Seattle proportional risk model in GISSI-HF: Estimated benefit of ICD in patients with EF less than 50.

Background: The Seattle Proportional Risk Model (SPRM) estimates the proportion of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in heart failure (HF) patients, identifying those most likely to benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy (those with ≥50% estimated proportion of SCD). The GISSI-HF trial tested fish oil and rosuvastatin in HF patients. We used the SPRM to evaluate its accuracy in this cohort in predicting potential ICD benefit in patients with EF ≤50% and an SPRM-predicted proportion of SCD either ≥50% or <50%.

Plasma Ceramides and Sphingomyelins and Sudden Cardiac Death in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Importance: Sphingolipids, including ceramides and sphingomyelins, may influence the pathophysiology and risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) through multiple biological activities. Whether the length of the fatty acid acylated to plasma sphingolipid species is associated with SCD risk is not known.

Objective: To determine whether the saturated fatty acid length of plasma ceramides and sphingomyelins influences the association with SCD risk.

Assessment of Plasma Phospholipid Very-Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acid Levels and Healthy Aging.

Importance: Identifying novel factors that protect against age-related diseases and promote healthy aging is critical to public health. Higher levels of circulating very-long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFAs) are integrated biomarkers of diet and metabolism shown to have beneficial associations in cardiovascular disease and total mortality, but whether they are associated with overall healthy aging is unknown.

Objective: To examine the association of circulating levels of 3 VLSFAs with unhealthy aging events, including incident chronic disease (cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung disease or severe kidney disease), physical dysfunction, and cognitive decline.

Reversible Blindness as Presenting Manifestation of Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

The presenting symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) include abdominal pain, polyuria and nausea. Diabetes has well known chronic ocular complications like glaucoma, cataracts and retinopathy. We report a case of reversible blindness as a presenting manifestation of DKA that has been reported in literature only 3 times previously.

Cardiac Insulin Signaling Regulates Glycolysis Through Phosphofructokinase 2 Content and Activity.

Background: The healthy heart has a dynamic capacity to respond and adapt to changes in nutrient availability. Diabetes mellitus disrupts this metabolic flexibility and promotes cardiomyopathy through mechanisms that are not completely understood. Phosphofructokinase 2 (PFK-2) is a primary regulator of cardiac glycolysis and substrate selection, yet its regulation under normal and pathological conditions is unknown.

Decreased Mitochondrial Pyruvate Transport Activity in the Diabetic Heart: ROLE OF MITOCHONDRIAL PYRUVATE CARRIER 2 (MPC2) ACETYLATION.

Alterations in mitochondrial function contribute to diabetic cardiomyopathy. We have previously shown that heart mitochondrial proteins are hyperacetylated in OVE26 mice, a transgenic model of type 1 diabetes. However, the universality of this modification and its functional consequences are not well established.

cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase (PKA) Signaling Is Impaired in the Diabetic Heart.

Diabetes mellitus causes cardiac dysfunction and heart failure that is associated with metabolic abnormalities and autonomic impairment. Autonomic control of ventricular function occurs through regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The diabetic heart has suppressed β-adrenergic responsiveness, partly attributable to receptor changes, yet little is known about how PKA signaling is directly affected.

Phosphoprotein Detection on Protein Electroblot Using a Phosphate-Specific Fluorophore.

The reversible phosphorylation of phosphoproteins is a vital regulatory process for many cellular pathways. A reliable and simple fluorescent detection technique for phosphoproteins has been developed using a small-molecule organic fluorophore, Pro-Q Diamond dye. This was originally developed for use in gel staining, but a new formulation has allowed for its use in protein blotting.

Phosphoprotein detection on protein electroblot using a phosphate-specific fluorophore.

The reversible phosphorylation of phosphoproteins is a vital regulatory process for many cellular pathways. A reliable and simple fluorescent detection technique for phosphoproteins has been developed using a small-molecule organic fluorophore, Pro-Q Diamond dye. This was originally developed for use in gel staining, but a new formulation has allowed for its use in protein blotting.