Article
Hematology
Nicolas Gendron, Mickael Rosa, Adeline Blandinieres, Yoann Sottejeau, Elisa Rossi, Eric Van Belle, Salim Idelcadi, Severine Lecourt, Andre Vincentelli, Audrey Cras, Ramadan Jashari, Richard Chocron, Yael Baudouin, Thibault Pamart, Ivan Bieche, Nathalie Nevo, Bernard Cholley, Jeanne Rancic, Bart Staels, Pascale Gaussem, Annabelle Dupont, Alain Carpentier, Sophie Susen, David M. Smadja
Summary: The study demonstrated that human VICs isolated from patients with calcific aortic valve disease have the potential to participate in aortic valve angiogenesis by differentiating into perivascular cells and exerting paracrine effects of VEGF-A. These findings suggest a novel function of VICs in valve vascularization during calcific aortic valve disease and highlight the importance of targeting perivascular differentiation and VEGF-A in slowing disease progression.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Petra Buettner, Lukas Feistner, Philipp Lurz, Holger Thiele, Joshua D. Hutcheson, Florian Schlotter
Summary: Calcific aortic valve disease is a common and progressive disorder that leads to valve dysfunction due to calcification and fibrosis. Significant advances have been made in understanding the complex mechanisms involved, but further clarification is needed on the interplay between fibrosis and calcification.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Manon Meerman, Rob Driessen, Nicole C. A. van Engeland, Irith Bergsma, Jacco L. G. Steenhuijsen, David Kozono, Elena Aikawa, Jesper Hjortnaes, Carlijn V. C. Bouten
Summary: The study demonstrates that radiation exposure enhances the calcific response in VICs, contributing to the development of valvular disease. High radiation exposure induces the differentiation of VICs into terminally differentiated giant-cell fibroblasts. Further research is needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced valvular changes.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao Yang, Jichao Zhang, Yuexin Zhu, Congcong Zhang, Guang Li, Shuo Liu, Jie Du, Yingchun Han, Bin You
Summary: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is an aging related disease characterized by inflammation and fibrocalcific remodeling. IL-17A-IL-17RA signaling is activated in calcified valves and may promote valve inflammation, fibrosis, and calcification by inducing endothelial activation and inflammation. Targeting IL-17A-IL-17RA signaling may be a potential therapeutic strategy for CAVD.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Radhika Adhikari, Saugat Shiwakoti, Ju-Young Ko, Bikalpa Dhakal, Sin-Hee Park, Ik Jun Choi, Hyun Jung Kim, Min-Ho Oak
Summary: Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is a common heart valvular disease characterized by thickening and calcification of the aortic valve, which can lead to heart failure. Oxidative stress has been identified as a major factor in the development of CAVS, and natural antioxidants may have a protective effect against this disease.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Li Shu, Zhen Yuan, Fei Li, Zhejun Cai
Summary: Calcified aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a progressive cardiovascular disease involving multiple mechanisms, rather than simply a degenerative disease. Aortic valve endothelial cells (VECs), which are directly exposed to pathogenic factors, play a significant role in the onset and progression of CAVD. Hemodynamic changes damage VECs, leading to inflammatory infiltration and oxidative stress, promoting CAVD progression. VECs also regulate the pathological differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and eventually lead to calcification.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas Weber, Melissa Pfaff, Friederike Schoettler, Vera Schmidt, Artur Lichtenberg, Payam Akhyari
Summary: The hallmarks of CAVD involve significant changes in the extracellular matrix of the aortic valve, with most research based on cell culture or artificial environments, while an in vitro tissue culture model was developed to study cellular responses underlying CAVD more closely mimicking natural conditions.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Subramanian Dharmarajan, Mei Y. Speer, Kate Pierce, Jake Lally, Elizabeth M. Leaf, Mu-En Lin, Marta Scatena, Cecilia M. Giachelli
Summary: In this study, it was found that aVICs and sinus wall cells give rise to Runx2+ osteochondrogenic cells in diseased mouse aortic valves. Conditional depletion of Runx2 in specific cells led to decreased osteochondrogenic gene expression and improved aortic valve function in a mouse model of CAVD with high prevalence of hemodynamic valve dysfunction. Leaflet hinge and sinus wall calcification were significantly decreased following Runx2 depletion, suggesting a potential causal role in valve dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Suya Wang, William T. Pu
Summary: Valve replacement is currently the only treatment for calcific aortic valve disease, but research on genetic forms of the disease and machine learning-driven compound screens offer promising potential for disease management.
NATURE REVIEWS CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Melissa Mendoza, Mei-Hsiu Chen, Peter Huang, Gretchen J. Mahler
Summary: A three-dimensional microfluidic device was developed to simulate the characteristics of calcific aortic valve disease. The presence of high shear stress and endothelial cells was found to contribute to the formation of calcified nodules.
Article
Physiology
Robin Tuscher, Alex Khang, Toni M. West, Chiara Camillo, Giovanni Ferrari, Michael S. Sacks
Summary: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a progressive disease characterized by stiffening of the aortic valve tissues. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a congenital defect which leads to earlier development of CAVD. Surgical replacement is the current treatment for CAVD, but no pharmaceutical therapies or alternative treatments are available. This study aims to understand the biophysical changes in aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) in different CAVD states.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ishita Tandon, Kyle P. Quinn, Kartik Balachandran
Summary: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common valvular heart disease, with surgical valve replacement being the current treatment standard. There is a pressing need for novel diagnostic techniques and biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of disease progression, as well as non-destructive tools for longitudinal assessment of disease initiation and progression.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yuqi Zheng, Shuyu Wen, Shijiu Jiang, Shaolin He, Weihua Qiao, Yi Liu, Wenling Yang, Jin Zhou, Boyuan Wang, Dazhu Li, Jibin Lin
Summary: This study aims to explore the mechanism of circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in CAVD and perform subgroup analysis on important characteristics of CAVD. The results identified differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in CAVD and constructed a network. Additionally, differentially expressed genes in VICs, VECs, different leaflet phenotypes, and genders were identified. Enrichment analysis revealed potentially important pathways in inflammation and fibro-calcification during CAVD pathogenesis, and immune cell patterns in CAVD were also analyzed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Sanchez-Esteban, Mercedes Castro-Pinto, Alberto Cook-Calvete, Paula Reventun, Maria Delgado-Marin, Lucia Benito-Manzanaro, Ignacio Hernandez, Jose Lopez-Menendez, Jose Luis Zamorano, Carlos Zaragoza, Marta Saura
Summary: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a common age-related disease. This study found that the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is downregulated in CAVD patients' aortic valves and is negatively correlated with valve calcification markers. Silencing ILK expression in valve endothelial cells promoted endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and osteoblastic phenotype switch. Nitric oxide (NO) treatment prevented VEC transdifferentiation and calcification, suggesting the involvement of the ILK-eNOS signaling pathway in valve calcification.
Article
Rheumatology
Oscar Plunde, Elisabet Svenungsson, Giulia Ferrannini, Anders Franco-Cereceda, Magnus Back
Summary: The study revealed that antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are more common in calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) patients in the general population. The positivity of aPL was associated with altered aortic valve transcriptomics related to interferon pathways. Further research is needed to establish aPL as a possible risk marker and/or causal factor for CAVS and to explore new precision therapeutic targets.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Biomedical
Silver Heinsar, Yih-Sharng Chen, John F. Fraser
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Kiran Shekel, Mohd H. Abdul-Aziz, Vesa Cheng, Fay Burrows, Hergen Buscher, Young-Jae Cho, Amanda Corley, Arne Diehl, Eileen Gilder, Stephan M. Jakob, Hyung-Sook Kim, Bianca J. Levkovich, Sung Yoon Lim, Shay McGuinness, Rachael Parke, Vincent Pellegrino, Yok-Ai Que, Claire Reynolds, Sam Rudham, Steven C. Wallis, Susan A. Welch, David Zacharias, John F. Fraser, Jason A. Roberts
