Sacubitril/valsartan preserves regional cardiac function following myocardial infarction in rats.

Aims: Sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) is used for treatment of heart failure. The effect of Sac/Val on regional dysfunction following myocardial infarction (MI) remains uncertain. This study aimed at understanding the effects of Sac/Val on regional function after MI.

Elevated levels of peripheral and central nervous system immune markers reflect innate immune dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Evidence suggests dysregulated immune functions in the pathophysiology of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although specific immune mechanisms are yet to be identified.

Methods: We assessed circulating levels of 25 immune/neuroinflammatory markers in a large ASD sample (n = 151) and matched controls (n = 72) using linear models. In addition, we performed global brain transcriptomics analyses of relevant immune-related genes.

Cellular immunity against cytomegalovirus and risk of infection after kidney transplantation.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a challenge following kidney transplantation (KTx). Currently, CMV-IgG serostatus at transplantation is used to individualize CMV preventive strategies. We assessed the clinical utility of CMV-IGRA for predicting CMV infection following KTx.

Regulation of cardiomyocyte t-tubule structure by preload and afterload: Roles in cardiac compensation and decompensation.

Mechanical load is a potent regulator of cardiac structure and function. Although high workload during heart failure is associated with disruption of cardiomyocyte t-tubules and Ca homeostasis, it remains unclear whether changes in preload and afterload may promote adaptive t-tubule remodelling. We examined this issue by first investigating isolated effects of stepwise increases in load in cultured rat papillary muscles.

Temporal expression and spatial distribution of the proteoglycan versican during cardiac fibrosis development.

Cardiac fibrosis is a central pathological feature in several cardiac diseases, but the underlying molecular players are insufficiently understood. The extracellular matrix proteoglycan versican is elevated in heart failure and suggested to be a target for treatment. However, the temporal expression and spatial distribution of versican and the versican cleavage fragment containing the neoepitope DPEAAE in cardiac fibrosis remains to be elucidated.