Development Of Cardiovascular Disease Research Articles

Bridging Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Risk: A Potential Role for Ketogenesis.

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is a growing global health concern. Recent advances have demonstrated significant reductions in acute cardiovascular events through the management of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. However, these factors are responsible for about 50% of the global cardiovascular disease burden. Considering that CVDs are one of the top mortality causes worldwide, the concept of residual cardiovascular risk is an important emerging area of study. Different factors have been proposed as sources of residual risk markers, including non-HDL particles characterization, as well as inflammation measured by serum and imaging technics. Among these, metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains controversial. Two opposing viewpoints contend: one positing that fatty liver disease merely reflects classical risk factors and thus adds no additional risk and another asserting that fatty liver disease independently impacts cardiovascular disease incidence. To address this dilemma, one hypothetical approach is to identify specific hepatic energy-yielding mechanisms and assess their impact on the cardiovascular system. Ketogenesis, a metabolic intermediate process particularly linked to energy homeostasis during fasting, might help to link these concepts. Ketogenic metabolism has been shown to vary through MASLD progression. Additionally, newer evidence supports the significance of circulating ketone bodies in cardiovascular risk prediction. Furthermore, ketogenic metabolism modification seems to have a therapeutic impact on cardiovascular and endothelial damage. Describing the relationship, if any, between steatotic liver disease and cardiovascular disease development through ketogenesis impairment might help to clarify MASLD's role in cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, this evidence might help to solve the controversy surrounding liver steatosis impact in CVD and might lead to a more accurate risk assessment and therapeutic targets in the pursuit of precision medicine.

Synthesis and evaluation of L-quebrachitol derivatives against platelet aggregation

Thrombosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases that contribute to high mortality and morbidity in patients. L-(-)-Quebrachitol (QCT), a natural product, was first isolated from quebracho bark. It can inhibit PAF receptor and decrease gastric damage induced by indomethacin, as a drug against platelet aggregation. Here, five QCT derivatives were synthesized and investigated for their inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation. Among them, compound 3a showed anticoagulant effects comparable to aspirin, while compound 4b showed dose-independent inhibitory activities in rats that were stronger than aspirin.

Abstract MP56: Screening for Familial Hypercholesterolemia: School Based Programs May Be Best Alternative

Introduction: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by elevated cholesterol and premature development of cardiovascular (CV) disease affecting 1/200 - 1/500 individuals. Only 10% of the affected population in the United States have been identified and treated compared to 50-70% in Scandinavian countries identified through school-based or universal screening programs. Hypothesis Statement: School based programs are the best mechanism for FH screening. Methods: The Healthy Hearts and Minds Program (HHM) through UCHealth performs biometric screenings on 5th, 7th, and 10th grade students in Northern Colorado. HHM tested 10,991 5th grade students (9/2017 - 5/2022) and identified 424 students with total cholesterol levels ≥200 mg/dL (range 200-302). A buccal smear test (APOB, LDLR, PCSK9) was performed on 99 individuals with the highest total cholesterol levels to identify genetic status. A binomial logistic regression model was used for analysis. Results: Of the 99 students, six tested positive (50% male, 10.3 years, 22.8 BMI) for FH with five (40% male, 11.3 years, 17.3 BMI.) reporting a variant of indeterminate significance. A sigmoidal association between total cholesterol and predicted chance of FH was identified with the inflection point at ~270 mg/dL. Conclusions: Comprehensive school based programs are the most effective and equitable means of identifying this genetic based disease and should be supported in a collaborative manner with health care systems, industry and the community. With availability to all students, diversity, equity, and inclusion concerns are addressed and provide at risk populations with personalized health information. The results from this study suggest a school-based screening program can be effective at identifying students most at risk for FH. These results further define the relation between total cholesterol and predicted chance of FH for a school-aged population where 245 mg/dL indicates a 10.3% of testing positive for FH whereas 275 mg/dL has a 54.8% chance. Additionally, the multiplier effect documented through cascade FH testing enhances the benefit of the information to other family members, as the autosomal dominant pattern insures that 50% of members will be at risk. The individual benefit of identifying FH early is the treatability of this condition. Early use of lipid lowering agents can make the CV disease risk equal to the general population. If left untreated, CV disease occurs approximately 10 years earlier which results in increased mortality and disability, along with increased health care costs. Therefore, if elevated cholesterol is present in school children, genetic testing is warranted and treatment considered by age 8-10 years, especially if signs of abnormal vascular plaquing is identified.