Summary: This study aimed to describe the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials in critically ill patients receiving ECMO and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of current dosing regimens. The study found that there were large variations in antimicrobial concentrations in ECMO patients, leading to poor target attainment rates. Understanding these issues is crucial for the development of appropriate dosing regimens.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Arutha Kulasinghe, Ning Liu, Chin Wee Tan, James Monkman, Jane E. Sinclair, Dharmesh D. Bhuva, David Godbolt, Liuliu Pan, Andy Nam, Habib Sadeghirad, Kei Sato, Gianluigi Li Bassi, Ken O'Byrne, Camila Hartmann, Anna Flavia Ribeiro Dos Santos Miggiolaro, Gustavo Lenci Marques, Lidia Zytynski Moura, Derek Richard, Mark Adams, Lucia de Noronha, Cristina Pellegrino Baena, Jacky Y. Suen, Rakesh Arora, Gabrielle T. Belz, Kirsty R. Short, Melissa J. Davis, Fernando Souza-Fonseca Guimaraes, John F. Fraser
Summary: The study reveals distinct transcriptomic profiles in cardiac tissues of SARS-CoV-2 and pH1N1 influenza infection, with upregulation of genes associated with DNA damage and repair, heat shock, and macrophage infiltration in COVID-19 patients' cardiac tissues. In comparison, pH1N1 infection showed upregulation of interferon and complement pathways. This highlights the need for further understanding of the effects on extra-pulmonary organs, including the cardiovascular system, in COVID-19 patients.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Peipei Jing, Meili Zhang, Chris H. H. Chan, Fengjuan Jing, Jo P. Pauls, Matthew S. Dargusch, John F. Fraser, Yongxiang Leng
Summary: In order to improve the poor tribological properties of titanium and its alloy, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are pursued to enhance the wear resistance. DLC films are preferred to be prepared at low temperature considering the effect of temperature on magnets and workpiece deformation. This study prepared DLC films on Ti6Al4V alloys using periodic and continuous processes, and compared their properties. Both DLC films showed reduced friction coefficient and wear rate, and the periodic DLC films exhibited superior anti-wear properties in fetal bovine serum. The study demonstrates the potential of low-temperature DLC films as wear-resistant surface modification for ventricular assist devices (VADs).
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Maryam Shojaei, Amir Shamshirian, James Monkman, Laura Grice, Minh Tran, Chin Wee Tan, Siok Min Teo, Gustavo Rodrigues Rossi, Timothy R. McCulloch, Marek Nalos, Maedeh Raei, Alireza Razavi, Roya Ghasemian, Mobina Gheibi, Fatemeh Roozbeh, Peter D. Sly, Kirsten M. Spann, Keng Yih Chew, Yanshan Zhu, Yao Xia, Timothy J. Wells, Alexandra Cristina Senegaglia, Carmen Lucia Kuniyoshi, Claudio Luciano Franck, Anna Flavia Ribeiro dos Santos, Lucia de Noronha, Sepideh Motamen, Reza Valadan, Omolbanin Amjadi, Rajan Gogna, Esha Madan, Reza Alizadeh-Navaei, Liliana Lamperti, Felipe Zuniga, Estefania Nova-Lamperti, Gonzalo Labarca, Ben Knippenberg, Velma Herwanto, Ya Wang, Amy Phu, Tracy Chew, Timothy Kwan, Karan Kim, Sally Teoh, Tiana M. Pelaia, Win Sen Kuan, Yvette Jee, Jon Iredell, Ken O'Byrne, John F. Fraser, Melissa J. Davis, Gabrielle T. Belz, Majid E. Warkiani, Carlos Salomon Gallo, Fernando Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Quan Nguyen, Anthony Mclean, Arutha Kulasinghe, Kirsty R. Short, Benjamin Tang
Summary: This study found that the IFI27 gene is associated with COVID-19 infection and that its expression levels in the respiratory tract and blood are correlated with viral load and infection severity. IFI27 gene family biomarkers may supplement conventional diagnostic tools in future virus pandemics.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Silver Heinsar, Nicole Bartnikowski, Gunter Hartel, Samia M. Farah, E-Peng Seah, Eric Wu, Sebastiano Maria Colombo, Clayton Semenzin, Andrew Haymet, Indrek Ratsep, Jo Pauls, John F. Fraser, Jacky Y. Suen
Summary: This study comprehensively assessed different parameters of pulsatile-flow veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) and their contribution to hemodynamic energy production and transfer. The results showed that increasing flow rates and pulsatile amplitudes were associated with higher hemodynamic energy production, while adjusting systole-to-diastole ratio or pulsing frequency had no significant effect. Arterial cannula was found to be the main source of resistance to hemodynamic energy transfer. Increased flow rate and amplitude were the key factors for hemodynamic energy production, while other factors were relevant when combined.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Fung Ming Lau, Wai Kit Chan, Yuen Tin Mok, Peter Chi Keung Lai, Sin Kwan Tammy Ma, Chun Wai Ngai, Wai Ching Sin, Wai Ling Phyllis Kwok, Kin Yip Yu, Wai Ming Chan, John F. Fraser, Pauline Yeung Ng
