Abstract Background Aortic diameter is a critical parameter for the diagnosis of aortic dilated diseases. Aortic dilation has some common risk factors with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate potential influence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and the measures of subclinical atherosclerosis on aortic diameter of specific segments among adults. Methods Four hundred and eight patients with cardiovascular risk factors were prospectively recruited in the observational study. Comprehensive transthoracic M-mode, 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed using commercial and clinical diagnostic ultrasonography techniques. The aortic dimensions were assessed at different levels: (1) the annulus, (2) the mid-point of the sinuses of Valsalva, (3) the sinotubular junction, (4) the ascending aorta at the level of its largest diameter, (5) the transverse arch (including proximal arch, mid arch, distal arch), (6) the descending aorta posterior to the left atrium, and (7) the abdominal aorta just distal to the origin of the renal arteries. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used for evaluating aortic diameter-related risk factors, including common cardiovascular risk factors, co-morbidities, subclinical atherosclerosis, lipid profile, and hematological parameters. Results Significant univariate relations were found between aortic diameter of different levels and most traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid intima-media thickness was significantly correlated with diameter of descending and abdominal aorta. Multivariate linear regression showed potential effects of age, sex, body surface area and some other cardiovascular risk factors on aortic diameter enlargement. Among them, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had a significantly positive effect on the diameter of ascending and abdominal aorta. Diastolic blood pressure was observed for the positive associations with diameters of five thoracic aortic segments, while systolic blood pressure was only independently related to mid arch diameter. Conclusion Aortic segmental diameters were associated with diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherosclerosis diseases and other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and some determinants still need to be clarified for a better understanding of aortic dilation diseases.
Background and Objective: Aortic diameter is a critical parameter for the diagnosis of aortic aneurysm. In non-aneurysm patients, a large infrarenal aortic diameter are also a risk for all-cause mortality. Additionally, aortic dimension is associated with several risk factors of coronary artery disease; the measure of subclinical disease; a predictor of incident congestive heart failure; stroke risk; and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors and potential alternative pathogenic mechanisms of aortic dilatation. Methods and Results: Five hundred and twenty patients with clinically evident arterial disease or cardiovascular risk factors were prospectively recruited. Comprehensive transthoracic M-mode, 2-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed using commercially and clinical diagnostic ultrasonography technique. The aortic dimensions were assessed at end-diastole at the different levels: (1) the annulus, (2) the mid-point of the sinuses of Valsalva, (3) the sinotubular junction, (4) the ascending aorta at the level of its largest diameter, (5) the transverse arch, (6) the descending aorta posterior to the left atrium, and (7) the abdominal aorta just distal to the origin of the renal arteries. The relationships of aortic dimensions with clinical characteristics were assessed by linear multiple regression analysis. Variables analyzed included common cardiovascular risk factors, co-morbidities, lipid profile, hematological parameters. Age and diastolic blood pressure were positively associated with the diameters of arch, descending, ascending and abdominal aorta. In contrast, female gender and hypertension were negatively associated with the diameters of arch, descending, ascending and abdominal aorta. The presence of coronary arterial disease were positively associated with arch diameter, whereas High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were positively associated with the diameters of ascending, descending and abdominal aorta. Effects from other factors varied among aortic segments. Conclusion: Aortic segmental diameters are influenced by both common and segment-specific factors.
BackgroundPharmacologic therapies, risk factor control, and lifestyle alterations were independently proven to reduce long-term cardiovascular events. However, comprehensive research examining the extent to which individuals aged 75 and above in the United States adhere to national guidelines for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease is limited. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to examine the current state of secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in persons 75 years of age and older in the United States and to examine the factors that contribute to inadequate drug utilization and poor control of numerous risk factors.MethodsWe identified patients over 75 years of age with coronary heart disease based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018 and analyzed the adequacy of risk factor control and adherence to lifestyle and medication recommendations to assess the effectiveness of coronary heart disease management. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with uncontrolled risk factors or noncompliance with recommended medications.ResultsWe collected information from 1566 known coronary heart disease patients aged ≥75 years of age. The majority were at target goals for blood pressure (58.88%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (66.85%), and glycated hemoglobin (76.12%). Only 27.8% and 36.06% were at targets for body mass index and waist circumference, respectively. 91.95% reported smoking cessation, 85.98% followed recommended alcohol consumption, whereas only 10.34% reported sufficient physical activity. For β blockers, angiotensin -converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, and antiplatelet drugs, the utilization of indicated therapy was 54.41%, 49.36%, 54.79%, and 19.03%, respectively (6.26% for all 4 medications). The results of the logistic regression analysis demonstrated that diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome were critical markers of numerous uncontrolled risk variables as well as noncompliance with medication regimens.ConclusionsA vast majority of coronary heart disease patients ≥75 years in the USA exhibited suboptimal overall control of critical coronary heart disease risk factors. For this patient population, more knowledge is necessary to enable patients to receive continuous support, guidance, and counseling.
