Development and Validation of a Prediction Model and Score for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Diagnosis: T-Amylo.

Background: Although transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is often underdiagnosed, clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a feasible prediction model and score to facilitate the diagnosis of ATTR-CA.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled consecutive patients who underwent Tc-DPD scintigraphy for suspected ATTR-CA.

Rationale and design of the rigorous atrial analysis in advanced interatrial block (ARABIA) prospective study.

Background: Advanced interatrial block (IAB) is present in 10% of subjects ≥75 years and is associated with the risk of clinical events.

Methods And Results: Prospective multicenter study that will include subjects ≥75 years without exclusion criteria (indication for anticoagulation, cardiac devices, severe valve disease, systolic dysfunction, moderate or severe cognitive impairment, poor echocardiographic window, non-sinus rhythm or partial IAB, stroke, and life expectancy <2 years). A total of 356 subjects, 178 patients with advanced IAB (exposed) and 178 matched individuals with normal P-wave (non-exposed) will be included.

Levosimendan in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator supported patients: Impact on the success of weaning and survival.

Weaning failure and mortality rates in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) supported patients are significant. Small studies suggest the possible usefulness of levosimendan in this environment, especially in postcardiotomy shock. We performed a retrospective analysis of VA-ECMO implants in a referral hospital comparing weaning failure and survival of patients treated with levosimendan with a control group.

Modulation by propranolol of the uptake of ethidium bromide by rat submandibular acinar cells exposed to a P2X(7) agonist or to maitotoxin.

We have compared the formation of pores in rat submandibular acinar cells in response to 2',3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl) adenosine 5'-triphosphate (Bz-ATP) and maitotoxin. Bz-ATP (100 microM) permeabilized the cells to ethidium bromide. The uptake of ethidium increased to 29+/-1% of maximal uptake in 10 min.

Bromoenol lactone enhances the permeabilization of rat submandibular acinar cells by P2X7 agonists.

The permeabilizing effect of P2X(7) agonists was tested in rat submandibular acinar cells using the uptake of ethidium bromide as an index. The uptake of ethidium bromide by acini incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of 1 mM ATP increased with time and reached after 5 min about 10% of maximal uptake measured in the presence of digitonin. The response to ATP was dose-dependent (half-maximal concentration around 40 microM) and it was decreased when the temperature was lowered to 25 degrees C.

Regulation by P2 agonists of the intracellular calcium concentration in epithelial cells freshly isolated from rat trachea.

Epithelial cells were isolated from rat trachea by incubation of the organ in a calcium-free medium. The intracellular concentration of calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) was measured with the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye fura2. In resting conditions, the cells maintained a low [Ca(2+)](i) in spite of the presence of millimolar concentration of calcium in the incubation medium.

Differential sensitivity to nickel and SK&F96365 of second messenger-operated and receptor-operated calcium channels in rat submandibular ductal cells.

The intracellular concentration of calcium ([Ca2+]i) of rat submandibular ductal cells was measured with the intracellular fluorescent dye Fura-2. Carbachol (100 microM) and ATP (1 mM) both increased the [Ca2+]i. The late response to ATP was blocked by 0.

Activation of the Na+-K+(NH4+)-2Cl(-)- cotransporter from rat submandibular glands in response to VIP.

A cellular suspension from rat submandibular glands was prepared with collagenase. The intracellular pH (pHi) was estimated with 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). After exposure to NH4Cl, the pHi transiently increased (diffusion of NH3) and then dropped (influx of NH4+).

Activation by P2X7 agonists of two phospholipases A2 (PLA2) in ductal cells of rat submandibular gland. Coupling of the calcium-independent PLA2 with kallikrein secretion.

Isolated ductal cells of rat submandibular gland phospholipid pools were labeled with [3H]arachidonic acid (AA). The tracer was incorporated preferentially to phosphatidylcholine (46% of the lipidic fraction). Extracellular ATP induced the release of [3H]AA to the extracellular medium in a time- and dose-dependent manner (EC50 = 220 microM).

Study of nonspecific cation channel coupled to P2z purinergic receptors using an acid load technique.

The intracellular pH (pHi) of rat submandibular cells was measured by 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The cells recovered from ammonium (30 mM) prepulse to their resting pHi within 10 min. Ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA), an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchanger, slows the rate of pHi recovery.

Low affinity purinergic receptor modulates the response of rat submandibular glands to carbachol and substance P.

The effect of extracellular ATP on the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rat submandibular glands was tested. The dose-response curve for ATP was biphasic with a first increase in the 1-30 microM concentration range and a further increase at concentrations higher than 100 microM. Among ATP analogs, only benzoyl-ATP stimulated the low affinity component.

Thrombin-stimulated phospholipase C activity is inhibited without visible delay by a rapid increase in the cyclic GMP levels induced by sodium nitroprusside.

Different drugs that elevate the cGMP levels inhibit the agonist-induced platelet activation. The mechanisms of action of cGMP probably include inhibition of both phospholipase C and the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and these effects seem to be mediated by cGMP-dependent protein kinases. However, in most studies, cells were preincubated with nitrovasodilators before stimulation.