Abstract P239: Association of Presence of Non-Specific Physical Complaints With Future Development of Cardiovascular Disease in Middle-Aged Japanese Workers: Finding From the Aichi Workers Cohort Study

Introduction: Stress responses to work-related stressors often manifest in non-specific physical complaints, by monitoring it may provide early indications of underlying health issues. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that there is a significant association between non-specific physical complaints and the subsequent incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in middle-aged Japanese. Methods: A cohort of 4820 Japanese workers (3876 male, 944 female) ages 35 to 65 years were followed from 2007 to 2019 for CVD incidence (stroke and acute coronary artery diseases). Non-specific physical complaints were assessed as a domain of stress response in the 57-item brief job stress questionnaire and consisted of 11 items: felt dizzy; experienced joint pains; experienced headaches; had stiff neck or shoulders; had lower back pain; had eyestrain; had heart palpitations or shortness of breath; had stomach or intestine problems; lost appetite; had diarrhea or constipation; couldn’t sleep well. Each item had four possible responses from never, sometimes, often, to always, corresponding scores of which are 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The presence of non-specific physical complaints was defined as a sum score of 27-44 for males and 30-44 for females according to the recommended standard values. Hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of non-specific physical complaints for CVD were estimated and adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, sleep duration, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and histories of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Results: During a median of 10.4 years of follow-up, 90 CVD cases were identified. The presence of non-specific physical complaints was significantly associated with the incidence of CVD independent of confounding variables (HR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.02-4.07). Conclusion: The present study revealed that the presence of non-specific physical complaints was associated with a higher risk of developing CVD.

Time Series Analysis of the Impact of Meteorological Conditions and Air Quality on the Number of Medical Visits for Hypertension in Haikou City, China

Meteorological conditions and air quality are important environmental factors in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as hypertension. The aim of this study was to take Haikou City, located on the tropical edge, as the research area and to analyze the exposure–response relationship and lag effect between its meteorological conditions, air quality, and the number of hypertensive patients. Using the data from the hypertension outpatient department of Hainan Provincial People’s Hospital from 2016 to 2018, together with meteorological data and air quality data, a distributed lag nonlinear model based on the nested generalized addition model of meteorological element base variables was established. The results showed that the impact of temperature on the risk of hypertension was mainly due to the cold effect, which was associated with high risk, with a lag of 1–10 days. When the temperature dropped to 10 °C, the cumulative effect on the risk of hypertension of relative risk (RR) reached its highest value on the day the low temperature occurred (RR was 2.30 and the 95% confidence interval was 1.723~3.061), passing the test with a significance level of 0.05. This result indicated that efforts should be made to strengthen the prevention of hypertension under low-temperature conditions and the prediction and early warning of disease risks. The impact of the air-quality effect (the environmental Air Quality Index was selected as an indicator) on the risk of hypertension was mainly characterized by a low air-quality effect, with a lag effect of 0–8 days. When the risk reached approximately 124, the RR was highest (RR was 1.63 and the 95% confidence interval was 1.104~2.408), passing the test with a significance level of 0.05. The research results can provide technical support for conducting medical meteorological forecasting, early warning, and services for hypertension. A joint work and research mechanism among multiple departments such as meteorology and medical health should be established to improve the level of medical and health care, optimize the allocation of social resources, and develop targeted prevention and control strategies to reduce the health and economic burden of hypertension.

The Significance of Lipoproteins in the Development of Obesity.

Disruption of lipoprotein metabolism plays an important role in the development of several cardiovascular, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases. This review examines the importance of different types of lipoproteins and the role they play in the development of dyslipidemia in obesity. The causes and consequences associated with the disruption of lipid metabolism and its significance in the pathogenesis of obesity are considered. The relationship between such pathological processes, which occur alongside obesity as dyslipidemia and inflammation, is determined. In view of the current efficacy and toxicity limitations of currently approved drugs, natural compounds as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of obesity are considered in the review. The complex mechanisms of lipid metabolism normalization in obesity found for these compounds can serve as one of the confirmations of their potential efficacy in treating obesity. Nanoparticles can serve as carriers for the considered drugs, which can improve their pharmacokinetic properties.

