Effect of shear stress alteration on atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Previously, we created an experimental murine model for the induction of vulnerable plaque (VP). Although this murine model offers the opportunity to study the different molecular biological pathways that regulate plaque destabilization, the size of the animals severely limits the use of the model for in vivo diagnostics and percutaneous interventions. This study aimed to create a VP model in the rabbit, based on the murine model, to aid the assessment and development of novel diagnostic and interventional tools. New Zealand white rabbits were fed on a 2% cholesterol diet. After 1 week, a shear stress-altering device was implanted around the right carotid artery. Twelve weeks after cast placement, the carotid artery was isolated and processed for (immuno-)histological analysis to evaluate the presence of a VP phenotype. Atherosclerotic plaques with high lipid and macrophage content, low vascular smooth muscle cell content and intimal neovascularization were located upstream and downstream of the cast. The plaques lacked a significant necrotic core. In conclusion, we were able to create atherosclerotic plaques with a phenotype beyond that of a fatty streak, with a high percentage of lipids and macrophages, a thick cap with some vascular smooth muscle cells and neovascularization. However, as there was only a small necrotic core, the overall phenotype seems less vulnerable as compared to the thin fibrous cap atheroma in patients.

A 2,6,9-hetero-trisubstituted purine inhibitor exhibits potent biological effects against multiple myeloma cells.

A focused library of hetero-trisubstituted purines was developed for improving the cell penetrating and biological efficacy of a series of anti-Stat3 protein inhibitors. From this SAR study, lead agent 22e was identified as being a promising inhibitor of MM tumour cells (IC50's <5µM). Surprisingly, biophysical and biochemical characterization proved that 22e was not a Stat3 inhibitor. Initial screening against the kinome, prompted by the purine scaffold's history for targeting ATP binding pockets, suggests possible targeting of the JAK family kinases, as well for ABL1 (nonphosphorylated F317L) and AAK1.

La importancia de la determinación del factor X activado para la anticoagulación con heparinas de bajo peso molecular: experiencia en el hospital san juan de dios, 2009-2011 (primer reporte) / The importance of the determination of factor X acivated for anticoagulation with low molecularweight heparins experience at the hospital san juan de dios. (first report) 2009-2011

La anticoagulación con heparinas de bajo peso molecular (HBPM) es una herramienta terapéutica fundamental para el tratamiento de la enfermedad tromboembólica. En el presente reporte se evidencia la importancia de cuantificar la actividad del anticuerpo antifactor X activado (Xa) para el monitoreo de la enoxaparina y analizar los grupos de pacientes en riesgo de tener niveles inferiores al terap‚utico. M‚todos: se estudiaron 34 pacientes adultos, anticoagulados con enoxaparina durante el periodo 2009-2011. Asimismo, se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las características demográficas y clínicas de todo los pacientes, en donde se indicaron las causas de la anticoagulación, la comorbilidades y el tipo de anticoagulación. Se midió la actividad anti-Xa 4 horas después de la administración de enoxaparina. Resultados: El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 62,3+17,7 años. Un 72,71 por ciento de los pacientes utilizaron enoxaparina como indicación para el síndrome coronario agudo. La comorbilidad más importante fue la combinación con la hipertensión arterial. El aclaramiento renal promedio fue de 62,47 ml/min, solamente tres pacientes tuvieron un aclaramiento menor a 30 ml/min; un 44,1 por ciento de los pacientes eran obesos. El 55,9 por ciento de los pacientes tuvo niveles anti-factor Xa dentro del rango terapéutico y un 35,3 por ciento tuvo valores de anti factor Xa profilácticos. Conclusión: El manejo del paciente adulto que recibe terapia anticoagulación con HBPM presenta una alta complejidad, hecho que se ve reflejado tanto a su perfil demográfico como clínico. También, se considera importante contar con la determinación del factor anti Xa para el monitoreo de HBPM para cierto grupo de pacientes vulnerables y con ello lograr el efecto deseado con esta terapia, debido a que existe un alto porcentaje de pacientes con niveles fuera del rango terapéutico.

Anticoagulation is an important therapeutic tool for patients with thromboembolic disease who receive therapy with lowmolecular weight heparins (LMWH). This report gives evidence about the importance of determining the activity of Anti-Xaactivity for monitoring enoxaparin and for identifying those patients who need this analysis based on some risk factors.Methods: We studied 34 adult patients who received enoxaparin as anticoagulation therapy during the period 2009-2011. We performed a descriptive analysis of demographic and clinical characteristics of all patients, indicating thereasons for anticoagulation, comorbidities and type of anticoagulation. We determined the anti-Xa activity 4 hours afteradministration of enoxaparin.Results: The mean age of patients was 62,3 + 17,7 years, regardless of gender. 72,7% of patients received enoxaparin astherapy for an acute coronary syndrome. The most frequent comorbidity was hypertension. The average of renal clearancewas 62,47 ml/min, only three patients had a renal clearance below 30 ml/min. 44,1% of the patients were obese. 55, 9%of patients were within therapeutic levels of anti-Xa activity and 35,3% of patients had an anti-Xa activity considered asprophylactic.Conclusion: The management of adult patients receiving anticoagulation therapy with LMWH is complex and it isreflected in their demographic and clinical characteristics. It is important to determine Anti-Xa activity to monitor the useof enoxaparin as anticoagulant therapy because of the high variability found in certain groups of patients.