Treatment Strategies for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA), carotid stenting (CAS), and optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials were researched with PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases. Fixed-effects model and random-effects model were used to estimate the relative risks and the hazard ratios (HRs). The results of the probabilistic analysis were reported as surfaces under the cumulative ranking curve. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials were included. Data from 10 348 patients (CEA: n = 4758; CAS: n = 3919; OMT: n = 1673) were evaluated. Compared with the previous OMT, CEA, CAS, and the current OMT (c-OMT) were all effective in reducing the risk of stroke (CEA: HR, 0.52; CI, 0.40-0.66; CAS: HR, 0.58; CI, 0.42-0.81; c-OMT: HR, 0.40; CI, 0.15-0.94); CEA and CAS reduced the risk of ipsilateral stroke (CEA: HR, 0.41; CI, 0.28-0.59; CAS: HR, 0.51; CI, 0.31-0.84), and the risk of fatal or disabling stroke (CEA: HR, 0.59; CI, 0.43-0.81; CAS: HR, 0.57; CI, 0.34-0.95). Regarding reducing the risk of stroke, only CEA was statistically significant in patients with any degree of stenosis compared with the previous medical treatment (<80%: HR, 0.48; CI, 0.33%-0.70%; 80%-99%: HR, 0.53; CI, 0.38-0.73). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the perioperative outcomes of CAS were similar to that of CEA; CEA, CAS, and c-OMT shared similar long-term outcomes; and CEA and CAS may be more effective in patients with high levels of asymptomatic stenosis.

Mapping the blueprint of artificial blood vessels research: a bibliometric analysis of publications in the 21st century.

BACKGROUND: Vascular diseases represent a significant causes of disability and death worldwide. The demand for artificial blood vessels is increasing due to the scarce supply of healthy autologous vessels. Nevertheless, the literature in this area remains sparse and inconclusive. METHODS: Bibliometrics is the study of quantitative analysis of publications and their patterns. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of publications on artificial blood vessels in the 21st century, examining performance distribution, research trajectories, the evolution of research hotspots, and the exploration of the knowledge base. This approach provides comprehensive insights into the knowledge structure of the field. RESULTS: The search retrieved 2,060 articles, showing a consistent rise in the publication volume and average annual citation frequency related to artificial blood vessels research. The United States is at the forefront of high-quality publications and international collaborations. Among academic institutions, Yale University is a leading contributor. The dominant disciplines within the artificial blood vessels sector include engineering, biomedical sciences, materials science, biomaterials science, and surgery, with surgery experiencing the most rapid expansion. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the inaugural effort to bibliometric analyze and visualize the scholarly output in the artificial blood vessels domain. It provides clinicians and researchers with a reliable synopsis of the field's current state, offering a reference point for existing research and suggesting new avenues for future investigations.

Comparative on the effectiveness and safety of different carotid endarterectomy techniques: a single-center Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a surgical procedure that can reduce the risk of stroke in patients with carotid artery stenosis. However, controversy still exists regarding the optimal surgical technique for CEA. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of different techniques. METHODS: Data on baseline characteristics as well as perioperative and postoperative complications from patients who underwent CEA at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 262 CEA patients included in study, with a total of 265 CEA operations. The mean age of 69.95 ± 7.29 (range, 44-89) years. 65 (24.5%) patients underwent cCEA, 94 (35.5%) underwent pCEA, and 106 (40.0%) underwent eCEA. The use of shunt (1.9%) and the mean operation time were lower in eCEA group (P < 0.05). eCEA was also associated with a lower incidence of postoperative hypotension, whereas pCEA was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative hypertension (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in clinical baseline characteristics, occurrence of perioperative complications, and survival whether restenosis-free, asymptomatic or overall. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that all three surgical methods are equally safe for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis and are effective in preventing stroke.

DNMT1 driven by mouse amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cell exosomes improved corneal cryoinjury via inducing microRNA-33 promoter DNA hypermethylation modification in corneal epithelium cells.

Severe corneal cryoinjury can cause permanent corneal swelling and bullous keratopathy, one of the main reason for loss of sight. Mouse amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (mAF-MSCs) can repair corneal damage caused by freezing; however, whether the exosomes derived from mAF-MSCs have the same repair effect is unknown. In this study, the mAF-MSC-exosomes were transplanted into the eyeballs of corneal cryoinjured mice. Histopathological examination showed that the mAF-MSC-exosomes improved the corneal structure and status of corneal epithelial cells in corneal cryoinjured mice. RRBS-sequencing showed that compared with the control group, four genes (Rpl13-ps6, miR-33, Hymai, and Plagl1), underwent DNA hypermethylation modification after mAF-MSC-exosomes treatment. The result of FISH indicated that miR-33-3p hybridization signals were enhanced in corneal epithelial cells from mice treated with mAF-MSC-exosomes. Semi-quantitative PCR and western blotting indicated that mAF-MSC-exosomes contained high levels of DNMT1 mRNA and protein. Additionally, luciferase report assays indicated that miR-33-3p overexpression in NIH-3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells inhibited the activity of luciferase carrying a sequence from the 3' untranslated region of Bcl6. Moreover, BCL6 mRNA and protein levels in corneal tissues from mice treated with mAF-MSC-exosomes were higher than those in the control group. Therefore, our results suggested that mAF-MSC-exosomes could repair corneal cryoinjury by releasing DNMT1, which induced hypermethylation of the miR-33 promoter in corneal epithelial cells. Consequent downregulated miR-33 transcription upregulated Bcl6 expression, ultimately achieving the repair of corneal cryoinjury in mice.

Association between hyperuricemia and diabetic nephropathy: insights from the national health and nutrition examination survey 2007-2016 and mendelian randomization analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the role of uric acid (UA) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) from epidemiological and genetic perspectives. METHODS: We used data from the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to evaluate the relationship between UA and DN risk using weighted multivariate-adjusted logistic regression. Subsequently, a two-sample Mendelian randomization study was conducted using genome-wide association study summary statistics. The main inverse variance weighting (IVW) method and supplementary MR method were used to verify the causal relationship between UA and DN, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the credibility of the results. RESULTS: Our observational study enrolled 4363 participants with diabetes mellitus from NHANES, among them, 2682 (61.4%) participants were identified as DN. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that compared with those without hyperuricemia, the DN risk of the hyperuricemia population was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The MR results suggest a direct causal effect of hyperuricemia on DN (IVW odds ratio (OR): 1.37 (95% confidence interval 1.07-1.76); P = 0.01), which is consistent with findings from other MR methods. CONCLUSION: The evidence from observational studies indicates a positive correlation between HUA and the onset of DN. And the causal effects of HUA on DN were supported by the MR analysis.

The Effects of Carotid Revascularization on 1-Year Cognitive Performance in Patients With Carotid Artery Stenosis.

PURPOSE: The impact of carotid revascularization on cognitive function for patients with severe carotid artery stenosis remains uncertain. This study is aimed to investigate the 1-year neurocognitive outcomes of patients who accept carotid revascularization and identify the risk factors associated with postoperative cognitive decline. METHODS: From April 2019 to April 2021, patients with ≥70% carotid artery stenosis who were treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) were recruited for this study. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) instrument was used to evaluate cognitive function preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Logistic regression analysis was built to identify potential risk factors for postoperative long-term cognitive decline. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients who met the criteria were enrolled and completed 1-year follow-up. At 3, 6, and 12 months after carotid revascularization, the total MoCA score, attention, language fluency, and delayed recall score were significantly improved compared with the baseline scores (p<0.05). At 12 months, there was also a significant improvement in cube copying compared with baseline (p=0.034). Logistic regression analysis showed that the advancing age, left side, and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were independent risk factors for cognitive deterioration at 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, carotid revascularization has a beneficial effect on cognition function in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, while advancing age, left side, and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were significantly related to a decreased cognitive score after carotid revascularization. CLINICAL IMPACT: This study focused on the changes in cognitive function within 1 year after carotid revascularization in patients with severe carotid stenosis. Of course, carotid revascularization can improve the cognition function in these patients. On the other hand, we found the advancing age, left side and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were significantly associated with decreased cognitive scores at 1 year after carotid revascularization, which suggests that clinicians may need to be aware of patients with these characteristics.

An in vitro feasibility study of 355 nm laser atherectomy for the treatment of peripheral atherosclerotic lesions.

In this study, we utilized a novel 355 nm laser to ablate porcine aortas in the presence of physiological saline and contrast agent. Subsequently, we investigated the shape and depth of the resulting injuries. After ablating bovine tendons and aortas with the laser, we analyzed the size and quantity of particles postablation. Finally, we conducted ablation experiments using human ex vivo plaques. The analysis revealed minimal damage to porcine aortas within 2 s of exposure to the 355 nm laser. The degree of injury in the presence of contrast agent was higher than that in the presence of physiological saline but significantly lower than the damage caused by 308 nm laser. Regardless of whether it was bovine tendon or porcine aorta tissue, the proportion of particles <25 µm postlaser ablation exceeded 99%. Lastly, the 355 nm laser successfully opened three types of plaques: chronically occluded, stent restenosis, and stale thrombosis.

Association of secondhand smoke exposure with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death in patients with hypertension: Insights from NHANES.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The impact of environmental chemical exposure on blood pressure (BP) is well-established. However, the relationship between secondhand smoke exposure (SHSE) and mortality in hypertensive patients in the general population remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cohort study included US adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2018. All-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality outcomes were determined by associating them with the National Death Index records. Cox proportional risk models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SHSE. The cohort included 10,760 adult participants. The mean serum cotinine level was 0.024 ng/mL. During a mean follow-up period of 76.9 months, there were 1729 deaths, including 469 cardiovascular disease deaths recorded. After adjusting for lifestyle factors, BMI, hypertension duration, medication use, and chronic disease presence, the highest SHSE was significantly associated with higher all-cause and CVD mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that higher SHSE is significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Navigating the future of diabetes: innovative nomogram models for predicting all-cause mortality risk in diabetic nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to establish and validate a nomogram model for the all-cause mortality rate in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2007 to 2016. A random split of 7:3 was performed between the training and validation sets. Utilizing follow-up data until December 31, 2019, we examined the all-cause mortality rate. Cox regression models and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression models were employed in the training cohort to develop a nomogram for predicting all-cause mortality in the studied population. Finally, various validation methods were employed to assess the predictive performance of the nomogram, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) was conducted to evaluate the clinical utility of the nomogram. RESULTS: After the results of LASSO regression models and Cox multivariate analyses, a total of 8 variables were selected, gender, age, poverty income ratio, heart failure, body mass index, albumin, blood urea nitrogen and serum uric acid. A nomogram model was built based on these predictors. The C-index values in training cohort of 3-year, 5-year, 10-year mortality rates were 0.820, 0.807, and 0.798. In the validation cohort, the C-index values of 3-year, 5-year, 10-year mortality rates were 0.773, 0.788, and 0.817, respectively. The calibration curve demonstrates satisfactory consistency between the two cohorts. CONCLUSION: The newly developed nomogram proves to be effective in predicting the all-cause mortality risk in patients with diabetic nephropathy, and it has undergone robust internal validation.

Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To examine the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with all-cause mortality and disease-specific mortality in patients with hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cohort study included US adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2018. All-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality outcomes were determined by association with National Death Index records. Cox proportional risk models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for serum 25(OH)D concentrations. The cohort included 10,325 adult participants. The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 65.87 nmol/L, and 32.2% of patients were vitamin D deficient (<50 nmol/L). During a mean follow-up of 77 months, 1290 deaths were recorded, including 345 cardiovascular deaths and 237 cancer deaths. Patients with higher serum 25(OH)D were more likely to have lower all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality than those with serum 25(OH)D < 25.00 nmol/L. For cancer mortality in hypertensive patients, vitamin D may not have a predictive role in this. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that higher 25(OH)D levels are significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. These findings suggest that maintaining adequate vitamin D status may reduce the risk of death in patients with hypertension.

Comparison of Different Endovascular Treatments of Femoropopliteal Artery In-Stent Restenosis: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) sought to evaluate the efficacy of different endovascular treatments for femoropopliteal artery in-stent restenosis (FP-ISR). METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of science for clinical trials from database inception to March 31, 2023, with no language restrictions to retrieve randomized controlled trials or cohort studies evaluating the impact of any kind of endovascular treatments for FP-ISR. Pair-wise meta-analysis and Bayesian NMA were performed to pool the outcome estimates different endovascular treatments. The primary end points under consideration were primary patency rates at both 6-month and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies with 1,424 patients were ultimately enrolled to be analyzed, 7 types of endovascular treatment were identified for comparison. In terms of primary patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 6-month and12-month follow-up, the direct meta-analysis findings showed that drug-coated balloons (DCB) and covered stent (CS) are considerably superior to plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA), Excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) + DCB is significantly better than DCB. According to the meta-analysis based on Bayesian theory, during the 6-month and 12-months follow-up, we could not find significant difference between the different treatments in terms of the primary patency and the freedom from TLR, based on the surface values under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), CS was considered the best treatment in terms of primary patency (6 months SUCRA = 85.2; 12 months SUCRA = 78.9) and freedom from TLR (6 months SUCRA = 84.9; 12 months SUCRA = 70.9); directional atherectomy + POBA may lead to higher survival rate at 12 months (SUCRA = 89.1) than others treatments; in addition, both ELA + POBA and ELA + DCB have higher limb salvage than POBA. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this NMA suggest that CS showed positive encouraging results in primary patency and TLR in FP-ISR at 6 and 12 months. However, due to the potential influence of certain confounding factors, the long-term results necessitate validation through numerous randomized controlled trials.

Association of prognostic nutritional index with peripheral artery disease in US adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey (1999-2004). The laboratory-calculated PNI was divided into four groups based on quartiles(Q1:PNI ≤ 50.00; Q2: 50.01-53.00; Q3:53.01-56.00; Q4: > 56.00). PAD was defined as an ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) ≤ 0.9 on the left or right. The relationship between PNI and PAD was examined using multifactor weighted logistic regression analysis, as well as subgroup analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: A total of 5,447 individuals were included in our final analysis. The age of the participants was 59.56 ± 13.10 years, and males accounted for 52.8% (n = 2820). The prevalence of PAD was 6.7% (n = 363). After adjusting for all factors, participants with Q1 still had an increased risk of PAD, with an OR value of 1.593 and a 95% CI of 1.232-1.991. Subgroup analysis showed no significant interaction among multiple factors. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we report that lower PNI are associated with a higher risk of PAD in US adults. It is hoped that this discovery can provide a reference for the prevention of PAD.

Comparison Between Conventional and Patch Carotid Endarterectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare perioperative and long-term safety and effectiveness between conventional carotid endarterectomy (cCEA) and patch carotid endarterectomy (pCEA) under current medical conditions. METHODS: Data on baseline characteristics as well as perioperative and long-term postoperative complications from patients who underwent cCEA or pCEA at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, from 2013 to 2022, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 248 CEA patients were included in our study. The majority of patients (87.3%) were male, and mean age was 63.6 ± 7.6 (range, 40-81) years; 104 patients (41.9%) underwent cCEA, while 144 (58.1%) underwent pCEA. Between the cCEA and pCEA groups, there were no significant differences in clinical baseline characteristics, occurrence of perioperative or long-term (median, 42.5 [range, 7 to 120] months) complications, and survival whether restenosis-free, asymptomatic or overall. CONCLUSIONS: In a single-center experience, conventional and patch CEA approaches appear similarly safe and effective.

Unveiling the Hidden Burden: Estimating All-Cause Mortality Risk in Older Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: The mortality rate among older persons with diabetes has been steadily increasing, resulting in significant health and economic burdens on both society and individuals. The objective of this study is to develop and validate a predictive nomogram for estimating the 5-year all-cause mortality risk in older persons with T2D (T2D). Methods: We obtained data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES). A random 7 : 3 split was made between the training and validation sets. By linking the national mortality index up until December 31, 2019, we ensured a minimum of 5 years of follow-up to assess all-cause mortality. A nomogram was developed in the training cohort using a logistic regression model as well as a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model for predicting the 5-year risk of all-cause mortality. Finally, the prediction performance of the nomogram is evaluated using several validation methods. Results: We constructed a comprehensive prediction model based on the results of multivariate analysis and LASSO binomial regression. These models were then validated using data from the validation cohort. The final model includes four independent predictors: age, gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and white blood cell count. The C-index values for the training and validation cohorts were 0.748 and 0.762, respectively. The calibration curve demonstrates satisfactory consistency between the two cohorts. Conclusions: The newly developed nomogram proves to be a valuable tool in accurately predicting the 5-year all-cause mortality risk among older persons with diabetes, providing crucial information for tailored interventions.

Chronic kidney disease in the shadow of COVID-19: insights from the bibliometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to present the current status and frontiers of research on COVID-19 in relation to chronic kidney disease through bibliometric analysis and visualization. METHODS: Access to information through the Web of Science Core Collection, retrieved from December 2019 to May 2023. The bibliometric visualization of countries, institutions, and keywords was analyzed using VOSviewer. RESULTS: A total of 1038 publications are included. The global scientific community showed a high level of collaborative consensus. The three countries with the most publications are the USA, China, and the UK. The institution with the most publications is Harvard Medical School. The research frontier for 2020 is thrombosis, for 2021 is telemedicine, for 2022 is depression, and for 2019-2023 is the COVID-19 vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first bibliometric report to establish a link between COVID-19 and CKD. The USA, China, and some European countries and their institutions are major contributors to these publications. Thrombosis, telemedicine, depression, and COVID-19 vaccines are current hot topics in the field and have the potential to shape future research trends.

Safety and Efficacy of Excimer Laser Atherectomy Combined with a Drug-Coated Balloon in De Novo Femoral Popliteal Artery Disease: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) combined with drug-coated balloon (DCB) for de novo femoropopliteal artery disease (FPAD) is currently unknown. This case series evaluated the clinical outcomes of ELA combined with DCB in de novo FPAD from a real-world clinical perspective. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients treated with ELA + DCB for de novo FPAD between November 2016 and January 2020. The primary efficacy endpoint was the initial patency rate; secondary endpoints included target lesion revascularization without clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) and technical success. Primary safety endpoints included all-cause death, unplanned major amputation, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 37.8 ± 25.3 months and included 56 consecutive patients (68.23 ± 8.01 years, 41 men). Forty-three patients had lifestyle-restricted claudication, and 13 patients had critical limb-threatening ischemia. The mean length of the lesion was 178.41 mm in all patients. The total lesion occlusion rate was 48.2 (n = 27), and the overall technical success rate was 100%. The 12-month, 24-month, 36-month, and 48-month primary patency rates of the ELA + DCB group were 75%, 66.1%, 58.9%, and 42.8%, respectively. Freedom from CD-TLR at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months was 83.9%, 80.3%, 76.8%, and 57.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In real-world clinical practice, ELA + DCB appears to be a safe and effective endovascular treatment for de novo FPAD, with a low rate of freedom from CD-TLR and a good patency rate.

