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Topic Review
Drug Targets to Prevent Death Due to Stroke
Acute ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the most prevalent major health problems worldwide, which frequently causes severe functional disabilities and mortality. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed that the backbone of the highly connective network of IS death consisted of IL6, ALB, TNF, SERPINE1, VWF, VCAM1, TGFB1, and SELE. Cluster analysis revealed immune and hemostasis subnetworks, which were strongly interconnected through the major switches ALB and VWF. Enrichment analysis revealed that the PPI immune subnetwork of death due to IS was highly associated with TLR2/4, TNF, JAK-STAT, NOD, IL10, IL13, IL4, and TGF-β1/SMAD pathways. The top biological and molecular functions and pathways enriched in the hemostasis network of death due to IS were platelet degranulation and activation, the intrinsic pathway of fibrin clot formation, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator pathway, post-translational protein phosphorylation, integrin cell-surface interactions, and the proteoglycan-integrin extracellular matrix complex (ECM). Regulation Explorer analysis of transcriptional factors shows: (a) that NFKB1, RELA and SP1 were the major regulating actors of the PPI network; and (b) hsa-mir-26-5p and hsa-16-5p were the major regulating microRNA actors. 
  • 993
  • 17 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Fatty Acid Binding Protein 3 in Cardiovascular Diseases
Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are proteins found in the cytosol that contribute to disorders related to the cardiovascular system, including atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. Functionally, FABPs serve as intracellular lipid chaperones, interacting with hydrophobic ligands and mediating their transportation to sites of lipid metabolism.
  • 993
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Dysfunctional High-Density Lipoproteins in T2DM
High density lipoproteins (HDLs) are commonly known for their anti‑atherogenic properties that include functions such as the promotion of cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport, as well as antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activities. However, because of some chronic inflammatory diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), significant changes occur in HDLs in terms of both structure and composition. These alterations lead to the loss of HDLs’ physiological functions, to transformation into dysfunctional lipoproteins, and to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • 989
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Selected Plant-Derived Polyphenols for Peripheral Artery Disease
The purpose herein is to take into account the mechanisms that lead to endothelium dysfunction, such as the glycoxidation process and the production of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) that result in protein misfolding, and to suggest plant-derived polyphenols that could be useful in peripheral artery disease, PAD. Thus, five polyphenols are considered, baicalein, curcumin, mangiferin, quercetin and resveratrol, reviewing the literature in PubMed. The key molecular mechanisms and preclinical and clinical studies of each selected compound are examined. Furthermore, the safety profiles of the polyphenols are outlined, together with the unwanted effects reported in humans, also by searching the WHO database (VigiBase).
  • 989
  • 28 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome
Increased plasma triglycerides (TG) and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have been associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and their ratio, TG/HDL-C, has been proposed as a novel biomarker for predicting the risk of both clinical entities.
  • 989
  • 17 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Arrhythmia-Related Cardiovascular Disease
Targeted cellular ablation is being increasingly used in the treatment of arrhythmias and structural heart disease. Catheter-based ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered a safe and effective approach for patients who are medication refractory. Electroporation (EPo) employs electrical energy to disrupt cell membranes which has a minimally thermal effect. The nanopores that arise from EPo can be temporary or permanent. Reversible electroporation is transitory in nature and cell viability is maintained, whereas irreversible electroporation causes permanent pore formation, leading to loss of cellular homeostasis and cell death. Several studies report that EPo displays a degree of specificity in terms of the lethal threshold required to induce cell death in different tissues. However, significantly more research is required to scope the profile of EPo thresholds for specific cell types within complex tissues. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) as an ablative approach appears to overcome the significant negative effects associated with thermal based techniques, particularly collateral damage to surrounding structures. With further fine-tuning of parameters and longer and larger clinical trials, EPo 
  • 986
  • 07 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Health
High consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PU FAs), specifically omega-3 FAs (Ω3FAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), results in low plasma cholesterol levels and minimal coronary heart disease (CHD). Furthermore, as elevated triglycerides (TGs) appear to be a causal factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD)(ASCVD) and possibly for premature all-cause mortality, more so when they are associated with genetic variants, PUFAs can reduce TG levels by decreasing lipoproteins with high amounts of TGs, such as very-low-density lipoproteins, intermediate-density lipoproteins, chylomicrons, and their remnants.
