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The relation between hypoalbuminemia and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been established. However, the association of increased albumin level and outcomes of CAD has not been investigated. There were 14 994 CAD patients from the PRACTICE study, which is a large, single center prospective cohort study based on case records and follow-up registry performed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from Dec. 2016 to Oct. 2021 in the present study. All the 14 994 patients were divided into five categories according albumin levels: <35 g/L group (n = 1 478), 35–40 g/L group (n = 5 007), 40–45 g/L group (n = 6 076), 45–50 g/L group (n = 1 835), and ≥50 g/L group (n = 598). A total of 448 all-cause deaths(ACD), 333 cardiac deaths (CD), 1 162 MACEs and 1 276 MACCEs were recorded during up to 60-months follow-up period. After adjusting for confounders, we observed a non-linear relation for either MACE or MACCE with the lowest risk at 45 g/L of albumin levels. A threshold value of albumin ≥50 g/L was associated with an increased risk for either MACE (adjusted HR=1.617, 95%CI:1.130–2.315, P = 0.009) or MACCE (adjusted HR= 1.439, 95%CI: 1.007–2.056, P = 0.045) in multivariable Cox regression model. For mortality, we only found decreased (<35 g/L) but not increased albumin level was associated with either ACD (HR=2.744, 95%CI: 1.631–4.617, P <0.001) or CD (HR=2.736, 95%CI: 1.484–5.045, P = 0.001). In the present study, a U-shaped curve relation was identified between albumin levels and MACE and MACCE in CAD patients, with the lowest risk at 45 g/L levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multi-factor complex trait and is heritable, especially in early-onset families. However, the genetic factors affecting the susceptibility of early-onset CAD are not fully characterized. Methods: In the present study, we identified a rare nonsense variant in the CYP17A1 gene from a Chinese Han family with CAD. To validate the effect of this variation on atherosclerosis and early-onset coronary artery disease, we conducted studies on population, cells, and mice. Results: The mutation precisely congregated with the clinical syndrome in all the affected family members and was absent in unaffected family members and unrelated controls. Similar to the human phenotype, the CYP17A1-deficient mice present the phenotype of metabolic syndrome with hypertension, increased serum glucose concentration, and presentation of central obesity and fatty liver. Furthermore, CYP17A1 knockout mice or CYP17A1 + ApoE double knockout mice developed more atherosclerotic lesions than wild type (WT) with high fat diary. In cell models, CYP17A1 was found to be involved in glucose metabolism by increasing glucose intake and utilization, through activating IGF1/mTOR/HIF1-α signaling way, which was consistent in CYP17A1 knockout mice with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Conclusions: Through our study of cells, mice and humans, we identified CYP17A1 as a key protein participating in the pathophysiology of the atherosclerotic process and the possible mechanism of CYP17A1 C987X mutation induced atherosclerosis and early-onset CAD involving glucose homeostasis regulation was revealed. 4TTV6qaEtBhVuN78SSsyWi Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid trimethoxy silane-functionalized cis-polybutadiene (cis-PB-Si(OMe)3), possessing number-average molecular weights of cis-PB segments (Mn,PB) ranging from 1800 g/mol to 5400 g/mol, with cis-1,4 content of ca. 80% and high functionality (>96%) could be synthesized by coordination copolymerization of living cis-PB chain ends with ethenyltrimethoxy-silane with neodymium-based catalytic system. The silicon hydroxyl-functionalized cis-polybutadiene (cis-PB-Si(OH)3)-based micelles in water have been achieved by in situ hydrolysis of cis-PB-Si(OMe)3 in hexane/water mixture (pH=6.8) at 70 °C and by sequential removal of residue hexane. The size of the above micelles with soft elastic cis-PB cores could be remarkably enlarged by loading SiO2 nanoparticles on their surfaces via hydrogen bonding interaction. Giant supramolecular long chain aggregates or networks formed by hydrogen bonding interaction and possible O—Si—O chemical bonds between cis-PB-Si(OH)3-based micellar surfaces had relatively large size and thus precipitated from water after several months of storage, leading to production of cis-PB-Si(OH)3 solid elastomer with extremely low Tg at −107.0 °C. The left cis-PB-Si(OH)3-based micelles in water with relatively small size gradually formed the water-insoluble cis-PB-Si(OH)3-based supramolecular aggregates or networks. The cis-PB-Si(OH)3-based supramolecular elastomer exhibited excellent self-healing property within 60 s at 25 °C. The elastomer (20 mg) in a joint of 25 mm × 30 mm (2.7 mg/cm2) provided very strong adhesion for two pieces of glass and the bound glass keep unchanged at room temperature for 98 h even hung with 100 g of steel column below. The cis-PB-Si(OH)3-based supramolecular elastomer would have potential applications in adhesives, self-healing materials, damping materials and elastic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A series of chalcone skeleton were synthesized with high yield up to 97%. • The molecules were based on AIE + ESIPT stagey. • The compound could be used as "On-Off" probe for basic system. • The compound showed excellent selectivity and sensitivity for pH. • The compound exhibited low biotoxicity and stability in cell. A series of "turn off" pH fluorescence probes with chalcone skeleton for basic system have been developed. The molecules emitted bright yellow fluorescence under acidic condition, resulting AIE coupled ESIPT characteristic and ICT process. What's more, the compounds exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity for detecting pH as a facile "On-Off" fluorescence probe, and the fluorescence of them were quenched with the ESIPT process interrupted under alkaline condition. Theoretical calculation for the related compounds also performed to verify the electron effect on photophysical properties and confirm the rational speculation on the mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The condition of COVID-19-related myocarditis has emerged as a prominent contributor to COVID-19 mortality. As the epidemic persists, its incidence continues to rise. Despite ongoing efforts, the elucidation of COVID-19-related myocarditis underlying molecular mechanisms still requires further investigation. Hub genes for COVID-19-related myocarditis were screened by integrating gene expression profile analysis via differential expression in COVID-19 (GSE196822) and myocarditis (GSE148153 and GSE147517). After verification with independent datasets (GSE211979, GSE167028, GSE178491 and GSE215865), the hub genes were studied using a range of systems-biology approaches, such as ceRNA, TF-mRNA networks and PPI networks, as well as gene ontology, pathway enrichment, immune infiltration analysis and drug target identification. TBKBP1 and ERGIC1 were identified as COVID-19-related myocarditis hub genes via integrated bioinformatics analysis. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curves constructed based on the expression levels of TBKBP1 and ERGIC1 could effectively distinguish healthy control individuals from patients with COVID-19. Functional enrichment analysis suggested several enriched biological pathways related to inflammation and immune response. Immune cell changes correlated with TBKBP1 and ERGIC1 levels in patients with COVID-19 or patients with COVID-19 and myocarditis. Tamibarotene, methotrexate and theophylline were identified as a potential drug targeting TBKBP1 and ERGIC1. TBKBP1 and ERGIC1 were identified as crucial genes in the development of COVID-19-related myocarditis and have demonstrated a strong association with innate antiviral immunity. The present work may be helpful for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms and new therapeutic drug targets correlated with myocarditis in COVID-19. • Potential drugs targeting the central genes of novel coronavirus-associated myocarditis were predicted. This study will provide new molecular mechanisms and targets for novel coronavirus pneumonia-associated myocarditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: Chromatographic purification of Sigesbeckia glabrescens extracts led to three undescribed ent‐pimarane diterpenoid dimers, named glabreside A—C (1—3). Their structures were confirmed by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and the structures of compound 1 and 3 were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The results of anti‐inflammatory activity assay showed that glabreside C (3) exhibited the most potent inhibition activity on nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV2 microglia compared with the other two compounds. Glabreside C also increased the protein expression level of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), and suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in LPS‐stimulated BV2 cells. Mechanistically, glabreside C exerts its anti‐inflammatory effect by inhibiting AKT/MAPKs signaling pathway. These findings indicate the vital role of ent‐pimarane diterpenoid dimers in explaining the anti‐inflammatory activity of S. glabrescens and provide important evidence for further development and utilization of Sigesbeckiae Herba. These results also suggest that glabreside C is a potential lead compound for anti‐inflammatory drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β secretion plays an important role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Curcumin has been shown to improve cognitive impairment and learning ability of AD mice by reducing IL-1β secretion. However, its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. In the present study, we explored the relationship between the neuroprotective effect of curcumin and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Methods: BV2 cells were primed with 500 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 4 h and subsequently treated with 50 μM Aβ25-35 for 24 h or pretreated with 2.5–10 μM curcumin for 4 h and exposed to 50 μM Aβ25-35 for 24 h. The effects of curcumin and Aβ25-35 were assessed by the CCK8 assay. ELISA was used for the detection of IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in the supernatant of the cell culture medium. The viability of SH-SY5Y cells, which were incubated with conditioned medium (CM) was assessed using the CCK8 assay. The percentage of apoptotic SH-SY5Y cells incubated with CM was assessed using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining flow cytometry analysis. The expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β were observed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining analyses; the mRNA levels of nlrp3, caspase-1 and IL-1β were analyzed using qRT-PCR. Results: Low (2.5 μM), medium (5 μM), and high (10 μM) concentrations of curcumin and 50 μM Aβ25-35 were used to perform the experiments in the present study. Curcumin attenuated the IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α release and increased SH-SY5Y cell activity, while decreasing the apoptotic percentage of SH-SY5Y cells using Aβ25-35 for cell stimulation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, curcumin inhibited the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β and nlrp3 in BV-2 cells (p < 0.05), However, curcumin did not affect the expression levels of caspase-1 and IL-1β (p > 0.05) Conclusion: Overall, the data indicated that curcumin is a promising neuroprotective agent for suppressing neuroinflammation by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gynecologic cancers are among the most prevalent malignancies in China. Cervical and uterine cancer respectively account for the sixth and eighth highest incidence of cancer among Chinese women. Abdominal surgery is one of the important treatment methods for gynecological tumors. However, the tumor- and surgery-related symptom burden are not well studied owing to a lack of a standardized and validated assessment tool in the Chinese population. The study aimed to translate and validate the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for measuring perioperative symptom burden in gynecologic cancer patients (MDASI-PeriOp-GYN) and examine the utility of the Chinese version of MDASI-PeriOp-GYN.Methods: The MDASI-PeriOp-GYN was translated in a stepwise manner. First, two native speakers independently translated the 9 PeriOp-GYN symptom items. Then the nine items were translated back into English by two different bilingual translators. After discussion and revision, the four translators reached an agreement. Finally, the finalized Chinese version was administered to women with three common gynecologic cancer types (cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers) recruited from the gynecological oncology department of Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute between July and October 2019. The reliability and validity of the translated version were assessed.Results: Overall, 324 women with gynecologic cancers were enrolled. Cronbach's α values were 0.826 and 0.735 for the symptom severity and interference scales, respectively. Test-retest reliability values were 0.885, 0.873, and 0.914 for symptom severity, PeriOp-GYN, and interference scales. Significant correlations were found between the MDASI-PeriOp-GYN-C and EORTC QLQ-C30 along with the QLQ-OV28 module (- 0.608-0.871, P < 0.001). Known-group validity was supported by significant differences in the scores of the four scales grouped by time intervals, surgery type, and functional status (all P < 0.01).Conclusions: The MDASI-PeriOp-GYN-C is a valid and reliable tool for measuring symptoms in Chinese patients undergoing surgery for gynecologic cancers. The tool could be used in clinical practice and clinical trials to instantly gather patients' health and quality of life data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of long-term (>18 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 3205 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after PCI from CORFCHD-PCI, a retrospective cohort study (Identifier: ChiCTR-ORC-16010153), were divided into two groups: monotherapy of aspirin or clopidogrel group (SAPT group, n = 2188 and DAPT group, n = 1017) according to whether to discontinue DAPT 18 months after PCI. After propensity matching analysis (PSM), we included 1017 patients in the DAPT group and 1017 patients in the SAPT group. All the patients were followed-up for at least 18 months and the longest follow-up time is 120 months. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACEEs) and bleeding events. We also selected 178 patients for detection of claudin-3 and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and 58 patients for 16s RNA sequencing of whole blood. The incidences of MACEs (13.9% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.001) and MACCEs (16.3% vs. 10.0%, p < 0.001) were significantly increased in the DAPT group compared to the SAPT group. We also found DAPT increased the bleeding events compared to SAPT (4.6% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.048). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that in the DAPT group, cumulative risk of MACCEs increased 1.797 times (HR = 1.797, 95%CI: 1.429–2.226, p < 0.001), MACEs increased 1.737 times (HR = 1.737, 95%CI: 1.360–2.218, p < 0.001) and the bleeding events increased 2.129 times (HR = 2.129, 95%CI: 1.388–3.266, p = 0.001) compared to the SAPT group. We also found the plasma concentrations of claudin-3 and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) were significantly higher in patients in the DAPT group compared with patients in the SAPT group (both p < 0.001). Correspondingly, the abundance of blood intestinal bacteria in the DAPT group was significantly increased compared to that in the SAPT group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, high-throughput metabolomics analysis suggested that serum level of ceramide (d18:1/16:0) and Neu5Ac was significantly increased in the DAPT group compared to the SAPT group (both p < 0.001). The present study suggests that long-term dual antiplatelet therapy longer than 18 months significantly increases the incidence of both ischemic events and bleeding events after PCI. This preliminary study also indicates that long-term DAPT causes intestinal injury, which induces translocation of intestinal bacteria into the bloodstream. [Display omitted] • This study suggested long-term DAPT increased bleeding events and ischemic events. • This study provided a basis for shortening duration of DAPT in patients who underwent PCI. • Long-term DAPT increasing ischemic events and bleedings may be associated with intestinal injury. • Important differences were found in the blood microbiome of patients with long-term DAPT. • Blood bacterial DNA concentration, ceramide (d18:1/16:0), and Neu5Ac increased in long-term DAPT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β secretion