Fibrin film on clots is increased by haematocrit but reduced by inflammation: implications for platelets and fibrinolysis.

Background: Blood clot formation, triggered by vascular injury, is crucial for haemostasis and thrombosis. Blood clots are composed mainly of fibrin fibres, platelets and red blood cells (RBCs). Recent studies show that clot surface also develops a fibrin film, which provides protection against wound infection and retains components such as RBCs within the clot.

Patients perspectives on integrating eHealth in regular care pathways for atrial fibrillation: evaluating photoplethysmography for remote self-assessment.

Aims: Smartphone applications for heart rate and rhythm assessment are increasingly used for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the use of a photoplethysmography (PPG)-based smartphone application with subsequent (tele)consultations for AF management has been proven feasible in the TeleCheck-AF project, specific needs, and expectations of patients with AF are unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients' perspectives on the use of remote PPG-based electronical health (eHealth) integrated in regular care pathways for AF.

Coronary CTA and CT-FFR in trans-catheter aortic valve implantation candidates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Screening for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) could prevent unnecessary invasive coronary angiography (ICA) procedures during work-up for trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) improves CCTA accuracy in chest pain patients. However, its reliability in the TAVI population is unknown.

Safety and tolerability of the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor modulator BAY 2413555 in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the REMOTE-HF study.

BAY 2413555 is a novel selective and reversible positive allosteric modulator of the type 2 muscarinic acetylcholine (M2) receptor, aimed at enhancing parasympathetic signaling and restoring cardiac autonomic balance for the treatment of heart failure (HF). This study tested the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of this novel therapeutic option. REMOTE-HF was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase Ib dose-titration study with two active arms.

The impact of atrial voltage and conduction velocity phenotypes on atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Introduction: Low atrial voltage and slow conduction velocity (CV) have been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, their interaction and relative importance as early disease markers remain incompletely understood. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between atrial voltage and CV using high-density electroanatomic (HDE) maps of patients with AF.

Methods: HDE maps obtained during sinus rhythm in 52 patients with AF and five healthy controls were analysed.

Functional screening identifies miRNAs with a novel function inhibiting Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell proliferation.

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) is a crucial contributor to pathological vascular remodelling. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful gene regulators and attractive therapeutic agents. Here, we aim to systematically identify and characterise miRNAs with therapeutic potential in targeting vSMC proliferation.

Psychosocial and cognitive determinants of 10-year depressive symptom trajectories in patients with cardiovascular disease: The SMART-Medea Study.

Background: Middle-aged and older adults presenting clinically relevant depressive symptoms are often undiagnosed. Understanding the determinants of late-life depressive symptoms could improve prognosis. Further, individuals with manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at an increased risk of depression.

Why Current Detection of Vascular Calcification Falls Short and How to Improve on It.

Vascular calcification is a common phenomenon in various vascular diseases, where its presence heralds increased occurrence of adverse disease events, which invariably lead to increased morbidity and mortality in patients. Although the impact of calcification has become apparent, adequate and early detection of the most damaging form of early microcalcification is still in its infancy, preventing reliable identification of locations that would benefit from intervention. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art noninvasive calcification imaging and its persisting limitations.

Impact of Inflammation After Cardiac Surgery on 30-Day Mortality and Machine Learning Risk Prediction.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on 30-day mortality following cardiac surgery and develop a machine learning model to predict SIRS.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single tertiary care hospital.

Bullet characterization using Photon-Counting detector CT: A phantom study with intact bullets.

Objectives: Photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) is expected to substantially improve and expand CT-imaging applicability due to its intrinsic spectral capabilities, increased spatial resolution, reduced electronic noise, and improved image contrast. The current study aim is to evaluate PCD-CT efficacy in characterizing bullets based on their dimensions, shape, and material composition.

Materials And Methods: This is an observational phantom study examining 11 unfired, intact bullets of various common calibers, placed in ballistic gelatin.

Higher Versus Lower Protein Delivery in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Recent multicenter trials suggest that higher protein delivery may result in worse outcomes in critically ill patients, but uncertainty remains. An updated Bayesian meta-analysis of recent evidence was conducted to estimate the probabilities of beneficial and harmful treatment effects.

Data Sources: An updated systematic search was performed in three databases until September 4, 2024.

Aldolase B Deficient Mice Are Characterized by Hepatic Nucleotide Sugar Abnormalities.

Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is characterized by liver damage and a secondary defect in N-linked glycosylation due to impairment of mannose phosphate isomerase (MPI). Mannose treatment has been shown to be an effective treatment in a primary defect in MPI (i.e.

Interpreting high levels of unfolded Von Willebrand Factor in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Introduction: Unfolded Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) is increased in thrombotic pathologies such as myocardial infarction. Unfolded VWF mediates the binding of platelets without the need for collagen. β-glycoprotein I (β-GPI) is a natural inhibitor of the platelet-VWF interaction.

Inhibition of intracellular versus extracellular cathepsin D differentially alters the liver lipidome of mice with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) progressing to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), characterized by hepatic inflammation, has significantly increased in recent years due to unhealthy dietary practices and sedentary lifestyles. Cathepsin D (CTSD), a lysosomal protease involved in lipid homeostasis, is linked to abnormal lipid metabolism and inflammation in MASH. Although primarily intracellular, CTSD can be secreted extracellularly.

The transcriptional profile of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure: Heme-sparing and reduced immune processes.

Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) and associated with morbidity and poor prognosis, but pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. We aimed to identify novel biological pathways affected by ID.

Methods And Results: We studied 881 patients with HF from the BIOSTAT-CHF cohort.

The MAASWERP Study: An International, Comparative Case Study on Measuring Biomechanics of the Aged Murine Aorta.

Introduction: Arterial stiffening is a hallmark of vascular ageing, and unravelling its underlying mechanisms has become a central theme in the field of cardiovascular disease. While various techniques and experimental setups are accessible for investigating biomechanics of blood vessels both in vivo and ex vivo, comparing findings across diverse methodologies is challenging.

Methods: Arterial stiffness in the aorta of adult (5 months) and aged (24 months) wild-type C57Bl/6J mice was measured in vivo, after which ex vivo biomechanical evaluation was performed using the Rodent Oscillatory Tension Setup to study Arterial Compliance (ROTSAC; University of Antwerp, Belgium) and the DynamX setup (Maastricht University, The Netherlands).

Thrombosis, Translational Medicine, and Biomarker Research: Moving the Needle.

Arterial and venous thromboembolism are leading causes of morbidity and death worldwide. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of thrombotic diseases over the past 3 decades, the adoption of findings stemming from translational biomarker research in clinical practice remains limited. Biomarkers provide an opportunity to enhance our understanding of pathophysiological processes and optimize treatment strategies.

Left atrial strain predicts long-term heart failure outcomes after ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Left atrial (LA) strain reflects not only LA function but also systolic and diastolic left ventricular function. We therefore hypothesize that LA strain may be a comprehensive predictor of heart failure related endpoints after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aim to assess the impact of LA reservoir strain on the long-term prognosis following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Long-term egg-protein hydrolysate consumption improves endothelial function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in older adults with overweight or obesity.

Purpose: The dietary egg-protein hydrolysate Newtricious (NWT)-03 has previously demonstrated improvements in blood pressure and metabolic profiles. However, the long-term effects on vascular function and cardiometabolic risk markers are unknown.

Methods: Forty-four older (aged 60-75) adults with overweight/obesity experiencing elevated Subjective Cognitive Failures (SCF) were randomized into a 36-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Next generation brain health: transforming global research and public health to promote prevention of dementia and reduce its risk in young adult populations.

Efforts to prevent dementia can benefit from precision interventions delivered to the right population at the right time; that is, when the potential to reduce risk is the highest. Young adults (aged 18-39 years) are a neglected population in dementia research and policy making despite being highly exposed to several known modifiable risk factors. The risk and protective factors that have the biggest effect on dementia outcomes in young adulthood, and how these associations differ across regions and groups, still remain unclear.