Search Results (218)

Background: Land use change fundamentally alters soil microbial communities and biochemical processes, yet the integrated effects on rhizosphere microbiome–metabolome networks remained poorly understood. Objective: This study investigated land uses as forest, grassland and intermediary edge shape the rhizosphere biochemical networks of naturally grown Barbarea vulgaris. Methods: Rhizosphere soils of Barbarea vulgaris were analysed for microbial community structure abundance, and metabolomic profile applying phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling and mass spectrometric untargeted metabolomics (GC–MS/MS and MALDI–TOF/TOF MS). These were coupled with co–inertia analysis to assess microbiome–metabolome interactions. Results: Microbial community analysis revealed significant effects of land use on bacterial community structure (G+/G−, p < 0.001). Untargeted metabolomics identified 248 metabolites, of which 161 were mapped to KEGG pathways. Amino acids and derivatives (21.1%) followed by organic acids (16.8%) were the most representative among identified metabolites. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed coordinated reprogramming of central carbon and nitrogen metabolism across land use gradients, particularly in the amino acid metabolism, TCA cycle, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Microbiome–metabolome coupling analysis revealed distinct correlation patterns between microbial phenotypes and metabolite classes, with forest environments showing the strongest biochemical network integration (RV = 0.91). Edge habitats presented intermediate signatures, supporting their role as transitional zones with unique biochemical properties. Conclusions: The environmental context fundamentally shapes rhizosphere biochemical network organization through coordinated shifts in bacterial community structure and metabolic pathway activity. These habitat-specific metabolic signatures suggest that land use change triggers adaptive biochemical responses that may influence plant performance and ecosystem functioning across environmental gradients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the most important cause of mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) can be used for assessing atrial and ventricular function, and its role in COPD is underexplored. The main objective of this study was to investigate prognostic associations in patients with COPD using 2D-STE echocardiography and laboratory biomarkers. Methods: The study included 70 participants, divided into two groups: 55 patients diagnosed with COPD and 15 healthy controls. All four cardiac chambers were analyzed with standard ultrasound and 2D-STE techniques. We measured NT-proBNP and several oxidative stress biomarkers: reduced glutathione (GSH), the GSH/GSSG ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), and Caspase-3. Results: An NT-proBNP level above 325 pg/mL independently predicts advanced COPD stages (GOLD grades 3 and 4), with statistically significant results at a 95% confidence interval (CI) (p = 0.001). Additionally, 2D-STE identified reduced right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) strain in COPD patients before changes in LV ejection fraction. RV and LV strain measurements (RV4CLS < −16.15%, RVFWSL < −18.6%, LV GLS < −19.45%) along with PASP > 37.5 mmHg are independent predictors of advanced COPD stages, demonstrating significance at a 95% CI (p = 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between NT-proBNP, ultrasound parameters assessing RV systolic function, LV longitudinal strain impairment, and PASP. Conclusions: NT-proBNP serves as an independent biomarker of pulmonary hypertension and secondary right heart overload and independently predicts advanced COPD stages (GOLD grades 3 and 4) alongside RV and LV strain measurements. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between right ventricular (RV) structure and function and established markers of alcohol septal ablation (ASA) efficacy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We hypothesized that RV characteristics may serve as predictors of left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOT_G) in the early period following ASA. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 50 HCM patients who underwent ASA. Correlations between echocardiographic RV parameters and standard indicators of ASA success were assessed at 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years post-procedure. Results: Echocardiographic measurements of RV wall thickness (RVWT) at 3 months and 1 year after ASA showed significant correlations with maximum LVOT_G (p < 0.001), NYHA functional class, and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LV_D) (both p < 0.01). At 3 and 5 years, these correlations were no longer statistically significant (p = ns). No associations were observed for other parameters. Conclusions: Echocardiographic assessment of RVWT may serve as an early predictor of subsequent LVOT_G development as soon as 3 months after ASA. RVWT could therefore provide an estimate of long-term treatment effects. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. Full article

Background: Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is a simple and widely used M-mode echocardiographic marker of left-ventricular longitudinal function that correlates well with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Conventional chronic right ventricle (RV) pacing is associated with left ventricle (LV) dysfunction, inducing heart failure (HF) and leading to the development of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PiCM). The aim of this study is to ascertain the clinical usefulness of MAPSE in the assessment of LV function in patients with permanent RV pacing. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional association analysis, enrolling consecutive patients with pacemakers and chronic RV pacing burdens over 20% (Vp > 20%) from 2021 to 2024. All patients were assessed by standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with LVEF and MAPSE among other parameters being assessed. We performed a correlation test using linear regression and plotted an ROC curve. Results: 409 patients (mean age = 68.7 year) were included, 225 men (55%) and 245 (59.9%) with dual-chamber pacemakers. The mean follow-up period was 18 ± 2 months, with HF incidence in the study group being 23.2%. The results showed that average, septal, and lateral MAPSE all correlate well with LVEF, but septal values seemed to provide the strongest correlation (r = 0.90, p < 0.001), and that a septal MAPSE cut off value of <10 mm (sensitivity 99.4, specificity 42.1, AUC = 0.89) was associated with impaired LVEF (<50%). Conclusions: MAPSE seems to corelate well with LVEF across the spectrum of HF in pts with chronic RV conventional pacing. Septal MAPSE shows the strongest correlation with LVEF, and a value of <10 mm is a cut-off for altered LVEF, making it a potentially useful marker of cardiac function in these pts. Full article

(1) Objective: The objective was to test the hypothesis that cine MRI-derived radiomic features can detect functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) in the context of pulmonary hypertension (PH). (2) Materials and methods: In total, 53 PH patients were retrospectively enrolled. Thirty-three patients had echocardiography-defined mild-to-severe FTR, while the other twenty patients had no or trivial regurgitation. For all participants, 93 radiomic features were extracted from four-chamber cine MRI using a fixed-size region of interest (ROI) located in the right atrium (RA), 0.5–1 cm above the tricuspid valve. The levels of radiomic features were averaged over the ventricular systole and compared between patients with and without FTR using t tests. In patients with FTR, radiomic features were related to hemodynamic parameters in the right heart using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). (3) Results: There were no significant differences in demographic information, right heart catheterization (RHC) results, and most cine MRI-derived cardiac function indices between the two subject groups. Eight of ninety-three radiomic features were significantly different between PH patients with and without FTR. Radiomic features can be used to discriminate two subject groups (AUC = 0.77). In patients with FTR, multiple radiomic features are related to the pressure in the RA, right ventricle (RV), and pressure difference between RA and RV (r: 0.4 to 0.55), p values < 0.05. (4) Conclusion: Cine MRI-derived radiomic features of the cardiac blood pool differ between PH patients with and without FTR. Cine MRI shows promise as a method for assessing FTR in the context of complex cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Full article

Plants of the genus Porophyllum (Asteraceae) have traditional medicinal uses, but only 8 of 25 species have been studied. This study aimed to profile volatile compounds, phenolics, and fatty acids in dried leaves and stems of Porophyllum gracile and assess biological activities of extracts obtained using different solvents. GC-MS, HPLC-DAD, and GC-FID analyses identified over 120 compounds, including fatty acids, chlorogenic acid derivatives, quercetin derivatives, terpenes, ketones, aldehydes, and alcohols. Antioxidant activity in vitro (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays) suggested a strong electron-transfer-mediated mechanism. In ARPE-19 cells under doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress, hexane and ethanolic extracts from leaves and stems significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species, in some cases outperforming vitamin E. No antiproliferative activity was detected against cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, HeLa, A549, HCT 116, 22Rv1), nor cytotoxicity toward non-cancerous cells (ARPE-19, hFOB 1.19). This first detailed phytochemical characterization of P. gracile demonstrates its cellular antioxidant potential and supports its application as a natural antioxidant source in functional foods or nutraceuticals. Future work should elucidate mechanisms, isolate active compounds, and evaluate bioavailability in in vivo models. Full article

