A Paradigm For Calling Sequence In Families: The Long Life Family Study.

Over Several years, we have developed a system for assuring the quality of whole genome sequence (WGS) data in the LLFS families. We have focused on providing data to identify germline genetic variants with the aim of releasing as many variants on as many individuals as possible. We aim to assure the quality of the individual calls.

NIA Long Life Family Study: Objectives, Design, and Heritability of Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Phenotypes.

The NIA Long Life Family Study (LLFS) is a longitudinal, multicenter, multinational, population-based multigenerational family study of the genetic and nongenetic determinants of exceptional longevity and healthy aging. The Visit 1 in-person evaluation (2006-2009) recruited 4 953 individuals from 539 two-generation families, selected from the upper 1% tail of the Family Longevity Selection Score (FLoSS, which quantifies the degree of familial clustering of longevity). Demographic, anthropometric, cognitive, activities of daily living, ankle-brachial index, blood pressure, physical performance, and pulmonary function, along with serum, plasma, lymphocytes, red cells, and DNA, were collected.

Demyelination increases radial diffusivity in corpus callosum of mouse brain.

Myelin damage, as seen in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases, impairs axonal conduction and can also be associated with axonal degeneration. Accurate assessments of these conditions may be highly beneficial in evaluating and selecting therapeutic strategies for patient management. Recently, an analytical approach examining diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) derived parameters has been proposed to assess the extent of axonal damage, demyelination, or both.

Detection of age-dependent brain injury in a mouse model of brain amyloidosis associated with Alzheimer's disease using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging.

Using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the present study investigates changes in both gray and white matter in the APPsw transgenic mouse (Tg2576), a model of beta-amyloid plaque deposition associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). DTI analyses were performed in cross-sectional groups of transgene-positive and -negative mice at 8, 12, 16, and 18 months of age to assess the magnitude of water diffusion in gray matter (i.e.

Quantification of stenotic mitral valve area with magnetic resonance imaging and comparison with Doppler ultrasound.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the pressure half-time (PHT) method for estimating mitral valve areas (MVAs) by velocity-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance (VE-CMR) and to compare the method with paired Doppler ultrasound.

Background: The pressure half-time Doppler echocardiography method is a practical technique for clinical evaluation of mitral stenosis. As CMR continues evolving as a routine clinical tool, its use for estimating MVA requires thorough evaluation.

Ultrasonic delineation of aortic microstructure: the relative contribution of elastin and collagen to aortic elasticity.

Aortic elasticity is an important factor in hemodynamic health, and compromised aortic compliance affects not only arterial dynamics but also myocardial function. A variety of pathologic processes (e.g.

Diffusion tensor imaging detects age-dependent white matter changes in a transgenic mouse model with amyloid deposition.

Increasing evidence demonstrates that there is marked damage and dysfunction not only in the gray matter but also in the white matter in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, transgenic mice overexpressing beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) under control of the platelet-derived growth factor promoter (PDAPP mice) were examined using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) to evaluate the extent of white matter injury before and following the development of AD-like pathology. The profile of DTI parameters was significantly different in old PDAPP mice compared to that of old control mice following the development of AD-like pathology.

Diffusion tensor imaging detects and differentiates axon and myelin degeneration in mouse optic nerve after retinal ischemia.

Both axon and myelin degeneration have significant impact on the long-term disability of patients with white matter disorder. However, the clinical manifestations of the neurological dysfunction caused by white matter disorders are not sufficient to determine the origin of neurological deficits. A noninvasive biological marker capable of detecting and differentiating axon and myelin degeneration would be a significant addition to currently available tools.

Practical value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for clinical quantification of aortic valve stenosis: comparison with echocardiography.

Background: Valvular pathology can be analyzed quickly and accurately through the use of Doppler ultrasound. For aortic stenosis, the continuity equation approach with Doppler velocity-time integral (VTI) data is by far the most commonly used clinical method of quantification. In view of the emerging popularity of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as a routine clinical imaging tool, the purposes of this study were to define the reliability of velocity-encoded CMR as a routine method for quantifying stenotic aortic valve area, to compare this method with the accepted standard, and to evaluate its reproducibility.

Chronological age modifies the microscopic remodeling process in viable cardiac tissue after infarction.

To define the impact of age on microscopic structural remodeling after myocardial infarction, the physical properties of infarct scar tissue and viable remote zone tissues in young (3 months) and older adult (18 months) Fischer rats were quantified with the use of high-frequency (50 MHz) high-resolution acoustic microscopy 3 months after coronary artery occlusion. We observed that integrated backscatter increased by 100% in the viable zones of old animals after infarction, but remained relatively unaffected in the same regions of younger animals. Mathematical models of myocardial scattering behavior indicated that a 25% increase in stiffness of the extracellular matrix materials in viable zones likely occurred in the older animals.