-Difluoroacetylhexosamine as a Substrate-Engineering Precursor for Glycosylation Reactions.

We present the application of -difluoroacetylglucosamine (GlcNDFA) in a chemical evolution strategy to synthesize oligosaccharides. In comparison to conventional -trifluoroacetylglucosamine, GlcNDFA exhibits superior substrate compatibility with glycosyltransferases as well as stability in aqueous environments. Using our 16-step assembly line, GlcNDFA can be used to produce homogeneous dekaparin, a heparin-like medication, with a yield of 62.

Biosynthetic production of anticoagulant heparin polysaccharides through metabolic and sulfotransferases engineering strategies.

Heparin is an important anticoagulant drug, and microbial heparin biosynthesis is a potential alternative to animal-derived heparin production. However, effectively using heparin synthesis enzymes faces challenges, especially with microbial recombinant expression of active heparan sulfate N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase. Here, we introduce the monosaccharide N-trifluoroacetylglucosamine into Escherichia coli K5 to facilitate sulfation modification.

Association of hypertension burden with stroke risk in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Introduction: Whether the hypertension burden is associated with stroke incidence is inconclusive. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between hypertension burden and stroke risk in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods: HFpEF patients from the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high risk) according to their hypertension burden values.

Novel β1,4 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in de novo enzymatic synthesis of hyaluronic acid oligosaccharides.

The efficiency of de novo synthesis of hyaluronic acid (HA) using Pasteurella multocida hyaluronate synthase (PmHAS) is limited by its low catalytic activity during the initial reaction steps when monosaccharides are the acceptor substrates. In this study, we identified and characterized a β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase (EcGnT) derived from the O-antigen gene synthesis cluster of Escherichia coli O8:K48:H9. Recombinant β1,4 EcGnT effectively catalyzed the production of HA disaccharides when the glucuronic acid monosaccharide derivative 4-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucuronide (GlcA-pNP) was used as the acceptor.

Comparison of liver fibrosis scores for predicting mortality and morbidity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: Liver fibrosis scores (LFSs) are non-invasive and effective tools for estimating cardiovascular risks. To better understand the advantages and limitations of currently available LFSs, we determined to compare the predictive values of LFSs in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) for primary composite outcome, atrial fibrillation (AF), and other clinical outcomes.

Methods And Results: This was a secondary analysis of the TOPCAT trial, and 3212 HFpEF patients were enrolled.

Essen Stroke Risk Score Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Evidence from the TOPCAT trial.

Background:  Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with increased risks of stroke and other adverse outcomes.

Aims:  This study sought to determine whether the Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS) could predict the risks of adjudicated clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF from the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial.

Methods:  We evaluated associations of baseline ESRS with clinical outcomes by using the Cox proportional hazard model with competing risk regression.

Association of Coffee Consumption With Atrial Fibrillation Risk: An Updated Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies.

Background: Several published studies have examined the association of coffee consumption with atrial fibrillation (AF) risk, but their findings are still controversial. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies to determine the relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of incident AF.

Methods: We systematically retrieved the PubMed and Embase databases until October 2021 for pertinent studies that reported the association of coffee consumption (caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee) with AF risk.

An Updated Meta-Analysis of DOACs vs. VKAs in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Bioprosthetic Heart Valve.

Background: Current guidelines recommend the utilization of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the optimal anticoagulation strategy for AF patients with bioprosthetic heart valves (BPHV) remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to explore the effect of DOACs versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in this population.

Associations of Antidepressants With Atrial Fibrillation and Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Several published studies have disagreements on whether the use of antidepressants is associated with increased risk of arrhythmias. In this study, we performed this meta-analysis to assess the association of antidepressants with cardiac arrhythmias in patients who require antidepressants.

Methods: The PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched until December 2021 to find studies that investigated the association between antidepressant use and cardiac arrhythmias.

Notoginsenoside R1 Protects Against High Glucose-Induced Cell Injury Through AMPK/Nrf2 and Downstream HO-1 Signaling.

Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), the primary bioactive compound found in Panax notoginseng, is believed to have antihypertrophic and antiapoptotic properties, and has long been used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. However, its potential role in prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of NGR1 action in high glucose-induced cell injury.

The Role of 6-Minute Walk Test Guided by Impedance Cardiography in the Rehabilitation Following Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To explore the effect of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) guided by non-invasive cardiac output on the rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis following artificial total knee arthroplasty. About 66 patients with knee osteoarthritis planned to undergo artificial total knee arthroplasty were included from March 2019 to October 2019, and randomly assigned to the intervention group or control group. Under the guidance of a clinical rehabilitation physician, orthopedic physician, and cardiologist, a home rehabilitation exercise program based on 6MWT and non-invasive cardiac output was formulated for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Metformin attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by upregulating the MuRF1 and MAFbx pathway.

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by aging and neurohumoral activation, such as angiotensin II (Ang II) activation, is an independent risk factor for heart failure. The muscle really interesting new gene-finger protein-1 (MuRF1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) pathway has been previously reported to be an important mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. Metformin is currently the first-line blood glucose-lowering agent that can be useful for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of Rivaroxaban or Apixaban in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Stage 4-5 Chronic Kidney Disease or on Dialysis.

Background: Anticoagulant treatment in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) or on dialysis remains a matter of debate. The object of this study was to quantify the benefit-risk profiles of rivaroxaban or apixaban versus warfarin in AF patients with stage 4-5 CKD or on dialysis.

Method: A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar databases was performed for eligible studies that comparing the effect and safety of rivaroxaban or apixaban versus warfarin in AF patients with stage 4-5 CKD or on dialysis.

Cardiac hemodynamic response to the 6-minute walk test in patients with intestinal carcinoma undergoing bevacizumab treatment.

Background: Exercise capacity is evaluated using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in various cardiovascular diseases. Bevacizumab (BEV) has been associated with significant risk of cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to investigate BEV-related influences on cardiac hemodynamic response to 6MWT.

Irregular orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia using the left lateral accessory pathway due to intermittent mitral isthmus block.

Mitral isthmus block during left lateral accessory pathway ablation has been reported in the past. Here, we document for the first time an irregular atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia due to alternating mitral isthmus block and mitral isthmus delay, resulting in different atrioventricular node conduction times and tachycardia cycle length.

Association between retinal arterial narrowing and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in masked hypertensives.

Morphological change in retinal vessel diameters has been reported to be associated with negative cardiovascular outcomes, but its association with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is not clear. This study aimed to examine the association between echocardiographic markers of LVDD and retinal vascular diameters, in untreated masked hypertension (MH). In this observational study, 105 MH patients without other cardiovascular risks were included (mean age 48.

Angiopoietin-Like Protein 7 and Short-Term Mortality in Acute Heart Failure.

Introduction: Angiopoietin-like protein 7 (ANGPTL7) is involved in extracellular matrix expression and inflammatory responses. However, the prognostic utility of ANGPTL7 among patients with acute heart failure (AHF) remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the association between ANGPTL7 and short-term mortality due to AHF.

Association of Cyr61-cysteine-rich protein 61 and short-term mortality in patients with acute heart failure and coronary heart disease.

The protein CCN1/CYR61 exerts critical functions in myocardial ischemic injury. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of CCN1 in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and coronary heart disease (CAD). We prospectively enrolled 113 patients with AHF and CAD.

Nocturnal systolic hypertension is a risk factor for cardiac damage in the untreated masked hypertensive patients.

The nocturnal blood pressure (BP) has been identified as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular events. This study aimed to investigate the association between different patterns of nocturnal masked hypertension (MH) and the echocardiographic parameters in the untreated nocturnal MH patients. A total of 721 untreated MH patients (309 females and 412 males, mean age = 56.

Prognostic Value of Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 Combined with N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide for Mortality in Acute Heart Failure Patients with and without Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: The ability of most biomarkers, such as N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), to predict prognosis in heart failure can be affected by the state of renal function; therefore, there is the need for a biomarker that can predict prognosis accurately without the influence of renal function. The prognostic value of cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61/CCN1) in acute heart failure (AHF) patients has been proven.

Methods: A total of 248 patients hospitalized with AHF were recruited in this study, and serum CCN1 levels, NT-proBNP levels, and other necessary data of patients were collected upon admission.

Diastolic Reverse Dipping Pattern Is the Predictor for the Echocardiographic Changes in the Untreated Masked Hypertensive Patients.

Background: The prognostic value of the dipping categories of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between DBP dipping categories of diastolic blood pressure and echocardiographic changes in untreated masked hypertension (MH) patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included 721 untreated MH patients between June 2006 and June 2016.

Prognostic Significance of Serum Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 in Patients with Acute Heart Failure.

Background/aims: Cyr61-cysteine-rich protein 61 (CCN1/CYR61) is a multifunctional matricellular protein involved in the regulation of fibrogenesis. Animal experiments have demonstrated that CCN1 can inhibit cardiac fibrosis in cardiac hypertrophy. However, no study has been conducted to assess the relation between serum CCN1 and prognosis of acute heart failure (AHF).

A novel method based on MSPD for simultaneous determination of 16 pesticide residues in tea by LC-MS/MS.

A novel method based on matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was established for the determination and the quantification of 16 pesticides (5 carbamates, 4 organophosphorus, and 7 pyrethroids) in various tea. Matrix dispersive sorbent and further cleanup sorbent were applied to improve the efficiency of extraction and purification. PVPP, PSA and GCB were introduced as further cleanup sorbents packed at the bottom of the MSPD to remove co-eluting matrix components.

ABO blood group, Epstein-Barr virus infection and prognosis of patients with non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: A prior study showed blood type A/AB to be associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to subjects with blood type O. However, the relationship between ABO blood groups and prognosis of NPC patients is still questionable. In addition, whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with prognosis of NPC patients with different ABO blood groups is unclear.