miR‑155 modulates high glucose‑induced cardiac fibrosis via the Nrf2/HO‑1 signaling pathway.

Cardiac fibrosis is a major pathological manifestation of diabetic cardiomyopathy, which is a leading cause of mortality in patients with diabetes. MicroRNA (miR)‑155 is upregulated in cardiomyocytes in cardiac fibrosis, and the aim of the present study was to investigate if the inhibition of miR‑155 was able to ameliorate cardiac fibrosis by targeting the nuclear factor erythroid‑2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase‑1 (HO‑1) signaling pathway. H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes were cultured with high glucose (HG; 30 mM) to establish an in vitro cardiac fibrosis model that mimicked diabetic conditions; a miR‑155 inhibitor and a miR‑155 mimic were transfected into H9C2 cells.

Significance of ST-segment deviation in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and negative T waves.

Background: Common electrocardiogram (ECG) manifestations in acute pulmonary em-bolism (APE) include ST-segment deviation (STDV) along with negative T-waves (NTW). STDV could occur in 3 typical ischemic patterns: (i) the left ventricular (LV) subendocardial ischemic pattern; (ii) the right ventricular (RV) transmural ischemic pattern; and (iii) the LV subendocardial plus RV transmural ischemic pattern. The purpose of this study was to evalu-ate the relationship of STDV and adverse clinical outcomes and to identify the relationship of relatively normal ECG and favorable clinical outcomes.

Changes of naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome and the beneficial effects of atorvastatin treatment.

To determine the number and function of naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (nTregs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to determine the effects of a low dose of atorvastatin treatment (20 mg/day) on nTregs.Patients with ACS were randomly divided into a group receiving conventional therapy (n = 60) or conventional therapy supplemented with atorvastatin (20 mg/day) (n = 60). A group of healthy volunteers that did not suffer from ACS was used as controls (n = 60).

Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate atherosclerosis by elevating number and function of CD4(+)CD25 (+)FOXP3 (+) regulatory T-cells and inhibiting macrophage foam cell formation.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of plaques inside arteries, leading to narrowing and blockage. Potential therapeutic strategies include expanding the population of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) to enhance atheroprotective immunity, and inhibiting the formation of macrophage foam cells. Here, we studied the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on atherosclerotic plaque formation in Apolipoprotein E(-/-) (ApoE-KO) mice, and elucidated the underlying mechanism.

Electrocardiogram patterns during hemodynamic instability in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: We have previously described new electrocardiogram (ECG) findings for massive pulmonary embolism, namely ST-segment elevation in lead aVR with ST-segment depression in leads I and V4 -V6 . However, the ECG patterns of patients with acute pulmonary embolism during hemodynamic instability are not fully described.

Methods: We compared the differences between the ECG at baseline and after deterioration during hemodynamic instability in twenty patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Correlation between ST-segment elevation and negative T waves in the precordial leads in acute pulmonary embolism: insights into serial electrocardiogram changes.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is often misdiagnosed as acute coronary syndrome because of the similarity of the presenting symptoms and of the electrocardiogram (ECG) manifestations. In APE, ST-segment elevation (STE) in leads V1 to V3 /V4 , mimicking anteroseptal myocardial infarction, is not a rare phenomenon. Negative T waves (NTW) in the precordial leads mimicking the "Wellens' syndrome" is an important ECG manifestation of APE.

Electrocardiographic findings in accessory right precordial leads in adults and seniors with notched S waves in lead V1-a preliminary study.

Background: Atypical right bundle branch block (RBBB) may present with an rS pattern and notched S wave in lead V1 . The notched S wave may represent slowed conduction or delayed activation of the right ventricular conduction system or ventricular myocardium.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the QRS patterns in accessory right precordial leads (from V3 R to V5 R) in 15 adults/senior individuals with notched S wave in lead V1 .

Correlation between ECG presentation and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by acute and reversible ventricular dysfunction in the absence of significant coronary artery disease, typically triggered by acute emotional or physical stress. In the acute phase of TTC, the electrocardiogram (ECG) shows ST-segment elevation, which rapidly evolves into negative T waves and QT prolongation. However, different types of ventricular dysfunction may be associated with different patterns of ECG presentation.

ST-segment deviation pattern of takotsubo cardiomyopathy similar to acute pericarditis: diffuse ST-segment elevation.

Background: Possible similarities or differences in the ST- and PR-segment deviations in the electrocardiogram of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) and acute pericarditis (AP) are not well defined.

Methods: We compared different parameters of the admission electrocardiogram in eight patients with TTC and eight patients with AP with ST-segment elevation in the acute phase.

Results: We found significant differences in the maximal magnitude of the T wave in the precordial leads, but not in the ST- and PR-segment deviation patterns between the two patient groups.

[Effects of MSCs on the progression of atherosclerosis plaque in ApoE-knock out mice].

Aim: To explore the effects of mesenchymal stem cells in the formation of atherosclerosis plaque in hypercholesterolemic apoliprotein (apo) E -/ - mice. METH-ODS: ApoE -- mice mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)were isolated and identified. Thirty ApoE -/ - mice were divided into negative control group (Neg, n = 10), positive control group (Pos, n = 10) and MSCs group ( n = 10).

In rats with myocardial infarction, interference by simvastatin with the TLR4 signal pathway attenuates ventricular remodelling.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of simvastatin on TLR4,TNF-alpha and IL-6 expression in the myocardium and its relation to left ventricular (LV) remodelling in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI) and to investigate the mechanism by which simvastatin improves LV remodelling in rats after MI.

Methods And Results: The rat MI models were established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and divided into three groups: (I) an untreated MI group; (2) a group treated with simvastatin [40 mg/(kg/d)] for 4 weeks; (3) the sham group. Cardiac geometry and function were determined by echocardiography and infarct size was determined by the histomorphometric analysis; the expression ofTLR4 in the myocardium was measured by RT-PCR and western blotting;TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in myocardial homogenate and serum were measured by ELISA.

Electrocardiographic characteristics in angiographically documented occlusion of the dominant left circumflex artery with acute inferior myocardial infarction: limitations of ST elevation III/II ratio and ST deviation in lateral limb leads.

Background: The prognosis of dominant left circumflex artery (LCx) occlusion-related inferior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is poor, but the electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics of this AMI entity have not been described.

Methods: One hundred thirty-five patients with first dominant right coronary artery (RCA) or dominant LCx-related inferior AMI were included. The characteristics of ECG obtained on admission for 55 patients with culprit lesions proximal to the first major right ventricular (RV) branch of dominant RCA (group proximal dominant RCA), 62 patients with culprit lesions distal to the first major RV branch of dominant RCA (group distal dominant RCA), and 18 patients with culprit lesions in dominant LCx (group dominant LCx) were compared.

Acute anterior wall myocardial infarction entailing ST-segment elevation in lead V3R, V1 or aVR: electrocardiographic and angiographic correlations.

Background: The correlation between ST-segment elevation (ST upward arrow) in lead V(3)R (ST upward arrow(V3R)), lead V(1) (ST upward arrow(V1)), and lead aVR (ST upward arrow(aVR)) during anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the culprit lesion site in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and the nature of the conal branch of the right coronary artery has not been thoroughly described.

Methods: One hundred forty-two patients with first anterior wall AMI were included. The 15-lead electrocardiogram with the standard 12 leads plus leads V(3)R through V(5)R showing the most pronounced ST-segment deviation before initiation of reperfusion therapy was evaluated and correlated with the exact LAD occlusion site in relation to the first septal perforator (S1) and the nature of the conal branch of the right coronary artery as determined by coronary angiography.