Towards accurate and precise T1 and extracellular volume mapping in the myocardium: a guide to current pitfalls and their solutions

Mapping of the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) and extracellular volume (ECV) offers a means of identifying pathological changes in myocardial tissue, including diffuse changes that may be invisible to existing T1-weighted methods. This technique has recently shown strong clinical utility for pathologies such as Anderson- Fabry disease and amyloidosis and has generated clinical interest as a possible means of detecting small changes in diffuse fibrosis; however, scatter in T1 and ECV estimates offers challenges for detecting these changes, and bias limits comparisons between sites and vendors. There are several technical and physiological pitfalls that influence the accuracy (bias) and precision (repeatability) of T1 and ECV mapping methods. The goal of this review is to describe the most significant of these, and detail current solutions, in order to aid scientists and clinicians to maximise the utility of T1 mapping in their clinical or research setting. A detailed summary of technical and physiological factors, issues relating to contrast agents, and specific disease-related issues is provided, along with some considerations on the future directions of the field. Towards accurate and precise T1 and extracellular volume mapping in the myocardium: a guide to current pitfalls and their solutions. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317548806_Towards_accurate_and_precise_T1_and_extracellular_volume_mapping_in_the_myocardium_a_guide_to_current_pitfalls_and_their_solutions [accessed Jun 13, 2017]

Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation analysis provide insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A small proportion of HF cases are attributable to monogenic cardiomyopathies and existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded only limited insights, leaving the observed heritability of HF largely unexplained. We report results from a GWAS meta-analysis of HF comprising 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls. Twelve independent variants at 11 genomic loci are associated with HF, all of which demonstrate one or more associations with coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, or reduced left ventricular function, suggesting shared genetic aetiology. Functional analysis of non-CAD-associated loci implicate genes involved in cardiac development (MYOZ1, SYNPO2L), protein homoeostasis (BAG3), and cellular senescence (CDKN1A). Mendelian randomisation analysis supports causal roles for several HF risk factors, and demonstrates CAD-independent effects for atrial fibrillation, body mass index, and hypertension. These findings extend our knowledge of the pathways underlying HF and may inform new therapeutic strategies

Production and Evaluation of Ice Cream from Nigerian Tiger-Nut Milk Extract

Ice cream was prepared from water-soluble extracts of the yellow variety of Nigerian tiger-nut. A modified standard method was used for the production of the tiger-nut milk ice cream. The resulting ice cream had pH of 7.10, 35%Brix, specific gravity of 1.0888 and total solids of 45.67%. The proximate composition of the ice cream showed a crude protein content of 1.77 + 0.46%, fat 7.91 + 0.15%, carbohydrate content of 35.34 + 0.15% and a caloric value of 219.63 Kcal. These results are similar to the findings of Nawab (1991) on the quality standards for soy-ice cream. Sensory evaluation tests showed that the formulated ice cream from tiger-nut was acceptable. Microbiological examination showed that the tiger-nut ice cream was safe for consumption and an over-run of 55% was obtained in this study

Defects and contaminants in Nigerian tiger-nut varieties (cyperus esculentus)

Three varieties of tiger-nut had sorting yields of 85–95% and contained 5–14% of broken nuts, stones, animal droppings and other extraneous materials

Production and quality evaluation of probiotic soy milk

Soy milk is produced from a protein rich legume with high nutritional value. Adding probiotic agent(s) to soy milk increases its health value. In this study, soy milk and probiotic soy milk samples were produced, their qualities evaluated and shelf life at different temperatures of storagemonitored. Products were of good taste and acceptable quality. Produced soy milk and probiotic soy milk samples had less than 48hrs shelf life at room temperature (28-300C), 2 weeks at 4-80C and over 1 month at -70C as determined using changes in taste, odour, appearance andcounts of probiotic isolates. The probiotic isolates HM7 and CHC survived well in soy milk and maintained good counts during the study period

Production and Evaluation of Jam from Roselle Calyx Extract

The aqueous extract of Roselle calyx was processed into jam by washing the calyx, extraction by boiling in hot water, filtration, formulation using the filtrate, boiling, filling into glass bottles and pasteurization. The  physicochemical properties and nutritional composition of the jam were analyzed. The resulting jam had pH 2.90, 69% Brix of sugar, and total solids 64.70%. Sensory evaluation tests showed that the product was acceptable. Microbiological examination showed that the roselle jam had a total plate count of 4.0 x 101 cfu/g and yeast and mould count of 2.1x101cfu/g while the coliforms and E-coli values were nil