BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis(LC)is associated with excess cardiovascular mortality;however,its relationship with ectopic valvular calcification remains unclear.Calcific aortic valve disease and mitral annular calcificat...BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis(LC)is associated with excess cardiovascular mortality;however,its relationship with ectopic valvular calcification remains unclear.Calcific aortic valve disease and mitral annular calcification(MAC)share common cardiometabolic drivers,such as age,obesity,diabetes,and dyslipidemia,yet their burden and determinants in cirrhosis particularly fatty LC are insufficiently defined.Clarifying these associations could inform screening and peri-transplant cardiovascular risk assessment.We hypothesized that fatty LC is independently associated with aortic valve calcification(AVC),that cirrhosis of any etiology is independently associated with MAC,and that multivariable models would demonstrate strong discrimination and calibration.AIM To determine the associations between cirrhosis etiologies and AVC and MAC,and to evaluate the performance of predictive models.METHODS In this single-center cross-sectional study,we enrolled 123 consecutive LC transplant candidates and 123 age-and sex-matched cardiovascular controls without LC or indications for valvular surgery.Semiquantitative echocardiographic calcium scores were obtained for the aortic valve and mitral annulus.Associations with AVC and MAC were assessed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression with Bonferroni correction.Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic area under the curve,precision-recall,and Hosmer-Lemeshow calibration.RESULTS The cohort[71.5%male;median age:64(interquartile range:58-70)years]showed higher prevalence of AVC in patients with LC than in controls(P<0.001)but lower prevalence of MAC(P<0.001).Hypertension was less frequent in patients with cirrhosis(P<0.001).Fatty LC was independently associated with AVC[model IIIa odds ratio(OR)=3.873;95%confidence interval(CI):1.529-9.807;P=0.004].For MAC,LC of any etiology remained strongly associated(model IIIb:Fatty liver OR=16.693;95%CI:3.843-72.512;P<0.001;other etiologies OR=12.719;95%CI:3.068-52.736;P<0.001).Model discrimination and calibration were strong(area under the curve 0.834 and 0.917;Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.70 and 0.187,respectively).CONCLUSION LC especially of fatty etiology is independently associated with AVC,and cirrhosis of any cause is associated with MAC.The strong model performance supports their potential for cardiovascular risk stratification.展开更多
Objective Cardiovascular disease(CVD)is the leading cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD)undergoing maintenance dialysis.To further clarify this critical relationship,we conducted a prospec...Objective Cardiovascular disease(CVD)is the leading cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD)undergoing maintenance dialysis.To further clarify this critical relationship,we conducted a prospective study to evaluate the prognostic significance of calcification in different segments of the thoracic aorta for all-cause mortality in this patient population.Methods This prospective study enrolled stable adult patients who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)at our center between July 2019 and December 2020 and who had available chest X-rays or computed tomography(CT)scans.Thoracic aortic calcification(TAC)was assessed via chest CT or X-ray imaging.Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to describe the risk factors for mortality.Results At a mean follow-up of 3.95 years,18 of 62 patients had died.Cox proportional hazards regression models dem-onstrated that elevated systolic blood pressure(HR 1.029),aortic arch calcification(AAC)(HR 1.104),and descending thoracic aortic calcification(DTAC)(HR 1.066)were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in patients with MHD(all P<0.05).Additionally,the presence of severe DTAC or severe AAC emerged as an independent risk factor for death in this patient population(log-rank test,P<0.05).Conclusion AAC and DTAC are important predictors of all-cause mortality among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.展开更多
Arteriovenous fistula(AVF)calcification is a common complication in hemodialysis patients that leads to AVF dysfunction and decreases the AVF survival,but the mechanisms of AVF calcification,especially the role of hem...Arteriovenous fistula(AVF)calcification is a common complication in hemodialysis patients that leads to AVF dysfunction and decreases the AVF survival,but the mechanisms of AVF calcification,especially the role of hemodynamic changes in AVF calcification have not been fully investigated.In this study,a computational fluid dynamics(CFD)model was carried out based on AVF,at the distal anastomosis of the cephalic vein and radial artery,generated from a patient-specific computed tomography(CT)angiography and Doppler ultrasound image.Hemodynamic factors were considered to explore the mechanisms responsible for the initiation and progression of AVF calcification.Five stages in one cardiac cycle were chosen to be studied for the velocity field,pressure,time-averaged wall shear stress(TAWSS),and oscillatory shear index(OSI).Blood pressure was higher in the arteriovenous anastomosis,and variations of great amplitude of pressure were examined during the cardiac cycle.Blood pressure,transient shear stress,TAWSS,and OSI were higher in the arteriovenous anastomosis and at the bottom of expanded outflow vein,and these sites were highly consistent with the calcified areas shown on CT angiography.On the contrary,no calcification was found in sites where streamline was stable,blood pressure did not change dramatically,as well as TAWSS and OSI were lower.It was shown that AVF calcification was correlated with hemodynamic changes,which may contribute to further understanding the mechanisms of AVF calcification and providing scientific evidence to inform the optimization of surgical strategies and the development of personalized interventional measures in clinical contexts.展开更多
Although valvular calcification is still a little-known aspect of cardiohepatic interactions,cardiovascular disease has become a significant predictor of outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis.Some studies present ...Although valvular calcification is still a little-known aspect of cardiohepatic interactions,cardiovascular disease has become a significant predictor of outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis.Some studies present significant evidence that cirrhosis of any cause strongly predicts mitral annular calcification,while cirrhosis,especially of fatty aetiology,is independently associated with aortic valve calcification.These correlations show a clear liver-driven pro-calcific phenotype,even though cirrhotic patients have a lower burden of conventional cardiovascular risk factors than matched cardiovascular controls.Researchers advance the field from descriptive associations to clinically meaningful risk stratification by combining robust multivariable modelling with pragmatic echocardiographic calcium scoring.Their results highlight the need for integrated hepatology–cardiology approaches and challenge conventional views of cardiovascular risk in cirrhosis.It is important to acknowledge valve calcification as a structural sign of systemic liver disease,which may have consequences for long-term cardiovascular care,transplant evaluation,and surveillance.展开更多
Calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD) is a serious heart valve condition with increasing global prevalence. Currently,transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR) represents t...Calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD) is a serious heart valve condition with increasing global prevalence. Currently,transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR) represents the only available treatment strategy,as no pharmaceutical therapies for CAVD are approved. The aim of this study was to identify compounds capable of inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of human aortic valve interstitial cells(hVICs),a process critically implicated in CAVD pathogenesis,and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. From an in-house library of 88 compounds screened via dot-blotting,we identified chipericumin D,a natural compound extracted from Hypericum monogynum L.,as a candidate exhibiting potent inhibitory activity against hVIC osteogenic differentiation. Network pharmacology analysis,molecular docking,drug affinity responsive target stability(DARTS),cellular thermal shift assay(CETSA),and surface plasmon resonance(SPR) collectively demonstrated direct binding of chipericumin D to the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR). Furthermore,chipericumin D suppressed activation of the EGFR/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathway in hVICs cultured under osteogenic medium(OM) conditions. These findings indicate that chipericumin D is a promising therapeutic candidate for CAVD,and provide preliminary evidence that EGFR constitutes a novel molecular target for CAVD intervention.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the effect of vitamin K2 combined with thiosulfate sodium (STS) on vascular calcification in uremic patients and its impact on the bone metabolism pathway. Methods: From January 2025 to Decem...Objective: To investigate the effect of vitamin K2 combined with thiosulfate sodium (STS) on vascular calcification in uremic patients and its impact on the bone metabolism pathway. Methods: From January 2025 to December 2025, 84 uremic patients who underwent maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and had vascular calcification in our hospital were selected. They were randomly divided into the control group, vitamin K2 group, STS group, and combined group, with 21 cases in each group. The control group received conventional treatment and dialysis, the vitamin K2 group was given oral vitamin K2, the STS group was given intravenous infusion of STS, and the combined group was given both vitamin K2 and STS. All groups were intervened continuously for 6 months. The differences in various indicators among the four groups were compared. Results: After treatment, the OC and BAP in the combined group were higher than those in the control group and the single-drug groups (P < 0.05);TRAP and SOST were lower than those in the control group and the single-drug groups (P < 0.05). The MGP and Fetuin-A in the combined group were higher than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05);blood phosphorus and iPTH were lower than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05). After treatment, the coronary artery calcification score and abdominal aortic calcification score in the combined group were lower than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05);the calcification progression rate in the combined group was lower than that in the control group and the single-drug group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin K2 combined with STS can regulate the bone metabolism status of uremic patients, improve the inhibitory factors of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and delay the progression of vascular calcification.展开更多
Brain calcification is frequently detected by neuroimaging in patients with hereditary and nonhereditary disorders or in normal individuals with aging.Its prevalence ranges from approximately 1%in young people to over...Brain calcification is frequently detected by neuroimaging in patients with hereditary and nonhereditary disorders or in normal individuals with aging.Its prevalence ranges from approximately 1%in young people to over 20%in the elderly(Yamada et al.,2013),yet the underlying mechanisms of brain calcification remain poorly understood.Specifically,calcification in the basal ganglia is detected in approximately 5.5%-20%of CT scans in patients over 50 years old(Auffray-Calvier et al.,2020).展开更多
A simplified CaO-V2O5-MnO2 system was established to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the transformation behavior of vanadates.The results demonstrated dynamic transformations between calcium vana...A simplified CaO-V2O5-MnO2 system was established to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the transformation behavior of vanadates.The results demonstrated dynamic transformations between calcium vanadate and manganese vanadate as n(CaO)(V2O5)(MnO2)ratios and roasting temperatures varied.When MnO2 was incrementally added with n(CaO)(V2O5)of 2,some Ca2V2O7 converted to Mn2V2O7.The mass of vanadium as calcium vanadate consistently exceeded that as manganese vanadate.Conversely,when CaO was gradually added with n(MnO2)(V2O5)of 2,Mn2V2O7 tended to transform into Ca2V2O7 and Ca3V2O8.The affinity of vanadium for calcium was higher compared that of vanadium for manganese.The specific type of calcium vanadate formed depended on both n(CaO)(V2O5)(MnO2)values and roasting temperatures,while manganese vanadate remained predominantly as Mn2V2O7.The influence of roasting temperature on the conversion between calcium vanadate and manganese vanadate was minimal.At n(CaO)(V2O5)(MnO2)of 2/1/2 and temperatures ranging from 650 to 850°C,the mass ratio of vanadium present as calcium vanadate to manganese vanadate stabilized at approximately 2.展开更多
Resource utilization of metallurgical solid waste is vital for the sustainable development of the steel industry in the context of“dual carbon.”The calcification-carbothermal reduction method was employed to extract...Resource utilization of metallurgical solid waste is vital for the sustainable development of the steel industry in the context of“dual carbon.”The calcification-carbothermal reduction method was employed to extract zinc and iron from electric furnace dust effectively.In this process,calcium oxide reacts with zinc ferrite to form dicalcium ferrite and zinc oxide,which further promotes the effective separation of zinc and iron.However,the addition of pure calcium oxide increases production costs for steel companies.Herein,a new process for dust removal and zinc recovery in electric furnaces has been developed,using electric furnace slag as a calcium agent and mineral trough ash as a reducing agent.Large amounts of dicalcium ferrate phases were detected in the carbothermal reduction products by steel slag synergistic calcification.The reaction mechanism was determined as ZnFe2O4+CaO→Ca2Fe2O5+ZnO→Ca2Fe2O5+Zn(g).Such a two-step reaction path indicated that steel slag can effectively promote the reduction and volatilization of zinc.The experimental optimal roasting parameters were determined as roasting temperature of 1150℃,roasting time of 45 min,calcium to zinc molar ratio of 1.1,and carbon to oxygen molar ratio of 0.8.The mass percentage of added steel slag was recorded as 21.83%,while that of mineral trough ash was 21.85%.Under these conditions,the zinc removal rate above 99%and the metallization rate of pellets of about 75.31%were achieved.Overall,the proposed method looks promising for future efficient separation of zinc and iron in industrial steel slag.展开更多
BACKGROUND Pathological calcification is a common feature of many diseases.Calcifying nanoparticles(CNPs)are considered potential inducers of this abnormal calcification,but their specific effects on bone marrow mesen...BACKGROUND Pathological calcification is a common feature of many diseases.Calcifying nanoparticles(CNPs)are considered potential inducers of this abnormal calcification,but their specific effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)remain unclear.BMSCs are key cells in bone formation and repair,and their aberrant apoptosis and calcification are closely related to disease progression.AIM To explore whether CNPs can induce apoptosis and calcification in BMSCs and analyzed the relationship between these processes.The differential effects of CNPs and nanoscale hydroxyapatites(nHAPs)in inducing apoptosis and calcification in BMSCs were also compared.METHODS CNPs obtained in the early stage were identified by electron microscopy and particle size analysis.BMSCs were cultured with various treatments,including different concentrations of nHAPs,CNPs[2 McFarland(MCF)turbidity,4 MCF,6 MCF],and a transforming growth factor(TGF)-βinhibitor(SB431542)for 72 hours.The isolated CNPs exhibited the expected sizes and shapes.RESULTS Exposure to CNPs and nHAPs suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner,with CNPs exhibiting significantly stronger effects.Alizarin Red staining indicated an increase in calcium deposition with exposure to increasing concentrations of nHAPs and CNPs.Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction results indicated that medium concentrations of nHAPs and CNPs significantly enhanced the expression of pro-apoptotic and pro-calcification markers,whereas the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was reduced compared with untreated controls.Western blotting results showed that medium concentrations of CNPs and nHAPs increased the expression of osteopontin,bone morphogenetic protein-2,TGF-β/Smad,Bax,and caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 expression compared with controls.CONCLUSION CNPs and nHAPs induced apoptosis and calcification in BMSCs,with CNPs being the most potent.Additionally,the TGF-βinhibitor SB431542 significantly reduced the occurrence of apoptosis and calcification.A correlation was found between apoptosis and calcification,which is likely mediated through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a widely accepted palliative therapy modality for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Although it is rarely curative,complete radiological response can be achi...BACKGROUND Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a widely accepted palliative therapy modality for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Although it is rarely curative,complete radiological response can be achieved in selected patients,leading to prolonged survival.Post-treatment tumoral calcification is an uncom-mon imaging finding in HCC and is rarely reported after drug-eluting beads TACE(DEB-TACE).CASE SUMMARY Two patients with large,solitary HCCs(>5 cm)were treated with DEB-TACE,and both achieved complete radiological response after two treatment sessions.Approximately 1 year after DEB-TACE,imaging demonstrated progressive peripheral tumoral calcification.Over 6 years of follow-up,both patients remained in remission with preserved liver function.CONCLUSION These two cases highlight the potential for complete remission and long-term survival in selected patients with large HCC following DEB-TACE.The appearance of peripheral calcification may represent a late imaging marker of effective tumor necrosis and durable treatment response although prospective studies are warranted to clarify its prognostic value.展开更多
Vascular calcification is closely associated with cardiovascular-related mortality,particularly high-risk of occurring this disease is in patients suffering from hypertension.Vascular calcification involves the active...Vascular calcification is closely associated with cardiovascular-related mortality,particularly high-risk of occurring this disease is in patients suffering from hypertension.Vascular calcification involves the active deposition of calcium and other mineral substances in the vascular wall.In blood vessels,intimal calcification is related to atherosclerosis,whereas medial calcification is a non-occlusive process that increases vascular stiffness and reduces vascular compliance.In the valves,calcification of the leaflets can change the mechanical properties of the tissue and result in stenosis.Cardiovascular diseases are being lead significant health risk worldwide and its estimated 30%of deaths.Synthetic drugs can help in the treatment of cardiovascular disease but they have limited efficacy and carry substantial risks.High risk and narrow margin of safety of synthetic drugs growing our interest to explore the different plants with specific medicinal properties in treatment of different cardiovascular disorders including hypertension,atherosclerosis,cardiac arrest and heart failure.Plants like Daucus carota,Nerium oleander,Amaranthus,Terminalia arjuna,and Picrorhiza kurroa contain phytochemicals like tea flavonoids,polyphenols,plant sterols,and terpenoids that can prevent low density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation,inhibit cholesterol synthesis and promote vasodilation.Researchers has identified many medicinal herbs and their chemical components that show potential in alleviating vascular calcification via antioxidant mechanisms.In this study,we briefly discuss the role of vascular calcification in the pathophysiology of cardiac diseases.Utilizing the efficacy of these natural molecules will lead to the development of new treatment methods for chronic heart disease associated with vascular calcification.展开更多
Background Coronary artery calcification(CAC),a hallmark of atherosclerosis,paradoxically associates with reduced cardiovascular risk under statin therapy despite accelerated calcification progression,prompting this s...Background Coronary artery calcification(CAC),a hallmark of atherosclerosis,paradoxically associates with reduced cardiovascular risk under statin therapy despite accelerated calcification progression,prompting this study to explore CAC metrics as potential mediators between statin use and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE).Methods Clinical data of 246 hospitalized patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2023 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between statin use and CAC parameters.Multivariable Poisson regression models were applied to explore the associations of statin use and CAC parameters with MACE risk.A mediation analysis was performed to assess the role of CAC parameters in the statin-MACE relationship.Results Statin use was independently associated with increased calcification score(β=0.648,P<0.001),CAC volume(β=0.623,P<0.001),and calcified plaque proportion(β=0.606,P=0.002).Multivariable Poisson regression indicated that statin use significantly reduced MACE risk[incidence rate ratio(IRR):0.33,P=0.018],whereas calcification score(IRR:2.63,P=0.026)and CACvolume(IRR:2.66,P=0.044)were associated with elevated MACE risk;Calcified plaque proportion showed no significant association.Mediation analysis revealed that calcification score(β=0.035,P=0.021)and CAC volume(β=0.023,P=0.018)exerted masking effects,while calcified plaque proportion had no mediating role.Conclusions Calcification score and CACvolume demonstrated limited masking effects in the association between statin use and MACE.展开更多
Objective: To explore the interventional effects of renal-targeting peptide-modified ginsenoside Rg3 nanomicelle(GRg3@RT-PMs) on hypertension and vascular calcification in patients with long-term renal dialysis, and t...Objective: To explore the interventional effects of renal-targeting peptide-modified ginsenoside Rg3 nanomicelle(GRg3@RT-PMs) on hypertension and vascular calcification in patients with long-term renal dialysis, and to elucidate its potential molecular mechanism, providing a new strategy for the precise treatment of dialysis complications. Methods: GRg3@RT-PMs were prepared using chitosan and ginsenoside Rg3 self-assembly technology modified with a renal-targeted peptide(G3-C12). Their particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro sustained-release characteristics were characterized. A high-phosphate-induced calcification model of human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) was used to evaluate the targeting ability,biocompatibility, and inhibitory effect of GRg3@RT-PMs on calcification marker proteins(BMP-2, Runx2). A total of 18 dialysis patients were enrolled to assess the effects of oral administration of PMs, GRg3, and GRg3@RT-PMs on blood pressure and arterial calcification. Results: GRg3@RT-PMs had a particle size of(125.3±3.2) nm, an encapsulation efficiency of(89.7±2.3)%, and a cumulative release rate of(82.5±3.1)%over >48 h;GRg3@RT-PMs significantly inhibited the expression of BMP-2 and Runx2 in high-phosphate-induced HK-2 cells(P<0.01);In patients, the systolic blood pressure in the GRg3@RT-PMs group trended toward the normal range and was lower than that in the ginsenoside Rg3 and Rg3/β-CD complex groups, while diastolic blood pressure was more stable(P<0.05);The calcification score in the GRg3@RT-PMs group was lower than that in the Rg3 group after administration(P<0.01). Conclusion: GRg3@RT-PMs effectively alleviated dialysis-related vascular calcification and blood pressure abnormalities through the renal-targeted delivery, demonstrating a potential for clinical translation.展开更多
Ring calcification in untreated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is extremely rare,with only 3 previously reported cases in the English-language literature.A case of HCC with ring calcification was reported in this paper...Ring calcification in untreated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is extremely rare,with only 3 previously reported cases in the English-language literature.A case of HCC with ring calcification was reported in this paper.Additionally,3 previously reported cases of HCC with ring calcification were reviewed.In 3 of these 4 cases(including our case),surgery was performed.Although the size of the ring-calcified lesion ranged from 3.0-3.7 cm in previously reported cases,the size was only 1 cm in ours.The differentiation of the tumor was moderate in the 2 previously reported cases in the histological findings and poor in ours.In spite of their poor differentiation for their sizes,these tumors showed no early enhancement in dynamic computed tomography.All calcified tumors showed a thick fibrous capsule and extensive necrosis histologically.Ring calcification was considered to result from a circulatory disturbance caused by the imbalance between the less abundant arterial blood flow and high inner pressure induced by either the thick fibrous capsule or vigorous proliferation due to the poor differentiation.Ring calcification in untreated HCC may suggest a lower differentiation of the tumor.Even if its size is small,hepatic resection should be performed for any tumor with ring calcification because poor differentiation is considered to be one of the risk factors for recurrence after local ablation therapy,including radio frequency ablation.展开更多
Calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag(HCVS)was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium.The effects of the purity of Ca O,molar ratio between C...Calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag(HCVS)was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium.The effects of the purity of Ca O,molar ratio between Ca O and V_2O_5(n(Ca O)(V_2O_5)),roasting temperature,holding time,and the heating rate used in the oxidation–calcification processes were investigated.The roasting process and mechanism were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry(TG–DSC).The results show that most of vanadium reacted with Ca O to generate calcium vanadates and transferred into the leaching liquid,whereas almost all of the chromium remained in the leaching residue in the form of(Fe0.6Cr0.4)_2O_3.Variation trends of the vanadium and chromium leaching ratios were always opposite because of the competitive reactions of oxidation and calcification between vanadium and chromium with Ca O.Moreover,Ca O was more likely to combine with vanadium,as further confirmed by thermodynamic analysis.When the HCVS with Ca O added in an n(Ca O)(V_2O_5)ratio of 0.5 was roasted in an air atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min from room temperature to 950°C and maintained at this temperature for 60 min,the leaching ratios of vanadium and chromium reached91.14%and 0.49%,respectively;thus,efficient extraction of vanadium from HCVS was achieved and the leaching residue could be used as a new raw material for the extraction of chromium.Furthermore,the oxidation and calcification reactions of the spinel phases occurred at 592and 630°C for n(Ca O)(V_2O_5)ratios of 0.5 and 5,respectively.展开更多
Background Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin (IL)-37 is a newly discovered member of the I...Background Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin (IL)-37 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and is considered an anti-inflammatorycytokine. Our recent study on mice indicated that IL-37 could attenuate atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, which suggests that IL-37could be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL-37 plays arole in the progression of CAC in patients. Methods Two hundred participants with suspected cardiovascular disease were recruited. Thelevels of plasma IL-37, osteoprotegerin (OPG), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) together with other biochemical parameters weremeasured, and a coronary calcium assessment was carried out by multi-detector row CT. A score of 〈 10 AU (Agatston units) denotes anabsence of CAC, a score of 11-100 AU denotes mild CAC, 101-400 denotes moderate CAC, and 〉 400 AU denotes severe CAC. ResultsOur initial data showed that there were no apparent differences in plasma IL-37 levels among patients with or without mild or moderate CAC.However, IL-37 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe CAC (P 〈 0.001). Similar results were observed for plasma OPGand hsCRP levels. When IL-37 levels in patients with severe calcification were compared with that in all of the other non-severe CAC groups,it became apparent that there was a significant positive correlation between IL-37 level and severe CAC (r = 0.360, P 〈 0.001; OR = 1.033)using Spearrnan's correlation and binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory cy-tokine IL-37 is associated with high coronary calcium levels, suggesting that IL-37 expression may be caused by the activation ofinf/amma-tion and that IL-37 might become a predictor of severe CAC in the future, which requires further investigation.展开更多
Background:Cholesterol gallstones account for over 80%of gallstones,and the pathogenesis of gallstone formation involves genetic and environmental factors.However,data on the evolution of cholesterol gallstones with v...Background:Cholesterol gallstones account for over 80%of gallstones,and the pathogenesis of gallstone formation involves genetic and environmental factors.However,data on the evolution of cholesterol gallstones with various densities are limited.This study aimed to determine the roles of microbiota and mucins on the formation of calcified cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis.Methods:Paired gallbladder tissues and bile specimens were obtained from cholelithiasis patients who were categorized into the isodense group and calcified group according to the density of gallstones.The relative abundance of microbiota in gallbladder tissues was detected.Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to detect the expression levels of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC4,MUC5ac and MUC5b in gallbladder tissues and bile.The correlation of microbiota abundance with MUC4 expression was evaluated by linear regression.Results:A total of 23 patients with gallbladder stones were included.The density of gallstones in the isodense group was significantly lower than that of the calcified group(34.20±1.50 vs.109.40±3.84 HU,P<0.0001).Compared to the isodense group,the calcified group showed a higher abundance of gram-positive bacteria at the fundus,in the body and neck of gallbladder tissues.The concentrations of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC5ac and MUC5b in the epithelial cells of gallbladder tissues showed no difference between the two groups,while the concentrations of MUC4 were significantly higher in the calcified group than that in the isodense group at the fundus(15.49±0.69 vs.10.23±0.54 ng/mL,P<0.05),in the body(14.54±0.94 vs.11.87±0.85 ng/mL,P<0.05)as well as in the neck(14.77±1.04 vs.10.85±0.72 ng/mL,P<0.05)of gallbladder tissues.Moreover,the abundance of bacteria was positively correlated with the expression of MUC4(r=0.569,P<0.05)in the calcified group.Conclusions:This study showed the potential clinical relevance among biliary microbiota,mucins and calcified gallstones in patients with gallstones.Gram-positive microbiota and MUC4 may be positively associated with the calcification of cholesterol gallstones.展开更多
Extracting rare earths from bastnaesite concentrate treated by calcification transition was studied through the single factor test and XRD patterns of bastnaesite after calcification and slags after leaching in HCl so...Extracting rare earths from bastnaesite concentrate treated by calcification transition was studied through the single factor test and XRD patterns of bastnaesite after calcification and slags after leaching in HCl solution. And the effects of the main calcified parameters such as temperature, liquid/solid and calcified time on transition performance of bastnaesite were investigated. It was found that under the optimal conditions of calcification temperature of 250 oC, liquid/solid of 20 mL/g, calcification time of 180 min, the highest leaching rate of rare earth were obtained, with the leaching ratio of rare earths 83.70% and Ce 77.01%, La 90.55%, Nd 92.03%, respectively; loss rates of fluorine with different calcification conditions were always less than 1% and XRD patterns of calcification slags and leaching slags showed that fluorine existed in the form of CaF2.展开更多
Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. There are two recognized type of CAC--intimal and m...Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. There are two recognized type of CAC--intimal and medial calcification, and each of them have specific risk factors. Several theories about the mechanism of vascular calcification have been put forward, and we currently believe that vascular calcification is an active, regulated process. CAC can usually be found in patients with severe CHD, and this asymptomatic phenomenon make early diagnosis of CAC important. Coronary computed tomographic angiography is the main noninvasive tool to detect calcified lesions. Measurement of coronary artery calcification by scoring is a reasonable metric for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic adults at intermediate risk. To date, effective medical treatment of CAC has not been identified. Several strategies of percutaneous coronary interven- tion have been applied to CHD patients with CAC, but with unsatisfactory results. Prognosis of CAC is still a major problem of CHD pa- tients. Thus, more details about the mechanisms of CAC need to be elucidated in order to improve the understanding and treatment of CAC.展开更多
摘要BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis(LC)is associated with excess cardiovascular mortality;however,its relationship with ectopic valvular calcification remains unclear.Calcific aortic valve disease and mitral annular calcification(MAC)share common cardiometabolic drivers,such as age,obesity,diabetes,and dyslipidemia,yet their burden and determinants in cirrhosis particularly fatty LC are insufficiently defined.Clarifying these associations could inform screening and peri-transplant cardiovascular risk assessment.We hypothesized that fatty LC is independently associated with aortic valve calcification(AVC),that cirrhosis of any etiology is independently associated with MAC,and that multivariable models would demonstrate strong discrimination and calibration.AIM To determine the associations between cirrhosis etiologies and AVC and MAC,and to evaluate the performance of predictive models.METHODS In this single-center cross-sectional study,we enrolled 123 consecutive LC transplant candidates and 123 age-and sex-matched cardiovascular controls without LC or indications for valvular surgery.Semiquantitative echocardiographic calcium scores were obtained for the aortic valve and mitral annulus.Associations with AVC and MAC were assessed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression with Bonferroni correction.Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic area under the curve,precision-recall,and Hosmer-Lemeshow calibration.RESULTS The cohort[71.5%male;median age:64(interquartile range:58-70)years]showed higher prevalence of AVC in patients with LC than in controls(P<0.001)but lower prevalence of MAC(P<0.001).Hypertension was less frequent in patients with cirrhosis(P<0.001).Fatty LC was independently associated with AVC[model IIIa odds ratio(OR)=3.873;95%confidence interval(CI):1.529-9.807;P=0.004].For MAC,LC of any etiology remained strongly associated(model IIIb:Fatty liver OR=16.693;95%CI:3.843-72.512;P<0.001;other etiologies OR=12.719;95%CI:3.068-52.736;P<0.001).Model discrimination and calibration were strong(area under the curve 0.834 and 0.917;Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.70 and 0.187,respectively).CONCLUSION LC especially of fatty etiology is independently associated with AVC,and cirrhosis of any cause is associated with MAC.The strong model performance supports their potential for cardiovascular risk stratification.
基金supported by a grant from the Nephropathy Medical Development Research Project of China Primary Health Care Foundation(No.SO.20220217SDrecipient:Xiao-yan Jia).
摘要Objective Cardiovascular disease(CVD)is the leading cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD)undergoing maintenance dialysis.To further clarify this critical relationship,we conducted a prospective study to evaluate the prognostic significance of calcification in different segments of the thoracic aorta for all-cause mortality in this patient population.Methods This prospective study enrolled stable adult patients who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)at our center between July 2019 and December 2020 and who had available chest X-rays or computed tomography(CT)scans.Thoracic aortic calcification(TAC)was assessed via chest CT or X-ray imaging.Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to describe the risk factors for mortality.Results At a mean follow-up of 3.95 years,18 of 62 patients had died.Cox proportional hazards regression models dem-onstrated that elevated systolic blood pressure(HR 1.029),aortic arch calcification(AAC)(HR 1.104),and descending thoracic aortic calcification(DTAC)(HR 1.066)were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in patients with MHD(all P<0.05).Additionally,the presence of severe DTAC or severe AAC emerged as an independent risk factor for death in this patient population(log-rank test,P<0.05).Conclusion AAC and DTAC are important predictors of all-cause mortality among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.
基金supported by the Scientific Program of Tianjin Municipal Education Commission(Natural Science,Grant No.2022KJ254)Science Foundation of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University(Grant No.2021ydey05)Tianjin Municipal Health Commission Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Project(Grant No.2021173).
摘要Arteriovenous fistula(AVF)calcification is a common complication in hemodialysis patients that leads to AVF dysfunction and decreases the AVF survival,but the mechanisms of AVF calcification,especially the role of hemodynamic changes in AVF calcification have not been fully investigated.In this study,a computational fluid dynamics(CFD)model was carried out based on AVF,at the distal anastomosis of the cephalic vein and radial artery,generated from a patient-specific computed tomography(CT)angiography and Doppler ultrasound image.Hemodynamic factors were considered to explore the mechanisms responsible for the initiation and progression of AVF calcification.Five stages in one cardiac cycle were chosen to be studied for the velocity field,pressure,time-averaged wall shear stress(TAWSS),and oscillatory shear index(OSI).Blood pressure was higher in the arteriovenous anastomosis,and variations of great amplitude of pressure were examined during the cardiac cycle.Blood pressure,transient shear stress,TAWSS,and OSI were higher in the arteriovenous anastomosis and at the bottom of expanded outflow vein,and these sites were highly consistent with the calcified areas shown on CT angiography.On the contrary,no calcification was found in sites where streamline was stable,blood pressure did not change dramatically,as well as TAWSS and OSI were lower.It was shown that AVF calcification was correlated with hemodynamic changes,which may contribute to further understanding the mechanisms of AVF calcification and providing scientific evidence to inform the optimization of surgical strategies and the development of personalized interventional measures in clinical contexts.
摘要Although valvular calcification is still a little-known aspect of cardiohepatic interactions,cardiovascular disease has become a significant predictor of outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis.Some studies present significant evidence that cirrhosis of any cause strongly predicts mitral annular calcification,while cirrhosis,especially of fatty aetiology,is independently associated with aortic valve calcification.These correlations show a clear liver-driven pro-calcific phenotype,even though cirrhotic patients have a lower burden of conventional cardiovascular risk factors than matched cardiovascular controls.Researchers advance the field from descriptive associations to clinically meaningful risk stratification by combining robust multivariable modelling with pragmatic echocardiographic calcium scoring.Their results highlight the need for integrated hepatology–cardiology approaches and challenge conventional views of cardiovascular risk in cirrhosis.It is important to acknowledge valve calcification as a structural sign of systemic liver disease,which may have consequences for long-term cardiovascular care,transplant evaluation,and surveillance.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Nos. 2021YFA1101900 and 2021YFA0910500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 82100303,82273811,22577033,82470423,and 82404822)+7 种基金the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation Projects (Nos. JCZRYB2025-00142 and 2024AFA028)the Wuhan International Science and Technology Cooperation Project (No. 2025071204030392)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (HUST:Nos. YCJJ20252429 and 2025BRA015)the National Program for Support of Top-notch Young Professionals (No. 0106514050)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (No.2023A1515110763)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No. 2023M742415)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (No. JCYJ20220818101806014)the Team-based Medical Science Research Program (No. 2024YZZ11)。
摘要Calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD) is a serious heart valve condition with increasing global prevalence. Currently,transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR) represents the only available treatment strategy,as no pharmaceutical therapies for CAVD are approved. The aim of this study was to identify compounds capable of inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of human aortic valve interstitial cells(hVICs),a process critically implicated in CAVD pathogenesis,and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. From an in-house library of 88 compounds screened via dot-blotting,we identified chipericumin D,a natural compound extracted from Hypericum monogynum L.,as a candidate exhibiting potent inhibitory activity against hVIC osteogenic differentiation. Network pharmacology analysis,molecular docking,drug affinity responsive target stability(DARTS),cellular thermal shift assay(CETSA),and surface plasmon resonance(SPR) collectively demonstrated direct binding of chipericumin D to the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR). Furthermore,chipericumin D suppressed activation of the EGFR/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathway in hVICs cultured under osteogenic medium(OM) conditions. These findings indicate that chipericumin D is a promising therapeutic candidate for CAVD,and provide preliminary evidence that EGFR constitutes a novel molecular target for CAVD intervention.
