Modelling SARS-CoV-2 Binding Antibody Waning 8 Months after BNT162b2 Vaccination.

Several lines of evidence suggest that binding SARS-CoV-2 antibodies such as anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG (anti-RBD) and neutralising antibodies (NA) are correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2, and the correlation of anti-RBD and NA is very high. The effectiveness (VE) of BNT162b2 in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection wanes over time, and this reduction is mainly associated with waning immunity, suggesting that the kinetics of antibodies reduction might be of interest to predict VE. In a study of 97 health care workers (HCWs) vaccinated with the BNT162b2 vaccine, we assessed the kinetics of anti-RBD 30-250 days after vaccination using 388 individually matched plasma samples.

Head-to-Head Comparison of Response Rates to the Two mRNA SARS-CοV-2 Vaccines in a Large Cohort of Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) Recipients.

Due to their higher risk of developing life-threatening COVID-19 disease, solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have been prioritized in the vaccination programs of many countries. However, there is increasing evidence of reduced immunogenicity to SARS-CοV-2 vaccination. The present study investigated humoral response, safety, and effectiveness after the two mRNA vaccines in 455 SOT recipients.

The effect of paracorporeal pulsatile biventricular assist devices on allosensitization in adults: A comparison with left ventricular assist devices.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been associated with the development of anti-HLA antibodies ('allosensitization'), but data on devices providing biventricular support in adults are limited. We sought to characterize differences in anti-HLA antibody formation in adult patients receiving left- (LVAD) versus biventricular- (BiVAD) assist devices as bridge to transplantation (BTT) by retrospectively reviewing the records of adult patients who have undergone VAD implantation at our institution. We assessed 82 patients supported with a pulsatile-flow paracorporeal BiVAD and compared them with 40 patients receiving LVAD till 2018.

Comparative Immunogenicity of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine with Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

BNT162b2 has proven to be highly effective, but there is a paucity of data regarding immunogenicity factors and comparison between response to vaccination and natural infection. This study included 871 vaccinated healthcare workers (HCW) and 181 patients with natural infection. Immunogenicity was assessed by measuring anti-SARS-CoV-2 against the RBD domain of the spike protein (anti-RBD).

RBM20 mutation and ventricular arrhythmias in a young patient with dilated cardiomyopathy: a case report.

Gene mutations in RBM20 have been identified in a minority of familial and sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy cases. Recent studies of carriers of RBM20 mutations not only highlight the aforementioned association with dilated cardiomyopathy but also indicate a link with increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Herein we describe a case of 17-year-old female patient with dilated cardiomyopathy carrying a p.

A novel variant of RyR2 gene in a family misdiagnosed as congenital long QT syndrome: The importance of genetic testing.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) are two distinct entities with similar clinical presentation and management but different clinical course. In this study, we present two family members presented with aborted sudden cardiac death (SCD) that was attributed to CPVT. The CPVT may be underrecognized in SCD victims and a diagnosis of "atypical LQTS" may warrant consideration of CPVT and analysis of RyR2 if the standard cardiac channel gene screen for LQTS is negative.

Extremely low therapeutic doses of acenocoumarol in a patient with and genotype.

Vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs) have remained the mainstay of oral anticoagulant therapy for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolism. The management of treatment with VKAs is challenging due to their narrow therapeutic index and the wide interindividual variation in response to therapy. Variants of the and the gene account for 30-50% of the variability in dosing requirements, and it has been proposed that genotyping of these loci could facilitate management of VKA therapy and minimize risk of overanticoagulation, even in very low doses.

A case report of recessive restrictive cardiomyopathy caused by a novel mutation in cardiac troponin I (TNNI3).

Background: Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a rare cardiac disease, for which several genes including TNNT2, MYPN, FLNC and TNNI3 have been associated with its familial form.

Case Presentation: Here we describe a female proband with a severely manifested restrictive phenotype leading to heart transplantation at the age of 41, who was found homozygous for the novel TNNI3 mutation: NM_000363.4:c.

