The enigma of fine mobile structures on the aortic surface in a patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a case report.

Background: The surface of the aorta generally does not show motion unless mobile atheroma, thrombi, vegetations, or intimal flaps are present. We previously described unusual mobile filamentous structures in the carotid artery. Here, we describe similar findings in the aorta and their possible cause.

Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide on Essential Functions of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes.

Impaired polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) functions contribute to increased infections and cardiovascular diseases in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Uremic toxins reduce hydrogen sulfide (HS) levels and the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of HS. Its biosynthesis occurs as a side process of transsulfuration and in the disposal of adenosylhomocysteine, a transmethylation inhibitor and proposed uremic toxin.

Novel roles of RTN4 and CLIMP-63 in regulating mitochondrial structure, bioenergetics and apoptosis.

The recruitment of DRP1 to mitochondrial membranes prior to fission is facilitated by the wrapping of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes around the mitochondria. To investigate the complex interplay between the ER membranes and DRP1 in the context of mitochondrial structure and function, we downregulate two key ER shaping proteins, RTN4 and CLIMP-63, and demonstrate pronounced mitochondrial hyperfusion and reduced ER-mitochondria contacts, despite their differential regulation of ER architecture. Although mitochondrial recruitment of DRP1 is unaltered in cells lacking RTN4 or CLIMP-63, several aspects of mitochondrial function, such as mtDNA-encoded translation, respiratory capacity and apoptosis are significantly hampered.

Percutaneous thrombectomy and right ventricular mechanical circulatory support for pulmonary embolism in a coronavirus disease 2019 patient: case report, 1-year update, and echocardiographic findings.

Background: We previously described percutaneous thrombectomy and right ventricular (RV) mechanical support of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient with a massive pulmonary embolism. Here, we present a detailed echocardiographic and clinical timeline with 1-year follow-up.

Case Summary: A 57-year-old female with COVID-19 went into shock from a massive pulmonary embolism.

Effect of High-Density Lipoprotein from Healthy Subjects and Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on the CD14 Expression on Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes.

In uremic patients, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) loses its anti-inflammatory features and can even become pro-inflammatory due to an altered protein composition. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), impaired functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) contribute to inflammation and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the effect of HDL from CKD and hemodialysis (HD) patients on the CD14 expression on PMNLs.

Special Issue: Immune Dysfunction in Uremia.

This Special Issue of focusses on the interconnected factors interfering with the immune response in uremic patients [...

A case report of a large intracardiac thrombus in a COVID-19 patient managed with percutaneous thrombectomy and right ventricular mechanical circulatory support.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic with an unprecedented burden on health and the economy worldwide. Although it primarily involves the respiratory tract system, cardiovascular complications, particularly arterial and venous thrombosis, are frequently reported and are associated with adverse outcomes.

Case Summary: We describe the case of a 57-year-old female who presented with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and shock.

Measuring employment during COVID-19: challenges and opportunities.

Measuring the economy during COVID-19 has created a set of hurdles and prospects for the U.S. statistical agencies, the private sector, and academia.

Carotid Strands: Possible Mechanisms and Implications of a Novel Finding.

• Carotid strands are a novel ultrasound finding of unknown prevalence. • Three cases of carotid strands are reported in subjects with or at risk for carotid atheroma. • In one subject, new material deposited in the bulb that disappeared with statin use.

The TAVR that Got Away: A Case Report.

• Prosthetic valve migration and coronary occlusion are relatively rare complications. • Precise preoperative imaging can help reduce the risk for complications. • Alternative-modality imaging is crucial when CT provides inconclusive data.

Immune Dysfunction in Uremia 2020.

Cardiovascular disease and infections are major causes for the high incidence of morbidity and mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease. Both complications are directly or indirectly associated with disturbed functions or altered apoptotic rates of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. Normal responses of immune cells can be reduced, leading to infectious diseases or pre-activated/primed, giving rise to inflammation and subsequently to cardiovascular disease.

CD38 Antibody Daratumumab for the Treatment of Chronic Active Antibody-mediated Kidney Allograft Rejection.

Background: Late antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major cause of transplant failure. Potential therapeutic targets are plasma cells and natural killer (NK) cells, both expressing high levels of CD38.

Methods: Here, we report the use of CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab (9-mo course) in a kidney allograft recipient diagnosed with smoldering myeloma and anti-HLA class II donor-specific antibody-positive chronic active AMR 13 years after transplantation.

Exploring the potential of BH3 mimetic therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with overall survival of less than 50%. Current therapeutic strategies involving a combination of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy are associated with debilitating side effects, highlighting the need for more specific and efficacious therapies. Inhibitors of BCL-2 family proteins (BH3 mimetics) are under investigation or in clinical practice for several hematological malignancies and show promise in solid tumors.

A practical guide to graphic communication for quality assurance, education, and patient care in echocardiography.

Graphic communication (GC) is useful for continuous quality improvement (CQI), education, and patient care when in-person discussion is not possible because of geographic and schedule constraints. In echocardiography, these constraints can be mitigated by (a) capturing screenshots and device photos or videos and sharing them by email or text message, (b) simultaneous viewing of images on digital displays, and (c) broadcasting the study real time during acquisition to other mobile or stationary devices. Screenshots are useful for CQI and education and can be acquired, annotated, and shared with minimal impact on the flow of clinical echo interpretation.

DRP-1 functions independently of mitochondrial structural perturbations to facilitate BH3 mimetic-mediated apoptosis.

Maintenance of mitochondrial integrity is critical for normal cellular homoeostasis. Most cells respond to stress stimuli and undergo apoptosis by perturbing mitochondrial structure and function to release proteins, such as cytochrome , which are essential for the execution of the intrinsic apoptotic cascade. Cancer cells evade these events by overexpressing the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family of proteins on mitochondrial membranes.

Apogossypol-mediated reorganisation of the endoplasmic reticulum antagonises mitochondrial fission and apoptosis.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with its elaborate network of highly curved tubules and flat sheets interacts with several other organelles, including mitochondria, peroxisomes and endosomes, to play vital roles in their membrane dynamics and functions. Previously, we identified structurally diverse chemicals from different pharmacological classes, which induce a reversible reorganisation of ER membranes. Using apogossypol as a prototypic tool compound, we now show that ER membrane reorganisation occurs at the level of ER tubules but does not involve ER sheets.

Pathologic Intracardiac Bubbles in Patients With Cirrhosis: The Case for an Intestinal Origin.

• LV, RV, RA, and LA bubbles were noted in two patients without active infusion. • Bubbles were detected in the portal and hepatic veins and the IVC in one patient. • Patients were at risk for portal vein gas and portosystemic and pulmonary shunting.

High-Density Lipoprotein from Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Modulates Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes.

The anti-inflammatory properties of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are lost in uremia. These HDL may show pro-inflammatory features partially as a result of changed protein composition. Alterations of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) may contribute to chronic inflammation and high vascular risk.

Targeting intermediary metabolism enhances the efficacy of BH3 mimetic therapy in hematologic malignancies.

BH3 mimetics are novel targeted drugs with remarkable specificity, potency and enormous potential to improve cancer therapy. However, acquired resistance is an emerging problem. We report the rapid development of resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells isolated from patients exposed to increasing doses of navitoclax (ABT-263), a BH3 mimetic.

BH3-only proteins are dispensable for apoptosis induced by pharmacological inhibition of both MCL-1 and BCL-X.

The impressive selectivity and efficacy of BH3 mimetics for treating cancer has largely been limited to BCL-2 dependent hematological malignancies. Most solid tumors depend on other anti-apoptotic proteins, including MCL-1, for survival. The recent description of S63845 as the first specific and potent MCL-1 inhibitor represents an important therapeutic advance, since MCL-1 is not targeted by the currently available BH3 mimetics, Navitoclax or Venetoclax, and is commonly associated with chemoresistance.

Selective BH3-mimetics targeting BCL-2, BCL-XL or MCL-1 induce severe mitochondrial perturbations.

Induction of apoptosis by selective BH3-mimetics is currently investigated as a novel strategy for cancer treatment. Here, we report that selective BH3-mimetics induce apoptosis in a variety of hematological malignancies. Apoptosis is accompanied by severe mitochondrial toxicities upstream of caspase activation.

S55746 is a novel orally active BCL-2 selective and potent inhibitor that impairs hematological tumor growth.

Escape from apoptosis is one of the major hallmarks of cancer cells. The B-cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) gene family encodes pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins that are key regulators of the apoptotic process. Overexpression of the pro-survival member BCL-2 is a well-established mechanism contributing to oncogenesis and chemoresistance in several cancers, including lymphoma and leukemia.

Molecular mechanisms of cell death: recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2018.

Over the past decade, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) has formulated guidelines for the definition and interpretation of cell death from morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Since the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple cell death pathways are unveiled, we propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines focusing on mechanistic and essential (as opposed to correlative and dispensable) aspects of the process. As we provide molecularly oriented definitions of terms including intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, we discuss the utility of neologisms that refer to highly specialized instances of these processes.