摘要Objective: To investigate the effect of vitamin K2 combined with thiosulfate sodium (STS) on vascular calcification in uremic patients and its impact on the bone metabolism pathway. Methods: From January 2025 to December 2025, 84 uremic patients who underwent maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and had vascular calcification in our hospital were selected. They were randomly divided into the control group, vitamin K2 group, STS group, and combined group, with 21 cases in each group. The control group received conventional treatment and dialysis, the vitamin K2 group was given oral vitamin K2, the STS group was given intravenous infusion of STS, and the combined group was given both vitamin K2 and STS. All groups were intervened continuously for 6 months. The differences in various indicators among the four groups were compared. Results: After treatment, the OC and BAP in the combined group were higher than those in the control group and the single-drug groups (P < 0.05);TRAP and SOST were lower than those in the control group and the single-drug groups (P < 0.05). The MGP and Fetuin-A in the combined group were higher than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05);blood phosphorus and iPTH were lower than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05). After treatment, the coronary artery calcification score and abdominal aortic calcification score in the combined group were lower than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05);the calcification progression rate in the combined group was lower than that in the control group and the single-drug group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin K2 combined with STS can regulate the bone metabolism status of uremic patients, improve the inhibitory factors of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and delay the progression of vascular calcification.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(32270663 and 31230045 to J.Y.L.)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2024M762007 and GZB20240453 to J.L.)Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project(2018SHZDZX05 to J.Y.L.).
摘要Brain calcification is frequently detected by neuroimaging in patients with hereditary and nonhereditary disorders or in normal individuals with aging.Its prevalence ranges from approximately 1%in young people to over 20%in the elderly(Yamada et al.,2013),yet the underlying mechanisms of brain calcification remain poorly understood.Specifically,calcification in the basal ganglia is detected in approximately 5.5%-20%of CT scans in patients over 50 years old(Auffray-Calvier et al.,2020).
基金finally supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.52204309,52174277,52374300)。
摘要A simplified CaO-V2O5-MnO2 system was established to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the transformation behavior of vanadates.The results demonstrated dynamic transformations between calcium vanadate and manganese vanadate as n(CaO)(V2O5)(MnO2)ratios and roasting temperatures varied.When MnO2 was incrementally added with n(CaO)(V2O5)of 2,some Ca2V2O7 converted to Mn2V2O7.The mass of vanadium as calcium vanadate consistently exceeded that as manganese vanadate.Conversely,when CaO was gradually added with n(MnO2)(V2O5)of 2,Mn2V2O7 tended to transform into Ca2V2O7 and Ca3V2O8.The affinity of vanadium for calcium was higher compared that of vanadium for manganese.The specific type of calcium vanadate formed depended on both n(CaO)(V2O5)(MnO2)values and roasting temperatures,while manganese vanadate remained predominantly as Mn2V2O7.The influence of roasting temperature on the conversion between calcium vanadate and manganese vanadate was minimal.At n(CaO)(V2O5)(MnO2)of 2/1/2 and temperatures ranging from 650 to 850°C,the mass ratio of vanadium present as calcium vanadate to manganese vanadate stabilized at approximately 2.
基金the support from Graduate Student Scientific Research Innovation Projects in Jiangsu Province(KYCX22_3804)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20210888).
摘要Resource utilization of metallurgical solid waste is vital for the sustainable development of the steel industry in the context of“dual carbon.”The calcification-carbothermal reduction method was employed to extract zinc and iron from electric furnace dust effectively.In this process,calcium oxide reacts with zinc ferrite to form dicalcium ferrite and zinc oxide,which further promotes the effective separation of zinc and iron.However,the addition of pure calcium oxide increases production costs for steel companies.Herein,a new process for dust removal and zinc recovery in electric furnaces has been developed,using electric furnace slag as a calcium agent and mineral trough ash as a reducing agent.Large amounts of dicalcium ferrate phases were detected in the carbothermal reduction products by steel slag synergistic calcification.The reaction mechanism was determined as ZnFe2O4+CaO→Ca2Fe2O5+ZnO→Ca2Fe2O5+Zn(g).Such a two-step reaction path indicated that steel slag can effectively promote the reduction and volatilization of zinc.The experimental optimal roasting parameters were determined as roasting temperature of 1150℃,roasting time of 45 min,calcium to zinc molar ratio of 1.1,and carbon to oxygen molar ratio of 0.8.The mass percentage of added steel slag was recorded as 21.83%,while that of mineral trough ash was 21.85%.Under these conditions,the zinc removal rate above 99%and the metallization rate of pellets of about 75.31%were achieved.Overall,the proposed method looks promising for future efficient separation of zinc and iron in industrial steel slag.
基金Supported by the Project of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps,No.2022ZD090the Project of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps-Young Science and Technology Innovation Talents,No.2023CB008-31+2 种基金The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University Medical College,Doctoral Fund Project,No.BS202207Talent Development Fund-Tianshan Talents,No.CZ0012192024 National Health Commission Central Asian High-Incidence Prevention and Control Key Laboratory,No.KF202405.
