Profiling of microglial-originated microvesicles to unearthing their lurking potential as potent foreseeable biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by accumulation of phosphorylated tau and amyloid deposits within the brain tissues in the elderly population. Numerous studies established that amassment of these toxic accretions within the brain tissues initiates neuronal demise and synaptic impairment which becomes the underlying basis for memory loss and cognitive abnormalities in these patients.

Hypothesis: Hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammation are commonly encountered perils in the neuronal milieu that derail the neuron-synapse interactions and maneuver them to undergo apoptosis.

Adjuvants in COVID-19 vaccines: innocent bystanders or culpable abettors for stirring up COVID-heart syndrome.

COVID-19 infection is a multi-system clinical disorder that was associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Even though antiviral therapies such as Remdesvir offered modest efficacy in reducing the mortality and morbidity, they were not efficacious in reducing the risk of future infections. So, FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines which are widely administered in the general population worldwide.

Do COVID-19 viral infection and its mRNA vaccine carry an equivalent risk of myocarditis? Review of the current evidence, insights, and future directions.

According to recent epidemiological analysis, the percentage of world population infected with COVID-19 by end of December 2020 is approximately 12.56%. COVID induced acute care and ICU hospitalization rates are around 9.

COVID-19 HEART unveiling as atrial fibrillation: pathophysiology, management and future directions for research.

Background: COVID-19 infections are known to cause numerous systemic complications including cardiovascular disorders. In this regard, clinicians recently noticed that patients recovering from COVID-19 infections presented with diverse set of cardiovascular disorders in addition to those admitted to ICU (intensive care unit). COVID-19 heart has multifaceted presentation ranging from dysrhythmias, myocarditis, stroke, coronary artery disease, thromboembolism to heart failure.

Protease-activated receptors in kidney diseases: A comprehensive review of pathological roles, therapeutic outcomes and challenges.

Studies have demonstrated that protease-activated receptors (PARs) with four subtypes (PAR1-4) are mainly expressed in the renal epithelial, endothelial, and podocyte cells. Some endogenous and urinary proteases, namely thrombin, trypsin, urokinase, and kallikrein released during diseased conditions, are responsible for activating different subtypes of PARs. Each PAR receptor subtype is involved in kidney disease of distinct aetiology.

Metabolic effects of the left atrial appendage exclusion (the heart hormone study).

Introduction: The effect of epicardial left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion therapy on lipid and glucose metabolism in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients over the long-term follow-up are unclear.

Methods: In a single-center prospective observational study, 60 patients with longstanding persistent AF with cardiovascular risk factors had undergone an epicardial exclusion procedure. Anthropometric parameters and glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, leptin, adiponectin, free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and total cholesterol levels were evaluated on fasting at baseline before the procedure and compared with levels at 24 h, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, and 24 months follow the procedure.

Long Term Impact of Epicardial Left Atrial Appendage Ligation on Systemic Hemostasis: .

Background: Recent data suggest that epicardial left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is associated with several short-term neurohormonal effects. However, the long-term effects are currently unknown.

Objective: To investigate the effects of percutaneous epicardial left atial appendage (LAA) exclusion using LARIAT on neurohormonal profiles at long-term follow-up.

Localization of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Complexes Using a Novel Mapping System.

Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are common in the general population, usuallyasymptomatic, and deemed to be benign in structurally normal hearts. The spectrum of "benign" outflow tract PVCs ranges from single PVCs to recurrent non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). Short-coupled right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) PVCs may trigger polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) in some patients and can be high risk.

Diagnostic Utility of Smartwatch Technology for Atrial Fibrillation Detection - A Systematic Analysis.

Background: Smartphone technologies have been recently developed to assess heart rate and rhythm, but their role in accurately detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown.

Objective: We sought to perform a meta-analysis using prospective studies comparing Smartwatch technology with current monitoring standards for AF detection (ECG, Holter, Patch Monitor, ILR).

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search for prospective studies comparing Smartwatch technology simultaneously with current monitoring standards (ECG, Holter, and Patch monitor) for AF detection since inception to November 25th, 2019.

Current practice and future prospects in left atrial appendage occlusion.

The thromboembolic complications of Atrial fibrillation (AF) remain a major problem in contemporary clinical practice. Despite advances and developments in anticoagulation strategies, therapy is complicated by the high risk of bleeding complications and need for meticulous medication compliance. Over the past few decades, the left atrial appendage has emerged as a promising therapeutic target to prevent thromboembolic events while mitigating bleeding complications and compliance issues.

Impact of Yoga on Cardiac Autonomic Function and Arrhythmias.

With the expanding integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices in conjunction with modern medicine, yoga has quickly risen to being one of the most common CAM practices across the world. Despite widespread use of yoga, limited studies are available, particularly in the setting of dysrhythmia. Preliminary studies demonstrate promising results from integration of yoga as an adjunct to medical therapy for management of dysrhythmias.

