Association of duration and intensity of exercise with phenotypic expression in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: There is limited data regarding the impact of exercise on phenotypic expression in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We aimed to investigate whether such an association exists in a cohort of genotype-positive HCM patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study of genotype-positive HCM families, we used structured questionnaires to obtain data regarding intensity and duration of exercise of participants starting at the age of 10, as well as data regarding exercise recommendations and their impact on quality of life (QOL).

Echocardiographic Features of Cardiac Echinococcal Infection.

• Cardiac masses are a rare but important finding requiring detailed investigation. • Echocardiography is a first-line imaging modality. • CT and MRI together allow precise structural and tissue characterization.

Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid: possible neurotherapeutic agents for mood disorders?

Background: Mood disorders are associated with decrements in cognitive function, which are insufficiently treated with contemporary pharmacotherapies.

Objectives: To evaluate the putative neurotherapeutic effects of the mitochondrial cofactors, L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid; and to provide a rationale for investigating their efficacy in the treatment of neurocognitive deficits associated with mood disorders.

Methods: A PubMed search of English-language articles published between January 1966 and March 2007 was conducted using the search terms carnitine and lipoic acid.