Interruption of Autophagosome Formation in Cardiovascular Disease, an Evidence for Protective Response of Autophagy.

Background: A heart attack occurs when coronary artery blockage interrupts the blood supply to the heart such as is seen in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Importantly, autophagy is commonly regarded as a host defense mechanism against microbial invaders.

Methods: A total of 50 blood samples were obtained from cardiovascular (CV) patients in addition to 30 samples that were obtained from healthy individuals and served as controls.

Cerebral effect of acute normovolemic hemodilution during brain tumor resection.

Background: Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is used in major surgery expected to be accompanied by excessive blood loss. Reducing the hemoglobin content may disturb cerebral oxygen balance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ANH on cerebral oxygen balance in patients subjected to brain tumor resection.