Inhibitory interferon regulatory factor 5 binding peptide suppresses abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion in vivo.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a critical condition characterized by the expansion of the infrarenal aorta, often leading to high mortality upon rupture. The absence of treatment for asymptomatic AAAs urgently necessitates uncovering the underlying mechanisms of their development. This study utilized mice to induce AAA through porcine pancreatic elastase with BAPN feeding and found that mice receiving the IRF5-binding peptide (IBP) demonstrated significantly slowed AAA expansion and reduced adventitia degradation compared to the control group.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in a patient with interruption of the inferior vena cava complicated with persistent left superior vena cava.

A 55-year-old woman of I-IVC complicated with PLSVC underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation through right jugular vein access. TSP was achieved by electrocautery and the J-tip guidewire with the help of deflectable sheath and ICE. After PVI, the CS-PLSVC and LA-PLSVC connections were ablated within PLSVC.

The efficiency and safety of multidetector computed tomography-guided transseptal puncture during atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

Background: Transseptal puncture (TSP) is a crucial technique for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although intracardiac echo (ICE) facilitates a safe and accurate TSP, it is not widely used in developing countries because of the expense. This study evaluated the efficiency and safety of a novel cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)-guided TSP during AF catheter ablation.

IRF5 governs macrophage adventitial infiltration to fuel abdominal aortic aneurysm formation.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the expansion of the aortic wall. One of the most significant features is the infiltration of macrophages in the adventitia, which drives vasculature remodeling. The role of macrophage-derived interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) in macrophage infiltration and AAA formation remains unknown.

Successful ablation of a right concealed epicardial accessory pathway using ethanol infusion.

Introduction: This study describes a rare case of concealed epicardial accessory pathway (AP) successfully ablated using ethanol infusion (EI) through a variant vessel connecting the right atrium (RA) and the right ventricle (RV) surface.

Methods And Results: A 58-year-old male referred to our hospital for prior failed AP ablation. Cardiac-enhanced computerized tomography scan showed there was a variant vessel at the tip of right atrial appendage and a pulmonary artery (PA)-RA fistula at the roof of RA.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Pathogenesis of Vascular Calcification.

Vascular calcification (VC) is characterized by calcium phosphate deposition in blood vessel walls and is associated with many diseases, as well as increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying of VC development and pathogenesis are not fully understood, thus impeding the design of molecular-targeted therapy for VC. Recently, several studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can exacerbate VC.

Endothelial cell-derived tetrahydrobiopterin prevents aortic valve calcification.

Aims: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a critical determinant of the biological function of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The present study was to investigate the role of valvular endothelial cell (VEC)-derived BH4 in aortic valve calcification.

Methods And Results: Plasma and aortic valve BH4 concentrations and the BH4:BH2 ratio were significantly lower in calcific aortic valve disease patients than in controls.

The Protective Effect of Metformin on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients have a lower risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and its comorbidities, which might be associated with the usage of metformin. The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of metformin in the process of AAA development.

Method: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched up to May 15, 2021.

AMPK: Potential Therapeutic Target for Vascular Calcification.

Vascular calcification (VC) is an urgent worldwide health issue with no available medical treatment. It is an active cell-driven process by osteogenic differentiation of vascular cells with complex mechanisms. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) serves as the master sensor of cellular energy status.

The Association Between Metformin Treatment and Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Retrospective Study.

Metformin is the first-line antidiabetic medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the association between metformin and outcomes in T2DM patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is still unknown. We aimed to explore the association between metformin and adverse outcome in T2DM patients with HFpEF.

Early Aortic Valve Replacement vs. Conservative Management in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Meta-Analysis.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease in developed countries. Until now, the specific timing of intervention for asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction remains controversial. A systematic search of four databases (Pubmed, Web of science, Cochrane library, Embase) was conducted.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Roles of Inflammatory Cells.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are local dilations of infrarenal segment of aortas. Molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of AAA remain not fully clear. However, inflammation has been considered as a central player in the development of AAA.

Identification and characterization of dynamically regulated hepatitis-related genes in a concanavalin A-induced liver injury model.

Background: Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced liver damage of mice is a well-established murine model mimicking the human autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). However, the pathogenic genes of the liver injury remain to be revealed.

Methods: Using time-series liver transcriptome, top dynamic genes were inferred from a set of segmented regression models, and cross-checked by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA).

Next-generation sequencing identified novel Desmoplakin frame-shift variant in patients with Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is one of the leading causes for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Recent studies have identified mutations in cardiac desmosomes as key players in the pathogenesis of AC. However, the specific etiology in individual families remains largely unknown.

Association between Metformin Use and Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Metformin is the first-line antidiabetic medication. We aimed to investigate the association between metformin use and CAC.

Irf5 deficiency in myeloid cells prevents necrotizing enterocolitis by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening inflammatory disease in newborns, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a master regulator of macrophage function and is essential for proinflammatory M1 macrophage polarization. Our previous data indicated that M1 macrophages promote NEC injury.

Histone deacetylase 6 reduction promotes aortic valve calcification via an endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated osteogenic pathway.

Objective: Aortic valve (AoV) calcification occurs via a pathophysiologic process that includes osteoblastic differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs). Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Here, we investigated the role of HDAC6 in AoV calcification.

Increased myocardial stiffness activates cardiac microvascular endothelial cell via VEGF paracrine signaling in cardiac hypertrophy.

When the heart is subjected to an increased workload, mechanical stretch together with neurohumoral stimuli activate the "fetal gene program" and induce cardiac hypertrophy to optimize output. Due to a lack of effective methods/models to quantify and modulate cardiac mechanical properties, the connection between these properties and the development of cardiac hypertrophy remains largely unexplored. Here, we utilized an atomic force microscope (AFM) to directly measure the elastic modulus of the hypertrophic myocardium induced by pressure overload.