Genome-scale metabolic network of human carotid plaque reveals the pivotal role of glutamine/glutamate metabolism in macrophage modulating plaque inflammation and vulnerability.

Background: Metabolism is increasingly recognized as a key regulator of the function and phenotype of the primary cellular constituents of the atherosclerotic vascular wall, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and inflammatory cells. However, a comprehensive analysis of metabolic changes associated with the transition of plaque from a stable to a hemorrhaged phenotype is lacking.

Methods: In this study, we integrated two large mRNA expression and protein abundance datasets (BIKE, n = 126; MaasHPS, n = 43) from human atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque to reconstruct a genome-scale metabolic network (GEM).

Integrative multiomics analysis of human atherosclerosis reveals a serum response factor-driven network associated with intraplaque hemorrhage.

Background: While single-omics analyses on human atherosclerotic plaque have been very useful to map stage- or disease-related differences in expression, they only partly capture the array of changes in this tissue and suffer from scale-intrinsic limitations. In order to better identify processes associated with intraplaque hemorrhage and plaque instability, we therefore combined multiple omics into an integrated model.

Methods: In this study, we compared protein and gene makeup of low- versus high-risk atherosclerotic lesion segments from carotid endarterectomy patients, as judged from the absence or presence of intraplaque hemorrhage, respectively.

Duplex-guided versus Conventional Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty of Iliac TASC II A and B Lesion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) requires the use of nephrotoxic contrast. Patients with chronic kidney disease are more prone to develop contrast-induced nephropathy after utilization of contrast. Doppler ultrasound (duplex)-guided PTA (DuPTA) is a novel technique and has recently proven to be a successful alternative to conventional PTA in the treatment of iliac stenotic disease, without the use of contrast.

Role of compression stockings after endovenous laser therapy for primary varicosis.

Objective: The objective of this prospective, randomized trial was to evaluate the effect of compression stockings after endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for insufficiency of the great saphenous vein. Effect evaluation was focused on differences in postoperative pain within 6 weeks.

Methods: The study randomized 111 patients undergoing EVLT for duplex ultrasound-confirmed great saphenous vein insufficiency (C2-4EPASPR) to receive either 2 weeks of elastic stockings (class II, thigh length) or no elastic stockings after an initial 24-hour period of wearing bandages.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and gelatinase expression in human peritoneal mesothelial cells during propagation in culture.

Mesothelial cells are involved in a variety of biological processes, which include the formation of peritoneal adhesions. The cultures of human peritoneal mesothelial cells comprise an important tool to investigate the behavior and functions of mesothelial cells. Very little is known about the differences among mesothelial cells isolated from different sources and about the changes in specific functions as caused by cell propagation in vitro or that result from storage of cells at low temperatures.

Tc-99m-PEG-liposomes target both adhesions and abscesses and their reduction by hyaluronate in rats with fecal peritonitis.

Background: Abdominal adhesions and abscesses are a major source of morbidity and mortality after abdominal surgery and peritonitis. Adhesions are hard to detect with standard imaging techniques. Liposomes, coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG), represent an agent developed for infection imaging.

Hyaluronan-based antiadhesive agents in abdominal surgery: applications, results, and mechanisms of action.

Postsurgical intra-abdominal adhesions cause significant morbidity and mortality, with small bowel obstruction being the most common complication. The urge to prevent adhesion formation has resulted in multiple experimental and clinical trials and the development of numerous antiadhesive agents. Through the years, hyaluronan-based antiadhesives have proved to be successful in the reduction of adhesion formation.

Auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel does not reduce intra-abdominal adhesions or abscess formation in a rat model of peritonitis.

Background: Prevention of adhesion and abscess formation would decrease mortality and morbidity after peritonitis. In this study the effect of a new anti-adhesive, auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid polysaccharide (ACP) gel, on adhesion and abscess formation was studied in a rat peritonitis model.

Materials And Methods: In experiment 1, bacterial peritonitis was induced in 24 Wistar rats, using a cecal ligation and puncture model.

Influence of monocyte-like cells on the fibrinolytic activity of peritoneal mesothelial cells and the effect of sodium hyaluronate.

Objective: To determine whether the presence of cells of the monocyte-macrophage system affects the fibrinolytic response of peritoneal mesothelial cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence and absence of sodium hyaluronate.

Design: Controlled laboratory experiment.

Setting: Cell cultures in an academic laboratory research environment.