AGE-RAGE Axis and Cardiovascular Diseases: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Prospects for Clinical Applications.

Advanced glycation end products (AGE), a diverse array of molecules generated through non-enzymatic glycosylation, in conjunction with the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE), play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its associated complications. Recent studies have revealed that the AGE-RAGE axis potentially accelerated the progression of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, atherosclerosis, myocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, hypertension, arrhythmia, and other related conditions. The AGE-RAGE axis is intricately involved in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases, independently of its engagement in diabetes.

Acute pulmonary embolism combined with acute myocardial infarction as the first manifestation of acute leukemia: a case report.

Thrombotic complications in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are uncommon due to coagulation dysfunction and thrombocytopenia. We report a unique case of AML presenting as concomitant pulmonary embolism and atypical acute myocardial infarction. A 67-year-old male experienced persistent bilateral chest pain.

The optimal duration of triple antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) consisting of anticoagulant and dual antiplatelet agents is a core treatment for prevention of ischemic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergoing post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), however, due to bleeding risks, the optimal duration of TAT is unclear.

Methods: We searched the database and conducted a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the optimal duration of TAT for patients with AF and ACS or undergoing PCI by comparing the probability of ischemic and bleeding outcomes for four different TAT durations.

Results: After analyzing data from 12,329 patients, we determined that short-term TAT is advantageous to varying degrees for reducing bleeding events.

Naringenin: A Promising Therapeutic Agent against Organ Fibrosis.

Fibrosis is the final common pathology of most chronic diseases as seen in the heart, liver, lung, kidney, and skin and contributes to nearly half of death in the developed countries. Fibrosis, or scarring, is mainly characterized by the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by myofibroblasts. Despite immense efforts made in the field of organ fibrosis over the past decades and considerable understanding of the occurrence and development of fibrosis gained, there is still lack of an effective treatment for fibrotic diseases.

Atorvastatin Enhances Foam Cell Lipophagy and Promotes Cholesterol Efflux Through the AMP-Activated Protein Kinase/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway.

Foam cells are the main pathological components of atherosclerosis. Therapies reducing foam cell formation can effectively prevent atherosclerotic diseases and cardiovascular events. Beyond lowering plasma cholesterol levels, the pleiotropic functions of statins in atherosclerosis have not been fully elucidated.

Association of tau accumulation and atrophy in mild cognitive impairment: a longitudinal study.

Objective: To examine the patterns of longitudinal tau accumulation and cortical atrophy and their association in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: We collected 23 participants (60-89 years old, 11 males/12 females) with MCI from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. All participants underwent F flortaucipir (FTP) positron emission tomography (PET) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at the baseline and follow-up visits (12-36 months).

Atorvastatin attenuates TGF‑β1‑induced fibrogenesis by inhibiting Smad3 and MAPK signaling in human ventricular fibroblasts.

Excessive proliferation and myofibroblasts transformation of cardiac fibroblasts play a critical role in the process of cardiac fibrosis. Atorvastatin (ATV), a 3‑hydroxy‑3‑methyl‑glutaryl‑coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, is commonly used to treat hypercholesterolemia. It has previously been shown that ATV has potential anti‑fibrotic effects.

Mitochondrial tRNA 7471delC may be a novel mutation associated with maternally transmitted hypertension.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and essential hypertension (EH).

Methods: One Han Chinese pedigree with maternally inherited EH was recruited in the current study. The matrilineal relatives from this family underwent clinical, genetic, and molecular analysis.

MiR-26b Suppresses the Development of Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection by Regulating HMGA2 and TGF-β/Smad3 Signaling Pathway.

Purpose: Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is one of the most dangerous cardiovascular diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered as potential therapeutic targets for TAAD. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the functional role and regulatory mechanism of miR-26b in TAAD development.

Interaction between eNOS gene polymorphism and current smoking on susceptibility to coronary heart disease in Chinese people.

Objective: This study aims to explore the relation between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: SNPstats (online software: http://bioinfo.iconcologia.

Association Between γ-Glutamyltransferase Level and Cardiovascular or All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis assessed the prognostic value of serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level for cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Weipu databases until December 2018. Observational studies investigating the prognostic role of serum GGT level for CV and all-cause mortality in patients with CAD were included.

Trimetazidine Protects Against Atherosclerosis by Changing Energy Charge and Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND This study investigated the effect and the possible mechanism of trimetazidine in atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We established an atherosclerotic rat model by high-fat diet and vitamin D injection. Rats were separated into 3 different groups: control, atherosclerosis, and trimetazidine (n=10).

Association between Carotid Intima-media Thickness and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Glu504Lys Polymorphism in Chinese Han with Essential Hypertension.

Background: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is involved in the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies showed that mutant ALDH2 could increase oxidative stress and is a susceptible factor for hypertension. In addition, wild-type ALDH2 could improve the endothelial functions, therefore reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

The roles of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in the anti-atherosclerotic effect of atorvastatin.

Aims: To investigate antiatherosclerosis effect of atorvastatin (ATV) in a rat atherosclerosis model, and to explore roles of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in this event.

Methods: After being fed a high-fat diet, the rats were treated with ATV, ATV combined with cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) inhibitor DL-propargylglycine, and ATV combined with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor N'-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester hydrochloride from 9 to 12 weeks, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed.

Difference in LDL receptor feedback regulation in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells: foam cell transformation under inflammatory stress.

Macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the major cell types involved in foam cell formation associated with atherosclerosis. The aim of this experiment was to clarify cell-specific regulation of LDL receptor in THP-1 macrophages and human VSMCs under physiological and inflammatory conditions and its potential mechanisms. Inflammatory stress was induced by adding lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to human THP-1 macrophages and human VSMCs.

High-throughput analytical techniques for determination of residues of 653 multiclass pesticides and chemical pollutants in tea, Part II: comparative study of extraction efficiencies of three sample preparation techniques.

This paper reports a study of the extraction efficiency for the multiresidue pesticides and chemical pollutants in tea with three methods over three stages. Method 1 adopts the Pang et al. approach: the targets were extracted with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile and cleaned up with a Cleanert TPT SPE cartridge; Method 2 adopts the QuEChERS approach: the targets were cleaned up dispersively with graphitized carbon and primary-secondary amine (PSA) sorbent; Method 3 adopts the relatively commonly used approach of hydration for solid samples, with tea hydrated before being extracted through salting out with acetonitrile and the cleanup procedures identical to those of Method 1.