Association between plasma adiponectin levels and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in sepsis patients.

Purpose: As a well-known cardioprotective factor, the relevance of adiponectin (APN) to heart function following sepsis remains largely unknown. The present study evaluated the effects of plasma APN levels on heart function and 28-day mortality in sepsis patients.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective study that was performed with 98 patients with sepsis and 32 controls.

IL-17A-producing T cells exacerbate fine particulate matter-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR-mediated autophagy.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the primary air pollutant that is able to induce airway injury. Compelling evidence has shown the involvement of IL-17A in lung injury, while its contribution to PM2.

Dapk1 improves inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy in LPS-induced acute lung injury via p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the impact of death-associated protein kinase 1 (Dapk1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) via p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Methods: Dapk1 and Dapk1 mice were randomized into Control, LPS, SB203580 (a p38MAPK pathway inhibitor) + LPS, and PDTC (a NF-κB pathway inhibitor) + LPS groups. Cell counts, lung wet to dry weight ratio (W/D weight ratio), as well as indicators of oxidative stress were determined followed by the detection with HE staining, ELISA, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and Immunofluorescence.

Aqueous Extract of Whitmania Pigra Whitman Alleviates Thrombus Burden Via Sirtuin 1/NF-κB Pathway.

Background: Whitmania pigra Whitman (W pigra), a traditional Chinese medicine, has functions of breaking stagnant and eliminating blood stasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of W pigra against deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Methods: A rat model of DVT induced by inferior vena cava stenosis was successfully established.

Upregulation of Klotho potentially inhibits pulmonary vascular remodeling by blocking the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway in rats with PM2.5-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension.

We evaluated the effects of Klotho on pulmonary vascular remodeling and cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat models with PM2.5-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) via the Wnt signaling pathway. After establishing rat models of PM2.

Angiographic Characteristics and Endovascular Treatment of Anterior Cerebral Artery A1 Segment Aneurysms.

Objective: This report aimed to review the angiographic characteristics and evaluate the safety and feasibility of endovascular treatment of A1 aneurysms.

Methods: Nineteen ruptured and 13 unruptured A1 aneurysms treated endovascularly were evaluated in this study. The angiographic and clinical records were retrospectively reviewed.

Bioactive glycosides from the roots of Ilex asprella.

Context The roots of Ilex asprella (Hook. et Arn.) Champ.

Treatment of fenestrated vertebrobasilar junction-related aneurysms with endovascular techniques.

Fenestrated vertebrobasilar junction-related aneurysms (fVBJ-AN) are uncommon and endovascular management strategies have become the first options for the treatment of these lesions. This clinical study aimed to report our experience in the endovascular management of these lesions and to review the literature. We retrospectively reviewed 10 consecutive patients harboring 12 fVBJ-AN between January 2007 and December 2014.

Parametric Digital Subtraction Angiography Imaging for the Objective Grading of Collateral Flow in Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

Purpose: To report the feasibility of parametric color-coded digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in complementing the traditional, subjective way of leptomeningeal collateral assessment in acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions.

Methods: Thirty-three consecutive patients with acute MCA occlusion who received endovascular treatment were recruited for investigation. Eighteen of 33 consecutive patients were included.

Treatment of ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms distal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery: stenting or trapping?

Purpose: The treatment of ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) continues to be controversial. Our goal was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of internal trapping and stent-assisted coiling (SAC) for ruptured VADAs distal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (supra-PICA VADAs), which is the most common subset.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 39 consecutive ruptured supra-PICA VADAs treated with internal trapping (n = 20) or with SAC (n = 19) at our institution.

[Optimization of dissolution process for superfine grinding technology on total saponins of Panax ginseng fibrous root by response surface methodology].

Objective: To investigate the effects of superfine comminution extraction technology of ginseng total saponins from Panax ginseng fibrous root, and to make sure the optimal extraction condition.

Methods: Optimal condition of ginseng total saponins from Panax ginseng fibrous root was based on single factor experiment to study the effects of crushing degree, extraction time, alcohol concentration and extraction temperature on extraction rate. Response surface method was used to investigate three main factors such as superfine comminution time, extraction time and alcohol concentration.

Cross talk between vascular smooth muscle cells and monocytes through interleukin-1β/interleukin-18 signaling promotes vein graft thickening.

Objective: Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 are key proinflammatory cytokines that play important roles in the pathophysiology of vein graft remodeling. However, the mechanism of IL-1β/IL-18 production and its role in the development of graft remodeling remain unclear.

Approach And Results: IL-1β/IL-18 were rapidly expressed in venous interposition grafts.

Application of endovascular coiling and subsequent Onyx 34 embolization in anterior communicating artery aneurysms with adjacent hematoma.

Objective: Small anterior communicating artery aneurysms with recurrent bleeding and adjacent hematoma may have a high risk of post-operative rebleeding. This clinical study summarizes our preliminary experience with this subset of aneurysms, which were treated with endovascular coiling and subsequent Onyx 34 embolization.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 9 patients suffering from small anterior communicating artery aneurysms treated with the combination of coils and Onyx.

Overlapping stents for blood blister-like aneurysms of the internal carotid artery.

Objective: Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) are unique due to their high risk of recurrent bleeding associated with their fragile neck. The best treatment for BBAs is still controversial. This paper sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coiling and subsequent overlapping stents (SAC+OS) in the treatment of BBAs.

[Application of high-content screening and flow cytometry analysis techniques to evaluation of myocardial fibroblasts proliferation].

The proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) is a key pathological process in the cardiac remodeling. To establish an objective, quantitative method for the analysis of cell proliferation and cell cycle, we applied the high-content screening (HCS) and flow cytometry (FCM) techniques. CFs, isolated by enzyme digestion from newborn C57BL/6J mice, were serum starved for 12 h and then given 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 24 h.

Knockout of CD8 delays reendothelialization and accelerates neointima formation in injured arteries of mouse via TNF-α inhibiting the endothelial cells migration.

Objective: Delayed or impaired reendothelialization is a major cause of stent thrombosis in the interventional treatment of coronary heart disease. T cells are involved in neointima formation of injured arteries. However, the regulated mechanism of reendothelialization and the role of CD8 T cell in reendothelialization are unclear.

Preparation and application of functionalized cellulose acetate/silica composite nanofibrous membrane via electrospinning for Cr(VI) ion removal from aqueous solution.

Novel NH(2)-functionalized cellulose acetate (CA)/silica composite nanofibrous membranes were successfully prepared by sol-gel combined with electrospinning technology. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as a silica source, CA as precursor and 3-ureidopropyltriethoxysilane as a coupling agent were used in membrane preparation. The membrane's chemical and morphological structures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images, X-ray diffraction (XRD), element analyzer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms.