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Vincenzo Quagliariello,1,* Raffaele Vecchione,2,* Alberta De Capua,2 Elena Lagreca,2 Rosario Vincenzo Iaffaioli,3 Gerardo Botti,4 Paolo A Netti,2 Nicola Maurea1 1Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italia; 2Center for Advanced Biomaterial for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, Naples, Italy; 3Multidisciplinary Studies in Oncology and Mediterranean Diet, Piazza Nicola Amore, Naples, Italy; 4Scientific Direction, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Vincenzo QuagliarielloDivision of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, ItaliaTel +390815903349Email quagliariello.enzo@gmail.comIntroduction: CoenzymeQ10 (CoQ10) is a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with cardioprotective properties. However, clinical trials based on its oral administration have failed to provide significant effect on cardiac functionality. The main limitation of CoQ10 is based on its very low oral bioavailability and instability that limit dramatically its effects as a cardioprotective agent. Herein, we loaded CoQ10 in high bioavailable nano-emulsions (NEs) coated with chitosan or chitosan and hyaluronic acid in order to improve its performance.Methods: We tested cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects of CoQ10-loaded nano-carriers against Doxorubicin and Trastuzumab toxicities in cardiomyocytes and liver cells through analysis of cell viability, lipid peroxidation, expression of leukotrienes, p65/NF-kB and pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in anticancer-induced cardio and hepatotoxicity.Results: Nano-carriers showed high stability and loading ability and increased cell viability both in hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes during anticancer treatments. We observed that these effects are mediated by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reduction of the inflammation. CoQ10-loaded nano-emulsions showed also strong anti-inflammatory effects reducing leukotriene B4 and p65/NF-κB expression and Interleukin 1β and 6 production during anticancer treatments.Discussion: Anthracyclines and Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) inhibitors have shown significant anticancer effects in clinical practice but their use is characterized by cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Nano-carriers loaded with CoQ10 showed cardio and hepatoprotective properties mediated by reduction of oxidative damages and pro-inflammatory mediators. These results set the stage for preclinical studies of cardio and hepatoprotection in HER2+ breast cancer-bearing mice treated with Doxorubicin and Trastuzumab.Keywords: cardio-oncology, nano-medicine, Coenzyme Q10, doxorubicin, trastuzumab, inflammation

Mindfulness-based stress reduction, a complementary and alternative therapy, is able to decrease cancer-related fatigue, and stress and to improve the quality of life in cancer patients. Some studies evaluated if mindfulness-based stress reduction could improve some cardiometabolic and cancer risk factors, including systemic chemokines, growth factors, and pro-inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, Interleukin-1). In this narrative review, we highlight the pleiotropic beneficial effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction and its clinical impact on cardiovascular and cancer risk factors among patients with cancer in different stages. Moreover, improvements in the overall quality of life, sleep quality, and immune functions [changes in plasma levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (INF-γ), and interleukin-10 (IL-10)] will also be discussed. Albeit few clinical studies available in the literature, evidenced the beneficial effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the immune and cardiometabolic profile in cancer patients, providing important insights into the closest collaboration between psycho-oncologists, oncologists, and cardiologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish the importance of the macrofauna as food for young fish species that inhabit the infralittoral adjacent to the lower marsh. The sampling site is located at Arrozal, Cananéia lagoon estuarine region (25º02'S and 47º56'W) and the collectings were realized monthly, during a year. The results suggest that the studied area could be considered as a nursery ground for young fish species. The local macrofauna is composed mainly by several groups of crustaceans and has a marked temporal variation. Mysids were dominant in Spring, copepods in Summer, mysids and bivalves were co-dominants in the Autumn and amphipods in Winter. Mysids, copepods, ostracods, tan aids and other epifaunal crustaceans were more consumed than other items. According to the trophic habits, the twelve fish species could be divided into three groups: the first and the third as mysids and copepods eaters respectively, and the second group with a balanced diet reflecting more than the other groups the seasonal variation of the macrofauna collected by the dredge. Benthonic and benthopelagic organisms were considered the major food source, being consumed by 75% of the analysed fish species, in Cananéia infralittoral.O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a importância da macrofauna do infralitoral, adjacente a marisma do Arrozal, região de Cananéia, na dieta alimentar de doze espécies de peixes jovens. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a região pode ser considerada um berçário para muitas espécies de peixes. A macrofauna local é composta principalmente de crustáceos e apresenta uma acentuada variação temporal. Misidáceos foram dominantes na primavera, copépodes no verão, misidáceos e bivalves foram co-dominantes no outono e anfípodes no inverno. Misidáceos, copépodes, ostrácodes, tanaidáceos e outros crustáceos epifaunais foram mais consumidos pelos peixes macropredadores que outros itens. Os peixes capturados foram divididos em três grupos, de acordo com os hábitos tróficos: comedores de misidáceos, comedores de copépodes e "generalistas" que refletiu a variação sazonal da macrofauna. Setenta e cinco por cento das espécies de peixes predadores alimentaram-se de organismos bentônicos e bentopelágicos e vinte e cinco por cento de organismos pelágicos. Assim, no infralitoral de Cananéia - Arrozal os organismos bentônicos e bentopelágicos constituem a principal fonte alimentar de peixes jovens.