Identification of potential hub genes and regulatory networks of smoking-related endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis using bioinformatics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction, the earliest stage of atherosclerosis, can be caused by smoking, but its molecular mechanism requires further investigation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to use bioinformatics analysis to identify potential mechanisms involved in smoking-related atherosclerotic endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: The transcriptome data used for this bioinformatics analysis were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The GSE137578 and GSE141136 datasets were used to identify common differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) in endothelial cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and tobacco. The co-DEGs were annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) databases. Additionally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to visualize their interactions and screen for hub genes. GSE120521 dataset was used to verify the expression of hub genes in unstable plaques. The miRNA expression profile GSE137580 and online databases (starBase 2.0, TargetScan 8.0 and DGIdb v4.2.0) were used to predict the related non-coding RNAs and drugs. RESULTS: A total of 232 co-DEGs were identified, including 113 up-regulated genes and 119 down-regulated genes. These DEGs were primarily enriched in detrimental autophagy, cell death, transcription factors, and cytokines, and were implicated in ferroptosis, abnormal lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress pathways. Ten hub genes were screened from the constructed PPI network, including up-regulated genes such as FOS, HMOX1, SQSTM1, PTGS2, ATF3, DDIT3, and down-regulated genes MCM4, KIF15, UHRF1, and CCL2. Importantly, HMOX1 was further up-regulated in unstable plaques (p= 0.034). Finally, a regulatory network involving lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-hub genes and drug-hub genes was established. CONCLUSION: Atherosclerotic endothelial dysfunction is associated with smoking-induced injury. Through bioinformatics analysis, we identified potential mechanisms and provided potential therapeutic targets.

Efficacy and Safety of Atherectomy Combined With Balloon Angioplasty vs Balloon Angioplasty Alone in Patients With Femoro-Popliteal Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Balloon angioplasty (BA), including drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), has traditionally been used to treat femoral-popliteal lesions. However, in recent years, atherectomy (ATH) has been proposed as a complementary approach. To assess the effectiveness of ATH compared with BA alone in patients with femoral-popliteal artery lesions, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: We included RCTs that focused on patients with femoral-popliteal artery lesions and reported data on the use of ATH and BA therapy. Two reviewers conducted a literature search, refined the data, and assessed the risk of bias. RESULTS: We included a total of 6 RCTs involving 399 patients with femoral-popliteal artery lesions. The use of ATH in combination with BA appeared to improve the patency rate at 12 months (odds ratio [OR]=2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.14-3.62). In addition, ATH with BA was associated with lower major amputation rates (MD=2.01, 95% CI=0.06-0.77, p=0.02) and a decreased likelihood of bailout stenting (OR=0.07, 95% CI=0.02-0.25, p=0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and distal embolization events. In addition, we performed subgroup analysis for different ATH devices and BA types. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this meta-analysis, it can be concluded that the use of ATH in combination with BA is a safe and effective method for treating femoral-popliteal artery lesions. In addition, the patency rate at 1 year is superior to treatment with BA alone. Atherectomy also reduces the likelihood of amputation and bailout stenting. Clinicians should consider these findings when designing future RCTs and developing clinical practice guidelines. CLINICAL IMPACT: This meta-analysis summarises a number of existing studies to advance understanding of the atherectomy devices and to reveal its potential. This new technique, when compared with drug coated balloon, shows the possibility of obtaining better clinical outcomes in femoro-popliteal lesions than drug-coated balloon alone, such as higher 12-month primary patency rates as shown in some studies. Currently, it is important to consider the appropriate technology applicable for individualised treatment. atherectomy devices seem to provide clinicians with additional options in clinical practice and to benefit patients in the future. This requires more high quality studies to explore the role and benefits of atherectomy devices in femoro-popliteal lesions.

Association of prognostic nutritional index with the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: NHANES 1999-2018.

INTRODUCTION: There is little bulk clinical evidence on nutritional status and mortality in patients with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in adults with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study included 5916 adult patients with diabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2018. Cox proportional risk models were used to estimate risk ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 8.17 years, there were 1248 deaths from all causes and 370 deaths from CVD. After multivariate adjustment, the risk of all-cause mortality was reduced by 24%, 38%, and 28% in Q2 (49.0-52.99), Q3 (53.0-57.99), and Q4 (≥58.0), respectively, compared with Q1 (PNI<49.0). The risk of cardiovascular mortality was reduced by 30%, 27%, and 26%, respectively. Consistent results were observed in the subgroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum PNI levels were significantly associated with higher all-cause and CVD mortality. These findings suggest that maintaining an appropriate range of serum PNI status may reduce the risk of death in patients with diabetes.