Optimizing Sedation Strategies in the Cardiac ICU: Induction, Maintenance and Weaning.

Purpose Of Review: We aim to summarize the available literature guiding tailored sedation practices for specific conditions encountered in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU).

Recent Findings: Data specific for the CICU population is lacking. Preclinical data and observational studies guide sedation approaches for specific pathologies that we have used to generate a guideline for sedative choice for various scenarios.

DETEXA: declarative extensible text exploration and analysis through SQL.

Metadata enrichment through text mining techniques is becoming one of the most significant tasks in digital libraries. Due to the exponential increase of open access publications, several new challenges have emerged. Raw data are usually big, unstructured, and come from heterogeneous data sources.

Predictors of Hospital Admissions for Ventricular Arrhythmia or Cardiac Arrest in Patients With Cardiomyopathy.

Although ventricular dysfunction is associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA), most patients with cardiomyopathy do not experience VA. We therefore investigated other predictors of VA in a large contemporary cohort of patients with cardiomyopathy. All patients at a large academic medical system with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤50% were enrolled at the time of first documented low LVEF.

Cell-Derived Microparticles and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Is there a Predictive Role for Microparticles?

Background: Despite the recent advances in the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), patients with ACS are still exposed to an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events, while their prognosis is difficult to determine. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that cell-derived Microparticles (MPs) are associated with the underlying pathophysiological processes that are responsible for atherogenesis and may be causally implicated in the induction of atherothrombosis.

Objective: In the present article, we aimed to review the available evidence regarding the predictive role of MPs in patients with ACS.

Plasma signature of apoptotic microvesicles is associated with endothelial dysfunction and plaque rupture in acute coronary syndromes.

Objective: Circulating microvesicles (MV) are surrogate biomarkers of atherosclerosis. However, their role in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has not been fully elucidated yet. We sought to examine the association of circulating apoptotic MVs with ACS pathophysiology.

Changes in Muscle Power and Muscle Morphology with Different Volumes of Fast Eccentric Half-Squats.

The aim of the study was to evaluate power performance and muscle morphology adaptations in response to 5 weeks of fast-eccentric squat training (FEST) performed twice per week, with three different training volumes. Twenty-five moderately trained females were assigned into three groups performing eight repetitions of FEST of either four sets (4 × 8 group; N = 9), 6 sets (6 × 8 group; N = 8) or eight sets (8 × 8 group, N = 8). Before and after the intervention, countermovement jumping height (CMJh) and power (CMJp), half squat maximal strength (1-RM), quadriceps cross-sectional area (QCSA) and vastus lateralis (VL) architecture and fiber type composition were evaluated.

Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Arterial Stiffness: The Role of Circulating Apoptotic Endothelial Microparticles.

Unlabelled: PRéCIS:: Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PExG) patients present with not only endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness but also with a specific profile of circulating apoptotic endothelial microparticles which may be owing to the accumulation of pseudoexfoliative material in vessels walls.

Purpose: PExG is characterized by the deposition of pseudoexfoliative material in several tissues and organs including in the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness, inflammatory status, and circulating microparticle (MP) levels in PExG patients compared with those in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and control subjects.

Cardiac myocyte KLF5 regulates body weight via alteration of cardiac FGF21.

Cardiac metabolism affects systemic energetic balance. Previously, we showed that Krüppel-like factor (KLF)-5 regulates cardiomyocyte PPARα and fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression in diabetes. We surprisingly found that cardiomyocyte-specific KLF5 knockout mice (αMHC-KLF5) have accelerated diet-induced obesity, associated with increased white adipose tissue (WAT).

Inflammatory Biomarkers in Atrial Fibrillation.

During the last few years, a significant number of studies have attempted to clarify the underlying mechanisms that lead to the presentation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Inflammation is a key component of the pathophysiological processes that lead to the development of AF; the amplification of inflammatory pathways triggers AF, and, in tandem, AF increases the inflammatory state. Indeed, the plasma levels of several inflammatory biomarkers are elevated in patients with AF.

Biomarkers Associated with Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of cardioembolic stroke. The risk of cardioembolism is not adequately reduced with the administration of oral anticoagulants, since a number of patients continue to experience thromboembolic events despite receiving treatment. Therefore, identification of a circulating biomarker to identify these high-risk patients would be clinically beneficial.

High-density Lipoprotein and Low-density Lipoprotein Therapeutic Approaches in Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Background: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and especially its oxidized form, renders the atherosclerotic plaque vulnerable to rupture in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered an anti-atherogenic molecule. The more recent HDL-targeted drugs may prove to be superior to those used before.

Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis in Hypertensive Patients: The Role of Fibrinogen Genetic Variability.

Introduction And Objectives: We examined whether the rs180070 and rs2070011 polymorphisms of the fibrinogen gene could affect the risk of coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients by modifying the inflammatory process and coagulation.

Methods: A total of 744 participants underwent coronary angiography due to symptoms of stable angina, while hypertension was present in 332 patients.

Results: The presence of the A allele (rs180070) was associated with significantly high levels of fibrinogen in hypertensive patients (P=.

Environment and cardiovascular disease: rationale of the Corinthia study.

