Sensitive troponin I assay in early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Cardiac troponin testing is central to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. We evaluated a sensitive troponin I assay for the early diagnosis and risk stratification of myocardial infarction.

Methods: In a multicenter study, we determined levels of troponin I as assessed by a sensitive assay, troponin T, and traditional myocardial necrosis markers in 1818 consecutive patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction, on admission and 3 hours and 6 hours after admission.

Percutaneous fluoroscopically guided salvage of misplaced perirectal (125)I prostate seeds-easy way out.

Permanent prostate implants are widely used as therapy for localized prostate cancer. Transperineal placement of (125)I seeds can be directed safely by transrectal ultrasound imaging. Misplaced seeds can produce serious damage in various organs, especially in the rectal mucosa.

Lovastatin attenuates ionizing radiation-induced normal tissue damage in vivo.

Background And Purpose: HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely used lipid-lowering drugs. Moreover, they have pleiotropic effects on cellular stress responses, proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. Here, we investigated whether lovastatin attenuates acute and subchronic ionizing radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity in vivo.

Genetic variants associated with cardiac structure and function: a meta-analysis and replication of genome-wide association data.

Context: Echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) structure and function are heritable phenotypes of cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To identify common genetic variants associated with cardiac structure and function by conducting a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data in 5 population-based cohort studies (stage 1) with replication (stage 2) in 2 other community-based samples.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Within each of 5 community-based cohorts comprising the EchoGen consortium (stage 1; n = 12 612 individuals of European ancestry; 55% women, aged 26-95 years; examinations between 1978-2008), we estimated the association between approximately 2.

Multi-site analytical evaluation of a chemiluminescent magnetic microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for sirolimus on the Abbott ARCHITECT analyzer.

Objective: This study evaluated a new chemiluminescent magnetic microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for sirolimus on the ARCHITECT analyzer.

Design And Methods: Patient and laboratory proficiency samples were tested at three European sites and one site in the United States.

Results: The CMIA total %CV's were all <8% and the Limit of Quantification (LOQ) was <1.

Human antiphospholipid antibodies induce TNFalpha in monocytes via Toll-like receptor 8.

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by recurrent arterial and/or venous thromboses, pregnancy loss and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). One of the discussed mechanisms of this thrombotic activity in APS patients is attributed to TNFalpha secretion in monocytes after aPL stimulation. To investigate this mechanism in detail, we employed a monoclonal aPL and IgG fractions of APS patients for stimulation of human peripheral monocytes.

Identification and prevention of genotyping errors caused by G-quadruplex- and i-motif-like sequences.

Background: Reliable PCR amplification of DNA fragments is the prerequisite for most genetic assays. We investigated the impact of G-quadruplex- or i-motif-like sequences on the reliability of PCR-based genetic analyses.

Methods: We found the sequence context of a common intronic polymorphism in the MEN1 gene (multiple endocrine neoplasia I) to be the cause of systematic genotyping errors by inducing preferential amplification of one allelic variant [allele dropout (ADO)].

A novel approach to CFTR mutation testing by pyrosequencing-based assay panels adapted to ethnicities.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by a variety of sequence alterations in the CFTR gene [cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (ATP-binding cassette sub-family C, member 7)]. Because the relative prevalence of mutations strongly depends on the ethnic background, first-level testing of CF as defined by recent consensus recommendations ought to be adaptable to the ethnicity of patients.

Methods: We therefore developed and implemented a diagnostic approach to first-level testing for CF based on published mutation frequencies and Pyrosequencing (PSQ) technology that we complemented with standard procedures of mutation detection at the second level.

Nitrate tolerance as a model of vascular dysfunction: roles for mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase and mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Organic nitrates are a group of very effective anti-ischemic drugs. They are used for the treatment of patients with stable angina, acute myocardial infarction and chronic congestive heart failure. A major therapeutic limitation inherent to organic nitrates is the development of tolerance, which occurs during chronic treatment with these agents.

Electro-physiological parameters of hepatic radiofrequency ablation--a comparison of an in vitro versus an in vivo porcine liver model.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an inherent part of curative treatment within a multimodal therapy concept of malignant liver tumors. The biggest problem is the high rate of local recurrences in tumors with a diameter of more than 3 cm because of the high variability and poor reproducibility of the zone of ablation. No imaging modality facilitates monitoring during neither intraoperativ nor percutaneous RFA.

