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Cells Jan 2024Heart development is a spatiotemporally regulated process that extends from the embryonic phase to postnatal stages. Disruption of this highly orchestrated process can... (Review)
Review
Heart development is a spatiotemporally regulated process that extends from the embryonic phase to postnatal stages. Disruption of this highly orchestrated process can lead to congenital heart disease or predispose the heart to cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Consequently, gaining an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing cardiac development holds considerable promise for the development of innovative therapies for various cardiac ailments. While significant progress in uncovering novel transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of heart development has been made, the exploration of post-translational mechanisms that influence this process has lagged. Culling-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs), the largest family of ubiquitin ligases, control the ubiquitination and degradation of ~20% of intracellular proteins. Emerging evidence has uncovered the critical roles of CRLs in the regulation of a wide range of cellular, physiological, and pathological processes. In this review, we summarize current findings on the versatile regulation of cardiac morphogenesis and maturation by CRLs and present future perspectives to advance our comprehensive understanding of how CRLs govern cardiac developmental processes.
Topics: Ubiquitin; Cullin Proteins; Ubiquitination; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 38334627
DOI: 10.3390/cells13030235 -
Acta Cirurgica Brasileira 2024The current study aimed at evaluating the repair of a partial defect of the trachea with a muscle flap, an advanced technique that employs combined suture patterns.
PURPOSE
The current study aimed at evaluating the repair of a partial defect of the trachea with a muscle flap, an advanced technique that employs combined suture patterns.
METHODS
Sixteen healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were used as an experimental model. A partial defect in the trachea within the ventral region of the fourth to eighth tracheal ring was created. Subsequently, repair was initiated with a flap of the sternocephalicus muscle. The animals were divided into four groups for postoperative evaluation using clinical, tracheoscopic, and histopathological analyses. Each group was separated according to the time of euthanasia, programmed at interval of seven (G7), 15 (G15), 30 (G30), and 60 days (G60).
RESULTS
One animal from the G60 group died, whereas the other animals had good surgical recovery without serious changes in the breathing pattern. The major clinical signs observed were stridor and coughing. Tracheoscopy revealed secretions in the tracheal lumen, exuberant granulation, and stenosis. Histopathological analysis showed growth of the ciliary respiratory epithelium at the flap site 30 days after implantation.
CONCLUSIONS
Partial repair showed satisfactory results owing to the anatomical location of the muscle, adequate vascular support, and structural and physiological maintenance without serious changes in the respiratory system.
Topics: Rabbits; Male; Animals; Trachea; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Surgical Flaps; Muscles
PubMed: 38324799
DOI: 10.1590/acb390324 -
Radiology Case Reports Apr 2024Pulmonary artery sling is an incomplete vascular ring, where the left pulmonary artery originates from the right pulmonary artery, leading to airway constriction. A...
Pulmonary artery sling is an incomplete vascular ring, where the left pulmonary artery originates from the right pulmonary artery, leading to airway constriction. A tracheal bronchus is an anatomical variation in which an extra bronchus originates from the trachea, frequently resulting in respiratory symptoms or complications. We report a 6-week-old female patient with a pulmonary artery sling coursing around the distal trachea and a concurrent tracheal bronchus.
PubMed: 38317696
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.01.005 -
Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular... Feb 2024Primary cardiac myxomas are rare tumors. Concurrent valvular lesion is a common finding on evaluation which is thought to be due to annular dilatation secondary to tumor...
INTRODUCTION
Primary cardiac myxomas are rare tumors. Concurrent valvular lesion is a common finding on evaluation which is thought to be due to annular dilatation secondary to tumor movement across the valve, functional obstruction across the valve, and severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstruction. A common belief among surgeons is that excision of myxoma leads to abatement of symptoms, and further valve intervention may not be warranted.
METHODS
A 10-year retrospective descriptive study was designed to analyze patients who underwent excision of cardiac myxoma at our center. Data was analyzed regarding presenting features, echocardiographic findings of myxoma and valve morphology, intraoperative assessment, and postoperative outcome with/without valve repair/replacement in all patients.
RESULTS
A total of 22 patients underwent surgery for myxoma. Six patients underwent successful mitral valve repair with ring annuloplasty, two had moderate mitral regurgitation, three had severe mitral regurgitation, and one patient had no mitral regurgitation on preoperative assessment, but moderate mitral regurgitation was found intraoperatively. Four of these patients had no residual mitral regurgitation in follow-up period while two had mild residual mitral regurgitation. One patient had severe mitral stenosis of concurrent rheumatic etiology and successfully underwent mitral valve replacement.
CONCLUSION
Cardiac myxomas are rare benign tumors commonly associated with mitral valve insufficiency. Mitral valve should be assessed intraoperatively after excision of mass as preoperative assessment might often be insufficient. Concomitant mitral valve intervention might be needed with a case-specific tailored approach, and mitral valve repair with ring annuloplasty offers best surgical outcome in such cases.
