MiR-301a promotes embryonic stem cell differentiation to cardiomyocytes.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Tissue repair after pathological injury in the heart remains a major challenge due to the limited regenerative ability of cardiomyocytes in adults. Stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes provide a promising source for the cell transplantation-based treatment of injured hearts.

Growth differentiation factor 15, ischemia modified albumin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), ischemia modified albumin (IMA) might aid in the early diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), while pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) can serve as a useful marker of vulnerable plaques and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We sought to determine serum levels of GDF-15, IMA, PAPP-A and evaluate their diagnostic value in different types of CAD.

Methods: We detected serum levels of GDF-15, IMA and PAPP-A in 348 patients with CAD and 205 controls.

Age-specific 99th percentile cutoff of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T for early prediction of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in middle-aged patients.

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay is used in the diagnosis and risk assessment of patients with symptoms of myocardial infarction. This study was undertaken to establish an age-specific 99th percentile cutoff value for hs-cTnT in Chinese population, and to evaluate its potential for early prediction of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in middle-aged patients.

Methods: Troponin T levels in blood obtained from healthy Chinese adults were assayed using hs-cTnT.