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Dataset related to the article "Multimodality imaging assessment of mitral annular disjunction in mitral valve prolapse"

This record contains raw data related to the article "Multimodality imaging assessment of mitral annular disjunction in mitral valve prolapse". Objective Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is an abnormality linked to mitral valve prolapse (MVP), possibly associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. We assessed the agreement among different imaging techniques for MAD identification and measurement. Methods 131 patients with MVP and significant mitral regurgitation undergoing transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were retrospectively enrolled. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) was available in 106 patients. MAD was evaluated in standard long-axis views (four-chamber, two-chamber, three-chamber) by each technique. Results Considering any-length MAD, MAD prevalence was 17.3%, 25.5%, 42.0% by TTE, TOE and CMR, respectively (p<0.05). The agreement on MAD identification was moderate between TTE and CMR (κ=0.54, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.59) and good between TOE and CMR (κ=0.79, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.84). Assuming CMR as reference and according to different cut-off values for MAD (≥2 mm, ≥4 mm, ≥6 mm), specificity (95% CI) of TTE and TOE was 99.6 (99.0 to 100.0)% and 98.7 (97.4 to 100.0)%; 99.3 (98.4 to 100.0)% and 97.6 (95.8 to 99.4)%; 97.8 (96.2 to 99.3)% and 93.2 (90.3 to 96.1)%, respectively; sensitivity (95% CI) was 43.1 (37.8 to 48.4)% and 74.5 (69.4 to 79.5)%; 54.0 (48.7 to 59.3)% and 88.9 (85.2 to 92.5)%; 88.0 (84.5 o 91.5)% and 100.0 (100.0 to 100.0)%, respectively. MAD length was 8.0 (7.0-10.0), 7.0 (5.0-8.0], 5.0 (4.0-7.0) mm, respectively by TTE, TOE and CMR. Agreement on MAD measurement was moderate between TTE and CMR (ρ=0.73) and strong between TOE and CMR (ρ=0.86). Conclusions An integrated imaging approach could be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of patients with MVP and symptoms suggestive for arrhythmias. If echocardiography is fundamental for the anatomic and haemodynamic characterisation of the MV disease, CMR may better identify small length MAD as well as myocardial fibrosis.

Data set from the article Lévesque V, Laplante L, Shohoudi A, Apers S, Kovacs AH, Luyckx K, Thomet C, Budts W, Enomoto J, Sluman MA, Lu CW, Jackson JL, Cook SC, Chidambarathanu S, Alday L, Eriksen K, Dellborg M, Berghammer M, Johansson B, Mackie AS, Menahem S, Caruana M, Veldtman G, Soufi A, Fernandes SM, White K, Callus E, Kutty S, Brouillette J, Casteigt B, Moons P, Khairy P; APPROACH-IS Consortium and the International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD). Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and patient-reported outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease: An international study. Heart Rhythm. 2020 May;17(5 Pt A):768-776. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.11.026. Epub 2019 Nov 30. PMID: 31790832.

Data set from the article Lévesque V, Laplante L, Shohoudi A, Apers S, Kovacs AH, Luyckx K, Thomet C, Budts W, Enomoto J, Sluman MA, Lu CW, Jackson JL, Cook SC, Chidambarathanu S, Alday L, Eriksen K, Dellborg M, Berghammer M, Johansson B, Mackie AS, Menahem S, Caruana M, Veldtman G, Soufi A, Fernandes SM, White K, Callus E, Kutty S, Brouillette J, Casteigt B, Moons P, Khairy P; APPROACH-IS Consortium and the International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD). Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and patient-reported outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease: An international study. Heart Rhythm. 2020 May;17(5 Pt A):768-776. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.11.026. Epub 2019 Nov 30. PMID: 31790832.   This is the abstract: Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are increasingly being used to prevent sudden death in the growing population of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). However, little is known about their impact on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare PROs in adults with CHD with and without ICDs. Methods: A propensity-based matching weight analysis was conducted to evaluate PROs in an international cross-sectional study of adults with CHD from 15 countries across 5 continents. Results: A total of 3188 patients were included: 107 with ICDs and 3081 weight-matched controls without ICDs. ICD recipients were an average age of 40.1 ± 12.4 years, and >95% had moderate or complex CHD. Defibrillators were implanted for primary and secondary prevention in 38.3% and 61.7%, respectively. Perceived health status, psychological distress, sense of coherence, and health behaviors did not differ significantly among patients with and without ICDs. However, ICD recipients had a more threatening view of their illness (relative % difference 8.56; P = .011). Those with secondary compared to primary prevention indications had a significantly lower quality-of-life score (Linear Analogue Scale 72.0 ± 23.1 vs 79.2 ± 13.0; P = .047). Marked geographic variations were observed. Overall sense of well-being, assessed by a summary score that combines various PROs, was significantly lower in ICD recipients (vs controls) from Switzerland, Argentina, Taiwan, and the United States. Conclusion: In an international cohort of adults with CHD, ICDs were associated with a more threatening illness perception, with a lower quality of life in those with secondary compared to primary prevention indications. However, marked geographic variability in PROs was observed.

Data set from the article Ko JM, White KS, Kovacs AH, Tecson KM, Apers S, Luyckx K, Thomet C, Budts W, Enomoto J, Sluman MA, Wang JK, Jackson JL, Khairy P, Cook SC, Chidambarathanu S, Alday L, Eriksen K, Dellborg M, Berghammer M, Johansson B, Mackie AS, Menahem S, Caruana M, Veldtman G, Soufi A, Fernandes SM, Callus E, Kutty S, Moons P, Cedars AM; APPROACH-IS consortium and International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD). Differential impact of physical activity type on depression in adults with congenital heart disease: A multi-center international study. J Psychosom Res. 2019 Sep;124:109762. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109762. Epub 2019 Jul 5. PMID: 31443808.

Data set from the article Ko JM, White KS, Kovacs AH, Tecson KM, Apers S, Luyckx K, Thomet C, Budts W, Enomoto J, Sluman MA, Wang JK, Jackson JL, Khairy P, Cook SC, Chidambarathanu S, Alday L, Eriksen K, Dellborg M, Berghammer M, Johansson B, Mackie AS, Menahem S, Caruana M, Veldtman G, Soufi A, Fernandes SM, Callus E, Kutty S, Moons P, Cedars AM; APPROACH-IS consortium and International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD). Differential impact of physical activity type on depression in adults with congenital heart disease: A multi-center international study. J Psychosom Res. 2019 Sep;124:109762. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109762. Epub 2019 Jul 5. PMID: 31443808.   This is the abstract of the article: Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity (PA) and depression in a large international cohort of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) as data about the differential impact of PA type on depression in this population are lacking. Methods: In 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional assessment of 3908 ACHD recruited from 24 ACHD-specialized centers in 15 countries between April 2013 to March 2015. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess self-reported depressive symptoms and the Health-Behavior Scale-Congenital Heart Disease was used to collect PA information. Cochran-Armitage tests were performed to assess trends between depressive symptom levels and PA participation. Chi-Square and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were utilized to examine relations between depressive symptom levels and patient characteristics. Stepwise multivariable models were then constructed to understand the independent impact of PA on depressive symptoms. Results: The overall prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms in this sample was 12% with significant differences in rates between countries (p < .001). Physically active individuals were less likely to be depressed than those who were sedentary. Of the 2 PA domains examined, sport participation rather than active commute was significantly associated with reduced symptoms of depression. After adjustment in multivariable analysis, sport participation was still significantly associated with 38% decreased probability of depressive symptoms (p < .001). Conclusions: Sport participation is independently associated with reduced depressive symptoms. The development and promotion of sport-related exercise prescriptions uniquely designed for ACHD may improve depression status in this unique population.

Dataset related to the article "Impact of BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on Myocardial Infarction: Exploring the Macrophage Phenotype"

This record contains raw data related to the article "Impact of BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on Myocardial Infarction: Exploring the Macrophage Phenotype"

Dataset related to the article "Cryoballoon or radiofrequency ablation? Alternating technique for repeat procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation"

