Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles for precision imaging of vessels to diagnose vascular disease.

To determine the association of insulin resistance, assessed using the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), and the risk of adverse clinical outcomes, and determine any effect modification on the efficacy of glucose- and blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatments. Briefly, 11 140 participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were recruited from 20 countries for the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron MR Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) trial. eGDR was derived from waist circumference, hypertension status and glycated haemoglobin, calculated in 11 081 participants. Multivariable Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of the association of eGDR with clinical events. Over a median of 5 years of follow-up, 2117 participants (19.1%) experienced a major macrovascular or microvascular event. Compared with individuals in the lowest quarter of eGDR, those in the highest quarter had significantly lower risks of a composite major macrovascular and microvascular event (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.62-0.84). Similar associations were seen for major macrovascular events (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.55-0.85), major microvascular events (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.96), all-cause mortality (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55-0.86), and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.85). No significant effect modification was observed across eGDR quarters for the efficacy or safety of intensive glucose control (vs. standard control) or BP-lowering treatment (vs. placebo). These findings highlight the value of eGDR as a prognostic marker for T2D. Intensive glucose- and BP-lowering treatments remain beneficial regardless of insulin resistance status. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00145925.

Enhancing Hand Vascular Assessment: The Role of Hyperspectral Imaging in Perfusion Monitoring.

Targeting PDK4 attenuates neointimal hyperplasia and regulates VSMC phenotypic switching, apoptosis, and autophagy.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are shaped by a complex interplay with immune mechanisms. In particular, the distinct roles of antigen-specific T cell mechanisms are emerging as critical determinants across a broad spectrum of conditions, ranging from atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), and myocarditis. Because these T cell responses are fundamentally driven by antigen recognition of cardiovascular antigens, understanding T cell clonal dynamics via accessing T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires might provide valuable mechanistic insights for developing targeted diagnostic and therapeutic immunomodulatory approaches in cardiology. In this review, we discuss T cell-dependent mechanisms and TCR clonal dynamics across various CVD. Moreover, by curating public bulk and single-cell TCR datasets across different etiologies, we present a first-in-class adaptive immune receptor database in cardiovascular diseases (CVD-TCR database). The discussions and resources herein presented seek to promote an integrated understanding of tissue-specific immune mechanisms across different CVD, facilitate the identification of shared clonotypes and motifs, and provide a framework for computational modeling of TCR repertoires across the CVD spectrum.

Artificial blood vessels are commonly used to treat vascular damage and diseases. While large-diameter artificial blood vessels have been widely used in clinical practice, small-diameter artificial blood vessels (<6mm) face significant challenges, including acute thrombosis in the short-term and intimal hyperplasia in the long-term. In this study, mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing Gremlin1 (Gremlin1-MSCs) were implanted as seed cells on the inner layer of polyurethane (PU) small-diameter artificial blood vessels fabricated by electrospinning technology. Additionally, the adhesion of Gremlin1-MSCs was enhanced by coating the lumen surface of the vessels with polydopamine (PDA). This approach aimed to promote endothelialization, thus reducing the risks of acute thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia. The in vitro results demonstrated that Gremlin1-MSCs retained their MSC characteristics and possessed the ability to inhibit monocyte proliferation and macrophage polarization. Furthermore, the PDA-coated PU small-diameter artificial blood vessels exhibited excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. After implantation in rabbit carotid arteries, Gremlin1-MSCs significantly improved the long-term patency of small-diameter artificial blood vessels and reduced intimal hyperplasia of natural blood vessels at the suture site compared to the control MSCs (Ctrl-MSCs) or no MSCs treatment. This study provides a promising approach to improve the patency of small-diameter artificial blood vessels and highlights the potential of Gremlin1-MSCs as effective seed cells for this application.

Therapeutic potential of EGCG in treating vascular and metabolic disorders

Optical coherence tomography in pediatric ophthalmology: Insights into ocular development, diagnosis and management of eye diseases.

Increased cardiovascular disease risk in patients with periodontal disease: Insights from studies of periodontal treatment.

Risk of dementia following retinal vascular occlusions: A propensity-score matched cohort study using a global federated database.

ROS-responsive self-assembly of baicalin-peptide as a "Molecular Latch" to break the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition-inflammation loop in atherosclerotic plaques.

Major lower extremity amputations occurring secondary to vascular disease remain prevalent worldwide. Pain surrounding these procedures is complex, multifactorial and associated with poor functional and psychosocial outcomes. The evidence base informing pain management approaches in major lower extremity amputations remain largely heterogeneous and limited. This study aimed to establish procedure-specific, multispeciality consensus on the ideal principles and practices required to optimise pain management for vascular surgical patients undergoing major lower extremity amputations. A three-round online modified Delphi consensus process was undertaken, with consultant anaesthetists and consultant vascular surgeons across the UK forming the expert panel. Structured statements were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale against a strong consensus threshold of ≥ 75% ratings in agreement or disagreement, and a rating stability criterion of < 10% change between rounds. Free-text responses were thematically analysed at each round to iteratively modify or generate new statements. Seventy-two panellists participated in the study. Of the 44 consensus statements assessed, 32 reached strong consensus agreement. These included: shared cross-speciality responsibility for pain management; the mainstay role of locoregional analgesia; use of perineural catheters; opioid-sparing approaches; and protocolised decision aids with individualisation of analgesia. Barriers to practices identified included resource constraints and the paucity of direct evidence. There was non-consensus in 12 statements, notably on pre-amputation initiation of locoregional analgesia; ultrasound-guided nerve catheter placement; and surgeon-delivered regional analgesia. No statement reached strong consensus disagreement. This study provides the first procedure-specific consensus, delineating agreed principles and preferred pharmacological and locoregional analgesic approaches to peri-operative pain management in patients undergoing major lower extremity amputations. The areas of non-consensus expose key uncertainties that may inform future research, service organisation and guideline development agendas.

Lung retransplantation after initial single lung transplantation.

The hypoxia-mediated HIF-1α/miR-381-3p signaling pathway promotes retinal neovascularization.

Ophiopogonin D reprograms the polarization of macrophages through modulating PPM1K-mediated branched-chain amino acids catabolism to delay atherogenesis.

Cardiovascular Involvement in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: Evaluation Using Cardiovascular MR Imaging.

Toxic effects of herbal supplements on endothelial and vascular system among rural Thai patients: A multicenter cohort study.

The Effect of Revascularization versus Amputations on Patient Mental Health in the Early Postoperative Period: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Generation of virtual abdominal aortic aneurysm shape evolution using a physics-based G&R model and its applications to aneurysm growth prediction.

An integrative multi-cohort transcriptomic study reveals cell cycle- and adhesion-related hub genes as diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary arterial hypertension.