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Category: News & Events

Type 2 Inflammation: A Potential Clinical Link Between Asthma and Cardiovascular Diseases

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Asthma and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are intricately linked, because of their widespread prevalence and shared pathophysiological processes. People who have experienced overlapping asthma exacerbation, persistent asthma, or asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face elevated CVD morbidity and mortality risks. These risks are exacerbated in cases of type 2 asthma, a common phenotype of severe asthma leading to accelerated CVD progression. However, type 2 inflammation also exhibits protective effects against CVDs. This review explores the dual role of type 2 inflammation in CVDs, emphasizing its detrimental effects (e.g., exacerbating atherosclerosis) and protective mechanisms (e.g., release of atheroprotective cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-13). Furthermore, it examines the therapeutic potential of anti-asthma medications targeting type 2 inflammation to mitigate CVD progression.

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Inhibition of Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase Ameliorates Cardiac Dysfunction in Rats After Cardiac Arrest

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Cardiac dysfunction is a prevalent and serious complication after cardiac arrest (CA), yet limited therapeutic interventions are available. Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), a critical mediator of innate immune responses, has recently been identified as a potential contributor to cardiac dysfunction. This study was aimed at investigating the role of cGAS in post-CA cardiac dysfunction.

In vivo, in rats with ventricular fibrillation (VF)-induced CA, a selective cGAS inhibitor (RU.521) was used to specifically inhibit cGAS activity, thereby blocking its downstream signaling pathway. In vitro, hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) were used to stimulate H9C2 cardiomyocytes, and a specific siRNA targeting cGAS was applied to knock down cGAS expression. (more…)

Roles of Mitochondrial Quality Control in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) mechanisms – including biogenesis, dynamics, mitophagy, proteostasis, the unfolded protein response, and mitochondrial-derived vesicles – play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis. Dysregulation of these processes can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequently the initiation of a pathological cascade characterized by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and the accumulation of lipids within arterial walls. Specifically, ROS overproduction and redox state imbalance are key molecular aspects that exacerbate mitochondrial damage, and create a self-perpetuating cycle of cellular injury and disease progression.

Emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the modulation of MQC have promise in attenuating atherosclerotic progression by restoring mitochondrial biogenesis, restoring the balance of fusion and fission dynamics, enhancing the clearance of damaged mitochondria, and improving protein homeostasis. (more…)

Identification of BTC and KLF15 in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells as Key Biomarkers for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm via Machine Learning and In Vitro Experiments

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. This article aimed to identify molecular candidates to serve as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Integrative bioinformatics analysis was conducted and machine learning was used for key genetic screening. Gene expression profiles at the single-cell level were validated through in vitro experiments.

Betacellulin (BTC) and Kruppel-like transcription factor 15 (KLF15) were identified as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for AAA. Notably, BTC is expressed predominantly in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in AAA, whereas KLF15 is expressed in VSMCs, fibroblasts, and other cell types. (more…)

Current Understanding and Evidence Regarding Qiliqiangxin (QLQX) in Heart Failure Treatment: From Basic to Clinical Research

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Qiliqiangxin (QLQX), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation, has shown therapeutic potential in heart failure (HF) through its multifaceted mechanisms. This review article synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence, highlighting the ability of QLQX to modulate cardiac remodeling, inflammation, fibrosis, and neurohormonal activation. Preclinical studies have revealed that the bioactive components of QLQX target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, mitochondrial metabolism, and calcium transport. Clinically, QLQX capsule decreases N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels and improves functional outcomes in chronic HF. (more…)

Multimorbidity Patterns in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Identified Through Hospital Discharge Records: A Network-Based Analysis

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Considerable variability exists in the clinical presentations of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Greater understanding of the comorbidities observed in Chinese patients with PAH is urgently needed.

This 10-year retrospective analysis was based on clinical data from hospital discharge records for individuals diagnosed with PAH (n = 2584. Propensity score matching was used to match patients with PAH to individuals without a PAH diagnosis in a ratio of 1:1, by age, sex, discharge time, and department, over the same period. Multimorbidity networks were constructed based on sex and age, and used the cosine index to measure the co-occurrence of chronic diseases.

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FGF-23: A Novel and Critical Predictor of Reduced Left Atrial Appendage Emptying Velocity in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Current AF management guidelines have introduced the CARE treatment model to strengthen management strategies; in this acronym, the “A” indicates anticoagulation therapy. However, despite anticoagulation, approximately one-third of patients with AF experience ischemic stroke, which is closely associated with factors such as poor adherence to anticoagulation, inappropriate anticoagulant dosing, and reduced LAAev.

Therefore, patients with reduced LAAev should be closely monitored and, when necessary, LAA excision or closure should be considered to decrease residual thrombotic risk. Although TEE can accurately measure LAAev, its high technical requirements and potential esophageal injury limit its widespread use in routine examinations of patients with AF.

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Approaches for Localizing the Origin of PVCs in the Outflow Tract: Future Perspectives and Challenges

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (IVAs) are a type of arrhythmias with focal origins. The locations of most such arrhythmias have been identified and confirmed. In cases in which pharmacological treatment is ineffective or limited, radiofrequency catheter ablation is a therapeutic option whose success rate largely depends on accurate IVA localization.

The current standard approach for localizing the origin of IVAs involves comparing the normal electrocardiogram (ECG) with the characteristic ECG of the arrhythmia. This comparison includes analysis of parameters such as the QRS wave polarity in different leads, QRS duration, R/S ratio, and S-R difference in precordial leads.

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Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis, Prediction, and Classification of Coronary Heart Disease

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Coronary heart disease (CHD), the most common cause of mortality globally, poses a formidable challenge to modern healthcare systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in multiple diagnostic applications of CHD, by facilitating early intervention and personalized treatment. This article describes the state of the art and provides clinicians with updated insights into the transformative potential of AI to enhance CHD detection.

AI can be used to increase diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. However, its reliance on homogeneous numerical data might potentially lead to misdiagnoses and unnecessary radiation exposure in diagnosing CHD.

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Effects of Cardiac Abnormalities on the Brain, Revealed by Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Genetics

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. The heart is the central organ of the human circulatory system. Both congenital and acquired structural changes in the heart can lead to hemodynamic alterations affecting the function of various organs, including the brain. Recent advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided further evidence of the heart’s influence on the brain.

Investigating this connection is crucial for understanding the pathological mechanisms through which cardiac abnormalities contribute to brain-related diseases, and providing additional support for the heart-brain axis theory.

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