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Thromb Haemost 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

McMaster University and the Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The double-blind, randomized, AMPLIFY trial compared 6 months' treatment with apixaban (10 mg twice daily for 7 days and 5 mg twice daily thereafter) versus conventional treatment (subcutaneous enoxaparin [1 mg/kg twice daily for ≥ 5 days] overlapped and followed by warfarin [international normalized ratio = 2.0-3.0]) in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). Read More

J Vasc Res 2019 Jan 16;55(6):365-377. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Cardiology, First College of Clinical Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.

Background: High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is known to have proinflammatory properties; however, the mechanisms by which HMGB1 influences immune responses during atherosclerosis (AS) development are not well understood. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between HMGB1 and vascular inflammation in Apoe-/- mice and whether glycyrrhizin (GLY), a small inhibitor of HMGB1, could have atheroprotective effects in AS.

Methods: Apoe-/- mice on a high-fat diet were treated with GLY (50 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage once daily for 12 weeks, respectively. Read More

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Pharmacology/Toxicology, Wright State University, School of Medicine, United States.

During aging, and development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) transition from healthy contractile to diseased synthetic phenotypes. K-Cl cotransport (KCC) maintains cell volume and ion homeostasis in growth and differentiation, and hence is important for VSMC proliferation and migration. Therefore, KCC activity may play a role in the contractile to synthetic VSMC phenotypic transition. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction, which is also associated with other disorders, such as atherosclerosis. The direct role of SSc in facilitating cardiovascular events should be clarified. We compared the prevalence of established coronary artery disease (CAD) between SSc and type 2 diabetes, a well-known phenotype associated with high cardiovascular risk. Read More

AIDS 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA 10461.

Objective: To evaluate plasma acylcarnitine profiles and their relationships with progression of carotid artery atherosclerosis among individuals with and without HIV-infection.

Design: Prospective cohort studies of 499 HIV-positive and 206 HIV-negative individuals from the Women's Interagency HIV Study and the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

Methods: Twenty-four acylcarnitine species were measured in plasma samples of participants at baseline. Read More

Curr Opin Lipidol 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Heart Institute (InCor) University of Sao Paulo Medical School Hospital.

Purpose Of Review: To discuss the heterogeneity of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and evidence and limitations of clinical risk scores and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis (SCA) imaging to evaluate risk.

Recent Findings: Risk evaluation in contemporary familial hypercholesterolemia cohorts needs to consider the cause of the familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype, for example the presence of autosomal molecular defects that impart a greater ASCVD risk than in polygenic hypercholesterolemia, prospective follow-up and the impact of statin treatment. As atherosclerosis is multifactorial, clinical scores like the Montreal familial hypercholesterolemia score and SAFEHEART risk equation have been proposed to stratify ASCVD in statin-treated, molecularly defined familial hypercholesterolemia individuals. Read More

Curr Opin Lipidol 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Centre for Heart Lung Innovation.

Purpose Of Review: Sepsis is a common syndrome of multiorgan system dysfunction caused by a dysregulated inflammatory response to an infection and is associated with high rates of mortality. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and composition change profoundly during sepsis and have emerged as both biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for this condition. The purpose of this article is to review recent progress in the understanding of the molecular regulation of lipid metabolism during sepsis. Read More

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2018 Nov 15. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Center of Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Boston University, 715 Albany, Street, Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118, USA.

Background And Aims: There is controversy on the potentially benign nature of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), i.e., obese persons with few or no metabolic abnormalities. Read More

Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan. Iran.

Chrysin is one of the flavonoids fruits, vegetables, and plant especially found in honey, it has been indicated that its cardiovascular protective effect is due to its antioxidative effects and anti-inflammatory activities. Chrysin exerts an antioxidant effect by enhancing the antioxidant system, suppressing pro-oxidant enzymes, scavenging free radicals and chelating redox active transition-metal ions. Chrysin decreases lipid synthesis and also increases its metabolism, thereby ameliorating blood lipid profile. Read More

Echocardiography 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.

Aims: In addition to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of diabetic cardiomyopathy is increasingly recognized in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We aimed to identify the occurrence of subclinical markers of cardiovascular risk and cardiac dysfunction and assess their relation to clinical parameters in asymptomatic patients with T1DM.

Methods And Results: A total of 102 patients (mean age 46 years [20-73], 62% male) with a history of T1DM ranging from 5 to 47 years underwent standard 2D and pulse-wave tissue Doppler echocardiography (Philips iE33) and computerized tomography for assessment of coronary calcium score (CACS) and visceral fat. Read More

Cureus 2018 Nov 2;10(11):e3537. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.

