Adam, amigo, brain, and K channel.

Voltage-dependent K (Kv) channels are diverse, comprising the classical  - Kv2,  - Kv1,  - Kv4, and  - Kv3 families. The family alone consists of Kv1.1, Kv1.

Patiromer for the management of hyperkalemia in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the DIAMOND trial.

Aims: To investigate the impact of patiromer on the serum potassium level and its ability to enable specified target doses of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) use in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods And Results: A total of 1642 patients with HFrEF and current or a history of RAASi-related hyperkalemia were screened and 1195 were enrolled in the run-in phase with patiromer and optimization of the RAASi therapy [≥50% recommended dose of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, and 50 mg of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) spironolactone or eplerenone]. Specified target doses of the RAASi therapy were achieved in 878 (84.

Myocardial perfusion quantification with Rb-82 PET: good interobserver agreement of Carimas software on global, regional, and segmental levels.

Purpose: To estimate the interobserver agreement of the Carimas software package (SP) on global, regional, and segmental levels for the most widely used myocardial perfusion PET tracer-Rb-82.

Materials And Methods: Rest and stress Rb-82 PET scans of 48 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) were analyzed in four centers using the Carimas SP. We considered values to agree if they simultaneously had an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.

One-tissue compartment model for myocardial perfusion quantification with N-13 ammonia PET provides matching results: A cross-comparison between Carimas, FlowQuant, and PMOD.

Purpose: To cross-compare three software packages (SPs)-Carimas, FlowQuant, and PMOD-to quantify myocardial perfusion at global, regional, and segmental levels.

Materials And Methods: Stress N-13 ammonia PET scans of 48 patients with HCM were analyzed in three centers using Carimas, FlowQuant, and PMOD. Values agreed if they had an ICC > 0.

Tale of tail current.

The largest biomass of channel proteins is located in unicellular organisms and bacteria that have no organs. However, orchestrated bidirectional ionic currents across the cell membrane via the channels are important for the functioning of organs of organisms, and equally concern both fauna or flora. Several ion channels are activated in the course of action potentials.

Acute salt loading and cardiotonic steroids in resistant hypertension.

The study addresses the association of marinobufagenin (MBG), a natriuretic and vasoconstrictor steroid, and Na/K-ATPase (NKA) activity with pressor response to salt-loading and arterial stiffness in resistant hypertension (RH). Thirty-four patients (18 males and 16 females; 56±8 years) with RH on a combined (lisnopril/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide) therapy and 11 healthy age-matched normotensive subjects (7 males and 4 females; 54±2 years) were enrolled in this study. Salt-loading was performed via intravenous infusion of 1000mL saline (0.

2018 Practice Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Hypertension.

These practice guidelines on the management of arterial hypertension are a concise summary of the more extensive ones prepared by the Task Force jointly appointed by the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology. These guidelines have been prepared on the basis of the best available evidence on all issues deserving recommendations; their role must be educational and not prescriptive or coercive for the management of individual subjects who may differ widely in their personal, medical and cultural characteristics. The members of the Task Force have participated independently in the preparation of these guidelines, drawing on their academic and clinical experience and by objective examination and interpretation of all available literature.

Limulus and heart rhythm.

Great interest in the comparative physiology of hearts and their functions in Animalia has emerged with classic papers on Limulus polyphemus and mollusks. The recurrent cardiac activity-heart rate-is the most important physiological parameter and when present the kardia (Greek) is vital to the development of entire organs of the organisms in the animal kingdom. Extensive studies devoted to the regulation of cardiac rhythm in invertebrates have revealed that the basics of heart physiology are comparable to mammals.

Optical control of L-type Ca channels using a diltiazem photoswitch.

L-type Ca channels (LTCCs) play a crucial role in excitation-contraction coupling and release of hormones from secretory cells. They are targets of antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic drugs such as diltiazem. Here, we present a photoswitchable diltiazem, FHU-779, which can be used to reversibly block endogenous LTCCs by light.

Molecular basis of selective resistance of the bumblebee BiNa1 sodium channel to tau-fluvalinate.

Insecticides are widely used to control pests in agriculture and insect vectors that transmit human diseases. However, these chemicals can have a negative effect on nontarget, beneficial organisms including bees. Discovery and deployment of selective insecticides is a major mission of modern toxicology and pest management.

Structural Models of Ligand-Bound Sodium Channels.

X-ray and cryo-EM structures of tetrameric and pseudo-tetrameric P-loop channels are used to elaborate homology models of mammalian voltage-gated sodium channels with drugs and neurotoxins. Such models integrate experimental data, assist in planning new experiments, and may facilitate drug design. This chapter outlines sodium channel models with local anesthetics, anticonvulsants, and antiarrhythmics, which are used to manage pain and treat sodium channelopathies.

Standard of care and direct medical costs of the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia among the adult population in Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan: data from the LEUKOSPECT study.

Purpose: The LEUKOSPECT study aimed to describe health service utilization and to estimate the direct medical costs (DMCs) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2013 in the adult population of three post-Soviet countries - Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. As oncologic medical care is provided by federal state-owned, specialized medical institutions, the cost estimation in this study primarily informs from a state budget perspective. Patients' contributions to medical costs were not included in the cost evaluation.

Addictive neurons.

Since the reward center is considered to be the of the hypothalamus, logically its neurons could mainly be responsible for addiction. However, the literature asserts that almost any neurons of CNS can respond to one or another addictive compound. Obviously not only addictive nicotine, but also alcohol, amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, heroin and morphine may influence dopaminergic cells alone in VTA.

Antioxidant Properties of Kynurenines: Density Functional Theory Calculations.

Kynurenines, the main products of tryptophan catabolism, possess both prooxidant and anioxidant effects. Having multiple neuroactive properties, kynurenines are implicated in the development of neurological and cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Autoxidation of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HOK) and its derivatives, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) and xanthommatin (XAN), leads to the hyperproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which damage cell structures.

Autonomous control of cardiovascular reactivity in patients with episodic and chronic forms of migraine.

Background: The autonomous cardiovascular control can contribute to progression of migraine. However, current data on cardiovascular reactivity in migraine, especially severe forms, are essentially contradictory. The main aim of this study was to compare the autonomous regulation of circulation in patients with episodic and chronic migraine and healthy subjects.

Human Cytomegalovirus Up-Regulates Endothelin Receptor Type B: Implication for Vasculopathies?

Background.  Both endothelin receptor type B ([ETBR], a G protein-coupled receptor that mediates the vascular effects of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1) and human cytomegalovirus ([HCMV], a ubiquitous herpesvirus) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The effects of HCMV infection on ETBR expression are unknown.

Aortic root volume is associated with contained rupture of the aortic annulus in balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Aortic annulus rupture is a rare, but potentially fatal complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), especially when it occurs by balloon-expandable devices. In order to improve the predictability of procedures and avoid ruptures we investigated whether or not the aortic root volume measures is a useful indicator of risk, and if it could be useful for the prosthesis size selection.

Methods And Results: From a retrospective series of 172 TAVR patients, seven experienced contained aortic annulus ruptures.

Marinobufagenin-induced vascular fibrosis is a likely target for mineralocorticoid antagonists.

Objective: Endogenous cardiotonic steroids, including marinobufagenin (MBG), stimulate vascular synthesis of collagen. Because mineralocorticoid antagonists competitively antagonize effect of cardiotonic steroids on the Na/K-ATPase, we hypothesized that spironolactone would reverse the profibrotic effects of MBG.

Methods: Experiment 1: Explants of thoracic aortae and aortic vascular smooth muscle cells from Wistar rats were cultured for 24 h in the presence of vehicle or MBG (100 nmol/l) with or without canrenone (10 μmol/l), an active metabolite of spironolactone.

Safety and tolerability of omecamtiv mecarbil during exercise in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and angina.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the safety and tolerability of omecamtiv mecarbil treatment during symptom-limited exercise in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and angina. These patients may have increased vulnerability to prolongation of the systolic ejection time.

Background: Omecamtiv mecarbil is a selective cardiac myosin activator that augments cardiac contractility in patients with systolic heart failure through a dose-dependent increase in systolic ejection time.

Day-to-day repeatability of the Pulse Time Index of Norm.

The pulse wave velocity (PWV) threshold for hypertensive target organ damage is presently set at 10 meters per second. New 24-hour monitors (eg, BPLab® and Vasotens®) provide several PWV measurements over a period of 24-72 hours. A new parameter, ie, the Pulse Time Index of Norm (PTIN), can be calculated from these data.

The collagen cross-linking enzyme lysyl oxidase is associated with the healing of human atherosclerotic lesions.

Background: Acute clinical complications of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic stroke are usually caused by thrombus formation on the ruptured plaque surface. Collagen, the main structural protein of the fibrous cap, provides mechanical strength to the atherosclerotic plaque. The integrity of the fibrous cap depends on collagen fibre cross-linking, a process controlled by the enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX).

Early changes of gene expression profiles in the rat model of arterial injury.

Purpose: Restenosis caused by intimal hyperplasia (IH) remains a significant drawback for vascular interventions. It is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms that control activation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) after the injury in order to develop strategies to prevent IH. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the early alterations in arterial-wall gene expression after balloon injury in the rat carotid artery with focus on the induction of an inflammatory response.

Correlation of cardiac output and sevoflurane required to maintain anesthetic depth targeted with entropy index.

Aims And Objectives: We investigated the correlation of reduced cardiac output on required sevoflurane to maintain targeted anesthesia depth.

Materials And Methods: 36 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively included in the study. Inspired sevoflurane concentration was adjusted to ensure state entropy index < 40.