Umbilical cord blood (CB) is a valuable source of stem cells for transplantation, but CB transplantations are frequently complicated by delayed platelet engraftment. The reasons underlying this are unclear. We hypothesized that CBand peripheral-blood (PB)–derived megakaryocytes (MKs) respond differently to the adult hematopoietic microenvironment and to thrombopoietin (Tpo). To test this, we cu...

p38 MAP kinase in human platelets is activated by platelet agonists including thrombin, thromboxane A2 (TxA2), ADP, and others. However, both upstream mechanisms of p38 MAP kinase activation, and their downstream sequelae, are presently controversial and essentially unclear. Certain studies report sequential activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) and p38/ERK pathways by platelet agon...

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and recurrent thrombosis or fetal loss. The thrombophilic state has been partially related to the induction of a proinflammatory and procoagulant endothelial cell (EC) phenotype induced by anti– 2-glycoprotein I ( 2-GPI) antibodies that bind 2-GPI expressed on ...

The factor VII–activating protease (FSAP) variant Marburg I is known to attenuate the profibrinolytic system in vitro and was recently shown to be a significant predictor for the evolution and progression of carotid stenosis. The objective of this case-control study was to assess FSAP Marburg I’s role in the occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The frequency of FSAP Marburg I was signifi...

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can be isolated from adult peripheral and umbilical cord blood and expanded exponentially ex vivo. In contrast, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) derived from vessel walls are widely considered to be differentiated, mature endothelial cells (ECs). However, similar to adultand cord blood–derived EPCs, HUV...

large vessel involvement is one of the hallmarks of behcet’s disease (bd) but its prevalence varies widely due to ethnic variation or environmental factors. the aim of this study is to find the characteristics of vasculo-behcet (vb) in iran. in a cohort of 4769 patients with bd, those with vascular involvement were selected. different manifestations of disease were compared with the remaining g...

CONTEXT Complications of atherosclerosis are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized societies. Obesity has emerged as an independent risk factor for complications of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Leptin, a hormone produced by the adipocyte, increases with obesity and appears to modulate energy balance and food intake. In addition, other actions of leptin have been pr...

low plasma level of vitamin d is linked to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and peripheral vascular diseases. vitamin d deficiency is a worldwide problem that involves iranian population. to the best of our knowledge, this was the first investigation on venous thromboembolism (vte) subjects that assessed the correlation of vitamin d leve...

M etallic drug-eluting stents (DESs) are the current standard for invasive treatment of coronary artery disease. However, metallic DES have been associated with late complications such as neoatherosclerosis and incomplete healing that can lead to failure even at long-term follow-up. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) are a new treatment for coronary artery disease that could potentially al...

The possible role of prostaglandins (PGs) in thrombosis was determined by examining their effects in models of thrombosis which included platelet aggregation (in vitro), blood flow (in vivo) and thrombus formation (in vivo). It was found that blood flow and thrombosis can be effectively modulated by the various types of prostaglandins produced by the blood and the vascular tissue.