A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association between Residual Shunts after Patent Foramen Ovale Closure and Long-Term Cerebrovascular Events.

Background: The association between a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and cryptogenic stroke (CS) is well established, and the benefits of PFO closure are clearly recognized. This study aimed to investigate the presence of a residual shunt in patients who have experienced cryptogenic cerebrovascular events following a PFO closure.

Methods: Two researchers systematically searched the PubMed and Embase online database for pertinent clinical studies published between January 2000 and July 2021 concerning the recurrence of cerebrovascular events after PFO closures.

Arctigenin Attenuates Ischemia/Reperfusion Induced Ventricular Arrhythmias by Decreasing Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Background/aims: Arctigenin (ATG) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, immunemodulatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, vasodilatory and anti-platelet aggregation properties. However, the protective role of ATG in prevention of arrhythmias induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-arrhythmia effect of ATG in an ischemia/reperfusion injured rat heart model and explore the related mechanisms.

Nicotine-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in mouse cardiac vascular endothelial cell via p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective: To explore the link between cigarette smoking and thromboembolic events and to investigate cigarette smoking as a major risk factor in the etiology of atherosclerosis.

Study Design: We determined the effect of nicotine on the expression of adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) in mouse cardiac vascular endothelial cells and the involvement of important known intermediaries, namely p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.

Results: Our results indicate that nicotine can enhance the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on mouse cardiac vascular endothelial cell via p38 MAPK signaling pathway, resulting in increased expression of the cellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.

The adiponectin-SIRT1-AMPK pathway in alcoholic fatty liver disease in the rat.

Background: Our previous work showed that binge drinking in the rat induced hepatic steatosis which correlated with reduced expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In this study, we used the rat model to investigate the role of adiponectin (Adip), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), AMPK, and lipin 1 (LIP 1) signaling, a central controlling pathway of lipid metabolism in hepatic steatosis.

Methods: The serum Adip and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as well as liver Adip receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) SIRT1, AMPK, phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), LIP 1, lipocalin-2 (LCN2), and serum amyloid A1 were assessed in the rat model where 16 weeks of gavaged alcohol were administered.

Involvement of insulin resistance in the protective effect of metformin against alcoholic liver injury.

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) continues to be a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The exact mechanisms for ALD pathogenesis are not fully understood. There is currently no known available drug for ALD.

Virological responses in chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing prolonged therapy with low-dose Peg-IFNα-2a.

Background/aims: Standard dose therapy with pegylated interferon α-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a) and ribavirin is not suitable for all patients because of the side effects. This study aims to evaluate the virological responses of low-dose but long-course Peg-IFNα-2a therapy compared with standard therapy.

Methodology: Ninety patients with chronic hepatitis C were divided into three groups according to their tolerance to Peg-IFNα-2a.

Long-term binge and escalating ethanol exposure causes necroinflammation and fibrosis in rat liver.

Background: To investigate whether "binge" and escalating alcohol exposure in the rat influences the development of pathological liver injury.

Methods: Time courses for the formation of eicosanoids by cyclooxygenase (COX), oxidative stress and nitrosative stress production, expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), cytokines, hepatic tissue necroinflammation, and fibrosis were assessed in rats during 16 weeks of daily alcohol gavage.

Results: In this model of binge and escalating levels of alcohol, hepatic steatosis, necrosis, and inflammation as well as fibrosis were increased over the 16-week period.

[Warm-up angina and the application of a KATP channel blocker].

Objective: To explore the protection for ischemic myocardium with warm-up phenomenon and KATP channel blocker interventional effect on it.

Methods: Patients with chronic stable angina who came into the study were divided into three groups according to the presence of diabetes and its treatment ways: 25 patients without diabetes came into a NDM group, 22 patients with diabetes treated with glibenclamide came into a DMG group and 25 patients with diabetes but on diet only came into a DMD group. All the patients underwent sequential bicycle ergometer exercise test twice (EX1, EX2) with a time interval of 15 min.