摘要BACKGROUND Pathological calcification is a common feature of many diseases.Calcifying nanoparticles(CNPs)are considered potential inducers of this abnormal calcification,but their specific effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)remain unclear.BMSCs are key cells in bone formation and repair,and their aberrant apoptosis and calcification are closely related to disease progression.AIM To explore whether CNPs can induce apoptosis and calcification in BMSCs and analyzed the relationship between these processes.The differential effects of CNPs and nanoscale hydroxyapatites(nHAPs)in inducing apoptosis and calcification in BMSCs were also compared.METHODS CNPs obtained in the early stage were identified by electron microscopy and particle size analysis.BMSCs were cultured with various treatments,including different concentrations of nHAPs,CNPs[2 McFarland(MCF)turbidity,4 MCF,6 MCF],and a transforming growth factor(TGF)-βinhibitor(SB431542)for 72 hours.The isolated CNPs exhibited the expected sizes and shapes.RESULTS Exposure to CNPs and nHAPs suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner,with CNPs exhibiting significantly stronger effects.Alizarin Red staining indicated an increase in calcium deposition with exposure to increasing concentrations of nHAPs and CNPs.Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction results indicated that medium concentrations of nHAPs and CNPs significantly enhanced the expression of pro-apoptotic and pro-calcification markers,whereas the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was reduced compared with untreated controls.Western blotting results showed that medium concentrations of CNPs and nHAPs increased the expression of osteopontin,bone morphogenetic protein-2,TGF-β/Smad,Bax,and caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 expression compared with controls.CONCLUSION CNPs and nHAPs induced apoptosis and calcification in BMSCs,with CNPs being the most potent.Additionally,the TGF-βinhibitor SB431542 significantly reduced the occurrence of apoptosis and calcification.A correlation was found between apoptosis and calcification,which is likely mediated through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
摘要BACKGROUND Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a widely accepted palliative therapy modality for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Although it is rarely curative,complete radiological response can be achieved in selected patients,leading to prolonged survival.Post-treatment tumoral calcification is an uncom-mon imaging finding in HCC and is rarely reported after drug-eluting beads TACE(DEB-TACE).CASE SUMMARY Two patients with large,solitary HCCs(>5 cm)were treated with DEB-TACE,and both achieved complete radiological response after two treatment sessions.Approximately 1 year after DEB-TACE,imaging demonstrated progressive peripheral tumoral calcification.Over 6 years of follow-up,both patients remained in remission with preserved liver function.CONCLUSION These two cases highlight the potential for complete remission and long-term survival in selected patients with large HCC following DEB-TACE.The appearance of peripheral calcification may represent a late imaging marker of effective tumor necrosis and durable treatment response although prospective studies are warranted to clarify its prognostic value.
摘要Vascular calcification is closely associated with cardiovascular-related mortality,particularly high-risk of occurring this disease is in patients suffering from hypertension.Vascular calcification involves the active deposition of calcium and other mineral substances in the vascular wall.In blood vessels,intimal calcification is related to atherosclerosis,whereas medial calcification is a non-occlusive process that increases vascular stiffness and reduces vascular compliance.In the valves,calcification of the leaflets can change the mechanical properties of the tissue and result in stenosis.Cardiovascular diseases are being lead significant health risk worldwide and its estimated 30%of deaths.Synthetic drugs can help in the treatment of cardiovascular disease but they have limited efficacy and carry substantial risks.High risk and narrow margin of safety of synthetic drugs growing our interest to explore the different plants with specific medicinal properties in treatment of different cardiovascular disorders including hypertension,atherosclerosis,cardiac arrest and heart failure.Plants like Daucus carota,Nerium oleander,Amaranthus,Terminalia arjuna,and Picrorhiza kurroa contain phytochemicals like tea flavonoids,polyphenols,plant sterols,and terpenoids that can prevent low density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation,inhibit cholesterol synthesis and promote vasodilation.Researchers has identified many medicinal herbs and their chemical components that show potential in alleviating vascular calcification via antioxidant mechanisms.In this study,we briefly discuss the role of vascular calcification in the pathophysiology of cardiac diseases.Utilizing the efficacy of these natural molecules will lead to the development of new treatment methods for chronic heart disease associated with vascular calcification.
摘要Background Coronary artery calcification(CAC),a hallmark of atherosclerosis,paradoxically associates with reduced cardiovascular risk under statin therapy despite accelerated calcification progression,prompting this study to explore CAC metrics as potential mediators between statin use and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE).Methods Clinical data of 246 hospitalized patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2023 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between statin use and CAC parameters.Multivariable Poisson regression models were applied to explore the associations of statin use and CAC parameters with MACE risk.A mediation analysis was performed to assess the role of CAC parameters in the statin-MACE relationship.Results Statin use was independently associated with increased calcification score(β=0.648,P<0.001),CAC volume(β=0.623,P<0.001),and calcified plaque proportion(β=0.606,P=0.002).Multivariable Poisson regression indicated that statin use significantly reduced MACE risk[incidence rate ratio(IRR):0.33,P=0.018],whereas calcification score(IRR:2.63,P=0.026)and CACvolume(IRR:2.66,P=0.044)were associated with elevated MACE risk;Calcified plaque proportion showed no significant association.Mediation analysis revealed that calcification score(β=0.035,P=0.021)and CAC volume(β=0.023,P=0.018)exerted masking effects,while calcified plaque proportion had no mediating role.Conclusions Calcification score and CACvolume demonstrated limited masking effects in the association between statin use and MACE.
摘要Objective: To explore the interventional effects of renal-targeting peptide-modified ginsenoside Rg3 nanomicelle(GRg3@RT-PMs) on hypertension and vascular calcification in patients with long-term renal dialysis, and to elucidate its potential molecular mechanism, providing a new strategy for the precise treatment of dialysis complications. Methods: GRg3@RT-PMs were prepared using chitosan and ginsenoside Rg3 self-assembly technology modified with a renal-targeted peptide(G3-C12). Their particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro sustained-release characteristics were characterized. A high-phosphate-induced calcification model of human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) was used to evaluate the targeting ability,biocompatibility, and inhibitory effect of GRg3@RT-PMs on calcification marker proteins(BMP-2, Runx2). A total of 18 dialysis patients were enrolled to assess the effects of oral administration of PMs, GRg3, and GRg3@RT-PMs on blood pressure and arterial calcification. Results: GRg3@RT-PMs had a particle size of(125.3±3.2) nm, an encapsulation efficiency of(89.7±2.3)%, and a cumulative release rate of(82.5±3.1)%over >48 h;GRg3@RT-PMs significantly inhibited the expression of BMP-2 and Runx2 in high-phosphate-induced HK-2 cells(P<0.01);In patients, the systolic blood pressure in the GRg3@RT-PMs group trended toward the normal range and was lower than that in the ginsenoside Rg3 and Rg3/β-CD complex groups, while diastolic blood pressure was more stable(P<0.05);The calcification score in the GRg3@RT-PMs group was lower than that in the Rg3 group after administration(P<0.01). Conclusion: GRg3@RT-PMs effectively alleviated dialysis-related vascular calcification and blood pressure abnormalities through the renal-targeted delivery, demonstrating a potential for clinical translation.
