Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction detected in obstructive sleep apnea with automated function imaging and its association with nocturnal hypoxia.

Background: Early detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is crucial in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to its close relationship with cardiovascular diseases. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) derived from automated function imaging (AFI) can precisely assess global longitudinal function. The aim of this study was to determine if LV GLS was reduced in patients with OSA and a normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and to assess any associated determinants.

Lack of independent relationship between the MMP-12 gene polymorphism and carotid plaque susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a polymorphism in the matrix metalloproteinase-12 gene (MMP-12 -82A/G) is correlated with serum protein levels or with the susceptibility for carotid plaques in the Chinese Han population. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed on the -82A/G polymorphism in the MMP-12 gene for 1314 patients with acute cerebral infarctions; 710 of these cases were diagnosed with stable plaques, 340 cases were diagnosed with vulnerable plaques and 264 cases had no plaques. At the same time, serum MMP-12 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

[Association between matrix metalloproteinase-8 -799C/T polymorphism and instability of carotid plaque].

Objective: To investigate the association between a -799C/T polymorphism in the promotor region of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) gene and instability of carotid plaque in Chinese Han population.

Methods: A total of 451 acute infarction patients from the Department of Neurology of Taizhou Hospital were divided into carotid vulnerable plaque group and carotid stable plaque group according to the results of carotid B-mode ultrasonography. Serum MMP -8 level was measured by the means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Association of a functional polymorphism in the MMP7 gene promoter with susceptibility to vulnerable carotid plaque in a Han Chinese population.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) may play an important role in the development of vulnerable carotid plaque. An A-to-G transition (-181A/G) in the promoter region of MMP7 is functional in vitro by altering the transcriptional activity of the gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the MMP7 -181A/G polymorphism and vulnerable carotid plaque formation.

Genotype association of C(-735)T polymorphism of the MMP-2 gene with the risk of carotid atherosclerosis-vulnerable plaque in the Han Chinese population.

The aim of the current study was to explore the possible association of the polymorphism of C(-735)T in MMP-2 with the vulnerable plaque risk in ultrasound-confirmed carotid atherosclerosis cases. Serum MMP-2 levels were measured to investigate the relationship between the MMP-2 level and the genetic variability. The MMP-2 polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP in the 243 cases with stable plaque and 221 cases with vulnerable plaque.

[Angiogenesis in chronic ischemic porcine myocardium after transfer of VEGF₁₆₅ and angiopoietin-1 mediated by recombinant adeno-associated viral vector].

Objective: To study the effects of combination of angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor₁₆₅ (VEGF₁₆₅) gene transfer mediated by recombinant adeno-associated viral vector on the neovascularization in chronic ischemic porcine myocardium.

Methods: An ameroid constrictor was implanted around the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) via endoscopy. Six weeks later, coronary angiography revealed that the myocardial ischemia was established by gradual occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX).

Relation of uric acid levels to aortic root dilatation in hypertensive patients with and without metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Uric acid (UA) is considered to be a powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk and hyperuricemia might be involved in the metabolic syndrome (MS). This study aims to investigate the relation between UA levels and aortic root dilatation.

Methods: A total of 348 hypertensive patients [age (67.

[Association of the ALOX5AP gene SG13S114 A/T polymorphism with atherosclerosis].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the polymorphism of SG13S114 A/T in the 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (ALOX5AP) gene and the stability of carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: Polymorphism of SG13S114 A/T in the ALOX5AP gene was analyzed in 152 cases of acute infarction with stable plaque, and 132 cases of acute infarction with vulnerable plaques, by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Carotid artery plaque was analyzed by carotid artery color ultrasound.

Aortic root dilatation is associated with carotid intima-media thickness but not with carotid plaque in hypertensive men.

Background: The role of atherosclerosis-related processes in aortic root dilatation (ARD) has not been fully determined. The present study was to assess the relationship between carotid IMT, carotid plaque, and ARD.

Methods: Hypertensive men with ARD (n = 30) were compared with hypertensive men without ARD (n = 52) and normal control subjects (n = 29).

Relationship of heavy drinking, lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile to infrarenal aortic diameter.

The objective of this study was to examine the association of alcohol drinking and lipid profile with infrarenal aortic dimension. The diameter of the infrarenal aorta was measured using ultrasound in 395 individuals (mean 66.6 +/- 10.

[Create a standard mini-swine model of chronic ischemic myocardium by thoracoscopy].

Objective: To create a standard mini-swine model of chronic ischemic myocardium by endoscopy for the research of gene transfer and stem cell.

Methods: Twenty-three male China experimental minipigs were used, aged from 8 to 11 months with a mean of (9.3 +/- 1.

Diabetes mellitus: is it protective against aortic root dilatation?

Objectives: There is evidence of a negative association between diabetes and both abdominal aortic aneurysm and aortic diameter. However, little information is available on the relation between diabetes and aortic root diameter.

Methods: We studied 109 patients with type 2 diabetes.