Macrophages mediated diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis using fibrin based magnetic nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents.

Background: A variety of bioimaging tools assists in the diagnosis and evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other osteoarthritis. However, detection of RA in the early stages by targeting its macrophages with suitable contrast agents will help in arresting the progression of the disease.

Methods: In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of using magnetic fibrin nanoparticles (MFNPs) conjugated with folic acid (FA-MFNPs) as a specific contrast agent to target the activated macrophages, which overexpress the folate receptors (FR) in the knee joints of rats with antigen-induced arthritis (AIA).

Postmyocardial infarction left ventricular dysfunction - assessment and follow up of patients undergoing surgical ventricular restoration by the endoventricular patchplasty.

Background: Surgical ventricular restoration with endoventricular patchplasty improves left ventricular function and restores left ventricular shape.

Method: The study included patients who presented with transmural anterior myocardial infarctions between June 2007 and May 2008. Briefly the technique included - coronary revascularization, resection of the endocardial scar, left ventricular reconstruction using an endoventricular synthetic patch.