Search

In vitro and in vivo stimulation and recording of neuron action potential is currently achieved with microelectrode arrays, either in planar or 3D geometries, adopting different materials and strategies. IrO 2 is a conductive oxide known for its excellent biocompatibility, good adhesion on different substrates, and charge injection capabilities higher than noble metals. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) allows excellent conformal growth, which can be exploited on 3D nanoelectrode arrays. In this work, we disclose the growth of nanocrystalline rutile IrO 2 at T = 150 °C adopting a new plasma-assisted ALD (PA-ALD) process. The morphological, structural, physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of the IrO 2 thin films are reported. To the best of our knowledge, the electrochemical characterization of the electrode/electrolyte interface in terms of charge injection capacity, charge storage capacity, and double-layer capacitance for IrO 2 grown by PA-ALD was not reported yet. IrO 2 grown on PtSi reveals a double-layer capacitance ( C dl ) above 300 µF∙cm -2 , and a charge injection capacity of 0.22 ± 0.01 mC∙cm -2 for an electrode of 1.0 cm 2 , confirming IrO 2 grown by PA-ALD as an excellent material for neuroelectronic applications.

Pure sulfide kesterite (Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 ) is one of the most promising emerging photovoltaic technologies thanks to its excellent absorption coefficient, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. However, record efficiencies are not exceeding 11% due to several issues, such as absorber defects or a nonoptimal band alignment with the toxic but conventionally used CdS buffer layer. To get rid of it, several efforts have been made in the past few years. Among recent theoretical works, TiO 2 has been suggested as a suitable buffer layer due to its optical and electrical properties, giving extremely promising results in device simulation. However, there are few experimental examples combining TiO 2 with kesterite, and they generally show very modest performances. In this Letter, we report on the preliminary and promising results of our experimental procedure for the production of Cd-free kesterite photovoltaic devices featuring ALD-TiO 2 as a buffer layer, leading to efficiencies comparable with our CZTS/CdS reference devices., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 American Chemical Society.)

Background: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) located in eloquent areas are associated with a significant risk of neurologic deterioration. Awake surgery applied to intracranial AVMs could better identify eloquent areas, but its feasibility and application are controversial and limited to small case series., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a group of 59 brain AVMs located in eloquent areas surgically treated with asleep craniotomy and compared it with a combined group of patients treated with awake craniotomy. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: patients who underwent asleep surgery and patients who underwent awake surgery. With this study, we aimed to perform a complete analysis of surgical risks and outcomes for this subgroup of patients in order to provide a basis for a future prospective study., Results: We compared the asleep group of 25 patients and the awake group of 34 patients. No statistically significant differences were identified regarding the risk of postoperative complications, surgical radicality, presence of residual, and need for adjuvant treatment (P = 1.00). The improvement in Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was more rapid and effective during follow-up in patients treated with awake surgery compared with asleep surgery (KPS at day 30 >70%-80% versus 87.2%, P = 0.01 and at 1year KPS >70%-80% vs. 96.9%, P = 0.02)., Conclusions: In contrast to what is commonly believed, applying awake surgery to this lesion does not involve increased intraoperative risks. Still, it seems to determine a significant improvement in the outcome of patients from postoperative day 30 onwards., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction often cannot tolerate target doses of guideline-directed medical therapy due to symptomatic hypotension, renal dysfunction, and associated electrolyte abnormalities. While levosimendan can facilitate the titration of β-blockers in patients with advanced HFrEF, it is unclear whether ambulatory levosimendan infusions would offer the same benefit. In this prospective study, we investigate the effects of intermittent ambulatory levosimendan infusions on the uptitration of disease-modifying drugs. Methods: We enrolled 37 patients with advanced HFrEF who received repeated ambulatory infusions of levosimendan between January 2018 and January 2021. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were acquired 24 h before the first and the last ambulatory levosimendan infusion. Results: At the 1 year follow-up, the enrolled patients were on significantly higher doses of guideline-directed medical therapy, including bisoprolol (3.2 ± 2.8 mg vs. 5.9 ± 4.1 mg; p = 0.02), sacubitril/valsartan (41.67 ± 32.48 mg vs. 68.5 ± 35.72 mg; p = 0.01), and eplerenone (12.7 ± 8.5 mg vs. 22.8 ± 13.6 mg; p = 0.03). Furthermore, a substantial decrease in the furosemide dose was observed (123.2 ± 32.48 mg vs. 81.6 ± 19.47 mg; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Levosimendan facilitates the optimization of disease-modifying heart failure medications in previously intolerant advanced HFrEF patients.

The development of efficient and stable earth-abundant water oxidation catalysts is vital for economically feasible water-splitting systems. Cobalt phosphate (CoPi)-based catalysts belong to the relevant class of nonprecious electrocatalysts studied for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, an in-depth investigation of the electrochemical activation of CoPi-based electrocatalysts by cyclic voltammetry (CV) is presented. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is adopted because it enables the synthesis of CoPi films with cobalt-to-phosphorous ratios between 1.4 and 1.9. It is shown that the pristine chemical composition of the CoPi film strongly influences its OER activity in the early stages of the activation process as well as after prolonged exposure to the electrolyte. The best performing CoPi catalyst, displaying a current density of 3.9 mA cm -2 at 1.8 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode and a Tafel slope of 155 mV/dec at pH 8.0, is selected for an in-depth study of the evolution of its electrochemical properties, chemical composition, and electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) during the activation process. Upon the increase of the number of CV cycles, the OER performance increases, in parallel with the development of a noncatalytic wave in the CV scan, which points out to the reversible oxidation of Co 2+ species to Co 3+ species. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering measurements indicate that phosphorous progressively leaches out the CoPi film bulk upon prolonged exposure to the electrolyte. In parallel, the ECSA of the films increases by up to a factor of 40, depending on the initial stoichiometry. The ECSA of the activated CoPi films shows a universal linear correlation with the OER activity for the whole range of CoPi chemical composition. It can be concluded that the adoption of ALD in CoPi-based electrocatalysis enables, next to the well-established control over film growth and properties, to disclose the mechanisms behind the CoPi electrocatalyst activation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Environment perception is crucial for the safe navigation of vehicles and robots to detect obstacles in their surroundings. It is also of paramount interest for navigation of human beings in reduced visibility conditions. Obstacle avoidance systems typically combine multiple sensing technologies (i.e., LiDAR, radar, ultrasound and visual) to detect various types of obstacles under different lighting and weather conditions, with the drawbacks of a given technology being offset by others. These systems require powerful computational capability to fuse the mass of data, which limits their use to high-end vehicles and robots. INSPEX delivers a low-power, small-size and lightweight environment perception system that is compatible with portable and/or wearable applications. This requires miniaturizing and optimizing existing range sensors of different technologies to meet the user's requirements in terms of obstacle detection capabilities. These sensors consist of a LiDAR, a time-of-flight sensor, an ultrasound and an ultra-wideband radar with measurement ranges respectively of 10 m, 4 m, 2 m and 10 m. Integration of a data fusion technique is also required to build a model of the user's surroundings and provide feedback about the localization of harmful obstacles. As primary demonstrator, the INSPEX device will be fixed on a white cane.

Background: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) may led to both a transient and a persistent serum creatinine (sCr) increase., Objectives: To assess whether serum cystatin C (sCyC) and urine and serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL, sNGAL) are useful in the early identification of persistent sCr increase following CI-AKI., Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients who developed CI-AKI were included into the study. Persistent sCr elevation was defined as a persistent increase ≥0.3 mg dL -1 at 1 month after contrast media (CM) administration., Results: sCr levels recovered in 87 patients (74%; Transient group), whereas a persistent elevation of sCr was observed in the remaining 31 patients (26%; Persistent group). By multivariable logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of persistent sCr increase were insulin therapy, uNGAL at 48 hr and absolute sCr difference between 48 and 72 hr. On the contrary, sCyC assessment did not help in the early identification of this subset of patients. By receiver operating curve analysis, the best cutoff values for predicting persistent sCr increase were uNGAL ≥0.50 ng dL -1 at 48 hr, and the absolute sCr increase ≥0.20 mg dL -1 between 48 and 72 hr., Conclusions: uNGAL ≥0.50 ng dL -1 at 48 hr and absolute sCr increase ≥0.20 mg dL -1 between 48 and 72 hr but not sCyC are useful in the early identification of patients developing persistent sCr increase after CM administration., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/4192657.].

Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of the Axxess™ biolimus-eluting stent with the second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) in the treatment of bifurcation lesions., Background: The Axxess™ is a dedicated bifurcation stent, designed to cover the lesion at the carina level., Methods: Between April 2012 and August 2014, 165 patients with de novo bifurcation lesions were treated with the Axxess™ stent (Axxess group). A propensity-score matched group of 165 patients treated with DES in the same period was selected (Control group). The primary objectives were (1) the procedural complication rate, including side branch (SB) occlusion and trouble in SB access after main vessel stenting; and (2) the device, the angiographic, and the procedural success rate., Results: Procedural complications occurred in 1 patient (0.6%) in the Axxess group and in 20 patients (12%) in the Control group (OR = 0.03; 95% confidence interval 0.005-0.27; P < 0.001). Device success was obtained in 164 (99.5%) patients in the Axxess group and in all in the Control group (P = 1.00). Angiographic success was obtained in all patients. Inaccurate Axxess™ stent position occurred in 21 (13%) patients, and was more often associated with moderate-to-severe calcifications and distal lesion site. Procedural success was obtained in 91.5% patients in the Axxess group and in 90% patients in the Control group (P = 0.72)., Conclusions: The present registry suggests that the Axxess™ stent (1) may represent a valid alternative approach for the treatment of bifurcation lesions and (2) should be avoided in moderate-to-severe calcifications and/or in distal lesions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: Stent delivery failure may occur especially when treating complex coronary artery stenosis. XLIMUS (CARDIONOVUM GmbH, Bonn, Germany) is a new sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) with the following features: 1) cobalt chromium stent platform, with low (73 μm) strut thickness, (2) biodegradable polymer, and 3) potent antiproliferative drug (Sirolimus). Preliminary data suggest that XLIMUS SES may be ideal for the treatment of complex lesions., Methods: In this registry, we assessed the deliverability, safety, and efficacy of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) using the XLIMUS SES in patients undergoing elective PCI in native coronary vessels for complex de novo lesions, including severe calcification, severe tortuosity, and chronic total occlusion. The primary objective of the study is the delivery success of the XLIMUS SES. The secondary objective is the 1-year rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE; including all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization)., Results: A total of 200 consecutive patients with 255 lesions were included. Delivery success was obtained in 196 (98%) patients and in 251 (98.4%) lesions. The XLIMUS SES was successfully implanted on the first attempt with a single guidewire in 176 (88%) patients and in 208 (81.6%) lesions. Additional techniques to facilitate stent delivery (i.e., buddy wire, anchoring-balloon, or GuideLiner catheter) were necessary in 47 (18.4%) lesions. Failure in XLIMUS SES implantation occurred in 4 (1.6%) lesions. MACE rate at 1 year was 9%., Conclusions: This registry supports the positive performance of the XLIMUS SES in the treatment of complex coronary artery lesions., (© 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Around 50% of the world's population, particularly in developing countries, uses biomass as one of the most common fuels. Biomass combustion releases a considerable amount of various incomplete combustion products, including particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The paper presents the results of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) measurements in six houses equipped with wood burning stoves or fireplaces as heating systems. The houses were monitored for 48-h periods in order to collect PM10 samples and measure PAH concentrations. The average, the maximum and the lowest values of the 12-h PM10 concentration were 68.6 μg/m³, 350.7 μg/m³ and 16.8 μg/m³ respectively. The average benzo[a]pyrene 12-h concentration was 9.4 ng/m³, while the maximum and the minimum values were 24.0 ng/m³ and 1.5 ng/m³, respectively. Continuous monitoring of PM10, PAHs, Ultra Fine Particle (UFP) and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) was performed in order to study the progress of pollution phenomena due to biomass burning, their trends and contributions to IAQ. The results show a great heterogeneity of impacts on IAQ in terms of magnitude and behavior of the considered pollutants' concentrations. This variability is determined by not only different combustion technologies or biomass quality, but overall by different ignition mode, feeding and flame management, which can also be different for the same house. Moreover, room dimensions and ventilation were significant factors for pollution dispersion. The increase of PM10, UFP and PAH concentrations, during lighting, was always detected and relevant. Continuous monitoring allowed singling out contributions of other domestic sources of considered pollutants such as cooking and cigarettes. Cooking contribution produced an impact on IAQ in same cases higher than that of the biomass heating system.