Investigation of Sudan IV staining areas in aortas of infants and children: possible prelesional stages of atherogenesis.

Objectives/methods: Although atherosclerosis in infants and children is generally acknowledged, the temporal and spatial sequence of LDL insudation, modification and intimal monocyte accumulation has not been systematically studied. We have investigated herein very early stages of lesion formation in human aortas of individuals up to the age of 15 years. Aortic specimens from 61 cases (37 male, 24 female) were examined.

TLR7 and TLR8 ligands and antiphospholipid antibodies show synergistic effects on the induction of IL-1beta and caspase-1 in monocytes and dendritic cells.

TLRs represent the first line of defense against invading pathogens in the innate immune system. Certain cytokines are important mediators and essentially necessary to assure an appropriately regulated immune response. Recent data gave initial evidence that IL-1beta is one of the most relevant members of these regulating cytokines.

In-vivo measurements of coronary blood flow using 16-slice multidetector spiral computed tomography (MDCT) in a porcine model.

Purpose: To determine whether CTCA supplemented with CT flow measurements can be used to demonstrate and semiquantitatively evaluate poststenotic coronary blood flow in a porcine model.

Materials And Methods: In 10 thoracotomized pigs, transit time flow meter probes were attached to the aorta and left anterior descending artery (LAD) for real-time blood flow volumetry. A vascular silicone occluder was deployed around the LAD proximal to the probe to create medium-grade (MGS) and high-grade stenoses (HGS).

Cystatin C and cardiovascular mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and normal or mildly reduced kidney function: results from the AtheroGene study.

Aims: Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cystatin C is a promising marker to reliably mirror renal function. The role of cystatin C in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal or mildly reduced kidney function is the subject of current investigation.

The importance of controlling carbon not emissions or mpg.

In management of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, the authors argue that it is far superior to control upstream where the carbon leaves the ground in a limited number of places than further downstream as carbon dioxide is released in a myriad of locations. The authors note that none of the proposals being discussed politically assure this, and they control sector by sector, allowing undesirable room for special interests to be excluded from control.

Selenium supplementation improves antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo in patients with coronary artery disease The SElenium Therapy in Coronary Artery disease Patients (SETCAP) Study.

Background: Selenium is a central determinant of antioxidative glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) expression and activity. The relevance of selenium supplementation on GPx-1 in coronary artery disease (CAD) needs to be established. We assessed the effect of selenium supplementation on GPx-1 in cell culture and on endothelial function in a prospective clinical trial.

PLTP activity is a risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular events in CAD patients under statin therapy: the AtheroGene study.

Phospholipid transferprotein (PLTP) mediates both net transfer and exchange of phospholipids between different lipoproteins. Although many studies have investigated the role of PLTP in atherogenesis, the role of PLTP in atherosclerotic diseases is unclear. We investigated the association of serum PLTP activity with the incidence of a combined endpoint (myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death) and its relation to other markers of atherosclerosis in 1,085 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD).

Effects of oral niacin on endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease: results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled INEF study.

High-density-lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C) is invertedly related to the incidence of cardiovascular events. Recent studies suggest that HDL-C directly improves endothelial function. Nicotinic acid (niacin) effectively raises serum HDL-C.

Image quality of digital direct flat-panel mammography versus an analog screen-film technique using a low-contrast phantom.

Objective: The objective of our study was to compare the detectability and distinguishability of simulated soft-tissue opacities of 50 variants of an anthropomorphic breast phantom in mammograms acquired with a digital direct flat-panel detector versus an analog system; we also compared the image settings "analog film," "digital film," and "digital monitor."

Materials And Methods: The studies were performed on digital (Lorad Selenia) and analog (Mammomat 3) mammography systems. Four hundred fifty silicone cubes devised with different randomly distributed columns, holes, or both columns and holes (diameter, 3-7 mm; height, 0.

Feasibility of peripheral contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography at 3.0 Tesla with a hybrid technique: comparison with digital subtraction angiography.

Purpose: To prospectively determine feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of 3D contrast-enhanced MR-angiography (CE-MRA) at 3.0 tesla (T) in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used as reference standard.

Different calculations of ankle-brachial index and their impact on cardiovascular risk prediction.

Background: An ankle-brachial index (ABI; ratio of ankle and brachial systolic blood pressure) <0.9 indicates peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events. The aim of the present study was to address the prognostic value of different methods of ABI calculation.