Effects of Smoking on Very-Long Term Mortality after First ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The smoking paradox has been a matter of debate for acute myocardial infarction patients for more than two decades. Although there is huge evidence claiming that is no real paradox, publications supporting better outcomes in post-MI smokers are still being released.

Objective: To explore the effect of smoking on very long-term mortality after ST Elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Gamma-glutamyl transferase to albumin ratio can predict severity of coronary artery disease detected by coronary computed tomography angiography.

Objective: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to albumin ratio (GAR) has been shown to be helpful to diagnose and determine the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a guide recommended non-invasive test that provides information about the presence, severity, and morphology of coronary plaques. In this study, our main aim was to investigate the relationship between the presence, morphology, and severity of coronary plaques detected via CCTA and GAR in patients with low to moderate risk for undiagnosed CAD.

INO80C Remodeler Maintains Genomic Stability by Preventing Promiscuous Transcription at Replication Origins.

The proper coordination of transcription with DNA replication and repair is central for genomic stability. We investigate how the INO80C chromatin remodeling enzyme might coordinate these genomic processes. We find that INO80C co-localizes with the origin recognition complex (ORC) at yeast replication origins and is bound to replication initiation sites in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs).

An old friend: uric acid and its association with fractional flow reserve.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of preprocedural uric acid (UA) level in predicting fractional flow reserve (FFR) results of intermediate coronary lesions in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing coronary angiography.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 293 patients who underwent FFR measurement to determine the significance of intermediate coronary stenosis detected by conventional coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 127) included patients with FFR of <0.

Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Fear of Activity in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease (Fact-CAD).

Objective: To develop and validate a scale to measure fear of activity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Design: Psychometric study.

Setting: Outpatient cardiology clinics.

Distinct transcriptional roles for Histone H3-K56 acetylation during the cell cycle in Yeast.

Dynamic disruption and reassembly of promoter-proximal nucleosomes is a conserved hallmark of transcriptionally active chromatin. Histone H3-K56 acetylation (H3K56Ac) enhances these turnover events and promotes nucleosome assembly during S phase. Here we sequence nascent transcripts to investigate the impact of H3K56Ac on transcription throughout the yeast cell cycle.

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is predictive of in-hospital and five-year mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: We assessed the value of monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) in predicting in-hospital and 5-year mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Methods: A group of 1,598 patients were enrolled and divided into tertiles according to MHR values. The effects of different variables on clinical outcomes were assessed by Cox regression analysis.

Progressive Differentiation and Instructive Capacities of Amniotic Fluid and Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteomes following Neural Tube Closure.

After neural tube closure, amniotic fluid (AF) captured inside the neural tube forms the nascent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Neuroepithelial stem cells contact CSF-filled ventricles, proliferate, and differentiate to form the mammalian brain, while neurogenic placodes, which generate cranial sensory neurons, remain in contact with the AF. Using in vivo ultrasound imaging, we quantified the expansion of the embryonic ventricular-CSF space from its inception.

Red Cell Distribution Width Can Predict the Significance of Angiographically Intermediate Coronary Lesions.

Objective: In the present study, the association between red cell distribution width (RDW) with functional significance of intermediate coronary artery lesions was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and forty-six consecutive patients, 168 males and 78 females, who underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement for angiographically intermediate coronary stenosis (40-70% in quantitative coronary analysis) in the left anterior descending coronary artery were enrolled into the study. The functional significance of intermediate coronary artery lesions was determined by FFR measurement.

Effect of herbal medicine use on medication adherence of cardiology patients.

Purpose: Herbal drug use for cardiovascular disease is frequent and growing rapidly. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of herbal medicine use on medication adherence of cardiology patients.

Methods: All patients admitted to the outpatient cardiology clinics, who had been prescribed at least one cardiovascular drug before, were asked to complete a questionnaire.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and blood pressure control in automated and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Hypertension, non-dipper blood pressure (BP) pattern and decrease in daily urine output have been associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, there is lack of data regarding the impact of different PD regimens on these factors. We aimed to investigate the impact of circadian rhythm of BP on LVH in end-stage renal disease patients using automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) modalities.

Mean platelet volume is related with ischemic stroke in patients with sinus rhythm.

Stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It is known that atrial fibrillation and left atrial enlargement contribute ischemic stroke, and mean platelet volume (MPV) increases in patients with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation. We aimed to determine whether higher MPV is associated with ischemic stroke in patients with sinus rhythm.

The Relationship of Serum Soluble Fas Ligand (sFasL) Level with the Extent of Coronary Artery Disease.

Fas/Fas ligand system contributes to the programmed cell death induced by myocardial ischemia. We investigated whether serum soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) level is independently related with the severity and extent of angiographically assessed coronary artery disease (CAD). We included 169 patients in this study.

Relationship between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine level and autonomic dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and heart rate variability (HRV) in diabetic patients.

Study Design: The study included 100 patients (44 men, 56 women) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patients were divided into two groups based on the use of oral antidiabetics (n=67; mean age 54.

Incremental effects of serum uric acid levels, autonomic dysfunction, and low-grade inflammation on nocturnal blood pressure in untreated hypertensive patients and normotensive individuals.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the associations between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) and serum uric acid (SUA) level, low-grade inflammation, and cardiac autonomic function in untreated dipper and nondipper hypertensive patients and normotensive individuals.

Study Design: The study included 92 consecutive patients (44 men, 48 women; mean age 51.6 ± 9.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in isolated coronary artery ectasia.

Background: The pathophysiology of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is still unknown. Inflammation and degradation of connective tissue may have a role in the development of coronary ectasia. In the present study, the authors examined neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in isolated CAE patients.

The relationship of serum erythropoietin level with coronary collateral grade.

Background: Erythropoietin has been shown to induce neovascularization and protect against ischemic vascular injury. We investigated whether a higher serum erythropoietin (EPO) level is related to better coronary collateral vessel grade.

Methods: Ninety-nine patients with stable angina pectoris who have at least 1 coronary stenosis of equal to or greater than 70% at coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled.

[The relation of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 level with coronary atherosclerotic burden and collateral degree in stable coronary artery disease].

Objectives: We investigated whether serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level predicted coronary atherosclerotic burden in patients with stable coronary artery disease and its relationship with coronary collateral grade.

Study Design: We prospectively included 196 patients (103 males, 93 females; mean age 59 ± 11 years) who underwent coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris. Serum MCP-1 levels were determined before coronary angiography.

Relation between serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and coronary collateral development.

Background: The degree of coronary collateral development is not same in every patient with similar degree of coronary stenosis. In animal studies monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been found to be related to collateral vessel development. In this study we investigated whether a higher serum MCP-1 level is related to better coronary collateral vessel development in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

The effect of nebivolol treatment on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with cardiac syndrome-X.

Background: Free radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several disorders. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of treatment with nebivolol on the metabolic state of oxidative stress, and antioxidant status markers in patients with cardiac syndrome-X (CSX), additionally, to compare with the effect of metoprolol treatment.

Methods: Thirty patients, 17 female and 13 male, with CSX were enrolled in the study.