Subclinical systolic dysfunction in genotype-positive phenotype-negative relatives of dilated cardiomyopathy patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The absence of left ventricular (LV) dilatation and systolic dysfunction, as assessed by LV ejection fraction (LVEF), in family members of genetically confirmed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, carrying pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) familial gene variants categorizes them as a subgroup called genotype-positive phenotype-negative (GEN+ PHEN−). Identifying GEN+ PHEN− who are at the highest risk of developing the disease throughout their lifetime is crucial

Case report: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors induce left ventricular reverse remodeling in anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction—a case series

PurposeTo describe the efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors as a specific treatment for anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction in a small real-world population.MethodsSeven patients with anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction were clinically and echocardiographically evaluated before and after the introduction of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.ResultsAfter a median period of 24 weeks with uninterrupted sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors treatment, a significant clinical improvement was observed with at least one New York Heart Association Functional Class (NHYA FC) improvement in all patients (median NYHA FC: I vs. III, p < 0.010). A noteworthy left ventricular reserve remodeling (median left ventricular end diastolic volume indexed: 53 vs. 82.5 ml/m2, p = 0.018; median left ventricular ejection fraction: 50% vs. 40%, p = 0.17) was also observed. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors therapy was well tolerated by every patients; no cases of discontinuation or relevant side effects were observed.ConclusionSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors induce a significant clinical improvement and left ventricular reserve remodeling in patients affected by anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction

Treatment of coronary lesions with a novel crystalline sirolimus-coated balloon

BackgroundThere is mounting data supporting the use of drug-coated balloons (DCB) not only for treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR), but also in native coronary artery disease. So far, paclitaxel-coated balloons represented the mainstay DCBs. The SeQuent® crystalline sirolimus-coated balloon (SCB) (B.Braun Medical Inc, Germany) represents a novel DCB, which allows a sustained release of the limus-drug. We evaluated its performance in an all-comer cohort, including complex coronary lesions.MethodsConsecutive patients treated with the SeQuent® SCB were analyzed from the prospective SIROOP registry (NCT04988685). We assessed clinical outcomes, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI) and cardiovascular death. Angiograms and outcomes were independently adjudicated.ResultsFrom March 2021 to March 2023, we enrolled 126 patients and lesions, of which 100 (79%) treated using a “DCB-only” strategy and 26 (21%) with a hybrid approach (DES + DCB). The mean age was 68 ± 10 years, 48 (38%) patients had an acute coronary syndrome. Regarding lesion characteristics, ISR was treated in 27 (21%), 11 (9%) underwent CTO-PCI and 59 (47%) of the vessels were moderate to severe calcified. Procedural success rate was 100%. At a median follow-up time of 12.7 (IQR 12; 14.2) months, MACE occurred in 5 patients (4.3%). No acute vessel closure was observed.ConclusionsOur data indicates promising outcomes following treatment with this novel crystalline SCB in an all-comer cohort with complex coronary lesions. These results require further investigation with randomized trials

Nuclear organisation and replication timing are coupled through RIF1-PP1 interaction

Three-dimensional genome organisation and replication timing are known to be correlated, however, it remains unknown whether nuclear architecture overall plays an instructive role in the replication-timing programme and, if so, how. Here we demonstrate that RIF1 is a molecular hub that co-regulates both processes. Both nuclear organisation and replication timing depend upon the interaction between RIF1 and PP1. However, whereas nuclear architecture requires the full complement of RIF1 and its interaction with PP1, replication timing is not sensitive to RIF1 dosage. The role of RIF1 in replication timing also extends beyond its interaction with PP1. Availing of this separation-of-function approach, we have therefore identified in RIF1 dual function the molecular bases of the co-dependency of the replication-timing programme and nuclear architecture

Stock market’s reaction to strategic plan presentations to securities analysts: evidence from Italy

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