Evaluation of aortic stenosis severity using 4D flow jet shear layer detection for the measurement of valve effective orifice area.

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of 4D flow MRI to assess valve effective orifice area (EOA) in patients with aortic stenosis as determined by the jet shear layer detection (JSLD) method.

Methods And Results: An in-vitro stenosis phantom was used for validation and in-vivo imaging was performed in 10 healthy controls and 40 patients with aortic stenosis. EOA was calculated by the JSLD method using standard 2D phase contrast MRI (PC-MRI) and 4D flow MRI measurements (EOAJSLD-2D and EOAJSLD-4D, respectively).

Bicuspid aortic cusp fusion morphology alters aortic three-dimensional outflow patterns, wall shear stress, and expression of aortopathy.

Background: Aortic 3-dimensional blood flow was analyzed to investigate altered ascending aorta (AAo) hemodynamics in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients and its association with differences in cusp fusion patterns (right-left, RL versus right-noncoronary, RN) and expression of aortopathy.

Methods And Results: Four-dimensional flow MRI measured in vivo 3-dimensional blood flow in the aorta of 75 subjects: BAV patients with aortic dilatation stratified by leaflet fusion pattern (n=15 RL-BAV, mid AAo diameter=39.9±4.

From unicuspid to quadricuspid: influence of aortic valve morphology on aortic three-dimensional hemodynamics.

Purpose: To assess the impact of aortic valve morphology on aortic hemodynamics between normal tricuspid and congenitally anomalous aortic valves ranging from unicuspid to quadricuspid morphology.

Materials And Methods: Aortic three-dimensional (3D) blood flow was evaluated by 4D flow MRI in 14 healthy volunteers with normal trileaflet valves and 14 patients with unicuspid (n = 3), bicuspid (n = 9, 3 "true" bicuspid, 3 right-left (RL), 3 right-noncoronary (RN) leaflet fusion, and quadricuspid aortic valves (n = 2). Data analysis included the co-registered visualization of aortic valve morphology with systolic 3D blood flow.

Matrix metalloproteinase levels in early HIV infection and relation to in vivo brain status.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurological injury; however, this relationship has not been studied early in infection. Plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-10 measured using Luminex technology (Austin, TX, USA) were compared in 52 HIV and 21 seronegative participants of the Chicago Early HIV Infection study. MMP levels were also examined in HIV subgroups defined by antibody reactivity, viremia, and antiretroviral status, as well as in available cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (n = 9).

Inhibition of allergic inflammation by supplementation with 5-hydroxytryptophan.

Clinical reports indicate that patients with allergy/asthma commonly have associated symptoms of anxiety/depression. Anxiety/depression can be reduced by 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplementation. However, it is not known whether 5-HTP reduces allergic inflammation.