Challenges of the newer generation of resorbable magnesium scaffolds: Lessons from failure mechanisms of the past generation

Negative findings but positive contributions in cardiovascular research

Researchers have always concluded that results that do not support the hypothesis as unimportant, unworthy, or simply not good enough for publication. However, negative findings are essential for the progress of science and its self-correcting nature. We also believe in the importance and indispensability of negative results. Therefore, in this review, we discussed the factors contributing to the publication bias of negative results and the problems to assess the factuality and validity of negative results. Moreover, we emphasized the importance of reporting negative results in cardiovascular research, including treatments, and suggest that the negative results could clarify previously controversial topics in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and prompt the translation of research on precision cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.

The Effects of Sirolimus and Magnesium on Primary Human Coronary Endothelial Cells: An In Vitro Study

Drug eluting magnesium (Mg) bioresorbable scaffolds represent a novel paradigm in percutaneous coronary intervention because Mg-based alloys are biocompatible, have adequate mechanical properties and can be resorbed without adverse events. Importantly, Mg is fundamental in many biological processes, mitigates the inflammatory response and is beneficial for the endothelium. Sirolimus is widely used as an antiproliferative agent in drug eluting stents to inhibit the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, thus reducing the occurrence of stent restenosis. Little is known about the potential interplay between sirolimus and Mg in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells (hCAEC). Therefore, the cells were treated with sirolimus in the presence of different concentrations of extracellular Mg. Cell viability, migration, barrier function, adhesivity and nitric oxide synthesis were assessed. Sirolimus impairs the viability of subconfluent, but not of confluent cells independently from the concentration of Mg in the culture medium. In confluent cells, sirolimus inhibits migration, while it cooperates with Mg in exerting an anti-inflammatory action that might have a role in preventing restenosis and thrombosis.