Statins improve cardiac endothelial function to prevent heart failure with preserved ejection fraction through upregulating circRNA-RBCK1.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with endothelial dysfunction. We have previously reported that statins prevent endothelial dysfunction through inhibition of microRNA-133a (miR-133a). This study is to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of statins on HFpEF.

Positive Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody and Thyroglobulin Antibody are Associated With Better Clinicopathologic Features of Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Objective: To compare the thyroid autoantibody status of patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and benign nodular goiter as well as possible associations between thyroid autoantibodies and clinicopathologic features of PTC.

Methods: A total of 3934 participants who underwent thyroidectomy were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into PTC and benign nodule groups according to pathological diagnosis.

Berberine suppresses the ectopic expression of miR-133a in endothelial cells to improve vascular dementia in diabetic rats.

: Vascular dementia is the second leading cause of dementia, which is strongly associated with diabetes. Ectopic expression of miR-133a in endothelial cells is involved in endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Whether berberine, as a natural product in , improves vascular dementia induced by diabetes remains unknown.

The Differences in the Epidemiology and Predictors of Death between Candidemia Acquired in Intensive Care Units and Other Hospital Settings.

Objective: The burden of candidemia is shifting from intensive care units (ICU) to non-ICU settings. This study aimed to define the differences in epidemiology and predictors of death between ICU-acquired candidemia (ICUAC) and non-ICUAC.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 80 patients with ICUAC and 147 patients with non-IUCAC at five hospitals.

Taxifolin protects against cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis during biomechanical stress of pressure overload.

Cardiac hypertrophy is a key pathophysiological component to biomechanical stress, which has been considered to be an independent and predictive risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events. Taxifolin (TAX) is a typical plant flavonoid, which has long been used clinically for treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, very little is known about whether TAX can influence the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

The epidemiology, antifungal use and risk factors of death in elderly patients with candidemia: a multicentre retrospective study.

Background: The elderly patients affected by candidemia are growing in proportion to inpatients, but available data are limited. We aimed to determine the epidemiology, antifungal management and clinical risk factors of death in the elderly population with candidemia in China.

Methods: This retrospective study included 63 elderly (≥65 years) and 84 younger patients (16-60 years) at 4 tertiary hospitals.

[Comparison of 3-hour and 30-minute infusion regimens for meropenem in patients with hospital acquired pneumonia in intensive care unit: a randomized controlled clinical trial].

Objective: To Compare the clinical efficacy and safety of meropenem with a 3-hour extended infusion or conventional 30-minute infusion regimen in treatment of hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods: An open-label randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. 100 HAP patients, admitted to ICU of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, who needed meropenem therapy were enrolled from September 1st, 2012 to September 30th, 2013.

Antibiotics exposure, risk factors, and outcomes with Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans candidemia. Results from a multi-center study.

Objective: To define the differences in antibiotics exposure, risk factors, and outcome in hospitalized patients with Candida albicans (C. albicans) and non-C. albicans candidemia.