Regulation of the -Adrenergic Receptor Signaling Pathway in Sustained Ligand-Activated Preconditioning.

Sustained ligand-activated preconditioning (SLP), induced with chronic opioid receptor (OR) agonism, enhances tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion injury in young and aged hearts. Underlying mechanisms remain ill-defined, although early data implicate phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) during the induction phase, and -adrenoceptor ( -AR), G alpha subunit (G ), and protein kinase A (PKA) involvement in subsequent cardioprotection. Here, we tested for induction of a protective -AR/G /PKA signaling axis with SLP to ascertain whether signaling changes were PI3K-dependent (by sustained cotreatment with wortmannin), and whether the downstream PKA target Rho kinase (ROCK) participates in subsequent cardioprotection (by acute treatment with fasudil).

Prevalence and Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Ostial Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights From a Multicenter Chronic Total Occlusion Registry.

Background: Ostial chronic total occlusions (CTOs) can be challenging to recanalize.

Methods: We sought to examine the prevalence, angiographic presentation, and procedural outcomes of ostial (side-branch ostial and aorto-ostial) CTOs among 1000 CTO percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed in 971 patients between 2015 and 2017 at 14 centres in the US, Europe, and Russia.

Results: Ostial CTOs represented 16.

In-hospital Outcomes of Attempting More Than One Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion Through Percutaneous Intervention During the Same Procedure.

The frequency and outcomes of patients who underwent chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of more than one CTO during the same procedure have received limited study. We compared the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of patients who underwent treatment of single versus >1 CTOs during the same procedure in 20 centers from the United States, Europe, and Russia. A total of 2,955 patients were included: mean age was 65 ± 10 years and 85% were men with high prevalence of previous myocardial infarction (46%), and previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (33%).

New Perspectives in Rheumatology: Implications of the Cardiovascular Safety of Febuxostat and Allopurinol in Patients With Gout and Cardiovascular Morbidities Trial and the Associated Food and Drug Administration Public Safety Alert.

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public safety alert, responding to the results of the now-published Cardiovascular Safety of Febuxostat and Allopurinol in Patients With Gout and Cardiovascular Morbidities (CARES) trial. The CARES trial showed no significant difference between allopurinol and febuxostat in the primary composite end point of cardiovascular (CV) events in subjects with gout and established CV comorbidities at baseline. However, there was a significantly increased risk of CV and all-cause mortality with febuxostat.

Prevalence, Presentation and Treatment of 'Balloon Undilatable' Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights from a Multicenter US Registry.

Background: The prevalence, treatment and outcomes of balloon undilatable chronic total occlusions (CTOs) have received limited study.

Methods: We examined the prevalence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, and procedural outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for balloon undilatable CTOs in a contemporary multicenter US registry.

Results: Between 2012 and 2017 data on balloon undilatable lesions were available for 425 consecutive CTO PCIs in 415 patients in whom guidewire crossing was successful: 52 of 425 CTOs were balloon undilatable (12%).

Impact of diabetes mellitus on acute outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in chronic total occlusions: insights from a US multicentre registry.

Aim: To examine the impact of diabetes mellitus on procedural outcomes of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion.

Methods: We assessed the impact of diabetes mellitus on the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion among 1308 people who underwent such procedures at 11 US centres between 2012 and 2015.

Results: The participants' mean ± sd age was 66 ± 10 years, 84% of the participants were men and 44.

Comparison of various scores for predicting success of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Various scoring systems have been developed to predict the technical outcome and procedural efficiency of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We examined the predictive capacity of 3 CTO PCI scores (Clinical and Lesion-related [CL], Multicenter CTO registry in Japan [J-CTO] and Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention [PROGRESS CTO] scores) in 664 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2016 at 13 US centers.

Results: Technical success was 88% and the retrograde approach was utilized in 41%.

Development and Validation of a Scoring System for Predicting Periprocedural Complications During Percutaneous Coronary Interventions of Chronic Total Occlusions: The Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention (PROGRESS CTO) Complications Score.

Background: High success rates are achievable for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the hybrid approach, but periprocedural complications remain of concern. Although scores estimating success and efficiency in CTO PCI have been developed, there is currently no available score for estimation of the risk for periprocedural complications. We sought to develop a scoring tool for prediction of periprocedural complications during CTO PCI.

Prevalence, indications and management of balloon uncrossable chronic total occlusions: Insights from a contemporary multicenter US registry.

Background: Balloon uncrossable lesions can be challenging to treat, requiring specialized techniques and equipment.

Methods: We examined the prevalence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, management and procedural outcomes of balloon uncrossable lesions in a multicenter chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry.

Results: Between 2012 and 2016, 718 CTO PCIs (in which the occlusion was successfully crossed with a guidewire) were performed in 701 patients at 11 US centers.

Use of Intravascular Imaging During Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Contemporary Multicenter Registry.

Background: Intravascular imaging can facilitate chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods And Results: We examined the frequency of use and outcomes of intravascular imaging among 619 CTO percutaneous coronary interventions performed between 2012 and 2015 at 7 US centers. Mean age was 65.

Effect of Lesion Age on Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Contemporary US Multicenter Registry.

Background: We sought to determine the effect of lesion age on procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We examined the characteristics and outcomes of 394 CTO PCIs with data on lesion age, performed between 2012 and 2016 at 11 experienced US centres.

Results: Mean patient age was 66 ± 10 years and 85.

Guidewire and microcatheter utilization patterns during antegrade wire escalation in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from a contemporary multicenter registry.

Objectives: We sought to describe contemporary guidewire and microcatheter utilization for antegrade wire escalation (AWE) during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: Equipment utilization for AWE has been variable and evolving over time.

Methods: We examined device utilization during 694 AWE attempts in 679 patients performed at 15 experienced US centers between May 2012 and April 2015.

Use of antegrade dissection re-entry in coronary chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in a contemporary multicenter registry.

Background: We assessed efficacy and safety of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using antegrade dissection re-entry (ADR).

Methods: We examined outcomes of ADR among 1313 CTO PCIs performed at 11 US centers between 2012-2015.

Results: 84.

Distinct pathways of cholesterol biosynthesis impact on insulin secretion.

Results from previous investigations have indicated that glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is affected by changes in cholesterol and its intermediates, but the precise link between secretion and cholesterol has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we show the contribution of both protein isoprenylation and cholesterol-dependent plasma membrane structural integrity to insulin secretion in INS-1E cells and mouse islets. Acute (2 h) inhibition of hydroxyl-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase by simvastatin (SIM) resulted in inhibition of GSIS without reduction in total cellular cholesterol content.

New options for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (narrative review).

Moderate weight loss (>5%), which has been associated with improvements in glycemic parameters in patients with dysglycemia, also reduces the presence of other comorbidities, including dyslipidemia and hypertension, culminating in a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes are the recommended preliminary approach to weight loss, with an initial weight-loss goal of 10% of body weight achieved over 6 months at a rate of 1-2 pounds per week selected as an appropriate target to decrease the severity of obesity-related risk factors. Implementing and maintaining the lifestyle changes associated with weight loss can, however, be challenging for many patients.

Cost-effectiveness of a mailed educational reminder to increase colorectal cancer screening.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are low in many areas and cost-effective interventions to promote CRC screening are needed. Recently in a randomized controlled trial, a mailed educational reminder increased CRC screening rates by 16.2% among U.

Effects of colesevelam on glucose absorption and hepatic/peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: Colesevelam lowers glucose and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study examined the mechanisms by which colesevelam might affect glucose control.

Methods: In this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects with type 2 diabetes and haemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) ≥7.

Multisite reliability of cognitive BOLD data.

Investigators perform multi-site functional magnetic resonance imaging studies to increase statistical power, to enhance generalizability, and to improve the likelihood of sampling relevant subgroups. Yet undesired site variation in imaging methods could off-set these potential advantages. We used variance components analysis to investigate sources of variation in the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal across four 3-T magnets in voxelwise and region-of-interest (ROI) analyses.

Human intestinal MUC17 mucin augments intestinal cell restitution and enhances healing of experimental colitis.

Unlabelled: The membrane-bound mucins, MUC17 (human) and Muc3 (mouse), are highly expressed on the apical surface of intestinal epithelia and are thought to be cytoprotective. The extracellular regions of these mucins contain EGF-like Cys-rich segments (CRD1 and CRD2) connected by an intervening linker domain (L). The purpose of this study was to determine the functional activity of human MUC17 membrane-bound mucin.