In this work, two procedures for fabrication of polymeric microneedles based on direct photolithography, without any etching or molding process, are reported. Polyethylene glycol (average molecular weight 250 Da), casted into a silicone vessel and exposed to ultraviolet light (365 nm) through a mask, cross-links when added by a commercial photocatalyzer. By changing the position of the microneedles support with respect to the vessel, different shapes and lengths can be achieved. Microneedles from a hundred microns up to two millimeters have been obtained just tuning the radiation dose, by changing the exposure time (5-15 s) and/or the power density (9-18 mW/cm²) during photolithography. Different microneedle shapes, such as cylindrical, conic or lancet-like, for specific applications such as micro-indentation or drug delivery, are demonstrated.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that abdominal obesity is closely associated with the development of cardiovascular (CV) disease, suggesting that it might be considered as an independent CV risk factor. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the association between these 2 clinical entities remain largely unknown. Adipocytes are considered able to produce and secrete chemical mediators known as "adipokines" that may exert several biological actions, including those on heart and vessels. Of interest, a different adipokine profile can be observed in the plasma of patients with obesity or metabolic syndrome compared with healthy controls. We consider the main adipokines, focusing on their effects on the vascular wall and analyzing their role in CV pathophysiology., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) is a nuclear protein physiologically involved in the maintaining of DNA structure in the nucleus. When tissue damage occurs, necrotic cells as well as inflammatory cells, once activated, release this protein in circulating blood, where it seems to exert a direct proinflammatory action. Thus, HMGB-1 might be involved in the pathophysiology of several diseases, including cardiovascular disease. However, the experimental evidence has not yet clarified its cardiovascular role which is still debated. Specifically, it is still not completely resolved whether HMGB-1 plays a protective or detrimental role on cardiovascular function. In this review, we consider the role of HMGB-1 in pathological conditions and comment on the role of this protein in the cardiovascular disease.

Rheb, an activator of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), displays low intrinsic GTPase activity favoring the biologically activated, GTP-bound state. We identified a Rheb mutation (Y35A) that increases its intrinsic nucleotide hydrolysis activity ∼10-fold, and solved structures of both its active and inactive forms, revealing an unexpected mechanism of GTP hydrolysis involving Asp65 in switch II and Thr38 in switch I. In the wild-type protein this noncanonical mechanism is markedly inhibited by Tyr35, which constrains the active site conformation, restricting the access of the catalytic Asp65 to the nucleotide-binding pocket. Rheb Y35A mimics the enthalpic and entropic changes associated with GTP hydrolysis elicited by the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) TSC2, and is insensitive to further TSC2 stimulation. Overexpression of Rheb Y35A impaired the regulation of mTORC1 signaling by growth factor availability. We demonstrate that the opposing functions of Tyr35 in the intrinsic and GAP-stimulated GTP catalysis are critical for optimal mTORC1 regulation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Adipocytes are nowadays recognized as cells able to produce and secrete a large variety of active substances with direct effects on vascular cells, known as adipokines. Visfatin is a recently identified adipokine not yet completely characterized for its pathophysiological role in cardiovascular disease. Increased levels of visfatin are measurable in the plasma of patients with coronary artery disease and specifically in those with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Several studies have indicated that Tissue Factor (TF) plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of ACS by triggering the formation of intracoronary thrombi following endothelial injury. This study investigates the effects of visfatin on TF in human coronary endothelial cells (HCAECs)., Methods: HCAECs were stimulated with visfatin in a concentration range usually measurable in plasma of patients with ACS and than processed to evaluate TF-mRNA levels as well as TF expression/activity. Finally, the role of NF-κB pathway was investigated., Results: We demonstrate that visfatin induces transcription of mRNA for TF by Real Time PCR. In addition, we show that this adipokine promotes surface expression of TF that is functionally active since we measured increased procoagulant activity. Visfatin effects on TF appear modulated by the activation of the transcription factor, NF-κB, since NF-κB inhibitors suppressed TF expression. Finally, we show that the nicotinamide phopsphoribosyltransferase enzymatic activity of visfatin seems to play a pivotal role in modulating the NF-κB driven regulation of TF., Discussion: Data of the present study, although in vitro, indicate that visfatin, at doses measurable in ACS patient plasma, induces a procoagulant phenotype in human coronary endothelial cells by promoting TF expression. These observations support the hypothesis that this adipokine might play a relevant role as an active partaker in athero-thrombotic disease., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Obesity, the most common nutritional disorder in Western countries, is usually associated to cardiovascular diseases. However, the precise molecular pathways underlying this close association remain poorly understood. Nowadays, the adipose tissue is considered as an endocrine organ able to produce substances called adipo(cyto)kines that have different effects on lipid metabolism, closely involved in metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk. The increased cardiovascular risk can be related also to peculiar dysfunction in the endocrine activity of adipose tissue observed in obesity responsible of vascular impairment (including endothelial dysfunction), prothrombotic tendency, and low-grade chronic inflammation. The present review aims at providing an up-dated overview on the adipocyte-derived molecules potentially involved in cardiovascular pathophysiology.

There is evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are related to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results from many studies support the hypothesis that ROS released from various sources or dysfunctional mitochondrial respiratory chain play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and its complications. This phenomenon is due to ROS-mediated signalling pathways that are involved in the modulation of several vascular mechanisms. Various animal models have demonstrated that ROS have a causal role in atherothrombosis and other vascular diseases. Oxidative stress is being proposed as the unifying mechanism for many CVD risk factors. In particular, ROS may be responsible for plaque rupture and subsequent thrombosis which lead to myocardial infarction and stroke. Many drugs or agents have been tested to prevent or block oxidation underlying atherothrombotic processes, often with discordant outcomes. We observed that pre-treatment with some antioxidants, such as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or N-acetylcysteine, as well as some vitamins with recognized antioxidant properties, namely ascorbic acid (vitamin C), all-trans Retinoic Acid (atRA) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) can suppress oxidative stress (OS)-induced Tissue Factor (TF) expression in human coronary artery endothelial cells. The present review, starting from our experimental observations, focuses on the influence of redox balance on atherothrombotic processes and on the effects of antioxidant treatment. A better understanding of the complex regulation of cellular redox balance could facilitate the development of newer antioxidants aimed at specific cellular targets. Research could also help assess the role of combination pharmacological intervention for the treatment and prevention of vascular disease.

Aims: Assessment of left and right systolic atrial reservoir function in asymptomatic mitral stenosis (MS) by strain and strain rate imaging (SRI) and their prognostic power at 3 year follow-up was the purpose of this study. There is clear indication to treat (by surgery or percutaneous valvotomy) symptomatic patients with MS, whereas for the asymptomatic ones, the question is much debated. So, we need new echocardiographic parameters helpful for the management of asymtomatic patients. Atrial reservoir function by SRI could help in evaluation of these patients., Methods and Results: Fifty-three asymptomatic patients with MS and 53 healthy controls were evaluated by the standard echo-Doppler study [mitral valve (MV) area, mean gradient, systolic pulmonary pressure, left atrial (LA) width, LA volumes, LA compliance index] and by Doppler myocardial imaging (velocity, strain, and SR of both atria). The endpoint at 3 year follow-up was symptoms, hospitalization for cardiac cause, atrial fibrillation, thrombo-embolic events, valvular surgery, or percutaneous commissurotomy. LA width, volumes, and systolic pulmonary pressure were significantly increased in MS patients (P < 0.001). Atrial myocardial velocities and deformation indices were significantly compromised in MS patients (P < 0.0001). Significant correlation was found between atrial myocardial velocity and MV area (by pressure half-time method: P = 0.019, R = 0.41; by planimetric method: P = 0.016, R = 0.43). Peak systolic LA myocardial strain and SR were significantly correlated with atrial volumes (strain: P = 0.03, R = -0.28; SR: P = 0.0008, R = -0.42), with atrial compliance index (strain: P = 0.04, R = 0.26; SR: P = 0.04, R = 0.16), with atrial ejection fraction (strain: P < 0.0001, R = 0.56; SR: P = 0.03, R = 0.43). At 3 year follow-up, 22 (41%) patients had events. Comparing the MS patients who had events during the 3 year follow-up with those who did not, the former had bigger LA volumes, although these parameters did not reached a significant value, whereas atrial myocardial systolic SR was significantly impaired in patients with events. In multivariate analysis, the best predictor of adverse events was LA peak systolic SR average (P = 0.04; coefficient: 0.113; SE: 0.055; cut-off value of 1.69 s(-1) for LA peak systolic SR average) with a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 80.6%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.852 (SE: 0.048; 95% CI: 0.74-0.93, P = 0.0001)., Conclusion: Atrial myocardial deformation properties, assessed by SRI, are abnormal in asymptomatic patients with rheumatic MS. The degree of this impairment is predictor of events in a 3 year follow-up. SRI could be helpful in decision-making of asymtomatic patients with MS.

