Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press

Authors: Wei, Wenbo | Tang, Min | Wang, Qi | Li, Xiaoming

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common coronary artery disease. The functional mechanism of circular RNA (circRNA) HECT, C2 and WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (circ_HECW2, hsa_circ_0057583) in ox-LDL-treated human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs) is still unclear. METHODS: Expression levels of circ_HECW2, microRNA (miR)-942-5p, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Tube formation assay was performed to analyze the angiogenesis of cells. Luciferase reporter and …RNA pull-down assays were performed to analyze the target relationship among circ_HECW2, miR-942-5p and TLR4. RESULTS: Circ_HECW2 and TLR4 expression levels were up-regulated and miR-942-5p expression was decreased in the serum of CAD patients and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced hCMECs. Knockdown of circ_HECW2 enhanced cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis in ox-LDL-treated hCMECs. MiR-942-5p was the target of circ_HECW2 and directly targeted TLR4. Moreover, the effect of circ_HECW2 knockdown could be weakened by anti-miR-942-5p, and TLR4 could restore the function of miR-942-5p on cell damage of ox-LDL-induced hCMECs. CONCLUSION: Circ_HECW2 could regulate ox-LDL-induced cardiovascular endothelial cell dysfunction through targeting miR-942-5p/TLR4 axis. Show more

Keywords: Circ_HECW2, miR-942-5p, TLR4, coronary artery disease

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221550

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-14, 2022

Authors: Watson, Oliver | Zaldua, Jun-Cezar | Pillai, Suresh | Whitley, Janet | Howard, Matthew | Lawrence, Matthew | Hawkins, Karl | Morris, Keith | Evans, Phillip Adrian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A significant degree of mortality and morbidity in Covid-19 is through thromboembolic complications, only partially mitigated by anticoagulant therapy. Reliable markers of infection severity are not fully established. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether visco-elastic biomarkers predict disease severity on presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) and how they measure response to anticoagulation METHODS: Patients testing positive for Covid-19 at a large University Teaching Hospital ED were recruited at presentation. Multiple blood samples were taken throughout hospital admission to monitor disease progression with end outcome recorded. Visco-elastic markers, fractal dimension (d f ) and Time …to Gel Point (TGP) which measure the properties of the incipient clot were compared in patients with and without anticoagulation by Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH). RESULTS: TGP and d f did not predict severity of infection with Covid-19. Although LMWH prolonged TGP, there was no change in d f indicating LMWH did not change clot microstructure. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic efficacy of LMWH appears blunted in Covid-19 infection. This may be due to the inflammatory state creating a resistance to LMWH activity, which may explain why LMWH appears less effective in Covid-19 compared to other disease states. Covid-19 was not predicted by visco-elastic testing at the time of ED presentation. Show more

Keywords: Covid-19, coagulopathy, visco-elastic testing, anticoagulation, Heparin resistance

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221635

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2022

Authors: Chen, Min | Shi, Siren | Zhao, Jianyong | Pan, Qin | Huang, Changjun | Shen, Quanwei | Liu, Zhaohui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Propofol is an anesthetic agent and can impede the progression of human diseases. Circular RNA (circRNA) circ_0003645 has been identified to promote the development of atherosclerosis (AS). This study aimed at the functional mechanism of propofol and circ_0003645 in AS. METHODS: AS cell model was established by treatment of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cell viability or apoptosis detection was performed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. Circ_0003645, microRNA-149-3p (miR-149-3p) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 7 (TRAF7) levels were determined by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction …(qRT-PCR). Inflammatory cytokines were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein analysis was conducted by western blot. The interaction of miR-149-3p and circ_0003645 or TRAF7 was analyzed using dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. RESULTS: Treatment of ox-LDL inhibited cell viability and enhanced apoptosis in HUVECs to establish the AS cell model. Propofol protected against cell viability inhibition and apoptosis promotion in AS cell model. Circ_0003645 expression was downregulated by propofol in AS cell model. Propofol alleviated cell apoptosis and inflammation by decreasing the circ_0003645 level. Circ_0003645 targeted miR-149-3p, and circ_0003645/miR-149-3p axis was involved in the functional regulation of propofol. TRAF7 was the target of miR-149-3p. Inhibition of miR-149-3p affected the function of propofol by upregulating the TRAF7 expression. Circ_0003645 sponged miR-149-3p to induce the upregulation of TRAF7 following propofol treatment. CONCLUSION: It has been suggested that propofol acted as an inhibitor against the ox-LDL-induced cell injury by the circ_0003645/miR-149-3p/TRAF7 axis. Show more

