Cardiomyocyte-targeting exosomes from sulforaphane-treated fibroblasts affords cardioprotection in infarcted rats.

Background: Exosomes (EXOs), tiny extracellular vesicles that facilitate cell-cell communication, are being explored as a heart failure treatment, although the features of the cell source restrict their efficacy. Fibroblasts the most prevalent non-myocyte heart cells, release poor cardioprotective EXOs. A noninvasive method for manufacturing fibroblast-derived exosomes (F-EXOs) that target cardiomyocytes and slow cardiac remodeling is expected.

Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound and machine learning approaches for the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is one of the most dangerous skin cancers. The aim of this study was to present a potential new method for the differential diagnosis of MM from melanocytic naevi (MN). We examined 20 MM and 19 MN with a new ultra-high-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) equipped with a 70 MHz linear probe.

Mitochondrial P2X7 Receptor Localization Modulates Energy Metabolism Enhancing Physical Performance.

Basal expression of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) improves mitochondrial metabolism, Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, and overall fitness of immune and non-immune cells. We investigated P2X7R contribution to energy metabolism and subcellular localization in fibroblasts (mouse embryo fibroblasts and HEK293 human fibroblasts), mouse microglia (primary brain microglia, and the N13 microglia cell line), and heart tissue. The P2X7R localizes to mitochondria, and its lack (1) decreases basal respiratory rate, ATP-coupled respiration, maximal uncoupled respiration, resting mitochondrial potential, mitochondrial matrix Ca level, (2) modifies expression pattern of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, and (3) severely affects cardiac performance.

Myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol oral supplementation ameliorate cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity.

Obesity is an independent risk factor to develop cardiac functional and structural impairments. Here, we investigated the effects of supplementation of inositols on the electrical, structural, and functional cardiac alterations in the mouse model of high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity. Three groups of C57BL6 mice (n = 16 each) were studied: j) HFD feeding; jj) HFD feeding + inositols from week 9 to 13; jjj) standard diet feeding.

Measuring the Interaction Between the Macro- and Micro-Vasculature.

Structural and functional dysfunction in both the macro- and microvasculature are a feature of essential hypertension. In a healthy cardiovascular system, the elastic properties of the large arteries ensure that pulsations in pressure and flow generated by cyclic left ventricular contraction are dampened, so that less pulsatile pressure and flow are delivered at the microvascular level. However, in response to aging, hypertension, and other disease states, arterial stiffening limits the buffering capacity of the elastic arteries, thus exposing the microvasculature to increased pulsatile stress.

Murine model of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and electro-mechanical uncoupling following high-fat diet.

Background/objectives: It is well established that obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiac death. In particular various cardiac alterations have been described in obese patients such as long QT on ECG, impaired diastolic filling of the left ventricle (LV), and all-type arrhythmias. In the present study, the above alterations were all reproduced in a mouse model of fat diet-induced obesity.

Obese mice exposed to psychosocial stress display cardiac and hippocampal dysfunction associated with local brain-derived neurotrophic factor depletion.

Introduction: Obesity and psychosocial stress (PS) co-exist in individuals of Western society. Nevertheless, how PS impacts cardiac and hippocampal phenotype in obese subjects is still unknown. Nor is it clear whether changes in local brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) account, at least in part, for myocardial and behavioral abnormalities in obese experiencing PS.

Numerical simulation of novel concept 4D cardiac microtomography for small rodents based on all-optical Thomson scattering X-ray sources.

Accurate dynamic three-dimensional (4D) imaging of the heart of small rodents is required for the preclinical study of cardiac biomechanics and their modification under pathological conditions, but technological challenges are met in laboratory practice due to the very small size and high pulse rate of the heart of mice and rats as compared to humans. In 4D X-ray microtomography (4D μCT), the achievable spatio-temporal resolution is hampered by limitations in conventional X-ray sources and detectors. Here, we propose a proof-of-principle 4D μCT platform, exploiting the unique spatial and temporal features of novel concept, all-optical X-ray sources based on Thomson scattering (TS).

Cardiometabolic risk and subclinical vascular damage assessment in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a challenge for the clinician.

Objectives: A high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), not fully explained by the prevalence of traditional risk factors only, is reported in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). Thus, we investigated if novel markers of CVD risk, like carotid diameter and advanced glycated end products, can better predict increased CVD risk in IIM patients.

Methods: We studied 43 consecutive patients diagnosed with IIM.

Alterations in Carotid Parameters in ApoE-/- Mice Treated with a High-Fat Diet: A Micro-ultrasound Analysis.

Information on the common carotid artery and cerebral microcirculation can be obtained by micro-ultrasound (µUS). The aim of the study described here was to investigate high-fat diet-induced alterations in vascular parameters in ApoE-/- mice. Twenty-two ApoE-/- male mice were examined by µUS and divided into the standard diet (ApoE-/-) and high-fat diet (ApoE-/-) groups.

Antitumoral effects of attenuated Listeria monocytogenes in a genetically engineered mouse model of melanoma.

Attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lm-LLO) represents a valuable anticancer vaccine and drug delivery platform. Here we show that in vitro Lm-LLO causes ROS production and, in turn, apoptotic killing of a wide variety of melanoma cells, irrespectively of their stage, mutational status, sensitivity to BRAF inhibitors or degree of stemness. We also show that, when administered in the therapeutic setting to Braf/Pten genetically engineered mice, Lm-LLO causes a strong decrease in the size and volume of primary melanoma tumors, as well as a reduction of the metastatic burden.

Effects of carotid pressure waveforms on the results of wave separation, wave intensity and reservoir pressure analysis.