  • 986
  • 20 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Dyslipidemia
Dyslipidemia is a significant threat to public health worldwide and the identification of its pathogenic mechanisms, as well as novel lipid-lowering agents, are warranted. Magnesium (Mg) is a key element to human health and its deficiency has been linked to the development of lipid abnormalities and related disorders, such as the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular disease.
  • 985
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Cardioplegic Solutions in pigs
Cardioplegic solutions are essential in cardiac surgery since they create a silent operating field and protect the myocardium against extensive ischemic damage and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Cardioplegia is defined as controlled-induced cardiac arrest. A cardioplegic solution induces cardioplegia leading to reversible cardiac arrest.
  • 983
  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
The Popeye Domain Containing Gene Family
The Popeye domain containing (POPDC) genes encode a novel class of  3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) effector proteins, which are localized to the plasma membrane. Mutations of POPDC genes have been associated with cardiac and skeletal muscle disease. However POPDC genes also play a role as tumor suppressor by interacting with proteins involved in cell migration, cell signaling and cell cycle control.
  • 982
  • 08 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque
Atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations, coronary and cerebral artery diseases, are the most common cause of death worldwide. The main pathophysiological mechanism for these complications is the rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and subsequent thrombosis. Pathological studies of the vulnerable lesions showed that more frequently, plaques rich in lipids and with a high level of inflammation, responsible for mild or moderate stenosis, are more prone to rupture, leading to acute events. Identifying the vulnerable plaques helps to stratify patients at risk of developing acute vascular events. Traditional imaging methods based on plaque appearance and size are not reliable in prediction the risk of rupture. Intravascular imaging is a novel technique able to identify vulnerable lesions, but it is invasive and an operator-dependent technique.
  • 981
  • 25 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Micro-CT in Pulmonary Diseases Diagnosis
Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a promising novel medical imaging modality that allows for non-destructive volumetric imaging of surgical tissue specimens at high spatial resolution. 
  • 980
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection
Infection is the most feared complication in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED), with an incidence of 1–3% during the lifetime and a mortality rate of up to 27.5% at three years. Different strategies have been proposed to prevent infections. Strategies of proven efficacy include appropriate procedure timing, management of antithrombotic therapy, patient preparation, surgical technique, and adequate wound care. However, the most important defense against CIED infection (and the most studied in more than 40 years of clinical trials) is systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. In short, preoperative administration of antibiotics is clearly beneficial and represents the standard of care for all patients, recommended by international consensus, mostly with drugs covering Staphylococcus aureus species, such as beta-lactams or glycopeptides.
  • 980
  • 24 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Most Frequent Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of diseases with a very high rate of morbidity and mortality. The clinical presentation of CVDs can vary from asymptomatic to classic symptoms such as chest pain in patients with myocardial infarction. Current therapeutics for CVDs mainly target disease symptoms. The most common CVDs are coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, chronic heart failure, arterial hypertension, and valvular heart disease.
  • 980
  • 12 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Interplay of Angiotensin Peptides, Vasopressin, and Insulin
In each vascular bed, the blood flow depends on perfusion pressure, the rheologic properties of the blood, the structural and functional properties of the vascular wall, and the action of vasoconstrictory and vasodilatory factors produced locally or inflowing from the systemic circulation. The fundamental role of the heart in the maintenance of blood circulation requires the particularly precise regulation of the coronary blood flow (CBF). Rhythmic contractions of the heart exert direct mechanical effects on the coronary vessels that are associated with the production of metabolic factors in the cardiac myocytes and the smooth muscle cells of coronary vessels. 
