1-Deoxynojirimycin attenuates septic cardiomyopathy by regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation via the JAK2/STAT6 signaling pathway.

Cardiac dysfunction caused by sepsis is the predominant reason for death in patients with sepsis. However, the effective drugs for its prevention and the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a natural iminopyranose, exhibits various biological properties, such as hypoglycemic, antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities.

GDF11 Alleviates Pathological Myocardial Remodeling in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through SIRT1-Dependent Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily that alleviates cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and vascular injury by regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell survival. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of GDF11 in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) remain largely unknown. In this study, we sought to determine whether GDF11 could prevent DCM.

Clinical profiles and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection and intramural hematoma in the current era: lessons from the first registry of aortic dissection in China.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and acute type A intramural hematoma (ATAIMH) are life-threatening diseases with high mortality. To better understand their clinical features in the Chinese population, we analyzed the data from the first Registry of Aortic Dissection in China (Sino-RAD) to promote the understanding and management of the diseases.

Methods: All patients with ATAAD and ATAIMH enrolled in Sino-RAD from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016 were involved.

Early risk stratification of acute type A aortic dissection: development and validation of a predictive score.

Background: The performance of published preoperative risk scores for acute type A aortic dissection (aTAAD) is suboptimal. So, the predictive power of these scores were externally validated in order to develop and validate a more reliable preoperative score for identification of patients at high risk of mortality.

Methods: Potential preoperative risk variables of consecutively admitted patients with aTAAD were prospectively collected.

Total arch repair with open placement of a novel double-branched stent graft for acute Type A aortic dissection: a single-centre experience with 21 consecutive patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of total arch repair with open placement of a novel double-branched stent graft for acute Type A aortic dissection (TAAD).

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the effect of the double-branched stent graft for total aortic arch placement with acute TAAD from December 2013 to February 2015. The effectiveness of the open placement of the double-branched stent graft was estimated by complete thrombus obliteration of the false lumen surrounding it on computed tomography angiography.

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside protects murine hearts against ischemia/reperfusion injury by activating Notch1/Hes1 signaling and attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) is a water-soluble active component extracted from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. A number of studies demonstrate that TSG exerts cardioprotective effects. Since endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a key role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R)-induced cell apoptosis, we sought to determine whether modulation of the ER stress during MI/R injury was involved in the cardioprotective action of TSG.

[Proanthocyanidin protects H9C2 cells against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway].

The present study was aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the protective effect of proanthocyanidin (Pro) against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in H9C2 cells with a focus on Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway. H9C2 cells were randomly assigned to 5 groups, including the control group (Con), the H/R-injured group (H/R), the Pro-treated group (H/R+Pro), the JAK2 siRNA-treated group (H/R+Pro+JAK2 siRNA) and the JAK2 siRNA control group (H/R+JAK2 siRNA). The cells were pretreated with Pro (40 µmol/L) for 8 h before 2 h of hypoxia and 4 h of reoxygenation.

Berberine protects rat heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury via activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling and attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Aim: Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline-derived alkaloid isolated from Rhizoma coptidis, exerts cardioprotective effects. Because endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a pivotal role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R)-induced apoptosis, it was interesting to examine whether the protective effects of BBR resulted from modulating ER stress levels during MI/R injury, and to define the signaling mechanisms in this process.

Methods: Male rats were treated with BBR (200 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1), ig) for 2 weeks, and then subjected to MI/R surgery.

Sirtuin Type 1 Mediates the Retinal Protective Effect of Hydrogen-Rich Saline Against Light-Induced Damage in Rats.

Purpose: Molecular hydrogen has been used as an antioxidant to treat many diseases in clinical and animal studies. However, the therapeutic mechanism of molecular hydrogen remains unclear. We previously reported mitigation of light-induced damage in the rat retina by intraperitoneal injection of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS).

Effects of Sevoflurane Inhalation During Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

The effects of sevoflurane inhalation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on postoperative courses and serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery have not been extensively investigated. In this single-center, prospective, randomized trial, an anesthetic regimen containing 2% sevoflurane used throughout the CPB process was compared with a total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) regimen. One hundred and three patients undergoing congenital heart defect repair with CPB were included in this prospective randomized controlled study.

The myocardial protective effects of a moderate-potassium blood cardioplegia in pediatric cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: We investigated the myocardial protective effect of a moderate-potassium cold blood cardioplegic solution (K+, 10 mmol/L) in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods: Sixty-eight pediatric patients with congenital heart disease and undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly allocated to the high potassium (HP [K+, 20 mmol/L, n=31]) cold blood cardioplegia group or the moderate potassium (MP [K+, 10 mmol/L, n=37]) cold blood cardioplegia group. Heart arresting time, rhythm recovery time, mechanical ventilation time, inotropic drug use in the intensive care unit, perioperative serum cardiac troponin I concentrations, morbidities, and mortalities were compared between the two groups.

The association between OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis of 27 studies.

Background: Numerous studies have investigated association of OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism with lung cancer susceptibility; however, the findings are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis based on 27 publications encompass 9663 cases and 11348 controls to comprehensively evaluate such associations.

Methods: We searched publications from MEDLINE and EMBASE which were assessing the associations between OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and lung cancer risk.

Calpain inhibitor MDL 28170 protects against the Ca2+ paradox in rat hearts.

The calcium paradox represents an important model in which to study myocardial injuries due to intracellular Ca(2+) overload. In a previous study, calpain was transiently activated in Ca(2+) -paradoxic hearts. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of calpain in myocardial dysfunction in hearts subjected to the Ca(2+) paradox and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

The myocardial protective effects of a moderate-potassium adenosine-lidocaine cardioplegia in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate a moderate-potassium cardioplegic solution using adenosine and lidocaine as the arresting and protecting cardioprotective combination in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods: One hundred thirty-four patients with congenital heart disease were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups according to the cardioplegia formula used: the high-potassium (HP) group (K(+), 20 mmol/L), 46 patients; the high-potassium adenosine-lidocaine (HPAL) group (K(+), 20 mmol/L; adenosine, 0.7 mmol/L; and lidocaine, 0.