AP-1 (Activated Protein-1) Transcription Factor JunD Regulates Ischemia/Reperfusion Brain Damage via IL-1β (Interleukin-1β).

Background and Purpose- Inflammation is a major pathogenic component of ischemia/reperfusion brain injury, and as such, interventions aimed at inhibiting inflammatory mediators promise to be effective strategies in stroke therapy. JunD-a member of the AP-1 (activated protein-1) family of transcription factors-was recently shown to regulate inflammation by targeting IL (interleukin)-1β synthesis and macrophage activation. The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of JunD in ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury.

Predictive value of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Background: This study sought to investigate the predictive value of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The ACEF score (age/left ventricular ejection fraction +1 [if creatinine > 176 μmol/L]) has been established in patients evaluated for coronary artery bypass surgery. Data on its predictive value in all-comer ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are scarce.

Post-ischaemic administration of the murine Canakinumab-surrogate antibody improves outcome in experimental stroke.

Aims: The CANTOS trial underscored the efficacy of selective antibody-based interleukin (IL)-1β inhibition with Canakinumab in secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Despite the success of the trial, incidence of stroke was not reduced likely due to the low number of events and the relatively young age of patients enrolled. Given the established role of IL-1β in stroke, we tested the efficacy of the murine Canakinumab-equivalent antibody in a mouse model of ischaemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke across sexes: what is the status quo?

Stroke prevalence is expected to increase in the next decades due to the aging of the Western population. Ischemic stroke (IS) shows an age- and sex-dependent distribution in which men represent the most affected population within 65 years of age, being passed by post-menopausal women in older age groups. Furthermore, a sexual dimorphism concerning risk factors, presentation and treatment of IS has been widely recognized.

Ischemic stroke across sexes: What is the status quo?

Stroke prevalence is expected to increase in the next decades due to the aging of the Western population. Ischemic stroke (IS) shows an age- and sex-dependent distribution in which men represent the most affected population within 65 years of age, being passed by post-menopausal women in older age groups. Furthermore, a sexual dimorphism concerning risk factors, presentation and treatment of IS has been widely recognized.

Untargeted metabolomics identifies trimethyllysine, a TMAO-producing nutrient precursor, as a predictor of incident cardiovascular disease risk.

Using an untargeted metabolomics approach in initial (N = 99 subjects) and replication cohorts (N = 1,162), we discovered and structurally identified a plasma metabolite associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, N6,N6,N6-trimethyl-L-lysine (trimethyllysine, TML). Stable-isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry analyses of an independent validation cohort (N = 2,140) confirmed TML levels are independently associated with incident (3-year) major adverse cardiovascular event risks (hazards ratio [HR], 2.4; 95% CI, 1.

Natural genetic variation of the cardiac transcriptome in non-diseased donors and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Genetic variation is an important determinant of RNA transcription and splicing, which in turn contributes to variation in human traits, including cardiovascular diseases.

Results: Here we report the first in-depth survey of heart transcriptome variation using RNA-sequencing in 97 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 108 non-diseased controls. We reveal extensive differences of gene expression and splicing between dilated cardiomyopathy patients and controls, affecting known as well as novel dilated cardiomyopathy genes.

Lipoprotein(a) in patients with aortic stenosis: Insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Background: Aortic stenosis is the most common age-related valvular pathology. Patients with aortic stenosis and myocardial fibrosis have worse outcome but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Lipoprotein(a) is associated with adverse cardiovascular risk and is elevated in patients with aortic stenosis.