Our aim was to evaluate the predictive value of contrast-enhanced CMR in patients with PH.
Methods: RV size, ejection fraction (RVEF), and the presence of RVIP-LGE were determined in 58 patients with PH referred for CMR. All patients underwent click here right heart catheterization, exercise testing, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) evaluation; results of which were included in the final analysis if performed within 4 months of the CMR study. Patients were followed for the primary endpoint of time to clinical worsening (death, decompensated right ventricular heart failure, initiation of
prostacyclin, or lung transplantation).
Results: Overall, 40/58 (69%) of patients had RVIP-LGE. Patients with RVIP-LGE had larger right ventricular volume index, lower RVEF, and higher mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), all p < 0.05. During the follow-up period of 10.2 +/- 6.3 months, 19 patients reached the primary
endpoint. In a univariate analysis, RVIP-LGE was a predictor for adverse outcomes (p = 0.026). In a multivariate analysis, CMR-derived RVEF was an independent predictor of clinical worsening selleck chemical (p = 0.036) along with well-established prognostic parameters such as exercise capacity (p = 0.010) and mPAP (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: The presence of RVIP-LGE in patients with PH is a marker for more advanced disease and poor prognosis. In addition, this study reveals for the first time that CMR-derived RVEF is an independent non-invasive imaging predictor of adverse outcomes NVP-LDE225 solubility dmso in this patient population.”
“Gelatin-/chitosan-/hyaluronan-based biomaterials are used in tissue engineering as cell scaffolds. Three gamma radiation doses (1, 10 and 25 kGy) were applied to scaffolds for
sterilization. Microstructural changes of the irradiated polymers were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A dose of 25 kGy produced a rough microstructure with a reduction of the porosity (from 99 to 96 %) and pore size (from 160 to 123 mu m). Radiation also modified the glass transition temperature between 31.2 and 42.1 A degrees C (1 and 25 kGy respectively). Human skin cells cultivated on scaffolds irradiated with 10 and 25 kGy proliferated at 48 h and secreted transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-beta 3). Doses of 0 kGy (non-irradiated) or 1 kGy did not stimulate TGF-beta 3 secretion or cell proliferation. The specific growth rate and lactate production increased proportionally to radiation dose. The use of an appropriate radiation dose improves the cell scaffold properties of biomaterials.”
“To investigate cell surface antigens on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), we generated a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against undifferentiated hESCs by a decoy immunization strategy. One of the MAbs, MAb 2-E2, specifically bound to human pluripotent stem cells but not to mouse pluripotent stem cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts.