Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived exosomes attenuate vascular remodelling in pulmonary arterial hypertension by targeting HIF-1α and Runx2.

Aims: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by extensive pulmonary arterial remodelling. Although mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes provide protective effects in PAH, MSCs exhibit limited senescence during in vitro expansion compared with the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Moreover, the exact mechanism is not known.

The impact of end-stage kidney disease on mortality in patients after acute myocardial infarction: A nationwide study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on mortality in patients with first-time acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: This was a retrospective nationwide cohort study. Patients diagnosed with first-time AMI between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2012, were included.

Impact of medications on outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A nationwide cohort study.

Background: Various inhaled bronchodilators have been associated with cardiovascular safety concerns. This study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the safety of COPD medications in patients after their first acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: This nationwide cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

MMP-10 from M1 macrophages promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by muscularized pulmonary blood vessels, leading to right heart hypertrophy and cardiac failure. However, state-of-the-art therapeutics fail to target the ongoing remodeling process. Here, this study shows that matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and MMP-10 levels are increased in the medial layer of vessel wall, serum, and M1-polarized macrophages from patients with PAH and the lungs of monocrotaline- and hypoxia-induced PAH rodent models.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in the elderly population.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was a disease predominantly affecting young females about 40 years ago; however, it has been increasingly diagnosed in elderly individuals. Few studies have investigated the features of elderly patients with PAH. This review provides an overview of the characteristics of elderly patients with PAH compared to young patients.

The impact of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation on patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is one of the leading causes of death around the world. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an independent factor to improve OHCA survival. However, the prevalence of bystander CPR remains low worldwide.

Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients with World Health Organization Functional Class II.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an incurable chronic and progressive debilitating disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC) at diagnosis and at follow-up remains one of the strongest predictors of survival in PAH. Studies have shown improved long-term outcomes in PAH patients who received PAH-specific treatment, as monotherapy or as combination therapy, early in their disease course.

Comparison of effects of triple antithrombotic therapy and dual antiplatelet therapy on long-term outcomes of acute myocardial infarction.

Warfarin is an alternate choice for patients who are not eligible for non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to compare the long-term outcome of triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) with that of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after AMI. This was a nationwide, propensity score-matched, case-control study of 186,112 first AMI patients, of whom 2,825 received TAT comprising aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin.

Identifying predictors for bacterial and fungal coinfection on chest computed tomography in patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia.

Background: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a common opportunistic infection with high mortality in individuals with decreased immunity. Pulmonary coinfections with PCP are associated with poor prognosis. The study aims to identify radiological predictors for pulmonary coinfections in patients with PCP and risk factors for mortality.

Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma: a case report and literature review.

Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma is a rare disorder arising from the intima of the pulmonary artery. Histopathology reveals that it is a tumour cell of mesenchymal origin. The signs and symptoms include chronic shortness of breath and other features of right ventricular failure, which mimic chronic pulmonary thromboembolism.

Ambiguous presentation of Mycobacterium avium complex-associated Rasmussen aneurysm.

A 77-year-old man with a progressively dry cough (two months duration) was admitted with hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed left lingular lobe consolidation and one thick-walled cavity lesion over the left lower lobe, which was accompanied by satellite micro-nodules in a tree-in-bud pattern. CT-guided biopsy confirmed mycobacterial infection, and subsequent culture yielded Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).