Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid) and mortality in stable patients at high cardiovascular risk.

Background: Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid) is a novel blood biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function and was found to be independently associated with worsening kidney function and mortality. A novel penKid-based estimated glomerular filtration rate equation (eGFR), outperforms current creatinine-based eGFR equations in predicting iohexol or iothalamate plasma clearance-based measured GFR. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of penKid and eGFR for all-cause mortality in stable patients at high cardiovascular risk.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation of exosome-related gene signature in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Background: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SIONFH) is a universal hip articular disease and is very hard to perceive at an early stage. The understanding of the pathogenesis of SIONFH is still limited, and the identification of efficient diagnostic biomarkers is insufficient. This research aims to recognize and validate the latent exosome-related molecular signature in SIONFH diagnosis by employing bioinformatics to investigate exosome-related mechanisms in SIONFH.

METTL3-Mediated m6A Modification of ISG15 mRNA Regulates Doxorubicin-Induced Endothelial Cell Apoptosis.

N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) of RNA is involved in the regulation of various diseases. However, its role in chemotherapy-related vascular endothelial injury has not yet been elucidated. We found that methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) expression was significantly reduced during doxorubicin (DOX)-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells both in vivo and in vitro, and that silencing of METTL3 further intensified this process.

Angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptors-induced mitochondrial dysfunction promotes ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes.

Previous studies suggest that ferroptosis is involved in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study is to investigate the causal relationship between angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptors (ATR) activities and mitochondrial dysfunction in induction of cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. Human AC16 cardiomyocytes were first pre-treated with an ATR blockers, before stimulated with angiotensin II (Ang II) for 24 h.

Alleviation of liver fibrosis by inhibiting a non-canonical ATF4-regulated enhancer program in hepatic stellate cells.

Liver fibrosis is a critical liver disease that can progress to more severe manifestations, such as cirrhosis, yet no effective targeted therapies are available. Here, we identify that ATF4, a master transcription factor in ER stress response, promotes liver fibrosis by facilitating a stress response-independent epigenetic program in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Unlike its canonical role in regulating UPR genes during ER stress, ATF4 activates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene transcription under fibrogenic conditions.

Sex hormone-dependent host-microbiome interactions and cardiovascular risk (XCVD): design of a longitudinal multi-omics cohort study.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) present differently in women and men, influenced by host-microbiome interactions. The roles of sex hormones in CVD outcomes and gut microbiome in modifying these effects are poorly understood. The XCVD study examines gut microbiome mediation of sex hormone effects on CVD risk markers by observing transgender participants undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), with findings expected to extrapolate to cisgender populations.

Gaps in knowledge and management of iron deficiency in heart failure: a nationwide survey of cardiologists in China.

Background: Heart failure (HF) guidelines recommend routine testing for iron deficiency (ID) and, for those with ID, intravenous iron if the left ventricular ejection fraction is <50%. Guideline adherence to these recommendations by cardiologists in China is unknown.

Methods And Results: An independent academic web-based survey was designed and distributed via social networks to cardiologists across China.

Comparison of Maximum Isometric Strength of the Hip Joint Abductor and Knee Joint Extensor Muscles between Knee Osteoarthritis Patients with and without Self-reported Instability.

Patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) often have impaired muscle function of the weight-bearing muscles, particularly in the knee and hip joints. This can lead to a significant loss of strength and power and may play a role in the perceived instability of the knee joint. The purpose of this study was to compare the maximum isometric strength of the hip abductor and knee extensor muscles between patients with KOA with and without perceived instability.

A novel approach to the prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: PANoptosis.

As a fundamental component of antitumor therapy, chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CIC) has emerged as a leading cause of long-term mortality in patients with malignant tumors. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective therapeutic preventive or treatment strategies, and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of CIC remain inadequately understood. A growing number of studies have shown that different mechanisms of cell death, such as apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, are essential for facilitating the cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy.

Long-term glucosamine supplementation aggravates atrial fibrillation susceptibility by impairing AMPK signaling.

Aims: Glucosamine, a widely used dietary supplement, has been linked to potential cardiovascular risks, including atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term glucosamine supplementation on AF susceptibility and the underlying mechanisms.

Materials And Methods: C57BL/6 J mice were treated with low-dose (15 mg/kg/day) or high-dose (250 mg/kg/day) glucosamine via drinking water for 6 weeks.

Low shear stress induces vascular endothelial cells apoptosis via miR-330 /SOD2 /HSP70 signaling pathway.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic disease initiated by vascular endothelial dysfunction, with low shear stress (SS) being a critical inducing factor in this dysfunction. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is closely associated with AS progression. However, the impact of low SS on endothelial apoptosis and its specific molecular mechanisms remains unclear.

The impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.

