DYRK1B inhibition exerts senolytic effects on endothelial cells and rescues endothelial dysfunctions

Aging is the major risk factor for chronic disease development. Cellular senescence is a key mechanism that triggers or contributes to age-related phenotypes and pathologies. The endothelium, a single layer of cells lining the inner surface of a blood vessel, is a critical interface between blood and all tissues. Many studies report a link between endothelial cell senescence, inflammation, and diabetic vascular diseases. Here we identify, using combined advanced AI and machine learning, the Dual Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation Regulated Kinase 1B (DYRK1B) protein as a possible senolytic target for senescent endothelial cells. We demonstrate that upon induction of senescence in vitro DYRK1B expression is increased in endothelial cells and localized at adherens junctions where it impairs their proper organization and functions. DYRK1B knock-down or inhibition restores endothelial barrier properties and collective behavior. DYRK1B is therefore a possible target to counteract diabetes-associated vascular diseases linked to endothelial cell senescence.

A rare case of peripheral vascular graft infection by Aspergillus fumigatus and review of the literature

We present an unusual case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with a pseudoaneurysm at the site of a previous prosthetic femoro-popliteal bypass graft and underwent an urgent repair with pseudoaneurysm excision and extra-anatomic placement of an autologous venous graft. Microbiology examination revealed Aspergillus fumigatus infection of the graft, which is a very rare condition. Long-term antifungal medication has been administrated with positive outcome. Only a few cases have been reported in literature, mainly involving aortic grafts. Most patients are immunocompetent and with late presentation. Successful outcome can only be achieved with long-term antifungal treatment and extra-anatomic replacement of the graft.

Fracture verticale de l’apophyse odontoïde

Odontoid process fractures are commonly classified as types I through III according to the Anderson & D'Alonzo scheme. A fourth type of fracture not included in this classification has been described as "vertical odontoid fracture". These fractures are located in the vertical plan of the dens. We describe a new case of an oblique coronally oriented fracture through the odontoid process with extension to the body of C2. Our patient is a 22-year-old lady who sustained a road traffic accident with head, facial and cervical trauma. Computed tomography with 2D and 3D reconstruction characterized the fracture. We suppose that the mechanism of injury was an axial load associated with dorsal to ventral force. The patient was placed on a halo-vest for 12 weeks with good healing and no evidence of instability on flexion-extension studies 6 months later. This case demonstrates that the odontoid and C2 vertebral body fractures belong to the same spectrum and are determined by the patient's anatomy and the mechanism of the injury.