Topics: Humans; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Retrospective Studies; Mitral Valve; Echocardiography; Heart Neoplasms; Myxoma; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38315074
DOI: 10.21470/1678-9741-2023-0040 -
BMC Ophthalmology Feb 2024Late-onset capsule block syndrome (CBS) is a rare complication of cataract phacoemulsification and the implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL),...
BACKGROUND
Late-onset capsule block syndrome (CBS) is a rare complication of cataract phacoemulsification and the implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL), which manifests six months to years after surgery. The hallmark of CBS is the formation of an opaque liquid substance between the implanted intraocular lens (IOL) and the posterior capsule. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 64-year-old female patient with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (axis length < 21 mm) underwent trabeculectomy surgery combined with phacoemulsification and PCIOL. After a 4-year follow-up, a decline in visual acuity occurred in her right eye due to the location of opaque fluid in the visual axis and distension of the capsular bag. The initial course of action was to release the trapped fluid. Neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy could not be employed due to her non-dilating pupil and high extension of the posterior capsule. Subsequently, anterior capsule peeling and anterior segment vitrectomy surgery were performed. The depth of the anterior chamber (ACD), the distance between the face of the retro-IOL and the posterior capsule, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the visual quality (VQ) were measured both before and after surgery. Inflammatory cytokine levels in the opaque substances (OS) trapped between the PCIOL and the posterior capsule were assessed using a flow cytometer and compared to normal statistical data in aqueous humor. After surgery, the patient experienced a significant improvement in BCVA and VQ. The distance between the face of the retro-IOL and the posterior capsule was on the verge of disappearing. However, ACD did not differ between pre- and post-operatively. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) concentrations were higher in the OS than in aqueous humor, especially in the former. However, the concentration of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) in the OS was lower than in aqueous humor.
CONCLUSIONS
Anterior segment vitrectomy surgery proved to be a successful treatment for late-onset CBS, presenting a challenging case. In the human lens, inflammatory cytokines originating from the opaque substances may contribute to abnormal metabolism in the sealed area, a consequence of late-onset CBS.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Cytokines; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Lens Diseases; Lens Capsule, Crystalline; Cataract Extraction; Phacoemulsification; Eye Injuries; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38308223
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03320-0 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jan 2024Fibronectin (FN) and collagen are vital components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These proteins are essential for tissue formation and cell alignment during the...
Fibronectin (FN) and collagen are vital components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These proteins are essential for tissue formation and cell alignment during the wound healing stage. In particular, FN interacts with collagens to activate various intracellular signaling pathways to maintain ECM stability. A novel recombinant extra domain-B fibronectin (EDB-FN)-COL3A1 fusion protein (rhFEB) was designed to mimic the ECM to promote chronic and refractory skin ulcer wound healing. rhFEB significantly enhanced cell adhesion and migration, vascular ring formation, and the production of new collagen I (COL1A1) in vitro. rhFEB decreased M1 macrophages and further modulated the wound microenvironment, which was confirmed by the treatment of db/db mice with rhFEB. Accelerated wound healing was shown during the initial stages in rhFEB-treated db/db mice, as was enhanced follicle regeneration, re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, granulation, inflammation, and angiogenesis. The wound chronicity of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) remains the main challenge in current and future treatment. rhFEB may be a candidate molecule for regulating M1 macrophages during DFU healing. KEY POINTS: • A recombinant protein EDB-FN-collagen III (rhFEB) was highly expressed in Escherichia coli • rhFEB protein induces COL1A1 secretion in human skin fibroblasts • rhFEB protein accelerates diabetic wound healing.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Fibronectins; Skin; Wound Healing; Extracellular Matrix; Escherichia coli; Collagen
PubMed: 38285241
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13021-9 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jan 2024Cardiac blood cyst is a very rare benign tumor of the heart in adults. Though it is very common in the first half year of life, it regresses with time and its occurrence... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Cardiac blood cyst is a very rare benign tumor of the heart in adults. Though it is very common in the first half year of life, it regresses with time and its occurrence is very rare in children older than six months and in adults. Until now less than 100 valvular blood cyst cases have been reported in adults.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a case of a 66-year-old male who presented to us with exertional chest tightness, shortness of breath, and right leg weakness for two weeks. He was diagnosed with a cardiac mass two months ago in another hospital. The physical examination was unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasound showed a cyst in the liver and left kidney. Echocardiography showed a mass-occupying lesion of a cystic nature in the mitral valve with moderate mitral regurgitation. Based on echocardiography findings and computed tomography report, the preliminary diagnosis of mitral valve cystic tumor was made. The patient underwent minimally invasive resection of the cyst. The posterior mitral cusp was repaired and a mitral annuloplasty ring was placed. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. The histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of a cardiac blood cyst. The patient was followed up for six months without any complications. This case is presented to enrich the medical literature on the cardiac blood cyst.
