Mammographic Vascular Microcalcifications as a Surrogate Parameter for Coronary Heart Disease: Correlation to Cardiac Computer Tomography and Proposal of a Classification Score.

Objective: This study develops a BI-RADS-like scoring system for vascular microcalcifications in mammographies, correlating breast arterial calcification (BAC) in a mammography with coronary artery calcification (CAC), and specifying differences between microcalcifications caused by BAC and microcalcifications potentially associated with malignant disease.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study evaluated 124 consecutive female patients (with a median age of 57 years). The presence of CAC was evaluated based on the Agatston score obtained from non-enhanced coronary computed tomography, and the calcifications detected in the mammography were graded on a four-point Likert scale, with the following criteria: (1) no visible or sporadically scattered microcalcifications, (2) suspicious microcalcification not distinguishable from breast arterial calcification, (3) minor breast artery calcifications, and (4) major breast artery calcifications.

Vascular endothelial growth factor B-mediated fatty acid flux in the adipose-kidney axis contributes to lipotoxicity in diabetic kidney disease.

A common observation in diabetic kidney disease is lipid accumulation, but the mechanism(s) underlying this pathology is unknown. Inhibition of Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) signaling was shown to prevent glomerular lipid accumulation and ameliorated diabetic kidney disease in experimental models. Here, we examined kidney biopsies from patients with Type 2 (84%) and Type 1 diabetes (16%), combined with data mining of RNA-seq dataset analyses in patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Thrombolysis exacerbates cerebrovascular injury after ischemic stroke via a VEGF-B dependent effect on adipose lipolysis.

Cerebrovascular injuries leading to edema and hemorrhage after ischemic stroke are common. The mechanisms underlying these events and how they are connected to known risk factors for poor outcome, like obesity and diabetes, is relatively unknown. Herein we demonstrate that increased adipose tissue lipolysis is a dominating risk factor for the development of a compromised cerebrovasculature in ischemic stroke.

Occurrence and Fate of Fluoroalkyl Sulfonamide-Based Copolymers in Earthworms-Bioavailability, Transformation, and Potential Impact of Sludge Application.

To date, considerable knowledge and data gaps regarding the occurrence, environmental levels, and fate of polymeric perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exist. In the present study availability, accumulation, and transformation of C4- and C8-fluoroalkylsulfonamide (FASA)-based copolymers were assessed in laboratory-grown earthworms (, triplicate of exposure tests and control). Further, a field study on earthworms (18 pooled samples) in sludge-amended soil was conducted to assess the environmental impact of sludge-amended soil with regard to the FASA-based copolymers, together with the applied sludge ( = 3), and the field soils during the period ( = 4).

Clinical experience of pulmonary vein isolation via single transseptal puncture in atrial fibrillation patients: Comprehensive characterization and follow-up.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly observed cardiac rhythm disorder. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective treatment option to maintain sinus rhythm. This study evaluates the safety, efficacy, clinical outcomes and radiation exposures using a standardized single transseptal puncture (STP)-strategy.

[28-year-old male patient with headaches on the left side and facial pain].

A 28-year-old male suffers for two weeks from new-onset very severe headache located on his left temple radiating to his jaw. He also complains about left sided retroorbital pain and chewing aggravated symptoms. In addition, nausea and emesis in the mornings during the past six months were reported.

A case study on microlitter and chemical contaminants: Assessing biological effects in the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic sea) using the mussel Mytilus trossulus as a bioindicator.

Chemical and microlitter (ML) pollution in three Estonian coastal areas (Baltic Sea) was investigated using mussels (Mytilus trossulus). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in mussel tissues were observed in moderate levels with high bioaccumulation factors for the more hydrophilic and low molecular weight PAH (LMW PAH), namely anthracene and fluorene. Tissue concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and cadmium within mussel populations exceeded the Good Environmental Status thresholds by more than 200% and 60%, respectively.

An Anti-VEGF-B Antibody Reduces Abnormal Tumor Vasculature and Enhances the Effects of Chemotherapy.

The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs) are key regulators of blood vessel formation, including in tumors, where their deregulated function can promote the production of aberrant, leaky blood vessels, supporting tumor development. Here we investigated the VEGFR1 ligand VEGF-B, which we demonstrate to be expressed in tumor cells and in tumor stroma and vasculature across a range of tumor types. We examined the anti-VEGF-B-specific monoclonal antibody 2H10 in preclinical xenograft models of breast and colorectal cancer, in comparison with the anti-VEGF-A antibody bevacizumab.

Associations between various markers of intestinal barrier and immune function after a high-intensity exercise challenge.

Strenuous exercise can result in disruption of intestinal barrier function and occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this exploratory study was to elucidate systemic effects of increased intestinal permeability after high-intensity exercise. Forty-one endurance-trained subjects performed a 60-min treadmill run at 80% VOmax.

Challenges and pitfalls during CRT implantation in patients with persistent left superior vena cava.

Background: Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare venous anomaly, affecting 0.3-0.5% of the general population.

PDGF-D Is Dispensable for the Development and Progression of Murine Alport Syndrome.

Alport syndrome is an inherited kidney disease, which can lead to glomerulosclerosis and fibrosis, as well as end-stage kidney disease in children and adults. Platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) mediates glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in various models of kidney disease, prompting investigation of its role in a murine model of Alport syndrome. In vitro, PDGF-D induced proliferation and profibrotic activation of conditionally immortalized human parietal epithelial cells.

Immunotoxic, genotoxic, and endocrine disrupting impacts of polyamide microplastic particles and chemicals.