Phase angle associated is with low ankle-brachial index in type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana

BackgroundType 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with high burden of atherosclerotic macrovascular disease which could be diagnosed with ankle-brachial index (ABI). Phase angle (PhA) from bioelectric impedance analysis is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the association between low ABI and phase angle in T2DM patients in Ghana. MethodIn a cross-sectional study, 462 T2DM patients were systematically recruited for the study. ABI was measured using an 8 Hz continuous Doppler and ABI≤0.9 was considered to be low ABI. PhA was obtained from resistance and reactance from Bioelectric impedance analysis. ResultsThe prevalence of low ABI was 16 % in the study population. T2DM patients with low ABI have decreased PhA (7.5 ± 1.9 vs 8.3 ± 2.2 units, p = 0.004) compared to those with normal ABI. An increase in phase angle by 1° was associated with a decrease in odds of having low ABI in unadjusted [OR (95 % CI) = 0.79 (0.48 – 0.95), p = 0.007] and adjusted models [0.88 (0.43 – 0.98), p = 0.036]. ConclusionThe prevalence of low ABI in T2DM patients in this study was 16 %. Also, PhA was lower in patients with low ABI compared to those with normal ABI.

Intensity of statin therapy and primary prevention of cardiovascular in Korean patients with dyslipidemia.

This study aimed to investigate the association between the intensity of statin therapy and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in individuals without prior diabetes who were being treated for dyslipidemia with statins for the primary prevention of CVD, using the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening database. The database is a longitudinal cohort study of Korean men and women 40 years of age or older who underwent comprehensive biannual screening health examinations by Korean National Health Insurance Service from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2015. We included patients in the health screening checkup cohort who underwent health checkups in 2009 and 2010.The primary outcome was the occurrence of a first major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event, new-onset diabetes. A total of 20,322 participants without prior diabetes at baseline from 2009 to 2015 were followed up for a mean duration of 81.2 ± 6.6 months. The mean age of all participants at baseline was 59.2 ± 8.4 years and 43.0% of them were male. Their index low lipoprotein cholesterol level was 130.4 ± mg/dL, the mean duration of taking statins was 337.4 ± 52.3 days, and 93.9% of them had been taking moderate-intensity statins. At that time, a total of 641 diabetes cases occurred, 41 from using low-intensity statins, 588 from moderate-intensity statins, and 11 from high-intensity statins. The results indicated no significant differences in the incidence of death, CVD death, or CVD among those in the strong statin group compared with the reference groups. While statin treatment for the primary prevention of CVD in patients with dyslipidemia showed a subtle difference in the incidence of diabetes, there was no difference in the occurrence of CVD or CVD death according to statin intensity.

On the mechanisms of cardiotoxic action of various nanoparticles in experimental studies in vivo and in vitro

Nanoparticles are the main product of artificial technologies, and also accompany production processes in various industries. The main routes of exposure to nanoparticles are through the respiratory tract, skin and orally; therefore, most toxicological studies have focused on the lungs, liver and skin. Nanoscale particles easily penetrate the alveolar-capillary barrier and enter the bloodstream of the body. Thus, they can reach various organs, accumulate, cause toxicity, and the heart is one of the target organs.
 The study aims to search and systematize the literature data on the mechanisms of cardiotoxic action of nanoparticles of various chemical nature (elemental, elementoxide).
 The researchers conducted a literature review as part of a study of the cardiotoxic effect of nanoparticles on the body. The review is based on modern original research. When searching for literary sources, the authors used the following information databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, CyberLeninka Scientific Electronic Library, Russian Scientific Electronic Library eLibrary.Ru. In total, there were 37 original articles in the review, including 35 foreign ones, and 15 — no older than 5 years. The development of oxidative stress and an inflammatory reaction leads to the formation of cardiotoxicity of nanomaterials, which subsequently leads to necrosis and apoptosis of cells.
 Indicators of oxidative damage to lipids and DNA molecules indicate that the tissues of the heart and lungs suffer from oxidative stress not only as a result of an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species, but also due to a malfunction of antioxidant mechanisms caused by exposure to nanoparticles.
 Studies using endothelial cells have shown that exposure to metal and metal oxide nanoparticles can promote the release of cytokines, the expression of adhesion molecules and monocyte adhesion, which are key events associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases.
 These results, combined with other in vitro data, suggest that direct contact of the cardiovascular system with metal-based nanoparticles may cause cardiovascular toxicity associated with inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, autophagy dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Oxidative stress induced by nanoparticles leads to apoptosis and inflammatory reactions in cardiomyocytes, as well as disrupts the integrity of mitochondrial membranes and cell organelles, leading to various heart pathologies. One of the main mechanisms of toxicity of nanoparticles of different chemical nature is oxidative stress.

Circadian Influences on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Heart Failure.