Objective: Recently great attention has been paid to innovative cardiovascular biomarkers obtained from wave separation (WS), wave intensity (WI) and reservoir-wave (RW) theories. All these approaches share a requirement for pressure information. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in WS-, WI- and RW-derived parameters obtained achieving pressure waveforms in different ways.

In vivo evaluation of an elastomeric small-diameter vascular graft reinforced with a highly flexible Nitinol mesh.

Highly porous small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs) prepared with elastomeric materials such as poly(ether urethane) (PEtU)-polydimethylsiloxane (PEtU-PDMS) are capable to biodegrade but may develop aneurismal dilatation. Through a compliance/patency assessment with ultrasound techniques, the current study investigated the functionality, in terms of patency and endothelialization, of a highly flexible and porous Nitinol mesh incorporated into PEtU-PDMS SDVGs in a sheep carotid model. Nitinol-PEtU-PDMS grafts with an internal diameter (ID) of 4 mm were manufactured by spray, phase-inversion technique.

Acute Cardiovascular Adaptation to Strenuous Exercise: An Integrative Ultrasound Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of participation in an Ironman distance triathlon competition on arterial function by ultrasound, in relation to cardiac function and body water content.

Methods: Twenty-eight male triathletes participating in an Ironman distance competition underwent carotid, femoral, and cardiac ultrasound examinations. Moreover, the presence of extravascular lung water was identified by lung echo B-lines (echogenic coherent wedge-shaped signal with a narrow origin from the hyperechoic pleural line) at rest and within 20 minutes of arrival.

Steato-Score: Non-Invasive Quantitative Assessment of Liver Fat by Ultrasound Imaging.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming a global epidemic. The aim of this study was to develop a system for assessing liver fat content based on ultrasound images. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements were obtained in 61 patients and the controlled attenuation parameter in 54.

Ultrasonographic Characterization of the Mouse: An Animal Model of Metabolic Abnormalities.

The availability of an animal model able to reliably mirror organ damage occurring in metabolic diseases is an urgent need. These models, mostly rodents, have not been fully characterized in terms of cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic ultrasound parameters, and only sparse values can be found in literature. Aim of this paper is to provide a detailed, noninvasive description of the heart, vessels, liver, and kidneys of the mouse by ultrasound imaging.

Digital liver biopsy: Bio-imaging of fatty liver for translational and clinical research.

The rapidly growing field of functional, molecular and structural bio-imaging is providing an extraordinary new opportunity to overcome the limits of invasive liver biopsy and introduce a "digital biopsy" for study of liver pathophysiology. To foster the application of bio-imaging in clinical and translational research, there is a need to standardize the methods of both acquisition and the storage of the bio-images of the liver. It can be hoped that the combination of digital, liquid and histologic liver biopsies will provide an innovative synergistic tri-dimensional approach to identifying new aetiologies, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the optimization of personalized therapy of liver diseases and liver cancer.

Longitudinal micro-ultrasound assessment of the ob/ob mouse model: evaluation of cardiovascular, renal and hepatic parameters.

Background/objectives: Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and is associated with increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Leptin-deficient mice (ob/ob) are widely employed to investigate obesity. Aim of this study was to provide a micro-ultrasound (μUS) longitudinal evaluation of the ob/ob mouse model in terms of cardiovascular effects, consequences for renal microcirculation and liver fat accumulation.

Ultrasound-based Pulse Wave Velocity Evaluation in Mice.

Arterial stiffness can be evaluated by calculating pulse wave velocity (PWV), i.e., the speed with which the pulse wave travels in a conduit vessel.

Wave intensity analysis in mice: age-related changes in WIA peaks and correlation with cardiac indexes.

Mouse models are increasingly employed in the comprehension of cardiovascular disease. Wave Intensity Analysis (WIA) can provide information about the interaction between the vascular and the cardiac system. We investigate age-associated changes in WIA-derived parameters in mice and correlate them with biomarkers of cardiac function.

Carotid-Ventricular Coupling During Exercise: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: To evaluate carotid elasticity and left ventricular elastance during a graded bicycle semisupine exercise test in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease and compare them with a control group of healthy young volunteers.

Methods: Thirty-six elderly patients and 18 young healthy volunteers were recruited. The right carotid diameter was estimated by an automatic system applied to B-mode sonographic sequences, central mean blood and pulse pressures by radial artery tonometry, and cardiac volumes by 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography; from these direct measurements, the carotid cross-sectional distensibility coefficient and left ventricular elastance index were obtained.

Time Course of Isoflurane-Induced Vasodilation: A Doppler Ultrasound Study of the Left Coronary Artery in Mice.

Isoflurane is widely used as vasodilator in studies of coronary flow reserve (CFR) in small animals, but the protocols have not been standardized. This study assessed the time course of the increase in isoflurane-induced flow in the mouse coronary artery by pulsed-wave Doppler measurements at 1% isoflurane concentration maintained for 6 min and then increased to 2.5% for 30 min.

Noninvasive Assessment of Carotid Pulse Pressure Values: An Accelerometric-Based Approach.

Objective: Central pulse pressure (cPP) is increasingly investigated as possible independent predictor of cardiovascular risk and carotid pulse pressure (carPP) can be used as a surrogate of cPP. Despite its importance, carPP measurement remains challenging in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to introduce a new easier-to-use method for noninvasive carPP evaluation based on the use of a MEMS accelerometer.

Organosilicon phantom for photoacoustic imaging.

Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging technique. Although commercially available photoacoustic imaging systems currently exist, the technology is still in its infancy. Therefore, the design of stable phantoms is essential to achieve semiquantitative evaluation of the performance of a photoacoustic system and can help optimize the properties of contrast agents.