Temporal characterization of the functional density of the vasa vasorum by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography maximum intensity projection imaging

Objectives We sought to determine whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) microangiography with maximum intensity projection (MIP) processing could temporally evaluate proliferation of the vasa vasorum (VV) in a model of mural hemorrhage. Background Expansion of the VV and plaque neovascularization contributes to plaque growth and instability and may be triggered by a variety of stimuli, including vascular hemorrhage. However, quantitative in vivo methods for temporal assessment of VV remodeling are lacking. Methods In 24 rabbits fed a high-fat diet, either autologous whole blood or saline was percutaneously injected into the media-adventitia of the femoral artery using ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound guidance. Functional VV density at the injection site and contralateral control artery was assessed 1, 2, and 6 weeks after injection with CEU imaging with MIP processing. In vitro studies with renathane microtubes were also performed to validate linear density measurement with CEU and MIP processing. Results In vitro studies demonstrated that MIP processing of CEU data reflected the relative linear density of vessels in a manner that was relatively independent of contrast concentration or microtube flow rate. On CEU with MIP, there was a 3-fold increase in femoral artery VV microvascular density at 1 and 2 weeks after blood injection (p \u3c 0.01 vs. contralateral control), whereas VV density increased minimally after saline injection. At 6 weeks, VV vascular density decreased in blood-treated vessels and was not different from saline-injected or contralateral control vessels. Conclusions CEU with MIP processing can provide quantitative data on temporal changes in the functional density of the VV. This method may be useful for evaluating high-risk features of plaque neovascularization or response to therapies aimed at plaque neovessels. © 2010 American College of Cardiology Foundation

Safety and Immunogenicity of the ID93 + GLA-SE Tuberculosis Vaccine in BCG-Vaccinated Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Trial

Abstract Introduction This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2a trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the ID93 + glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA)-stable emulsion (SE) vaccine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative, previously Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated, and QuantiFERON-TB-negative healthy adults in South Korea. Methods Adults (n = 107) with no signs or symptoms of tuberculosis were randomly assigned to receive three intramuscular injections of 2 μg ID93 + 5 μg GLA-SE, 10 μg ID93 + 5 μg GLA-SE, or 0.9% normal saline placebo on days 0, 28, and 56. For safety assessment, data on solicited adverse events (AEs), unsolicited AEs, serious AEs (SAEs), and special interest AEs were collected. Antigen-specific antibody responses were measured using serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T-cell immune responses were measured using enzyme-linked immunospot and intracellular cytokine staining. Results No SAEs, deaths, or AEs leading to treatment discontinuation were found. The solicited local and systemic AEs observed were consistent with those previously reported. Compared with adults administered with the placebo, those administered with three intramuscular vaccine injections exhibited significantly higher antigen-specific antibody levels and Type 1 T-helper cellular immune responses. Conclusion The ID93 + GLA-SE vaccine induced antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses, with an acceptable safety profile in previously healthy, BCG-vaccinated, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-uninfected adult healthcare workers. Trial Registration This clinical trial was retrospectively registered on 16 January 2019 at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03806686)

Brand concepts as representations of human values: Do cultural congruity and compatibility between values matter?

Global brands are faced with the challenge of conveying concepts that not only are consistent across borders but also resonate with consumers of different cultures. Building on prior research indicating that abstract brand concepts induce more favorable consumer responses than functional attributes, the authors introduce a generalizable and robust structure of abstract brand concepts as representations of human values. Using three empirical studies conducted with respondents from eight countries, they demonstrate that this proposed structure is particularly useful for predicting (1) brand meanings that are compatible (vs. incompatible) with each other and, consequently, more (less) favorably accepted by consumers when added to an already established brand concept; (2) brand concepts that are more likely to resonate with consumers with differing cultural orientations; and (3) consumers' responses to attempts to imbue an established brand concept with new, (in)compatible abstract meanings as a function of their own cultural orientations