The impact of circadian rhythms on cardiovascular function and disease development is well established, with numerous studies in genetically modified animals emphasizing the circadian molecular clock's significance in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia and heart failure progression. However, translational preclinical studies targeting the heart's circadian biology are just now emerging and are leading to the development of a novel field of medicine termed circadian medicine. In this review, we explore circadian molecular mechanisms and novel therapies, including (1) intense light, (2) small molecules modulating the circadian mechanism, and (3) chronotherapies such as cardiovascular drugs and meal timings. These promise significant clinical translation in circadian medicine for cardiovascular disease. (4) Additionally, we address the differential functioning of the circadian mechanism in males versus females, emphasizing the consideration of biological sex, gender, and aging in circadian therapies for cardiovascular disease.

Contribution of new coronavirus infection to the development of cardiovascular diseases (systematic review)

In 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK proposed the concept of post-Covid syndrome. One of the main manifestations of the post-COVID syndrome are cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and dyslipidemia. However, the pathogenetic patterns of CVD development in COVID-19 convalescents remain unclear. The purpose of the systematic review was to analyze research data on the contribution of past new coronavirus infection to the development of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis-associated diseases (AAD) in the post-COVID period. 106 publications were selected for analysis. After excluding clinical cases, drug studies, literature reviews and publications devoted to the acute period of COVID-19, a total of 19 articles were selected from Russian and international search engines. Analysis of studies has led to the conclusion that COVID-19 infection makes a significant contribution to the development of new AADs and worsening existing. One of the most likely mechanisms for occurrence of this phenomenon seems to be the development of endotheliitis against the background of the course of COVID-19, however, there are not enough works devoted to this problem.

Fucoidan-incorporated dissolving microneedles: A novel approach to anticoagulant transdermal delivery

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global mortality, particularly in Indonesia. Vascular disorders, including thrombosis and atherosclerosis, have been implicated as potential contributors to the development and progression of CVDs. Anticoagulant agents, such as heparin, have been commonly used to treat vascular disorders. Nevertheless, this agent may result in a hazardous adverse effect. Bioactive substances like fucoidan (FC) have emerged as an alternative, with anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties similar to heparin. However, FC was often found in oral, injectable, and transdermal dosage forms, which has considerable limitations due to its low bioavailability alongside with poor patient comfort and compliance. To overcome these issues, FC was further incorporated into dissolving microneedles (DMN) that can facilitate transdermal delivery of FC by penetrating the stratum corneum. Fucoidan Dissolving Microneedle (FC-DMN) was fabricated using gelatin and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as polymers with various concentrations. Following several evaluations, FC-DMN exhibited good stability, mechanical resistance, and penetration ability. Ex vivo permeation study revealed that 91.23 ± 0.12 % of FC was released from the optimum formula. Furthermore, the hemolytic activity demonstrated that FC-DMN did not induce notably hemolytic, confirming its safe applicability. The in vivo anticoagulant activity test showed increased aPTT and PT values following a 7-day regimen of FC-DMN application. Interestingly, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between FC-DMN and heparin injection (dosage 200 IU/Kg). In contrast, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed when comparing FC-DMN to healthy controls, negative controls, and heparin gel. These findings suggested that FC-DMN offers a promising alternative to conventional anticoagulant therapies and can effectively deliver FC into systemic circulation. This study successfully developed a safe, painless, and nonirritating FC-DMN with promising results for enhancing the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy through the transdermal route.

Imidazole propionate ameliorates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by inhibiting mitochondrial ROS and mTORC2.

Imidazole propionate (IMP) is a histidine metabolite produced by some gut microorganisms in the human colon. Increased levels of IMP are associated with intestinal inflammation and the development and progression of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of IMP has not been investigated. This study aimed to elucidate the role of IMP in treating atopic dermatitis (AD). To understand how IMP mediates immunosuppression in AD, IMP was intraperitoneally injected into a Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE)/1-chloro-2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin lesions mouse model. We also characterized the anti-inflammatory mechanism of IMP by inducing an AD response in keratinocytes through TNF-α/IFN-γ or IL-4 stimulation. Contrary to the prevailing view that IMP is an unhealthy microbial metabolite, we found that IMP-treated AD-like skin lesions mice showed significant improvement in their clinical symptoms, including ear thickness, epidermal and dermal thickness, and IgE levels. Furthermore, IMP antagonized the expansion of myeloid (neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells) and Th cells (Th1, Th2, and Th17) in mouse skin and prevented mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production by inhibiting mitochondrial energy production. Interestingly, we found that IMP inhibited AD by reducing glucose uptake in cells to suppress proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in an AD-like in vitro model, sequentially downregulating the PI3K and mTORC2 signaling pathways centered on Akt, and upregulating DDIT4 and AMPK. Our results suggest that IMP exerts anti-inflammatory effects through the metabolic reprogramming of skin inflammation, making it a promising therapeutic candidate for AD and related skin diseases.

