Karger AG, Basel”
“This review provides a summary of the protein and RNA biomarkers that have been studied for the diagnosis and assessment of ischemic stroke. Many of the biomarkers identified relate to the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, including ischemia of CNS tissue, acute thrombosis CRT0066101 concentration and inflammatory
response. These biomarkers are summarized by their intended clinical application in ischemic stroke including diagnosis, prediction of stroke severity and outcome, and stratification of patients for stroke therapy. Among the biomarkers discussed are recent whole genome studies using RNA expression profiles to diagnose ischemic stroke and stroke etiology. Though many candidate blood based biomarkers for ischemic stroke have been identified, none are currently used in clinical practice. With further well designed study and careful validation, the development of blood biomarkers to improve the care of patients with
ischemic stroke may be achieved.”
“Background/Aims: Pharmacological antihypertensive therapies decrease both wall hypertrophy and collagen, but are unable to diminish the elastic content in the thoracic aorta. We investigated the effects of exercise training on aortic structure and function. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive AS1842856 clinical trial rats (SHR) and normotensive rats (WKY), submitted to Paclitaxel solubility dmso low-intensity training (T) or kept sedentary (S), were subjected to haemodynamic analyses.
The thoracic aorta was processed for real-time PCR, light (morphometric/stereological evaluations) and electron microscopy. Results: SHR S versus WKY S exhibited a higher heart rate, pressure and pulse pressure, increased alpha-actin, elastin and collagen mRNA expression, augmented wall volume and cross-sectional area (marked elastin/collagen content). In the SHR, training reduced pressure and heart rate, with slight reduction in pulse pressure. SHR T aortas exhibited small morphometric changes, reduced alpha-actin, elastin and collagen mRNA expression, normalization of increased elastic content, reduction in collagen/connective tissue and a decrease in smooth muscle cell volume (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). SHR(T) aortas showed improved circumferential orientation of smooth muscle cells and prevention of rupture/duplication of internal elastic lamina. No effects were observed in trained WKY aortas. Conclusions: Training effectively corrects elastic, collagen and smooth muscle content in SHR aortas. These changes, by reducing aortic pulsatility, facilitate a buffering function and reduce the cardiovascular risk. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The prevalence of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is likely to increase as the population ages and cardiovascular disease survival improves.