Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Michael J. Jarrett, Qingzhou Yao, Neil Venardos, Michael J. Weyant, T. Brett Reece, Xianzhong Meng, David A. Fullerton
Summary: The study found that simvastatin has anti-inflammatory effects and can prevent osteogenic activity in aortic valve interstitial cells by reducing TLR4 levels and inhibiting NF-kB signaling.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ilona Saraieva, Athanase Benetos, Carlos Labat, Anders Franco-Cereceda, Magnus Back, Simon Toupance
Summary: Short telomeres in aortic valves may play a role in the development of AS, while the calcification process appears to further decrease TL in the calcified areas of the valves.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Soojung Park, Yongwon Cho, Yu-Whan Oh, Minseok Ko, Do-Sun Lim, Cheol Woong Yu, Seong-Mi Park, Mi-Na Kim, Sung Ho Hwang
Summary: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between spectral computed tomography (CT) measured iodine concentration and strength of aortic valvular calcification (AVC) in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS). The study found that iodine concentration was independently associated with the reduction percentage of AVC. Additionally, when an optimal iodine concentration cutoff point was set at 4 mg/mL, it could accurately assess fragile AVC with a reduction percentage greater than 18.5%.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Dezhong Wen, Li Hu, Jianggui Shan, Hengyuan Zhang, Liuhua Hu, Ancai Yuan, Jun Pu, Song Xue
Summary: This study successfully developed an animal model that mimics the pathological features of human aortic valve stenosis (AVS) by combining wire injury (WI) and hyperlipidemia in ApoE(-/-) mice. The results showed that ApoE(-/-) mice exhibited progressively increased peak velocity, lower cusp separation, and smaller aortic valve area after a high-fat diet and wire injury. Histopathological studies demonstrated thickening, fibrosis, and calcification in the aortic valves of the hyperlipidemia group.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
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
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Giampaolo Morciano, Simone Patergnani, Gaia Pedriali, Paolo Cimaglia, Elisa Mikus, Simone Calvi, Alberto Albertini, Carlotta Giorgi, Gianluca Campo, Roberto Ferrari, Paolo Pinton
Summary: This observational study aims to establish the trend of autophagy in CAVS patients, analyze the involvement of other determinants impacting mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, and explore potential pharmacological interventions. The results show deficiencies in mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, and alterations in biogenesis and mitophagy pathways in the calcified valves, suggesting a rapamycin-based therapeutic strategy to revert pathological phenotypes. Boosting autophagy and mitophagy could potentially counteract cell death and sustain cell functions in the long term.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andreas Martinsson, Susanne J. Nielsen, Milan Milojevic, Bjorn Redfors, Elmir Omerovic, Theis Tonnessen, Tomas Gudbjartsson, Goran Dellgren, Anders Jeppsson
Summary: Surgical risk, age, and perceived life expectancy influence the choice between SAVR and transcatheter aortic valve implantation. This study aimed to determine median survival time in relation to surgical risk and chronological age in SAVR patients. The estimated survival is substantial following SAVR, especially in younger, low-risk patients.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Philip Sarajlic, Oscar Plunde, Anders Franco-Cereceda, Magnus Back
Summary: Male and female aortic stenosis patients exhibit distinct valvular phenotypes, and using artificial intelligence to analyze stenotic aortic valve data can accurately predict calcification occurrence and identify sex-dependent contributors.
JACC-BASIC TO TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Flavien Vincent, Julien Ternacle, Tom Denimal, Mylene Shen, Bjorn Redfors, Cedric Delhaye, Matheus Simonato, Nicolas Debry, Basile Verdier, Bahira Shahim, Thibault Pamart, Hugues Spillemaeker, Guillaume Schurtz, Francois Pontana, Vinod H. Thourani, Philippe Pibarot, Eric Van Belle
Summary: TAVR is rapidly expanding its indications, but faces technical challenges and knowledge gaps when dealing with patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Physicians need to understand the BAV anatomy and TAVR procedure planning comprehensively to guide treatment decisions.
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
S. Mirsadraee, S. Sellers, A. Duncan, A. Hamadanchi, D. A. Gorog
Summary: Bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BPVT) is a common complication of prosthetic aortic valves, which may lead to valve dysfunction and recurrence of patient symptoms. CT imaging is the best diagnostic method, showing restricted leaflet motion and changes in leaflet thickness.
CLINICAL RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Nazli Okumus, Sonu Abraham, Rishi Puri, W. H. Wilson Tang
Summary: This review comprehensively examines the phenotypes of AS in the context of HF progression and explores the evolving role of TAVR in specific populations.
