Current developments in cardiovascular biology and imaging enable the noninvasive molecular evaluation of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Intraplaque neovascularization sprouting from the adventitial vasa vasorum has been identified as an independent predictor of intraplaque hemorrhage and plaque rupture. These intraplaque vasa vasorum result from angiogenesis, most likely under influence of hypoxic and inflammatory stimuli. Several molecular imaging techniques are currently available. Most experience has been obtained with molecular imaging using positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography. Recently, the development of targeted contrast agents has allowed molecular imaging with magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and computed tomography. The present review discusses the use of these molecular imaging techniques to identify inflammation and intraplaque vasa vasorum to identify vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques at risk of rupture and thrombosis. The available literature on molecular imaging techniques and molecular targets associated with inflammation and angiogenesis is discussed, and the clinical applications of molecular cardiovascular imaging and the use of molecular techniques for local drug delivery are addressed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12350-010-9263-x | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
December 2024
School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease of cartilage characterised by joint pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life with affected joint movement leading to pain and limited mobility. Current methods to diagnose OA are predominantly limited to X-ray, MRI and invasive joint fluid analysis, all of which lack chemical or molecular specificity and are limited to detection of the disease at later stages. A rapid minimally invasive and non-destructive approach to disease diagnosis is a critical unmet need.
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December 2024
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Republic of Singapore.
Signaling interplay between the histamine 1 receptor (H1R) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) in mediating histaminergic itch has been well-established in mammalian models, but whether this is conserved in humans remains to be confirmed due to the difficulties in obtaining human sensory neurons (SNs) for experimentation. Additionally, previously reported species-specific differences in TRPV1 function indicate that use of human SNs is vital for drug candidate screening to have a higher chance of identifying clinically effective TRPV1 antagonists. In this study, we built a histamine-dependent itch model using peripheral SNs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-SNs), which provides an accessible source of human SNs for pre-clinical drug screening.
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December 2024
Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background: Intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) carries a significant risk of hemodynamic deterioration or death. Treatment should balance efficacy in reducing clot burden with the risk of complications, particularly bleeding. Previous studies on high-dose, short-term thrombolysis with alteplase (rtPA) showed a reduced risk of hemodynamic deterioration but no change in mortality and increased bleeding complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Center on Aging Psychology, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Introduction: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is linked to memory complaints and disruptions in certain brain regions identified by molecular imaging and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies. However, it remains unclear how these regions interact to contribute to both subjective and potential objective memory issues in SCD.
Methods: To address this gap, task-based imaging studies are essential.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Introduction: The longitudinal progression of synaptic loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and how it is affected by tau pathology remains poorly understood.
Methods: Thirty patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and 26 healthy controls underwent cognitive evaluations and tau, synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), and amyloid positron emission tomography. Twenty-one aMCI underwent 2-year follow-up (FU) investigations.
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