A novel Hg²⁺-responsive thermometer system for translating mercury detection into temperature monitoring was developed based on an aggregation-activated oxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles.

A simple ratio fluorescent ALP biosensor based on MnO₂ nanosheet-triggered in situ generation of two fluorescent signal indicators.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) in patients with coronary heart disease and to examine the role of left ventricular GLS in detecting early changes in cardiac function in patients with coronary heart disease in the subclinical stage. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 178 participants with symptomatic coronary artery disease excluding myocardial infarction or left ventricular dysfunction was conducted in Jilin Province, China. Basic clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data were obtained from all participants. Myocardial strain parameters were compared between patients with higher TyG index and those with lower TyG index, and the association between the gradually elevated TyG index and on subclinical cardiac function in patients with coronary heart disease was evaluated. Results: The GLS of left ventricle was lower in the higher TyG index group than in the lower TyG index group. As the TyG index increases, the GLS progressively decreases. The results remained stable after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: A higher TyG index maybe independently associated with subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease.

Ginkgolide B is one of the components extracted from Folium Ginkgo. It is a natural antagonist of platelet‑activating factor receptor and has multiple pharmacological applications. In the present study, the effect of ginkgolide B on the proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was examined, as well as its potential underlying mechanism. EPCs were cultured in various concentrations of ginkgolide B (0, 1.25, 5, 20, 80 or 160 µg/ml) for 24 or 48 h and then numbers of viable cells, apoptosis rate and caspace‑3 activity were measured. The results demonstrated that ginkgolide B treatment effectively promoted EPC growth, and suppressed cell apoptosis and caspase‑3 activity compared with control cells. In addition, ginkgolide B treatment significantly induced the expression of miR‑126, vascular endothelial growth factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, while it increased phosphorylation of AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt) and of p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase in EPCs. The present study therefore demonstrated that ginkgolide B promoted cell growth in EPCs through overexpression of miR‑126 and activation of the Akt signaling pathway.

Yogurt consumption is a significant factor in reducing the risk of hypertension and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Although increasing evidence has emerged regarding the potential benefits of probiotics in hypertension, there is a lack of large, cross-sectional studies assessing the association between yogurt intake and blood pressure parameters. We aimed to evaluate the association between yogurt intake frequency and blood pressure. A cross-sectional study was designed using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2004 and 2005 to 2006. We included 3, 068 adults with blood pressure data and yogurt intake data. Multivariate regression analyses revealed significant inverse associations between yogurt and systolic blood pressure ( ), diastolic blood pressure ( ), and mean arterial pressure ( ) in nonhypertensive participants (n = 1 822) but not in hypertensive participants (n = 1 246). Furthermore, a high frequency of yogurt intake prevented hypertension; however, no additional antihypertensive effects were observed in patients already diagnosed with hypertension.