"Affimer" synthetic protein scaffolds block oxidized LDL binding to the LOX-1 scavenger receptor and inhibit ERK1/2 activation.

In multicellular organisms, a variety of lipid-protein particles control the systemic flow of triacylglycerides, cholesterol, and fatty acids between cells in different tissues. The chemical modification by oxidation of these particles can trigger pathological responses, mediated by a group of membrane proteins termed scavenger receptors. The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1) scavenger receptor binds to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and mediates both signaling and trafficking outcomes.

Purification and Analysis of Circulating Lipid Particles.

Lipid particles found in circulating extracellular fluids such as blood or lymph are essential for cellular homeostasis, metabolism and survival. Such particles provide essential lipids and fats which enable cells to synthesize new membranes and regulate different biochemical pathways. Imbalance in lipid particle metabolism can cause pathological states such as atherosclerosis.

Structural Basis for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Activation and Implications for Disease Therapy.

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) bind to membrane receptors on a wide variety of cells to regulate diverse biological responses. The VEGF-A family member promotes vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, processes which are essential for vascular development and physiology. As angiogenesis can be subverted in many disease states, including tumour development and progression, there is much interest in understanding the mechanistic basis for how VEGF-A regulates cell and tissue function.

Scavenger Receptors as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Disease.

The process of atherosclerosis leads to the formation of plaques in the arterial wall, resulting in a decreased blood supply to tissues and organs and its sequelae: morbidity and mortality. A class of membrane-bound proteins termed scavenger receptors (SRs) are closely linked to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Increasing interest in understanding SR structure and function has led to the idea that these proteins could provide new routes for cardiovascular disease diagnosis, management, and treatment.

Volumetric versus single slice measurements of core abdominal muscle for sarcopenia.

Objective: We investigated whether total psoas muscle area (TPMA) was representative of the total psoas muscle volume (TPMV). Secondly, we assessed whether there was a relationship between the two commonly used single slice measurements of sarcopenia, TPMA and total abdominal muscle area (TAMA).

Methods: Pre-operative CT imaging of 110 patients undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm repair were analyzed by two trained independent observers.

Outcomes of Central Venoplasty in Haemodialysis Patients.

: To review the outcomes of central venoplasty in the treatment of symptomatic central vein stenosis in patients undergoing haemodialysis via an ipsilateral arteriovenous fistula (AVF). : Data were collected retrospectively, and included all the consecutive cases of central venoplasty between January 2008 and December 2015. : A total of 132 central venoplasties in 76 patients were performed, with incidence of symptomatic central vein stenosis at 7.

Omental torsion, a rare cause of acute abdomen.

Omental torsion is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain. We report a case of omental torsion in a 7-year-old girl, who presented with right iliac fossa pain. The patient underwent an open appendicectomy, during which a normal appendix was identified and a diagnosis of omental torsion was made.

Should dialysis-dependent patients with upper limb arterio-venous fistulae undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting avoid having ipsilateral in situ mammary artery grafts?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether dialysis-dependent patients with upper limb arterio-venous fistulae (AVFs) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting should avoid having ipsilateral in situ internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts. A literature search performed yielded 28 peer reviewed articles, of which 21 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.