JACC-HEART FAILURE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ezequiel Guzzetti, Jin Kyung Oh, Mylene Shen, Marc R. Dweck, Kian Keong Poh, Amr E. Abbas, Ramy Mando, Gregg S. Pressman, Daniel Brito, Lionel Tastet, Tania Pawade, Mariano Luis Falconi, Diego Perez de Arenaza, William Kong, Edgar Tay, Philippe Pibarot, Jae-Kwan Song, Marie-Annick Clavel
Summary: This study aimed to validate the accuracy of sex-specific thresholds of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in Asians. The results showed that the AVC thresholds defining severe aortic stenosis (AS) were comparable between Asian and Caucasian populations, and similar to those proposed in the guidelines. However, the accuracy of AVC to identify severe AS, especially in Asian women, was sub-optimal. Therefore, the use of AVC-density is preferable in Asians.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Ulrich Fischer-Rasokat, Matthias Renker, Christoph Liebetrau, Maren Weferling, Andreas Rolf, Mirko Doss, Helge Mollmann, Thomas Walther, Christian W. Hamm, Won-Keun Kim
Summary: The severity of low-gradient AS based on AVC has no significant impact on 1-year prognosis following TAVI, with similar outcomes in patients with low and high AVC.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Farwah Iqbal, Florian Schlotter, Dakota Becker-Greene, Adrien Lupieri, Claudia Goettsch, Joshua D. Hutcheson, Maximillian A. Rogers, Shinsuke Itoh, Arda Halu, Lang Ho Lee, Mark C. Blaser, Andrew K. Mlynarchik, Sumihiko Hagita, Shiori Kuraoka, Hao Yu Chen, James C. Engert, Livia S. A. Passos, Prabhash K. Jha, Eric A. Osborn, Farouc A. Jaffer, Simon C. Body, Simon C. Robson, George Thanassoulis, Masanori Aikawa, Sasha A. Singh, Abhijeet R. Sonawane, Elena Aikawa
Summary: This study identified SORT1 as a key player in the pathophysiology of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and explored its role in the transformation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) into pathological phenotypes. It was found that SORT1 promotes CAVD through mediating valvular fibrosis and calcification. This study provides insight into the role of SORT1 in valve calcification and suggests that it could be a potential therapeutic target to inhibit the emergence of pathological phenotypes underlying CAVD.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Patimat Murtazalieva, Darya Ryzhkova, Eduard Malev, Ekaterina Zhiduleva, Olga Moiseeva
Summary: The study aimed to assess the prognostic value of valvular inflammation and calcification measured by F-18-FDG and F-18-NaF PET/CT in patients with TAV and BAV. The results suggest that F-18-NaF PET/CT may be a valuable predictor for hemodynamic progression of calcific AS in TAV patients, while F-18-FDG PET/CT does not play a significant role in predicting AS progression.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hengameh Shams, Jill A. A. Hollenbach, Atsuko Matsunaga, Mohammad R. K. R. Mofrad, Jorge R. Oksenberg, Alessandro Didonna
Summary: This study used atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the binding position of sHLA-DRA and its impact on the structure of HLA-DR2. It was found that a loop region in the short isoform is responsible for binding to the peptide-binding site of HLA-DR2, and F76 plays a critical role in mediating this interaction. Additionally, sHLA-DRA modifies the conformation of the peptide-binding pocket.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zheliang Wang, Ali El Hajj Chehade, Sanjay Govindjee, Thao D. Nguyen
Summary: This study investigates the large deformation viscoelastic behavior of liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) that respond to thermomechanical loads. A theory is developed to explain the stress response of monodomain nematic elastomers, taking into account the dissipation mechanisms of viscous mesogen rotation and viscoelastic network deformation.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Atsushi Matsuda, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Summary: The nuclear pore complex is a critical protein assembly that controls nucleocytoplasmic transport by selectively allowing specific cargoes to pass through its central channel. Recent studies have also revealed that the nuclear pore complex can regulate the channel diameter based on nuclear envelope tension, thereby altering molecular transportability.
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhammad Harith Bin Zamri, Yoshihiro Ujihara, Masanori Nakamura, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad, Shukei Sugita
Summary: TRPV1 is essential in signaling pathways linked to glaucoma, but the gating mechanism of TRPV1 in response to hydrostatic pressure is still unclear. This study investigated the effect of hydrostatic pressure on TRPV1 activation using molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that the cell membrane is important for the stability of the TRPV1 model, and elevated pressure led to a more dynamic and outward motion of the TRPV1 domains in the lower-gate area. Although a complete closed-to-open-gate transition was not observed, an increase in the channel radius at the lower gate was observed under higher pressure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jonathan P. McKinley, Andre R. Montes, Maple N. Wang, Anuya R. Kamath, Gissell Jimenez, Jianhua Lim, Siddharth A. Marathe, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad, Grace D. O'Connell
Summary: Severe lower back pain is the leading cause of disability globally. To tackle this untreated epidemic, researchers investigate intervertebral disc degeneration, the main cause of back pain. They develop a microphysiological device called the flexing annulus-on-a-chip (AoC) to examine the effects of complex multiaxial strains on the annulus fibrosus (AF) cells, a critical tissue in degenerative discs. Through this device, researchers could advance therapies for early-stage degeneration at the cellular level.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mohammad Khavani, Aliyeh Mehranfar, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Summary: In this study, full atomistic molecular dynamics models were used to investigate the interactions between the receptor binding domain (RBD) and gold, platinum, and silver metals in the coronavirus. The results showed that the gold surface can be considered as an excellent substrate for developing new sensors with high sensitivity against SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohammad Khavani, Aliyeh Mehranfar, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Summary: This study investigates the effects of amino acid ionic liquids (ILs) on the stability and aggregation process of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The results show that ILs can prevent AuNP aggregation and improve their stability. The cation of the ILs, especially [Leu]-anion, plays a key role in the stability of the IL-AuNP complexes. Overall, this study provides new insights into the properties of amino acid ILs as effective agents to improve the stability of AuNPs for long-term storage.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shenghan Zhang, Han Liu, Sanjay Govindjee, Matthew J. DeJong
Summary: Understanding the strain transfer mechanism is crucial for interpreting strain sensing results for fiber optic cables. This study investigates the strain transfer mechanism for different types of fiber optic cables embedded in concrete cubes, and proposes a parameter to quantify the strain transfer length. The results of this study will guide the selection of appropriate cables for strain sensing and the interpretation of fiber optic sensing results.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Kuanshi Zhong, Javier G. Navarro, Sanjay Govindjee, Gregory G. Deierlein
Summary: Nonlinear response history analysis (NLRHA) is a reliable method to assess seismic performance, but it becomes impractical for evaluating multiple models or multiple sites. Surrogate modeling technique, called probabilistic learning on manifolds (PLoM), provides an efficient stochastic model to estimate structural seismic response. The PLoM algorithm is introduced and applied in two case studies, showing good agreement between the PLoM model estimates and verification data sets.
EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING & STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Mohammad Khavani, Aliyeh Mehranfar, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Summary: The mumps virus causes serious health issues, and designing an inhibitor for this virus is crucial. Using molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemistry calculations, we investigated the affinity of different sialic acid-based compounds to the mumps virus HN protein. Our results show that the ligands form stable complexes with the HN protein through electrostatic, van der Waals, and hydrogen bond interactions, with electrostatic interactions playing a more significant role.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Amin Valiei, Javad Aminian-Dehkordi, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Summary: In recent years, microfluidic technologies have been extensively studied to develop organ-on-a-chip devices that can mimic the 3D topography and physicochemical cues of organs. One important research focus has been on simulating the gut physiology, which involves complex interactions between microbial and human cells. Gut-on-a-chip models have provided excellent mimicry of the gut and have been used in various clinical and industrial applications.
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Aliyeh Mehranfar, Mohammad Khavani, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Summary: Current challenges in hospitals, pharmaceutical production units, and food packaging have led to the development of antimicrobial agents, including cellulose and peptide-based compounds. Molecular dynamics models were used to study the adsorption process of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on cellulose surfaces. Results showed that magainin 2 lost its helical structure and spread on cellulose, while cyclic indolicidin had the lowest affinity for adsorption. Protegrin 1 successfully adsorbed on all proposed cellulose surfaces. Cellulose improved the structural stability of the peptides and changed their secondary structures during adsorption. The [-1-10] and [100] surfaces of cellulose had strong interactions and adsorption with the AMPs.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Teena Bajaj, Eddie Wehri, Rahul K. Suryawanshi, Elizabeth King, Kundan Singh Pardeshi, Kamyar Behrouzi, Zahra Khodabakhshi, Ursula Schulze-Gahmen, G. Renuka Kumar, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad, Daniel K. Nomura, Melanie Ott, Julia Schaletzky, Niren Murthy
Summary: The papain-like protease (PLpro) is crucial for SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and viral replication. We screened a library of 115,000 compounds and discovered a new compound that inhibits PLpro activity and viral replication in cells.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Andrew Dickson, Ehsaneddin Asgari, Alice C. McHardy, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Review
Biophysics
Yifan Guo, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad, Adrian Buganza Tepole
Summary: This article reviews the mechanical characteristics of tissues at the microscale and macroscale during growth and remodeling, as well as cell mechanobiology models. Multiscale tissue mechanobiology models are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of tissue growth and remodeling.
BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS
(2022)