The development of deep learning technology has enabled machines to achieve high-level accuracy in interpreting medical images. While many previous studies have examined the detection of pulmonary ...nodules in chest X-rays using deep learning, the application of this technology to heart failure remains rare. In this paper, we investigated the performance of a deep learning algorithm in terms of diagnosing heart failure using images obtained from chest X-rays. We used 952 chest X-ray images from a labeled database published by the National Institutes of Health. Two cardiologists verified and relabeled a total of 260 "normal" and 378 "heart failure" images, with the remainder being discarded because they had been incorrectly labeled. Data augmentation and transfer learning were used to obtain an accuracy of 82% in diagnosing heart failure using the chest X-ray images. Furthermore, heatmap imaging allowed us to visualize decisions made by the machine. Deep learning can thus help support the diagnosis of heart failure using chest X-ray images.
ABSTRACT—Different cell types, equipped with unique structure and function, synthesize different sets of proteins on the basis of different patterns of gene expression, even though their genomes are ...identical. Cardiac transcription factors have been reported to control a cardiac gene program and thus to play a crucial role in transcriptional regulation during embryogenesis. Recently, postnatal roles of cardiac transcription factors have been extensively investigated. Consistent with the direct transactivation of numerous cardiac genes reactivated in response to hypertrophic stimulation, cardiac transcription factors are profoundly involved in the generation of cardiac hypertrophy or in cardioprotection from cytotoxic stress in the adult heart. In this review, the regulation of a cardiac gene program by cardiac transcription factors is summarized, with an emphasis on their potential role in the generation of cardiac hypertrophy.
Many studies have explored cardiac progenitor cell (CPC) therapy for heart disease. However, optimal scaffolds are needed to ensure the engraftment of transplanted cells. We produced a ...three-dimensional hydrogel scaffold (CPC-PRGmx) in which high-viability CPCs were cultured for up to 8 weeks. CPC-PRGmx contained an RGD peptide-conjugated self-assembling peptide with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Immediately after creating myocardial infarction (MI), we transplanted CPC-PRGmx into the pericardial space on to the surface of the MI area. Four weeks after transplantation, red fluorescent protein-expressing CPCs and
hybridization analysis in sex-mismatched transplantations revealed the engraftment of CPCs in the transplanted scaffold (which was cellularized with host cells). The average scar area of the CPC-PRGmx-treated group was significantly smaller than that of the non-treated group (CPC-PRGmx-treated group = 46 ± 5.1%, non-treated MI group = 59 ± 4.5%;
< 0.05). Echocardiography showed that the transplantation of CPC-PRGmx improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac remodeling after MI. The transplantation of CPCs-PRGmx promoted angiogenesis and inhibited apoptosis, compared to the untreated MI group. CPCs-PRGmx secreted more vascular endothelial growth factor than CPCs cultured on two-dimensional dishes. Genetic fate mapping revealed that CPC-PRGmx-treated mice had more regenerated cardiomyocytes than non-treated mice in the MI area (CPC-PRGmx-treated group = 0.98 ± 0.25%, non-treated MI group = 0.25 ± 0.04%;
< 0.05). Our findings reveal the therapeutic potential of epicardial-transplanted CPC-PRGmx. Its beneficial effects may be mediated by sustainable cell viability, paracrine function, and the enhancement of de novo cardiomyogenesis.
Background:Because the early diagnosis of subclinical cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) remains difficult, we developed a deep learning algorithm to distinguish CS patients from healthy subjects using ...echocardiographic movies.Methods and Results:Among the patients who underwent echocardiography from January 2015 to December 2019, we chose 151 echocardiographic movies from 50 CS patients and 151 from 149 healthy subjects. We trained two 3D convolutional neural networks (3D-CNN) to identify CS patients using a dataset of 212 echocardiographic movies with and without a transfer learning method (Pretrained algorithm and Non-pretrained algorithm). On an independent set of 41 echocardiographic movies, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the Pretrained algorithm was greater than that of Non-pretrained algorithm (0.842, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.722–0.962 vs. 0.724, 95% CI: 0.566–0.882, P=0.253). The AUC from the interpretation of the same set of 41 echocardiographic movies by 5 cardiologists was not significantly different from that of the Pretrained algorithm (0.855, 95% CI: 0.735–0.975 vs. 0.842, 95% CI: 0.722–0.962, P=0.885). A sensitivity map demonstrated that the Pretrained algorithm focused on the area of the mitral valve.Conclusions:A 3D-CNN with a transfer learning method may be a promising tool for detecting CS using an echocardiographic movie.
Most of the pathophysiological actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) are mediated through the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor, a member of the seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor family. ...Essentially, AT1 receptor signaling is beneficial for organismal survival and procreation, because it is crucial for normal organ development, and blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis. On the other hand, AT1 receptor signaling has detrimental effects, such as promoting various aging-related diseases that include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dementia, osteoporosis, and cancer. Pharmacological or genetic blockade of AT1 receptor signaling in rodents has been shown to prevent the progression of aging-related phenotypes and promote longevity. In this way, AT1 receptor signaling exerts antagonistic and pleiotropic effects according to the ages and pathophysiological conditions. Here we review the pleiotropic effects of AT1 receptor signaling in cardiovascular homeostasis and aging.
