A Novel Wide-band Dielectric Imaging System for Electro-anatomic Mapping and Monitoring in Radiofrequency Ablation and Cryoablation.

Background And Objectives: A novel wide-band dielectric mapping system, named as KODEX-EPD (EPD Solutions, Philips, Best, the Netherlands), was effectively used in the EA mapping for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. To date, only a few studies have concentrated on the application of the KODEX-EPD system for ablating supraventricular tachycardia or ventricular premature beats (VPBs) in human models. This study aims to assess the applicability and efficiency of a novel three-dimensional electro-anatomic (EA) mapping system to improve the success rate of ablation.

Knockdown of HDAC6 alleviates ventricular remodeling in experimental dilated cardiomyopathy via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and promotion of cardiomyocyte autophagy.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been implicated in cardiac diseases, while the role of HDAC6 in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains obscure. The in silico analyses predicted potential association of HDAC6 with autophagy-related genes and DCM. Thus, we evaluated the functional relevance of HDAC6 in DCM in vivo and in vitro.

Atorvastatin suppresses vascular hypersensitivity and remodeling induced by transient adventitial administration of lipopolysaccharide in rats.

Background: The phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile to a proliferative state markedly affects the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. The adventitial inflammation can promote neointimal formation and vascular remodeling. We used direct administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the periphery of the carotid artery to investigate the influence of transient adventitial inflammation on vascular remodeling and its potential mechanism.

LTBP2 knockdown by siRNA reverses myocardial oxidative stress injury, fibrosis and remodelling during dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aim: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterised by left ventricular dilation and associated with systolic dysfunction. Recent evidence has reported the high expression of latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 2 (LTBP2) in heart diseases, which may play a role in regulating multiple biological functions of myocardial cells. Thus, this study set out to investigate the molecular mechanism and effects of LTBP2 in myocardial oxidative stress injury, fibrosis and remodelling in a rat model of DCM, with the involvement of NF-κB signalling pathway.

Effects of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system on reducing blood pressure and expression of inflammatory factors in CHD patients: A network meta-analysis.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an ever-evolving endocrine system with considerable checks and balances on the production and catabolism of angiotensin peptides most likely due to the manifold effects of angiotensins. We aimed to explore the effects of different inhibitors of RAS on blood pressure and expression of inflammatory factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). We initially searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library electronic databases with nine eligible randomized controlled trials enrolled.

Gypenosides alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via attenuation of oxidative stress and preservation of mitochondrial function in rat heart.

Gypenosides (GP) are the predominant components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a Chinese herb medicine that has been widely used for the treatment of chronic inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. GP has been demonstrated to exert protective effects on the liver and brain against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, yet whether it is beneficial to the heart during myocardial I/R is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that pre-treatment with GP dose-dependently limits infarct size, alleviates I/R-induced pathological changes in the myocardium, and preserves left ventricular function in a rat model of cardiac I/R injury.

Tongxinluo Induces nNOS Expression Through ERK Activation: Possible Contribution to the Effects of Tongxinluo to Attenuate Vasoconstriction.

Background And Objective: Vasoconstriction and hypersensitivity to the vasoconstrictive action of serotonin occurs in the early stage of atherosclerosis. Vascular neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) plays an important role in the regulation of vascular tone and is vasoprotective against atherosclerosis. In this study, we intended to investigate the possible role of nNOS in mediating the effect of Chinese medicine Tongxinluo (TXL) to attenuate vasoconstriction induced by the chronic injury in the collared carotid artery.

Anti-TNF therapy in patients with HBV infection--analysis of 87 patients with inflammatory arthritis.

This study aims to investigate the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in inflammatory arthritis (IA) patients with HBV infection using anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents and evaluate the efficacy of antiviral therapy in reducing the risk of viral reactivation in chronic HBV infection. IA patients using anti-TNF agents from six centers were enrolled. Their HBV infection conditions and ALT and HBV-DNA levels were monitored periodically.

Depression, anxiety, and quality of life after catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) experience impaired quality of life (QoL) and psychological distress. Catheter ablation of AF can markedly improve QoL. However, the effect of catheter ablation of AF on psychological status is unknown.

[Effect of valsartan on vasoconstriction induced by the chronic injury of the adventitia in the rat collared carotid artery].

Objective: Vasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin were previously shown in animal models of adventitia injury. We investigated the contribution of angiotensin II (AngII)/AngII receptors and oxidative stress to vascular contractility and reactivity in this model.

Methods: Wistar Kyoto rats were divided into 3 groups: normal (n = 6, no any intervention, only for measuring the serum AngII concentration), vehicle (n = 12, collared), and valsartan (n = 12, collared + valsartan 30 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)).

Effect of different loading doses of atorvastatin on percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-induced myocardial damage is associated with late cardiovascular events. Treatment with atorvastatin before PCI can reduce myocardial damage during the peri-PCI period.

Objectives: To compare the safety and myocardial effects of different atorvastatin loading doses and dosing frequency before PCI in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients.

IL-1beta modulate the Ca(2+)-activated big-conductance K channels (BK) via reactive oxygen species in cultured rat aorta smooth muscle cells.

The large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channel, abundantly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, plays a critical role in controlling vascular tone. Activation of BK channels leads to membrane hyperpolarization and promotes vasorelaxation. BK channels are activated either by elevation of the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration or by membrane depolarization.

Involvement of Rho-kinase in collar-induced vasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin in rat carotid.

Background: Vasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin has been described previously in animal models of adventitia injury. The present study was undertaken to investigate the contribution of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway to the collar-induced the change of vascular contractility and reactivity in rat carotid artery.

Methods: Wistar Kyoto rats were assigned to 4 treatments (n=12): vehicle, fasudil, valsartan, and fasudil plus valsartan.

[Effects of different catheter ablation strategies in treatment of typical atrial flutter complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of different catheter ablation strategies in the treatment of typical atrial flutter complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). [CTIA, pulmonary vein segmental isolation (PVSI), CTIA + PVI] to the patients coexisted with typical atrial flutter and PAF.

Methods: 66 patients with typical atrial flutter complicated with PAF were divided into 3 groups: Group A (n = 30), undergoing cavotricuspid isthmus ablation, (CTIA), Group B (n = 17), undergoing pulmonary vein segmental isolation, (PVSI), and Group C (n = 19), undergoing CTIA + PVSI.