This record contains raw data related to the article "Cryoballoon or radiofrequency ablation? Alternating technique for repeat procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation".   Abstract Background: Which technique is better for repeat ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. The aim of the study was to compare long-term efficacy of repeat ablation using the alternative technique for the first redo ablation procedure: (a) cryoballoon (CB) re-ablation after a failed index pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency (RF) ablation, RF-then-CB group or (b) RF repeat ablation following a failed CB ablation, CB-then-RF group. Methods: Within the 1STOP Italian Project, consecutive patients undergoing repeat ablation with a different technique from the index procedure were included. Results: We studied 474 patients, 349 in RF-then-CB and 125 in CB-then-RF group. Less women (21% vs 30%; P = .041), more persistent AF (33% vs 22%; P = .015), longer duration of AF (60 vs 31 months; P < .001), and more hypertension (50% vs 36%; P = .007) were observed in the RF-then-CB cohort as compared with the CB-then-RF group. The number of reconnected PVs was 3.7 ± 0.7 and 1.4 + 1.3 in RF-then-CB and CB-then-RF group, respectively (P < .001). During the follow-up, significantly less AF recurrence occurred in the CB-then-RF group (22% vs 8%, HR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24-0.92; P = .025). Cohort designation was the only independent predictor of AF recurrence. Conclusion: Alternation of energy source for repeat ablation was safe and effective, regardless the energy used first. However, patients initially treated with CB PVI undergoing repeat ablation with RF current had less AF recurrence at long-term follow-up as compared with those originally treated by RF ablation receiving a CB repeat ablation.

Dataset related to the article "A comparison of acute procedural outcomes within four generations of cryoballoon catheters utilized in the real-world multicenter experience of 1STOP"

This record contains raw data related to the article “A comparison of acute procedural outcomes within four generations of cryoballoon catheters utilized in the real-world multicenter experience of 1STOP".   Abstract Introduction: Four generations of the cryoballoon (CB) catheter were retrospectively evaluated in a real-world examination of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results: Four hundred eighty patients (27% female and 60 ± 10 years) suffering from AF, underwent pulmonary vein (PV) ablation with one-of-four generations of the CB catheter. The total cohort was divided into four groups of patients: 120 with first-generation (CB-1); 120 with second-generation (CB-2); 120 with third-generation (CB-3); and 120 with fourth-generation (CB-4). Equal group sizes were achieved by examining the last 120 patients treated in each cohort, attempting to minimize the effect of a learning curve between the generations of CB catheter. Baseline clinical and patient characteristics were similar between the four cohorts, excepting age and the number of tested antiarrhythmic drugs. Procedure, fluoroscopy, and left atrial dwell times were significantly lower in the CB-4 cohort compared to previous generations of the CB catheters, while the acute procedural success rate was comparable across all catheter groups (>99%). Total acute procedural complications were low (2.5%), and acute complications were comparable within the CB-2, CB-3, and CB-4 groups (0.8% reported in each cohort). The rate of time-to-isolation (TTI) visualization increased with later generations of the CB catheters. Conclusions: The novel CB-4 achieved significantly faster procedural ablation times in comparison to the previous generations, while still maintaining a low rate of acute complications. Also, the rate of TTI visualization was observed to be higher with the CB-4 catheter. Further long-term evaluation is necessary, including an assessment of AF recurrence and PV reconnection(s).

Dataset related to the article "Examination of the best cut-off points of PHQ-2 and GAD-2 for detecting depression and anxiety in Italian cardiovascular inpatients"

This record contains raw data related to the article "Examination of the best cut-off points of PHQ-2 and GAD-2 for detecting depression and anxiety in Italian cardiovascular inpatients"

Dataset related to the article "Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Screening in Cardiac Inpatients: A Virtuous Italian Approach to Psychocardiology"

This record contains raw data related to the article "Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Screening in Cardiac Inpatients: A Virtuous Italian Approach to Psychocardiology"

restrictedNov 2020View details →

Dataset related to the article "The microRNA-34a-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) favors Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells calcification"

This record containsraw data related to the article"The microRNA-34a-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) favors Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells calcification" The senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), characterized by the acquisition of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), is relevant for VSMCs osteoblastic differentiation and vascular calcification (VC). MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is a driver of such phenomena and could play a role in vascular inflammaging. Herein, we analyzed the relationship between miR-34a and the prototypical SASP component IL6 in in vitro and in vivo models. miR-34a and IL6 levels increased and positively correlated in aortas of 21 months-old male C57BL/6J mice and in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) isolated from donors of different age and undergone senescence. Lentiviral overexpression of miR-34a in HASMCs enhanced IL6 secretion. HASMCs senescence and calcification accelerated after exposure to conditioned medium of miR-34a-overexpressing cells. Analysis of miR-34a-induced secretome revealed enhancement of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL6, pro-senescent growth factors and matrix-degrading molecules. Moreover, induction of aortas medial calcification and concomitant IL6 expression, with an overdose of vitamin D, were reduced in male C57BL/6J Mir34a-/- mice. Finally, a positive correlation was observed between circulating miR-34a and IL6 in healthy subjects of 20-90 years. Hence, the vascular age-associated miR-34a promotes VSMCs SASP activation and contributes to arterial inflammation and dysfunctions such as VC.

restrictedJun 2020View details →

Dataset related to the article "Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transcriptional activity in cardiomyocytes of COVID-19 patients without clinical signs of cardiac involvement"

This record contains raw data related to the article "Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transcriptional activity in cardiomyocytes of COVID-19 patients without clinical signs of cardiac involvement"   Article abstract: Abstract: Aims: A considerable proportion of patients affected by coronavirus respiratory disease (COVID-19) develop cardiac injury. The viral impact in cardiomyocytes deserves, however, further investigations, especially in asymptomatic patients. Methods: We investigated for SARS-CoV-2 presence and activity in heart tissues of 6 consecutive COVID-19 patients deceased for respiratory failure showing no signs of cardiac involvement and with no history of heart disease. Cardiac autopsy samples were collected within 2 hours after death, and then analysed by digital PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RNAScope, and transmission electron microscopy assays. Results: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 into cardiomyocytes was invariably detected in all assays. A variable pattern of cardiomyocytes injury was observed, spanning from absence of cell death and subcellular alterations hallmarks, to  intracellular oedema and sarcomere ruptures. In addition, we found active viral transcription in cardiomyocytes, by detecting both sense and antisense SARS-CoV-2 spike RNA. Conclusions: In this autopsy cases analysis of patients with no clinical signs of cardiac involvement, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 into cardiomyocytes has been detected, determining variable patterns of intracellular damage. These findings suggest the need of a cardiologic surveillance in survived COVID-19 patients not displaying a cardiac phenotype.

restrictedDec 2020View details →

Data related to the article "N-Acetyl-Cysteine Regenerates Albumin Cys34 by a Thiol-Disulfide Breaking Mechanism: An Explanation of Its Extracellular Antioxidant Activity"

This record contains raw data related to the article “N-Acetyl-Cysteine Regenerates Albumin Cys34 by a Thiol-Disulfide Breaking Mechanism: An Explanation of Its Extracellular Antioxidant Activity” Abstract In the present paper, the extracellular antioxidant activity of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is explained by considering its ability to regenerate the free form of albumin Cys34 by breaking the disulfide bond of the cysteinylated form (HSA-Cys). NAC’s capability to regenerate albumin Cys34 (HSA-SH) was studied by MS intact protein analysis in human plasma and in a concentration range of NAC easily achievable after oral and i.v. administration (5–50 µg/mL). NAC dose-dependently broke the HSA-Cys bond to form the dimer NAC-Cys thus regenerating Cys34, whose reduced state was maintained for at least 120 min. Cys was faster in restoring Cys34, according to the reaction constant determined with the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) reaction, but after 60 min the mixed disulfide HSA-Cys turned back due to the reaction of the dimer Cys-Cys with Cys34. The explanation for the different rate exchanges between Cys-Cys and Cys-NAC with Cys34 was given by molecular modelling studies. Finally, the Cys34 regenerating effect of NAC was related to its ability to improve the total antioxidant capacity of plasma (TRAP assay). The results well indicate that NAC greatly increases the plasma antioxidant activity and this effect is not reached by a direct effect but through the regenerating effect of Cys34.

restrictedDec 2020View details →

Link to dataset related to article "Analysis of immune, microbiota and metabolome maturation in infants in a clinical trial of Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74-fermented formula"