During the past decade, an emerging body of evidence has accumulated that cardiac transcription factors control a cardiac gene program and play a critical role in transcriptional regulation during ...cardiogenesis and during the adaptive process in adult hearts. Especially, an evolutionally conserved homeobox transcription factor Csx/Nkx2-5 has been in the forefront in the field of cardiac biology, providing molecular insights into the mechanisms of cardiac development and diseases. Csx/Nkx2-5 is indispensable for normal cardiac development, and mutations of the gene are associated with human congenital heart diseases (CHD). In the present review, the regulation of a cardiac gene program by Csx/Nkx2-5 is summarized, with an emphasis on its role in the cardiac development and diseases.
Although Wingless (Wg)/Wnt signaling has been implicated in heart development of multiple organisms, conflicting results have been reported regarding the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in cardiac ...myogenesis: Wg/armadillo signaling promotes heart development in Drosophila, whereas activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibits heart formation in avians and amphibians. Using an in vitro system of mouse ES cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes, we show here that Wnt/β-catenin signaling exhibits developmental stage-specific, biphasic, and antagonistic effects on cardiomyogenesis and hematopoiesis/vasculogenesis. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the early phase during embryoid body (EB) formation enhances ES cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes while suppressing the differentiation into hematopoietic and vascular cell lineages. In contrast, activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the late phase after EB formation inhibits cardiomyocyte differentiation and enhances the expression of hematopoietic/vascular marker genes through suppression of bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Thus, Wnt/β-catenin signaling exhibits biphasic and antagonistic effects on cardiomyogenesis and hematopoiesis/vasculogenesis, depending on the stage of development.
We report a case of lethal myocarditis and myositis after pembrolizumab treatment for advanced upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. A 69-year-old man underwent pembrolizumab therapy as a ...second-line treatment. He had myalgia and a slightly elevated creatinine kinase (CK) on the day of the second administration of pembrolizumab. Five days later, the patient was admitted with severe fatigue and an abnormal gait. Physical examination revealed reduced muscle reflexes and proximal muscle weakness. An electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated a wide QRS complex ventricular rhythm. A marked elevation of cardiac enzymes, including CK, myoglobin, and cardiac troponin I, was detected. Myocardial biopsy revealed inflammatory cell infiltration and the partial impairment of myocardial tissue. The electromyogram was normal, but inflammation in myofibers was noted in a muscle biopsy. Myocarditis and myositis as immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were suspected, and the patient began intravenous steroid therapy and plasma exchange. However, the patient underwent cardiac arrest three days after admission and began extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intra-aortic balloon pumping therapy. Despite steroid pulse therapy, the patient demonstrated no sign of improvement and subsequently died 17 days after admission. Immune-mediated myocarditis is a rare but fatal irAE of an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). The present case suggests that myositis precedes myocarditis. Therefore, if myositis is suspected, subsequent myocarditis may need attention. In conclusion, we found that myositis and myocarditis developed in a patient with advanced urothelial carcinoma after pembrolizumab treatment. A routine follow-up of CK and cardiac troponin I, as well as an ECG, should be performed to identify any possible ICI-induced myocarditis and myositis quickly.
Background: Left heart abnormalities are risk factors for heart failure. However, echocardiography is not always available. Electrocardiograms (ECGs), which are now available from wearable devices, ...have the potential to detect these abnormalities. Nevertheless, whether a model can detect left heart abnormalities from single Lead I ECG data remains unclear.Methods and Results: We developed Lead I ECG models to detect low ejection fraction (EF), wall motion abnormality, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), left ventricular dilatation, and left atrial dilatation. We used a dataset comprising 229,439 paired sets of ECG and echocardiography data from 8 facilities, and validated the model using external verification with data from 2 facilities. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of our model was 0.913 for low EF, 0.832 for wall motion abnormality, 0.797 for LVH, 0.838 for left ventricular dilatation, and 0.802 for left atrial dilatation. In interpretation tests with 12 cardiologists, the accuracy of the model was 78.3% for low EF and 68.3% for LVH. Compared with cardiologists who read the 12-lead ECGs, the model’s performance was superior for LVH and similar for low EF.Conclusions: From a multicenter study dataset, we developed models to predict left heart abnormalities using Lead I on the ECG. The Lead I ECG models show superior or equivalent performance to cardiologists using 12-lead ECGs.
Antihypertensive Drugs and Cancer Risk Kidoguchi, Satoshi; Sugano, Naoki; Yokoo, Takashi ...
American journal of hypertension,
09/2022, Letnik:
35, Številka:
9
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Abstract
Hypertension is the most prevalent comorbidity in cancer patients. Consequently, many cancer patients are prescribed antihypertensive drugs before cancer diagnosis or during cancer ...treatment. However, whether antihypertensive drugs affect the incidence, treatment efficacy, or prognosis of cancer remains unanswered. For instance, renin–angiotensin and β-adrenergic signaling may be involved not only in blood pressure elevation but also in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue invasion. Therefore, the inhibition of these pathways may have beneficial effects on cancer prevention or treatment. In this article, we reviewed several studies regarding antihypertensive drugs and cancer. In particular, we focused on the results of clinical trials to evaluate whether the use of antihypertensive drugs affects future cancer risk and prognosis. Unfortunately, the results are somewhat inconsistent, and evidence demonstrating the effect of antihypertensive drugs remains limited. We indicate that the heterogeneity in the study designs makes it difficult to clarify the causal relationship between antihypertensive drugs and cancer. We also propose that additional experimental studies, including research with induced pluripotent cells derived from cancer patients, single-cell analyses of cancer cell clusters, and clinical studies using artificial intelligence electronic health record systems, might be helpful to reveal the precise association between antihypertensive drugs and cancer risk.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract