MicroRNA-365 promotes the contractile phenotype of venous smooth muscle cells and inhibits neointimal formation in rat vein grafts.

The high rate of autologous vein graft failure caused by neointimal hyperplasia remains an unresolved issue in the field of cardiovascular surgery; therefore, it is important to explore new methods for protecting against neointimal hyperplasia. MicroRNA-365 has been reported to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). This study aimed to test whether adenovirus-mediated miR-365 was able to attenuate neointimal formation in rat vein grafts.

Dedicator of cytokinesis 2 silencing therapy inhibits neointima formation and improves blood flow in rat vein grafts.

Objective: The high rate of vein graft failure due to neointimal hyperplasia is a major challenge for cardiovascular surgery. Finding novel approaches to prevent neointimal hyperplasia is important. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) plays a role in the development of neointima formation in the vein grafts.

MicroRNA-146a sponge therapy suppresses neointimal formation in rat vein grafts.

The long-term failure of vein grafts due to neointimal hyperplasia remains a difficult problem in cardiovascular surgery. Exploring novel approaches to prevent neointimal hyperplasia is important. MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) plays an essential role in promoting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation.

Adenovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer of microRNA-21 Sponge Inhibits Neointimal Hyperplasia in Rat Vein Grafts.

Vein graft failure due to neointimal hyperplasia remains an important and unresolved complication of cardiovascular surgery. microRNA-21 (miR-21) plays a major role in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and phenotype transformation. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether adenovirus-mediated miR-21 sponge gene therapy was able to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in rat vein grafts.

Minimally invasive direct coronary bypass compared with percutaneous coronary intervention for left anterior descending artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: The clinical outcomes for left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery lesion between minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are still controversial. The objective was to compare safety and efficacy between MIDCAB and PCI for LAD.

Methods: Electronic databases and article references were systematically searched to access relevant studies.

MicroRNA-221 sponge therapy attenuates neointimal hyperplasia and improves blood flows in vein grafts.

Background: Vein graft failure due to neointimal hyperplasia remains an important and unresolved problem of cardiovascular surgery. MicroRNA-221 (miR-221) has been shown to play a major role in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and phenotype transformation. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine whether adenovirus mediated miR-221 sponge gene therapy could inhibit vein graft neointimal hyperplasia.

High mobility group box 1 gene polymorphism is associated with the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: The inflammatory response triggered by cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a primary cause of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between rs2249825 (C/G) polymorphism in high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and POAF in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under CPB.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out between February 2011 and January 2014.

High plasma levels of high mobility group box 1 is associated with the risk of sepsis in severe blunt chest trauma patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a late mediator of systemic inflammation. Extracellular HMGB1 play a central pathogenic role in critical illness. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between plasma HMGB1 concentrations and the risk of poor outcomes in patients with severe blunt chest trauma.

Plasma levels of high mobility group box 1 increase in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder after severe blunt chest trauma: a prospective cohort study.

Background: High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a key late mediator of systemic inflammation, is a potentially useful biomarker for predicting outcome in patients with severe blunt chest trauma. The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between plasma levels of HMGB1 and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with severe blunt chest trauma.

Methods: All patients with severe blunt chest trauma (abbreviated injury score ≥3) who were admitted to traumatic surgery department and ultimately survived to follow-up at 6 mo were eligible for the study.

Preparation of transparent zein films for cell culture applications.

In our previous studies, zein has shown good cell compatibility in both films and porous scaffolds. To use the zein film in microfluidic devices or as a cell culture substrate, swelling and excessive degradation should be avoided. Moreover, the film should be transparent.

Influence of ischemia before vein grafting on early hyperplasia of the graft and the dynamic changes of the intima after grafting.

Background: To investigate both the influence of ischemia before grafting on early hyperplasia of the vein grafts, and the dynamic changes of the intima after grafting in a rabbit model of vein graft disease.

Methods: We performed paired vein graft experiments under different ischemic conditions (15 vs. 60 min; 15 vs.

In vivo evaluation of a novel dexamethasone-heparin-double-coated stent for inhibition of artery restenosis and thrombosis.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone-heparin-double-coated stent (DHDCS) on inhibition of artery lumen reduction and neointimal hyperplasia in porcine model we carried out this study. Bare mental stents (BMS, n = 12), protein-coated stents (PCS, n = 12), heparin microballoon-coated stents (HMCS, n = 12), and DHDCS (n = 12), prepared by the spray drying method, were implanted into the selected internal iliac artery, external iliac artery, sacrococcygeal artery, and femoral artery of each of the selected pigs (n = 12), which were randomly divided into four groups on average. Thirty days and ninety days after the implantation, aorta angiography was performed on all the 12 mini-pigs to evaluate the artery lumen reduction.

Off-pump occlusion of trans-thoracic minimal invasive surgery (OPOTTMIS) on simple congenital heart diseases (ASD, VSD and PDA) attached consecutive 210 cases report: a single institute experience.

Objective: This paper intends to report our experiences by using an operation of off-pump occlusion of trans-thoracic minimal invasive surgery (OPOTTMIS) on the treatment of consecutive 210 patients with simple congenital heart diseases (CHD) including atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Methods: The retrospective clinical data of OPOTTMIS in our institute were collected and compared to other therapeutic measures adopted in the relevant literatures. After operation, all the patients received electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (echo) once a month within the initial 3 months, and no less than once every 3 ~ 6 months later.

[Application of 99mTc-DTPA in evaluation of blood-brain barrier permeability in patients receiving whole brain irradiation].

Objective: To study the pattern of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability changes during whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for metastatic brain tumor.

Methods: Twenty patients with metastatic brain tumors receiving WBRT by 6 MV X-ray underwent (99)mTc-DTPA brain SPECT before and during WBRT (20, 40 Gy) and at 2 weeks after the end of irradiation. A frame of transverse (99)mTc-DTPA brain SPECT image that best displayed the brain metastasis was chosen, and the regions of interest (ROI) were defined in the tumor foci (T), the contralateral normal brain tissue (N) and the background outside the soft tissues around the cranium (B).

A prospective evaluation of apolipoprotein M gene T-778C polymorphism in relation to coronary artery disease in Han Chinese.

Objectives: Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is important for the formation of pre-beta-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and cholesterol efflux in macrophages. It is demonstrated that single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T-778C of apoM gene is related to type 2 diabetes in Han Chinese. In the present study, we investigated the possible association of apoM polymorphism in relation to coronary artery disease (CAD) in Han Chinese.

[Analysis of the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency following coronary artery bypass grafting].

Objective: To study the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency (ARI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: The clinic data of 2242 patients undertaking CABG between July 1997 and July 2006 were retrospectively analyzed, and ARI following CABG was included.

Results: ARI occurred in 219 patients, with an incidence of 9.

[A new applicator with regulatable air bag designed for intracavitary brachytherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Background & Objective: Nasopharynx applicator used in intracavitary brachytherapy plays an important role in the radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), its quality affects the efficiency of treatment. This study was to design a new applicator for clinical use.

Methods: An inexpensive, reusable, and flexible latex nasopharynx applicator was designed.

[Establishment of model human stem cell of transplantation into myocardium of chick embryos].

Objective: To establish an animal model of human stem cell transplantation into myocardium in chick embryos.

Methods: Hoechsst 33,258 labeled human primordial germ cells (hPGC) were microsurgically injected into the myocardium of 633 chick embryos of 3-4 days development. Ten days after, the hearts were isolated from the 94 surviving chick embryos, embedded, and sliced.