Root angle is controlled by EGT1 in cereal crops employing an antigravitropic mechanism.

Root angle in crops represents a key trait for efficient capture of soil resources. Root angle is determined by competing gravitropic versus antigravitropic offset (AGO) mechanisms. Here we report a root angle regulatory gene termed ENHANCED GRAVITROPISM1 (EGT1) that encodes a putative AGO component, whose loss-of-function enhances root gravitropism. Mutations in barley and wheat EGT1 genes confer a striking root phenotype, where every root class adopts a steeper growth angle. EGT1 encodes an F-box and Tubby domain-containing protein that is highly conserved across plant species. Haplotype analysis found that natural allelic variation at the barley EGT1 locus impacts root angle. Gravitropic assays indicated that Hvegt1 roots bend more rapidly than wild-type. Transcript profiling revealed Hvegt1 roots deregulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and cell wall-loosening enzymes and cofactors. ROS imaging shows that Hvegt1 root basal meristem and elongation zone tissues have reduced levels. Atomic force microscopy measurements detected elongating Hvegt1 root cortical cell walls are significantly less stiff than wild-type. In situ analysis identified HvEGT1 is expressed in elongating cortical and stele tissues, which are distinct from known root gravitropic perception and response tissues in the columella and epidermis, respectively. We propose that EGT1 controls root angle by regulating cell wall stiffness in elongating root cortical tissue, counteracting the gravitropic machinery's known ability to bend the root via its outermost tissues. We conclude that root angle is controlled by EGT1 in cereal crops employing an antigravitropic mechanism.

Electrical storm treatment by percutaneous stellate ganglion block: the STAR study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An electrical storm (ES) is a clinical emergency with a paucity of established treatment options. Despite initial encouraging reports about the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous stellate ganglion block (PSGB), many questions remained unsettled and evidence from a prospective multicentre study was still lacking. For these purposes, the STAR study was designed. METHODS: This is a multicentre observational study enrolling patients suffering from an ES refractory to standard treatment from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2023. The primary outcome was the reduction of treated arrhythmic events by at least 50% comparing the 12 h following PSGB with the 12 h before the procedure. STAR operators were specifically trained to both the anterior anatomical and the lateral ultrasound-guided approach. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients from 19 centres were enrolled and underwent 184 PSGBs. Patients were mainly male (83.2%) with a median age of 68 (63.8-69.2) years and a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (25.0 ± 12.3%). The primary outcome was reached in 92% of patients, and the median reduction of arrhythmic episodes between 12 h before and after PSGB was 100% (interquartile range -100% to -92.3%). Arrhythmic episodes requiring treatment were significantly reduced comparing 12 h before the first PSGB with 12 h after the last procedure [six (3-15.8) vs. 0 (0-1), P < .0001] and comparing 1 h before with 1 h after each procedure [2 (0-6) vs. 0 (0-0), P < .001]. One major complication occurred (0.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this large, prospective, multicentre study provide evidence in favour of the effectiveness and safety of PSGB for the treatment of refractory ES.

Understanding transcatheter edge-to-edge repair "knobology": Advanced catheter steering for different scenarios of transseptal puncture.

Following the introduction in the latest European and American guidelines, transcatheter edge-to-edge repair has become a valid alternative to surgery for ineligible patients. Among the available technologies, MitraClip (Abbott) was the first to be introduced for the percutaneous treatment of mitral regurgitation with the edge-to-edge technique. Although its safety and effectiveness has been widely demonstrated, the optimal procedural results are highly dependent from operators' experience. In this manuscript, we provide a full guide of advanced steering maneuvers of MitraClip in different scenarios of transseptal puncture.

Efficacy and Safety of Boldine Combined with Phyllanthus niruri and Ononis spinosa in Medical Expulsive Therapy for Distal Ureteral Stones with Renal Colic: A Single-Center, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects and safety of boldine combined with Phyllanthus niruri and Ononis spinosa plus tamsulosin vs. tamsulosin alone in medical expulsive therapy (MET) for distal ureteral calculi. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 159 renal colic patients with distal ureteric stones (≤10 mm). Patients aged between 18 and 70 years or older with distal ureteral (below the sacroiliac joint) stones ≤10 mm (defined by the largest diameter in three planes) confirmed by urinary ultrasonography and/or native computed tomography (CT). Patients were divided into two groups: A and B. Patients in Group A received tamsulosin 0.4 mg plus boldine combined with Phyllanthus niruri and Ononis spinosa, while those in Group B received tamsulosin 0.4 mg. The rate of stone expulsion, duration of stone expulsion, the dose and the duration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesic use, and adverse effects of drugs were recorded. Results: No differences were reported in demographic profiles between the two groups. The stone expulsion rate in Group A (84.8%) was higher in comparison to Group B (52.5%); the mean time of stone expulsion was 16.33 ± 4.75 days in Group A and 19.33 ± 6.42 days in Group B. The mean requirement time of analgesia was significantly less in Group A, 2.42 ± 2.56, than in Group B, 6.25 ± 3.05. Drug-related adverse effects (headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, postural hypotension, backache, and running nose) were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: Tamsulosin plus boldine combined with Phyllanthus niruri and Ononis spinosa as medical expulsion therapy is more effective for distal ureteric stones with less need for analgesics and a shorter stone expulsion time than tamsulosin alone.

Takotsubo Syndrome: The Secret Crosstalk between Heart and Brain.

An acute, transient episode of left ventricular dysfunction characterizes Takotsubo syndrome. It represents about 2% of all cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and occurs predominantly in postmenopausal women, generally following a significant physical or emotional stressor. It can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and the absence of coronary artery disease on angiography. Ventriculography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis. Despite its transitory characteristic Takotsubo syndrome should not be considered a benign condition since complications occur in almost half of the patients, and the mortality rate reaches 4-5%. Lately, it has been revealed that Takotsubo syndrome can also lead to permanent myocardial damage due to the massive release of catecholamines that leads to myocardial dysfunction. Different mechanisms have been advanced to explain this fascinating syndrome, such as plaque rupture and thrombosis, coronary spasm, microcirculatory dysfunction, catecholamine toxicity, and activation of myocardial survival pathways. Here are still several issues with Takotsubo syndrome that need to be investigated: the complex relationship between the heart and the brain, the risk of permanent myocardial damage, and the impairment of cardiomyocyte. Our review aims to elucidate the pathophysiology and the mechanisms underlying this complex disease to manage the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms to create a functional synergy between physicians and patients.

Immunomodulation Therapies for Atherosclerosis: The Past, the Present, and the Future.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of morbidity and death worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that this chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall can be controlled through the modulation of immune system activity. Many patients with cardiovascular disease remain at elevated risk of recurrent events despite receiving current, state-of-the-art preventive medical treatment. Much of this residual risk is attributed to inflammation. Therefore, finding new treatment strategies for this category of patients became of common interest. This review will discuss the experimental and clinical data supporting the possibility of developing immune-based therapies for lowering cardiovascular risk, explicitly focusing on vaccination strategies.

Serum uric acid in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: An innocent bystander or leading actor?

Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels have been associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and the progression of coronary artery disease. In the setting of acute myocardial infarction, increasing evidence suggests that high SUA levels could be related to adverse outcomes. Interestingly elevated SUA levels have been linked to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential negative effects of SUA in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, analyzing the possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Myocardial bridge evaluation towards personalized medicine: study design and preliminary results of the RIALTO registry.

Myocardial bridge (MB) is the most frequent inborn coronary artery variant in which a portion of the myocardium overlies an epicardial coronary artery segment. Although MB has long been considered a benign entity, a growing body of evidence has suggested its association with angina and adverse cardiac events. However, to date, no data on long-term prognosis are available, nor on therapies improving cardiovascular outcomes. We are currently conducting an ambispective, observational, multicentre, study in which we enrol patients with a clinical indication to undergo coronary angiography (CA) and evidence of MB, aiming to describe the incidence of symptoms and cardiovascular events at baseline and at long-term follow-up (FUP). The role of invasive full-physiology assessment in modifying the discharge therapy and eventually the perceived quality of life and the incidence of major cardiovascular events will be analysed. Basal clinical-instrumental data of eligible and consenting patients have been acquired after CA; FUP was performed 6, 12, and 24 months after the angiographic diagnosis of MB. The primary endpoint of the study is the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, cardiac hospitalization, and target vessel revascularization; the secondary endpoints are the rate of patients with Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) summary score <70 and the incidence of MACE in patients undergoing invasive intracoronary assessment. Among patients undergone FUP visits, we recorded 31 MACE at 6 months (11.6%), 16 MACE at 12 months (6.5%), and 26 MACE at 24 months (13.5%). The rate of patients with SAQ <70 is 18.8% at 6 months, 20.6% at 12 months, and 21.8% at 24 months. To evaluate the prognostic role of invasive intracoronary assessment, we compared MB patients who underwent only angiographic evaluation (Angio group) to those who underwent acetylcholine (ACH) provocative test with indication to calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) at discharge (Angio + ACH + CCBs group) and those who underwent functional assessment with fractional flow reserve (FFR) with indication to beta-blockers (BBs) at discharge (Angio + FFR + BBs group). After 2 years of FUP, the rate of MACE was significantly reduced in both Angio + ACH + CCBs group (6 vs. 25%, P = 0.029) and Angio + FFR + BBs group (3 vs. 25%, P = 0.005) compared with Angio group. The preliminary results of our study showed that MB may be a cause of angina and adverse cardiac events in patients referred to CA for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Full-physiology assessment unmasking MB-related ischaemia mechanisms, allowed to guide the treatment, personalizing the clinical management, improving the quality of life, and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with MB.

