Transplantation and tracking of human-induced pluripotent stem cells in a pig model of myocardial infarction: assessment of cell survival, engraftment, and distribution by hybrid single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography of sodium iodide symporter transgene expression.

Background: Evaluation of novel cellular therapies in large-animal models and patients is currently hampered by the lack of imaging approaches that allow for long-term monitoring of viable transplanted cells. In this study, sodium iodide symporter (NIS) transgene imaging was evaluated as an approach to follow in vivo survival, engraftment, and distribution of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derivatives in a pig model of myocardial infarction.

Methods And Results: Transgenic hiPSC lines stably expressing a fluorescent reporter and NIS (NIS(pos)-hiPSCs) were established.

Coronary calcium score as an adjunct to nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging for risk stratification before noncardiac surgery.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the added value of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) as an adjunct to myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with SPECT for cardiac risk stratification before noncardiac surgery. SPECT MPI is a well-established and widely used tool for preoperative risk stratification before noncardiac surgery. The potential added value of combining SPECT MPI with CACS is unknown.

Recanalization of isolated chronic total occlusions in patients with stable angina.

Background: Despite procedural advances, recanalization of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial, particularly given that its long-term benefits are unclear. We assessed the association between successful PCI and symptom improvement as well as outcomes in patients with CTO and stable angina.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 386 consecutive patients undergoing attempted PCI of an isolated CTO (i.

Identification of a novel duplication CFTRdup2 and functional impact of large rearrangements identified in the CFTR gene.

In European populations, large rearrangements contribute to approximately 2% of CF mutations. Here, we reported a novel duplication, the CFTRdup2, identified in a patient heterozygous for Phe508del and suffering from a mild CF. Using a combination of functional tests, we studied the impact of duplication/deletion on CFTR expression.

Stem cells in cardiovascular regeneration: from preservation of endogenous repair to future cardiovascular therapies.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed countries. This review summarizes current pre-clinical and clinical evidence for the potential role and mechanisms of action of stem and progenitor cells in vascular and cardiac repair and regeneration. Apart from cell transplantation strategies, approaches to maintain stem cell niche function and targeting mobilization/recruitment of specific stem/progenitor cell populations may aid in preserving vascular and cardiac function.

Image quality and radiation dose comparison of prospectively triggered low-dose CCTA: 128-slice dual-source high-pitch spiral versus 64-slice single-source sequential acquisition.

Currently 64-multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scanners are the most widely used devices allowing low radiation dose coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with prospective ECG triggering. Latest 128-slice dual-source CT (DSCT) scanners offer prospective high-pitch spiral acquisition covering the heart during one single beat. We compared radiation dose and image quality from prospective 64-MSCT versus high-pitch spiral 128-slice DSCT scanning, as such data is lacking.

Mechanisms underlying adverse effects of HDL on eNOS-activating pathways in patients with coronary artery disease.

Therapies that raise levels of HDL, which is thought to exert atheroprotective effects via effects on endothelium, are being examined for the treatment or prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the endothelial effects of HDL are highly heterogeneous, and the impact of HDL of patients with CAD on the activation of endothelial eNOS and eNOS-dependent pathways is unknown. Here we have demonstrated that, in contrast to HDL from healthy subjects, HDL from patients with stable CAD or an acute coronary syndrome (HDLCAD) does not have endothelial antiinflammatory effects and does not stimulate endothelial repair because it fails to induce endothelial NO production.

Cell-based cardiovascular repair and regeneration in acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy-current status and future developments.

Ischemic heart disease is the main cause of death and morbidity in most industrialized countries. Stem- and progenitor cell-based treatment approaches for ischemic heart disease are therefore an important frontier in cardiovascular and regenerative medicine. Experimental studies have shown that bone-marrow-derived stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells can improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction, clinical phase I and II studies were rapidly initiated to translate this concept into the clinical setting.

Inter-scan variability of coronary artery calcium scoring assessed on 64-multidetector computed tomography vs. dual-source computed tomography: a head-to-head comparison.

Aims: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring has emerged as a tool for risk stratification and potentially for monitoring response to risk factor modification. Therefore, repeat measurements should provide robust results and low inter-scanner variability for allowing meaningful comparison. The purpose of this study was to investigate inter-scanner variability of CAC for Agatston, volume, and mass scores by head-to-head comparison using two different cardiac computed tomography scanners: 64-detector multislice CT (MSCT) and 64-slice dual-source CT (DSCT).

Very high coronary calcium score unmasks obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with normal SPECT MPI.

Objectives: To study the clinical impact of a very high coronary artery calcium score (CAC >1000) in patients with no known coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The secondary aim was to evaluate whether triple vessel disease would support the notion of balanced ischaemia as an underlying mechanism of false negative SPECT MPI in patients with very high CAC.

Background: No data exist on the clinical value of high CAC in patients with normal SPECT MPI.

Identification of a novel loss-of-function calcium channel gene mutation in short QT syndrome (SQTS6).

Aims: Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a genetically determined ion-channel disorder, which may cause malignant tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Thus far, mutations in five different genes encoding potassium and calcium channel subunits have been reported. We present, for the first time, a novel loss-of-function mutation coding for an L-type calcium channel subunit.

Variants in CFTR untranslated regions are associated with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens.

Background: Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), a frequent cause of obstructive azoospermia, is generated by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Despite extensive testing for point mutations and large rearrangements, a small proportion of alleles still remains unidentified in CBAVD patients.

Methods And Results: Mutation scanning analysis of microsatellite variability in the CFTR gene identified two undescribed 4 bp sequence repeats (TAAA)(6) and (TAAA)(8) in intron 9 in two CBAVD patients heterozygote for either the -33G→A promoter transition or the classical [TG12T5] CBAVD mutation.

[Stem and progenitor cell-based therapy approaches: current developments on treatment of acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy].

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary revascularization in conjunction with an optimized pharmacological treatment can reduce adverse left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Despite these modern therapeutic strategies a significant number of these patients continue to develop adverse cardiac remodeling and LV dysfunction which is associated with a poor prognosis. Stem and progenitor cell-based approaches for treatment of acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy are an interesting direction of current experimental and clinical research.

Coronary optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) for in vivo evaluation of stent healing: comparison with light and electron microscopy.

Aims: Coronary late stent thrombosis, a rare but devastating complication, remains an important concern in particular with the increasing use of drug-eluting stents. Notably, pathological studies have indicated that the proportion of uncovered coronary stent struts represents the best morphometric predictor of late stent thrombosis. Intracoronary optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI), a novel second-generation optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived imaging method, may allow rapid imaging for the detection of coronary stent strut coverage with a markedly higher precision when compared with intravascular ultrasound, due to a microscopic resolution (axial approximately 10-20 microm), and at a substantially increased speed of image acquisition when compared with first-generation time-domain OCT.

Secreted proteome of the murine multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cell line DKmix.

Administration of the multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) line DKmix improved cardiac function after myocardial infarction and accelerated dermal wound healing due to paracrine mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyse the secreted proteins of DKmix cells in order to identify the responsible paracrine factors and assess their relevance to the wide spectrum of therapeutic effects. A mass spectrometry (MS)-based approach was used to identify secreted proteins of DKmix cells.