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases worldwide, which generates huge health and economic burdens on humanity. The anti-atherosclerosis activities of glucuronomannan oligosaccharides (Gs) and sulphated glucuronomannan oligosaccharides (SGs) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Among these Gs and SGs, G6S1 (higher sulphated glucuronomannan hexamer) decreased the expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), then down-regulated NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce the release of TNF-α and IL-1β, and targeted PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance autophagy in a dose-dependent manner, which showed the best anti-atherosclerosis activity. Moreover, data showed that G6S1 improves liver function, reduced the progression and promoted the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques, and also decreases LOX-1 expression in plaque macrophages in ApoE-/- mice. In summary, our data indicated that sulfated glucuronomannan hexamer exhibited the anti-atherosclerosis through down-regulating LOX-1 in macrophages, and the degree of polymerization and sulphation had essential roles in anti-atherosclerosis bioactivity of oligosaccharides.
Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) had been reported to be involved in the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms of EMMPRIN and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) contributed to the onset and severity of CHD. One thousand seventy patients suspected to have CHD were enrolled into the study. Each patient had undergone coronary angiogram, and the severity of coronary artery stenosis was assessed by Gensini score. Eight hundred twelve patients were confirmed to have CHD, while 258 patients were selected as non-CHD control. All patients were genotyped for five EMMPRIN polymorphisms (rs8259, rs28915400, rs4919859, rs6758, and rs8637) and one MMP-9 polymorphism (rs3918242) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and confirmed by direct sequencing. EMMPRIN polymorphism rs8259 and MMP-9 polymorphism rs3918242 were found to be associated with CHD (rs8259: AT vs. AA, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.038, adjusted 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.080–3.847, p = 0.028; rs3918242: CT vs. CC, adjusted OR = 0.607, adjusted 95% CI = 0.403–0.916, p = 0.017, TT vs. CC, adjusted OR = 2.559, adjusted 95% CI = 1.326–4.975, p = 0.006). No crossover effects were observed although a single environmental or genetic factor had an impact on the occurrence of CHD. The value of the Gensini score revealed that severity of CHD decreased in the rs3918242 CT carriers in both the male and female population. Our study suggested that EMMPRIN rs8259 and MMP-9 rs3918242 polymorphisms may contribute to pathological process of CHD. It could play a critical role in the prediction of CHD.
To construct recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector containing angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1) gene and to express the ANG-1 in targeting cells.ANG-1 cDNA was obtained from human spleen by RT-PCR and was inserted into AAV vectors to form rAAV ANG-1, the virus stocks in high titer were harvested. The rAAVANG-1 and rAAV GFP were transferred into pig mesenchymal stem cells and the expression of ANG-1 was detected by Western blot.The cloned ANG-1 cDNA was 1515bp in length which was in accordance with that reported previously. Titration of rAAVANG-1 stock was 9 X 10(11)v.g/ml. The expression of ANG-1 gene was detected in transfected cells. Forty-eight hours after rAAV GFP was transfected into mesenchymal stem cells, 55% cells expressed GFP.The constructed rAAV ANG-1 vector has successfully transfered and expressed in pig mesenchymal stem cells.
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common and life‑threatening cardiovascular diseases. However, the ability to diagnose AMI within 3 h is currently lacking. The present study aimed to identify the differentially expressed proteins of AMI within 3 h and to investigate novel biomarkers using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (ITRAQ) technology. A total of 30 beagle dogs were used for establishing the MI models successfully by injecting thrombin powder and a polyethylene microsphere suspension. Serum samples were collected prior to (0 h) and following MI (1, 2 and 3 h). ITRAQ‑coupled liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS) technology was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins. The bioinformatics analysis selected several key proteins in the initiation of MI. Further analysis was performed using STRING software. Finally, western blot analysis was used to evaluate the results obtained from ITRAQ. In total, 28 proteins were upregulated and 23 were downregulated in the 1 h/0 h group, 28 proteins were upregulated and 26 were downregulated in the 2 h/0 h group, and 24 proteins were upregulated and 19 were downregulated in the 3 h/0 h group. The Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and functional enrichment analysis identified 19 key proteins. Protein‑protein interactions (PPIs) were investigated using the STRING database. GO enrichment analysis revealed that a number of key proteins, including ATP synthase F1 subunit β (ATP5B), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 and cytochrome c, were components of the electron transport chain and were involved in energy metabolism. The western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of ATP5B decreased significantly at all three time points (P<0.01), which was consistent with the ITRAQ results, whereas the expression of fibrinogen γ chain increased at 2 and 3 h (P<0.01) and the expression of integrator complex subunit 4 increased at all three time points (P<0.01), which differed from the ITRAQ results. According to the proteomics of the beagle dog MI model, ATP5B may serve as the potential biomarkers of AMI. Mitochondrial dysfunction and disruption of the electron transport chain may be critical indicators of early MI within 3 h. These finding may provide a novel direction for the diagnosis of AMI.
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