Cutaneous Conundrums in Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Series on Skin Disease in Immunosuppression.

Sarcoidosis is a complex systemic condition resulting in formation of non-caseating granulomas. Infiltrative disease in cardiac sarcoidosis can have significant ramifications on mortality and is one of the few indications for systemic immunosuppressive therapy. In the patient on immunosuppressive medication, resultant sequelae such as skin and soft tissue infections are common and must be differentiated from cutaneous forms of sarcoidosis and other skin pathologies.

Correction: Opportunities to implement a sustainable genomic medicine program: lessons learned from the IGNITE Network.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Prediction of Ischemic Events after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Thrombelastography Profiles and Factor XIIIa Activity.

Background: High plasma fibrin clot strength (MA) measured by thrombelastography (TEG) is associated with increased risk of cardiac events after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) cross-links soluble fibrin, shortens clot formation time (TEG-K), and increases final clot strength (MA).

Methods: We analyzed platelet-poor plasma from patients with previous PCI.

Pharmacogenomics of Novel Direct Oral Anticoagulants: Newly Identified Genes and Genetic Variants.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have shown an upward prescribing trend in recent years due to favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics without requirement for routine coagulation monitoring. However, recent studies have documented inter-individual variability in plasma drug levels of DOACs. Pharmacogenomics of DOACs is a relatively new area of research.

Next generation MicroRNA sequencing to identify coronary artery disease patients at risk of recurrent myocardial infarction.

Background And Aims: Variation in micro-RNA (miRNA) levels in blood has been associated with alterations of physiological functions of the cardiovascular system. Circulating miRNA have the potential to become reliable biomarkers for risk stratification and early detection of cardiovascular events. Recurrent thrombotic events in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) demonstrate the need for personalized approaches to secondary prevention, especially in light of recent novel treatment approaches.

Correction: Opportunities to implement a sustainable genomic medicine program: lessons learned from the IGNITE Network.

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Geoffrey S. Ginsburg, which was incorrectly given as Geoffrey Ginsburg. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Opportunities to implement a sustainable genomic medicine program: lessons learned from the IGNITE Network.

Purpose: While there is growing scientific evidence for and significant advances in the use of genomic technologies in medicine, there is a significant lag in the clinical adoption and sustainability of genomic medicine. Here we describe the findings from the National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) Implementing GeNomics In pracTicE (IGNITE) Network in identifying key constructs, opportunities, and challenges associated with driving sustainability of genomic medicine in clinical practice.

Methods: Network members and affiliates were surveyed to identify key drivers associated with implementing and sustaining a genomic medicine program.

Pharmacogenomic studies of hypertension: paving the way for personalized antihypertensive treatment.

Introduction: Increasing clinical evidence supports the implementation of genotyping for anti-hypertensive drug dosing and selection. Despite robust evidence gleaned from clinical trials, the translation of genotype guided therapy into clinical practice faces significant challenges. Challenges to implementation include the small effect size of individual variants and the polygenetic nature of antihypertensive drug response, a lack of expert consensus on dosing guidelines even without genetic information, and proper definition of major antihypertensive drug toxicities.

Role of Ox-LDL and LOX-1 in Atherogenesis.

Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) plays a central role in atherosclerosis by acting on multiple cells such as endothelial cells, macrophages, platelets, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells through LOX-1. LOX-1 is a 50 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as receptor for ox-LDL, modified lipoproteins, activated platelets and advance glycation end-products. Ox- LDL through LOX-1, in endothelial cells, causes increase in leukocyte adhesion molecules, activates pathways of apoptosis, increases reactive oxygen species and cause endothelial dysfunction.

Off-Target drug effects resulting in altered gene expression events with epigenetic and "Quasi-Epigenetic" origins.

This review synthesizes examples of pharmacological agents who have off-target effects of an epigenetic nature. We expand upon the paradigm of epigenetics to include "quasi-epigenetic" mechanisms. Quasi-epigenetics includes mechanisms of drugs acting upstream of epigenetic machinery or may themselves impact transcription factor regulation on a more global scale.

Genetic diseases conferring resistance to infectious diseases.

This review considers available evidence for mechanisms of conferred adaptive advantages in the face of specific infectious diseases. In short, we explore a number of genetic conditions, which carry some benefits in adverse circumstances including exposure to infectious agents. The examples discussed are conditions known to result in resistance to a specific infectious disease, or have been proposed as being associated with resistance to various infectious diseases.

Antibiotics acting as neuroprotectants via mechanisms independent of their anti-infective activities.

This review considers available evidence that some antibiotics have ancillary neuroprotective effects. Notably, β-lactam antibiotics are believed to increase the expression of glutamate transporter GLT1, potentially relieving the neurological excitotoxicity that characterizes disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Minocycline has shown promise in reducing the severity of a number of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, most likely by reducing apoptosis and the expression of inflammatory mediators in the brain.