摘要Ring calcification in untreated hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is extremely rare,with only 3 previously reported cases in the English-language literature.A case of HCC with ring calcification was reported in this paper.Additionally,3 previously reported cases of HCC with ring calcification were reviewed.In 3 of these 4 cases(including our case),surgery was performed.Although the size of the ring-calcified lesion ranged from 3.0-3.7 cm in previously reported cases,the size was only 1 cm in ours.The differentiation of the tumor was moderate in the 2 previously reported cases in the histological findings and poor in ours.In spite of their poor differentiation for their sizes,these tumors showed no early enhancement in dynamic computed tomography.All calcified tumors showed a thick fibrous capsule and extensive necrosis histologically.Ring calcification was considered to result from a circulatory disturbance caused by the imbalance between the less abundant arterial blood flow and high inner pressure induced by either the thick fibrous capsule or vigorous proliferation due to the poor differentiation.Ring calcification in untreated HCC may suggest a lower differentiation of the tumor.Even if its size is small,hepatic resection should be performed for any tumor with ring calcification because poor differentiation is considered to be one of the risk factors for recurrence after local ablation therapy,including radio frequency ablation.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.51604065 and 51574082)the National Basic Research Program of China (No.2013CB632603)the Fundamental Funds for the Central Universities (Nos.150203003 and 150202001)
摘要Calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag(HCVS)was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium.The effects of the purity of Ca O,molar ratio between Ca O and V_2O_5(n(Ca O)(V_2O_5)),roasting temperature,holding time,and the heating rate used in the oxidation–calcification processes were investigated.The roasting process and mechanism were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry(TG–DSC).The results show that most of vanadium reacted with Ca O to generate calcium vanadates and transferred into the leaching liquid,whereas almost all of the chromium remained in the leaching residue in the form of(Fe0.6Cr0.4)_2O_3.Variation trends of the vanadium and chromium leaching ratios were always opposite because of the competitive reactions of oxidation and calcification between vanadium and chromium with Ca O.Moreover,Ca O was more likely to combine with vanadium,as further confirmed by thermodynamic analysis.When the HCVS with Ca O added in an n(Ca O)(V_2O_5)ratio of 0.5 was roasted in an air atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min from room temperature to 950°C and maintained at this temperature for 60 min,the leaching ratios of vanadium and chromium reached91.14%and 0.49%,respectively;thus,efficient extraction of vanadium from HCVS was achieved and the leaching residue could be used as a new raw material for the extraction of chromium.Furthermore,the oxidation and calcification reactions of the spinel phases occurred at 592and 630°C for n(Ca O)(V_2O_5)ratios of 0.5 and 5,respectively.
摘要Background Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a predictor of cardiovascular events and plaque burden and is closely associatedwith chronic inflammation. Intedeukin (IL)-37 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and is considered an anti-inflammatorycytokine. Our recent study on mice indicated that IL-37 could attenuate atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, which suggests that IL-37could be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL-37 plays arole in the progression of CAC in patients. Methods Two hundred participants with suspected cardiovascular disease were recruited. Thelevels of plasma IL-37, osteoprotegerin (OPG), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) together with other biochemical parameters weremeasured, and a coronary calcium assessment was carried out by multi-detector row CT. A score of 〈 10 AU (Agatston units) denotes anabsence of CAC, a score of 11-100 AU denotes mild CAC, 101-400 denotes moderate CAC, and 〉 400 AU denotes severe CAC. ResultsOur initial data showed that there were no apparent differences in plasma IL-37 levels among patients with or without mild or moderate CAC.However, IL-37 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe CAC (P 〈 0.001). Similar results were observed for plasma OPGand hsCRP levels. When IL-37 levels in patients with severe calcification were compared with that in all of the other non-severe CAC groups,it became apparent that there was a significant positive correlation between IL-37 level and severe CAC (r = 0.360, P 〈 0.001; OR = 1.033)using Spearrnan's correlation and binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory cy-tokine IL-37 is associated with high coronary calcium levels, suggesting that IL-37 expression may be caused by the activation ofinf/amma-tion and that IL-37 might become a predictor of severe CAC in the future, which requires further investigation.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81870433)the International Cooperation Project of Zhejiang Province Public Technology Research Program(LGJ18H030001).
摘要Background:Cholesterol gallstones account for over 80%of gallstones,and the pathogenesis of gallstone formation involves genetic and environmental factors.However,data on the evolution of cholesterol gallstones with various densities are limited.This study aimed to determine the roles of microbiota and mucins on the formation of calcified cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis.Methods:Paired gallbladder tissues and bile specimens were obtained from cholelithiasis patients who were categorized into the isodense group and calcified group according to the density of gallstones.The relative abundance of microbiota in gallbladder tissues was detected.Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to detect the expression levels of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC4,MUC5ac and MUC5b in gallbladder tissues and bile.The correlation of microbiota abundance with MUC4 expression was evaluated by linear regression.Results:A total of 23 patients with gallbladder stones were included.The density of gallstones in the isodense group was significantly lower than that of the calcified group(34.20±1.50 vs.109.40±3.84 HU,P<0.0001).Compared to the isodense group,the calcified group showed a higher abundance of gram-positive bacteria at the fundus,in the body and neck of gallbladder tissues.The concentrations of MUC1,MUC2,MUC3a,MUC3b,MUC5ac and MUC5b in the epithelial cells of gallbladder tissues showed no difference between the two groups,while the concentrations of MUC4 were significantly higher in the calcified group than that in the isodense group at the fundus(15.49±0.69 vs.10.23±0.54 ng/mL,P<0.05),in the body(14.54±0.94 vs.11.87±0.85 ng/mL,P<0.05)as well as in the neck(14.77±1.04 vs.10.85±0.72 ng/mL,P<0.05)of gallbladder tissues.Moreover,the abundance of bacteria was positively correlated with the expression of MUC4(r=0.569,P<0.05)in the calcified group.Conclusions:This study showed the potential clinical relevance among biliary microbiota,mucins and calcified gallstones in patients with gallstones.Gram-positive microbiota and MUC4 may be positively associated with the calcification of cholesterol gallstones.
基金Project supported by National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(2012CBA01205)
摘要Extracting rare earths from bastnaesite concentrate treated by calcification transition was studied through the single factor test and XRD patterns of bastnaesite after calcification and slags after leaching in HCl solution. And the effects of the main calcified parameters such as temperature, liquid/solid and calcified time on transition performance of bastnaesite were investigated. It was found that under the optimal conditions of calcification temperature of 250 oC, liquid/solid of 20 mL/g, calcification time of 180 min, the highest leaching rate of rare earth were obtained, with the leaching ratio of rare earths 83.70% and Ce 77.01%, La 90.55%, Nd 92.03%, respectively; loss rates of fluorine with different calcification conditions were always less than 1% and XRD patterns of calcification slags and leaching slags showed that fluorine existed in the form of CaF2.
基金This work were supported by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding Support (No. ZYLX201303), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81470429, No.81270285), and The capital health research and development of special (No 2011-2006-14).
摘要Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. There are two recognized type of CAC--intimal and medial calcification, and each of them have specific risk factors. Several theories about the mechanism of vascular calcification have been put forward, and we currently believe that vascular calcification is an active, regulated process. CAC can usually be found in patients with severe CHD, and this asymptomatic phenomenon make early diagnosis of CAC important. Coronary computed tomographic angiography is the main noninvasive tool to detect calcified lesions. Measurement of coronary artery calcification by scoring is a reasonable metric for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic adults at intermediate risk. To date, effective medical treatment of CAC has not been identified. Several strategies of percutaneous coronary interven- tion have been applied to CHD patients with CAC, but with unsatisfactory results. Prognosis of CAC is still a major problem of CHD pa- tients. Thus, more details about the mechanisms of CAC need to be elucidated in order to improve the understanding and treatment of CAC.