scholarly journals Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in the Evaluation of Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Diagnostic Contribution and Prognostic Significance

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Francone
Keyword(s):  
Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Present Condition ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Disease Monitoring ◽  
Mechanical Function ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Technological Developments

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents the final common morphofunctional pathway of various pathological conditions in which a combination of myocyte injury and necrosis associated with tissue fibrosis results in impaired mechanical function. Recognition of the underlying aetiology of disease and accurate disease monitoring may be crucial to individually optimize therapeutic strategies and stratify patient’s prognosis. In this regard, CMR has emerged as a new reference gold standard providing important information for differential diagnosis and new insight about individual risk stratification. The present review article will focus on the role of CMR in the evaluation of present condition, analysing respective strengths and limitations in the light of current literature and technological developments.

scholarly journals Inter- Not Intraindividual Differences in sTWEAK Levels Predict Functional Deterioration and Mortality in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Uwe Jarr ◽  
Manfred Nelles ◽  
Hugo A. Katus ◽  
Emmanuel Chorianopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Scavenger Receptor ◽  
Disease Monitoring ◽  
Exact Role ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Functional Deterioration

Background. TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has been reported to predict mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. However, whether it can be used as a biomarker for disease monitoring or rather represents a risk factor for disease progression remains unclear.Aim of the Study. To evaluate the potential of sTWEAK as a biomarker in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.Results. We conducted a serial study of sTWEAK levels in 78 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Soluble TWEAK levels predicted not only a combined mortality/heart transplantation endpoint after 4 years (P=0.0001), but also the risk for clinical deterioration (P=0.0001). Compared to NT-proBNP, sTWEAK remained relatively stable in individual patients on follow-up indicating that inter- rather than intraindividual differences in sTWEAK levels predicted outcome. Finally, neither did the scavenger receptor sCD163 correlate with sTWEAK levels nor did its determination add additional information on outcome in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.Conclusion. Soluble TWEAK levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy may not be of value for disease monitoring but may represent a risk factor for disease progression and death. Further research will be necessary to elucidate the exact role of sTWEAK as a potential modulator of immune response in the setting of dilated cardiomyopathy.

scholarly journals Dietary Melatonin Supplementation Could Be a Promising Preventing/Therapeutic Approach for a Variety of Liver Diseases

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonomini ◽  
Elisa Borsani ◽  
Gaia Favero ◽  
Luigi Rodella ◽  
Rita Rezzani
Keyword(s):  
Liver Diseases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

In the therapeutic strategies, the role of diet is a well-established factor that can also have an important role in liver diseases. Melatonin, identified in animals, has many antioxidant properties and it was after discovered also in plants, named phytomelatonin. These substances have a positive effect during aging and in pathological conditions too. In particular, it is important to underline that the amount of melatonin produced by pineal gland in human decreases during lifetime and its reduction in blood could be related to pathological conditions in which mitochondria and oxidative stress play a pivotal role. Moreover, it has been indicated that melatonin/phytomelatonin containing foods may provide dietary melatonin, so their ingestion through balanced diets could be sufficient to confer health benefits. In this review, the classification of liver diseases and an overview of the most important aspects of melatonin/phytomelatonin, concerning the differences among their synthesis, their presence in foods and their role in health and diseases, are summarized. The findings suggest that melatonin/phytomelatonin supplementation with diet should be considered important in preventing different disease settings, in particular in liver. Currently, more studies are needed to strengthen the potential beneficial effects of melatonin/phytomelatonin in liver diseases and to better clarify the molecular mechanisms of action.

scholarly journals Role of the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Reflex in Central Nervous System Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 13427
Author(s):  
Ivan Emmanuel Ramos-Martínez ◽  
María Carmen Rodríguez ◽  
Marco Cerbón ◽  
Juan Carlos Ramos-Martínez ◽  
Edgar Gustavo Ramos-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Chemical Stimulation ◽  
Nervous System Diseases ◽  
Central Nervous System Diseases ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Bidirectional Communication ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

In several central nervous system diseases, it has been reported that inflammation may be related to the etiologic process, therefore, therapeutic strategies are being implemented to control inflammation. As the nervous system and the immune system maintain close bidirectional communication in physiological and pathological conditions, the modulation of inflammation through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex has been proposed. In this review, we summarized the evidence supporting chemical stimulation with cholinergic agonists and vagus nerve stimulation as therapeutic strategies in the treatment of various central nervous system pathologies, and their effect on inflammation.

scholarly journals The role of B lymphocytes in the immuno-biology of non-small-cell lung cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshay J. Patel ◽  
Alex Richter ◽  
Mark T. Drayson ◽  
Gary W. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
B Cell ◽  
B Lymphocytes ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Tumour Microenvironment ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Small Cell Lung

AbstractTumour-infiltrating immune cells have been widely implicated to play a significant role in carcinogenesis, through both pro- or anti-tumour effects. The multi-faceted effects of lung cancer associated T lymphocytes have been extensively studied, and yet, the role of B lymphocytes remains an area less studied. In this review, we will describe the current understanding of the role of tumour-infiltrating B lymphocytes in NSCLC, discuss their prognostic significance, their functionality within the tumour microenvironment and ultimately how we might harness B-cell biology to develop B-cell therapeutic strategies in cancer.

scholarly journals Conserved cysteines in titin sustain the mechanical function of cardiomyocytes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elías Herrero-Galán ◽  
Fernando Domínguez ◽  
Inés Martínez-Martín ◽  
Cristina Sánchez-González ◽  
Natalia Vicente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Functional Annotation ◽  
Contractile Function ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Mechanical Function ◽  
Direct Impact ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Uncertain Significance

AbstractThe protein titin determines cardiomyocyte contraction and truncating variants in the titin gene (TTN) are the most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Different to truncations, missense variants in TTN are currently classified as variants of uncertain significance due to their high frequency in the population and the absence of functional annotation. Here, we report the regulatory role of conserved, mechanically active titin cysteines, which, contrary to current views, we uncover to be reversibly oxidized in basal conditions leading to isoform- and force-dependent modulation of titin stiffness and dynamics. Building on our functional studies, we demonstrate that missense mutations targeting a conserved titin cysteine alter myocyte contractile function and cause DCM in humans. Our findings have a direct impact on genetic counselling in clinical practice.One sentence summaryMutations targeting cysteines key to the mechanoredox control of titin cause human dilated cardiomyopathy

scholarly journals The gut in iron homeostasis: role of HIF-2 under normal and pathological conditions

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 885-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Mastrogiannaki ◽  
Pavle Matak ◽  
Carole Peyssonnaux
Keyword(s):  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Iron Absorption ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Key Genes

Abstract Although earlier, seminal studies demonstrated that the gut per se has the intrinsic ability to regulate the rates of iron absorption, the spotlight in the past decade has been placed on the systemic regulation of iron homeostasis by the hepatic hormone hepcidin and the molecular mechanisms that regulate its expression. Recently, however, attention has returned to the gut based on the finding that hypoxia inducible factor-2 (HIF-2α) regulates the expression of key genes that contribute to iron absorption. Here we review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate iron homeostasis in the gut by focusing on the role of HIF-2 under physiological steady-state conditions and in the pathogenesis of iron-related diseases. We also discuss implications for adapting HIF-2–based therapeutic strategies in iron-related pathological conditions.

The Role of Extracellular Vesicles of Various Origins in the Development of Preeclampsia

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-243
Author(s):  
Mariya G. Nikolaeva ◽  
Vasilisa U. Тerekhina ◽  
Alexey V. Kudinov ◽  
Andrey P. Momot
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Perinatal Morbidity ◽  
Muscle System ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Available Information

Pre-eclampsia is a clinically unfavorable pregnancy outcome that determines the main indicators of maternal and/or perinatal morbidity and mortality. According to modern concepts, the placenta plays a central role in the development of PE, while intercellular and intervesicular communications involving extracellular vesicles (EVs, extracellular vesicles) initiate a cascade of various biological effects, determining the mechanisms of ontogenesis of the gestational process in normal and pathological conditions. Achievements in studies of extracellular vesicles (EVs, extracellular vesicles) are of particular interest both to clinicians and to researchers studying the pathophysiology of gestational complications. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in preeclampsia are produced both by scintiotrophoblast and the maternal body - blood cells (platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells) and the cardiovascular (vascular endothelium, smooth muscle) system. Changes in the concentration of these EVs can contribute to the implementation of preeclampsia, enhancing the pro-inflammatory and procoagulant states inherent in the gestation process. This review focuses on freely available information on the possible interactions between placental and maternal EVs. Understanding the contribution of EVs to the development of preeclampsia can help to deepen knowledge about the pathogenesis of this pathology and determine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers.

scholarly journals Dendritic Cells: Behind the Scenes of T-Cell Infiltration into the Tumor Microenvironment

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 433
Author(s):  
Valeria Lucarini ◽  
Ombretta Melaiu ◽  
Patrizia Tempora ◽  
Silvia D’Amico ◽  
Franco Locatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Antitumor Immunity ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
T Cell Infiltration ◽  
Experimental Mouse ◽  
New Strategies

Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells have been shown to play a crucial role in controlling tumor progression. However, the recruitment and activation of these immune cells at the tumor site are strictly dependent on several factors, including the presence of dendritic cells (DCs), the main orchestrators of the antitumor immune responses. Among the various DC subsets, the role of cDC1s has been demonstrated in several preclinical experimental mouse models. In addition, the high density of tumor-infiltrating cDC1s has been associated with improved survival in many cancer patients. The ability of cDC1s to modulate antitumor activity depends on their interaction with other immune populations, such as NK cells. This evidence has led to the development of new strategies aimed at increasing the abundance and activity of cDC1s in tumors, thus providing attractive new avenues to enhance antitumor immunity for both established and novel anticancer immunotherapies. In this review, we provide an overview of the various subsets of DCs, focusing in particular on the role of cDC1s, their ability to interact with other intratumoral immune cells, and their prognostic significance on solid tumors. Finally, we outline key therapeutic strategies that promote the immunogenic functions of DCs in cancer immunotherapy.

Targeting neutrophils as a novel therapeutic strategy after stroke

2021 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2110001
Author(s):  
Chen Chen ◽  
Tingting Huang ◽  
Xiaozhu Zhai ◽  
Yezhi Ma ◽  
Lv Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Damage ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Ischemic Brain ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽  
Full Knowledge ◽  
Neutrophil Response ◽  
The Brain

Stroke is followed by an intricate immune interaction involving the engagement of multiple immune cells, including neutrophils. As one of the first responders recruited to the brain, the crucial roles of neutrophils in the ischemic brain damage are receiving increasing attention in recent years. Notably, neutrophils are not homogenous, and yet there is still a lack of full knowledge about the extent and impact of neutrophil heterogeneity. The biological understanding of the neutrophil response to both innate and pathological conditions is rapidly evolving as single-cell-RNA sequencing uncovers overall neutrophil profiling across maturation and differentiation contexts. In this review, we scrutinize the latest research that points to the multifaceted role of neutrophils in different conditions and summarize the regulatory signals that may determine neutrophil diversity. In addition, we list several potential targets or therapeutic strategies targeting neutrophils to limit brain damage following ischemic stroke.

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