Three dimensional modeling of atrioventricular valves provides predictive guides for optimal choice of prosthesis.

Inaccuracies in intraoperative and preoperative measurements and estimations may lead to adverse outcomes such as patient-prosthesis mismatch. We aim to measure the relation between different dimensions of the atrioventricular valve complex in explanted porcine heart models. After a detailed physical morphology study, a cast of the explanted heart models was made using silicon-based materials.

Intracellular tubulo-reticular structures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as an ultra-structural marker of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot study.

Objective: Under physiological stress, the membranes of organelles undergo conformational change to tubulo-reticular structures (TRS) for gaining survival advantage. We aim to explore whether TRS formation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) correlates with more active disease where physiological stress prevails.

Methods: To mimic the intracellular impact of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) on lymphocytes, human B-lymphocyte cell line was stimulated by recombinant IFN-α in concentrations of 100, 1000 and 10 000 IU/mL for 72 h.

Identification and characterization of uncoupling protein in heart and muscle mitochondria of canary birds.

An uncoupling protein (cUCP) was identified in heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria of canary birds. cUCP was immunodetected using polyclonal antibodies raised against murine UCP2. Its molecular mass was similar to those of mammalian UCPs (32 kDa).

Myocardial infarction in the C57BL/6J mouse: a quantifiable and highly reproducible experimental model.

Introduction: The laboratory mouse is a powerful tool in cardiovascular research. In this report, we describe a method for a reproducible mouse myocardial infarction model that would allow subsequent comparative and quantitative studies on molecular and pathophysiological variables.

Methods: (A) The distribution of the major coronary arteries including the septal artery in the left ventricle of the C57BL/6J mice (n=20) was mapped by perfusion of latex dye or fluorescent beads through the aorta.