This record contains raw data related to article “Analysis of immune, microbiota and metabolome maturation in infants in a clinical trial of Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74-fermented formula" Mother's milk is the best choice for infants nutrition, however when it is not available or insufficient to satisfy the needs of the infant, formula is proposed as an effective substitute. Here, we report the results of a randomized controlled clinical trial (<a href="http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03637894">NCT03637894</a>) designed to evaluate the effects of two different dietary regimens (standard formula and Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74-fermented formula) versus breastfeeding (reference group) on immune defense mechanisms (primary endpoint: secretory IgA, antimicrobial peptides), the microbiota and its metabolome (secondary outcomes), in healthy full term infants according to the type of delivery (n = 13/group). We show that the fermented formula, safe and well tolerated, induces an increase in secretory IgA (but not in antimicrobial peptides) and reduces the diversity of the microbiota, similarly, but not as much as, breastmilk. Metabolome analysis allowed us to distinguish subjects based on their dietary regimen and mode of delivery. Together, these results suggest that a fermented formula favors the maturation of the immune system, microbiota and metabolome.

restrictedDec 2020View details →

Dataset related to article: "T Cell Costimulation Blockade Blunts Age-Related Heart Failure"

This record contains raw data related to article: "T Cell Costimulation Blockade Blunts Age-Related Heart Failure" Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of mortality. Inflammation is implicated in HF, yet clinical trials targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines in HF were unsuccessful, possibly due to redundant functions of individual cytokines. Searching for better cardiac inflammation targets, here we link T cells with HF development in a mouse model of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and in human HF patients. T cell costimulation blockade, through FDA-approved rheumatoid arthritis drug abatacept, leads to highly significant delay in progression and decreased severity of cardiac dysfunction in the mouse HF model. The therapeutic effect occurs via inhibition of activation and cardiac infiltration of T cells and macrophages, leading to reduced cardiomyocyte death. Abatacept treatment also induces production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). IL-10-deficient mice are refractive to treatment, while protection could be rescued by transfer of IL-10-sufficient B cells. These results suggest that T cell costimulation blockade might be therapeutically exploited to treat HF.

Dataset related to the article-Depression and Cardiovascular Disease The Viewpoint of Platelets

This record contains raw data related to the article "Depression and Cardiovascular Disease: The Viewpoint of Platelets" Abstract Depression is a major cause of morbidity and low quality of life among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and it is now considered as an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events. Increasing evidence indicates not only that depression worsens the prognosis of cardiac events, but also that a cross-vulnerability between the two conditions occurs. Among the several mechanisms proposed to explain this interplay, platelet activation is the more attractive, seeing platelets as potential mirror of the brain function. In this review, we dissected the mechanisms linking depression and CVD highlighting the critical role of platelet behavior during depression as trigger of cardiovascular complication. In particular, we will discuss the relationship between depression and molecules involved in the CVD (e.g., catecholamines, adipokines, lipids, reactive oxygen species, and chemokines), emphasizing their impact on platelet activation and related mechanisms.

Dataset related to the article-Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases

This record contains raw data related to the article "Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases" Abstract Exosomes are nano-sized biovesicles of endocytic origin physiologically released by nearly all cell types into surrounding body fluids. They carry cell-specific cargos of protein, lipids, and genetic materials and can be selectively taken up by neighboring or distant cells. Since the intrinsic properties of exosomes are strictly influenced by the state of the parental cell and by the cellular microenvironment, the analysis of exosome origin and content, and their cell-targeting specificity, make them attractive as possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. While the possible role of exosomes as messengers and a regenerative tool in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is actively investigated, the evidence about their usefulness as biomarkers is still limited and incomplete. Further complications are due to the lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate approach for exosome isolation and characterization, both important issues for their effective clinical translation. As a consequence, in this review, we will discuss the few information currently accessible about the diagnostic/prognostic potential of exosomes in CVDs and on the methodologies available for exosome isolation, analysis, and characterization.

Dataset related to the article-Impact of Acute and Chronic Stress on Thrombosis in Healthy Individuals and Cardiovascular Disease Patients

This record contains raw data related to the article "Impact of Acute and Chronic Stress on Thrombosis in Healthy Individuals and Cardiovascular Disease Patients" Abstract Psychological stress induces different alterations in the organism in order to maintain homeostasis, including changes in hematopoiesis and hemostasis. In particular, stress-induced hyper activation of the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can trigger cellular and molecular alterations in platelets, coagulation factors, endothelial function, redox balance, and sterile inflammatory response. For this reason, mental stress is reported to enhance the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, contrasting results are often found in the literature considering differences in the response to acute or chronic stress and the health condition of the population analyzed. Since thrombosis is the most common underlying pathology of CVDs, the comprehension of the mechanisms at the basis of the association between stress and this pathology is highly valuable. The aim of this work is to give a comprehensive review of the studies focused on the role of acute and chronic stress in both healthy individuals and CVD patients, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between stress and thrombosis.

Dataset related to the article 'Diagnostic Accuracy of Transillumination in Mitral Valve Prolapse: Side-by-Side Comparison of Standard Transthoracic Three-Dimensional Echocardiography against Surgical Findings'

This record contains raw data related to the article 'Diagnostic Accuracy of Transillumination in Mitral Valve Prolapse: Side-by-Side Comparison of Standard Transthoracic Three-Dimensional Echocardiography against Surgical Findings' In patients with mitral valve (MV) prolapse (MVP) eligible for surgery, three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is routinely used for pre-operative assessment. Despite the worldwide use of transesophageal echocardiography in this context, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) allows accurate noninvasive evaluation of MV anatomy and pathology in patients with good acoustic windows. Transillumination (TI) is a new 3D tool that improves the visualization of cardiac structures due to shadow effects achieved by the use of a virtual light source. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of TTE TI side-by-side with standard 3DE (s3DE) display in patients undergoing surgery for MVP, using surgical valve inspection as a reference standard. We prospectively studied 59 patients with good acoustic windows on TTE, undergoing surgery for MVP. The study was approved by the institutional review board with a written informed consent. 3D MV analysis, including evaluation of scallops, chordal rupture and cleft was performed using s3DE and TI. Data were acquired by two experienced operators using zoomed acquisition mode over 4 to 6 cardiac cycles and processed by adjusting gain, brightness and smoothing. For TI images, the virtual light source was set in the left ventricle to enhance MV visualization. At the end of each TTE study, a first reader analyzed post-processed s3DE images and, one week later, the TI images. Surgical findings of MV anatomy were collected and agreement was expressed using Cohen’s concordance coefficient kappa, sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value (NPV, PPV) and overall accuracy. A second reader, blinded to all prior measurements, repeated TI analysis to assess reproducibility using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).  No differences were noted in etiological diagnosis (Myxomatous vs Fibroelastic Deficiency) between the two 3DE techniques and surgery. Based on s3DE, 53 patients (90%) were diagnosed with P2 flail secondary to chordal rupture (N=51, 86%) or elongation (N=2, 14%). A cleft was diagnosed in 10 cases (17%), mostly located in the posterior leaflet. Based on TI, 53 patients (88%) were diagnosed with P2 flail secondary to chordal rupture (N=48, 81%) or elongation (N=5, 19%). In 9 patients (15%) a cleft was found, mainly located in the posterior leaflet. The reproducibility of TI was good for prolapse detection (ICC=0.78) and chordal rupture localization (ICC= 0.73) and fair for cleft identification (ICC= 0.66). Overall, compared to the surgical reference, TI was significantly more accurate than s3DE for the identification of prolapse (94% vs 89%), chordal rupture (98% vs 92%) and cleft localization (87% vs 54%). Specifically, s3DE correctly detected the flail in the majority of patients (N=57, 97%); in 20 patients (34%), at least one scallop was erroneously diagnosed as prolapsing, while in 4 patients (7%), a second prolapsing scallop was missed by s3DE. In 2 cases (3%) the real flail was missed. Agreement between s3DE and surgery in prolapse identification was poor (kappa=0.30).  By TI, the flail was correctly diagnosed in 57 cases (97%), while in 7 patients (12%) there was an over-diagnosis and in 4 cases (7%) an under-diagnosis. In 1 patient (2%), the flail was missed by TI. The agreement between TI and surgery in prolapse detection was considerably better (kappa=0.60). A significant difference (p<0.05) was found between s3DE and TI in sensitivity (87% vs 91%), specificity (92% vs 97%), PPV (75% vs 87%) and NPV (96% vs 98%) in scallop’s prolapse identification. Chordal rupture was diagnosed in 51 patients (86%) by s3DE, compared to 45 (76%) cases confirmed by surgery. Among these 45 patients, s3DE correctly identified rupture position in 41 (91%). The agreement between s3DE and surgery was moderate (kappa=0.43). In contrast, TI identified chordal rupture in 48 cases (81%); among 45 patients confirmed by surgery TI detected the correct rupture position in 44 (98%), resulting in a very good agreement (kappa=0.86). Compared to s3DE, TI showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in sensitivity (89% vs 98%), specificity (95% vs 99%), PPV (74% vs 94%) and NPV (96% vs 99%) in chordal rupture recognition. The agreement with surgery in terms of localization of cleft by s3DE was poor (k=0.17). Surgical valve inspection reported 8 cases (14%) with MV cleft (2 cleft of the anterior leaflet and 6 indentations of the posterior leaflet), only one was correctly diagnosed by s3DE, mainly due to signal drop-out. Concordance between TI and surgery in cleft localization was good (kappa=0.67); TI correctly diagnosed 6 out of 8 clefts. For cleft identification, sensitivity (13% vs 75%), specificity (96% vs 99%), PPV (10% vs 67%), and NPV (97% vs 99%) were significantly better (p<0.05) for TI compared to s3DE. Based on our results, in patients undergoing surgery for MVP, TI has the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy of TTE in anatomical analysis of the MV compared to s3DE, and may thus contribute towards improved personalized presurgical planning.

Dataset related to the article-BDNF Val66Met polymorphism alters food intake and hypothalamic BDNF expression in mice

This record contains raw data related to the article "BDNF Val66Met polymorphism alters food intake and hypothalamic BDNF expression in mice" Abstract Obesity, a rising public health burden, is a multifactorial disease with an increased risk for patients to develop several pathological conditions including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Increasing evidence suggests a relationship between the human brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and obesity, although the underlying mechanisms of this connection are still not completely understood. In the present study, we found that homozygous knock‐in BDNFMet/Met mice were overweight and hyperphagic compared to wildtype BDNFVal/Val mice. Increased food intake was associated with reduction of total BDNF and BDNF1, BDNF4 and BDNF6 transcripts in the hypothalamus of BDNFMet/Met mice. In contrast, in the white adipose tissue total BDNF and Glut4 expression levels were augmented, while sirtuin 1 and leptin receptor (Ob‐R) expression levels were reduced in BDNFMet/Met mice. Moreover, plasmatic leptin levels were decreased in BDNFMet/Met mice. However, BDNFVal/Val and BDNFMet/Met mice showed a similar response to the insulin tolerance test and glucose tolerance test. Altogether, these results suggest that BDNF Val66Met SNP strongly contributes to adipose tissue pathophysiology, resulting in reduced circulating leptin levels and hypothalamic expression of BDNF, which, in turn, promote increased food intake and overweight in BDNFMet/Met mice.

restrictedOct 2023View details →

Dataset related to article "Ablation of palladin in adult heart causes dilated cardiomyopathy associated with intercalated disc abnormalities"

This record contains raw data related to article "Ablation of palladin in adult heart causes dilated cardiomyopathy associated with intercalated disc abnormalities"AbstractPalladin (PALLD) belongs to the PALLD/myopalladin (MYPN)/myotilin family of actin-associated immunoglobulin-containing proteins in the sarcomeric Z-line. PALLD is ubiquitously expressed in several isoforms, and its longest 200 kDa isoform, predominantly expressed in striated muscle, shows high structural homology to MYPN. MYPN gene mutations are associated with human cardiomyopathies, whereas the role of PALLD in the heart has remained unknown, partly due to embryonic lethality of PALLD knockout mice. In a yeast two-hybrid screening, CARP/Ankrd1 and FHOD1 were identified as novel interaction partners of PALLD's N-terminal region. To study the role of PALLD in the heart, we generated conditional (cPKO) and inducible (cPKOi) cardiomyocyte-specific PALLD knockout mice. While cPKO mice exhibited no pathological phenotype, ablation of PALLD in adult cPKOi mice caused progressive cardiac dilation and systolic dysfunction, associated with reduced cardiomyocyte contractility, intercalated disc abnormalities, and fibrosis, demonstrating that PALLD is essential for normal cardiac function. Double cPKO and MYPN knockout (MKO) mice exhibited a similar phenotype as MKO mice, suggesting that MYPN does not compensate for the loss of PALLD in cPKO mice. Altered transcript levels of MYPN and PALLD isoforms were found in myocardial tissue from human dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, whereas their protein expression levels were unaltered.