Sarcopenia and adipose tissue evaluation by artificial intelligence predicts the overall survival after TAVI.

Sarcopenia is a serious systemic disease that reduces overall survival. TAVI is selectively performed in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not indicated for open cardiac surgery due to severe polymorbidity. Artificial intelligence-assisted body composition assessment from available CT scans appears to be a simple tool to stratify these patients into low and high risk based on future estimates of all-cause mortality.

Host genetic variants associated with COVID-19 reconsidered in a Slovak cohort.

We present the results of an association study involving hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with a clinical background during the 3rd pandemic wave of COVID-19 in Slovakia. Seventeen single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the eleven most relevant genes, according to the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative, were investigated. Our study confirms the validity of the influence of LZTFL1 and 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)1/OAS3 genetic variants on the severity of COVID-19.

Heat shock proteins in cancer - Known but always being rediscovered: Their perspectives in cancer immunotherapy.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) represent cellular chaperones that are classified into several families, including HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90. The role of HSPs in the cell includes the facilitation of protein folding and maintaining protein structure. Both processes play crucial roles during stress conditions in the cell such as heat shock, degradation, and hypoxia.

The performance and limitations of PCA3, TMPRSS2:ERG, HOXC6 and DLX1 urinary markers combined in the improvement of prostate cancer diagnostics.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. To date, the role of the combined application of long non-coding RNAs (PCA3, DLX1, HOXC6, TMPRSS2:ERG) for obtaining the most accurate method of detection of PCa has not yet been comprehensively investigated.

Methods: In total 240 persons were included in the retrospective study.

Association of anthropometric and body composition parameters with the presence of hypertension in the Central European population: results from KardioVize 2030 study.

Background: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic non-communicable diseases and affects more than 60% of individuals over 60 years of age. Additionally, hypertension is a prominent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Human body composition is both the result and predictor of an individual's health status, and hypertension has consistently been shown to be more prevalent among obese individuals.

Cisplatin treatment reduces contraction to angiotensin II by altering expression of angiotensin II receptors: a pilot study.

The renin angiotensin system is a key regulator of blood pressure homeostasis. Angiotensin type 1 (ATR) and 2 receptors (ATR) have been investigated as targets for cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury; however, their therapeutic potential remains inconclusive. This pilot study aimed to determined the effect that acute cisplatin treatment had on angiotensin II (AngII)-induced contraction in blood vessels and expression profiles of ATR and ATR in mouse arteries and kidneys.

Flavonoids attenuate cancer metabolism by modulating Lipid metabolism, amino acids, ketone bodies and redox state mediated by Nrf2.

Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells is a common hallmark of malignant transformation. The preference for aerobic glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation in tumors is a well-studied phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. Importantly, metabolic transformation of cancer cells also involves alterations in signaling cascades contributing to lipid metabolism, amino acid flux and synthesis, and utilization of ketone bodies.

Prognostic value of Doppler echocardiographic coronary flow velocity assessment at rest in elderly patients.

Background: Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) are a common condition and cause of death in the elderly population. There are difficulties with risk assessment in the elderly as the objectification of their symptomatic status can be challenging due to neuromuscular weakness, physical deconditioning or neurological, orthopaedic, peripheral vascular, or respiratory limitations. Non-invasive coronary artery velocity assessment by Doppler method at rest could be helpful in the elderly population.

Flavonoids exert potential in the management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy represent severe complications of pregnancy, which, if not treated, can result in serious health consequences for the mother and the child. Flavonoids are bioactive secondary metabolites commonly found in fruits, vegetables, green tea, whole grains, and medicinal plants. Flavonoids exert potent protective efficacy in experimental models of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, especially preeclampsia, demonstrated through their capacity to modulate inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction.

Kinetics of platelet adhesion to a fibrinogen-coated surface in whole blood under flow conditions.

Aim: To test a novel method of assessment of platelet adhesion to a fibrinogen-coated surface in whole blood under flow conditions.

Methods: We developed a fluidic device that mimics blood flow in vessels. The method of detection of platelet adhesion is based on recording of a scattered laser light signal from a fibrinogen-covered surface.

Flavonoids against the SARS-CoV-2 induced inflammatory storm.