Iatrogenic aorta-coronary dissection: Case report and systematic review.

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic aorto-coronary dissection (ICD) is one of the most feared complications of interventional cardiology. Although rare, it is characterized by anterograde coronary ischemia and a concomitant aortic dissection, with potentially fatal consequences. METHODS: We present an example case of IACD and an accurate case-series review of the literature including 125 published cases. RESULTS: There were no significant predisposing factors and the IACD occurred equally in elective and urgent procedures. A significant number of IACDs were associated with CTO procedures. The factors associated with a worse outcome were hemodynamic instability, the presence of anterograde ischemia, and the extent of dissection according to the Dunning classification. Bail-out stenting was the most used strategy and its failure was associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The main features of IACD are anterograde ischemia, retrograde dissection, and hemodynamic instability, each of them should be addressed with no time delay, possibly with bailout stenting, the most employed exit-strategy. According to our proposed algorithm, a shock team approach is required to coordinate the interdisciplinary skills and enabled patients to receive the best treatment.

A thymic hyperplasia-related reversible complete atrioventricular block: When compression is more important than compressor.

A 19-year-old patient presented for syncope with third-degree AV block (TDAVB) at ECG. A chest-CT showed a thymic mass that could be responsible for TDAVB due to extrinsic vagal nerve compression. Thymectomy led to complete AV block resolution. An extrinsic vagal compression mechanism should be considered among causes of complete atrioventricular block.

Frequency and anatomic distribution of arterial obstructions in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction not responding to intracavernous prostaglandin.

Background: The extent of arterial disease in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) non-responsive to intracavernosal injection of Alprostadil is of importance for therapeutic options. However, published evidence, in particular angiographically validated is scarce. Here we investigated arterial lesion patterns in this specific patient cohort by selective angiography. Patients and methods: A cohort of 239 patients received a clinical and duplex-sonographic workup for ED of suspected vascular origin. Duplex ultrasound of the cavernosal arteries was performed after intracavernosal injection of 10 µg Alprostadil. Consequently, standardized workup included grading of the erectile and determination of peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) in both cavernosal arteries. PSV-values below 30 cm/sec indicated reduced arterial flow, whereas EDV-values above 15 cm/sec indicated a venous leak of the pudendal veins. All patients with suspected arterial ED based on duplex sonography underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Endovascular therapy was carried out in ED patients not responsive or with significant side effects to PDE-5-inhibitors or Alprostadil by selective angiographic depiction of erection-related arteries. Results: 54 patients with a mean age of 61.2 (±9.8) years underwent angioplasty of erectionr elated arteries. Out of these 48/54 (89%) patients presented with an erection considered insufficient for penetration (E0-E3) subsequent to intracavernous application of 10 µg Alprostadil. 14/48 (29%) patients had bilateral arterial obstructions and 34/48 (71%) had unilateral disease. Commonly affected was the internal pudendal artery (n = 31, 65%), followed closely by the common penile artery (n = 30, 64%). The least affected arteries were the dorsal penile (n = 6, 13%), hypogastric (n = 4, 8%), common iliac (n = 4, 8%), cavernosal (n = 4, 8%), and inferior gluteal (n = 1, 2%) arteries. Conclusions: Arterial obstructions amenable to endovascular revascularization are frequent in patients non-responsive to intracavernosal prostaglandin administration. Therapeutic strategies in ED patients non-responsive to conservative measures should therefore consider endovascular treatment opportunities.

Case report and systematic review of iatrogenic left atrial dissection in different cardiovascular specialties: A common treatment for an uncommon complication?