Cytokines in cardiac tissue plays a key role in progression of cardiometabolic diseases and cardiotoxicity induced by several anticancer drugs. Interleukin-1β is one on the most studied regulator of cancer progression, survival and resistance to anticancer treatments. Recent findings indicate that interleukin1-β exacerbates myocardial damages in cancer patients treated with chemotherapies and immune check-point inhibitors. Interleukin1-β blocking agent canakinumab reduces major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death in recent cardiovascular trials. We focalized on the main biological functions of interleukin1-β in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, summarizing the main clinical evidence available to date in literature. Especially in the era of SARS-CoV-2 infection, associated to coagulopathies, myocarditis and heart failure, cancer patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications compared to general population, therefore, the pharmacological inhibition of interleukin1-β should be discussed and considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to confirm the expression of the endocannabinoid system in the human epithelial ovarian tumors, assessing the immunohistochemical expression of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 and Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase in benign, borderline and malignant tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 and Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase immunohistochemical expression was determined in 118 epithelial ovarian tumors sequentially treated during the last decade in our department: 36 benign, 34 borderline and 48 malignant neoplasms. Cannabinoid Receptor type 1 and Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase expression resulted predominantly weak-moderate in the benign and borderline forms. RESULTS: concerning malignant tumors, Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 expression resulted predominantly moderate-strong in Type I tumors and negative-weak in Type II tumors. Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase expression resulted, instead, independent by the tumor types. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 and Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase expression relatively to the tumoral stages. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed a variable expression of the endocannabinoid system in human ovarian tumors. Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 expression was significantly different in malignant epithelial ovarian tumors according to dualistic model of ovarian carcinogenesis. Thus, in the most aggressive types II ovarian tumors, Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 expression resulted predominantly negative or weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) advise cancer survivors to follow their lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention. Recent research indicates that a proper diet could exerts beneficial metabolic and immune effects in humans through the involvement of several, not yet properly known, metabolic pathways. Here, we argue that following WCRF/AICR recommendations could be a strategy to prevent cardiovascular outcomes [fulminant myocarditis, heart failure, venous thromboembolism (VTE)] and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients during follow-up post COVID-19 infection. We discuss the metabolic effects of a WCRF/AICR based diet, highlighting on the involved cardio-metabolic pathways related on NLRP3 inflammasome-cytokines axis aimed to improve prognosis of COVID-19, especially in patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome has recently become an intriguing target of several chronic and viral diseases. Here, we argue that targeting NLRP3 inflammasome could be a strategy to prevent cardiovascular outcomes [fulminant myocarditis, heart failure, venous thoromboembolism (VTE)] and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with SARSCoV- 2 infection. We discuss the rational for NLRP3 targeting in clinical trials as an effective therapeutic strategy aimed to improve prognosis of COVID-19, analyzing the potential of two therapeutic options (tranilast and OLT1177) currently available in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static life tables were used to establish demographic parameters such as size-class structure, abundance trends, sex ratio, net reproductive rate, generation time, and per capita rate of population growth for a population of the amphipod Parahyale hawaiensis (Dana, 1853) (Hyalidae) from the intertidal belt of a red alga Bryocladia trysigera (J. Agardh) F. Schmitz in southeastern Brazil. Collections were taken monthly from December 2012 to November 2013. There were two reproductive peaks, a higher one, May to July, and a second throughout the warmer months, October to January. The continuous reproduction results in the overlapping of generations. A sex ratio biased in favor of females was recorded in all sampling dates, a common pattern in epifaunal species. The estimated net reproductive rate was 1.45 ± 1.01 young per female, the generation time 3.51 ± 1.31 months, and the population growth rate 0.06 ± 0.17 per capita per month. The logistic growth model indicates that an initial population of 10 individuals would reach the carrying capacity for the species in a natural