Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease associated with the activation of innate immune TLRs and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein (NOD)-like receptor pathways. However, the function of most innate immune receptors in atherosclerosis remains unclear. Here, we show that NOD2 is a crucial innate immune receptor influencing vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis se...

Microbial contamination of grass pollens could affect sensitization, subsequent allergic response, and efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy. We investigated whether bacterial immunomodulatory substances can direct PBMC responses of allergic and nonatopic subjects against ryegrass pollen (RGP) toward Th1, Th2, or regulatory T (Treg) cells. Aqueous extracts of RGP with high or low LPS were...

AIMS: Heart failure with preserved (HFpEF) and mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) are becoming the most prevalent forms of heart failure. Patients with HFpEF/HFmrEF in atrial fibrillation (AF) have poorer survival and quality of life, but the mechanism underpinning this is unknown. We sought to investigate the influence of AF on the haemodynamic profile of HFpEF/HFmrEF patients at rest and...

AIMS: Incident heart failure (HF) continues to pose a common and serious problem. We sought to examine the value of echocardiographic predictors of new HF in a community-based elderly population at risk for HF, independent of and incremental to clinical evaluation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Asymptomatic patients ≥65 years old, with ≥1 HF risk factor (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or obesity)...

AIMS: Differential microRNA expression in peripheral blood has been observed in patients with heart failure, suggesting their value as potential biomarkers and likely contributors to disease mechanisms. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the transcardiac gradient of 84 cardio-microRNAs in healthy and failing hearts to determine which microRNAs are released or absorbed by the myocardi...

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a long-term, nurse-led, multidisciplinary programme of home/clinic visits in preventing progressive cardiac dysfunction in individuals at risk of developing de novo chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: A pragmatic, single-centre (tertiary-referral hospital with specialist cardiological services), open-label, r...

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF) is common and, to date, therapeutic options are limited. Increased left atrial pressure is a key contributor to the symptoms associated with HFpEF, particularly during physical activity. We report the 30-day outcome of patients treated with a novel device intended to lower left atrial pressure by creating an 8...

AIMS: The detection of non-ischaemic (mainly hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) stage B heart failure (SBHF) may facilitate the recognition of those at risk of progression to overt HF and HF prevention. We sought the relationship of specific electrocardiographic (ECG) markers of SBHF to echocardiographic features of SBHF and their prognostic value for development of HF. The ECG markers wer...

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their interaction with the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) have been studied for their role in the pathogenesis and complications of type 1 diabetes. Decreased concentrations of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) have been reported in acute autoimmune inflammation. We set out to analyze the changes in sRAGE concentration during preclinical diabetes in childr...

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes is associated with a high risk of type 2 diabetes. However, progression rates among Indigenous women in Australia who experience high prevalence of gestational diabetes are unknown. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study includes all births to women at a regional hospital in Far North Queensland, Australia, coded as having 'gestational diabetes' from 1 ...

INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an important and increasing health problem. This study aims to investigate and explain the marked variation in reported GDM prevalence among Australian Indigenous women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched five databases to August 2013 for studies of GDM prevalence; two people independently assessed search results, extracted data, and a...

Recently proposed international guidelines for screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) recommend additional screening in early pregnancy for sub-populations at a high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), such as indigenous women. However, there are criteria that should be met to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks of population-based screening. This review examines the publishe...

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior may independently contribute to morbidity and mortality among survivors of colorectal cancer. In the current study, the authors assessed whether a telephone-delivered multiple health behavior change intervention had an effect on the sedentary behavior of recently diagnosed colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: A total of 410 participants were recruited through ...

The enzymatic activities of protein methyltransferases serve to write covalent modifications on histone and non-histone proteins in the control of gene transcription. Here, we describe gene expression changes in human endothelial cells caused by treatment with methyltransferase inhibitors 7,7'-carbonylbis (azanediyl) bis(4-hydroxynaphthalene-2 -sulfonic acid (AMI-1) and disodium-2-(2,4,5,7- tet...

Glycosylated analogues of pramlintide, in which specific Asn residues bear extended N-glycan structures, may be accessed by a combination of solid-phase peptide synthesis and highly efficient enzymatic glycosylation (see scheme; ENGases=endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidases). Glycopeptides display both in vitro and in vivo activity as amylin receptor agonists and effect ‘smoothing’ of blood glucose.

INTRODUCTION: Radiographic contrast administration is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), worldwide. Currently, contrast induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is the third leading cause of hospital acquired renal failure in the United States. Over 50% of these cases are the result of contrast exposure during cardiac catheterization. The predictive risk factors for and clinical impact ...

BACKGROUND: The AVERT(TM) Contrast Modulation System (AVERT) (Osprey Medical, MN) is designed to reduce contrast volume administration during angiography. The AVERT provides an adjustable resistance circuit which decreases the pressure head delivering contrast towards the patient. The AVERT has not been previously studied in patients undergoing peripheral digital subtraction angiography (DSA...

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate outcomes of patients undergoing rotational atherectomy (RA) in a multicenter percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry. BACKGROUND: RA remains an important technique for plaque modification in PCI, particularly with complex calcification. METHODS: The study population consisted of consecutive patients undergoing PCI in nine major Australian hospitals, ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a device-mediated modification of the injection pressure profile on iodinated contrast volumes during coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: The development of iodinated contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing coronary angiography and i...

All sorted: The enzyme Sortase A was used to catalyze functionalization of PEGylated capsules with an activation-specific anti-platelet single-chain antibody (scFv). This enzymatic method allows fast, covalent, and site-directed functionalization of delivery vehicles under mild conditions. Activation-specific anti-platelet scFv-coated PEGylated capsules exhibited a high level of selective bindi...