The anatomical features of dorsal pancreatic artery in the pancreatic head and its clinical significance in laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy.

Background: Bleeding control as one of the major challenges in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) necessitates a considerable anatomical knowledge of the blood supply to the pancreatic head so as to improve the safety of this surgery. This study aimed towards a better understanding of the anatomical features of the dorsal pancreatic artery (DPA), as well as its clinical significance in LPD.

Method: Thirteen Chinese cadaveric specimens were used to study the blood supply of the pancreatic head.

Hyperhomocysteinemia accompany with metabolic syndrome increase the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy in rural Chinese.

Background: To investigate the influence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in residents in rural Northeast China.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional baseline data analysis of 6837 subjects (mean age: 54 ± 10 years) recruited from a rural area of China. Anthropometric indicators were measured according to standard methods.

Association of abnormal serum electrolyte levels with hypertension in a population with high salt intake.

Objective: The present epidemiological study aimed to evaluate the association of serum electrolyte levels with hypertension in a population with a high-salt diet.

Design: Secondary analysis of epidemiology data from the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study conducted in 2012-2013. Blood pressure and hypertension status were analysed for association with serum sodium, potassium, chloride, total calcium, phosphate and magnesium levels using regression models.

Effect of serum electrolytes within normal ranges on QTc prolongation: a cross-sectional study in a Chinese rural general population.

Background: Many previous clinical studies have reported that prolongation of the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death and all-cause mortality. This study aimed to explore associations between serum electrolytes and QTc prolongation in the north-eastern Chinese rural general population.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including 10,334 (4820 men and 5514 women) from the general population aged ≥35 years in the Liaoning Province from 2012 to 2013.

Klotho Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Angiotensin II-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) by Modulating NF-κB p65, Akt, and Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase (ERK) Signaling Activities.

BACKGROUND It has been proven that phenotype shifting, from the contractile phenotype to the synthetic phenotype, of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), plays an important role in vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, and hypertension. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that Klotho is associated with many cardiovascular diseases or damage. Through the estimation of the proliferation and migration of Ang II-induced VSMCs and the related intracellular signal transduction pathways, we researched the effects of Klotho on phenotype modulation in this study.

The impact of nontraditional lipid profiles on left ventricular geometric abnormalities in general Chinese population.

Background: Despite current interest in the unfavorable impact of nontraditional lipid profiles on cardiovascular disease, information regarding its relations to abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry has not been systemically elucidated. This study sought to understand predictive implication of nontraditional lipid profiles in specific LV geometric patterns in the general population of rural China.

Methods: Analyses were based upon a cross-sectional study of 10,756 participants (mean age 53.

Atorvastatin Attenuates Myocardial Hypertrophy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats via the C/EBPβ/PGC-1α/UCP3 Pathway.

Background/aims: Many clinical and experimental studies have shown that treatment with statins could prevent myocardial hypertrophy and remodeling induced by hypertension and myocardial infarction. But the molecular mechanism was not clear. We aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of atorvastatin on hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy and remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with the hope of revealing other potential mechanisms or target pathways to interpret the pleiotropic effects of atorvastatin on myocardial hypertrophy.

Regulation of angiotensin II-induced B-cell lymphoma-2-associated athanogene 3 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that angiotensin II (Ang II) is involved in the process of atherosclerosis and vascular restenosis through its proinflammatory effect. Bcl‑2‑associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) had been suggested to be associated with proliferation, migration and invasion in many types of tumor. However, the role of BAG3 among the proliferative process of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by Ang II, to the best of our knowledge, remains to be investigated.

BAG3 promotes the phenotypic transformation of primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells via TRAIL.

Under normal physiological condition, the mature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) show differentiated phenotype. In response to various environmental stimuluses, VSMCs convert from the differentiated phenotype to dedifferentiated phenotype characterized by the increased ability of proliferation/migration and the reduction of contractile ability. The phenotypic transformation of VSMCs played an important role in atherosclerosis.

Validity of cardiometabolic index, lipid accumulation product, and body adiposity index in predicting the risk of hypertension in Chinese population.