OBJECTIVES: Left atrial dissection (LatD) is a rare and heterogeneous condition affecting many cardiovascular areas. The present article, by the means of personal case report illustration and systemic review of different clinical management, is aimed to give to clinicians further knowledge on this controversial topic. BACKGROUND: LatD is an exceedingly rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery or catheter-based interventional procedures. Most of the cases are iatrogenic and its incidence is expected to grow due to an increase in the number of percutaneous coronary intervention and structural heart disease procedures. The management of this complication is controversial, and it may depend on related etiologies. METHODS: We have reported our single-case experience and review of the scientific literature, focusing on the decision-making process and the strategical approach by multimodality imaging techniques. RESULTS: Our case of LatD with initial hemodynamic instability was surgically treated. Conservative approach is often employed in literature despite the fact that conservative versus surgical approach is debatable, depending on clinical presentation, hemodynamic stability, multimodal imaging findings, and personal experience of the center. CONCLUSIONS: According to systematic literature review, a watchful-waiting strategy supported by multimodality imaging could be a safe and effective management in stable LatD.

Mechanism of luminal patency of the self-expanding Sideguard sidebranch stent: evaluation by intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: The Cappella Sideguard (CS) sidebranch stent is a self-expanding, thin-strut, nitinol device with anatomic flaring at the sidebranch ostium designed to treat bifurcation lesions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mechanism of long-term lumen patency of the novel, self-expanding CS sidebranch stent compared with a balloon-expandable stent in the main vessel. METHODS: We performed intravascular ultrasound postintervention and at follow-up in 24 CS stents and in 28 balloon-expandable drug-eluting stents deployed in the corresponding main vessel. Thirteen patients also had optical coherence tomography (OCT) at follow-up to evaluate neointimal hyperplasia and strut coverage. RESULTS: CS stent area at the sidebranch carina increased significantly from 3.8 ± 1.2 mm(2) postintervention to 4.6 ± 1.2 mm(2) at follow-up (P < 0.001), resulting in no change in lumen area (3.8 ± 1.2 mm(2) to 3.7 ± 1.2 mm(2) , P = 0.72) despite a neointimal area at follow-up of 0.9 ± 0.8 mm(2) . Volumetric changes were similar, and the distribution of neointimal hyperplasia peaked 1-2 mm distal to the carina. Change of lumen volume inversely correlated to the neointimal volume (R = -0.48, P < 0.001), but correlated positively to the change in stent volume (R = 0.52, P < 0.0001). By OCT, most CS struts were covered (100% [98.9, 100]) at the bifurcation site, whereas 61% of floating DES struts that crossed the sidebranch were covered by smooth tissue with a similar texture compared with neointima. CONCLUSION: Although neointimal hyperplasia accumulates within the CS stent mainly 1-2 mm distal to the carina, the self-expanding CS stent may be effective in maintaining an adequate patency in the sidebranch by continued stent expansion noted at follow-up.

To kiss or not to kiss? Impact of final kissing-balloon inflation on early and long-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention for bifurcation lesions.

Final kissing-balloon inflation is often recommended for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of bifurcation lesions. However, randomized trials focusing on kissing inflation have not confirmed its beneficial impact. We compared outcomes of kissing inflation for PCI of bifurcation lesions, explicitly stratifying results according to stenting strategy. Patients undergoing bifurcation PCI were retrospectively enrolled. Subjects receiving final kissing inflation were compared with those not undergoing kissing inflation, after stratification for a single-stent technique. The primary end point was the long-term rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, i.e., death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization (TLR)). A total of 4314 patients were included: 1176 (27.3 %) treated with a single stent and kissing inflation, 1637 (37.9 %) with a single stent but no kissing, 1072 (24.8 %) with two stents and kissing, and 429 (9.9 %) with two stents but no kissing. At unadjusted analyses kissing was associated with fewer short-term MACE and deaths in the two-stent group, and with fewer long-term MACE, cardiac deaths, and side-branch TLR in the two-stent group (all P < 0.05). Conversely, kissing appeared detrimental after single stenting. However, after multivariable analyses, kissing no longer significantly affected the risk of adverse events, with the exception of the risk of side-branch TLR, which was lower in those receiving two stents and final kissing inflation (hazard ratio = 0.52, 95 % confidence interval 0.30­0.90, P = 0.020). Kissing inflation can be avoided in bifurcation lesions uneventfully treated with single-stent PCI. However, final kissing-balloon inflation appears beneficial in reducing the risk of side-branch repeat revascularization after using a two-stent strategy.