Rubella is typically a mild viral illness, but it can lead to severe complications when contracted during pregnancy, such as pregnancy loss or developmental defects in the fetus (congenital rubella syndrome). Therefore, it is crucial to develop and maintain protective immunity in women of childbearing age. In this study, we assessed the transcriptional factors associated with rubella-specific immune outcomes (IgG binding antibody and avidity, neutralizing antibody, and memory B cell ELISpot response) following a third MMR vaccine dose in women of reproductive age to identify key factors/signatures impacting the immune response. We identified baseline (Day 0) and differentially expressed (Day 28–Day 0) genes associated with several RV-specific immune outcomes, including the transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2), which is an important factor regulating iron homeostasis and macrophage functional activity, and a close functional homolog of TFR1, the cellular receptor of the New World hemorrhagic fever arenaviruses. We also identified enriched KEGG pathways, “cell adhesion molecules”, “antigen processing and presentation”, “natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity”, and “immune network for IgA production”, relevant to immune response priming and immune activation to be associated with RV-specific immune outcomes. This study provides novel insights into potential biomarkers of rubella-specific immunity in women of childbearing age. Full article

Background: Right heart catheterization (RHC) is the gold-standard for diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) but is a terminal procedure in neonatal mice. The objective was to validate echocardiographic measures of PH to establish the diagnostic capability against pulmonary vascular histology in neonatal mice. Methods: Adult mice, exposed to hypoxia or normoxia, were assessed by echocardiography and RHC to evaluate right ventricle (RV) morphometry and function. Echocardiographic measures identified in adult mice were then used to evaluate PH characteristics in hypoxia-exposed neonatal mice. Physiological parameters were compared to histopathology in all mice. Results: Hypoxia-challenged adult mice developed PH with RHC, demonstrating confirmed elevated RV systolic pressure (RVSP), RV hypertrophy, and increased cross-sectional area and neomuscularization of pulmonary vessels. Echocardiography-derived RV free wall (RVFW) thickness correlated with RV mass. Tricuspid valve annulus tissue Doppler imaging (TV TDI), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulmonary artery acceleration measures (PAAT), and TAPSE × PAAT (a measure of RV work) all correlated with RVSP determined by RHC. In neonatal mice exposed to hypoxia, PAAT, TV TDI, TAPSE, and TAPSE × PAAT were decreased and RVFW thickness was increased, correlating with the histologic phenotype of PH. Conclusions: Echocardiographic indices of RV morphology and function provide reliable estimates of invasive RV hemodynamics in hypoxia-induced PH. Full article

Aims: The effect of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in addition to optimal medical therapy (OMT) on right ventricular (RV) systolic function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is not well established. This study aimed to assess the impact of SGLT2is on RV function using advanced echocardiographic parameters in patients with HFrEF and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: The real-world prospective, observational GLISCAR study enrolled 31 consecutive patients with T2D and HFrEF. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and comprehensive echocardiography at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with an SGLT2i. Results: After 12 months, statistically significant improvements in RV function were observed. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) increased from 18.00 mm (SD ± 4.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 16.51–19.49 mm) to 19.40 mm (SD ± 4.13; 95% CI: 17.95–20.85 mm) (p = 0.0346), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) decreased from 35.23 mmHg (SD ± 14.61; 95% CI: 30.09–40.37 mm) to 30.89 mmHg (SD ± 7.77; 95% CI: 28.15–33.63 mm) (p < 0.001). These changes may suggest favorable RV remodeling and improved right ventricular–arterial coupling (RVAC). Conclusions: SGLT2i therapy was associated with improved RV function and RVAC in patients with HFrEF and T2D. While these findings are preliminary and drawn from a small, observational cohort, they support a potential role for SGLT2is in right heart remodeling. Further randomized, controlled studies are needed to confirm these effects and clarify their clinical implications. Full article

Background: Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) remains the preferred treatment for surgical accessible thrombus in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, residual pulmonary hypertension (PH) can persist post-PTE. Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis of patients that underwent PTE between 2013 and 2023. At 3-month follow-up, we performed a qualitative Echo-Doppler (DE) assessment and applied a semi-quantitative DE scoring system (DESS), assigning point values for six DE parameters: right ventricle (RV) size, RV shape (systolic base–apex ratio), RV function, septal position, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and RV outflow tract notching (RVOTN). Higher scores suggested a more significant residual PH syndrome. Results: A total of 188 subjects (80%) did not require further PH intervention at ≥3 months (Group A); 48 (20%) required ongoing PH treatment (Group B). The pre-PTE median DESS was 10 and the post-PTE median DESS was 3.00 (range 0–16). The maximum DESS was 17. Using ROC analysis, post-PTE DESS strongly discriminated between Group A and B (AUC 0.76; 95% CI 0.65–0.89; p < 0.001). A post-PTE DESS of >6.5 differentiated Group A and B. Evidence of TR (OR 0.191, CI 0.103–0.279; p < 0.0001) and RV enlargement (OR 0.242; CI 0.153–0.330; p < 0.0001) at follow-up was associated with a need for additional PH interventions. Conclusions: Serial DE examination is a viable, noninvasive method to assess significant residual PH post-PTE. Full article