Drug-eluting stents (DES) have become routine therapy in clinical practice because restenosis is significantly reduced in patients treated with these devices. New generations of DES bearing newer antiproliferative drugs have been developed. Sirolimus was the first antiproliferative drug eluted by a DES (SES) while zotarolimus represents a sirolimus-derived, newer antiproliferative drug borne by a different kind of DES (ZES). This report describes two cases of different vascular response to concurrent side by side implantation of SES and ZES in the same vessel and highlights significant early restenosis of ZES as compared with SES.

We report a case of an asymptomatic patient in whom a right atrial mass was fortuitously documented by echocardiography few months after a transcatheter radiofrequency catheter ablation for recurrent AF. No masses were seen in the cardiac chambers before the ablative procedure, raising important diagnostic and decision-making issues. The patient was referred to the surgeon and a diagnosis of right atrial myxoma was made.

Background: Obesity and cardiovascular disease are closely related. Leptin, an adipocyte-produced hormone, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Increased plasma levels of leptin are measurable in the plasma of obese individuals. However, the possible links between obesity and cardiovascular disease are not completely understood. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a predictor of future cardiovascular events and plays a role in atherothrombotic disease. Thus, we evaluated whether leptin might play a role in cardiovascular disease, investigating its effects on CRP production by human coronary artery endothelial cells in culture., Methods and Results: Leptin induced CRP mRNA transcription as demonstrated by semiquantitative and real-time polymerase chain reaction as well as the release of CRP in the culture medium in a concentration-dependent fashion. Leptin-induced production of CRP was mediated through the RhoA activation of protein kinase Cbeta since both protein kinase C and RhoA pathway inhibitors prevented these leptin effects. Lovastatin, a hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, by modulating the RhoA activation, significantly reduced leptin-induced CRP production., Conclusions: This study describes the close relationship between leptin and CRP, providing support to the view that this adipokine, besides being involved in the pathophysiology of obesity, might play a relevant role as an active partaker in obesity, inflammation and atherothrombosis., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The deleterious effects of cigarette smoke (CS) on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are well established. Both active and passive smoking represent a major health hazard for both men and women. The great concerns related to the deleterious effects of CS on cardiovascular disease have been translated into various kinds of social interventions and targeted health policies since ever. The high health impact of cigarette smoking has driven a huge number of researches at the epidemiological, clinical and biological level. Nevertheless, even though many progresses have been made in understanding the mechanisms underlying the high disease burden associated to cigarette smoke, the exact components and the mechanisms by means of which it exerts its effects remain to be completely clarified as yet. The present paper reviews the main observations on the pathophysiology of smoke-related cardiovascular diseases, providing an up-to-date perspective about one of the main cardiovascular killers of our days.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease often associated with extra-intestinal manifestations, such as dermatological disorders. Of these, the most frequent are erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum, the two neutrophilic forms of dermatosis. Another is Sweet' s syndrome, which results in a sudden eruption of tender, raised erythematous or violaceous plaques/papules or nodules, less frequent vesicles, pustules or bullae, involving face, neck, arms and trunk. This skin disorder is frequently observed in patients with leukaemia or connective tissue diseases, while it is very rare in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The present report deals with the case of a febrile diffuse skin eruption in a 53-year-old patient with moderately active ulcerative colitis after few days' treatment with steroids and azathioprine. At first, the dermatosis was addressed to an idiosyncrasy to azathioprine, which was, therefore, promptly discontinued. Histological examination of skin biopsies revealed the presence of features typical of a Sweet's syndrome. The eruption gradually improved as well as the patient's general condition, until complete regression was achieved following steroid treatment.