Rac1b enhances cell survival through activation of the JNK2/c-JUN/Cyclin-D1 and AKT2/MCL1 pathways.

Rac1b is a constitutively activated, alternatively spliced form of the small GTPase Rac1. Previous studies showed that Rac1b promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. In the present study, we used microarray analysis to detect genes differentially expressed in HEK293T cells and SW480 human colon cancer cells stably overexpressing Rac1b.

A comparison of 2 devices for radial artery hemostasis after transradial coronary intervention.

Background And Objective: Transradial access is an attractive approach for angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. Different devices have been used to apply pressure locally at the site of arterial entry for achieving hemostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2 different hemostatic devices on radial artery outcomes after transradial coronary intervention.

Renoprotective effect of alprostadil in combination with statins in patients with mild to moderate renal failure undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: The role of alprostadil and statins in contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is controversial. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of combined therapy with alprostadil and statins in protecting renal function and preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Methods: A total of 156 consecutive patients with mild to moderate renal failure who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled in our study, and randomly categorized into two groups.

[Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ agonist tesaglitazar stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic low density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ agonist on atherosclerotic plaque stabilization in diabetic LDL receptor knockout (LDLr-/-) mice.

Methods: Female 4-week-old LDLr-/- mice fed with high-glucose and high-fat diet for 4 weeks were randomly divided into three groups (n = 15 each): control group (only fed with high-glucose and high-fat diet), diabetic group [induced by high-glucose and high-fat diet combined with a low-dose of streptozotocin (STZ)] without tesaglitazar and with tesaglitazar (20 µg/kg oral treatment). After 6 weeks, the mice were sacrificed, body weight, fasting blood glucose (Glu), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) levels were measured.

Vaspin plasma concentrations and mRNA expressions in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris.

Background: Vaspin was a recently identified adipokine, playing a protective role in many metabolic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the association between vaspin plasma level and stable angina pectoris (SAP) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

Methods: A total of 88 patients with angiographically-proved coronary artery disease (CAD) (SAP 47, UAP 41) and 103 control subjects without cardiovascular diseases were enrolled in this study.

Increased serum myeloid-related protein 8/14 level is associated with atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: Myeloid-related protein 8/14 (MRP8/14) is a stable heterodimer formed by two different calcium-binding proteins (MRP8 and MRP14). Studies have identified that MRP8/14 regulates vascular inflammation and serves as a novel marker of acute coronary syndrome. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between serum levels of MRP8/14, hsCRP, endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end-products (esRAGE) and the occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD), or carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) when CAD was not yet developed in diabetic patients.

Comparative study of 4Fr catheters using the ACIST variable rate injector system versus 6Fr catheters using hand manifold in diagnostic coronary angiography via transradial approach.

Background: The transradial approach is regarded as a useful vascular site for coronary procedures. The aim of this study was to test whether 4Fr catheters assisted by ACIST variable rate injector system can produce comparable angiographic quality and reduce the risk of radial artery injury compared to hand manifold 6 Fr catheters.

Methods: A total of 1816 patients were studied consecutively, among whom 856 patients received coronary angiography by 4 Fr catheters (4Fr group) and 960 patients by 6 Fr catheters (6Fr group).

Comparative study on transradial versus transfemoral approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: To compare the transradial approach and transfemoral approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Chinese patients with acute myocardium infarction (AMI).

Methods: From August 2005 to September 2008, we randomly divided 200 AMI patients into transradial intervention (TRI) group and transfemoral intervention (TFI) group. The study took place in the Department of Cardiology, The Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.

A randomized prospective comparison of CartoMerge and CartoXP to guide circumferential pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: CartoXP and CartoMerge have been used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) for several years. Our randomized prospective study compared clinical outcomes of these two versions of three dimensional electroanatomic mapping system in guiding catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods: Eighty-one patients with symptomatic, drug refractory PAF were randomly assigned to CartoMerge group (n=42, mean age (54.

Multi-link Vision and MiniVision stent registry in Asian patients with coronary artery disease: a prospective, multi-center study.

Background: Recent studies have showed that the fine mesh stents are associated with a significant reduction in both clinical and angiographic re-stenosis of the coronary arteries. To maintain a very satisfactory radio-opacity using the stents, Guidant of the USA has designed a new type of bare metal stents (BMS)-Multi-link (ML) Vision/ML MiniVision stents. The clinical outcomes of Asian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after implanting the Multi-link Vision or MiniVision stent were investigated in this study.

[Metabolic syndrome complicated by peripheral arterial disease: clinical study of 2115 cases].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) complicated in metabolic syndrome (MS) and its risk factors.

Methods: The clinical data of 2115 in-patients and out-patients with MS, 1132 males and 983 females, aged 67.6 +/- 5.