Integrative analysis of single-cell transcriptomics and genetic associations identify cell states associated with vascular disease.

Background: Vascular diseases are accompanied by alterations in cellular phenotypes which underlie disease pathogenesis, with single-cell technologies aiding in the discovery of cellular heterogeneity among endothelial cell (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) populations. In atherosclerotic disease, VSMCs are hypothesized to transition between contractile and synthetic states; however, the specific vascular subpopulations and intermediate cell states responsible for early vascular dysfunction remain unclear.

Methods: We integrated newly generated and published single-nuclear RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) datasets to analyze normal (n = 7), aneurysmal (n = 9), and atherosclerotic (n = 2) flash-frozen human ascending thoracic aortas.

Interpreting MYH11 Copy Number Variation in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: Insights From the Misannotation of Variants in Clinical Genetic Tests.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a rare but often fatal vascular disease. A family history of TAAD increases risk, and several genes are linked to risk of both aneurysm and dissection. The current AHA/ACC guidelines for management of TAAD include genetic testing for affected individuals with no other risk factors such as hypertension or bicuspid aortic valve.

A Novel, Mutually Beneficial Student-Faculty Partnership to Develop Real-Time Formative Assessments Aligning With the Preclinical Undergraduate Medical Curriculum.

Problem: A shortage of curriculum-aligned formative multiple-choice questions (FMCQs) remains despite their known learning benefits in preclinical medical education due to limitations on teaching faculty time and other reasons. In response, students often use extramural resources such as commercial or collaborative question banks; however, these options are often expensive and cannot be aligned with the content of each school's unique curriculum. In addition, students need feedback on their learning in a manner that parallels the format of summative assessments.

Perioperative Evaluation of Arterial and Venous Whole Blood in the Lamb () Fontan Model.

Whole blood analysis can evaluate numerous parameters, including pH, pCO₂, pO₂, HCO₃ - , base excess, glucose, electrolytes, lactate, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, bilirubin, and hemoglobin. This valuable tool enables clinicians to make more informed decisions about patient care. However, the current body of literature describing perioperative whole blood analysis in Dorset sheep () is small, so clinicians lack adequate information to guide their decision-making when evaluating test results.

Tissue engineered vascular grafts are resistant to the formation of dystrophic calcification.

Advancements in congenital heart surgery have heightened the importance of durable biomaterials for adult survivors. Dystrophic calcification poses a significant risk to the long-term viability of prosthetic biomaterials in these procedures. Herein, we describe the natural history of calcification in the most frequently used vascular conduits, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts.

Fabrication Methods and Chronic In Vivo Validation of Mechanically Adaptive Microfluidic Intracortical Devices.

Intracortical neural probes are both a powerful tool in basic neuroscience studies of brain function and a critical component of brain computer interfaces (BCIs) designed to restore function to paralyzed patients. Intracortical neural probes can be used both to detect neural activity at single unit resolution and to stimulate small populations of neurons with high resolution. Unfortunately, intracortical neural probes tend to fail at chronic timepoints in large part due to the neuroinflammatory response that follows implantation and persistent dwelling in the cortex.

Patch Materials for Pulmonary Artery Arterioplasty and Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Augmentation: A Review.

Patch augmentation of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and pulmonary artery (PA) arterioplasty are relatively common procedures in the surgical treatment of patients with congenital heart disease. To date, several patch materials have been applied with no agreed upon clinical standard. Each patch type has unique performance characteristics, cost, and availability.

Investigation of the Feasibility of Ventricular Delivery of Resveratrol to the Microelectrode Tissue Interface.

(1) Background: Intracortical microelectrodes (IMEs) are essential to basic brain research and clinical brain-machine interfacing applications. However, the foreign body response to IMEs results in chronic inflammation and an increase in levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). The current study builds on our previous work, by testing a new delivery method of a promising antioxidant as a means of extending intracortical microelectrodes performance.