Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mandi Luo, Dan Yan, Xiaolu Liang, Yi Huang, Pengcheng Luo, Zhen Yang, Yucong Zhang, Ting Xu, Shangbang Gao, Le Zhang, Yiwu Zhou, Qing Shi, Cuntai Zhang, Lei Ruan
Summary: Arterial stiffness is the basis for cardiovascular diseases and its early detection and intervention are crucial for improving global burden of CVD. In this study, the researchers used quantitative proteomics to analyze plasma samples and found that fibulin-1 was significantly upregulated in individuals with high arterial stiffness, and it was positively correlated with arterial stiffness.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leena Patel, Joshua C. Worch, Andrew P. Dove, Katja Gehmlich
Summary: The behavior and morphology of cardiac fibroblasts (FBs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs) are influenced by their environment, highlighting the importance of biomaterial substrates in cell culture. Biomaterial hydrogels, such as hyaluronic acid, polydimethylsiloxane, and polyethylene glycol, have been used to culture induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) and provide a more physiological model of the cardiac extracellular matrix. Natural hydrogels show higher biocompatibility with iPSC-CMs but degrade quicker, while synthetic hydrogels can be modified to facilitate cell attachment and decrease degradation rates. Hydrogels have been extensively utilized in the cardiac field to recapitulate disease conditions, encourage alignment of iPSC-CMs, and facilitate further model development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Aliza Hussain, Wensheng Sun, Anita Deswal, James A. de Lemos, John W. McEvoy, Ron C. Hoogeveen, Kunihiro Matsushita, David Aguilar, Biykem Bozkurt, Salim S. Virani, Amil M. Shah, Elizabeth Selvin, Chiadi Ndumule, Christie M. Ballantyne, Vijay Nambi
Summary: Elevated NT-proBNP is independently associated with increased CVD risk and can help identify individuals at higher risk, especially in those with stage 1 hypertension but elevated NT-proBNP levels.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bader Alsuwailem, Abdelrahman Zamzam, Muzammil H. Syed, Elisa Greco, Mark Wheatcroft, Charles de Mestral, Mohammed Al-Omran, John Harlock, John Eikelboom, Krishna K. Singh, Rawand Abdin, Mohammad Qadura
Summary: In this study, NT-proBNP levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) compared to non-PAD controls, even after adjusting for various factors. Elevated levels of NT-proBNP were observed in PAD patients regardless of prior history of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between NT-proBNP levels and the ankle-brachial index in these patients.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Johanne Grosbois, Emily C. Bailie, Tom W. Kelsey, Richard A. Anderson, Evelyn E. Telfer
Summary: In vitro culture alters the composition and architecture of the human ovarian cortical extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM varies in different layers of the ovarian cortex and undergoes remodeling during culture. Mechanical loosening during tissue preparation for culture leads to undefined modifications in the ECM network and alters cell-cell contact, resulting in spontaneous follicle activation.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanling Chen, Ting Gu, Qianqian Chen, Chuxiang Qu, Chunye Zhang, Yuhua Hu, Ronghui Xia, Ying Zhang, Min Wang, Xinyi Huang, Jiang Li, Chaoji Shi, Zhen Tian
Summary: This study investigated the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) modifications in the tumorigenesis of salivary carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA). The researchers found that excessive deposition of hyaluronic acid and alterations in the ECM play a critical role in the development of CXPA. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of CXPA tumorigenesis.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Ryan J. Pewowaruk, Mitchel J. Colebank, Bart Spronck, Claudia E. Korcarz, Adam D. Gepner
Summary: This study used participant-specific simulations to model increasing smooth muscle tone as a therapeutic strategy to improve central arterial dysfunction in older, hypertensive adults. The results showed that increasing smooth muscle tone had a stronger effect on improving carotid artery mechanics compared to decreasing blood pressure. Increasing central arterial smooth muscle tone may be a novel therapeutic target for improving central arterial dysfunction in older, hypertensive adults.
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Paolo Contessotto, Abhay Pandit
Summary: Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of global mortality, with different treatment approaches being evaluated through clinical trials. Current research focuses on therapeutic targets such as ischemia, inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and cellular stress. Novel biomaterial-based systems and unexplored translational studies offer promising avenues for future therapeutic strategies.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nathan Jariwala, Matiss Ozols, Mike Bell, Eleanor Bradley, Eleanor Bradley, Andrew Gilmore, Laurent Debelle, Michael J. Sherratt
Summary: This review discusses the composition, function, and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and highlights examples of endogenous matrikines. It critically and comprehensively analyzes published studies of matrix-derived peptides used as topical skin treatments, and considers the potential for improvements in the discovery and delivery of novel matrix-derived peptides to skin and internal organs.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Meraj Neyazi, Jan P. Bremer, Marius S. Knorr, Stefan Gross, Jan Brederecke, Nils Schweingruber, Dora Csengeri, Benedikt Schrage, Martin Bahls, Nele Friedrich, Tanja Zeller, Stephan Felix, Stefan Blankenberg, Marcus Doerr, Marcus Vollmer, Renate B. Schnabel
Summary: This study developed a deep learning model to predict serum levels of NT-proBNP from ECG, aiming to reliably identify individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Validation studies conducted in population-based cohorts demonstrated that the model has high diagnostic and predictive value for heart failure (HF) and other major CVD, making it a valuable tool for identifying high-risk individuals.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xiaobo Li, Jinghua Pan, Tongzheng Liu, Wenqian Yin, Qun Miao, Zhan Zhao, Yufeng Gao, Wei Zheng, Hang Li, Rong Deng, Dandan Huang, Shenghui Qiu, Yiran Zhang, Qi Qi, Lijuan Deng, Maohua Huang, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Yihai Cao, Minfeng Chen, Wencai Ye, Dongmei Zhang
Summary: This study discovered a previously unidentified subset of TPCs, TCF21(high) TPCs, which were associated with liver metastasis in patients with CRC. TCF21 in TPCs increased perivascular ECM stiffness, collagen rearrangement, and basement membrane degradation, establishing a perivascular metastatic microenvironment for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Furthermore, loss of integrin alpha 5 inhibited the FAK/PI3K/AKT/DNMT1 axis, impairing TCF21 DNA hypermethylation in TCF21(high) TPCs. Overall, this study uncovers a new role of TPCs in haematogenous metastasis and provides potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for CRC metastasis.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Elric Y. Allison, Baraa K. Al-Khazraji
Summary: Arterial stiffness at the entry point of older adulthood has a stronger impact on brain structure 10 years later compared to age-related stiffening. These findings suggest that clinical monitoring and potential interventions for reducing arterial stiffness should occur in midlife to support a healthy trajectory of brain aging.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Gabriel Beltran, Daniel Navajas, Jose Manuel Garcia-Aznar
Summary: The mechanical signals sensed by alveolar cells are determined by the local matrix stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This study developed a finite element (FE) model based on Voronoi tessellation to accurately reproduce the mechanical behavior of a decellularized rat lung tissue strip. The position of cells within the alveoli greatly influences the local stiffness perceived by the cells, with corner cells perceiving higher stiffness compared to flat area cells.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lidia Staszewsky, Jennifer M. T. A. Meessen, Deborah Novelli, Ursula-Henrike Wienhues-Thelen, Marcello Disertori, Aldo P. Maggioni, Serge Masson, Gianni Tognoni, Maria Grazia Franzosi, Donata Lucci, Roberto Latini
Summary: Novel circulating biomarkers may help in understanding AF mechanisms. The study found total NT-proBNP, NT-proBNP, Ang2, and BMP10 were strongly associated with ongoing AF and predictive of recurrent AF and CV hospitalization. The association of total NT-proBNP with AF first recurrence was similar to NT-proBNP, suggesting no influence of glycosylation.
BMC CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Ryan J. Pewowaruk, Adam D. Gepner
Summary: This study developed a novel arterial mechanics model and retrospectively analyzed data from four clinical studies to investigate the role of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) tone on arterial stiffness. The findings suggest that increasing VSM tone increases arterial stiffness when VSM is stiffer than the extracellular matrix (ECM), but decreases arterial stiffness when ECM is stiffer than VSM.
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alfred K. Cheung, Paul K. Whelton, Paul Muntner, Aletta E. Schutte, Andrew E. Moran, Bryan Williams, Pantelis Sarafidis, Tara I. Chang, Stella S. Daskalopoulou, John M. Flack, Garry Jennings, Stephen P. Juraschek, Reinhold Kreutz, Giuseppe Mancia, Shawna Nesbitt, Pedro Ordunez, Raj Padwal, Alexandre Persu, Doreen Rabi, Markus P. Schlaich, George S. Stergiou, Sheldon W. Tobe, Maciej Tomaszewski, Kim A. Williams Sr, Johannes F. E. Mann
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Anne-Sofie Faarvang Thorsen, Lars Peter Schodt Riber, Lars Melholt Rasmussen, Martin Overgaard
Summary: This study developed a novel mass spectrometry (MS) assay for the quantification of matrix and cytosolic proteins in FFPE samples. The assay demonstrated its utility in pathophysiological studies of cardiovascular disease in diabetes through analysis of artery specimens from diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Frederik N. Pedersen, Jacob V. Stidsen, Martin N. Rasmussen, Henning-Beck Nielsen, Jan Erik Henriksen, Thomas Bastholm Olesen, Michael Hecht Olsen, Jens S. Nielsen, Kurt Hojlund, Soren Leer Blindbaek, Jakob Grauslund
Summary: This study examined the differences in subclinical retinal microvascular structure and diabetic retinopathy (DR) among newly diagnosed patients with different subphenotypes of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) or latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The results showed that there were no significant differences in retinal microvascular structure between subtypes, but newly diagnosed patients with hyperinsulinaemic T2DM were more likely to have DR compared to those with classical T2DM.
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Frederik Pagh Bredahl Kristensen, Diana Hedevang Christensen, Brian Christopher Callaghan, Jacob Volmer Stidsen, Jens Steen Nielsen, Kurt Hojlund, Henning Beck-Nielsen, Troels Staehelin Jensen, Henning Andersen, Peter Vestergaard, Niels Jessen, Michael Hecht Olsen, Torben Hansen, Charlotte Brons, Allan Vaag, Henrik Toft Sorensen, Reimar Wernich Thomsen
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) in three subgroups of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients based on β-cell function and insulin sensitivity. The results showed that patients with hyperinsulinemia had the highest prevalence of DPN (23%), while patients with low insulin sensitivity had the lowest prevalence (14%). Therefore, hyperinsulinemia may be an important risk factor for DPN.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
A. Degenaar, A. Jacobs, R. Kruger, C. Delles, H. Mischak, C. M. C. Mels
Summary: This study investigated the cardiovascular risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease in low- and middle-income countries. They found that these risk factors were related to subclinical kidney function as measured by various biomarkers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hana Hadzikadunic, Tea Bovling Sjaelland, Jes S. Lindholt, Lasse Bach Steffensen, Hans Christian Beck, Egle Kavaliunaite, Lars Melholt Rasmussen, Jane Stubbe
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of low-dose nicotine on the progression of elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). They found that nicotine promotes AAA progression and reduces the activity of pro-matrix metalloproteinase 2 and MMP9 in aneurysmal tissue. However, nicotine has no effect on inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Therefore, these results do not support the use of low-dose nicotine for preventing AAA progression.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Eva M. Gram-Kampmann, Thomas B. Olesen, Camilla D. Hansen, Mie B. Hugger, Jane M. Jensen, Aase Handberg, Henning Beck-Nielsen, Aleksander Krag, Michael H. Olsen, Kurt Hojlund
Summary: This study examined the effect of a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) on endothelial function and markers of low-grade inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The results showed that a 6-month high-fat LCD did not adversely affect endothelial function or low-grade inflammation markers, suggesting that this diet does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
CARDIOVASCULAR DIABETOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Christina Magnussen, Francisco M. Ojeda, Darryl P. Leong, Jesus Alegre-Diaz, Philippe Amouyel, Larissa Aviles-Santa, Dirk De Bacquer, Christie M. Ballantyne, Antonio Bernabe-Ortiz, Martin Bobak, Hermann Brenner, Rodrigo M. Carrillo-Larco, James de Lemos, Annette Dobson, Marcus Dorr, Chiara Donfrancesco, Wojciech Drygas, Robin P. Dullaart, Gunnar Engstrom, Marco M. Ferrario, Jean Ferrieres, Giovanni de Gaetano, Uri Goldbourt, Clicerio Gonzalez, Guido Grassi, Allison M. Hodge, Kristian Hveem, Licia Iacoviello, M. Kamran Ikram, Vilma Irazola, Modou Jobe, Pekka Jousilahti, Pontiano Kaleebu, Maryam Kavousi, Frank Kee, Davood Khalili, Wolfgang Koenig, Anna Kontsevaya, Kari Kuulasmaa, Karl J. Lackner, David M. Leistner, Lars Lind, Allan Linneberg, Thiess Lorenz, Magnus Nakrem Lyngbakken, Reza Malekzadeh, Sofia Malyutina, Ellisiv B. Mathiesen, Olle Melander, Andres Metspalu, J. Jaime Miranda, Marie Moitry, Joseph Mugisha, Mahdi Nalini, Vijay Nambi, Toshiharu Ninomiya, Karen Oppermann, Eleonora d'Orsi, Andrzej Pajak, Luigi Palmieri, Demosthenes Panagiotakos, Arokiasamy Perianayagam, Annette Peters, Hossein Poustchi, Andrew M. Prentice, Eva Prescott, Ulf Riserus, Veikko Salomaa, Susana Sans, Satoko Sakata, Ben Schottker, Aletta E. Schutte, Sadaf G. Sepanlou, Sanjib Kumar Sharma, Jonathan E. Shaw, Leon A. Simons, Stefan Soderberg, Abdonas Tamosiunas, Barbara Thorand, Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe, Raphael Twerenbold, Diego Vanuzzo, Giovanni Veronesi, Julia Waibel, S. Goya Wannamethee, Masafumi Watanabe, Philipp S. Wild, Yao Yao, Yi Zeng, Andreas Ziegler, Stefan Blankenberg
Summary: This study provides evidence that five modifiable risk factors are associated with cardiovascular disease and death, and their prevalence varies by geographic region and sex.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Selma Hasific, Kristian A. Ovrehus, Susanne Hosbond, Jess Lambrechtsen, Preman Kumarathurai, Anna Mejldal, Emil Johannes Ravn, Lars Melholt Rasmussen, Oke Gerke, Hans Mickley, Axel Diederichsen
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effects of vitamin K2 and D3 supplementation on severe coronary artery calcification. The findings suggest that supplementation with these vitamins can slow down the calcification process and have a protective role in predicting acute myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ruan Kruger, Augustine Odili, Lebo F. Gafane-Matemane
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Sonali R. Gnanenthiran, Vivekanand Jha, Abdul Salam, Emily Atkins, Clara K. Chow, Mark R. Nelson, Mike Rakotz, Markus P. Schlaich, Aletta E. Schutte, Tim Usherwood, Anthony Rodgers
Summary: In this study, we assessed whether pooled cardiovascular expertise could accurately predict the efficacy and tolerability of both a novel and an established treatment option. A survey was conducted to collect predictions of blood pressure at 12 weeks and 52 weeks for participants in a trial called QUARTET, which involved two different treatment groups.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wessel L. du Toit, Ruan Kruger, Lebo F. Gafane-Matemane, Aletta E. Schutte, Roan Louw, Catharina M. C. Mels
Summary: This study investigates the early metabolic alterations and their association with markers of arterial stiffness in young adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Urinary metabolites were analyzed in individuals with and without CVD risk factors, and markers of arterial stiffness were measured. The results suggest that metabolic adaptations may occur in response to increased CVD risk to maintain cardiovascular integrity.
Meeting Abstract
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Gontse Gratitude Mokwatsi, Aletta Elisabeth Schutte, Wayne Smith, Catharina Martha Cornelia Mels, Ruan Kruger
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Dalene de Beer, Catharina M. C. Mels, Aletta E. Schutte, Christian Delles, Sheon M. Samji, William Mullen, Harald Mischak, Ruan Kruger
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Lebo F. Gafane-Matemane, Louise M. Burrell, Sheila K. Patel, Ruan Kruger, Aletta E. Schutte
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
