Rossibagge6628

Although ex vivo simulation is a valuable tool for surgical optimization, a disease model that mimics human aortic regurgitation (AR) from cusp prolapse is needed to accurately examine valve biomechanics. To simulate AR, four porcine aortic valves were explanted, and the commissure between the two largest leaflets was detached and re-implanted 5 mm lower to induce cusp prolapse. Four additional valves were tested in their native state as controls. read more All valves were tested in a heart simulator while hemodynamics, high-speed videography, and echocardiography data were collected. Our AR model successfully reproduced cusp prolapse with significant increase in regurgitant volume compared with that of the controls (23.2 ± 8.9 versus 2.8 ± 1.6 ml, p = 0.017). Hemodynamics data confirmed the simulation of physiologic disease conditions. Echocardiography and color flow mapping demonstrated the presence of mild to moderate eccentric regurgitation in our AR model. This novel AR model has enormous potential in the evaluation of valve biomechanics and surgical repair techniques. Graphical Abstract.Cardiac fibrosis is one of the most common pathological conditions caused by different heart diseases, including myocardial infarction and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. Cardiac fibrosis is caused by different processes, including inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress. The process of fibrosis begins by changing the balance between production and destruction of extracellular matrix components and stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts. Many studies have focused on finding drugs with less adverse effects for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Some studies show that nutraceuticals are effective in preventing and treating diseases, including cardiovascular disease, and that they can reduce the risk. However, big clinical studies to prove the therapeutic properties of all these substances and their adverse effects are lacking so far. Therefore, in this review, we tried to summarize the knowledge on pathways and mechanisms of several nutraceuticals which have shown their usefulness in the prevention of cardiac fibrosis.The concept of autoerotic asphyxiation refers to the use of devices or substances intended to enhance one's arousal by inducing cerebral hypoxia, which can involuntarily lead to death. Although in most cases death occurs accidentally, it is nonetheless true that the same devices might be used by the practitioners in order to attempt suicide. The case of a 34-year-old practitioner of autoerotic asphyxiation found dead in his apartment with bondage-like ligatures and masking is reported here. The case raised some issues concerning the accidental or suicidal nature of the act. The aspects taken into account in the management of the case are discussed, along with a compared approach to the data provided by literature.We present a case of a 20-year-old man who suffered from Kawasaki disease (KD) associated with a florid parvovirus infection, and who died suddenly from thrombotic occlusion of the coronary arteries. The autopsy revealed several aneurysms of the coronary arteries, a chronic vasculitis and a myofibroblast proliferation leading to focal luminal narrowing. The inflammatory response as well as the detection of the viral particles by PCR in blood and in the lesional tissue demonstrated a possible cause by Parvovirus infection. The expression of endoglin on endothelial cells of neoangiogenesis indicates the involvement of the TGF-beta pathway, necessary for maintaining chronic inflammation. In addition, a possible connection between the intake of methylphenidate, arteritis and a possible pre-existing heart disease must be discussed. Furthermore, KD must also be considered as a cause of sudden death in the adult population.Background Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer cells contributing to tumor development and progression. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a focal adhesion protein with well-established role in carcinogenesis. We have previously shown that ILK overexpression is critically implicated in human colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. In light of the recent findings that ILK regulates centrosomes and mitotic spindle formation, we aimed to determine its implication in mechanisms of genomic instability in human CRC. Methods Association of ILK expression with markers of genomic instability (micronuclei formation, nucleus size, and intensity) was investigated in diploid human colon cancer cells HCT116 upon ectopic ILK overexpression, by immunofluorescence and in human CRC samples by Feulgen staining. We also evaluated the role of ILK in mitotic spindle formation, by immunofluorescence, in HCT116 cells upon inhibition and overexpression of ILK. Finally, we evaluated association of ILK overexpression with markers of DNA damage (p-H2AX, p-ATM/ATR) in human CRC tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and in ILK-overexpressing cells by immunofluorescence. Results We showed that ILK overexpression is associated with genomic instability markers in human colon cancer cells and tissues samples. Aberrant mitotic spindles were observed in cells treated with specific ILK inhibitor (QLT0267), while ILK-overexpressing cells failed to undergo nocodazole-induced mitotic arrest. ILK overexpression was also associated with markers of DNA damage in HCT116 cells and human CRC tissue samples. Conclusions The above findings indicate that overexpression of ILK is implicated in mechanisms of genomic instability in CRC suggesting a novel role of this protein in cancer.Background Noninvasive methods to assess treatment response in eosinophilic esophagitis are needed. Aims Our aim was to determine whether a blood-based biomarker panel centered on immune parameters could identify histologic response to treatment in eosinophilic esophagitis patients. Methods A pilot study involving adult patients with active eosinophilic esophagitis recruited at two Ear, Nose, Throat clinics in Sweden was designed. The patients (n = 20) donated blood and esophageal biopsies and filled in three questionnaires before and after a 2-month course of topical corticosteroids. Blood samples were analyzed for absolute levels of granulocytes and T cells and the fractions of eosinophils expressing 10 different surface markers by flow cytometry. All data were analyzed by multivariate methods of pattern recognition. Results Multivariate modeling revealed that a combination of 13 immune parameters and 10 patient-reported outcome scores were required to create a model capable of separating responders (n = 15) from non-responders (n = 5).