New pharmacotherapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Introduction: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and the American College of Cardiology Heart Failure (HF) guidelines all currently recommend the use of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and Beta Blockers (BB) in the treatment of HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Newer medications targeting combining an ARB with a neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril/valsartan have shown benefits in mortality and can be used in place of an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. Additionally, dapagliflozin, a medication targeting the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) can be used in addition to current therapies.

Hypoxia modulates protein phosphatase 2A through HIF-1α dependent and independent mechanisms in human aortic smooth muscle cells and ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Background And Purpose: Although protein phosphatases regulate multiple cellular functions, their modulation under hypoxia remains unclear. We investigated expression of the protein phosphatase system under normoxic/hypoxic conditions and the mechanism by which hypoxia alters protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity.

Experimental Approach: Human cardiovascular cells were cultured in cell type specific media under normoxic or hypoxic conditions (1% O ).

Synovial chondromatosis affecting a digital proximal interphalangeal joint.

We present a case of synovial chondromatosis affecting the interphalangeal joint where the disease did not clearly manifest itself on pre-operative radiographs. Although rare, surgeons should consider articular synovial chondromatosis as a differential for pain and stiffness in any joint, even those of the hand.

Chemical composition, antifungal and insecticidal activities of Hedychium essential oils.

The antimicrobial properties of essential oils have been documented, and their use as "biocides" is gaining popularity. The aims of this study were to analyze the chemical composition and assess the biological activities of Hedychium essential oils. Oils from 19 Hedychium species and cultivars were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.

Bright-Field and Fluorescence Microscopic Study of Development of Erysiphe polygoni in Susceptible and Resistant Bigleaf Hydrangea.

Temporal development of Erysiphe polygoni and responses of bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) to the fungal attack were investigated using bright-field and fluorescence microscopy. Conidia germinated 2 h after inoculation (HAI) and formed primary appressoria at the tip of the primary germ tubes within 4 HAI. Secondary germ tubes were initiated from primary appressoria or other parts of conidia 12 HAI.

Alterations in vascular matrix metalloproteinase due to ageing and chronic hypertension: effects of endothelin receptor blockade.

Objective: To determine the effects of age and dual endothelin (ET)A/ETB receptor antagonism (bosentan) on aortic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) abundance and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) expression in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods: Male SHR and control WKY rats were randomly assigned to receive placebo or bosentan (100 mg/kg per day) for 3 months. Animals were killed under terminal anaesthesia at either 20 weeks (adult) or 17-20 months (senescent).

Insecticidal activity of 23 essential oils and their major compounds against adult Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis) (Aphididae: Homoptera).

Essential oils from 23 species of plants comprising 14 genera and 4 plant families were obtained by Clevenger-type water distillation. The major compounds in these essential oils were identified with GC-MS and their insecticidal activity against adult turnip aphids, Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis), tested with dosage-mortality bioassays. We examined mortality only for viviparous adults because sizeable aphid populations on crucifer (Brassicaceae) hosts are largely produced by these wingless, parthenogenic females.