Publications by authors named "Tim R Sakkers"
Article Synopsis
- Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in atherosclerotic plaques is linked to future cardiovascular events, showing that older plaque age can predict mortality risk similar to overall epigenetic age estimators.
- In a study involving 485 human carotid plaques, EAA was correlated with clinical indicators, with patients showing higher EAA having conditions like diabetes and obesity.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing identified smooth muscle and endothelial cells as key contributors to plaque EAA, with the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition process being linked to accelerated aging in those cells.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of erythrocyte membranes, specifically through the marker glycophorin C, in atherosclerotic plaques and how they may relate to plaque vulnerability and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH).
- Researchers analyzed samples from a large cohort of patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, assessing various plaque features and the prevalence of IPH and neurological symptoms.
- It was found that higher glycophorin C levels were associated with IPH and pre-procedural neurological symptoms, particularly in men, suggesting that these markers could help predict plaque instability.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers identified over 40 candidate genes related to sex differences in cardiovascular health, focusing on mechanisms impacting vascular remodeling and lipid metabolism, particularly in smooth muscle cells in women.
- * To better understand these sex differences in CAD, the study emphasizes the need for improved research designs that include more women and conduct thorough analysis stratified by sex, alongside integrating various types of biological data.