Thrombomodulin (TM) is a cell surface glycoprotein which is widely expressed in a variety of cell types. It is a cofactor for thrombin binding that mediates protein C activation and inhibits thrombin activity. In addition to its anticoagulant activity, recent evidence has revealed that TM, especially its lectin-like domain, has potent anti-inflammatory function through a variety of molecular mechanisms. The lectin-like domain of TM plays an important role in suppressing inflammation independent of the TM anticoagulant activity. This article makes an extensive review of the role of TM in inflammation. The molecular targets of TM lectin-like domain have also been elucidated. Recombinant TM protein, especially the TM lectin-like domain may play a promising role in the management of sepsis, glomerulonephritis and arthritis. These data demonstrated the potential therapeutic role of TM in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Background: The American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines ( GWTG ) program has improved care quality of acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ) with important implications for other countries in the world. This study evaluated the incidence and care of AMI in Taiwan and assessed the compliance of GWTG in Taiwan. Methods and Results: We used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (1999–2008) to identify hospitalized patients ≥18 years of age presenting with AMI . The temporal trends of annual incidence and care quality of AMI were evaluated. The age‐adjusted incidence of AMI (/100 000 person‐years) increased from 28.0 in 1999 to 44.4 in 2008 ( P <0.001). The use of guideline‐based medications for AMI was evaluated. The use of dual antiplatelet therapy ( DAPT ) increased from 65% in 2004 to 83.9% in 2008 ( P <0.001). Angiotensin‐converting enzyme ( ACE ) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker ( ARB ) was used in 72.6% in 2004 and 71.7% in 2008 ( P = NS ) and β‐blocker was used in 60% in 2004 and 59.7% in 2008 ( P = NS ). Statin use increased from 32.1% to 50.1% from 2004 to 2008 ( P <0.001). The in‐hospital mortality decreased from 15.9% in 1999 to 12.3% in 2008 ( P <0.0001). Multivariable analysis showed that DAPT , ACE inhibitor/ ARB , β‐blocker, and statin use during hospitalization were all associated with reduced in‐hospital mortality in our AMI patients. Conclusions: AMI incidence was increasing, but the guideline‐based medications for AMI were underutilized in Taiwan. Quality improvement programs, such as GWTG , should be promoted to improve AMI care and outcomes in Taiwan.

Importance: In addition to protective effects on the cardiovascular system, statins may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence owing to potential anti-inflammatory benefits. Given that patients with breast cancer in Asia are relatively younger at diagnosis and most are free from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, it is uncertain whether the use of statins can improve survival.Objective: To investigate the association of statin use with cancer- and noncancer-associated survival in patients with breast cancer.Design, Setting and Participants: This cohort study used the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database and National Cancer Registry to identify patients diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2012 to December 2017. Age, cancer stage, anticancer therapies, comorbidities, socioeconomic status, and cardiovascular drugs were matched by propensity score method. Statistical analyses, including Cox proportional hazards models, were performed from June 2022 to February 2023. The mean (SD) follow-up duration was 4.10 (2.96) years.Interventions: Patients receiving statins within 6 months before the diagnosis of breast cancer were compared with those not receiving statins.Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes included death, heart failure, and arterial and venous events.Results: Overall, 7451 patients (mean [SD] age, 64.3 [9.4] years) treated with statins were matched with 7451 nonusers (mean [SD] age, 65.8 [10.8] years). Compared with nonusers, statin users had a significantly lower risk of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.77-0.91; P < .001). Notably, the risk reduction was mainly attributed to cancer-related death (adjusted HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.75-0.92; P < .001). Only a small number of patients died of cardiovascular causes, and the ratios were similar between statin users and nonusers. No significant differences were observed in cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure and arterial and venous events, between statin users and nonusers. Using a time-dependent analysis, statin users also presented a significantly lower risk of cancer-related death (adjusted HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.24-0.32; P < .001) than nonusers, and notably, the risk was even lower in high-dose statin (HDS) users compared with non-HDS users (HDS users: adjusted HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.98; P = .002; non-HDS users: adjusted HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.68-0.91; P = 001).Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of Asian patients with breast cancer, statin use was associated with a reduced risk of cancer-associated death rather than cardiovascular death. Our findings provide evidence to support the use of statins in patients with breast cancer; however, randomized studies are necessary.

Elevated circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Early control of LDL-C to prevent ASCVD later in life is important. The Taiwan Society of Lipids and Atherosclerosis in association with the other seven societies developed this new lipid guideline focusing on subjects without clinically significant ASCVD. In this guideline for primary prevention, the recommended LDL-C target is based on risk stratification. A healthy lifestyle with recommendations for foods, dietary supplements and alcohol drinking are described. The pharmacological therapies for LDL-C reduction are recommended. The aim of this guideline is to decrease the risk of ASCVD through adequate control of dyslipidemia in Taiwan.

In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), incident cardiovascular (CV) events are associated with poor long-term outcomes. Serum high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI) is widely used to diagnose and predict outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome, however, few studies have investigated the accuracy of urine hs-TnI as a predictor for incident CV events in patients with DM. The enrolled participants included patients with DM. Fresh urine hs-TnI levels were measured. Medical records of enrolled patients were used to determine the number of incident CV events prospectively for 3 months. The study cohort comprised 378 participants. We observed significantly higher levels of urine hs-TnI in those with than without subsequent incident CV events. The multivariate logistic regression analysis using different models consistently showed that urine hs-TnI > 4.10 pg/mL was an independent factor predictive of incident CV events. The ROC-AUC analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff value for urine hs-TnI for predicting incident CV events was 1.55 pg/mL and the area was 0.611 (p = 0.027). A single measurement of urinary hs-TnI, collected easily and non-invasively, may be an acceptable biomarker for predicting subsequent incident CV events in patients with DM.