The Role of Advanced Echocardiographic Parameters of the Left Atrial Function in the Incidence of Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke: A Review

Stroke is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including a large proportionof cryptogenic strokes. Long-term electrocardiographic monitoring is beneficial in prospective studies fordetecting atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke. This review aimed to evaluate the advancedechocardiographic parameters and their roles in assessing left atrial (LA) function in the incidence ofcryptogenic and ischemic strokes. Main resources, including PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Sciencedatabases, were evaluated for articles published in English from 2010 until May 2021. LA echocardiographicparameters such as LA strain and strain rate, isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), the mean left atrialvolume index (LAVI), LA reservoir volume, systole strain rate (SSR) of left atrial appendage, and lack ofLA function response to maximal exercise as measured by the LA ejection fraction during rest and exercisecould be considered for assessing the risk of cryptogenic strokes and ischemic strokes. The results indicatedthat increased LA volumes and reduced LA strain rate were correlated with cryptogenic stroke. Advancedparameters of LA function, measured by speckle tracking echocardiography, such as strain and strainrate values in different parts of the cardiac cycle, in addition to standard measures of LA function suchas LA ejection fraction and LAVI, will define an excellent understanding regarding LA myopathy and riskassessment of cryptogenic stroke, independent of considering conventional cardiovascular risk factors

Virus-mediated export of chromosomal DNA in plants

Viruses are potential vectors for horizontal gene transfer. Here, studying viral infection of sugar beet plants, the authors report the generation of virus-host circular DNA hybrids and provide a picture of the initial steps in virus-mediated horizontal transfer of chromosomal DNA between plant species

The Immunological Therapeutic Strategies for Controlling Multiple Sclerosis: Considerations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A growing body of evidence initially suggested that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) might be more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Moreover, it was speculated that patients with MS treated with immunosuppressive drugs might be at risk to develop a severe diseases course after infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV2). However, the recently published data have shown that MS patients do not have a higher risk for severe COVID-19. Although there is no indication that patients with MS and immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive therapy are generally at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, it is currently being emphasized that the hazards of poorly treated MS may outweigh the putative COVID-19 dangers. In this review, we discuss the challenges and considerations for MS patients in the COVID-19 pandemic