plays an important role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Curcumin has been shown to improve cognitive impairment and learning ability of AD mice by reducing IL-1β secretion. However, its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. In the present study, we explored the relationship between the neuroprotective effect of curcumin and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Methods: BV2 cells were primed with 500 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 4 h and subsequently treated with 50 μM Aβ25-35 for 24 h or pretreated with 2.5–10 μM curcumin for 4 h and exposed to 50 μM Aβ25-35 for 24 h. The effects of curcumin and Aβ25-35 were assessed by the CCK8 assay. ELISA was used for the detection of IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in the supernatant of the cell culture medium. The viability of SH-SY5Y cells, which were incubated with conditioned medium (CM) was assessed using the CCK8 assay. The percentage of apoptotic SH-SY5Y cells incubated with CM was assessed using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining flow cytometry analysis. The expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β were observed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining analyses; the mRNA levels of nlrp3, caspase-1 and IL-1β were analyzed using qRT-PCR. Results: Low (2.5 μM), medium (5 μM), and high (10 μM) concentrations of curcumin and 50 μM Aβ25-35 were used to perform the experiments in the present study. Curcumin attenuated the IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α release and increased SH-SY5Y cell activity, while decreasing the apoptotic percentage of SH-SY5Y cells using Aβ25-35 for cell stimulation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, curcumin inhibited the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β and nlrp3 in BV-2 cells (p < 0.05), However, curcumin did not affect the expression levels of caspase-1 and IL-1β (p > 0.05) Conclusion: Overall, the data indicated that curcumin is a promising neuroprotective agent for suppressing neuroinflammation by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A retrospective cohort study (CORFCHD-PCI, [Identifier: ChiCTR-INR-16010153]) of 6050 patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and treated with PCI from January 2008 to December 2016 were enrolled in the study. The primary outcome was long-term mortality after PCI. Clinical follow-up data of participating patients were obtained during an outpatient examination 35.9 ± 22.6 months after PCI. Demographic and clinical data and admission laboratory parameters were recorded, and patients were categorized into two groups according to RDW level (high group ≥13.1%; low group < 13.1%). Results: Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed RDW as an independent prognosis factor for cardiac death. The incidence of cardiac death increased 1.33 times in patients in the high RDW group (HR, 1.331; 95% CI, 1.009–1.755, P = 0.043). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis suggested that patients with high RDW tended to have an increased accumulated risk of cardiac death. However, we did not found significant differences in the incidence of long-term mortality (adjusted HR = 1.203[0.941–1.537], P = 0.140), MACCE (adjusted HR = 1.128[0.979–1.301], P = 0.096), MACE (adjusted HR = 1.155[0.994–1.341], P = 0.059), stroke, bleeding events or readmission between the two groups. Conclusion: The baseline level of RDW is an independent predictor for cardiac death in post-PCI CAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The relationship between heart rate in CAD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and had long-term outcomes over up to 10 years of follow-up has not been investigated. Methods. All patients were from the CORFCHD-PCI, a retrospective cohort study that included a total of 6050 CAD patients who underwent PCI from January 2008 to December 2016. One patient was excluded due to a lack of heart rate data. Ultimately, 6049 patients were enrolled. The primary outcome was long-term mortality after PCI. Results. Patients were divided into 5 groups according to heart rate quintiles: 1st quintile (heart rate <66 beats/min; n=1123), 2nd quintile (heart rate ≥66 beats/min to 72 beats/min; n=1010), 3rd quintile (heart rate ≥72 beats/min to 78 beats/min; n=1442), 4th quintile (heart rate ≥78 beats/min to 84 beats/min; n=1211), and 5th quintile (heart rate ≥84 beats/min; n=1263). After multivariate Cox regression analyses, the respective risks of ACM, CM, and MACEs were increased 79.1% (hazard risk (HR) = 1.791, 95% CI: 1.207–2.657, P=0.004), 56.9% (HR = 1.569, 95% CI: 1.019–2.416, P=0.041), and 25.5% (HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 0.990–1.590, P=0.060) in the 4th quintile and 98.7% (HR = 1.987, 95% CI: 1.344–2.937, P=0.001), 98.8% (HR = 1.988, 95% CI: 1.310–3.016, P<0.001), and 0.36.1% (HR = 1.361, 95% CI: 1.071–1.730, P=0.012) in the 5th quintile compared with those in the 1st quintile. Patients with a heart rate of ≥80 beats/min had 89.4%, 115.2%, and 39.1% increased risk of ACM, CM, and MACEs, respectively, compared to those patients with a heart rate of <80 beats/min. Conclusion. The present study indicated that the resting heart rate is an independent predictor of adverse long-term outcomes in CAD patients who underwent PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Indole-based bisacylhydrazone derivatives 4a∼4v were synthesized and screened against α-glucosidase. • Compound 4j showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory with IC 50 of 1.01 ± 0.26 µM. • Kinetic studies and in silico studies analyzed the binding between compounds and α-glucosidase. A series of indole-based bisacylhydrazone derivatives 4a∼4v were synthesized and assessed for their α -glucosidase activities. The results presented that all synthesized analogues exhibited excellent to moderate inhibitory effects on α -glucosidase. Compound 4j showed the highest α -glucosidase inhibition (IC 50 : 1.01 ± 0.26 µM). Inhibition kinetics results showed analogues 4j were reversible and mixed-type inhibitors against α -glucosidase. The results of Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed that the binding of α-glucosidase to compound 4j resulted in partial unfolding and loosening of the protein and some secondary structural change. Three dimensional (3D) fluorescence spectrometry predicted the microenvironments change of tyrosine and tryptophan residue and the structure change of the α-glucosidase polypeptide backbone. Molecular docking revealed that compound 4j was well nested into the active pocket of α-glucosidase tightly binding to the amino acid residues of active pocket. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen previously undescribed diterpenoids, including seven ent -pimarane-type diterpenoids and seven phytane-type diterpenes, together with five known ones, were isolated from the aerial parts of Sigesbeckia glabrescens. The structures and absolute configurations of undescribed compounds were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic techniques, ECD calculations, Mo 2 (OAC) 4 -induced ECD, Rh 2 (OCOCF 3) 4 -induced ECD, calculated 13C NMR, and chemical methods. In the anti-inflammatory bioassay, siegetalis H showed potent inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 murine macrophages with an IC 50 value at 17.29 μM. Furthermore, siegetalis H suppressed the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, siegetalis H suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, as well as the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, the AChE inhibition assay displayed that 3- O -acetyldarutigenol had a remarkable inhibitory effect against AChE with an IC 50 value at 7.02 μM. Kinetic study on 3- O -acetyldarutigenol indicated that it acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, and the binding mode was explored by molecular docking. [Display omitted] •14 previously undescribed diterpenoids were obtained from Sigesbeckia glabrescens. • Siegetalis H could exert anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. • 3- O -acetyldarutigenol displayed a remarkable inhibitory effect against AChE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an urgent need to learn more about the epidemiological features of dyslipidemia in youth to address the high burden of cardiovascular disease. Methods: This experiment was an observational, cross-sectional study. The samples were collected from 22,379 college students at Xinjiang Medical University. Result: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 13.17%, which was significantly higher in men (23%) than in women (7.2%), p < 0.01. Similarly, the prevalence rate of obesity in men (11.4%) was significantly higher than that in women (3.4%). The composition of blood lipids, such as triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), began to increase gradually from the age of 22 and showed a sharp increase after the age of 30; however, a reverse trend was present in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In terms of the proportion of dyslipidemia in both men and women, low HDL-C accounted for the largest proportion (74%), followed by elevated TGs (14.5%). The overall distribution of rates of dyslipidemia and excess weight showed a U-shaped trend with increasing age, with the lowest rates seen in the 20–24 age group. Conclusion: Our study sheds light on the epidemiological features of dyslipidemia in young adults and enriches the limited data available on dyslipidemia, providing a reference for the close monitoring and control of risk factors to reduce the occurrence and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The organic–inorganic hybrid compound (C8NH6–CH2CH2NH3)2CuCl4 (AEI–CuCl4) was synthesized from ethanol solution containing copper chloride and 3-2-(aminoethyl) indole hydrochloride (AEI–HCl). High order diffraction peaks corresponding to (0 0 l; l =2, 4, 6, …) observed in the X-ray diffraction profile of AEI–CuCl4 indicated the formation of hybrid crystal with layered perovskite structure. The organic–inorganic hybrid crystal thin film can be easily prepared by spin-coating method from the ethanol solution of the AEI–CuCl4 perovskite and it showed characteristic absorptions of CuCl-based layered perovskite centered at 288 and 388nm, as well as the photoluminescence peak at around 420nm. The unaided-eye-detectable blue fluorescence emission comes from the cooperation of AEI–HCl and AEI–CuCl4 perovskite, in which protonized aminoethyl indole dominates the shape of the spectrum and the enhancement of emission intensity is due to the formation of the perovskite structure. The thermal analysis presented that the AEI–CuCl4 perovskite started to melt at 182°C, together with the beginning of the decomposition of the hybrids. Compared with the organic–inorganic perovskite hybrids reported previously, the AEI–CuCl4 perovskite shows a novel stepwise decomposition behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: It has been confirmed that the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (THR) is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. However, to the best of our knowledge, only a few studies with small sample sizes have investigated the relationship between THR and coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, we aimed to assess the correlation between the THR and long-term mortality in patients with CAD after undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our study that enrolled a large number of patients. Methods: A total of 3269 post-PCI patients with CAD were enrolled in the CORFCHD-ZZ study from January 2013 to December 2017. The mean follow-up time was 37.59 ± 22.24 months. Patients were divided into two groups according to their THR value: the lower group (THR < 2.84, n = 1232) and the higher group (THR ≥ 2.84, n = 2037). The primary endpoint was long-term mortality, including all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM). The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). Results: In our study, ACM occurred in 124 patients: 30 (2.4%) in the lower group and 94 (4.6%) in the higher group (P = 0.002). MACEs occurred in 362 patients: 111 (9.0%) in the lower group and 251 (12.3%) in the higher group (P = 0.003). The number of MACCEs was 482: 152 (12.3%) in the lower group and 320 (15.7%) in the higher group (P = 0.008). Heart failure occurred in 514 patients: 89 (7.2%) in the lower group and 425 (20.9%) in the higher group (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that elevated THR was significantly related to long-term ACM (log-rank, P = 0.044) and the occurrence of heart failure (log-rank, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the THR was an independent predictor of long-term ACM (adjusted HR = 2.042 [1.264–3.300], P = 0.004) and heart failure (adjusted HR = 1.700 [1.347–2.147], P < 0.001). Conclusions: An increased THR is an independent predictor of long-term ACM and heart failure in post-PCI patients with CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relation between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The present study aims to assess the prognostic value of MHR in patients with CAD who underwent PCI. Methods: A total of 673 CAD patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into four groups according to MHR values. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to study the effects of different variables to clinical outcomes reported as major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality (ACM). Results: In a multivariate Cox analysis, after adjustment of other confounders, MHR was found to be an independent predictor of ACM (HR: 3.655; 95% CI: 1.170–11.419, P = 0.026) and MACE (HR =2.390, 95% CI 1.379–4.143, p < 0.002). Having a MHR in the third and fourth quartile were associated with a 2.83-fold and 3.26 -flod increased risk of MACE. Conclusions: MHR is an independent predictor of ACM and MACE in CAD patients undergoing PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in coronary artery disease (CAD) development, but limited attention has been given to the role of the microbiota in preventing this disease. This study aimed to identify key biomarkers using metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics and verify their associations with atherosclerosis. Methods: A total of 371 participants, including individuals with various CAD types and CAD-free controls, were enrolled. Subsequently, significant markers were identified in the stool samples through gut metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. In vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the association between these markers and atherosclerosis. Results: Faecal omics sequencing revealed that individuals with a substantial presence of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii had the lowest incidence of CAD across diverse CAD groups and control subjects. A random forest model confirmed the significant relationship between F. prausnitzii and CAD incidence. Notably, F. prausnitzii emerged as a robust, independent CAD predictor. Furthermore, our findings indicated the potential of the gut microbiota and gut metabolites to predict CAD occurrence and progression, potentially impacting amino acid and vitamin metabolism. F. prausnitzii mitigated inflammation and exhibited an antiatherosclerotic effect on ApoE−/− mice after gavage. This effect was attributed to reduced intestinal LPS synthesis and reinforced mechanical and mucosal barriers, leading to decreased plasma LPS levels and an antiatherosclerotic outcome. Conclusions: Sequencing of the samples revealed a previously unknown link between specific gut microbiota and atherosclerosis. Treatment with F. prausnitzii may help prevent CAD by inhibiting atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by the blockage or spasm of coronary arteries. Evidence shows that liver disease is related to CHD. However, the correlation between the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was unclear. Method. A retrospective cohort study involved 5373 patients with coronary heart disease after PCI was conducted from January 2008 to December 2016. Participants were classified to four groups according to the MELD score by quartiles. The primary endpoint was long-term mortality including all-case mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM). Secondary endpoints included bleeding events, readmission, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), major adverse cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The longest follow-up time was almost 10 years. Results. There were significant differences in the incidences of ACM (p = 0.038) and CM (p = 0.027) among the four MELD groups, but there was no significant difference in MACEs (p = 0.496), MACCEs (p = 0.234), readmission (p = 0.684), and bleeding events (p = 0.232). After adjusting the age, gender, smoking, drinking status, and diabetes by a multivariable Cox regression analysis, MELD remains independently associated with ACM (HR:1.57, 95%CI 1.052–2.354, p = 0.027) and CM (HR:1.434, 95% CI 1.003–2.050, p = 0.048). Conclusion. This study indicated that the MELD score had a strong prediction for long-term mortality in CHD patients who underwent PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse height analyzer (PHA) is an important component of hard X-ray diagnostic to measure energy spectrum in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST). In order to satisfy physics research of high parameters plasma, the energy resolution, time resolution and number of channels of PHA are required to be improved. A Multi-channel and time-division PHA (MTPHA) based on PXIe bus is designed using 16 bit ADC and FPGA as core processing unit, and has a maximum number of channel addresses of 4096 and minimum time resolution of 2 ms. The function of energy spectrum analysis is realized in the FPGA. Moreover, the PXIe communication drive is realized by combination of hardware code in FPGA and LabVIEW software in host computer. The MTPHA performance has been tested in the lab with pulse generator, 152Eu isotope radiation source and tested in plasma discharge of EAST. It is found in the lab that the full width at half maxima (FWHM) of MTPHA is no more than 2 channels, and the linear correlation coefficient R of pulse height and channel address is 1. In EAST, the MTPHA can work well and produce experimental data consistent with other diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical significance of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate (DHEAS) in coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. We performed a meta‐analysis to clarify the correlations between endogenous DHEA(S) and CHD. We performed a literature search without language restriction up to August 10, 2017, and retrieved records from EMBase, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and WanFang databases to identify eligible cohort studies focused on the relation between DHEA(S) and CHD. A total of 26 studies were included in the systematic review and 14 case‐control studies were included in the meta‐analysis,which was performed using RevMan 5.1 and STATA 12. Subgroup analyses were used to discover possible sources of heterogeneity. Quality assessment was carried out using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Heterogeneity analyses were performed using meta‐regression and tests for publication bias were performed. The overall average DHEAS diffusivity of CHD cases was significantly lower than that of controls with a summarized standard (std) mean difference of −0.23(95% CI, −0.45 to −0.01, P = .04). There was no association between DHEA concentration and CHD with a summarized mean difference of −0.07 (95% CI, −0.32 to 0.18, P = .59). No association was found between DHEAS concentration and arteriosclerosis patients with a summarized standard (std) mean difference of −0.46(95% CI, −0.96 to 0.04, P = .07). All of the results had a high degree of heterogeneity. The present study suggested that decreased DHEAS may be associated with coronary heart disease risk but not with arteriosclerosis. We did not find a significant association between DHEA and CHD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) plays a pivotal role in the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, it remains controversial whether PCI delayed beyond the recommended time window of 12 h after the onset of symptoms is applicable to STEMI.Objective: The acute myocardial infarction (AMI) registration study in Xinjiang, China, is a real-world clinical trial (retrospective cohort study) that includes hospitalized patients. The purpose of this study was to compare delayed PCI and medication therapy beyond the recommended time window of 12 h after the onset of symptoms on the outcomes of STEMI patients.Methods and Results: From May 2012 to December 2015, a total of 1072 STEMI patients received delayed PCI (n=594) or standard medication therapy (MT) (n=478) more than 12 h after the onset of symptoms. The number of all-cause deaths in the delayed PCI group and that in the MT group were 55 (9.3%) and 138 (28.9%), respectively, and a significant difference between the groups was indicated for this variable (P<0.001). The number of cardiac deaths in the delayed PCI group and that in the medication therapy group were 47 (7.9%) and 120 (25.1%), respectively, and a significant difference between the groups was indicated for this variable (P<0.001). We also found that the MACE incidence in the delayed PCI group was significantly higher than it was in the MT group (32.2% versus 43.5%, P<0.001). Propensity score matching (PSM) analyses remained significant differences between the delayed PCI group and the MT group, respectively, in all-cause deaths (9.3% versus 25.8%, P<0.001) and cardiac death (8.7% versus 21.6%, P<0.001).Conclusion: Compared to medication therapy, PCI for STEMI delayed beyond 12 h after the onset of symptoms can better reduce mortality and the incidence of MACEs.Trial Registration: This study is registered with the following: Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT02737956. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a common problem following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the best treatment strategy remains uncertain. There is some controversy over the efficacy of drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) and second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) for treating ISR. Methods. A meta-analysis was used to compare the efficacy of the DEB and second-generation DES in the treatment of ISR. The primary endpoint is the incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary endpoint is the occurrence of target vessel revascularization (TVR), myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause death (ACM), cardiac death (CD), major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), minimum luminal diameter (MLD), late luminal loss (LLL), binary restenosis (BR), and percent diameter stenosis (DS%). Results. A total of 12 studies (4 randomized controlled trials and 8 observational studies) including 2020 patients with a follow-up of 6–25 months were included in the present study. There was a significant difference in the MLD between the two groups during follow-up (P=0.007, RR = 0.23, and 95% CI: 0.06–0.4 mm). There was no significant difference in LLL, BR, or DS% and the overall incidence of MACEs between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in the incidence of primary and secondary endpoints when considering RCTs or observational studies only. Conclusions. The efficacy of the DEB and second-generation DES in the treatment of ISR is comparable. However, our results need further verification through multicenter randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is particularly important to establish more effective and safer antiplatelet treatment strategies according to age. The present subanalysis of the PATH-PCI trial was to determine the safety and efficacy of any dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) strategy in different age groups. We randomized 2285 chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) into a standard group or a personalized group from December 2016 to February 2018. The personalized group received personalized antiplatelet therapy (PAT) based on a novel platelet function test (PFT). The standard group received standard antiplatelet therapy (SAT). Then, all patients were divided according to age (under the age of 65 years and aged 65 years or over) to investigate the association and interaction of age on clinical outcomes at 180 days. In the patients under the age of 65 years, the incidence of NACEs was decreased in the personalized group compared to the standard group (5.1% vs. 8.8%, HR: 0.603, 95% CI: 0.409–0.888, P =.010). The rates of MACCEs (3.3% vs. 7.7%, HR: 0.450, 95% CI: 0.285–0.712, P =.001), MACEs (2.2% vs. 5.4%, HR: 0.423, 95% CI: 0.243–0.738, P =.002) also decreased. We did not find a significant difference in bleeding between the groups. In the patients aged 65 years or over, no difference in the primary endpoint was found (4.9% vs. 4.2%, P =.702), and comparable rates of survival were observed with the two strategies (all Ps > 0.05). The present study shows that PAT according to PFT was comparable to SAT at the 180-day follow-up for both ischemic and bleeding endpoints in CCS patients aged 65 years or over who underwent PCI. In patients under the age of 65 years, PAT can reduce ischemic events but does not increase bleeding, and it is an effective and safe treatment strategy. It may be necessary for young CCS patients after PCI to undergo PAT early after PCI. What is the context? The PATH-PCI trial reported that personalized antiplatelet therapy (PAT) based on a novel platelet function test (PFT) can greatly reduce the incidence of ischemic events. Antiplatelet strategies may have very different effects on clinical outcomes in patients in China who are undergoing PCI at different ages. What is new? PL-12 is a new point-of-care platelet function analyzer that is used to test the platelet maximum aggregation rate (MAR). We explored the efficacy and safety of different antiplatelet strategies in chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients in different age groups. What is the impact? PAT according to PFT was comparable to standard antiplatelet therapy (SAT) at the 180-day follow-up for both ischemic and bleeding endpoints in CCS patients aged 65 years or over who underwent PCI. In patients under the age of 65 years, PAT can reduce ischemic events but not increase bleeding. PAT may be an effective and safe treatment strategy in CCS patients under the age of 65 years who underwent PCI. Abbreviation: PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention; CCS: chronic coronary syndrome; DAPT: dual antiplatelet therapy; PAT: personalized antiplatelet therapy; SAT: standard antiplatelet therapy; PFT: platelet function test; NACEs: net adverse clinical events; MACCEs: major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events; MACEs: major adverse cardiovascular events [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural drug resistance is a major cause of antiviral treatment failure. The characteristics of HIV-1 natural drug resistance-associated mutations in former paid blood donors in Henan Province remain unclear. Methods: One hundred and fifty HIV-1-positive plasma samples were collected. Plasma viral RNA was extracted for pol gene amplification and sequencing. The sequencing results were submitted to the HIV-1 drug resistance database for drug-resistance analysis. Results: The rates of natural drug resistance and resistance-associated mutations were 17.7% (19/107) and 40.2% (43/107), respectively. The rates of PI major, PI minor, NRTI, and NNRTI mutations were: 0, 30.8% (33/107), 10.3% (11/107), and 18.7% (20/107), respectively. Nine cases (8.4%) had both NRTI and NNRTI resistance-associated mutations. Seven cases (6.5%) had PI minor, NRTI and NNRTI resistance-associated mutations. NNRTI resistance was the most serious, followed by NRTI resistance and PI resistance. Polymorphism mutation sites with mutation rates in the protease region higher than 60.0% were: L63A/P/S/T 89.7%, V77I 82.2%, I72E/M/K/T/V 80.4%, I93L 75.7%, and E35D 72.9%. Polymorphism mutation sites with mutation rates in the RT region higher than 60.0% were: I135A/L/M/R/T/V 93.5%, T200A/E/I/P/V 89.7%, Q278E/K/N/T 88.8%, S162C/Y 82.2%, and K277R/S 66.4%. The distribution of 107 gene sequences was scattered, with some drug-resistant strains grouped in the same cluster. Conclusion: The natural drug resistance mutation rate of HIV-1 in former paid blood donors in Henan Province was 17.7%, with NNRTI resistance the most serious. The distribution of drug-resistant strains was scattered, with some correlations found in certain resistance loci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of new side-chain cholesteric liquid-crystalline elastomers derived from 4-(10-undecylen-1-yloxy)-4′-(4-ethoxybenzoyloxy)biphenyl and isosorbide di-(10-undecylen-1-ylenate) were synthesized. The chemical structures of the monomers obtained were confirmed by element analyses, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The mesomorphic properties and thermal stability were investigated by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction measurements. The influence of the content of the crosslinking unit on the phase behavior of the elastomers was discussed. Monomer M 1 showed nematic and different smectic (SA, SC, SB) phase on cooling cycle. Elastomers containing less than 27mol% of the crosslinking units revealed elasticity, reversible mesomorphic phase transition, wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability. Experimental results demonstrated that the glass transition temperature, melting temperatures, clearing temperature and mesophase temperature ranges decreased with increasing the content of the crosslinking unit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is referred as liver transaminase and predominantly expressed by hepatocytes. Previous evidences showed that high levels of ALT were reversely associated with short- and long-term outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction. Besides, low lymphocyte has been demonstrated to be significantly correlated with adverse clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, evidences about the relationship between ALT-to-lymphocyte ratio (ALR) and outcomes in CAD patients with normal liver function are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ALR and clinical outcomes in patients with CAD.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study, and a total of 3561 patients were enrolled in Clinical Outcomes and Risk Factors of Patients with CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), from January 2013 to December 2017. After excluding patients with liver dysfunction, we finally enrolled 2714 patients. These patients were divided into two groups according to ALR value: the lower group (ALR < 14.06, n = 1804) and the higher group (ALR ≥ 14.06, n = 910). The average follow-up time was 37.59 ± 22.24 months.Results: We found that there were significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of all-cause mortality (ACM) (P < 0.001) and cardiac mortality (CM) (P=0.010). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that CAD patients with higher ALR tended to have an increased accumulated risk of ACM and CM (log rank P < 0.001 and P=0.006, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that ALR was an independent predictor of ACM (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.017 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.289-3.158), P=0.002) and CM (HR = 1.862 (95% CI: 1.047-3.313), P=0.034). We did not find significant difference in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) between the two groups after adjustments of confounders.Conclusion: Our results indicate that ALR is an independent predictor of long-term adverse outcomes in CAD patients who underwent PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies suggested that baseline white blood cell count and apolipoprotein A1 levels were associated with clinical outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the ratio of baseline white blood cell count-to-apolipoprotein A1 level (WAR) and CAD after PCI have not been investigated. The present study investigated the effects of baseline WAR on long-term outcomes after PCI in patients with CAD. Methods: A total of 6050 patients with CAD who underwent PCI were included in the study. Of these, 372 patients were excluded because no baseline white blood cell counts or apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) data was available or because of malignancies or other diseases. Finally, 5678 patients were enrolled in the present study and were divided into 3 groups according to WAR value: lower group - WAR< 5.25 (n = 1889); median group - 5.25 ≤ WAR≤7.15 (n = 1892); and higher group - WAR≥7.15 (n = 1897). The primary endpoint was long-term mortality, including all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM), after PCI. The average follow-up time was 35.9 ± 22.6 months. Results: A total of 293 patients developed ACM, including 85 (4.5%) patients in the lower group, 90 (4.8%) patients in the median group, and 118 (6.2%) patients in the higher group. The risk of ACM, cardiac mortality (CM), major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) increased 62.6% (hazard risk [HR] =1.626, 95%CI: 1.214–2.179, P = 0.001), 45.5% (HR = 1.455, 95%CI: 1.051–2.014, P = 0.024), 21.2% (HR = 1.212, 95%CI: 1.011–1.454, P = 0.038), and 23.8% (HR = 1.238, 95%CI: 1.025–1.495, P = 0.027), respectively, as determined by multivariate Cox regression analyses comparing the patients in the higher group to patients in the lower group. Patients with a WAR≥4.635 had 92.3, 81.3, 58.1 and 58.2% increased risks of ACM, CM, MACCEs and MACEs, respectively, compared to the patients with WAR< 4.635. Every 1 unit increase in WAR was associated with 3.4, 3.2, 2.0 and 2.2% increased risks of ACM, CM, MACCEs