environment in 35 to 40 generations time, a period equivalent to 130 to 150 months. As a result of extinction model application, no possibility of extinction was predicted for the local population. The estimated parameters can be used as endpoints in ecotoxicological tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunitinib is a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor widely used in clear cell renal carcinoma and in imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Sunitinib-associated cardiotoxicity has been recognized and includes hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure; nevertheless, few data exist in the literature regarding the role of preeclampsia-related angiogenic factors in sunitinib cardiotoxicity. We report a case of sunitinib-induced severe left ventricular dysfunction that occurred in a hypertensive woman with metastatic renal carcinoma and a history of preeclampsia, and a case of sunitinib-induced preeclampsia-like syndrome in a normotensive patient with an imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Our experience confirms that inhibition of angiogenic factors to treat cancer is a novel challenge for the oncologist and requires the cardiologist's support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy improves survival of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive women with early breast cancer (EBC). A careful monitoring of cardiac function is needed due to potential trastuzumab cardiotoxicity (Tcardiotox). To date, the incidence, timing, and phenotype of patients with Tcardiotox in clinical practice are not well known. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 499 consecutive HER2-positive women (mean age 55 ± 11 years) with EBC treated with trastuzumab between January 2008 and June 2009 at 10 Italian institutions were followed for 1 year. We evaluated incidence, time of occurrence, and clinical features associated with Tcardiotox. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was evaluated by echocardiography at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months during trastuzumab therapy. Tcardiotox was recognized in 133 patients (27%): 102 (20%) showed asymptomatic reduction in LVEF of >10% but <=20% (grade 1 Tcardiotox); 15 (3%) had asymptomatic decline of LVEF of >20% or <50% (grade 2); and 16 (3%) had symptomatic heart failure (grade 3). Trastuzumab was discontinued due to cardiotoxicity in 24 patients (5%) and restarted in 13 after LVEF recovery. Forty-one percent of Tcardiotox cases occurred within the first 3 months of follow-up, most prevalently in older patients with higher creatinine levels and in patients pretreated with doxorubicin and radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice ,Tcardiotox is frequent in HER2-positive women with EBC and occurs in the first 3 months of therapy. Cardiac dysfunction is mild and asymptomatic in the majority of patients. The interruption of treatment is a rare event which occurs, however, in a significantly higher percentage than reported in randomized clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe a case of spontaneous angina during catheterization in a patient with left anterior descending and circumflex stenosis promptly relieved by diltiazem, 10 mg, given in the left ventricle. Coronary and systemic haemodynamics measured during and at the end of angina demonstrated an increase in blood flow to the ischaemic myocardium as the mechanism responsible for the diltiazem-induced angina relief. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction. Skin reactions and cardiotoxicity are one of the most common side effects of doxorubicin in cancer patients. The main mechanisms based on the etiopathogenesis of these reactions are mediated by the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, metalloproteases, and the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis. Ozone therapy demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in several preclinical and clinical studies. The aim of this research is based on the evaluation of cardioprotective and dermatoprotective effects of ozone during incubation with doxorubicin, giving preliminary evidences for further studies in the field of cardio-oncology. Methods. Human skin fibroblast cells and human fetal cardiomyocytes were exposed to doxorubicin at subclinical concentration (100 nM) alone or combined with ozone concentrated from 10 up to 50 μg/mL. Cell viability and multiple anti-inflammatory studies were performed in both cell lines, with particular attention on the quantification of interleukins, leukotriene B4, NF-κB, and Nrf2 expressions during treatments. Results. Ozone decreased significantly the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in skin fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes after 24 h of incubation. The best cytoprotective effect of ozone was reached to 30 μg/mL with a plateau phase at higher concentration. Ozone also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects decreasing significantly the interleukins and proinflammatory mediators in both cells. Conclusion. Ozone exerts cardioprotective and dermatoprotective effects during incubation with doxorubicin, and the involved mechanisms are mediated by its anti-inflammatory effects. The overall picture described herein is a pilot study for preclinical studies in oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]