Due to their exceptional properties and cost effectiveness, polyamides or nylons have emerged as widely used materials, revolutionizing diverse industries, including industrial 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM). Powder-based AM technologies employ tonnes of polyamide microplastics to produce complex components every year. However, the lack of comprehensive toxicity assessment of particulate polyamides and polyamide-associated chemicals, especially in the light of the global microplastics crisis, calls for urgent action.

Gender-specific differences in comorbidities, in-hospital complications and outcomes in emergency patients with ethanol intoxication with and without multisubstance use.

Aims Of The Study: To analyse gender-specific differences in comorbidities, multisubstance abuse, in-hospital complications, intensive care unit transfers and referrals to psychiatric wards of emergency department patients with ethanol intoxication. Several lines of evidence suggest an influence of gender differences on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to various diseases.

Methods: Over a period of 7 years, all patients with signs or symptoms of ethanol intoxication and a positive blood ethanol test admitted for the first time to the emergency department of a Swiss regional tertiary referral hospital were prospectively enrolled.

Inhibition of VEGF-B signaling prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development by targeting lipolysis in the white adipose tissue.

Background & Aims: Hepatic steatosis is a hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common comorbidity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and involves the crosstalk between the liver and the white adipose tissue (WAT). Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) has been shown to control tissue lipid accumulation by regulating the transport properties of the vasculature.

Proof of lung muscarinic receptor occupancy by tiotropium: Translational Positron Emission Tomography studies in non-human primates and humans.

Introduction: Molecular imaging has not been used to support the development of drugs for the treatment of pulmonary disorders. The aim of the present translational study was to advance quantitative pulmonary PET imaging by demonstrating occupancy of the reference asthma drug tiotropium at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR).

Methods: PET imaging was performed using the muscarinic radioligand [C]VC-002.

Medical therapy with flecainide and propafenone in atrial fibrillation: Long-term clinical experience in the tertiary care setting.

Background: Flecainide and propafenone are Class Ic antiarrhythmic drugs that block the cardiac fast inwards Na+ current and are used for rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on long-term clinical efficacy and safety of these drugs in a real-world setting are scarce.

Methods: Patients with AF who received chronic flecainide or propafenone therapy were retrospectively studied from the database of a tertiary care center.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy in the presence of total atrioventricular block reduces long-lasting atrial fibrillation episodes.

Background: There is an ongoing debate on how cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in the presence of total AV block affects atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and symptoms in patients with AF.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with symptomatic, drug and ablation refractory AF received, irrespective of their left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), either a CRT device and underwent subsequent atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation or already had a total AV block and underwent CRT upgrade. Long-lasting AF episodes (>48 h), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left atrial diameter (LAD), NTproBNP levels, EHRA score, and NYHA class had been monitored on the follow-up.

Is the mental health of older adults receiving care from their children related to their children's dual burden of caregiving and work stress? A linked lives perspective.

Objectives: Mental health problems are a major concern in the older population in Sweden, as is the growing number of older adults aging alone in their homes and in need of informal care. Using a linked lives perspective, this study explored if older parents' mental health is related to their children's dual burden of informal caregiving and job strain.

Methods: Data from a nationally representative Swedish survey, SWEOLD, were used.

Myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccine: incidence, presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, therapy, and outcomes put into perspective. A clinical consensus document supported by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases.

Over 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines based on RNA technology, viral vectors, recombinant protein, and inactivated virus have been administered worldwide. Although generally very safe, post-vaccine myocarditis can result from adaptive humoral and cellular, cardiac-specific inflammation within days and weeks of vaccination. Rates of vaccine-associated myocarditis vary by age and sex with the highest rates in males between 12 and 39 years.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sludge from wastewater treatment plants in Sweden - First findings of novel fluorinated copolymers in Europe including temporal analysis.

Thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are on the global market, while only a minor proportion is monitored regularly in the environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been suggested to be a point source for PFAS to the environment due to emission of effluent and sludge. In this study, 81 PFAS including two rarely studied perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide-based (FASA) copolymers were analyzed in sludge samples to understand the usage of PFAS in the society.

Thrombolytic tPA-induced hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke is mediated by PKCβ phosphorylation of occludin.

The current standard of care for moderate to severe ischemic stroke is thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Treatment with tPA can significantly improve neurologic outcomes; however, thrombolytic therapy is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The risk of hemorrhage significantly limits the use of thrombolytic therapy, and identifying pathways induced by tPA that increase this risk could provide new therapeutic options to extend thrombolytic therapy to a wider patient population.

Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Transseptal Left Atrial Access to Improve Safety in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Background: Endovascular pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become an important strategy for rhythm control in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Transseptal access is a critical step of this procedure and can result in potentially life-threatening complications. This retrospective study evaluates the safety of standardized, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided transseptal access to the left atrium in consecutive patients who underwent PVI.

Analysis and characterization of novel fluorinated compounds used in surface treatments products.

Side-chain fluorinated polymers are speculated to be potential precursors to other non-polymeric aliphatic per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Limited knowledge of environmental occurrence of this compound class is partly due to lack of structural information and authentic standards. In this study, two novel fluorinated compounds, suspected to be side-chain fluorinated copolymers used in two commercial technical mixtures (Scotchgard™ Pre-2002 formulation and Scotchgard™ Post-2002 formulation) were analyzed and characterized in order to provide information to facilitate detection and quantification.

Microvesicles released from activated CD4 T cells alter microvascular endothelial cell function.

Background: Microvesicles are vesicles shed by plasma membranes following cell activation and apoptosis. The role of lymphocyte-derived microvesicles in endothelial function remains poorly understood.

Methods: CD4 T cells isolated from peripheral blood of healthy human donors were stimulated using anti-CD3/anti-CD28-coated beads.