Left atrial enlargement increases the risk of major adverse cardiac events independent of coronary vasodilator capacity.

Purpose: Longstanding uncontrolled atherogenic risk factors may contribute to left atrial (LA) hypertension, LA enlargement (LAE) and coronary vascular dysfunction. Together they may better identify risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic LA hypertension as assessed by LAE modifies the relationship between coronary vascular function and MACE.

Toward a modern synthesis of immunity: Charles A. Janeway Jr. and the immunologist's dirty little secret.

This essay chronicles the major theoretical and experimental contributions made by Charles A. Janeway, Jr. (1943-2003), Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and Yale Professor of Immunobiology, who established the fundamental role of the innate immune system in the induction of the adaptive arm.

CXCR3-dependent accumulation and activation of perivascular macrophages is necessary for homeostatic arterial remodeling to hemodynamic stresses.

Sustained changes in blood flow modulate the size of conduit arteries through structural alterations of the vessel wall that are dependent on the transient accumulation and activation of perivascular macrophages. The leukocytic infiltrate appears to be confined to the adventitia, is responsible for medial remodeling, and resolves once hemodynamic stresses have normalized without obvious intimal changes. We report that inward remodeling of the mouse common carotid artery after ligation of the ipsilateral external carotid artery is dependent on the chemokine receptor CXCR3.

Why some people prefer pickle juice: the research of Dr. Richard P. Lifton.

In this essay, the author interviews Dr. Richard P. Lifton and examines the use of genomics throughout his studies on the molecular pathophysiology of hypertensive and hypotensive diseases.