The effects of myocardial bridging on two-dimensional myocardial strain during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a common anatomic variant in coronary arteries with unclear functional significance. We evaluated regional myocardial strain by speckle tracking during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients with MB in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). We studied 11 patients with MB in the LAD and no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), 7 patients without MB, but obstructive CAD in the LAD, and 12 controls without MB or obstructive CAD.

Sex-driven variability in TSPO-expressing microglia in MS patients and healthy individuals.

Background: Males with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a higher risk for disability progression than females, but the reasons for this are unclear.

Objective: We hypothesized that potential differences in TSPO-expressing microglia between female and male MS patients could contribute to sex differences in clinical disease progression.

Methods: The study cohort consisted of 102 MS patients (mean (SD) age 45.

Early prognosticators of later TSPO-PET-measurable microglial activation in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Factors driving increased innate immune cell activation in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain are not well understood. As higher prevalence of microglial/macrophage activation in association with chronic lesions and diffusely in the normal appearing white matter predict more rapid accumulation of clinical disability, it is of high importance to understand processes behind this. Objective of the study was to explore demographic, clinical and paraclinical variables associating with later positron emission tomography (PET)-measurable innate immune cell activation.

Association of serum neurofilament light with microglial activation in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Translocator protein (TSPO)-PET and neurofilament light (NfL) both report on brain pathology, but their potential association has not yet been studied in multiple sclerosis (MS) in vivo. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum NfL (sNfL) and TSPO-PET-measurable microglial activation in the brain of patients with MS.

Methods: Microglial activation was detected using PET and the TSPO-binding radioligand [C]PK11195.

Association between microglial activation and serum kynurenine pathway metabolites in multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Microglial activation associates with MS progression but it is unclear what drives their persistent pro-inflammatory state. Metabolites of the kynurenine pathway (KP), the main metabolism route of tryptophan, can influence the function of brain innate immune cells.

Objective: To investigate whether tryptophan metabolites in blood associate with TSPO-PET measurable microglial activation in MS brain.

Annexin A2 binds the internal ribosomal entry site of c- mRNA and regulates its translation.

The expression and localization of the oncoprotein c-Myc is highly regulated at the level of transcription, mRNA transport, translation, as well as stability of the protein. We previously showed that Annexin A2 (AnxA2) binds to a specific localization element in the 3'untranslated region (UTR) of c- mRNA and is involved in its localization to the perinuclear region. In the present study, we demonstrate that AnxA2 binds in a Ca-dependent manner to the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) containing two pseudo-knots in the 5´UTR of the c- mRNA.

Increased serum glial fibrillary acidic protein associates with microstructural white matter damage in multiple sclerosis: GFAP and DTI.

Background: Astrocytes and microglial cells are now recognized as active players in contributing to the diffuse neuroaxonal damage associated with disease progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The serum level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a biomarker for astrocytic activation, is increased in MS and associates with disease progression and disability. Similarly, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters for microstructural changes in brain, including demyelination and axonal loss, associate with disability.

Fingolimod treatment reverses signs of diffuse white matter damage in multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.

Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS) diffuse normal appearing white matter (NAWM) damage may drive chronic worsening independent of relapse activity. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a nonconventional MRI technique that can be used to assess microstructural alterations in myelin and axons. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of six months fingolimod treatment on the integrity of entire and segmented NAWM in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

High serum neurofilament associates with diffuse white matter damage in MS.

Objective: To evaluate to which extent serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) increase is related to diffusion tensor imaging-MRI measurable diffuse normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) damage in MS.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients with MS and 10 healthy controls underwent MRI including diffusion tensor sequences and serum NfL determination by single molecule array (Simoa). Fractional anisotropy and mean, axial, and radial diffusivities were calculated within the whole and segmented (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, cingulate, and deep) NAWM.

Humoral response to John Cunningham virus during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Pregnancy induces an immunosuppressive state in the mother to ensure immunological acceptance of the foetus. Impairment of cell-mediated immune responses may render the mother susceptible to intracellular pathogens. It is not presently known whether pregnancy alters the immunosurveillance for John Cunningham virus (JCV), an opportunistic pathogen associated with natalizumab treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Natalizumab treatment leads to an increase in circulating CXCR3-expressing B cells.

Objective: To study the effects of natalizumab treatment on subgroups of circulating peripheral blood B cell populations.

Methods: We studied the proportions and absolute numbers of CD19CD20, CD10, and CD5 B cell populations, and determined very late activation antigen-4 and chemokine receptor CXCR3, CCR5, and CCR6 expression on B cells in the peripheral blood of 14 natalizumab-treated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Five blood samples per patient were obtained longitudinally before and during the first year of treatment.

Home-Based Exercise Training Improves Left Ventricle Diastolic Function in Survivors of Childhood ALL: A Tissue Doppler and Velocity Vector Imaging Study.

Background: Advanced echocardiographic methods may reveal signs of late anthracycline cardiac toxicity (ACT) even in asymptomatic patients. We studied echocardiographic tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and velocity vector imaging (VVI) in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before and after an exercise intervention.

Methods: Twenty-one asymptomatic, anthracycline-treated, long-term childhood ALL survivors with matched controls were studied at baseline.

Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking during Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in the Detection of Myocardial Ischemia in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking applied to dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) may aid in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to determine the value of strain, strain rate, and postsystolic strain index (PSI) measured by speckle-tracking during DSE in the evaluation of the presence, extent, and severity of myocardial ischemia.

Methods: Fifty patients 63 ± 7 years of age with intermediate probability of CAD were prospectively recruited.

Increased thyroid autoimmunity among women with multiple sclerosis in the postpartum setting.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are predisposed to thyroid abnormalities, but the risk for pregnancy-related thyroid pathology among MS patients has not been evaluated.

Objectives: The objectives of this research are to prospectively evaluate the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity among MS patients in relation to pregnancy, and to investigate its impact on pregnancy outcome, postpartum depression and fatigue.

Methods: Forty-six pregnant MS patients underwent repeat testing for serum thyroid antibodies (Abs), clinical evaluation and thyroid hormone measurement.

Clinical value of absolute quantification of myocardial perfusion with (15)O-water in coronary artery disease.

Background: The standard interpretation of perfusion imaging is based on the assessment of relative perfusion distribution. The limitations of that approach have been recognized in patients with multivessel disease and endothelial dysfunction. To date, however, no large clinical studies have investigated the value of measuring quantitative blood flow and compared that with relative uptake.

Resting coronary flow velocity in the functional evaluation of coronary artery stenosis: study on sequential use of computed tomography angiography and transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

Aims: Accelerated flow at the site of flow-limiting stenosis can be detected by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). We studied feasibility and accuracy of sequential coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and TTDE in detection of haemodynamically significant coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: We prospectively enrolled 107 patients with intermediate (30-70%) pre-test likelihood of CAD.

Intrapericardial, but not extrapericardial, fat is an independent predictor of impaired hyperemic coronary perfusion in coronary artery disease.

Objective: To measure intrapericardial fat (IPF), extrapericardial fat (EPF), and myocardial perfusion (MBF) in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD), hypothesizing that perfusion is more strongly associated with IPF because it is in direct anatomic contiguity with the myocardium or coronary arteries.

Methods And Results: Fat surrounding the heart may increase the risk of CAD and calcification, but little is known about the role of MBF in this relationship. The study included 107 patients with an intermediate likelihood of CAD.

Cardiac positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging accurately detects anatomically and functionally significant coronary artery disease.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used to detect coronary artery disease, but the evaluation of stenoses is often uncertain. Perfusion imaging has an established role in detecting ischemia and guiding therapy. Hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)/CT allows combination angiography and perfusion imaging in short, quantitative, low-radiation-dose protocols.

Decreased endothelin-1 levels after acute consumption of red wine and de-alcoholized red wine.

Background: Red wine consumption may influence on vasoconstrictive peptide endothelin-1 levels, and this may be one mechanism leading to improved vasodilation after red wine consumption. Endothelin-1 levels and their association with coronary epicardial diameter and flow rate, however, have not been studied in vivo after consumption of red wine and de-alcoholized red wine. The purpose of this randomized trial was to determine the acute effects of these beverages on endothelin-1 levels and compare them to coronary artery epicardial diameter and flow rate.

Echocardiography in Fabry disease: diagnostic value of endocardial border binary appearance.

Background And Aim: It has been reported that the endocardium in Fabry disease has a binary appearance on transthoracic echocardiography. It has been suggested that this sign could be used with good accuracy to differentiate Fabry disease from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and even as a first filter to screen for suspected Fabry disease.

Methods: Therefore, we performed a blinded echocardiography in a non-selected population of patients with Fabry disease and matched controls.

High dose of red wine elicits enhanced inhibition of fibrinolysis.

Background And Design: The purpose of this randomized controlled cross-over study was to determine the acute effects of high doses of alcoholic beverages on circulating markers related to atherosclerosis and fibrinolysis.

Methods: Twenty-two healthy men consumed a high dose (8.1+/-0.

Effects of cognac on coronary flow reserve and plasma antioxidant status in healthy young men.

Background: The cardioprotective effects of certain alcoholic beverages are partly related to their polyphenol content, which may improve the vasodilatory reactivity of arteries. Effect of cognac on coronary circulation, however, remains unknown. The purpose of this randomized controlled cross-over study was to determine whether moderate doses of cognac improve coronary reactivity as assessed with cold pressor testing (CPT) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement.

Severe coronary artery stenoses and reduced coronary flow velocity reserve in atherosclerotic mouse model: Doppler echocardiography validation study.

Objective: Genetically modified hyperlipidemic mice are increasingly used as an animal model of atherosclerosis, but their coronary artery disease remains poorly characterized. Furthermore, non-invasive tools to detect functional consequences of coronary lesions remain to be tested in mice. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography provides a hemodynamic measure of coronary artery stenosis severity in humans.

Immunoregulatory factors in multiple sclerosis patients during and after pregnancy: relevance of natural killer cells.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) ameliorates typically during pregnancy but after the delivery the relapse rate often increases. Our study was conducted to understand the immunoregulatory mechanisms accompanying this phenomenon. MS patients were followed-up prospectively during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum, with immunological characterization of the peripheral blood.