It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we present the current issue of the Journal of Atherosclerosis Prevention and Treatment (APTJ), that enters in a new era, under a new publisher. This, open-access (free of charge), peer-reviewed journal is dedicated to advancing the science, clinical practice, and innovation surrounding the prevention, early detection, and management of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disorders. In an era when cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, the need for translational, interdisciplinary, and clinically relevant research has never been greater. APTJ aims to become a global platform for such dialogue, bridging molecular discoveries, clinical trials, population studies, and preventive strategies. The first issue of 2025 sets the tone for the journal’s vision, to integrate mechanistic understanding with clinical applications in cardiovascular prevention. The original research and review articles featured illustrate both the breadth and depth of our mission, spanning from cutting-edge molecular therapies to novel diagnostic insights into microvascular health. The review by Tsouka, et al. (“RNA-based and Gene Editing Technologies to Treat Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Thrombosis”) introduces readers to one of the most transformative developments in biomedical science: gene silencing and genome editing for cardiovascular therapy. CVD, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and thrombosis, remains deeply rooted in dysregulated lipid metabolism, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Traditional pharmacologic strategies, though effective, often address downstream manifestations rather than the genetic and molecular origins of atherosclerosis. The authors review the remarkable progress achieved through small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system, technologies that enable precise control of gene expression. These innovations herald a paradigm shift from symptom management to causal therapy, directly targeting molecular pathways responsible for lipid accumulation, inflammation, and thrombosis. Notably, the review highlights an siRNA that inhibits hepatic PCSK9 synthesis, achieving durable low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction through a twice-yearly injection. Similarly, another ASO targeting apolipoprotein(a) has emerged as a promising tool to reduce lipoprotein(a), a genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor. These therapeutics exemplify how RNA-based agents can complement or even replace conventional lipid-lowering drugs. Beyond cholesterol metabolism, the authors explore future directions in thromboinflammatory modulation, plaque stabilization, and vascular regeneration, where CRISPR-mediated editing of proatherogenic genes may offer permanent correction of disease pathways. Equally important is their balanced discussion of the barriers to translation, including immune activation, off-target effects, and delivery challenges. Recent progress in nanoparticle-based and GalNAc-conjugate delivery systems, enabling liver-specific targeting and enhanced stability, brings these therapies closer to clinical reality. By bridging molecular biology with cardiology, this review underscores a central message of the journal: the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis must evolve together with advances in molecular medicine. The second featured article, by Palaska, et al., entitled “The Benefits of 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) in Retinal Small Vessels,” exemplifies the translational and preventive focus of APTJ. Hypertension, long recognized as a principal modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, induces structural and functional damage in target organs such as the heart, kidney, brain, and eyes. Yet, as the authors emphasize, nocturnal blood pressure patterns remain an underappreciated determinant of vascular injury. Drawing from an impressive body of clinical and mechanistic evidence, the authors review how 24-h ABPM, particularly nocturnal and dipping patterns, provides superior prognostic value compared to office measurements. The article details how nondipping or reverse-dipping profiles, where blood pressure fails to decline at night, are strongly associated with microvascular remodeling, retinal vessel narrowing, and target organ damage. Through retinal imaging metrics such as central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents and arteriole-to-venule ratio, hypertension’s microvascular impact can be visualized in vivo. Of special importance is the authors’ synthesis of data linking nocturnal hypertension to retinal microvascular rarefaction, increased wall-to-lumen ratio, and retinal vein occlusion, pathophysiologic changes that mirror systemic endothelial dysfunction and forecast cardiovascular morbidity. These findings position the retina as a “window to the vasculature,” offering noninvasive insights into systemic vascular health. This review calls for a renewed emphasis on ABPM in clinical practice, not merely as a diagnostic adjunct but as an essential preventive tool. Recognizing nocturnal hypertension could enable earlier therapeutic interventions, tailored treatment timing, and better prediction of adverse events. As hypertension continues to drive global cardiovascular burden, these insights reinforce the journal’s focus on integrative prevention, linking physiology, imaging, and personalized medicine. Together, these two reviews illustrate the dual axis of modern atherosclerosis research, from molecular innovation to systemic prevention. On one side, molecular technology like RNA interference and CRISPR offer the precision to silence or edit the genes that initiate vascular injury. On the other hand, detailed physiologic monitoring and imaging expose the earliest manifestations of that injury within microvascular networks. Both approaches converge on the same goal: to detect, prevent, and reverse atherosclerotic disease before irreversible damage occurs. This issue also includes cutting-edge research papers. Damigou et al. reported from the ATTICA study that quitting smoking habits (vs. always smoking) was associated with a 58% reduced CVD risk during a very long-term follow-up (20 years) of apparently healthy individuals. Moreover, starting physical activity (vs. remaining consistently inactive) was associated with a 64% reduced CVD risk; this risk was modified based on other habits. Specifically, starting physical activity was associated with a 69% and a 76% reduced CVD risk in participants who maintained a low diet quality and those who maintained an increased weight, respectively. Improvements in diet quality or body weight status were not linked to CVD risk. The authors concluded that smoking cessation and physical activity initiation should be encouraged even later in life to reduce CVD risk. Healthy dietary behaviors and a normal body weight should be introduced as early in life as possible. Digambarrao Pande et al. aimed to identify the prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAD) in stroke subjects and its association with comorbidities, stroke subtypes, and long-term survival. Performing retrospective analysis of 681 stroke patients to identify the prevalence of ICAD and associated risk factors, they observed that 327 (48%) had ICAD, with 232 (71%) having one or more intracranial arteries with significant stenosis. ICAD was associated with older age, ischemic strokes, total anterior circulation syndrome, large artery strokes, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and with a history of hyperlipidemia. In addition, higher serum potassium and glucose, lower hemoglobin, and aortic valve sclerosis were significantly associated with ICAD. In this research, the authors underlined that the prevalence of ICAD, especially in ischemic strokes, is high, and proactive management of related conditions may improve long-term associated complications. In another research study published in this issue, Kotopoulou et al., from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey, assessed the fructose intake and identified the major food group contributors to mean fructose intake in Greek children and adolescents. Based on data from 738 children and adolescents, fructose intakes were assessed using two 24-h recalls, and the main fructose contributors by age and sex were derived. Main findings include that daily fructose intake differed significantly across age groups, with school-aged children showing the highest intake (9.2 g/day) and adolescents the lowest (8.4 g/day; overall median: 8.7 g/day). Fruits were the main fructose contributor in all groups, although this had a clear age-related decrease from toddlers to early childhood, with a respective increase from sugar-sweetened beverages after 8 years (peaking in boys aged 8–12 years and girls >13 years). These findings indicate that early childhood is characterized by relatively higher fructose exposure and demonstrate an age-related transition from natural to added sources of fructose, emphasizing the importance of targeted, age-specific, and family-oriented dietary interventions and guidance for Greek children and adolescents. Our journal’s vision extends beyond traditional clinical research. The APTJ welcomes cross-disciplinary contributions encompassing bioengineering, pharmacogenomics, nutrigenomics, digital health, and population epidemiology. The editorial board recognizes that effective cardiovascular prevention requires collaboration among clinicians, molecular biologists, engineers, and public health scientists. Whether through the design of gene-based therapies, the development of imaging biomarkers, or the implementation of global hypertension control strategies, the journal aims to provide an integrated platform for discovery and translation. The APTJ is designed not only as a repository of knowledge but as a community of practice. The editorial process emphasizes scientific quality, methodological soundness, and clinical relevance rather than impact factor or novelty alone. Our goal is to accelerate the translation of validated findings into clinical guidelines and public health strategies, supporting physicians, researchers, and policymakers in their shared fight against CVD. We invite clinicians, researchers, and innovators to join us in this mission, to transform cardiovascular prevention from reactive management into proactive health preservation. Through collaboration and open exchange, the APTJ will continue to illuminate the path from genes to global health.
A. Tselepis (Wed,) studied this question.