Keywords: Propofol, atherosclerosis, circ_0003645, miR-149-3p, TRAF7

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221437

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-18, 2022

Authors: Chen, Kailing | Fan, Peili | Luo, Rongkui | Han, Hong | Mao, Feng | Wang, Kun | Dong, Yi | Wang, Wen-Ping

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) features of intrahepatic splenosis (IHS). METHODS & MATERIALS: Five patients (three males and two females, median age, 44 years; range,32–73 years) with seven IHSs were retrieved from the database of our hospital from March 2012 to October 2021. All IHSs were confirmed histologically by surgery. The CEUS and CEMRI characteristics of individual lesion were fully analyzed. RESULTS: All IHS patients were asymptomatic and four out of five patients had history of splenectomy. On CEUS, all IHSs were hyperenhancement in arterial phase. …71.4% (5/7) of IHSs manifested overall filling within few seconds, the other two lesions showed centripetal filling. Subcapsular vascular hyperenhancement and feeding artery was seen in 28.6% (2/7) and 42.9% (3/7) of IHSs, respectively. During portal venous phase, IHSs presented hyperenhancement (2/7) or isoenhancement (5/7). Moreover, rim-like hypoenhanced area was uniquely observed surrounding 85.7% (6/7) of IHSs. In late phase, seven IHSs remained continuous hyper- or isoenhancement. On CEMRI, five IHSs showed mosaic hyperintense in early arterial phase, the other two lesions showed homogeneous hyperintense. In portal venous phase, all IHSs revealed continuous hyper- (71.4%, 5/7) or iso-intense (28.6%, 2/7). During late phase, one IHS (14.3%, 1/7) became hypointense, the other lesions remained hyper- or isointense. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of IHS can be based on typical CEUS and CEMRI features in patients with history of splenectomy. Show more

Keywords: Intrahepatic splenosis, contrast enhanced ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221582

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2023

Authors: Laou, Eleni | Papagiannakis, Nikolaos | Sarchosi, Smaragdi | Kleisiaris, Konstantinos | Apostolopoulou, Aggeliki | Syngelou, Vasiliki | Kakagianni, Maria | Christopoulos, Agamemnon | Ntalarizou, Nicoleta | Chalkias, Athanasios

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dissociation between macrocirculation and microcirculation is often observed in surgical patients. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the analogue of mean circulatory filling pressure (Pmca) can monitor hemodynamic coherence during major non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: In this post-hoc analysis and proof-of-concept study, we used the central venous pressure (CVP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cardiac output (CO) to calculate Pmca. Efficiency of the heart (Eh), arterial resistance (Rart ), effective arterial elastance (Ea ), venous compartment resistance (Rven ), oxygen delivery (DO2 ), and oxygen extraction ratio (O2 ER) were also calculated. Sublingual microcirculation was …assessed using SDF + imaging, and the De Backer score, Consensus Proportion of Perfused Vessels (Consensus PPV), and Consensus PPV (small) were determined. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were included, with a median age of 66 years. Median Pmca was 16 (14.9–18) mmHg and was positively associated with CO [p  <  0.001; a 1 mmHg increase in Pmca increases CO by 0.73 L  min - 1 (p  <  0.001)], Eh (p  <  0.001), Rart (p  = 0.01), Ea (p  = 0.03), Rven (p  = 0.005), DO2 (p  = 0.03), and O2 ER (p  = 0.02). A significant correlation was observed between Pmca and Consensus PPV (p  = 0.02), but not with De Backer Score (p  = 0.34) or Consensus PPV (small) (p  = 0.1). CONCLUSION: Significant associations exist between Pmca and several hemodynamic and metabolic variables including Consensus PPV. Adequately powered studies should determine whether Pmca can provide real-time information on hemodynamic coherence. Show more

Keywords: Cardiovascular dynamics, monitoring, hemodynamics, microcirculation, perfusion, surgery

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221563

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-14, 2023

Authors: Rozanovic, Martin | Domokos, Kamilla | Márovics, Gergő | Rohonczi, Mirtill | Csontos, Csaba | Bogár, Lajos | Rendeki, Szilárd | Kiss, Tamás | Rozanovic, Melánia Nacira | Loibl, Csaba

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Severe COVID-19 disease is associated with multiple organ involvement,then failure and often fatal outcomes.In addition,inflammatory mechanisms and cytokine storms,documented in many COVID-19 patients,are responsible for the progression of the disease and high mortality rates.Inflammatory parameters,such as procalcitonin(PCT) and C-reactive protein(CRP), are widely used in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive power of non-conventional inflammatory markers regarding mortality risk. METHODS: In our prospective study 52 patients were followed for 5 days after admission to an intensive care unit immediately with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.We compared leukocyte-,platelet antisedimentation rate (LAR, PAR),neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR), CRP, PCT levels. …RESULTS: In non-surviving(NSU) patients LAR remained largely constant from D1 to D4 with a statistically significant drop(p  <  0.05) only seen on D5.The NSU group showed statistically significant(p  <  0.05) elevated LAR medians on D4 and D5, compared to the SU group.NLR values were continually higher in the non-survivor group.The difference between the SU and NSU groups were statistically significant on every examined day.PAR, CRP and PCT levels didn’t show any significant differences between the SU and NSU groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study suggests that LAR and NLR are especially worthy of further investigation as prognostic markers.LAR might be of particular relevance as it is not routinely obtained in current clinical practice.It would seem beneficial to include LAR in data sets to train prognostic artificial intelligence. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, infection, inflammatory response, leukocyte antisedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, procalcitonin

DOI: 10.3233/CH-231697

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2023

Authors: Heine, N. | Brebant, V. | Seitz, S. | Eigenberger, A. | Prantl, L. | Tessmann, V.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: Since the first use of silicone implants by Cronin in 1962, there have been several attempts to introduce alternative filling materials for breast implants on the market. A promising new development are lightweight implants, whose filler material is one third lighter than conventional silicone gel. While these implants have been used primarily for aesthetic augmentation, a benefit could be expected particularly in post-mastectomy reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Since 2019, 92 operations using lightweight implants have been performed at our clinic, 61 of them for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. These have been compared to 92 breast reconstructions using …conventional silicone implants. Results: The average volume of the lightweight implants was 30% higher than of the conventional implants (452 ml resp. 347 ml), whereas the implant weight was comparable in both groups (317 g resp. 347 g). Grade 3-4 capsular fibrosis was seen in 6 cases in both groups; revision was required 9 times (lightweight implants) and 7 times (conventional silicone implants) during the follow-up period. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the use of lightweight implants in breast reconstruction. With exception of the filler material, the implants used in the two groups were comparable in shape and surface. The inserted lightweight implants had a greater volume but nearly the same weight as the conventional implants and were used in patients with a higher body mass index. Thus, lightweight implants were preferred in patients whose reconstruction required a larger implant volume. Conclusion: Lightweight implants are a new alternative for breast reconstruction especially in case that larger implant volume is demanded. The increased complication rate has to be verified in further studies. Show more

Keywords: Breast cancer, breast reconstruction, lightweight implants

DOI: 10.3233/CH-239101

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-7, 2023

Authors: Koutsiaris, Aristotle G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In human and animal microvascular networks, the exchange microvessels are the capillaries and postcapillary venules where material transport between the circulating blood and tissue takes place. For small-size molecules, this material transport is done by the physical mechanism of diffusion through the endothelium wall and the diffusion rate J in relation to blood volume flow Q is described by the flow-diffusion (Q-J) equation. However, the volume flow is not easy to be measured in vivo . The objective of this work was to transform the classical flow-diffusion equation into a new form with axial velocity V as an independent variable …instead of volume flow Q. The new form was called the velocity-diffusion (V-J) equation and has the advantage that V can be measured directly in vivo by optical imaging techniques. The V-J equation could have important applications in the calculation of the mass diffusion rate of various substances in vivo . Show more

Keywords: Blood flow, in vivo, diffusion, mass rate, concentration, equation, velocity, exchange vessels, permeability, microvessels, capillaries, venules.