Phenotypic Heterogeneity within Members of a Family Carrying the Same RBM20 Mutation R634W.

Objective: We present the genotypic and phenotypic characterization of a family displaying dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods: The proband and his relatives underwent full cardiological assessment. Genetic analysis of the proband was performed with the use of next-generation sequencing technology.

Biomarkers and Gene Polymorphisms in Members of Long- and Short-lived Families: A Longevity Study.

Background: The influence of biomarkers in human lifespan has been investigated but with no clear results yet.

Materials And Methods: Lipids, Uric Acid (UA), Adiponectin (ADIPOQ), Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) proteins, as well as , , () and -gene polymorphisms were evaluated in 149 Greek individuals. The Long-Lived Families (LON) (n=84) comprised of 3 generations: long-lived aged ≥90 years (P), offspring (FL1) and their grandchildren (FL2), while the Short-Lived Families (EAD) (n=65) where both parents died <75 years, comprised of 2 generations: middle-aged (FD1) and children (FD2).

A new phenotype of severe dilated cardiomyopathy associated with a mutation in the LAMP2 gene previously known to cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the context of Danon disease.

Danon disease is a rare X-linked cardiac and skeletal muscle disorder with multisystem clinical manifestations. Genetic defects at the lysosome-associated membrane 2 protein (LAMP2) are the cause of the disorder. Due to the rarity of the disease, there is limited progress in understanding the correlation between genotype and phenotype, and explaining the large variability of the clinical features of the disease.

The Association between TGF-β1 G915C (Arg25Pro) Polymorphism and the Development of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Case-Control Study.

The purpose of the current study was to identify the potential association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) TGFβ1 +915 (C or G) in codon 25 and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Overall, 88 cases with POAG and a control group of 52 healthy individuals were recruited from the First Ophthalmology Department of Athens University. DNA was isolated from whole blood samples and genotype frequencies for the polymorphism rs1800471 (G915C, Arg25Pro) of the TGF-β1 gene were assessed.

Effect of ATP-binding Cassette Transporter A1 (ABCA1) Gene Polymorphisms on Plasma Lipid Variables and Common Demographic Parameters in Greek Nurses.

Objective: The present study is on line with our previous studies evaluating the influence of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 () gene polymorphisms on the lipid variables of Greek student-nurses. The current study was undertaken to (1) estimate the influence of variant(s) such as rs2066715 (V825I), R219K, R1587K, I883M of gene on lipid variables and (2) evaluate the effect of all four polymorphisms on common demographic parameters.

Methods: The study population involved 432 unrelated nurses (86 men) who were genotyped for polymorphisms and correlated according to lipid variables [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein (apo) A] and demographic parameters (age, gender, BMI, waist circumference).

Osteopontin in relation to Prognosis following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

Cardiovascular events may occur even after complete revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease. We measured preoperative osteopontin (OPN) levels in 131 consecutive patients (66.5 ± 10 years old, 117 men and 14 women) with left ventricular ejection fraction of 50.

Angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T, AGT T174M and Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme (ACE) I/D Gene Polymorphisms in Essential Hypertension: Effects on Ramipril Efficacy.

Background: Hypertension, one of the most important risk factors for premature cardiovascular disease, is a major worldwide public health problem. Angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensinogen (AGT) gene polymorphisms are thought to be associated with primary hypertension. In the present study, we examined the frequency of these gene polymorphisms in an adult population with and without essential hypertension.

The Role of BNP and CRP in Predicting the Development of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Objective. To evaluate the association of BNP and CRP with the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Methods.

Comparative performance evaluation of a donor-specific bead-based crossmatch technique for the detection of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies in heart transplantation.

Introduction: Recently new human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody screening methods have been shown to significantly improve thoracic transplantation outcomes. The best combination of assays for both allocation and monitoring is still under investigation. Herein, we evaluated the correlation and clinical relevance of three methodologies to detect donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA).