Retrospective on global pulmonary hypertension clinical trials: 1999-2021.

Background: Data are quite sparse on the comprehensive analyses of pulmonary hypertension (PH) clinical trials worldwide.

Methods: Information including participating countries (developed or developing), intervention type, trial size, PH categories, sponsorship, study phase, design strategies, and participants' demographic characteristics was extracted from PH trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov from 1999 to 2021.

CTRP5-Overexpression Attenuated Ischemia-Reperfusion Associated Heart Injuries and Improved Infarction Induced Heart Failure.

C1q/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related protein 5 (CTRP5) belongs to the C1q/TNF-α related protein family and regulates glucose, lipid metabolism, and inflammation production. However, the roles of CTRP5 in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) associated with cardiac injuries and heart failure (HF) needs to be elaborated. This study aimed to investigate the roles of CTRP5 in I/R associated cardiac injuries and heart failure.

Hyperoside Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammation and Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Finding the novel drug from the effective components of traditional Chinese herbal medicine is a hotspot of the modern pharmacological research. Hyperoside (HYP) belongs to flavonoid glycosides, and it has various properties, such as anti-inflammation, anti-spasm, anti-diuretic, antitussive, lowering blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol effects as well as protective effects for the cardiac and cerebral blood vessels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of HYP on inflammatory and apoptotic responses in vascular endothelial cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and further to identify the possible mechanisms underlying these effects.

Circulating obestatin levels correlate with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR but not with hypertension in elderly men.

Obestatin, encoded by the same gene as ghrelin, was first described as a physiological opponent of ghrelin. The association between circulating obestatin levels and blood pressure remains unclear. Furthermore, adequate information is non-existent regarding the older male population with hypertension.

Reciprocal relationship between plasma ghrelin level and arterial stiffness in hypertensive subjects.

Arterial stiffness, considered an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, is closely associated with hypertension. Futhermore, the role of ghrelin in the development of hypertension has been widely recognized. The purpose of the present study was to explore the potential relationship between circulating ghrelin and arterial stiffness in hypertensive subjects.

[Effects of Ghrelin on hypertension and insulin resistance in fructose-fed rats].

Objective: To explore the effects and mechanisms of Ghrelin on hypertension and insulin resistance in fructose-fed rats.

Methods: A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into control (A) and fructose-fed groups (B). Rats in group B were fed with 10% fructose solution for 4 weeks.

Clostridium difficile infection associated with antituberculous agents in a patient with tuberculous pericarditis.

Clostridium difficile can cause pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). Antimicrobial agent exposure is a risk factor for Clostridium difficile-associated disease, whereas the use of antituberculous (anti-TB) agents is not. We herein report a case of PMC-associated with antituberculous therapy.

[Effects of domestic rosuvastatin on coronary plaque in patients with mild-to-moderate coronary artery stenosis as evaluated by virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of domestic rosuvastatin tablets on coronary plaque in the patients with mild-to-moderate coronary artery stenosis through virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS).

Methods: Eighty-three patients with mild-to-moderate coronary artery stenosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were enrolled and randomized into test group (domestic rosuvastatin, 10 mg/day, n = 42) or control group (CRESTOR, 10 mg/day, n = 41). The serum lipid levels, diameter stenosis (DS) on quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), MLA (minimal lumen area), plaque burden and component of target lesion on VH-IVUS were evaluated at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.

[Influences of recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated Decorin gene transfection on cell cycle and apoptosis of SiHa cells].

Background & Objective: Decorin (DCN), a multi-efficiency factor, has many important functions, such as influencing fibril stability, and interacting with extracellular matrix molecules to influence cell adhesion. This study was to investigate influences of DCN on cell cycle and apoptosis of SiHa cells via recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated DCN gene (rAAV.DCN) transfection.