27 research outputs found
A Simplest A4 Model for Tri-Bimaximal Neutrino Mixing
We present a see-saw model for Tri-Bimaximal mixing which is based on a
very economical flavour symmetry and field content and still possesses all the
good features of models. In particular the charged lepton mass
hierarchies are determined by the flavour symmetry itself
without invoking a Froggatt-Nielsen U(1) symmetry. Tri-Bimaximal mixing is
exact in leading order while all the mixing angles receive corrections of the
same order in next-to-the-leading approximation. As a consequence the predicted
value of is within the sensitivity of the experiments which will
take data in the near future. The light neutrino spectrum, typical of
see-saw models, with its phenomenological implications, also including
leptoproduction, is studied in detail.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figure
Effect of cellular and extracellular pathology assessed by T1 mapping on regional contractile function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Background Regional contractile dysfunction is a frequent finding in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We aimed to investigate the contribution of different tissue characteristics in HCM to regional contractile dysfunction. Methods We prospectively recruited 50 patients with HCM who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies at 3.0 T including cine imaging, T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging. For each segment of the American Heart Association model segment thickness, native T1, extracellular volume (ECV), presence of LGE and regional strain (by feature tracking and tissue tagging) were assessed. The relationship of segmental function, hypertrophy and tissue characteristics were determined using a mixed effects model, with random intercept for each patient. Results Individually segment thickness, native T1, ECV and the presence of LGE all had significant associations with regional strain. The first multivariable model (segment thickness, LGE and ECV) demonstrated that all strain parameters were associated with segment thickness (P < 0.001 for all) but not ECV. LGE (Beta 2.603, P = 0.024) had a significant association with circumferential strain measured by tissue tagging. In a second multivariable model (segment thickness, LGE and native T1) all strain parameters were associated with both segment thickness (P < 0.001 for all) and native T1 (P < 0.001 for all) but not LGE. Conclusion Impairment of contractile function in HCM is predominantly associated with the degree of hypertrophy and native T1 but not markers of extracellular fibrosis (ECV or LGE). These findings suggest that impairment of contractility in HCM is mediated by mechanisms other than extracellular expansion that include cellular changes in structure and function. The cellular mechanisms leading to increased native T1 and its prognostic significance remain to be established
Update on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a guide to the guidelines
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiovascular disorder, affecting 1 in 500 individuals worldwide. Existing epidemiological studies might have underestimated the prevalence of HCM, however, owing to limited inclusion of individuals with early, incomplete phenotypic expression. Clinical manifestations of HCM include diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, ischaemia, atrial fibrillation, abnormal vascular responses and, in 5% of patients, progression to a 'burnt-out' phase characterized by systolic impairment. Disease-related mortality is most often attributable to sudden cardiac death, heart failure, and embolic stroke. The majority of individuals with HCM, however, have normal or near-normal life expectancy, owing in part to contemporary management strategies including family screening, risk stratification, thromboembolic prophylaxis, and implantation of cardioverter-defibrillators. The clinical guidelines for HCM issued by the ACC Foundation/AHA and the ESC facilitate evaluation and management of the disease. In this Review, we aim to assist clinicians in navigating the guidelines by highlighting important updates, current gaps in knowledge, differences in the recommendations, and challenges in implementing them, including aids and pitfalls in clinical and pathological evaluation. We also discuss the advances in genetics, imaging, and molecular research that will underpin future developments in diagnosis and therapy for HCM
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The 9-bp deletion in region V of mitochondrial DNA: evidence of mutation recurrence
A deletion of one of the two copies of a 9-bp direct repeat sequence (CCCCCTCTA) in region V of mitochondrial DNA has previously been used as a polymorphic anthropological marker for people of east Asian origin, and to a lesser extent, in Oceanian and African populations. We report the presence of the 9-bp deletion in homoplasmy in skeletal muscle fibers and lymphocytes of a Spanish Caucasian individual. Other mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms associated with the 9-bp deletion characteristic of other populations were not present. Our results suggest that the 9-bp deletion probably originated independently in the maternal lineage of the propositus, and that it can thus be described as a recurrent mutation