Endovascular aortobifemoral bypass repair with aortic bifurcation reconstruction is a well-established option with mortality benefits compared to conventional surgical management. The same theory, formulas, and techniques can be applied to the central venous system as long as there are commercially available devices. Using mathematically derived criteria for optimal stent size selection, endovascular aortic bifurcation reconstruction with kissing stents was extrapolated to the inferior vena cava (IVC). Read More

J Nutr Metab 2018 11;2018:6104169. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Laboratory of Bioanalysis and Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.

: Fat-soluble vitamins play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed at investigating the relationship of the serum levels of alpha-tocopherol and retinol with the extent of coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery disease. . Read More

J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2017 Dec 3;15(2):415-418. Epub 2017 Oct 3.

Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, Egypt.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in various diseases including atherosclerosis; the most common pathologic process underlying acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) antioxidant enzyme affords the major defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the mitochondria. MnSOD Alanine16Valine (A16V) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been shown to decrease MnSOD detoxification activity. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

From the Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Doctor Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife; Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Insular, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Central Laboratory Division, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife; Department of Epidemiology and Computational Biology, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Investigacíon Sanitaria (IDIVAL); Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL; Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL; School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain; Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. This work was supported by a grant to IFA from the Spanish Ministry of Health, Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013-2016 and by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional - FEDER - (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, FIS PI14/00394, PI17/00083). Prof. González-Gay's research was supported by European Union FEDER funds and by the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (grants PI06/0024, PS09/00748, PI12/00060 and PI15/00525) of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII, Health Ministry, Spain). It was also partially supported by RETICS Programs RD12/0009 (RIER), RD12/0009/0013, and RD16/0012 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII, Health Ministry, Spain). J.C. Quevedo-Abeledo, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Doctor Negrín; I. Rúa-Figueroa, MD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Doctor Negrín; H. Sánchez-Pérez, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias; B. Tejera-Segura, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Insular; A. de Vera-González, MD, Central Laboratory Division, Hospital Universitario de Canarias; A. González-Delgado, MD, Central Laboratory Division, Hospital Universitario de Canarias; J. Llorca, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Computational Biology, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, and CIBERESP, IDIVAL; M.A. González-Gay, MD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, and School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, and Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand; I. Ferraz-Amaro, MD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias. Drs. M.A. González-Gay and I. Ferraz-Amaro shared senior authorship. Address correspondence to Dr. I. Ferraz-Amaro, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, 38320 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. E-mail: Accepted for publication September 21, 2018.

Objective: Composite scores of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors underestimate the CV risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Carotid artery ultrasound (US) was found useful in identifying high CV-risk patients with inflammatory arthritis. We assessed the effect of carotid US assessments on the CV risk stratification of patients with SLE. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Jan 15;19(1):65. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei City, 11031, Taiwan.

Background: Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and the carotid plaque score (cPS) are valid markers for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis. Evaluation of ASI and ABI for detection of atherosclerosis is assessed in this study. Finding a model to see which individual has a risk of having atherosclerosis, so those people can be further assessed by invasive but more accurate atherosclerosis detection methods like angiography is another objective of this study. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Jan;8(2):e011045

1 Department of Epidemiology Gillings School of Global Public Health University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC.

Background Central arterial stiffening and increased pulsatility, with consequent cerebral hypoperfusion, may result in structural brain damage and cognitive impairment. Methods and Results We analyzed a cross-sectional sample of ARIC - NCS (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities-Neurocognitive Study) participants (aged 67-90 years, 60% women) with measures of cognition (n=3703) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (n=1255). Central arterial hemodynamics were assessed as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and pressure pulsatility (central pulse pressure). Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Jan 14;20(2). Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays a critical role in atherosclerosis. At the beginning of the pathologic process of atherosclerosis, irregular VSMC proliferation promotes plaque formation, but in advanced plaques VSMCs are beneficial, promoting the stability and preventing rupture of the fibrous cap. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) expressed in the vascular system are involved in the control of VSMC proliferation. Read More

Nutrients 2019 Jan 14;11(1). Epub 2019 Jan 14.

The Pangenomics Lab, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne 3083, Australia.

Honey, a natural sweetener has been used universally as a complete food and in complementary medicine since early antiquity. Honey contains over 180 substances, including sugars mainly fructose and glucose, water and a plethora of minor constituents such as vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. The chemical composition of honey varies depending on floral origin, environment and geographical conditions. Read More

Vopr Pitan 2017 27;86(2):5-13. Epub 2017 Feb 27.

Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry named after A.I. Evdokimov.

Adipose tissue is the source of adipokines (leptine, adiponectine, resistine, interleukin-1, 6, 7, 8, 15, visfatine, PPAR-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, vaspine, chemerine, progranuline, endocannabinoids, lipocaline-2, apleine, omentine, nesfatine-1) - biological active molecules of adipose tissue that have local and systematic effect on body. Changing of their level in the body is associated with insulin resistance, endothelium dysfunction, arterial hypertension, bronchial asthma and obesity progressing. Adipokines are heterogenous group of molecules, one part of them is produced directly by abdominal adipose tissue; another part of them is produced in other tissues but they indirectly affect development and functioning of adipose tissue. Read More

Vopr Pitan 2017 2;86(3):6-18. Epub 2017 May 2.

Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow.

Eggs are a major source of phospholipids (PL) in the Western diet. Dietary PL have emerged as a potential source of bioactive lipids that may have widespread effects on pathways related to inflammation, cholesterol metabolism, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function. Based on pre-clinical studies, egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin appeared to regulate cholesterol absorption and inflammation. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185554. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

currently with Rare Diseases, Pfizer, London, United Kingdom.

Importance: Both adherence and treatment intensity can alter the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy in routine clinical practice.

Objective: To evaluate the association of adherence and treatment intensity with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with documented cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes without CVD or chronic kidney disease (CKD), and CKD without CVD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink from January 2010 through February 2016. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Sep 7;1(5):e182953. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

Importance: It is unknown whether poststroke outcome varies between different potential causes in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Objective: To investigate whether functional outcome differs according to potential embolic sources after cryptogenic stroke.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter, hospital-based, prospective stroke registry cohort study investigated potential embolic sources on admission and assessed 3-month outcome in patients with ischemic stroke hospitalized at 7 stroke centers in the Fukuoka Stroke Registry. Read More

S Afr Med J 2018 Oct 26;108(11b):973-1000. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Netcare Sunninghill and Sunward Park Hospitals, Division of Cardiology, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.

South Africa (SA) is home to a heterogeneous population with a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors. Cholesterol reduction in combination with aggressive management of modifiable risk factors, including nutrition, physical activity, blood pressure and smoking, can help to reduce and prevent morbidity and mortality in individuals who are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. This updated consensus guide to management of dyslipidaemia in SA is based on the updated European Society of Cardiology and European Atherosclerosis Society dyslipidaemia guidelines published in 2016. Read More

Cell Stress Chaperones 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Av. Enéas Carvalho Aguiar, 44, Annex II, 9th Floor, São Paulo, Brazil.

Heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) is crucial for proteostasis and displays cell-protective effects. Meanwhile, enhanced levels of cell-surface (cs) and secreted HSP70 paradoxically associate with pathologic cardiovascular conditions. However, mechanisms regulating csHSP70 pool are unknown. Read More

Neurol Sci 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Biostatistics, Selcuk University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Konya, Turkey.

Background: Migraine is a common neurovascular disease associated with vascular risks, especially in young adult females, but the mechanism underlying these associations remains unknown. This study evaluated the relationships between plasma endothelial dysfunction biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in young adult females with migraine.

Methods: This case-control study included 148 female patients (age range: 18-50 years). Read More

Int J Stroke 2019 Jan 15:1747493019826363. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Stroke Prevention & Atherosclerosis Research Centre, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada.

When warfarin was the mainstay of anticoagulation for the prevention of cardioembolic stroke, the paradigm was essentially "we mustn't anticoagulate anyone unless we prove that the stroke was cardioembolic." Now that direct-acting oral anticoagulants are available, the paradigm should change. The risk of stroke is highest soon after the initial event, particularly in patients with more than one infarction. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

New Medicine Innovation and Development Institute, Department of Pharmacy, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a promising molecule for cardiovascular diseases therapy. But lack of a targeted delivery system limits its translation into clinical application. This study aimed to develop stably overexpressing VEGF macrophages for targeted VEGF delivery to injured arteries and determine their potential for repairing of the damaged endothelium. Read More

Stroke Res Treat 2018 3;2018:7195369. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.

Background: Stroke aetiology may affect the risk and causes of readmission after ischaemic stroke (IS) and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) due to differences in risk factors, functional outcome, and treatment. We aimed to examine frequencies, causes, and risk of 30-day readmission by stroke subtype, determine predictors of 30-day readmission, and study the impact of 30-day readmissions on one-year mortality.

Methods: All surviving patients admitted with IS or TIA from July 2007 to December 2013 were followed by review of medical records for all unplanned readmissions within 30 days after discharge. Read More

J Atheroscler Thromb 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University.

Aim: The study aimed to identify the underlying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and mechanism of macrophage-enriched rupture atherosclerotic plaque using bioinformatics methods.

Methods: GSE41571, which includes six stable samples and five ruptured atherosclerotic samples, was downloaded from the GEO database. After preprocessing, DEGs between ruptured and stable atherosclerotic samples were identified using LIMMA. Read More

CMAJ 2019 Jan;191(2):E52

Periodontist, Bowling Green, Ky.; member of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, NY.

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 22. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Lipid Disorders Clinic, Cardiometabolic Service, Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia.

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Jan;12(1):e008712

Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.M.S.).

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Jan;12(1):e007835

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (M.D.C., T.H., F.S., M.C.B. L.H.L., S.A.S., M.A., E.A.).

Background: Microcalcifications in atherosclerotic plaques are destabilizing, predict adverse cardiovascular events, and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.F-fluoride positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging has demonstrated promise as a useful clinical diagnostic tool in identifying high-risk plaques; however, there is confusion as to the underlying mechanism of signal amplification seen in PET-positive, CT-negative image regions. This study tested the hypothesis that F-fluoride PET/CT can identify early microcalcifications. Read More

Biomacromolecules 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a cell surface scavenger receptor. The protein is involved in binding and internalization of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), which leads under pathophysiological circumstances to plaque formation in arteries and initiation of atherosclerosis. A structural feature of LOX-1 relevant to oxLDL binding is the "basic spine" motif consisting of linearly aligned arginine residues stretched over the dimer surface. Read More

Antioxidants (Basel) 2019 Jan 11;8(1). Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

(1) Background: Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is a ubiquitously expressed protein localized to endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Previous studies have shown that PON2 exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory functions, and PON2-deficient (PON2-def) mice are more susceptible to atherosclerosis. Furthermore, PON2 deficiency leads to impaired mitochondrial function. Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr 2019 Jan - Feb;13(1):882-888. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Radiodiagnosis Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Electronic address:

Aim: To evaluate the association of serum FGF21 with subclinical atherosclerosis and pulse wave velocity, a marker of arterial stiffness, in type 2 diabetes Egyptian patients.

Patients And Methods: Fasting serum FGF21 was measured in 120 type 2 diabetes patients without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (mean age 51.1 ± 7. Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr 2019 Jan - Feb;13(1):396-400. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Biochemistry, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, 486001, India.

Introduction: Prediabetes is a chronic low-grade inflammatory disease and considered as a risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a leukocyte-derived enzyme, linked to both oxidative stress and inflammation and has been proposed as a possible mediator of atherosclerosis, the major cause of cardiovascular disease. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the level of MPO in prediabetic subjects and correlate it with other cardiovascular disease risk factors. Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr 2019 Jan - Feb;13(1):264-269. Epub 2018 Sep 8.

Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan. Electronic address:

Background: Waist circumference (WC) is an indicator of adiposity; particularly visceral fat, cardiometabolic risk factors and related morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the attribution of WC to increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and circulating levels of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in schoolchildren.

Methods: A total of 122 children (61 boys and 61 girls) aged 10-15 years were distributed into three groups: (i) the lower smoothed sex- and age-specific WC (LWC) group (ii) the middle smoothed sex- and age-specific WC (MWC) group, and (iii) the higher smoothed sex- and age-specific WC (HWC) group. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Genos Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Borongajska cesta 83H, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.

Aims: Human plasma lipoproteins are known to contain various glycan structures whose composition and functional importance are starting to be recognized. We assessed N-glycosylation of human plasma HDL and LDL and the role of their glycomes in cellular cholesterol metabolism.

Methods: N-glycomic profiles of native and neuraminidase-treated HDL and LDL were obtained using HILIC-UHPLC-FLD. Read More

J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 1 Debinki St., 80-211 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address:

Vascular inflammation is an important factor in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Changes in the extracellular nucleotide and in particular adenosine catabolism may alter a chronic inflammation and endothelial activation. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between vascular ecto-adenosine deaminase (eADA) activity and endothelial activation in humans and to analyze the effects of LPS-mediated inflammation on this activity as well as mechanisms of its increase. Read More

J Neurol Sci 2018 Dec 31;397:156-161. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Introduction: Guanidino compounds, including l-homoarginine (l-hArg), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and l-arginine (l-Arg) are associated with mortality, fatal strokes, stroke incidence, and atherosclerosis.

Objectives: We aimed to study the association of guanidino compounds (l-hArg/ADMA and l-hArg/SDMA) with stroke etiology, internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and CHADS-VASc score in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

Methods: We analyzed l-hArg, SDMA, ADMA, l-Arg, and compound molar ratios, i. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Département de Bactériologie-Virologie, Hygiène et Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire (CHRU) de Brest, 29238 Brest, France; UMR1078 "Génétique, Génomique Fonctionnelle et Biotechnologies", INSERM, Université de Brest, EFS, IBSAM, 29200 Brest, France.

We report a picture of incurvated Gram-negative bacilli corresponding to a Helicobacter cinaedi strain. The strain was isolated from the bloodstream in a woman with atypical Raynaud's disease and a recent history of superficial venous thrombosis. H. Read More

J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Center for Molecular Medicine, NIH, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Aging Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disorder of the vessel wall. One key regulator of disease progression is lipid handling in macrophages. However, the role of macrophage mitochondrial-dependent fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) in atherosclerosis is not well defined. Read More

Ageing Res Rev 2019 Jan 9;50:43-57. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address:

Efferocytosis, the clearance of apoptotic cells (ACs), is a physiologic, multifaceted and dynamic process and a fundamental mechanism for the preservation of tissue homeostasis by avoiding unwanted inflammation and autoimmune responses through special phagocytic receptors. Defective efferocytosis is associated with several disease states, including cardiovascular disease and impaired immune surveillance, as occurs in cancer and autoimmune disease. A major cause of defective efferocytosis is non-functionality of surface receptors on either the phagocytic cells or the ACs, such as TAM family tyrosine kinase, which turns to a soluble form by cleavage/shedding or alternative splicing. Read More

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2018 Nov 24. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Disease Research Unit Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Clin Chim Acta 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China. Electronic address:

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), a scavenger receptor of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) found in various cells, plays a crucial role in the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Animal studies have suggested that LOX-1 mediates the balance between internalization and degeneration of endothelial cells, thereby contributing to various steps in the atherosclerotic process, from initiation to plaque rupture. Under pathological conditions, the extracellular domain of membrane bound LOX-1 can be largely proteolytically cleaved into a soluble form (sLOX-1), which is proportional and linked to the LOX-1 expression level. Read More

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Via C. Parea 4, 20138, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

Objectives: To assess evaluability and diagnostic accuracy of a low dose CT angiography (CTA) protocol for carotid arteries using latest Iterative Reconstruction (IR) algorithm in comparison with standard 100 kVp protocol using previous generation CT and IR.

Materials And Methods: 105 patients, referred for CTA of the carotid arteries were prospectively enrolled in our study and underwent CTA with 80 kVp and latest IR algorithm (group 1). Data were retrospectively compared with 100 consecutive patients with similar examination indications that had previously undergone CTA of carotid arteries with a standard 100 kVp protocol and a first generation IR algorithm (group 2). Read More

Am J Med Sci 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

We present the first reported case showing metastatic giant bone cell tumor being treated successfully with pembrolizumab after failing prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Of note, the patient developed multiple systemic effects associated with checkpoint inhibitor use. One year after starting the checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), the patient also developed hepatitis that was confirmed by liver biopsy and pathology to be, in part, due to drug-mediated toxicity similar to prior ICI toxicity cases that have been reported. Read More

J Thromb Haemost 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease associated with an elevated risk for premature cardiovascular disease. Platelets express receptors contributing to inflammation and immunity including FcγRIIA, the low affinity receptor of the Fc portion of IgG antibodies. The variation at a single amino acid substitution, H131R, in the extracellular binding domain alters the affinity for IgG, which may account for individual variation in platelet activity and platelet mediated disease. Read More

BMB Rep 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea.

Endothelial dysfunction-induced lipid retention is an early feature of atherosclerotic lesion formation. Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is one of the major modulating factors of atherogenesis, which accelerates atherosclerosis progression by causing plaque destabilization and rupture. However, the mechanism underlying VSMC apoptosis mediated by endothelial dysfunction in relation to atherosclerosis remains elusive. Read More