nonmyocyte Population by Dual Recombinases.

Background: Whether the adult mammalian heart harbors cardiac stem cells for regeneration of cardiomyocytes is an important yet contentious topic in the field of cardiovascular regeneration. The putative myocyte stem cell populations recognized without specific cell markers, such as the cardiosphere-derived cells, or with markers such as Sca1, Bmi1, Isl1, or Abcg2 cardiac stem cells have been reported. Moreover, it remains unclear whether putative cardiac stem cells with unknown or unidentified markers exist and give rise to de novo cardiomyocytes in the adult heart.

Nuclear Spin Attenuates the Anesthetic Potency of Xenon Isotopes in Mice: Implications for the Mechanisms of Anesthesia and Consciousness.

What We Already Know About This Topic: WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: BACKGROUND:: Xenon is an elemental anesthetic with nine stable isotopes. Nuclear spin is a quantum property which may differ among isotopes. Xenon 131 (Xe) has nuclear spin of 3/2, xenon 129 (Xe) a nuclear spin of 1/2, and the other seven isotopes have no nuclear spin.

Pharmacological Characterization of H05, a Novel Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor with Moderate 5-HT Antagonist Activity for the Treatment of Depression.

Multitarget antidepressants selectively inhibiting monoaminergic transporters and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptor have demonstrated higher efficacy and fewer side effects than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In the present study, we synthesized a series of novel 3-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-4-yloxy)-3-arylpropyl amine derivatives, among which compound H05 was identified as a lead, exhibiting potent inhibitory effects on both serotonin ( = 4.81 nM) and norepinephrine (NE) ( = 6.

Alterations of White Matter Connectivity in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Purpose To investigate the topologic architecture of white matter connectivity networks in preschool-aged children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus typical development (TD). Materials and Methods Forty-two participants were enrolled, including 21 preschool children with ASD (14 male children and seven female children; mean age, 4.56 years ± 0.

Genome-Wide Association and Functional Studies Identify and as Novel Susceptibility Genes for Coronary Artery Disease.

Objective: The genetic contribution to coronary artery disease (CAD) remains largely unclear. We combined genetic screening with functional characterizations to identify novel loci and candidate genes for CAD.

Approach And Results: We performed genome-wide screening followed by multicenter validation in 8 cohorts consisting of 21 828 participants of Han ethnicity and identified 3 novel intragenic SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), rs9486729 ( [Scm polycomb group protein-like 4]; odds ratio, 1.

Novel Adipokine, FAM19A5, Inhibits Neointima Formation After Injury Through Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 2.

Background: Obesity plays crucial roles in the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanisms that link obesity and cardiovascular diseases remain elusive. Compelling evidence indicates that adipokines play an important role in obesity-related cardiovascular diseases.

Downregulated Serum 14, 15-Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Is Associated With Abdominal Aortic Calcification in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism.

Patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) have increased risk of target-organ damage, among which vascular calcification is an important indicator of cardiovascular mortality. 14, 15-Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14, 15-EET) has been shown to have beneficial effects in vascular remodeling. However, whether 14, 15-EET associates with vascular calcification in PA is unknown.

The YKL-40 protein is a potential biomarker for COPD: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Many studies have found that YKL-40 may play an important pathogenic role in COPD. However, the results of these studies were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of YKL-40 in COPD.

Glecaprevir-Pibrentasvir for 8 or 12 Weeks in HCV Genotype 1 or 3 Infection.

Background: Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir are direct-acting antiviral agents with pangenotypic activity and a high barrier to resistance. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of 8-week and 12-week courses of treatment with 300 mg of glecaprevir plus 120 mg of pibrentasvir in patients without cirrhosis who had hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 or 3 infection.

Methods: We conducted two phase 3, randomized, open-label, multicenter trials.

Transfer of Fresh versus Frozen Embryos in Ovulatory Women.

Background: Elective frozen-embryo transfer has been shown to result in a higher live-birth rate than fresh-embryo transfer among anovulatory women with the polycystic ovary syndrome. It is uncertain whether frozen-embryo transfer increases live-birth rates among ovulatory women with infertility.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized trial, we randomly assigned 2157 women who were undergoing their first in vitro fertilization cycle to undergo either fresh-embryo transfer or embryo cryopreservation followed by frozen-embryo transfer.

EROSION Study (Effective Anti-Thrombotic Therapy Without Stenting: Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Management in Plaque Erosion): A 1-Year Follow-Up Report.

Background: The initial EROSION study (Effective Anti-Thrombotic Therapy Without Stenting: Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Management in Plaque Erosion) demonstrated that patients with acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque erosion might be stabilized with aspirin and ticagrelor without stenting for ≤1 month. However, a long-term evaluation of outcomes is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess whether the initial benefit of noninterventional therapy for patients with acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque erosion is maintained for ≤1 year.

Functional Metabolomics Characterizes a Key Role for -Acetylneuraminic Acid in Coronary Artery Diseases.

Background: As new biomarkers of coronary artery diseases (CAD) emerge via metabolomics, the underlying functional mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Functional metabolomics aims to translate metabolomics-derived biomarkers to disease mechanisms.

Methods: A cohort of 2324 patients who underwent coronary angiography from 4 independent centers was studied.

Mediator 1 Is Atherosclerosis Protective by Regulating Macrophage Polarization.

Objective: MED1 (mediator 1) interacts with transcription factors to regulate transcriptional machinery. The role of MED1 in macrophage biology and the relevant disease state remains to be investigated.

Approach And Results: To study the molecular mechanism by which MED1 regulates the M1/M2 phenotype switch of macrophage and the effect on atherosclerosis, we generated MED1/apolipoprotein E (ApoE) double-deficient (MED1/ApoE) mice and found that atherosclerosis was greater in MED1/ApoE mice than in MED1/ApoE littermates.

Experimental, Pathologic, and Clinical Findings of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Para-Hisian Region From the Right Ventricle in Dogs and Humans.

Background: Ablation of para-Hisian accessory pathway (AP) poses high risks of atrioventricular block. We developed a pacing technique to differentiate the near-field (NF) from far-field His activations to avoid the complication.

Methods And Results: Three-dimensional mapping of the right ventricle was performed in 15 mongrel dogs and 23 patients with para-Hisian AP.