KLF13 Loss-of-Function Mutations Underlying Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), characterized by progressive left ventricular enlargement and systolic dysfunction, is the most common type of cardiomyopathy and a leading cause of heart failure and cardiac death. Accumulating evidence underscores the critical role of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of DCM, and >250 genes have been implicated in DCM to date. However, DCM is of substantial genetic heterogeneity, and the genetic basis underpinning DCM remains elusive in most cases.

Association of neck circumference and cognitive impairment among Chinese elderly.

Objectives: To investigate the association between neck circumference (NC) and cognitive impairment and interactions between relevant variables to the risk of cognitive impairment.

Methods: A population-based survey was conducted among elderly inhabitants aged 60 years and over from a community in Shanghai suburb. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations and log likelihood ratio tests to examine interactions.

Human Urinary kallidinogenase promotes good recovery in ischemic stroke patients with level 3 hypertension.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Human Urinary kallidinogenase (HUK) in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with level 3 hypertension.

Methods: In this retrospective study, from January 2015 to June 2016, 150 consecutive AIS patients were registered in our database. Among them, 47 with level 3 hypertension received either HUK treatment (HUK group, 22 cases) or basic treatment (control group, 25 cases).