The Complex Mechanisms and the Potential Effects of Statins on Vascular Calcification: A Narrative Review.

Vascular calcification (VC) is a complex process of calcium deposition on the arterial wall and atherosclerotic plaques and involves interaction between vascular smooth muscle cells, inflammatory and VC mediators. The latter are independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and potential targets of pharmaceutical therapy. This paper is a narrative review of the complex mechanisms of VC development and in this context the potential anti-atherosclerotic effects of statins.

The Anti-Atherosclerotic Effects of Endothelin Receptor Antagonist, Bosentan, in Combination with Atorvastatin-An Experimental Study.

Bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA), has potential anti-atherosclerotic properties. We investigated the complementary effects of bosentan and atorvastatin on the progression and composition of the atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic mice. Forty-eight male mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks.

The Complementary Effects of Dabigatran Etexilate and Exercise Training on the Development and Stability of the Atherosclerotic Lesions in Diabetic ApoE Knockout Mice.

To determine the complementary effects of dabigatran etexilate (DE), exercise training (ET), and combination (DE + ET) on the development and stability of the atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic apoE knockout (apoE) mice. In 48 male apoE diabetic mice, streptozotocin (STZ) was induced for 5 consecutive days. Mice received a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and then were randomized into four groups (1.

Exercise training inhibits atherosclerosis progression and reduces VE-cadherin levels within atherosclerotic plaques in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) have emerged as key-factors of atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise training (ET) on those key-factors in relation to the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic mice. Thirty male, apoE knockout (apoE) mice were randomly assigned to the following equivalent groups: 1) CO-control: High-fat diet (HFD) administration for 12 weeks.

How to Use Statins in Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Diseases: from the Beneficial Early Initiation to the Potentially Unfavorable Discontinuation.

Statins, a class of lipid-lowering drugs, reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with established atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease. Early initiation of statin therapy after admission for acute coronary syndromes (ACS), stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. Moreover, high-dose statin treatment prior to coronary or carotid revascularization has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in these patients.

Comparison of Ticagrelor Versus Clopidogrel on Cerebrovascular Microembolic Events and Platelet Inhibition during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

The impact of the antiplatelet regimen and the extent of associated platelet inhibition on cerebrovascular microembolic events during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel and of platelet inhibition on the number of cerebrovascular microembolic events in patients undergoing TAVI. Patients scheduled for TAVI were randomized previous to the procedure to either aspirin and ticagrelor or to aspirin and clopidogrel.

The role of imaging in the management of renal masses.

The wide availability of cross-sectional imaging is responsible for the increased detection of small, usually asymptomatic renal masses. More than 50 % of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) represent incidental findings on noninvasive imaging. Multimodality imaging, including conventional US, contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), CT and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is pivotal in diagnosing and characterizing a renal mass, but also provides information regarding its prognosis, therapeutic management, and follow-up.

Carotid Stent Restenosis and Thrombosis in Rabbits: The Effect of Antiplatelet Agents.

Background: The purpose of the study was the comparative assessment of ticagrelor and clopidogrel effects on carotid post-balloon injury (PBI) and on post carotid artery stenting (CAS) rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and in-stent thrombosis in atherosclerotic rabbits.

Methods: Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits on high-fat diet were randomized into 4 groups: A1: PBI and clopidogrel (30 mg/kg/d), A2: PBI and ticagrelor (21 mg/kg twice daily), B1: PBI, CAS, and clopidogrel (30 mg/kg/d), B2: PBI, CAS, and ticagrelor (21 mg/kg twice daily). All rabbits received orally aspirin (10 mg/kg/d) and interventions were performed in their right carotid arteries (RCAs).

Acute Leriche Syndrome in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report.

Introduction: Coexistance of pancreatic carcinoma and Leriche syndrome is an extremely rare pathological condition. Leriche syndrome is defined as occlusion of the distal aorta at the bifurcation into the common iliac arteries.

Case Report: We report the case of a 57-year old male patient with a locally advanced pancreatic tumor that during chemotherapy presented Leriche syndrome.

Cilostazol Mediates Immune Responses and Affects Angiogenesis During the Acute Phase of Hind Limb Ischemia in a Mouse Model.

Background: Cilostazol is a drug of choice for the treatment of intermittent claudication that also affects innate and adaptive immune cells. The purpose of our study was the evaluation of cilostazol's impact on the immune and angiogenic response in murine models of hind limb ischemia.

Methods: We used 108 immunodeficient NOD.

Statins' Withdrawal Induces Atherosclerotic Plaque Destabilization in Animal Model-A "Rebound" Stimulation of Inflammation.

Background: To evaluate the impact of atorvastatin discontinuation on the progression and stability of atherosclerotic plaques in a valid animal model of atherosclerosis.