Approximately 10 % of patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction develop new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Coronary artery disease implicating atrial branches has been associated with AF. The following variables have been associated with new-onset AF in the setting of acute coronary syndrome: older age, history of hypertension, history of angina, history of stroke, chronic renal failure, body mass index, no statin use, worse nutritional status, worse Killip class, admission heart rate ≥ 85 bpm, complete atrioventricular block, Glasgow prognostic score, Syntax score, CHEST score > 3, PRECISE-DAPT score ≥ 25, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40 %, increased left atrial diameter, E/E' ratio > 12, epicardial fat tissue thickness, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow < 3.

Protein alterations in patients with delirium after cardiac surgery: An exploratory case-control sub-study of the VISION Cardiac Surgery Biobank.

Background: Delirium is an acute state of confusion associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. Delirium is diagnosed clinically using screening tools; most cases go undetected. Identifying a delirium biomarker would allow for accurate diagnosis, application of therapies, and insight into causal pathways.

Cardiovascular MRI-derived Right Atrial Strain for Improved Risk Stratification in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Purpose To assess the prognostic implications of cardiac MRI-derived imaging markers in individuals with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Materials and Methods This prospective study (German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00024479) enrolled individuals with severe AS who underwent cardiac MRI before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) from January 2017 to March 2022. Image analyses included myocardial volumes, cardiac MRI feature tracking-derived left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) as well as left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) strain, myocardial T1 mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement analyses.

Molecular and Functional Significance of Growth Differentiation Factor-15: A Review on Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Biomarker.

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is the association between obesity, diabetes, CKD (chronic kidney disease), and cardiovascular disease. GDF-15 mainly acts through the GFRAL (Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor Family Receptor Alpha-Like) receptor. GDF-15 and GDFRAL complex act mainly through RET co-receptors, further activating Ras and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways through downstream signaling.

Differences in association between hypoalbuminaemia and mortality among younger versus older patients on haemodialysis.

Background: Ageing often affects biomarker production. Yet, clinical/optimal thresholds to guide clinical decisions do not consider this. Serum albumin decreases with age, but hypoalbuminaemia is defined as serum albumin <4.

Mitochondrial SIRT2-mediated CPT2 deacetylation prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy by impeding cardiac fatty acid oxidation.

Dysregulated energy metabolism, particularly lipid metabolism disorders, has been identified as a key factor in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a deacetylase involved in the regulation of metabolism and cellular energy homeostasis, yet its role in the progression of DCM remains unclear. We observed significantly reduced SIRT2 expression in DCM model mice.

Association of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (Hs-CRP) with the Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Diabetes.

Background: Both renal function decline and systemic inflammation may synergistically increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study investigates the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels with the risk of new-onset AF in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: We included diabetic patients without AF who participated in physical exams in the Kailuan Study from 2006 to 2010.

[Cardiac β-adrenergic receptor regulation of mitochondrial function in heart failure].

Heart failure is characterized by abnormal β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. In heart failure, overactivation of β-AR mediates key pathological processes in cardiomyocytes, including oxidative stress, calcium overload and metabolic abnormalities, which subsequently lead to inflammation, myocardial apoptosis and necrosis. Mitochondria are the core organelles for energy metabolism, and also play a vital role in calcium homeostasis, redox balance and signaling transduction.

A perfusion-independent high-throughput method to isolate liver sinusoidal endothelial cells.

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) critically regulate homeostatic liver function and liver pathogenesis. However, the isolation of LSECs remains a major technological bottleneck in studying molecular mechanisms governing LSEC functions. Current techniques to isolate LSECs, relying on perfusion-dependent liver digestion, are cumbersome with limited throughput.

The protective effects of liraglutide in reducing lipid droplets accumulation and myocardial fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Diabetes is a primary contributor to diabetic cardiomyopathy (DbCM), which is marked by metabolic imbalances such as elevated blood glucose and lipid levels, leading to significant structural and functional alterations in the myocardium. Elevated free fatty acids (FFAs) and hyperglycemia play critical roles in DbCM development, with FFAs inducing insulin resistance in cardiomyocytes and promoting lipid accumulation, resulting in oxidative stress and fibrosis. Current research suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may effectively mitigate DbCM, although an effective treatment for this condition remains elusive, and the precise mechanisms of this protective effect are not fully understood.

Immunoregulatory programs in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis identified by single-cell multi-omics analysis.

Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDARE) is a prevalent type of autoimmune encephalitis caused by antibodies targeting the NMDAR's GluN1 subunit. While significant progress has been made in elucidating the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases, the immunological mechanisms underlying anti-NMDARE remain elusive. This study aimed to characterize immune cell interactions and dysregulation in anti-NMDARE by leveraging single-cell multi-omics sequencing technologies.

Integrative analysis of miRNAs and proteins in plasma extracellular vesicles of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aims: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disease that leads to early-onset atherosclerosis. Causative mutations in FH-related genes are found in 60-80 % of patients, while epigenetic factors may contribute to mutation-negative cases. This study analyzed miRNAs and proteins from plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) of FH patients to explore their contribution in FH diagnosis.