Environmental factors constitute an important but underappreciated risk factor towards the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Environmental exposure to variable pollutants is implicated in the derangement or propagation of adverse pathophysiological processes linked with atherosclerosis, including genetic, hemodynamic, metabolic, oxidative and inflammation parameters. However, no data exist on environmental pollution in rural or semi-rural areas.

Subclinical Organ Damage in White-Coat Hypertension: The Possible Role of Cystatin C.

The authors investigated the relationship of white-coat hypertension (WCH) with subclinical organ damage and potential relevant mechanisms. A total of 386 untreated patients were enrolled and divided into 204 patients with WCH and 183 with normotension. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), intima-media thickness, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and cystatin C levels were measured.

Association between microRNAs and coronary collateral circulation: is there a new role for the small non-coding RNAs?

We read with interest the article entitled "Circulating microRNAs characterizing patients with insufficient coronary collateral artery function" which was recently published in the PLOS ONE journal. It was demonstrated for the first time that specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can distinguish patients with sufficient from those with insufficient coronary collateral circulation. Circulating miRNAs in the plasma of patients with stable CAD and chronic CTO could provide information with regard to the coronary collateral artery capacity.

Novel Anti-Platelets in Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Apart from the acute thrombotic complications that lead to acute coronary syndromes (ACS), platelet activation also plays an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In addition, it is speculated that anti-platelet therapy can be beneficial for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Of note, patients on optimal anti-platelet treatment still experience thrombotic events, whereas complications, such as bleeding, cannot be ignored.

MIGS-GPU: Microarray Image Gridding and Segmentation on the GPU.

Complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray is a powerful tool for simultaneously studying the expression level of thousands of genes. Nevertheless, the analysis of microarray images remains an arduous and challenging task due to the poor quality of the images that often suffer from noise, artifacts, and uneven background. In this study, the MIGS-GPU [Microarray Image Gridding and Segmentation on Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)] software for gridding and segmenting microarray images is presented.

Statins and myocardial infarction: Type, dose, and administration time: Does it matter?

Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) constitute a vulnerable group that demands the careful assessment and application of all the up-to-date clinical and experimental knowledge, with final aim, the improvement of their prognosis. Statins are an indispensable part of the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD), not only due to their strong hypolipidemic effect, but also due to their numerous pleiotropic properties that play an important role in the treatment of CAD, especially when the more vulnerable group of STEMI patients is addressed. Nevertheless, there are still issues that require further discussion and clarification, such as the type of statin, the dose of the regimen, the administration time, and the treatment duration.

Celecoxib for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Introduction: It is widely accepted that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Anti-inflammatory drugs and especially selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors have attracted a keen interest.

Areas Covered: In the present drug evaluation article, the authors elucidate the role of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

HDL as a prognostic biomarker for coronary atherosclerosis: the role of inflammation.

Introduction: Emerging evidence suggests that the role of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the atherosclerotic process is not as clear as previously thought, since atheroprotective HDL becomes atherogenic in states of increased inflammatory processes.

Areas Covered: In this review we aim to elucidate the role of HDL as a prognostic biomarker and we discuss therapeutic approaches that aim to increase HDL and their possible clinical benefit.

Expert Opinion: Given the structural variability and biological complexity of the HDL particle, its role in the atherosclerotic process is far from clear.

Meta-Analysis of Oral Anticoagulants with Dual versus Single Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: The combined use of dual antiplatelet therapy with oral anticoagulation (OAC) is required after coronary artery stenting or acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods And Results: We performed a meta-analysis (Embase and MEDLINE search) of the comparative effects of triple antithrombotic therapy (TT) versus OAC with single antiplatelet therapy (dual therapy [DT]) on all-cause mortality, stroke, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding. Three prospective controlled studies and five cohort studies compared TT versus DT.

Identification of environmental chemicals that induce yolk malabsorption in zebrafish using automated image segmentation.

Environmental factors affecting nutrient availability during development can cause predisposition to diseases later in life. To identify chemicals in the environment capable of altering nutrient mobilization, we analyzed yolk malabsorption in the zebrafish embryo, which relies on maternally-derived yolk for nutrition during its first week of life. Embryos of the transgenic zebrafish line HGn50D, which fluoresce in the yolk syncytial layer, were exposed from two to five days post fertilization to different chemicals.

Grow-cut based automatic cDNA microarray image segmentation.

Complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray is a well-established tool for simultaneously studying the expression level of thousands of genes. Segmentation of microarray images is one of the main stages in a microarray experiment. However, it remains an arduous and challenging task due to the poor quality of images.

An effective approach for detection and segmentation of protein spots on 2-D gel images.

Two-dimensional gel image analysis is widely recognized as a particularly challenging and arduous process in proteomics field. The detection and segmentation of protein spots are two significant stages of this process as they can considerably affect the final biological conclusions of a proteomic experiment. The available techniques and commercial software packages deal with the existing challenges of 2-D gel images in a different degree of success.

Segmentation of zebrafish embryonic images using a geometric atlas deformation.

Transgenic zebrafish expressing fluorescent proteins in specific tissues or organs are promising models for studies of normal developmental processes, or perturbations of these. However, for widespread use, reliable quantification of the observed effects is necessary. Therefore, accurate and automatic analysis of images obtained by fluorescent microscopy and depicting zebrafish embryos becomes crucial.