Background: Small airway dysfunction (SAD) plays a critical role in the management of severe asthma, particularly in patients at risk of requiring biological therapies (BTs). Short-term studies have shown that switching to single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) with extrafine beclomethasone–formoterol–glycopyrronium improves outcomes and helps achieve quiet asthma, a state marked by symptom control, no exacerbations or oral steroids, reduced inflammation, and better small airway function. This study investigated whether, over one year, patients could maintain this state as Steady Quiet Asthma (SQA) and whether baseline measures could predict this sustained response. Methods: Twenty-six patients with severe asthma and SAD were transitioned from open triple-inhaler therapy to a closed, single-inhaler triple therapy containing extrafine beclomethasone–formoterol–glycopyrronium. Assessments at baseline (T0) and at one-year follow-up (T12) included clinical evaluations, spirometry, and impulse oscillometry, with a focus on Fres as a predictor for the need for BT. When prescribed, biologic therapies included mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab. Results: Of the 26 patients, 9 (34.6%) achieved SQA and did not require biologic therapy at the one-year follow-up, while 17 patients (65.4%) initiated biologic treatment. At T0, patients who required biologics had significantly higher median Fres (21 (19.47; 24.58) vs. 17.61 (15.82; 20.63); p = 0.049) compared to those who remained biologic-free. They also exhibited higher residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (%RV/TLC) values and lower forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratios (FEV₁/FVC). At T12, patients spared from BT showed significant reductions in Fres (p = 0.014) and improvements in small airway function (difference in airway resistance between 5 Hz and 20 Hz (R5–20), forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (%FEF25–75), and better asthma control (ACT). In contrast, patients on BT demonstrated less favorable changes in these parameters. Conclusions: Baseline Fres, FEV1/FVC ratio, and %FEV25–75 are valuable predictors of achieving Steady Quiet Asthma (SQA) and sparing biologic therapy. These findings support the use of SITT in severe asthma and highlight the importance of early functional assessments to guide personalized management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Historically, echocardiographic imaging of the right heart has been challenging because its abnormal geometry is not conducive to reproducible anatomical and functional assessment. With the development of advanced echocardiographic techniques, it is now possible to complete an integrated assessment of the right heart that has fewer assumptions, resulting in increased accuracy and precision. Echocardiography continues to be the first-line imaging modality for diagnostic analysis and the management of acute and chronic right heart failure because of its portability, versatility, and affordability compared to cardiac computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography. Virtually all echocardiographic parameters have been well-validated and have demonstrated prognostic significance. The goal of this narrative review of the echocardiographic parameters of the right heart chambers and hemodynamic alterations associated with right ventricular dysfunction is to present information that must be acquired during each examination to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the right heart and to discuss their clinical significance in right heart failure. Methods: Using a literature search in the PubMed database from 1985 to 2025 and the Cochrane database, which included but was not limited to terminology that are descriptive of right heart anatomy and function, disease states involving acute and chronic right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, and the application of conventional and advanced echocardiographic modalities that strive to elucidate the pathophysiology of right heart failure, we reviewed randomized control trials, observational retrospective and prospective cohort studies, societal guidelines, and systematic review articles. Conclusions: In addition to the conventional 2-dimensional echocardiography and color, spectral, and tissue Doppler measurements, a contemporary echocardiographic assessment of a patient with suspected or proven right heart failure must include 3-dimensional echocardiographic-derived measurements, speckle-tracking echocardiography strain analysis, and hemodynamics parameters to not only characterize the right heart anatomy but to also determine the underlying pathophysiology of right heart failure. Complete and point-of-care echocardiography is available in virtually all clinical settings for routine care, but this imaging tool is particularly indispensable in the emergency department, intensive care units, and operating room, where it can provide an immediate assessment of right ventricular function and associated hemodynamic changes to assist with real-time management decisions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Iron deficiency (ID) is a common and prognostically relevant comorbidity in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It contributes to reduced functional status, exercise capacity, and survival. Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) improves symptoms, but its effect on cardiac structure and function remains incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of intravenous FCM on echocardiographic indices of left ventricular (LV), left atrial (LA), and right ventricular (RV) morphology and function in HFrEF patients with ID and determine whether these changes correlate with improvements in exercise capacity. Methods: This sub-analysis of the RESAFE-HF registry (NCT04974021) included 86 HFrEF patients with ID (median age 71.8 years, 83% male). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at baseline and 12 months post-FCM. Parameters assessed included LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV diastolic function grade, LAVi, LA strain, TAPSE, and RV free wall strain (FWS). Peak VO₂ was measured to assess exercise capacity. Results: LVEF improved from 29.3 ± 7.8% to 32.5 ± 10.6% (p < 0.001), LV GLS from −7.89% to −8.62%, and the LV diastolic dysfunction grade improved (p < 0.001). LAVi, peak LA strain, TAPSE, and RV FWS also showed significant improvement. Peak VO₂ increased from 11.3 ± 3.2 to 12.1 ± 4.1 mL/min/kg (p < 0.001). Improvements in LVEF, RV FWS, and LV GLS were independent predictors of VO₂ increase (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.01, respectively), explaining 42% of the variance. Conclusions: FCM therapy improves biventricular and atrial function, with echocardiographic gains correlating with an enhanced exercise capacity in HFrEF patients with ID. Full article

The abrasion resistance of fabrics is one of the basic properties determining the utility performance and durability. The abrasion resistance of textile materials is measured using the Martindale device according to appropriate standards. The sample breakage method is the most commonly used of the three methods. The method is based on organoleptic assessment of fabric breakage. The method is time-consuming, and results may be subject to error resulting from the subjective nature of the assessment. The aim of the presented work was to check the possibility of the application of contactless 3D surface geometry measurement using an optical profilometer in an assessment of changes in fabrics’ surface due to the abrasion process. The obtained results confirmed that some parameters of the geometric structure of fabric surfaces, such as the highest height of the roughness profile Rz, the height of the highest pick of the roughness profile Rp, the depth of the lowest valley of the roughness profile Rv, the depth of the total height of the roughness profile Rt, and the kurtosis Rku, can be used to assess the abrasion resistance of fabrics. It is also stated that using the non-contact optical measurement of fabric surface geometry allows for an assessment of the directionality of surface texture. For this purpose, the autocorrelation function and angle distribution function can be applied. Full article

Background/Objectives: While aldosterone excess has a detrimental impact on the left ventricle, no data exist concerning right ventricular (RV) function in primary aldosteronism (PA) patients. We aimed to assess RV structure and function in patients with PA using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Thirty PA patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were studied. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance with the assessment of RV structure and function. Results: Neither the RV mass index (RVMi) nor the RV ejection fraction (RVEF) correlated with the aldosterone levels (p = 0.36 and p = 0.37, respectively). On the contrary, we found a weak positive correlation between the RV end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVi) and aldosterone concentration (rho = 0.5, p = 0.005). Neither the RVEDVi nor the RVEF differed between the PA patients and the control group (p = 0.077 and p = 0.93, respectively). The RVMi was higher in the PA group, at 18.9 (4.9) g/m², versus 13.6 (3.2) g/m² (SD) in the control group (p < 0.0001). The RVEDVi was positively correlated with the duration of hypertension (rho = 0.4, p = 0.03), and the latter was correlated inversely with the RVEF (rho = −0.47, p = 0.009). The RV global longitudinal strain was impaired in PA patients in comparison with the controls (−16.8 (2.5%) versus −19.6 (2.7%), p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The PA patients exhibited larger RVMi values than the controls. The higher the aldosterone levels were, the higher the observed RVEDVi. Additionally, the longer the duration of hypertension, the higher the observed RVEDVi and the lower the noted RVEF. The PA patients exhibited subclinical RV systolic dysfunction, expressed as impaired RV global longitudinal strain. Full article