Objectives: Adiposity, defined by higher cardiometabolic index (CMI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and body adiposity index (BAI), has conferred increased metabolic risk. However, the incremental utility of CMI, LAP, and BAI in association with prevalent hypertension has not been well described in a population-based setting. We hypothesized that CMI, LAP, and BAI would provide important insight into hypertension risk.

Contribution of non-traditional lipid profiles to reduced glomerular filtration rate in H-type hypertension population of rural China.

Background: Despite current interest in the unfavourable impact of non-traditional lipid profiles on cardiovascular disease, information regarding its relations to reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in H-type hypertension population has not been systemically elucidated.

Methods: Analyses were based upon a cross-sectional study of 3259 participants with H-type hypertension who underwent assessment of biochemical, anthropometric and blood pressure values. Reduced GFR was considered if meeting estimated GFR <60 ml/min/1.

New anthropometric indices or old ones: which perform better in estimating cardiovascular risks in Chinese adults.

Background: Various anthropometric indices can be used to estimate obesity, and it is important to determine which one is the best in predicting the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to define the optimal cut-off point for the best index.

Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated a consecutive sample of 11,247 adults, who had lived in rural areas of China and were older than 35 years of age. Eight obesity indices, including the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), body roundness index (BRI) and a body shape index (ABSI) were investigated.

Relation of four nontraditional lipid profiles to diabetes in rural Chinese H-type hypertension population.

Background: Mounting evidence suggested that nontraditional lipid profiles have been recognized as a reliable indicator for unfavorable cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of nontraditional lipid profiles as potential clinical indices for the assessment of prevalent diabetes in rural Chinese H-type hypertension population.

Methods: During 2012 to 2013, we conducted a large cross-sectional study of 2944 H-type hypertension participants (≥35 years of age) from rural areas in northeast China.

Usefulness of cardiometabolic index for the estimation of ischemic stroke risk among general population in rural China.

Objectives: Cardiometabolic index (CMI) has been recognized as a novel and practical marker for the assessment of cardiometabolic risk as it is independently related to diabetes and atherosclerotic progression. This study tested the hypothesis that CMI represents a risk of ischemic stroke in a general population of rural China.

Methods: From July 2012 to August 2013, we examined data from a large cross-sectional study of 11,345 participants (mean age 53.

Sex-specific association between serum uric acid and self-reported snoring in rural China: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Until now, information has been rare on the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with self-reported snoring. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the sex-specific relationship between SUA and self-reported snoring in a general Chinese population.

Methods: A large cross-sectional study of 10,912 participants aged ≥35 years old were recruited from rural areas of Liaoning Province in China during 2012 to 2013.

Advanced glycation end products‑induced mitochondrial energy metabolism dysfunction alters proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) restrain the proliferation of endothelial cells, which is an important determinant of diabetic vasculopathy. Mitochondrial biogenesis serves an essential role in cellular adaptation and repair. The current study aimed to investigate alterations in mitochondrial energy metabolism in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the latent mechanism regulated by AGEs.

The Prevalence of Hypertension Accompanied by High Homocysteine and its Risk Factors in a Rural Population: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeast China.

Previous studies found that hypertension and high homocysteine (HHcy) exhibited a synergistic effect on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension accompanied by HHcy and its risk factors in the rural areas of northeast China. This study was conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method, and included 6529 subjects with complete data.

Advanced glycation end products promote the proliferation and migration of primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells via the upregulation of BAG3.

The present study was aimed to investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on advanced glycation end product (AGE)-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and whether Bcl-2‑associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) is involved in the process. Primary rat VSMCs were extracted and cultured in vitro. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay and cell proliferation was detected by EdU incorporation assay.

Atorvastatin prevents Angiotensin II induced myocardial hypertrophy in vitro via CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β.

Previous evidences suggested that atorvastatin not only reduced blood lipids but also reduced myocardial hypertrophy and remodeling. And it was reported that C/EBPβ (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β) played a pivotal role both in the physiologic and pathological cardiac hypertrophy. However, it has not been reported before whether this signaling pathway of C/EBPβ participates in protective effect of atorvastatin for hypertrophy cardiomyocytes.

Advanced Glycation End Products Inhibit the Proliferation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells by Inhibiting Cathepsin D.

We aimed to investigate the effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the proliferation and migration ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cell proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, real-time cell analyzer and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. Cell migration was detected by wound-healing and transwell assay.