Search results for "CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE"
showing 10 items of 2332 documents
Insight into the Evolving Role of PCSK9
2022
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is the last discovered member of the family of proprotein convertases (PCs), mainly synthetized in hepatic cells. This serine protease plays a pivotal role in the reduction of the number of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) on the surface of hepatocytes, which leads to an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood. This mechanism and the fact that gain of function (GOF) mutations in PCSK9 are responsible for causing familial hypercholesterolemia whereas loss-of-function (LOF) mutations are associated with hypocholesterolemia, prompted the invention of drugs that block PCSK9 action. The high efficiency of PCSK9 inhibitors (…
The effects of muscle mass and muscle quality on cardio-metabolic risk in peripubertal girls: a longitudinal study from childhood to early adulthood.
2017
Increased cardio-metabolic risk is well documented in children and adolescents with obesity and normal weight obesity (NWO). However, the associations of muscle mass and muscle quality with cardio-metabolic risk, independent of weight status from childhood to adulthood, has not been examined. A total of 236 girls were followed from pre-puberty to early adulthood. Fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) of the whole body were assessed by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA), muscle density (mDen; skeletal muscle fat content) of the lower leg by the peripheral quantitative computerized tomography; and blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotei…
Cardiovascular diseases and apical periodontitis: association not always implies causality.
2020
Background: Several studies published in the last two decades have found an association between the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) or root canal treatment (RCT) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the demonstration of association does not prove by itself the existence of a cause–effect relationship. Two diseases can appear as statistically related without any of them directly affecting the values of the other, resulting in a non-causal relationship. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the association between AP and CVDs, analysing it according to the Hill’s causality criteria. Materials and Methods: Epidemiological stud…
Intravenous BQ-123 and phosphoramidon reduce ventricular ectopic beats and myocardial infarct size in dogs submitted to coronary occlusion and reperf…
2001
Abstract The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of endothelin on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in anaesthetized dogs. Animals were submitted to left thoracotomy and 120 min of left anterior descending coronary occlusion, followed by 180 min of reperfusion. Arterial blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded in order to analyze heart rate (HR)–pressure product and production of ectopic beats. Infarcted areas were identified by a macroscopic staining method and infarct size was expressed as percentage of risk zone. To inhibit the effects of endothelin in a group of animals, we administered intravenously an endothelin synthesis inhibitor (phosphoramidon) and …
Abacavir and didanosine induce the interaction between human leukocytes and endothelial cells through Mac-1 upregulation
2010
Objective: Abacavir and didanosine are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) widely used in therapy for HIV-infection but which have been linked to cardiovascular complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of clinically relevant doses of abacavir and didanosine on human leukocyte―endothelium interactions and to compare them with those of other NRTIs. Design and methods: The interactions between human leukocytes ― specifically peripheral blood polymorphonuclear (PMN) or mononuclear (PBMC) cells ― and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were evaluated in a flow chamber system that reproduces conditions in vivo. The expression of adhesion molecules wa…
Primary hypercholesterolemia and development of cardiovascular disorders: Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in low-grade systemic inflammati…
2021
Primary hypercholesterolemia, a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated circulating levels of cholesterol products, mainly low-density lipoproteins, is associated with arteriosclerosis development. Cardiovascular disease, predominantly myocardial infarction and stroke, remains the main cause of death worldwide, with atherosclerosis considered to be the most common underlying pathology. In addition to elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoproteins, low-grade systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction seem to be the main drivers of premature atherosclerosis. Here we review current knowledge related to cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in low-grade systemic inflammatio…
Multi-objective optimization of nitinol stent design.
2017
Nitinol stents continuously experience loadings due to pulsatile pressure, thus a given stent design should possess an adequate fatigue strength and, at the same time, it should guarantee a sufficient vessel scaffolding. The present study proposes an optimization framework aiming at increasing the fatigue life reducing the maximum strut strain along the structure through a local modification of the strut profile.The adopted computational framework relies on nonlinear structural finite element analysis combined with a Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm, based on Kriging response surfaces. In particular, such an approach is used to investigate the design optimization of planar stent cell.The r…
Special Issue on “Frontier Biomechanical Challenges in Cardiovascular Physiopathology”
2017
This special issue collects a number of original contributions, which were presented and discussed during the thematic Symposium organized by the Italian Chapter of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB) in collaboration with the Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (ISMETT – IRCCS), the Fondazione RiMED and the University of Palermo. The Symposium focused on recent advances in cardiovascular biomechanics, and the promise they hold for clinical therapeutic strategies and future research.
The role of EPS concentration in MBR foaming: analysis of a submerged pilot plant.
2010
Foaming in Membrane BioReactor (MBR) is a frequently discussed topic. Some authors reported that the phenomenon is due to filamentous organisms, like at Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) plants. However, in recent years, other authors reported that the Extra-cellular Polymer Substances (EPSs) concentration is an important factor for controlling foam as well. Nevertheless, even if a number of MBR plants are affected by foaming, presently there are no suitable methods to evaluate the phenomenon. To facilitate the study of this controversial phenomenon in an MBR system, certain foam tests proposed in the past for CASPs were investigated. The results of the tests were able to adequately measu…
Delayed chronic intracranial subdural hematoma complicating resection of a tanycytic thoracic ependymoma
2015
Background To demonstrate that the diagnosis of an intracranial subdural hematoma should be considered for patients presenting with acute or delayed symptoms of intracranial pathology following resection of a spinal tumor. Case description We present a case of a 57-year-old woman found to have a chronic subdural hematoma 1 month following resection of a thoracic extramedullary ependymoma. Evacuation of the hematoma through a burr hole relieved the presenting symptoms and signs. Resolution of the hematoma was confirmed with a computed tomography (CT) scan. Conclusion Headache and other symptoms not referable to spinal pathology should be regarded as a warning sign of an intracranial subdural…