The Pathophysiological Associations Between Obesity, NAFLD, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases.

Obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are common and growing public health concerns. Previous epidemiological studies unfolded the robust correlation between obesity, NAFLD, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for NAFLD, and both of them can markedly increase the odds of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, significant weight loss achieved by lifestyle modification, bariatric surgery, or medications, such as semaglutide, can concomitantly improve NAFLD and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, certain pathophysiological links are involved in the development of NAFLD in obesity, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in obesity and NAFLD. Moreover, recent studies indicated that simultaneously targeting several mechanisms by tirzepatide and retatrutide leads to greater weight loss and markedly improves the complications of metabolic syndrome. These findings remind the importance of a mechanistic viewpoint for breaking the association between obesity, NAFLD, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. In this review article, we mainly focus on shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, GLP1 signaling, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) overactivity, and endothelial dysfunction. Most of these pathophysiological alterations are primarily initiated by obesity. The development of NAFLD further exacerbates these molecular and cellular alterations, leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease development or progression as the final manifestation of molecular perturbation. A better insight into these mechanisms makes it feasible to develop new multi-target approaches to simultaneously unhinge the deleterious chain of events linking obesity and NAFLD to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Estimation of aortic stiffness by finger photoplethysmography using enhanced pulse wave analysis and machine learning.

Aortic stiffness plays a critical role in the evolution of cardiovascular diseases, but the assessment requires specialized equipment. Photoplethysmography (PPG) and single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) are readily available in healthcare and wearable devices. We studied whether a brief PPG registration, alone or in combination with single-lead ECG, could be used to reliably estimate aortic stiffness. A proof-of-concept study with simultaneous high-resolution index finger recordings of infrared PPG, single-lead ECG, and finger blood pressure (Finapres) was performed in 33 participants [median age 44 (range 21-66) years, 19 men] and repeated within 2 weeks. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV; two-site tonometry with SphygmoCor) was used as a reference. A brachial single-cuff oscillometric device assessed aortic pulse wave velocity (aoPWV; Arteriograph) for further comparisons. We extracted 136 established PPG waveform features and engineered 13 new with improved coupling to the finger blood pressure curve. Height-normalized pulse arrival time (NPAT) was derived using ECG. Machine learning methods were used to develop prediction models. The best PPG-based models predicted cfPWV and aoPWV well (root-mean-square errors of 0.70 and 0.52 m/s, respectively), with minor improvements by adding NPAT. Repeatability and agreement were on par with the reference equipment. A new PPG feature, an amplitude ratio from the early phase of the waveform, was most important in modelling, showing strong correlations with cfPWV and aoPWV (r = -0.81 and -0.75, respectively, both P < 0.001). Using new features and machine learning methods, a brief finger PPG registration can estimate aortic stiffness without requiring additional information on age, anthropometry, or blood pressure. Repeatability and agreement were comparable to those obtained using non-invasive reference equipment. Provided further validation, this readily available simple method could improve cardiovascular risk evaluation, treatment, and prognosis.

Recent advances of myotubularin-related (MTMR) protein family in cardiovascular diseases.

Belonging to a lipid phosphatase family containing 16 members, myotubularin-related proteins (MTMRs) are widely expressed in a variety of tissues and organs. MTMRs preferentially hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol (3,5) bis-phosphate to generate phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol 5-monophosphate, respectively. These phosphoinositides (PIPs) promote membrane degradation during autophagosome-lysosomal fusion and are also involved in various regulatory signal transduction. Based on the ability of modulating the levels of these PIPs, MTMRs exert physiological functions such as vesicle trafficking, cell proliferation, differentiation, necrosis, cytoskeleton, and cell migration. It has recently been found that MTMRs are also involved in the occurrence and development of several cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell, LQT1, aortic aneurysm, etc. This review summarizes the functions of MTMRs and highlights their pathophysiological roles in cardiovascular diseases.