  • 980
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Pediatric Cardiorenal Syndromes
Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is defined as a disorder resulting from the abnormal interaction between the heart and kidney, in which acute or chronic dysfunction of one organ may lead to acute and/or chronic dysfunction of the other. The functional interplay between the heart and kidney is characterized by a complex bidirectional symbiotic interaction, regulated by a wide array of both genetic and environmental mechanisms. There are at least five known subtypes of CRS, based on the severity of clinical features and the degree of heart/renal failure. The fourth subtype (cardiorenal syndrome type 4 (CRS4)) is characterized by a primary chronic kidney disease (CKD), which in turn leads to a decreased cardiac function. Impairment of renal function is among the most important pathophysiological factors contributing to heart failure (HF) in the pediatric age group, and cardiovascular complications could be one of the most important causes of mortality in pediatric patients with advanced CKD. In this context, a loss of glomerular filtration rate directly correlates with both the progression of cardiovascular complications in CRS and the risk of HF.
  • 979
  • 09 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Collagen fibers in Mitral Valve
Collagen fibers are essential structural components of mitral valve leaflets, their tension apparatus (chordae tendineae), and the associated papillary muscles. Excess or lack of collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix (ECM) in any of these structures can adversely affect mitral valve function. The organization of collagen fibers provides a sophisticated framework that allows for unidirectional blood flow during the precise opening and closing of this vital heart valve. Although numerous ECM molecules are essential for the differentiation, growth, and homeostasis of the mitral valve (e.g., elastic fibers, glycoproteins, and glycans), collagen fibers are key to mitral valve integrity. Besides the inert structural components of the tissues, collagen fibers are dynamic structures that drive outside-to-inside cell signaling, which informs valvular interstitial cells (VICs) present within the tissue environment.
  • 977
  • 01 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Perivascular Adipose Tissue Oxidative Stress in Obesity
Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) adheres to most systemic blood vessels in the body. Healthy PVAT exerts anticontractile effects on blood vessels and further protects against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Healthy PVAT regulates vascular homeostasis via secreting an array of adipokine, hormones, and growth factors. Normally, homeostatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PVAT act as secondary messengers in various signalling pathways and contribute to vascular tone regulation.
  • 977
  • 17 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Thrombocytopenia and impaired platelet function
Thrombocytopenia and impaired platelet function are known as intrinsic drawbacks of cardiac surgery and extracorporeal life supports (ECLS). A number of different factors influence platelet count and function including the inflammatory response to a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or to ECLS, hemodilution, hypothermia, mechanical damage and preoperative treatment with platelet-inhibiting agents. Moreover, although underestimated, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is still a hiccup in the perioperative management of cardiac surgical and, above all, ECLS patients. Moreover, recent investigations have highlighted how platelet disorders also affect patients undergoing biological prosthesis implantation. Though many hypotheses have been suggested, the mechanism underlying thrombocytopenia and platelet disorders is still to be cleared. This narrative review aims to offer clinicians a summary of their major causes in the cardiac surgery setting. 
  • 976
  • 08 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Cardiac Computed Tomography Radiomics
Radiomics, via the extraction of quantitative information from conventional radiologic images, can identify imperceptible imaging biomarkers that can advance the characterization of coronary plaques and the surrounding adipose tissue. Such an approach can unravel the underlying pathophysiology of atherosclerosis which has the potential to aid diagnostic, prognostic and, therapeutic decision making. Several studies have demonstrated that radiomic analysis can characterize coronary atherosclerotic plaques with a level of accuracy comparable, if not superior, to current conventional qualitative and quantitative image analysis. While there are many milestones still to be reached before radiomics can be integrated into current clinical practice, such techniques hold great promise for improving the imaging phenotyping of coronary artery disease.
  • 972
  • 22 Sep 2021
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