Mouse models are increasingly employed in the comprehension of cardiovascular disease. Wave Intensity Analysis (WIA) can provide information about the interaction between the vascular and the cardiac system. We investigate age-associated changes in …

To establish an animal model of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) that would replicate the pathological process of ACLF in humans, rats were administered porcine serum (PS) for 11 weeks. Liver fibrosis was determined by pathological and biochemical …

Sympathetic stimulation modulates L-type calcium channel (LTCC) gating to contribute to increased systolic heart function. Rad is a monomeric G-protein that interacts with LTCC. Genetic deletion of Rad (Rad−/−) renders LTCC in a sympathomimetic state. The …

Although urgently needed in clinical practice, a cardioprotective therapeutic approach against myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion injury remains to be established. Remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) and ischemic preconditioning (IPC) represent promising …

Background The aging heart is characterized by cellular and molecular changes leading to a decline in physiologic function and cardiac remodeling, specifically the development of myocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 …

Rationale: Phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) is a dual substrate esterase, which has the unique property to be stimulated by cGMP, but primarily hydrolyses cAMP. Myocardial PDE2 is upregulated in human heart failure (HF), but its role in the heart is unknown. …

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disease caused by defective prelamin A processing, leading to nu- clear lamina alterations, severe cardiovascular pathology, and pre- mature death. Prelamin A alterations also occur in …

Congestive heart failure is one of the leading causes of disability in long-term survivors of cancer. The anthracycline antibiotic doxo- rubicin (DOX) is used to treat a variety of cancers, but its utility is limited by its cumulative cardiotoxicity. As …

BACKGROUND The underlying molecular aetiology of congenital heart defects is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic basis of non-syndromic severe congenital valve malformations in two unrelated families. METHODS Whole-exome …

Background, Motivation and Objective Bolus & burst (B&B) is a method for quantitative ultrasound perfusion analysis combining bolus tracking and burst replenishment. Estimation of perfusion parameters is based on blind deconvolution where the measured …