Should a history of venous thromboembolism be considered a contraindication for scuba diving?

The question of whether scuba diving is safe for patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unanswered. Cases of VTE have been reported after decompression accidents but not following properly conducted dives. However, the risk of VTE and bleeding on anticoagulant therapy during diving has yet to be defined.

Silent brain infarctions in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Background: Silent brain infarctions (SBI) are commonly detected in brain imaging. The association of SBI with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) is not clearly relevant. Based on magnetic resonance imaging, we aimed to describe the prevalence of SBI in patients with rheumatic MS and the cardiac abnormalities related to their occurrence.

Comparative Evaluation of Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells from Cord and Adult Blood vs. Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells: Insights into Therapeutic Angiogenesis Potential.

The discovery of endothelial progenitor cells has revolutionized our understanding of postnatal blood vessel formation, with endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) emerging as key players in vasculogenesis. Among various ECFC sources, cord blood-derived ECFCs (CB-ECFCs) are of particular interest due to their superior proliferative and clonogenic potential and their ability to promote vascular network formation. Human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cells (hESC-ECs) have also shown potential in regenerative medicine, though their vasculogenic efficacy remains unclear compared to CB- and adult blood-derived ECFCs (AB-ECFCs).

Intravenous thrombolysis plus tirofiban versus tirofiban alone in Caucasian patients with acute anterior choroidal or paramedian pontine infarction.

Background: Tirofiban has been shown to be superior to aspirin in achieving functional independence at 3 months for acute ischemic stroke of atheromatous or microatheromatous origin. As intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) has previously been shown to be nonsuperior to aspirin in achieving functional independence at 3 months for anterior choroidal or paramedian pontine infarction (ACI/PPI), we aimed to compare the outcomes of Caucasian patients receiving IVT plus tirofiban (IVT + T) with those receiving tirofiban alone for acute ACI/PPI.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients aged ≥ 18 years with ACI/PPI treated in our stroke unit between December 1, 2020, and April 30, 2023, who received therapeutic intervention within 9 hours of symptom onset or after awakening with stroke symptoms.

Persistent disabilities 28 months after COVID-19 hospitalisation, a prospective cohort study.

Background: Limited data are available on long-term respiratory disabilities in patients following acute COVID-19.

Patients And Methods: This prospective, monocentric, observational cohort study included patients admitted to our hospital with acute COVID-19 between 12 March and 24 April 2020. Clinical, functional and radiological data were collected up to 28 months after hospital discharge.

Forme fruste keratoconus detection with OCT corneal topography using artificial intelligence algorithms.

Purpose: To differentiate a normal cornea from a forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC) with the swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) topography CASIA 2 using machine learning artificial intelligence algorithms.

Setting: Monocentric, performed in CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.

Design: Retrospective case-control.

Targeting TXNIP in endothelial progenitors mitigates IL-8-induced neutrophil recruitment under metabolic stress.

Background: This study explores the potential role of Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) silencing in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) within the scope of age-related comorbidities and impaired vascular repair. We aim to elucidate the effects of TXNIP silencing on vasculogenic properties, paracrine secretion, and neutrophil recruitment under conditions of metabolic stress.

Methods: ECFCs, isolated from human blood cord, were transfected with TXNIP siRNA and exposed to a high glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) medium to simulate metabolic stress.

Extracellular Microvesicles vs. Mitochondria: Competing for the Top Spot in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine.

Regenerative medicine aims to restore, replace, and regenerate human cells, tissues, and organs. Despite significant advancements, many cell therapy trials for cardiovascular diseases face challenges like cell survival and immune compatibility, with benefits largely stemming from paracrine effects. Two promising therapeutic tools have been recently emerged in cardiovascular diseases: extracellular vesicles (EVs) and mitochondrial transfer.

Functional Outcome and Hemorrhage Rates After Bridging Therapy With Tenecteplase or Alteplase in Patients With Large Ischemic Core.

Background And Objectives: IV tenecteplase is an alternative to alteplase before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO) ischemic stroke. Little data are available on its use in patients with large ischemic core. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of both thrombolytics in this population.

[Clinical development of anti-FXII therapeutics as a target in thrombo-inflammation].

The history of anticoagulation has evolved considerably, from non-specific drugs to molecules that directly target specific coagulation factors, such as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Since last decade, DOACs are widely used in clinical practice because of their ease to use with favorable pharmacological profile and not requiring monitoring. New therapeutics targeting the contact phase of coagulation are currently under development, and could make it possible to prevent thrombotic risk without altering hemostasis, thereby reducing the risk of bleeding.

Second-dose intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase in alteplase-resistant medium-vessel-occlusion strokes: A retrospective and comparative study.

Introduction: In intracranial medium-vessel occlusions (MeVOs), intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) shows inconsistent effectiveness and endovascular interventions remains unproven. We evaluated a new therapeutic strategy based on a second IVT using tenecteplase for MeVOs without early recanalization post-alteplase.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective, comparative study included consecutively low bleeding risk MeVO patients treated with alteplase 0.

DOAC-Remove to counteract the interference of anti-Xa oral anticoagulants on the monitoring of heparin.

Introduction: The monitoring of unfractionated heparin (UFH) by anti-factor Xa activity (AXA) is commonly used to ensure effective anticoagulation and prevent bleeding risk. However, in patients previously treated with an anti-Xa direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) switching to UFH therapy, there is a risk of interference that may lead to inappropriate anticoagulation. The first objective of this study was to validate DOAC-Remove to remove DOAC for measuring UFH specific AXA.

Hyperthermia for Targeting Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells: Insights from Novel Cellular and Clinical Approaches.

The Cellular Heat Shock Response and in particular heat shock protein activation are vital stress reactions observed in both healthy and cancer cells. Hyperthermia (HT) has been proposed for several years as an advancing non-invasive cancer therapy. It selectively targets cancer cells through mechanisms influenced by temperature and temperature variations.

Incidence and predictors of intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase.

Background: Despite its increasing use, there are limited data on the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. Our aim was to investigate the incidence and predictors of ICH after tenecteplase administration.

Methods: We reviewed data from the prospective ongoing multicenter TETRIS (Tenecteplase Treatment in Ischemic Stroke) registry.

The Onset of Intussusceptive Angiogenesis in COVID-19 Patients Might Come from the Mobilization of Stem Cell Sub-Populations Expressing the Hemangioblast Marker CD143.

COVID-19 and infectious diseases have been included in strategic development goals (SDG) of United Nations (UN). The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has unveiled complex pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning COVID-19, notably inducing a systemic acquired vascular hemopathy characterized by endothelial dysfunction and intussusceptive angiogenesis, a rapid vascular remodeling process identified as a hallmark in severe COVID-19 cases affecting pulmonary and cardiac tissues. Stem cell migration have been proposed as significant regulators of this neoangiogenic process.

Evaluating the efficacy of Rho kinase inhibitor eye drops in the management of corneal edema: A single-center retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ripasudil in managing various corneal edema conditions.

Materials And Methods: This single-center retrospective analysis was conducted at Hadassah Medical Center and involved 16 patients with 17 eyes. Patients were selected based on diagnostic criteria, primarily corneal edema.