and MACEs, respectively, at the 10-year follow-up. Conclusion: The present study indicated that baseline WAR is a novel and an independent predictor of adverse long-term outcomes in CAD patients who underwent PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the most important factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a novel indicator involved in dyslipidemia. However, the relation between AIP and CAD in postmenopausal women remains unclear. We hypotheses that AIP is a strong predictive indicator of CAD in postmenopausal women. Methods: A propensity score matching case–control study including 348 postmenopausal CAD cases and 348 controls was conducted in the present study. Results: Compared with controls, CAD patients had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (APOB), but lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-1 (APOA-1). The values of nontraditional lipid profiles, including non-HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C (atherogenic index, AI), TC∗TG∗LDL/HDL-C (lipoprotein combine index, LCI), log(TG/HDL-C) (atherogenic index of plasma, AIP) and APOB/APOA-1 were all significantly higher in the CAD patients. The results of Pearson correlation analyses showed AIP was positively and significantly correlated with TC (r = 0.092, P < 0.001), TG (r = 0.775, P = 0.015), APOB (r = 0.140, P < 0.001), non-HDL-C (r = 0.295, P < 0.001), TC/HDL-C (r = 0.626, P < 0.001), LDL-C/HDL-C (r = 0.469, P < 0.001), AI (r = 0.626, P < 0.001), LCI (r = 0.665, P < 0.001), APOB/APOA-1(r = 0.290, P < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with APOA-1 (r = − 0.278, P < 0.001) and HDL-C (r = − 0.665, P < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, AIP was an independent predictor of CAD. After adjusting for the traditional clinical prognostic factors including diabetes and hypertension, we found AIP could be an independent risk factor for CAD (odds ratio [OR], 3.290; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.842–5.877, P < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple clinical factors include diabetes, hypertension, smoking, heart ratio, fasting blood glucose, we found AIP also could a powerful risk factor, OR = 3.619, 95%CI (2.003–6.538), P < 0.001. Conclusion: The present study indicated that AIP might be a strong marker for predicting the risk of CAD in postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sophora flavescens Alt. is widely used in traditional medicine as a functional food ingredient for the treatment of diseases, used as antipyretics, pesticide, and antibacterial agents to treat pruritus and other skin infections. In this study, ten new prenylated flavonoids and analogs (1 – 10) including nine flavanones (1 – 6 and 8 – 9), one flavanol (7), and one chromone (10), along with thirteen known flavonoids (11 – 23), have been obtained from the root barks of Sophora flavescens. Their structures were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. Bioactive assay discovered that 2 R -sophoflavonoid A (2) possessed an excellent ability to suppress the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 2 µg/mL) and low cytotoxicity toward the LO2 cells. Furthermore, the time-kill curves showed compound 2 had the ability to kill S. aureus rapidly. The bactericidal rate of compound 2 was faster than that of ampicillin at the concentration of 10 times MIC, and the bactericidal time of compound 2 was 3 min while ampicillin for 90. Crystal violet assay showed that compound 2 not only inhibited the formation of biofilms but also eradicated mature biofilms in a concentration-dependent mode. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that 2 possessed grateful antibacterial effects through damaging the membrane integrity, stimulating ROS generation, and reducing bacterial metabolism. In summary, these results suggested that compound 2 was a potential lead compound against S. aureus and can also be a candidate for a disinfectant. [Display omitted] • Ten new prenylated flavonoids and derivatives (1 – 10), along with thirteen known flavonoids (11 – 23) isolated from the root barks of Sophora flavescens. • 2 R -sophoflavonoid A (2) exhibited potent antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against S. aureus. • Compound 2 showed rapid bactericidal activity in the time-kill curve. • Compound 2 killed S. aureus by damaging the membrane integrity, stimulating ROS generation, and reducing bacterial metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to identify the best predictor of metabolic syndrome (MetS) by comparing the predicting ability of various anthropometric and atherogenic parameters in the Chinese Han population in Xinjiang. Methods: A representative, cross-sectional sample of 5,757 Chinese Han adults were selected from the Cardiovascular Risk Survey conducted from October 2007 to March 2010. MetS prevalence, area under the curve (AUC), distance on the receiver operating characteristic curve and the cut-offs of each variable were compared for the presence of MetS. Results: According to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) and the Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATPIII), 32.1, 48.5, 39.3% of men and 38.0, 45.1, 44.9% of women had MetS in Xinjiang. According to the IDF criteria, the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) had the highest AUC value in men (0.836) and women (0.837), with the optimal cut-off of 0.54 in men and 0.53 in women. According to both the JIS and ATPIII criteria, triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol TG/HDL-C had the highest AUC value in men (0.830 and 0.833, respectively) and women (0.832 and 0.827, respectively), with the optimal cut-offs being 1.6 and 1.2 in men and 1.1 and 1.1 in women, respectively. Conclusion: WHtR was the best predictor of MetS according to the IDF criteria while TG/HDL-C was the best predictor of MetS according to the JIS and ATPIII criteria. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays a key role in the regulatory network of inflammation. The deletion variant allele of the NFKB1-94 insertion/deletion (ins/del) ATTG promoter polymorphism results in lower transcription levels of the p50 subunit, and the variant allele has been associated with several inflammatory diseases as well as with coronary artery disease (CAD) with inflammation playing an important part in the pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between the human NFKB1 gene polymorphism and CAD in a Han and Uygur population of China. Methods: We used the following two independent case-control studies: a Han population (633 CAD patients and 616 control subjects) and a Uygur population (437 CAD patients and 356 control subjects). All participants were genotyped for the same one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs28362491) of the NFKB1 gene, that is, DD, ATTG deleted homozygote; ID, ATTG inserted and deleted heterozygote and II, ATTG inserted homozygote by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The distribution of the SNP (rs28362491) genotypes was significantly different between CAD and control participants in women of the Han ( p=0.029) and the Uygur ( p=0.032) populations, but not in men. Further, DD carriers of the SNP in the NFKB1 gene were more frequent in female CAD patients than in controls in both the Han (23.2% vs. 13.5%, p=0.009) and the Uygur (19.8% vs. 8.3%, p=0.012) population. The significant difference between DD and ID+II genotypes was retained after adjustment for covariates (for Han, odds ratio [OR]: 1.805, p=0.029 and for Uygur, OR: 3.192, p=0.011). Conclusions: The DD genotype of the SNP (rs28362491) in the NFKB1 gene may be considered a genetic marker of CAD in Han and Uygur women in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) was reported to be associated with insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. The present study aimed to investigate the association of SAA genetic polymorphisms with plasma glucose levels in non-diabetic subjects. Methods: All participants (n=1220) were selected from subjects participating in the Cardiovascular Risk Survey (CRS) study. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2229338, rs12218, rs4638289, rs7131332 and rs11603089) of SAA gene were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Results: In the present study, we found rs2229338, rs4638289 and rs12218 were significantly associated with plasma glucose levels in a dominate model, recessive model or additive model before and after multivariate adjustment (all p<0.05). These associations were not found in rs7131332 and rs11603089 before and after adjustment of key co-variants. Conclusions: The genetic polymorphisms of SAA1 were associated with plasma glucose levels in non-diabetic subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study is to compare personalized antiplatelet therapy according to CYP2C19 phenotype with conventional antiplatelet therapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 600 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing PCI randomly received a personalized antiplatelet therapy (group A; n=301) or conventional antiplatelet treatment (group B; n=299). For group A, antiplatelet therapy was performed according to CYP2C19 phenotype. For group B, the patients received conventional antiplatelet treatment without detected CYP2C19 genotype. The primary end point was compared between these two groups. This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-TRC-11001807). Results: The primary end point occurred in 27 patients assigned to conventional treatment as compared with 8 patients assigned to personalized therapy (cumulative event rate, 9.03% vs. 2.66%; P<0.01). The composite rate of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke at 180days occurred in 3 and 18 patients in the two groups, respectively (cumulative event rate, 1.0% and 6.2%, P<0.01). The cumulative 180-day incidence of ST was significantly lower in group A than in group B (0.66% vs. 3.01%, P=0.032). The 180-day incidence of MI (0.33% vs. 3.01%, P=0.011) and death (0.33% vs. 2.34%, P=0.011) was fewer than that in control, respectively. We did not find the significant difference in bleeding events between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Personalized antiplatelet therapy according to CYP2C19 genotype after PCI can significantly decrease the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events and the risk of 180-day ST in Chinese population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent studies suggest that decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and uric acid (UA) may be independent risk factors for arterial stiffness (AS). As serum UA level is linked to renal function, we hypothesize that decreased eGFR may be not an independent risk factor of AS, but may be related to UA level. In this study, we aimed to validate this hypothesis in a large community-based Chinese population. A total of 13,899 people were selected from the Cardiovascular Risk Survey (CRS) from October 2007 to March 2010. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was calculated using the established methods. The relationships between eGFR, fasting blood glucose (FBG), UA and PWV were analyzed with multivariate linear regression. We found that PWV was significantly correlated to FBG ( r = 0.173, p < 0.001) and UA ( r = 0.177, p < 0.001), and inversely correlated to eGFR ( r = − 0.161, p < 0.001). A multivariable regression analysis revealed that FBG (β = 0.056, p < 0.001) and UA (β = 0.039, p < 0.001), but not eGFR (β = − 0.011, p = 0.062) were significantly related to elevation of PWV. In women, eGFR was not an independent risk factor of AS with progressively decreasing renal function (all p > 0.05). However, in men, eGFR was associated with PWV in subjects with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Our results suggest that decreased eGFR is not independently associated with AS in Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have indicated that CYP2C19 loss-of-function polymorphisms have a higher risk of stent thrombosis (ST) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). However, this association has not been investigated thoroughly in a Chinese population. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 loss-of-function polymorphisms on the occurrence of ST and other adverse clinical events in a Chinese population. Methods: We designed a cohort study among 1068 consecutive patients undergoing intracoronary stent implantation after preloading with 600 mg of clopidogrel. CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The adverse clinical events recorded were ST, death, myocardial infarction (MI), and bleeding events. The primary end point of the study was the incidence of cumulative ST within 1 year after PCI. The secondary end point was other adverse clinical outcomes 1 year after the procedure. Results: The cumulative 1-year incidence of ST was 0.88% in patients with extensive metabolizers (EMs) (CYP2C19*1/*1 genotype), 4.67% in patients with intermediate metabolizers (IMs) (CYP2C19*1/*2 or *1/*3 genotype), and 10.0% in patients with poor metabolizers (PMs) (CYP2C19*2/*2, *2/*3, or *3/*3 genotype) (P<0.001). The one-year event-free survival was 97.8% in patients with EMs, 96.5% in patients with IMs, and 92.0% in patients with PMs (P = 0.014). Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent association of CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carriage with ST (P = 0.009) and total mortality (P<0.05). Conclusion: PM patients had an increased risk of ST, death, and MI after coronary stent placement in a Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Recent study suggested that the genetic polymorphisms of serum amyloid A protein (SAA) were linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of SAA and ankle-to-brachial index (ABI) in healthy subjects has not been studied. We investigated the role of the SAA1 gene polymorphisms with ABI. Methods and results. All participants were selected from a cohort of healthy subjects participating in the Cardiovascular Risk Survey (CRS) study. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs12218, rs4638289, rs7131332 and rs11603089) were genotyped by use of polymerase chain reaction--restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. There was significant difference between CC genotype and CT genotype [(1.066 ±± 0.113) vs (1.119 ±± 0.096), p == 0.008], CC genotype and TT genotype [(1.066 ±± 0.113) vs (1.127 ±± 0.095), p == 0.002] of rs12218 in ABI, and these differences remained significant after adjustment for the sex, age, blood pressure, BMI, alcohol intake, smoking and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [(1.073 ±± 0.018) vs (1.122 ±± 0.007), p == 0.012; (1.073 ±± 0.018) vs (1.124 ±± 0.006), p == 0.009), respectively]. These relationships were not found in rs874957, rs7950019 and rs11603089 before and after multivariate adjustment. Conclusions. CC genotype of rs12218 in the SAA1 gene was associated with decreased ABI in Chinese Han subjects, which indicated that the carriers of CC genotype of rs12218 have high risk of peripheral arterial disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two new molecular solids, [1-NaMePid][Ni(mnt)2] (1) and [2-NaMePid][Ni(mnt)2] (2) (mnt2− =maleonitriledithiolate, [1-NaMePid]+ =1-(1′-naphthylmethyl)piperidinium and [2-NaMePid]+ =1-(2′-naphthylmethyl)piperidinium) have been characterized structurally and magnetically. Both [Ni(mnt)2]− anions and the cations of 1 and 2 form segregated column stacks, and the Ni(III) ions form a 1D zigzig alternating magnetic chain within a [Ni(mnt)2]− column through Ni···S, S···S, Ni···Ni, or π···π interactions. Some conformational features in two isomeric cations and the geometry of the individual [Ni(mnt)2]− anion for 1 and 2 remain similar, while the changes of the space filling properties, the packing requirements and the existence of the water molecule in 2 result in the difference of the stacking mode of the [Ni(mnt)2]− anions. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 2–300K show that 1 is diamagnetism, while 2 exhibits a novel and interesting spin–gap transition around 16.8K with antiferromagnetic interaction (J =−4.6cm−1) in the high-temperature phase (HT) and the spin–gap (Δ/k b =68.5K) in the low-temperature phase (LT). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The title compound, (C12H16N2)2[PbI6], is an organic–inorganic salt, with two doubly protonated N-(1-naphthyl)ethyl­enediamine groups as the cations and one octahedral hexaiodoplumbate(II) as the anion. The stucture consists of alternating inorganic and organic layers parallel to the bc plane. Simple face-to-face aromatic stacking inter­actions occur between parallel naphthalene systems in the organic layers, and N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds between the ethyl­enediammonium groups and PbI64− octa­hedra stabilize the structure. The slightly distorted PbI6 octa­hedra are isolated from each other, with the Pb atom located on a centre of inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]