Serum phosphate is an independent predictor of the total aortic calcification volume in non-hemodialysis patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

Background: A high serum phosphate level is a well-known risk factor for vascular calcification (VC) in patients on hemodialysis (HD). However, the association between the serum phosphate level and VC in non-HD patients is unclear. Our aim was to assess the impact of serum phosphate level on aortic calcification (AC) volume in non-HD patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

Optimal angulations for obtaining an en face view of each coronary aortic sinus and the interventricular septum: Correlative anatomy around the left ventricular outflow tract.

An optimal image intensifier angulation used for obtaining an en face view of a target structure is important in electrophysiologic procedures performed around each coronary aortic sinus (CAS). However, few studies have revealed the fluoroscopic anatomy of the target area. This study investigated the optimal angulation for each CAS and the interventricular septum (IVS).

Three-dimensional quantification and visualization of aortic calcification by multidetector-row computed tomography: a simple approach using a volume-rendering method.

Objective: Three-dimensional (3-D) visualization and quantification of vascular calcification (VC) are important to accelerate the multidisciplinary investigation of VC. Agatston scoring is the standard approach for evaluating coronary artery calcification. However, regarding aortic calcification (AC), quantification methods appear to vary among studies.

Family with sequence similarity 5, member C (FAM5C) increases leukocyte adhesion molecules in vascular endothelial cells: implication in vascular inflammation.

Identification of the regulators of vascular inflammation is important if we are to understand the molecular mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis and consequent ischemic heart disease, including acute myocardial infarction. Gene polymorphisms in family with sequence similarity 5, member C (FAM5C) are associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction, but little is known about the function of this gene product in blood vessels. Here, we report that the regulation of the expression and function of FAM5C in endothelial cells.

Association between the rotation and three-dimensional tortuosity of the proximal ascending aorta.

Age-related morphological changes of the aorta, including dilatation and elongation, have been reported. However, rotation has not been fully investigated. We focused on the rotation of the ascending aorta and investigated its relationship with tortuosity.

Nectin-like molecule-5 regulates intimal thickening after carotid artery ligation in mice.

Objective: Intimal thickening is considered to result from the dedifferentiation of medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype, and their subsequent migration and proliferation. It is unknown whether nectin-like molecule (Necl)-5, which is overexpressed in cancer cells, is involved in intimal thickening.

Approach And Results: Necl-5 was upregulated in mouse carotid artery after ligation.

Osteoblast-like differentiation of cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells by bone morphogenetic protein endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER).

Differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into osteoblast-like cells is considered to be a mechanism of vascular calcification. However, regulators of osteoblast-like differentiation of vascular SMCs are not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-binding endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER), a vertebrate homologue of Drosophila crossveinless-2, in vascular SMCs and the role and mode of action of BMPER in osteoblast-like differentiation of human coronary artery SMCs (HCASMCs).

Necl-5/poliovirus receptor interacts with VEGFR2 and regulates VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

Rationale: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major proangiogenic agent, exerts its proangiogenic action by binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), the activity of which is regulated by direct interactions with other cell surface proteins, including integrin α(V)β(3). However, how the interaction between VEGFR2 and integrin α(V)β(3) is regulated is not clear.

Objective: To investigate whether Necl-5/poliovirus receptor, an immunoglobulin-like molecule that is known to bind integrin α(V)β(3), regulates the interaction between VEGFR2 and integrin α(V)β(3), and to clarify the role of Necl-5 in the VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

Role of afadin in vascular endothelial growth factor- and sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced angiogenesis.

Rationale: Angiogenesis contributes to physiological and pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis. The Rap1 small G protein regulates vascular integrity and angiogenesis. However, little is known about the effectors of Rap1 involved in angiogenesis.

Accuracy of nonstenotic coronary atherosclerosis assessment by multi-detector computed tomography.

Background: The ability to evaluate coronary stenosis using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has been well discussed. In contrast, several studies demonstrated that the plaque burden measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has a relationship to the risk of cardiovascular events. the accuracy of MDCT was studied to determine plaque and vessel size compared with IVUS.