Summary: PCRTO is a weaning technique that involves decremental pump revolutions to achieve retrograde flow, and its application in adults has not been widely reported.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Dhayananth Kanagarajan, Silver Heinsar, Lucia Gandini, Jacky Y. Suen, Van Thanh Dau, Jo Pauls, John F. Fraser
Summary: Refractory cardiogenic shock is currently treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) without conclusive evidence of improved clinical outcomes. Pulsatile V-A ECMO has been developed as a potential solution to the limitations of continuous-flow devices. A systematic review of preclinical studies on pulsatile V-A ECMO revealed that most studies focused on hemodynamic energy production, while the clinical effects such as heart and brain function, end-organ microcirculation, and inflammation reduction are still inconclusive.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Jonathon Fanning, Natasha B. Weaver, Robert J. Fanning, Matthew Griffee, Sung-Min Cho, Mauro G. Panigada, Nchafatso M. Obonyo, Akram Zaaqoq, Hannah Rando, Yew Woon Chia, Bingwen Eugene Fan, Declan Sela, Davide Chiumello, Silvia Coppola, Ahmed Labib, Glenn J. R. C. Whitman, Rakesh S. Arora, Bo Kim, Anna Motos, Antoni Torres, Ferran Barbe, Giacomo Grasselli, Alberto Zanella, Eric Etchill, Asad Ali Usman, Maximilian M. Feth, Nicole Y. White, Jacky Suen, Gianluigi J. Li Bassi, Giles F. Peek, John Fraser, Heidi Dalton
Summary: A high prevalence of HECTOR complications (hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and thrombosis) was observed in ICU patients with severe COVID-19. Hemorrhagic complications were associated with increased ICU mortality, while thrombosis complications were associated with reduced mortality.
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hayato Taniguchi, Indrek Ratsep, Silver Heinsar, Keibun Liu, Marcela Cespedes, Jacky Y. Suen, Gianluigi Li Bassi, John F. Fraser, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Giles J. Peek
Summary: Iliopsoas haematoma (IPH) is a rare bleeding complication during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with unclear incidence and risk factors. This study used an international multi-centre cohort registry and found an overall incidence rate of 0.64% for IPH in COVID-19 ECMO patients, with comparable rates between countries. The IPH group had a higher mortality rate (71.4%) compared to the non-IPH group. Increased awareness about IPH occurrence is important due to its high fatality rate.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jeffrey Javidfar, Akram M. Zaaqoq, Ahmed Labib, Adrian G. Barnett, J. W. Awori Hayanga, Greg Eschun, Michael H. Yamashita, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Silver Heinsar, Jacky Y. Suen, John F. Fraser, Gianluigi Li Bassi, Rakesh C. Arora, Giles J. Peek
Summary: Obesity is linked to a worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients with ARDS. It remains unclear how morbid obesity directly affects patients treated with V-V ECMO.
Article
Hematology
Yoke-Lin Fung, Ramir Moreno Alcantara, Leonardo Brereton Cavalli, Jen-Wei Chen, Yun-Yuan Chen, Rebecca Donkin, Pawinee Kupatawintu, So-Yong Kwon, Cheuk-Kwong Lee, Veera Sekaran Nadarajan, Erdenebayar Namjil, Solongo Bat, Takeshi Odajima, Suchet Sachdev, Rukmono Siswishanto, Sahit Tadsomboon, Ratti Ram Sharma, Teguh Triyono, Nelson-Hirokazu Tsuno
Summary: The study aims to gather up-to-date information on blood donors and donation practices in Asia. Data from different BCAs show diverse eligibility criteria and donation practices. Routine gathering of donor weight and height data is encouraged to enable blood volume estimation and local optimization of donation volumes.
Meeting Abstract
Hematology
Tara Quinton, John Fraser, Karen M. Black, Ali Sadeghi-Khomami
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Critical Care Medicine
Chengda Zhang, Bishoy Zakhary, Nicole White, Silver Heinsar, Aidan Burrell, Akram Zaaqoq, Jeffrey Jacobs, Heidi Dalton, Ahmed Labib, Jacky Suen, Silvia Mariani, Gianluigi Li Bassi, John Fraser, Giles Peek
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Bairbre A. A. McNicholas, Emanuele Rezoagli, Andrew J. J. Simpkin, Sankalp Khanna, Jacky Y. Y. Suen, Pauline Yeung, Daniel Brodie, Gianluigi Li Bassi, Tai Pham, Giacomo Bellani, John F. F. Fraser, John Laffey
Summary: AKI is a common and serious complication in COVID-19 patients, with different characteristics and outcomes compared to non-COVID-19 ARDS patients.
