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The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in China and is responsible for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Despite being well tolerated by most patients, a fraction of cases evolve into a potentially fatal condition requiring intensive care. In addition to respiratory complications, several studies have reported cases of patients who developed intense thrombosis, including acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, as well as the presence of elevated coagulation markers. Evidence has shown that the virus can interact directly with platelets and modulate their thrombotic and inflammatory functions, with significant prognostic implications. It is important to highlight that the emerging literature shows that when hyperactive these cells can act as pro-viral infections both in transporting their particles and in increasing inflammation, leading to a hyperinflammatory state and consequent clinical worsening. In this review, we searched for studies available in public databases and discussed the interaction of platelet biomarkers in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. In this context, understanding the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and these cells in different clinical conditions could help us to understand the coagulation and inflammation profiles of critically ill patients with the disease, guiding faster clinical management and enabling the reuse and targeting of more efficient therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius. L) possesses anti-tumor, anti-thrombotic, anti-oxidative, immunoregulatory, and cardio-cerebral protective effects. It is used clinically for the treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular disease in China. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of safflower extract on myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (MIR) injury in a left anterior descending (LAD)-ligated model based on integrative pharmacology study and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). Safflower (62.5, 125, 250 mg/kg) was administered immediately before reperfusion. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC)/Evans blue, echocardiography, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ability, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were determined after 24 h of reperfusion. Chemical components were obtained using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to analyze mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Safflower dose-dependently reduced myocardial infarct size, improved cardiac function, decreased LDH levels, and increased SOD levels in C57/BL6 mice. A total of 11 key components and 31 hub targets were filtered based on the network analysis. Comprehensive analysis indicated that safflower alleviated inflammatory effects by downregulating the expression of NFκB1, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18, TNFα, and MCP-1 and upregulating NFκBia, and markedly increased the expression of phosphorylated PI3K, AKT, PKC, and ERK/2, HIF1α, VEGFA, and BCL2, and decreased the level of BAX and phosphorylated p65. Safflower shows a significant cardioprotective effect by activating multiple inflammation-related signaling pathways, including the NFκB, HIF-1α, MAPK, TNF, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. These findings provide valuable insights into the clinical applications of safflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) imposes a great burden on global health. Few studies have demonstrated the effects of valley concentration of air pollutants on AMI hospital admissions. (2) Methods: Hospitalizations for AMI from 1 May 2014 to 31 December 2019 were analyzed. Generalized additive models (GAM) were used to quantify the exposure–response association between the hourly peak, mean, and valley concentration of six air pollutants and AMI hospital admissions. Stratification analyses were conducted to identify the susceptible population. (3) Results: Hourly peak, mean, and valley concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO were significantly associated with AMI hospital admissions. Each 10-unit increase in the hourly valley concentration of them led to 0.50% (0.35–0.66%), 0.44 % (0.32–0.56%), 0.84% (0.47–1.22%), 1.86% (0.73–3.01%), and 44.6% (28.99–62.10%) excess risk in AMI hospital admissions, respectively. In addition, the effects of hourly valley concentration were larger than mean and peak concentrations. The effects in the female or older than 65 groups were larger than that in the male or younger than 65 groups. (4) Conclusions: PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO exposure contributed to increased AMI hospital admissions. Hourly valley concentration might be a more potent indicator of adverse cardiovascular events. Females and individuals older than 65 were more susceptible to ambient air pollutant exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The association between chronic diseases and depression has received increasing attention, and are both considered to increase the risk of functional impairment. However, previous research evidence is controversial. Our study aimed to investigate the association between depression, three types of vascular disease (i.e., hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke), diabetes mellitus, and functional impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese people. Methods: We designed a cross sectional study. Data were collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018. Logistic regression models were used to explore the association between independent variables and functional status. Results: Lower functional status was significantly associated with comorbid depression and vascular disease/diabetes mellitus (Activity of Daily Living/Instrumental Activity of Daily Living: Adjusted OR of Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Myocardial infarction, Stroke is 3.86/4.30, 3.80/4.38, 3.60/4.14, 6.62/7.72, respectively; all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Depression is associated with functional decline in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals with vascular disease/diabetes mellitus. Identifying mediational factors and preventative strategies to reduce concurrent depression in persons with vascular diseases should be a priority therapeutic vista.