Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of Apoptosis Antagonizing Transcription Factor Involved in Hydroquinone-Induced DNA Damage Response

The molecular mechanism of DNA damage induced by hydroquinone （HQ） remains unclear. Poly（ADP-ribose） polymerase-1 （PARP-1） usually works as a DNA damage sensor, and hence, it is possible that PARP-1 is involved in the DNA damage response induced by HQ. In TK6 cells treated with HQ, PARP activity as well as the expression of apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor （AATF）, PARP-1, and phosphorylated H2AX （v-H2AX） were maximum at 0.5 h, 6 h, 3 h, and 3 h, respectively. To explore the detailed mechanisms underlying the prompt DNA repair reaction, the above indicators were investigated in PARP-l-silenced cells. PARP activity and expression of AATF and PARP-1 decreased to 36%, 32%, and 33%, respectively, in the cells; however, y-H2AX expression increased to 265%. Co-immunoprecipitation （co-IP） assays were employed to determine whether PARP-1 and AATF formed protein complexes. The interaction between these proteins together with the results from IP assays and confocal microscopy indicated that poly（ADP-ribosyl）ation {PARylation） regulated AATF expression, in conclusion, PARP-1 was involved in the DNA damage repair induced by HQ via increasing the accumulation of AATF through PARylation.

Association between cardiovascular implantable electronic devices and tricuspid regurgitation: a case- control study

Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices(CIEDs)are widely used in the modern era.Every year,about 730,000 permanent pacemakers and 330,000 CIEDs are implanted worldwide.CIEDs have been known to increase the life expectancy of millions of people and improve their quality of life by controlling the heart rate and atrioventricular and interventricular synchronization and preventing sudden cardiac death.[1]The tricuspid valve consists of the annulus,leaflets,chordae tendineae,and papillary muscles.Interaction between the endocardial lead and any component of this structure can lead to tricuspid valve dysfunction,thereby resulting in tricuspid regurgitation(TR).[2]CIED-related TR has been shown to be an independent predictor of hospitalization for heart failure.[3,4]

Applications and grants of National Natural Science Foundation of China’s General Program in cardiovascular research:a 10-year review

Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)are the major threats to global human health and the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in China(Liu et al.,2019).Although various strategies have been developed,the prevalence of CVDs is still increasing in China,and many CVDs cannot be managed well(Liu et al.,2019)because of the lack of full elucidation on many basic issues.

Meta-analysis of risk factors associated with atherosclerosis in patients with Kawasaki disease

Background:Kawasaki disease(KD)has now become the leading cause of acquired heart disease among children in developed countries.This study investigated whether patients with KD have an increased risk of atherosclerosis.Methods:Electronic databases,including PubMed,Embase and Springer link,were searched through June 1,2015,for eligible studies.Studies were included when they met the following criteria:1)an observational study focusing on evaluating the risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with KD;2)KD was diagnosed clinically according to the Japan Kawasaki Disease Research Committee or American Heart Association's diagnostic criteria;3)the study subjects were KD patients without coronary heart disease or related cardiovascular disease(KD group)and non-KD patients as control(control group),and 4)investigation of important atherosclerosis risk factors,total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL),triglycerides(TG),systolic blood pressure(SBP),and fl owmediated dilatation(FMD).The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Mean difference(MD)and relative risk(RR)and corresponding 95%confidence intervals(CI)were used to calculate the pooled results.Results:Sixteen studies were included with a total of 870 patients,including 421 KD patients and 449 non-KD controls.Differences in TG and SBP between KD patients and controls were not signifi cant;in contrast,TC and LDL levels were significantly higher in KD patients than the controls,whereas FMD in the KD patients was signifi cantly lower.Conclusion:KD patients may have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis.

In vitro anticoagulation monitoring of low-molecular-weight heparin

Background Although low-molecular-weight heparin has replaced unfractionated heparin to become the primary anticoagulation drug for treatment of acute coronary syndrome, there is no convenient bedside monitoring method. We explored the best laboratory monitoring method of low-molecular-weight heparins （enoxaparin, dalteparin, and nadroparin） by use of the Sonoclot coagulation analyzer to monitor the activated clotting time. Methods A total of 20 healthy volunteers were selected and 15 ml of fasting venous blood samples were collected and incubated. Four coagulants, kaolin, diatomite, glass bead, and magnetic stick, were used to determine the activated clotting time of the low-molecular-weight heparins at different in vitro anti-Xa factor concentrations. A correlation analysis was made to obtain the regression equation. The activated clotting time of the different low-molecular-weight heparins with the same anti-Xa factor concentration was monitored when the coagulant glass beads were applied. Results The activated clotting time measured using the glass beads, diatomite, kaolin, and magnetic stick showed a linear correlation with the concentration of nadroparin （r = 0.964, 0.966, 0.970, and 0.947, respectively）. The regression equation showed that the linear slopes of different coagulants were significantly different （glass beads 230.03 s/IU, diatomite 89.91 s/IU, kaolin 50.87 s/IU, magnetic stick could not be calculated）. When the concentration of the anti-Xa factor was the same for different low-molecular-weight heparins, the measured activated clotting time was different after the application of the glass bead coagulant. Conclusions The glass bead coagulant is most feasible for monitoring the in vitro anticoagulation activity of nadroparin The different effects of different low-molecular-weight heparins on the activated clotting time may be related to the different anti-11a activities.

Four-branch Prosthetic Graft Used for Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection with Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery

To the Editor： Aberrant right subclavian artery （ARSA） is a congenital vascular anomaly. Stanford-type A aortic dissection with ARSA is rare. We reported a strategy that involved the use of a four-branch prosthetic graft to reconstruct the four supra-arch branch vessels for a Stanford type A aortic dissection with ARSA.

Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm at 30 Years after Thoracic Aorta Surgery

To the Editor：We report a strategy for an asymptomatic anastomotic pseudoaneurysm that occurred 30 years after aorta surgery.

＂Collared Anastomosis＂ Technique Used in Arch Replacement Combined with Frozen Elephant Trunk Implantation Procedure for Giant Arch and Thoracic Aorta Dilatation

To the Editor： We report two cases of arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk implantation procedure using the collared anastomosis technique for giant arch and thoracic aorta dilatation.