The disease severity of COVID-19, especially in the elderly and patients with co-morbidities, is characterized by hypercytokinemia, an exaggerated immune response associated with an uncontrolled and excessive release of proinflammatory cytokine mediators (cytokine storm). Flavonoids, important secondary metabolites of plants, have long been studied as therapeutic interventions in inflammatory diseases due to their cytokine-modulatory effects. In this review, we discuss the potential role of flavonoids in the modulation of signaling pathways that are crucial for COVID-19 disease, particularly those related to inflammation and immunity.

The role of plant-derived natural substances as immunomodulatory agents in carcinogenesis.

The role of immune system in carcinogenesis represents fundamental events associated with cancer eradication; however, tumor evolution is connected with various mechanisms of tumor evasion and progression of cancer. Based on recent evidence, phytochemicals are directly associated with immunomodulation of the innate and adaptive immunity via different mechanisms of action including stimulation and amplification of immune cells, humoral compartments, and associated molecules. This comprehensive study focuses on immunomodulating potential of phytochemicals (mixture in plants or separately such as individual phytochemical) and their impact on regulation of immune response during cancer development, immune tolerance, and immune escape.

Prevalence and significance of M541L single nucleotide polymorphism in the central European cohort of gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients.

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms can create a genetic microenvironment in some tumors that affects the course of treatment, resistance, etc. Whether single nucleotide polymorphisms have an impact on gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) development and disease progression is not yet accurately verified. KIT SNP in exon 10 correlates with a worse prognosis of many cancers.

The therapeutic effect of B-type natriuretic peptides in acute decompensated heart failure.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) exhibits roles in natriuresis and diuresis, making it an ideal drug that may aid in diuresing a fluid-overloaded patient with poor or worsening renal function. Several randomized clinical trials have tested the hypothesis that infusions of pharmacological doses of BNP to acute heart failure (HF) patients may enhance decongestion and preserve renal function in this clinical setting. Unfortunately, none of these have demonstrated beneficial outcomes.

MicroRNA-15a tissue expression is a prognostic marker for survival in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

None of the currently investigated molecular markers demonstrated sufficient accuracy in prognostication of the renal cell carcinoma (RCC) oncologic outcomes; thus, none of them has been recommended for the application in the routine clinical practice. The role of miR-15a as a potential prognostic marker for RCC is still not unveiled. The aim of our study was to assess the expression of miR-15a in tumor tissues of the patients with RCC and to evaluate the possibility of its usage as a prognostic molecular biomarker of this disease.

Impact of drugs on venous thromboembolism risk in surgical patients.

Purpose: This review focuses on the most common drugs administered to surgical patients during the perioperative period that affect the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Results: Among analgesics, the risk of VTE is increased in patients treated with diclofenac, ibuprofen, and rofecoxib, but not naproxen, while metamizole can confer a protective effect. The relationship between sedatives and VTE has not been sufficiently studied.

Atherogenic index of plasma is positively associated with the risk of all-cause death in elderly women : A 10-year follow-up.

Background: The blood concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) do not predict survival in patients older than 60 years. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a logarithm of the triacylglycerol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and a surrogate for the concentration of small dense LDL. It might be a better reflection of the risk of all-cause death in elderly patients.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene polymorphism (rs3025058) affects markers atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The study was designed to test the possible association between either polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene (rs17576, rs3918242) or the MMP-3 5A/6A gene polymorphism (rs3025058) with markers of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The second aim of the study was to demonstrate an association between either the rs17576, rs3918242 or rs3025058 and subclinical markers of coronary artery disease in the same subset of patients with T2DM.

Patients And Methods: A total of 595 subjects with T2DM and 200 subjects without T2DM (control group) were enrolled in the prospective study.

Immunomodulatory effects of stem cells: Therapeutic option for neurodegenerative disorders.

Stem cells have the capability of self-renewal and can differentiate into different cell types that might be used in regenerative medicine. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) currently lack effective treatments. Although stem cell therapy is still on the way from bench to bedside, we consider that it might provide new hope for patients suffering with neurodegenerative diseases.

The role of exercise echocardiography in the diagnostics of heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aims: Few data are available on the exercise-induced abnormalities of myocardial function in patients with exertional dyspnoea and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF). The main aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of isolated exercise-induced heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) and to assess whether disturbances in LV or right ventricular longitudinal systolic function are associated with the diagnosis of HFNEF.

Methods And Results: Eighty-four patients with exertional dyspnoea and normal LV EF and 14 healthy controls underwent spirometry, NT-proBNP plasma analysis, and exercise echocardiography.