Publications by authors named "Tajes M"

TRPV4 channels, which respond to mechanical activation by permeating Ca into the cell, may play a pivotal role in cardiac remodeling during cardiac overload. Our study aimed to investigate TRPV4 involvement in pathological and physiological remodeling through Ca-dependent signaling. TRPV4 expression was assessed in heart failure (HF) models, induced by isoproterenol infusion or transverse aortic constriction, and in exercise-induced adaptive remodeling models.

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One of the primary goals of systems medicine is the detection of putative proteins and pathways involved in disease progression and pathological phenotypes. Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a heterogeneous condition manifesting as cognitive impairment resulting from vascular factors. The precise mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear, which poses challenges for experimental research.

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Heart failure (HF) is classified according to the degree of reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) in HF with reduced, mildly reduced, and preserved EF. Biomarkers could behave differently depending on EF type. Here, we analyze the soluble form of the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (sAXL) in HF patients with reduced and preserved EF.

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Background And Aims: Heart failure (HF) programs successfully reduce 30-day readmissions. However, conflicting data exist about its sustained effects afterwards and its impact on mortality. We evaluated whether the impact of a new nurse-led coordinated transitional HF program extends to longer periods of time, including 90 and 180 days after discharge.

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Introduction And Objectives: Identifying biomarkers of subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) is of most interest in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CrS). We sought to evaluate the circulating microRNA (miRNA) profile of patients with CrS and AF compared with those in persistent sinus rhythm.

Methods: Among 64 consecutive patients with CrS under continuous monitoring by a predischarge insertable monitor, 18 patients (9 with AF and 9 in persistent sinus rhythm) were selected for high-throughput determination of 754 miRNAs.

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Information about heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in women and the potential effects of aging in the female heart is scarce. We investigated the vulnerability to develop HFrEF in female elderly mice compared to young animals, as well as potential differences in reverse remodeling. First, HF was induced by isoproterenol infusion (30 mg/kg/day, 28 days) in young (10-week-old) and elderly (22-month-old) female mice.

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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) promotion. We determined the circulating miRNA profile in patients with AF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and its potential role in promoting the arrhythmia. In plasma of 98 patients with HFrEF (49 with AF and 49 in sinus rhythm, SR), differential miRNA expression was determined by high-throughput microarray analysis followed by replication of selected candidates.

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The aim of this work was to study the association of potential biomarkers with fast aortic stenosis (AS) progression. Patients with moderate-to-severe AS were classified as very fast progressors (VFP) if exhibited an annualized change in peak velocity (aΔVmax) ≥0.45m/s/year and/or in aortic valve area (aΔAVA) ≥-0.

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Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor outcomes, yet its role in the pathophysiology of HF is not well-defined. We sought to determine the consequences of HF neurohormonal activation in iron homeostasis and mitochondrial function in cardiac cells.

Methods: HF was induced in C57BL/6 mice by using isoproterenol osmotic pumps and embryonic rat heart-derived H9c2 cells were subsequently challenged with Angiotensin II and/or Norepinephrine.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is tightly linked to oxidative stress since amyloid beta-peptide (A) aggregates generate free radicals. Moreover, the aggregation of A is increased by oxidative stress, and the neurotoxicity induced by the oligomers and fibrils is in part mediated by free radicals. Interestingly, it has been reported that oxidative stress can also induce BACE1 transcription and expression.

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Background: Sympathetic activity (SA) is increased in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and is associated with poor outcomes. However, its clinical implications are less understood in HF with mid-range (HFmrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to study SA across left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) groups and its association with clinical outcomes.

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Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is widely used in proteomics. However, matrix-free technologies are gaining popularity for detecting low molecular mass compounds. Small molecules were analyzed with nanostructured materials as ionization promoters, which produce low-to-no background signal, and facilitate enhanced specificity and sensitivity through functionalization.

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The effects of iron deficiency (ID) have been widely studied in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. On the other hand, studies in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are few and have included small numbers of participants. The aim of this study was to assess the role that ID plays in functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in HFpEF while comparing several iron-related biomarkers to be used as potential predictors.

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with heart failure (HF). Sleep fragmentation (SF), one of the main hallmarks of OSA, induces systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and sympathetic activation, hence potentially participating in OSA-induced cardiovascular consequences. However, whether SF is deleterious to heart function is unknown.

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Background Mechanisms underlying iron homeostasis dysregulation in patients with chronic heart failure remain unsettled. In cardiomyocyte models, norepinephrine may lead to intracellular iron depletion, but the potential association between catecholamines (sympathetic activation markers) and iron metabolism biomarkers in chronic heart failure is unknown. Methods and Results In this cross-sectional analysis, we studied the association between plasma norepinephrine levels and serum iron status biomarkers indicating iron storage (ferritin), iron transport (transferrin saturation), and iron demand (soluble transferrin receptor) in a prospective cohort of 742 chronic heart failure patients (mean age, 72±11 years; 56% male).

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Background: An "obesity paradox" has been described in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), obese patients having a better survival. Vasopressin is elevated in patients with CHF, and higher levels are associated with worsening severity of the disease. We aimed at evaluating the relationship between body mass index (BMI), obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m), and vasopressin in patients with CHF, as well as the prognostic implications of vasopressin across the full spectrum of BMI values.

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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising biomarkers of disease. Their potential use in clinical practice requires standardized protocols with very low miRNA concentrations, particularly in plasma samples. Here we tested the most appropriate method for miRNA quantification and validated the performance of a hybridization platform using lower amounts of starting RNA.

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The amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ) plays a leading role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) physiopathology. Even though monomeric forms of Aβ are harmless to cells, Aβ can aggregate into β-sheet oligomers and fibrils, which are both neurotoxic. Therefore, one of the main therapeutic approaches to cure or delay AD onset and progression is targeting Aβ aggregation.

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Small heterodimer partner (SHP) is an atypical nuclear receptor expressed in heart that has been shown to inhibit the hypertrophic response. Here, we assessed the role of SHP in cardiac metabolism and inflammation. Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) displayed glucose intolerance accompanied by increased cardiac mRNA levels of Shp.

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Prolonged inflammatory response contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic disease-related disturbances. Among nuclear receptors (NRs), the orphan NR4A subfamily, which includes Nur77 (NR4A1), Nurr1 (NR4A2) and NOR1 (NR4A3), has recently emerged as a therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammation. Areas covered: This review focuses on the capacity of NR4A receptors to counter-regulate the development of the inflammatory response, with a special focus on the molecular transrepression mechanisms.

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The activation of N-Methyl D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) by glutamate is crucial in the nervous system function, particularly in memory and learning. NMDAR is composed by two GluN1 and two GluN2 subunits. GluN2B has been reported to participate in the prevalent NMDAR subtype at synapses, the GluN1/2A/2B.

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In patients with chronic heart failure (HF), cognitive impairment (CI) is associated with poorer treatment adherence and higher readmission and mortality rates. Previous studies suggest that atrial fibrillation (AF) could impair cognitive function. This study sought to assess the association between permanent AF (permAF) and CI in patients with HF.

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Aims: Hippocampus is the brain center for memory formation, a process that requires synaptogenesis. However, hippocampus is dramatically compromised in Alzheimer's disease due to the accumulation of amyloid β-peptide, whose production is initiated by β-site APP Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1). It is known that pathological stressors activate BACE1 translation through the phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF2α) by GCN2, PERK, or PKR kinases, leading to amyloidogenesis.

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