Autophagy in Heart Failure: Insights into Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications.

Autophagy, a dynamic and complex process responsible for the clearance of damaged cellular components, plays a crucial role in maintaining myocardial homeostasis. In the context of heart failure, autophagy has been recognized as a response mechanism aimed at counteracting pathogenic processes and promoting cellular health. Its relevance has been underscored not only in various animal models, but also in the human heart. Extensive research efforts have been dedicated to understanding the significance of autophagy and unravelling its complex molecular mechanisms. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge of the involvement of autophagy during the progression of heart failure. Specifically, we provide a comprehensive overview of published data on the impact of autophagy deregulation achieved by genetic modifications or by pharmacological interventions in ischemic and non-ischemic models of heart failure. Furthermore, we delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms through which autophagy regulates crucial cellular processes within the three predominant cell populations of the heart: cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Finally, we emphasize the need for future research to unravel the therapeutic potential associated with targeting autophagy in the management of heart failure.

Adhesion work and wettability of polytetrafluorethylene and poly(methyl methacrylate) by aqueous solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and Triton X-100 mixture with ethanol.

The contact angle measurements of the aqueous solutions of p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (TX-100) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) mixture with ethanol on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were carried out in the range of the total concentration of TX-100 and CTAB mixture from 1×10(-6) to 1×10(-3) M and in the whole range of ethanol concentration. In the surfactant mixture, the mole fraction of TX-100 was equal to 0.2; 0.4; 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. From the obtained results, the critical surface tension of PTFE and PMMA wetting and the adhesion work of the solutions to the polymer surface were established. The PMMA surface tension was calculated from the Neumann's equation. It appeared that for the ethanol concentration higher than that corresponding to the association of its molecules, the surface tension of PMMA calculated from the Neumann's equation is close to the critical surface tension of PMMA wetting. It also appeared that it is possible to predict the work of adhesion of the studied solutions to the PMMA surface by using the PMMA surface tension data determined on the basis of the van Oss et al. approach to the interfacial tension and those from the Neumann's equation.