Methods: Seventy ApoE male mice fed with high-fat diet were randomly assigned into: (1) long-term intervention groups: (i) ATL, received atorvastatin for 12 weeks, (ii) CO-12W, control received vehicle for 12 weeks, (iii) ATW-6W, received atorvastatin for 6 weeks which was withdrawn for another 6 weeks. (2) Short-term intervention groups: (i) ATS received atorvastatin for 6 weeks, (ii) CO-6W, control receiving vehicle for 6 weeks, (iii) ATW-3D, ATW-7D, received atorvastatin for 6 weeks which was withdrawn for 3 days and 7 days, respectively.

Beneficial Effect of U-74389 G and Sildenafil in An Experimental Model of Flap Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Swine. Histological and Biochemical Evaluation of the Model.

Tissue reconstruction after burns, tumor excisions, infections or injuries is a frequent surgical challenge to avoid Ischemia-reperfusion injury. Lazaroids and sildenafil, through their mechanisms of action, have been studied for their protective effects on various organs subjected to IRI. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of U-74389G and sildenafil in a swine model of ischemia and reperfusion injury of latissimus dorsi flap.

Crocus sativus L. aqueous extract reduces atherogenesis, increases atherosclerotic plaque stability and improves glucose control in diabetic atherosclerotic animals.

Background And Aims: We aimed to evaluate a possible atheroprotective effect of saffron aqueous extract (SFE), and its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms, in apoE knockout (ApoE) mice.

Methods: Fifty male, ApoE mice, fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, were randomized into 5 groups: (1) baseline group, euthanatized, without intervention, (2) three saffron groups, receiving HFD and 30,60,90 mg/kg/day of SFE, respectively, for four weeks, per os through gavage, after reconstitution in water for injection (WFI), (3) control group (COG), receiving daily HFD and the same volume of WFI (four weeks). After blood sampling and euthanasia, aortic roots were excised and analyzed for gene expression and/or percentage of aortic stenosis, relative content of macrophages, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), connective tissue, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinases-2,-3,-9 (MMP-2,-3,-9) and their inhibitor (TIMP-2) and IL-6.

Assessing the exploratory and anxiety-related behaviors of mice. Do different caging systems affect the outcome of behavioral tests?

Ample studies have shown that housing can affect the health, welfare and behavior of mice and therefore, the outcomes of certain experiments. The aim of this study was to investigate if three widely used housing systems, Open Top Cages (OTC), Motor Free Ventilated Cages (MFVC) and Individually Ventilated Cages (IVC) may affect exploratory and anxiety-related behaviors in mice. Subjects were 8week-old male C57Bl/6J mice (n=36) divided into three groups, OTC, IVC and MFVC groups, respectively.

Correlation of CoreValve implantation 'true cover index' with short and mid-term aortic regurgitation: A novel index.

Background: 'Cover index' has been proposed to appraise the congruence between the aortic annulus and the device, with the assumption of not taking into account the actual device implantation depth. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the annulus-prosthesis mismatch, as expressed with the new proposed 'true cover index' according to actual implantation depth, can predict aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: Patients who had undergone TAVI with the self-expandable CoreValve device, were retrospectively studied.

Effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to 1880-1900MHz DECT base radiation on development in the rat.

In the present study, to evaluate the effects of wireless 1880-1900MHz Digital Enhanced Communication Telephony (DECT) base radiation on fetal and postnatal development, Wistar rats were exposed at an average electric field intensity of 3.7V/m, 12h/day, during pregnancy. After parturition, a group of dams and offspring were similarly exposed for another 22days.

Impact of balloon aortic valvuloplasty on transcatheter aortic valve implantation with self-expandable valve.

Background: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) has been used prior to valve implantation of a self-expandable valve as part of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure. We aimed to evaluate the impact of BAV prior to TAVI.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 203 consecutive patients who were treated either with (pre-BAV-TAVI group) or without BAV (D-TAVI group).

Use of real-time ultrasonography as an alternative method for early detection, confirmation and evaluation of rat pregnancy.

Researchers sometimes face difficulties in the diagnosis of pregnancy and assessment of embryonic development. Ultrasonography (US) is a non-invasive imaging method with minimal side effects on the subjects or operators. It provides real-time evaluation of the physiology of rapidly moving structures (i.

Isolated liver metastasis from sacral chordoma. Case report and review of the literature.

Chordoma is a rare malignant tumor derived from remnants of the primitive notochord. It can occur anywhere along the scull base and spine. The most commonly involved area is the sacrococcygeal region.

Colorectal polyp detection with virtual colonoscopy (computed tomographic colonography); the reliability of the method.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of virtual colonoscopy with conventional colonoscopy in detection of colorectal polyps.

Methodology: Between November 1997 and February 2000, 23 patients (14 males, 9 females) aged 43-86 years (mean: 63) with colorectal polyps who underwent colonoscopy in our endoscopy unit, were referred for virtual colonoscopy. The colon was distended with an enema tube for rectal insufflation and subsequently was scanned by helical CT (Toshiba X-vision) using the following parameters: KV 120, mAs 200, table feed 5 mm/sec, slice thickness 5 mm and reconstruction intervals 2.