Unravelling molecular mechanisms in atherosclerosis using cellular models and omics technologies.

Despite the discovery and prevalent clinical use of potent lipid-lowering therapies, including statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) caused by atherosclerosis remain a large unmet clinical need, accounting for frequent deaths worldwide. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is a complex process underlying the presence of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors affecting several cell types including endothelial cells (ECs), monocytes/macrophages, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and T cells. Heterogeneous composition of the plaque and its morphology could lead to rupture or erosion causing thrombosis, even a sudden death.

Percutaneous Revascularization in End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) Patients With Non-culprit Coronary Stenosis: A Strategy Beyond Fractional Flow Reserve.

Complete myocardial revascularization, targeting both culprit and non-culprit coronary stenoses, is recommended by current guidelines in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) management, either during the index percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure or within 45 days, depending on the clinical context. However, in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), fractional flow reserve (FFR) presents unique challenges. Altered coronary physiology in CKD, such as arterial stiffness and microcirculatory dysfunction, affects FFR accuracy, complicating revascularization decisions.

Liver Status Assessment After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common surgical intervention used to treat severe coronary artery disease. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has become a widely used prognostic index for assessing the severity of liver disease and prioritizing liver transplantation. However, its utility in predicting outcomes in cardiac surgery procedures has not been extensively evaluated.

Exploring Adiposity and Chronic Kidney Disease: Clinical Implications, Management Strategies, Prognostic Considerations.

Obesity poses a significant and growing risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), requiring comprehensive evaluation and management strategies. This review explores the intricate relationship between obesity and CKD, emphasizing the diverse phenotypes of obesity, including sarcopenic obesity and metabolically healthy versus unhealthy obesity, and their differential impact on kidney function. We discuss the epidemiological evidence linking elevated body mass index (BMI) with CKD risk while also addressing the paradoxical survival benefits observed in obese CKD patients.

The association between klotho and kidney and cardiovascular outcomes: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESKD) are significant global health challenges associated with progressive kidney dysfunction and numerous complications, including cardiovascular disease and mortality. This study aims to explore the potential association between plasma klotho levels and various prognostic outcomes in CKD and ESKD, including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, metabolic syndrome development and adverse renal events necessitating renal replacement therapies.

Methods: A literature search was conducted through 3 June 2024 using the electronic databases Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS and PubMed.

Evaluating VATS versus Open Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A 5-year Retrospective Study.

The efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) versus open thoracotomy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated with a focus on mediastinal lymph node dissection, postoperative recovery, and longterm outcomes including survival rates and disease-free intervals. This retrospective study analyzed data from 228 NSCLC patients treated at the Institute of Oncology Bucharest from 2016 to 2022. Both VATS and open surgical approaches were compared, with variables including demographic data, comorbidities, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications meticulously recorded.

Spectrum of Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease and Its Relationship with Atrial Fibrillation.

This article aims to analyze the relationship between non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF), exploring the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and implications for clinical management. NOCAD and AF are prevalent cardiovascular conditions that often coexist, yet their interrelation is not well understood. NOCAD can lead to ischemic necrosis of cardiomyocytes and their replacement with fibrous tissue, sustaining focal ectopic activity in atrial myocardium.

Heart Rate Variability in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results of the HeaRt-V-AMI Single-Center Cohort Study.

(1) Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) has been investigated in the context of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study contributes to the field by assessing short-term HRV during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using wearable technology, providing real-time insights into autonomic function. (2) Methods: This single-center, observational cohort study included 104 STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

SGLT-2 inhibitors and nephrolithiasis risk: a meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT)-2 inhibitors are novel anti-diabetic medications with potential beneficial effects on cardiovascular and renal outcomes, metabolic parameters, and body weight. In addition to the beneficial effects on renal functions, including estimated glomerular filtration rate and reduction in proteinuria, recent studies have investigated the potential role of SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy on nephrolithiasis development. Nephrolithiasis, a condition affecting almost 10% of the general population at least once during a lifetime, is a common disorder with considerable risk for acute and chronic kidney injury and relatively few effective therapeutic options.

Evaluating VATS versus Open Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A 5-year Retrospective Study.

The efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) versus open thoracotomy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated with a focus on mediastinal lymph node dissection, postoperative recovery, and longterm outcomes including survival rates and disease-free intervals. This retrospective study analyzed data from 228 NSCLC patients treated at the Institute of Oncology Bucharest from 2016 to 2022. Both VATS and open surgical approaches were compared, with variables including demographic data, comorbidities, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications meticulously recorded.

Recombinant Protein Production from Stable CHO Cell Pools.

The continuous improvement of expression platforms is necessary to respond to the increasing demand for recombinant proteins that are required to carry out structural or functional studies as well as for their characterization as biotherapeutics. While transient gene expression (TGE) in mammalian cells constitutes a rapid and well-established approach, non-clonal stably transfected cells, or "pools," represent another option, which is especially attractive when recurring productions of the same protein are required. From a culture volume of just a few liters, stable pools can provide hundreds of milligrams to gram quantities of high-quality secreted recombinant proteins.