Pacemaker dependency and conduction system recovery following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)-related conduction system disorders are dynamic and may resolve over time. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictive factors of PM dependency among patients receiving permanent PM implantation after TAVI. METHODS: We included 37 consecutive patients who underwent PPM implantation within six days after TAVI and who completed a 12-month follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups according to PPM dependency at follow-up: PPM-dependent group and non-PPM-dependent group. Device follow-ups were performed at one, six and 12 months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in either baseline clinical characteristics or procedural data and results. Analysis of baseline ECGs showed a statistical difference in PR interval (200.1±17.2 ms in the PPM-dependent group vs. 175±23.3 ms in the non PPM-dependent group [P=0,003]) and in the presence of RBBB (four patients in the PPM-dependent group vs. no patients in the non PPM-dependent group [P=0.02]) as well as QRS duration (117.3±27.4 ms in the PPM-dependent group and 99±18.3 msec in the non PPM-dependent group [P=0.04]). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of PPM dependency was significantly reduced at 12-month follow-up: from 62,2% at the time of implantation to 35,1%. PR interval and RBBB were the most important predictive factors for PPM dependency. Persistent AVB and alternating BBB were prevalent in the PPM-dependent group. In the absence of persistent AVB or alternating BBB, we suggest that patients without long PR interval and RBBB at baseline ECG be carefully evaluated before permanent PM implantation, as conduction system recovery is possible.

Kidney Injury After Minimal Radiographic Contrast Administration in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. OBJECTIVES: Contrast media (CM) volume minimization has been advocated for prevention of AKI. The DyeVert CM diversion system (Osprey Medical, Inc) is designed to reduce CM volume during coronary procedures. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, investigator-driven clinical trial conducted in 4 Italian centers from February 4, 2020 to September 13, 2022, 550 participants with ACS were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the following: 1) the contrast volume reduction (CVR) group (n = 276), in which CM injection was handled by the CM diversion system; and 2) the control group (n = 274), in which a conventional manual or automatic injection syringe was used. The primary endpoint was the rate of AKI, defined as a serum creatinine (sCr) increase ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours after CM exposure. RESULTS: There were 412 of 550 (74.5%) participants with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (211 of 276 [76.4%] in the CVR group and 201 of 274 [73.3%] in the control group). The CM volume was lower in the CVR group (95 ± 30 mL vs 160 ± 23 mL; P < 0.001). Seven participants (1 in the CVR group and 6 in the control group) did not have postprocedural sCr values. AKI occurred in 44 of 275 (16%) participants in the CVR group and in 65 of 268 (24.3%) participants in the control group (relative risk: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.93; P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: CM volume reduction obtained using the CM diversion system is effective for prevention of AKI in patients with ACS undergoing invasive procedures. (REnal Insufficiency Following Contrast MEDIA Administration TriaL IV [REMEDIALIV]: NCT04714736).

Multimodality Imaging Approach for Planning and Guiding Direct Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty.

Interest in transcatheter treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has grown significantly in recent years due to increasing evidence correlating TR severity with mortality and to limited availability of surgical options often considered high-risk in these patients. Although edge-to-edge repair is currently the main transcatheter therapeutic strategy, tricuspid valve direct annuloplasty can also be performed safely and effectively to reduce TR and improve heart failure symptoms and quality of life. In the annuloplasty procedure, an adjustable band is implanted around the tricuspid annulus to reduce valvular size and improve TR. Patient selection and careful preoperative imaging, including transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and computed tomography, are critical for procedural success and proper device implantation. Compared to edge-to-edge repair, perioperative imaging with transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy is particularly challenging. Alignment and insertion of the anchors are demanding but essential to achieve good results and avoid damaging the surrounding structures. The presence of shadowing artifacts due to cardiac devices makes the acquisition of good-quality images even more challenging. In this review, we discuss the current role of multimodality imaging in planning direct transcatheter tricuspid valve annuloplasty and describe all procedural steps focusing on echocardiographic monitoring.

Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GISE) and Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA) Position Paper on the role of renal denervation in the management of the difficult-to-treat hypertension.

Renal denervation (RDN) is a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of difficult to treat hypertension. The blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of RDN is comparable to those of many single antihypertensive medications and it allows to consider the RDN as a valuable option for the treatment of difficult to treat hypertension together with lifestyle modifications and medical therapy. A multidisciplinary team is of pivotal importance from the selection of the patient candidate for the procedure to the post-procedural management. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of RDN on clinical outcomes and to better identify the predictors of BP response to RDN in order to recognize the patients who are more likely to benefit from the procedure.