Resistin level in coronary artery disease and heart failure: the central role of kidney function.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate resistin levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with or without chronic heart failure, in order to define its independent predictor.

Methods: One hundred and seven outpatients with CAD were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups: CAD without left-ventricular systolic dysfunction (group 1); CAD with left-ventricular dysfunction without heart failure symptoms (group 2); CAD with overt heart failure (group 3). Plasma resistin was determined by ELISA.

Multiple shocks affect thoracic electrical impedance during external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Thoracic impedance (TI) influences the success of external cardioversion (ECV) or defibrillation because current intensity traversing the heart is inversely related to TI. Experimental data suggest that TI decreases after multiple shocks. We undertook a clinical study to determine changes of TI values in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter requiring ECV.

The release of fibroblast growth factor-1 from melanoma cells requires copper ions and is mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt intracellular signaling pathway.

Melanoma is a highly invasive tumor with elevated mortality rates. Progression and aggressiveness appear related to the achievement of an angiogenic phenotype. Melanoma cells express several angiogenic factors, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and FGF-2.

Photoexposition discriminates Notch 1 expression in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

The Notch signaling pathway may play opposing roles in cancer. It can be oncosuppressive or protumoral, depending on the cellular and tissue context. In skin cancer, Notch 1 expression is downregulated, thus supporting the hypothesis of an oncosuppressive role in cutaneous carcinomas.

Protease-activated receptor 1-selective antagonist SCH79797 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by a protease-activated receptor 1-independent mechanism.

Thrombin, a key mediator of blood coagulation, exerts a large number of cellular actions via activation of a specific G-protein-coupled receptor, named protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1). Several studies in experimental animals have demonstrated a therapeutic potential of small molecules with PAR1 antagonistic properties for treatment of diseases such as vascular thrombosis and arterial restenosis. We have studied the biological actions of one highly potent, selective PAR1 antagonist, SCH79797 (N 3-cyclopropyl-7-{[4-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]methyl}-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinazoline-1,3-diamine), in vitro, and found that this compound was able to interfere with the growth of several human and mouse cell lines, in a concentration-dependent manner.

Kynurenic acid inhibits the release of the neurotrophic fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and enhances proliferation of glia cells, in vitro.

1. Kynurenic (KYNA) and quinolinic (QUIN) acids are neuroactive tryptophan metabolites formed along the kynurenine pathway: the first is considered a non-competitive antagonist and the second an agonist of glutamate receptors of NMDA type. The affinity of these compounds for glutamate receptors is, however, relatively low and does not explain KYNA neuroprotective actions in models of post-ischemic brain damage.

Evidence for differential expression of Notch receptors and their ligands in melanocytic nevi and cutaneous malignant melanoma.

The Notch signaling has been implicated in the regulation of self-renewal of adult stem cells and differentiation of precursors along a specific cell lineage, in normal embryonic development and organogenesis. There is also evidence that signaling through Notch receptors regulate cell proliferation and cell survival in several types of cancer, with opposing results depending on tissue context. No data are available in the literature concerning modulation of the expression of Notch receptors, and their ligands, in human cutaneous malignant melanoma.