Treatment strategies of the thromboembolic risk in kidney failure patients with atrial fibrillation.

The incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients affected by kidney failure, i.e. glomerular filtration rate <15 ml/min/1.

An Overview of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Landiolol (an Ultra-Short Acting β1 Selective Antagonist) in Atrial Fibrillation.

Landiolol is an ultra-short-acting, selective β1-adrenergic receptor blocker that was originally approved in Japan for the treatment of intraoperative tachyarrhythmias. It has gained attention for its use in the management of tachyarrhythmias and perioperative tachycardia, especially atrial fibrillation for both cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. It can be the ideal agent for heart rate control due to its high β1-selectivity, potent negative chronotropic effect, a limited negative inotropic potential, and an ultrashort elimination half-life (around 4 min); moreover, it may have a potential therapeutic effects for sepsis and pediatric patients.

When a Chorangioma Becomes a Burden in Fetal Survival: A Reported Case with an Updated Literature Review.

Chorangioma is a rare non-trophoblastic benign vascular neoplasm originating from the primitive chorionic mesenchyme. Usually asymptomatic, it affects approximately 1% of female fetuses. We present the case of a giant placental chorangioma (GPC) in a preterm male pregnancy coexisting with a maternal neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Updated Strategies in Non-Culprit Stenosis Management of Multivessel Coronary Disease-A Contemporary Review.

The prevalence of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients underscores the need for optimal revascularization strategies. The ongoing debate surrounding percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), hybrid interventions, or medical-only management adds complexity to decision-making, particularly in specific angiographic scenarios. The article critically reviews existing literature, providing evidence-based perspectives on non-culprit lesion revascularization in ACS.

Multimodality Imaging in Right Heart Tumors: Proposed Algorithm towards an Appropriate Diagnosis.

A right heart tumor can be identified by transthoracic echocardiography during a routine examination or due to cardiac symptoms. The first step is the assessment by echocardiography, with its multiple techniques, and the obtained information must be judged in a clinical and biological context. The second step comprises one, sometimes even two, of the more complex modality imaging methods.

A Biosensor Assay Based on Coiled-Coil-Mediated Human ACE2 Receptor Capture for the Analysis of Its Interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensing enables the characterization of protein-protein interactions. Several SPR-based approaches have been designed to evaluate the binding mechanism between the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein leading to a large range of kinetic and thermodynamic constants. This chapter describes a robust SPR assay based on the K5/E5 coiled-coil capture strategy that reduces artifacts.

Nanotechnology Innovations in Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine: A Comprehensive Review.

(1) Background: Nanomedicine, incorporating various nanoparticles and nanomaterials, offers significant potential in medical practice. Its clinical adoption, however, faces challenges like safety concerns, regulatory hurdles, and biocompatibility issues. Despite these, recent advancements have led to the approval of many nanotechnology-based products, including those for pediatric use.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in Children: A Systematic Review.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited disease characterized by the progressive replacement of the normal myocardium by fibroadipocytic tissue. The importance of an early diagnosis is supported by a higher risk of sudden cardiac death in the pediatric population. We reviewed the literature on diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognosis in the pediatric population with ARVC.

Therapeutic Potential of Rituximab in Managing Hepatitis C-Associated Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background. Hepatitis C infection often leads to extrahepatic manifestations, including cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab in treating hepatitis C-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis.

Enhancing Visual Feedback Control through Early Fusion Deep Learning.

A visual servoing system is a type of control system used in robotics that employs visual feedback to guide the movement of a robot or a camera to achieve a desired task. This problem is addressed using deep models that receive a visual representation of the current and desired scene, to compute the control input. The focus is on early fusion, which consists of using additional information integrated into the neural input array.

Differential Outcomes of VATS and Open Surgery in Lung Cancer Patients with Antecedent Oncological Diagnoses.

Primary lung cancer is a devastating disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with a previous oncological history may present with multiple comorbidities, unique clinical features, and unique outcomes after surgical intervention for primary lung cancer. This study aimed to compare the clinical features and outcomes of patients with a previous oncological history who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or open surgery (OS) for primary lung cancer.

Special Issue: "Cardiovascular Complications in Renal Diseases".

The intricate interplay between cardiovascular (CV) pathology and chronic kidney disease (CKD) encompasses diagnostic protocols (both clinical and paraclinical), outcome assessments (such as mortality, morbidity, and costs), as well as advancements in new therapeutic approaches (including pharmacological, interventional, and surgical modalities) [...

Efficacy and Safety of Ticagrelor versus Clopidogrel in Dialysis Patients with Coronary Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: The optimal antiplatelet therapy for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on chronic dialysis presenting with acute or chronic coronary syndromes (ACS or CCS) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety endpoints of ticagrelor and clopidogrel in ESKD patients requiring dialysis and presenting with ACS or CCS. (2) Methods: Studies were included comparing ticagrelor and clopidogrel in ESKD patients on chronic dialysis with ACS or CCS.