Effects of rivaroxaban and dabigatran on local expression of coagulation and inflammatory factors within human aortic stenotic valves.

Background: Treatment with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) such as dabigatran (a direct thrombin inhibitor) or rivaroxaban (a direct inhibitor of factor [F] Xa) attenuates atherosclerotic plaque progression in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of NOACs application on the expression of coagulation proteins in loco within stenotic aortic valves and in valve interstitial cells (VICs) from patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: Primary cultures of VICs obtained from 90 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement were stimulated with TNF-α (50 ng/mL) and pre-treated with rivaroxaban (1 and 10 ng/mL) or dabigatran (25 and 250 ng/mL).

Quantification of airborne birch (Betula sp.) pollen grains and allergens in Krakow.

Introduction: Birch (Betula sp.) pollen grains are the main cause of seasonal allergies in northern and central Europe. The allergen particles released from the grains are often well distributed in the air.