The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Pathogenesis of Essential Hypertension

Abstract: Hypertension, a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure, poses a significant medical risk, particularly in relation to the development of cardiovascular disease. The pathogenesis of hypertension can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Recent scientific studies have shed light on the involvement of long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various diseases, including pulmonary arterial and essential hypertension. These lncRNAs have been found to play crucial roles at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. By targeting endothelial cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, lncRNAs can induce dysfunction in arterial endothelial cells, contributing to the progression of hypertension-related pathological events. Therefore, the abnormal expression of lncRNAs has emerged as a significant factor in the understanding of essential hypertension and its associated mechanisms. To further our understanding, we conducted a comprehensive review focusing on unraveling the functional roles of lncRNAs in essential hypertension.

Microbiological characteristics of hard cheese with flax seeds

Highly nutritious dairy products such as hard cheeses are considered a good source of protein, fats, mineral substances, and vitamins and are consumed in significant quantities. At the same time, the disadvantages of cheeses include the presence of a large amount of saturated fatty acids in their composition, which are associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, modifying the composition of fatty acids in hard cheese by increasing the content of unsaturated fatty acids and reducing the amount of saturated fatty acids is extremely important for consumers' health. This research aimed to determine the dynamics of microbiological indicators in the ripening technology of hard rennet cheese with different contents of flax seeds as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. The technology of hard rennet cheese with 3-5% flax seed content was investigated. A 1.3 times higher content of lactic acid microflora was found in samples of hard cheese with 5% flax seeds during the first 10 days of ripening compared to the control sample of cheese. On the 60th day of ripening of cheese with a content of 5% flax seeds, the number of lactic acid bacteria was 9.4 ±0.3×109 CFU/g, and in the control cheese – 7.8 ±0.3×109 CFU/g. During the production and ripening of cheese with different content of flax seeds, no exceedance of normative values was found for the number of Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. A method (washing the seeds in a sodium bicarbonate solution and drying at a temperature of 95 ±1 for 20 min) of processing flax seeds before adding them to the cheese mass was proposed, which reduced the number of mesophilic microorganisms by approximately 200 times to 3.9 ±0.1×101 CFU/ g, fungi by 160 times to 0.3 ±0.1×101 CFU/g and aerobic mesophilic bacilli by 78 times to 1.1 ±0.1×101 CFU/g. Therefore, the developed hard rennet cheese with flax seeds can be consumed as an additional source of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber.

Involvement of retinoic acid‑inducible gene‑I in radiation‑induced senescence of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

In 2012, the threshold radiation dose (0.5 Gy) for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was revised, and this threshold dose may be exceeded during procedures involving radiation such as interventional radiology. Therefore, in addition to regulating radiation dose, it is necessary to develop strategies to prevent and mitigate the development of cardiovascular disease. Cellular senescence is irreversible arrest of cell proliferation. Although cellular senescence is one of the mechanisms for suppressing cancer, it also has adverse effects. For example, senescence of vascular endothelial cells is involved in development of vascular disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying induction of cellular senescence are not fully understood. Therefore, the present study explored the factors involved in the radiation-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The present study reanalyzed the gene expression data of senescent normal human endothelial cells and fibroblast after irradiation (NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus accession no. GSE130727) and microarray data of HUVECs 24 h after irradiation (NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus accession no. GSE76484). Numerous genes related to viral infection and inflammation were upregulated in radiation-induced senescent cells. In addition, the gene group involved in the retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway, which plays an important role to induce anti-viral response, was altered in irradiated HUVECs. Therefore, to investigate the involvement of RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), which are RLRs, in radiation-induced senescence of HUVECs, the protein expression of RIG-I and MDA5 and the activity of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), a representative senescence marker, were analyzed. Of note, knockdown of RIG-I in HUVECs significantly decreased radiation-increased proportion of cells with high SA-β-gal activity (i.e., senescent cells), whereas this phenomenon was not observed in MDA5-knockdown cells. Taken together, the present results suggested that RIG-I, but not MDA5, was associated with radiation-induced senescence in HUVECs.

Photodynamic Therapy and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are the third most common cause of death in the world. The most common are heart attacks and stroke. Cardiovascular diseases are a global problem monitored by many centers, including the World Health Organization (WHO). Atherosclerosis is one aspect that significantly influences the development and management of cardiovascular diseases. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the therapeutic methods used for various types of inflammatory, cancerous and non-cancer diseases. Currently, it is not practiced very often in the field of cardiology. It is most often practiced and tested experimentally under in vitro experimental conditions. In clinical practice, the use of PDT is still rare. The aim of this review was to characterize the effectiveness of PDT in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the most frequently used photosensitizers in cardiology are summarized.