DOI: 10.3233/CH-231713

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-6, 2023

Authors: Zhou, Ziying | Hu, Qian | Guo, Hongmei | Wang, Xijia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been found to play an important role in the progression of many diseases, including ischemic stroke. However, the regulatory mechanism of circSEC11A in ischemic stroke progression need to further investigation. METHODS: Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) were stimulated by oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). CircSEC11A, SEC11A mRNA and miR (microRNA)-29a-3p were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). SEMA3A, BAX and BCL2 protein level was quantified by western blot. Oxidative stress, cell proliferation, angiogenesis and apoptosis abilities were gauged by oxidative stress assay kit, 5-Ethynyl-2’-Deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, tube formation assay and flow cytometry assays, …respectively. Direct relationship between miR-29a-3p and circSEC11A or SEMA3A was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP assay and RNA pull-down assay. RESULTS: CircSEC11A was upregulated in OGD-induced HBMECs. OGD promoted the oxidative stress and apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation and angiogenesis, while circSEC11A knockdown relieved the effects. CircSEC11A functioned as the sponge for miR-29a-3p, and miR-29a-3p inhibitor reversed the effects of si-circSEC11A on OGD-induced HBMECs oxidative injuries. Moreover, SEMA3A served as the target gene of miR-29a-3p. MiR-29a-3p inhibition ameliorated OGD-induced HBMECs oxidative injuries, while SEMA3A overexpression rescued the impacts of miR-29a-3p mimic. CONCLUSION: CircSEC11A promoted the malignant progression in OGD-induced HBMECs through the mediation of miR-29a-3p/SEMA3A axis. This study has provided the new insight into the underlying application of circSEC11A in cell model of ischemic stroke. Show more

Keywords: OGD, HBMECs, ischemic stroke, circSEC11A, miR-29a-3p

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221689

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-16, 2023

Authors: Wu, Xincai | Zhang, Xin | Wang, Keke | Zhao, Shuangshuang | Shang, Mengyuan | Duan, Ran | Zhang, Zheng | Chen, Baoding

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our research sought to investigate the relationship between initial ablation ratio (IAR) and internal composition of benign thyroid nodules treated by microwave ablation (MWA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent MWA at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled in our research. All the patients were followed up for at least one year. We analyzed the relationship between IAR at 1 month of solid nodules (solid >90%), predominantly solid nodules (90% >solid >  75%), mixed solid alongside cystic nodules (75% >solid >  50%) as well as volume reduction rate (VRR) at …1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. OBJECTIVE: The mean IAR of the solid nodules (solid >90%) was 94.32±7.87%,#x0025;, that of the predominantly solid nodules (90% >solid >  75%) and mixed solid alongside cystic nodules (75% >solid >  50%) were 86.51±6.66% and 75.19±4.97%,#x0025;, respectively. Almost all the thyroid nodules were significantly decreased in size after MWA. After 12 months of MWA treatment, the average volume of the aforementioned thyroid nodules decreased from 8.69±8.79 to 1.84±3.11 ml, 10.94±9.07 to 2.58±3.34 ml, 9.92±6.27 to 0.25±0.42 ml, respectively. The mean symptom and cosmetic scores of the nodules showed significant (p  <  0.000) improvement. The rates of the complications or side effects of MWA against the above-mentioned nodule types were 8.3% (3/36), 3.2% (1/31) and 0% (0/36), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the IAR to quantify the success rate of thyroid nodule microwaves in the short term demonstrated that IAR was related to the internal components of the nodule. Although the IAR was not high when the thyroid component was mixed solid and cystic nodules (75% >solid >  50%), the final therapeutic effect was still satisfactory. Show more

Keywords: Initial ablation ratio, thyroid nodules, microwave ablation, internal components, volume reduction rate

DOI: 10.3233/CH-231699

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2023