Shear Stress Alterations Activate BMP4/pSMAD5 Signaling and Induce Endothelial Mesenchymal Transition in Varicose Veins.

Chronic venous diseases, including varicose veins, are characterized by hemodynamic disturbances due to valve defects, venous insufficiency, and orthostatism. Veins are physiologically low shear stress systems, and how altered hemodynamics drives focal endothelial dysfunction and causes venous remodeling is unknown. Here we demonstrate the occurrence of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in human varicose veins.

Altered MicroRNA Expression in Intracranial Aneurysmal Tissues: Possible Role in TGF-β Signaling Pathway.

The molecular mechanisms behind the rupture of intracranial aneurysms remain obscure. MiRNAs are key regulators of a wide array of biological processes altering protein synthesis by binding to target mRNAs. However, variations in miRNA levels in ruptured aneurysmal wall have not been completely examined.

Histopathological Study of Left and Right Atria in Isolated Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis With and Without Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Mitral stenosis (MS) has the highest incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in chronic rheumatic valvular disease. There are very few studies in isolated MS comparing histopathological changes in patients with sinus rhythm (SR) and AF.

Objectives: To analyze the histological changes associated with isolated MS and compare between changes in AF and SR.

Arterialization and anomalous vein wall remodeling in varicose veins is associated with upregulated FoxC2-Dll4 pathway.

Varicose veins of lower extremities are a heritable common disorder. Mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis are still vague. Structural failures such as valve weakness and wall dilatation in saphenous vein result in venous retrograde flow in lower extremities of body.

Forkhead box C2 promoter variant c.-512C>T is associated with increased susceptibility to chronic venous diseases.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is one of the most prevalent yet underrated disorders worldwide. High heritability estimates of CVD indicate prominent genetic components in its etiology and pathology. Mutations in human forkhead box C2 (FoxC2) gene are strongly associated with valve failure in saphenous and deep veins of lower extremities.

A rare case of left ventricular outflow tract mass.

Thrombus formation in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) of a normal heart is a very rare occurrence. A 23-year-old male who presented with syncope, on evaluation found to have obstructing mass in the LVOT. His heart was otherwise normal.

Intracardiac thrombi in acute myeloid leukemia: an echocardiographic and autopsy correlation.

Two-dimensional echocardiography is the primary diagnostic imaging modality for the evaluation of cardiac masses. We describe an adult male suffering from acute myeloid leukemia who was detected to have right atrial and right ventricular mass on echocardiography. Based on the clinical data metastasis, coincidental primary cardiac tumor, vegetation, and thrombi were considered as possible differential diagnosis.