Pathway-Specific Polygenic Risk Scores Identify Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Related Pathways Differentially Moderating Genetic Susceptibility to Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its features, such as chronic intermittent hypoxia, may differentially affect specific molecular pathways and processes in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and influence the subsequent risk and severity of CAD events. In particular, competing adverse (eg, inflammatory) and protective (eg, increased coronary collateral blood flow) mechanisms may operate, but remain poorly understood. We hypothesize that common genetic variation in selected molecular pathways influences the likelihood of CAD events differently in individuals with and without OSA, in a pathway-dependent manner.

Evaluation of non-contrast MRI biomarkers in lupus nephritis.

Objectives: To investigate the association of novel non-contrast MRI biomarkers with standard measurements of renal function and renal disease activity in lupus.

Methods: A pilot study of lupus nephritis (LN) and lupus non-nephritis (LNN) patients, and healthy volunteers (HV), was undertaken. Multi-modal renal MRI was performed including sequences for arterial spin labelling (ASL) measuring blood flow, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), measuring microstructural disruption, and effective transverse relaxation time (T2*) which is a biomarker of micro-haemorrhage.

Sub-second functional imaging by electrical impedance tomography.

Functional imaging of the human brain using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is reported, where the measurement data were collected over a period of 308 ms. Initiation of the measurement sequence occurred at times ranging from 70 to 740 ms after administration of visual or auditory stimuli to two volunteers. The reconstructed images of conductivity change due to individual visual stimulus events correspond with anatomical regions known to be involved in visual sensory processing and the processing of cognitive reflexes.

The application of a coherent image processor to the enhancement of radiological images.

Results of the investigation of the viability of using a coherent optical processor to improve image quality prior to digitization and analysis are presented. Optical processing of small (20 mmx20 mm) and large (100 mmx100 mm) radiological images to improve contrast and enhance edges is demonstrated. A brief summary of the principle of operation of the coherent optical processor is given.