Background: Many patients who survive a myocardial infarction (MI) remain at risk of sudden cardiac death despite revascularization and optimal medical treatment. We used the modified moving average (MMA) method to assess the utility of T-wave alternans (TWA) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) as risk markers in MI patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods: We prospectively enrolled 248 consecutive patients: 96 with MI (post-MI patients); 77 MI with DM (post-MI + DM patients); 75 controls without cardiovascular disease (group control). Both TWA and HRT were measured on ambulatory electrocardiograms (AECGs). HRT was assessed by two parameters ─ turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS). HRT was considered positive when both TO ≥0% and TS ≤2.5 ms/R-R interval were met. The endpoint was cardiac mortality.Results: TWA values differed significantly between MI and controls. Post-MI + DM patients had higher TWA values than post-MI patients (58 ± 21 μV VS 52 ± 18 μV,P = 0.029). Impaired HRT--increased TO and decreased TS were observed in MI patients with or without DM. During follow-up of 578 ± 146 days, cardiac death occurred in ten patients and three of them suffered sudden cardiac death (SCD). Multivariate analysis determined that a HRT-positive outcome [HR (95% CI): 5.01, 1.33–18.85;P = 0.017], as well as the combination of abnormal TWA (≥47 μV) and positive HRT had significant association with the endpoint [HR (95% CI): 9.08, 2.21–37.2;P = 0.002)].Conclusion: This study indicates that AECGs-based TWA and HRT can predict cardiac mortality in MI patients with or without DM. Combined analysis TWA and HRT may be a convenient and useful method of identifying patients at high risk for cardiovascular death.
Background: Active immunotherapy has been widely used as a potential therapeutic method for both treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation are main pathological hallmarks of AD. Reduction in both is required to regulate synaptic proteins neurotransmission which can finally protect cognitive function. Growing evidence suggests that the most toxic β-Amyloid peptide (Aβ) oligomers can be detected from the very beginning of AD development, so it is wise for us to develop effective therapy method focus on Aβ oligomers rather than monomers. Methods: The 3×Tg-AD mice were randomly divided into two groups immunized with p(Aβ3–10)10-MT and PBS respectively. The PBS group was used for positive group while C57/B6 mice was used for negative group. ELISA was used to detect the antibody titers and Morris Water Maze was to analysis the cognitive function. The Aβ ,Tau hyperphosphorylation, Neuron and synaptic protein were detected through immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results: Mice immunized with p(Aβ3–10)10-MT can not only reduce the levels of Aβ oligomers and plaque deposits but also protect neuron as well as synaptic function, finally prevent the decline spatial memory in transgenic mice. Conclusions: Our novel DNA genetic vaccine is highly safe and effective, thus providing strong evidence for the treatment and prevention of early AD.
11 February 2026 in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Cadmium (Cd), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, exhibits potential neurotoxic risk. While compelling evidence links Cd accumulation to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the global impact of blood Cd exposure on AD mortality remains underexplored. We conducted an extensive review of 102 studies from 30 countries and standardized blood Cd concentrations to estimate the geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of Cd exposure. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to assess the trend in AD mortality, with 1000 Monte Carlo simulations to estimate population attributable fractions (RAF). The augmented human development index (AHDI) was used to analyze correlations with Cd-related mortality. Bayesian hierarchical regression models revealed a 72% reduction in GM in Egypt, contrasted by a 142% increase in Australia. Germany and Brazil demonstrated significant GM reductions along with increased GSD, reflecting regional variability. Conversely, Japan and South Korea exhibited marked rises in the regional variability, while Egypt and France achieved significant reductions in Cd-related AD deaths for both males and females, reaching zero by 2020. The number of deaths related to Cd in Australia and Japan has increased. While countries like Norway, Germany, and Lithuania showed declining mortality trends, others (e.g., Poland and Italy), exhibited rising mortality despite AHDI improvements. This study represents the first comprehensive assessment of the global burden of AD attributable to blood Cd exposure, reveal significant regional disparities. It provides epidemiological references for policymakers to formulate Cd management strategies and guides researchers in selecting impactful study directions.