The association of Serum Klotho with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and prognosis in general population: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2016.

Background: Previous studies have extensively investigated traditional predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) development, progression, and prognosis. However, the influence of novel indicators such as Klotho, on CVD prevalence and prognosis in the general population remains unclear.

Method: This was an observational study that utilized cross-sectional and longitudinal methods to examine the general population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016.

Reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress might alter the course of heart failure via caspase-12 and JNK pathways.

Background: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays an important role in mediating ischemic heart cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate whether manipulation of a key factor of the ER stress pathway, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit α (eIF2α), can change the natural history of heart failure (HF).

Methods: HF was induced using coronary artery ligation in adult rats and a selective eIF2α dephosphorylation inhibitor, salubrinal (Sal), was used.

[Analyses of super-response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with congestive heart failure: a multiple center trial].

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of super-response and the potential predictors related to super-response after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with congestive heart failure.

Methods: 190 patients [145 men and 45 women;age: (60.48 ± 11.

[Causes of non-response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure patients with permanent atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects and analyze causes of non-response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in heart failure (HF) patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Thirty-three patients with HF and AF [29 men, mean age (61 ± 10) years, NYHA class III or IV, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, QRS ≥ 120 ms in 31 cases] underwent bi-ventricular pacing (n = 26) or bi-ventricular pacing and atrioventricular node ablation (AVN-ablation, n = 7) were included in this study. Non-response was defined: the increase of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was less than 15%.

[The mechanistic rote of KCNH2 gene L413P and L559H mutations in long QT syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the molecular pathogenesis for two novel mutations L413P and L559H of KCNH2 found in Chinese patients with long QT syndrome.

Methods: L413P and L559H mutant constructs were generated by site-directed mutagenesis using human wild-type (WT) pcDNA3-HERG cDNA as a template. WT and mutant constructs were transiently transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells using lipofectamine method.

Expression and clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclooxygenase-2, and Bcl-2 in borderline ovarian tumors.

Objective: The objectives were to study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), and Bcl-2 in borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and the relationship within them, and to investigate the correlation between expression of VEGF, Cox-2, and Bcl-2, and the clinicopathologic features of BOTs.

Methods: An immunohistochemical technique was used to investigate the expression of VEGF ,Cox-2, and Bcl-2 in 69 borderline, 18 benign, and 27 malignant human ovarian tumor tissues.

Results: Expression rate of VEGF protein (59.

[Effect of simulated ischemia on activity and heterogeneity of Na+ channel in rabbit ventricular epicardial, midmyocardial and endocardial myocytes].

Objective: To study the ionic mechanism of reentrant arrhythmia.

Methods: Single myocytes were enzymatically isolated from the epicardium, midmyocardium and endocardium of the left ventricle free wall of rabbit, followed by whole-cell patch-clamp recording of the Na(+) current (I(Na)) of the 3 cellular subtypes (superfused with normal and then simulated ischemia solution). The currents in the 3 cellular subtypes before and after simulated ischemia lasting for 10, 20, and 30 min, respectively, were compared.