CONCLUSION
Although a cardiac blood cyst is a rare entity in adults, it still should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cardiac tumors. Because the natural history and hemodynamic effects are very diverse, large symptomatic cardiac blood cysts, especially in the left heart should be resected to avoid complications.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Male; Cysts; Echocardiography; Mitral Valve; Mitral Valve Annuloplasty; Mitral Valve Insufficiency
PubMed: 38281941
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02493-5 -
Biomolecules Dec 2023Vascular calcification (VC) is an age-related complication characterised by calcium-phosphate deposition in the arterial wall driven by the osteogenic transformation of...
Vascular calcification (VC) is an age-related complication characterised by calcium-phosphate deposition in the arterial wall driven by the osteogenic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The JAK-STAT pathway is an emerging target in inflammation. Considering the relationship between VC and inflammation, we investigated the role of JAK-STAT signalling during VSMC calcification. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were cultured in high-inorganic phosphate (Pi) medium for up to 7 days; calcium deposition was determined via Alizarin staining and colorimetric assay. Inflammatory factor secretion was evaluated via ELISA and JAK-STAT members' activation using Western blot or immunohistochemistry on HASMCs or calcified aortas of Vitamin D-treated C57BL6/J mice, respectively. The JAK-STAT pathway was blocked by JAK Inhibitor I and Von Kossa staining was used for calcium deposits in murine aortic rings. During Pi-induced calcification, HASMCs released IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 and activated JAK1-JAK3 proteins and STAT1. Phospho-STAT1 was detected in murine calcified aortas. Blocking of the JAK-STAT cascade reduced HASMC proliferation and pro-inflammatory factor expression and release while increasing calcium deposition and osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2 expression. Consistently, JAK-STAT pathway inhibition exacerbates mouse aortic ring calcification ex vivo. Intriguingly, our results suggest an alternative link between VSMC inflammation and VC.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Calcium; Janus Kinases; STAT Transcription Factors; Signal Transduction; Vascular Calcification; Inflammation
PubMed: 38254629
DOI: 10.3390/biom14010029 -
Cureus Dec 2023Even though cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the gold standard for evaluating the aortic arch in the context of vascular rings in children,... (Review)
Review
Even though cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the gold standard for evaluating the aortic arch in the context of vascular rings in children, echocardiography is usually the first-line modality. The echocardiographic evaluation of the aortic arch in the context of vascular rings in children has received little attention. This article details the step-by-step echocardiographic assessment of the aortic arch in vascular ring patients.
PubMed: 38249193
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50899 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by impaired oxygen (O) homeostasis, including O sensing, uptake, transport/delivery, and consumption. Red blood...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by impaired oxygen (O) homeostasis, including O sensing, uptake, transport/delivery, and consumption. Red blood cells (RBCs) are central to maintaining O homeostasis and undergo direct exposure to coronavirus . We thus hypothesized that COVID-19 alters RBC properties relevant to O homeostasis, including the hematological profile, Hb O transport characteristics, rheology, and the hypoxic vasodilatory (HVD) reflex. RBCs from 18 hospitalized COVID-19 subjects and 20 healthy controls were analyzed as follows: (i) clinical hematological parameters (complete blood count; hematology analyzer); (ii) O dissociation curves (p50, Hill number, and Bohr plot; Hemox-Analyzer); (iii) rheological properties (osmotic fragility, deformability, and aggregation; laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORRCA) ektacytometry); and (iv) vasoactivity (the RBC HVD; vascular ring bioassay). Compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls, COVID-19 subjects demonstrated 1) significant hematological differences (increased WBC count-with a higher percentage of neutrophils); RBC distribution width (RDW); and reduced hematocrit (HCT), Hb concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); 2) impaired O-carrying capacity and O capacitance (resulting from anemia) without difference in p50 or Hb-O cooperativity; 3) compromised regulation of RBC volume (altered osmotic fragility); 4) reduced RBC deformability; 5) accelerated RBC aggregation kinetics; and (6) no change in the RBC HVD reflex. When considered collectively, homeostatic compensation for these RBC impairments requires that the cardiac output in the COVID cohort would need to increase by ∼135% to maintain O delivery similar to that in the control cohort. Additionally, the COVID-19 disease RBC properties were found to be exaggerated in blood-type O hospitalized COVID-19 subjects compared to blood-type A. These data indicate that altered RBC features in hospitalized COVID-19 subjects burden the cardiovascular system to maintain O delivery homeostasis, which appears exaggerated by blood type (more pronounced with blood-type O) and likely plays a role in disease pathogenesis.
PubMed: 38235386
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1320697