Validation of 3D echocardiographic volume detection of left atrium by human cadaveric casts

Background: Left atrial volume is a prognostic factor in cardiac pathologies. We aimed to validate left atrial volume detection with 3D and 2D echocardiography (3DE and 2DE) by human cadaveric casts. 3DE facilitates measurement of atrial volume without geometrical assumptions or dependence on imaging angle in contrast to 2DE methods. Methods: For method validation, six water-filled balloons were submerged in a 20-l water tank and their volumes were measured with 3DE. Seven human cadaveric left atrial casts were prepared of silicone and were transformed into ultrasound-permeable casts. Casts were imaged in the same setting, so that 3DE and 2DE of casts represented transthoracic apical view. Left ventricle analysis softwares GE 4D Auto LVQ and TomTec 4D LV-Function were used for 3DE volumetry. Results; Balloon volumes ranged 37 to 255ml (mean 126 ml). 3DE resulted in an excellent volumetric agreement with balloon volumes, absolute bias was -3.7 ml (95% CI -5.9 to -1.4). Atrial cast volumes were 38 to 94 ml (mean 56.6 ml). 3DE and 2DE volumes were excellently correlated with cast volumes (r = 0.96 to 0.99). Biases were for GE 4D LVQ - 0.7 ml (95% CI -6.1 to 4.6), TomTec 4D LV-Function 3.3 ml (-1.9 to 8.5) and 2DE 2.9 ml (-4.0 to 9.9). 3DE resulted in lower limits of agreement and showed no volume-related bias in contrast to area-length method. Conclusions: We conclude that measurement of human cadaveric left atrial cast volumes by 3DE is in excellent agreement with true cast volumes.Peer reviewe

Geological report of the Paz River basin

Appendix 13/15 of the publication "State of the environment in the Norwegian, Finnish and Russian border area 2007" (The Finnish Environment 6/2007)

Data on characterizing the gene expression patterns of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis genes: CLN1, CLN2, CLN3, CLN5 and their association to interneuron and neurotransmission markers: Parvalbumin and Somatostatin

Abstract The article contains raw and analyzed data related to the research article “Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis genes, CLN2, CLN3, CLN5 are spatially and temporally co-expressed in a developing mouse brain” (Fabritius et al., 2014) [1]. The processed data gives an understanding of the development of the cell types that are mostly affected by defective function of CLN proteins, timing of expression of CLN1, CLN2, CLN3 and CLN5 genes in a murine model. The data shows relationship between the expression pattern of these genes during neural development. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify known interneuronal markers for neurotransmission and cell proliferation: parvalbumin, somatostatin subpopulations of interneurons. Non-radioactive in-situ hybridization detected CLN5 mRNA in the hippocampus. Throughout the development strong expression of CLN genes were identified in the germinal epithelium and in ventricle regions, cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. This provides supportive evidence that CLN1, CLN2, CLN3 and CLN5 genes may be involved in synaptic pruning.Peer reviewe

Glass Polarization Induced Drift in Microelectromechanical Capacitor

We present a quantitative physical model for glass substrate polarization and study the glasspolarization by measuring the capacitance drift from microelectromechanicalcapacitor test structure. The model consists of mobile and immobile charge species, which are related to alkali metals and non-bridging oxygen in glass. The model explains consistently our results and the previously observed non-homogeneous charging effect in a radio-frequency switch fabricated on a glass substrate. The results indicate that the bulk properties of the glass layer itself can be a significant source of drift. The modeling allows estimation of the drift behavior of the several kinds of device structures.Peer reviewe

Effect of levosimendan in experimental verapamil- induced myocardial depression

Background: Calcium antagonist overdose can cause severe deterioration of hemodynamics unresponsible to treatment with beta adrenergic inotropes. The aim of the study was to evaluate in an experimental model the effects of levosimendan during severe calcium antagonist intoxication. Methods: Twelve landrace-pigs were intoxicated with intravenous verapamil at escalating infusion rates. The infusion containing 2.5 mg/ml verapamil was used aiming to a reduction of cardiac output by 40 % from the baseline value. Intoxicated pigs were randomized into two groups: control (saline) and levosimendan (intravenous bolus). Inotropic effect was measured as a change in a maximum of the positive slope of the left ventricular pressure (LV dP/dt). The survival and hemodynamics of the animals were followed for 120 min after the targeted reduction of cardiac output. Results: In the control group, five out of six pigs died during the experiment. In the levosimendan group, one pig died before completion of the experiment (p = 0.04). In the levosimendan group a change in LV dP/dt was positive in four out of six pigs compared to one out of six pigs in the control group (p = ns). Conclusions: In this experimental model, the use of levosimendan was associated with improved survival. Background In the year 2004 more than 10000 toxic exposures to calciu

MRI-derived cardiac washout is slowed in the left ventricle and associated with left ventricular non-compaction in young patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke

To elucidate underlying disease mechanisms, we compared transition of gadolinium-based contrast agent bolus in cardiac chambers in magnetic resonance imaging between young patents with cryptogenic ischemic stroke and stroke-free controls. We included 30 patients aged 18-50 years with cryptogenic ischemic stroke from the prospective Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers and Outcome (NCT01934725) study and 30 age- and gender-matched stroke-free controls. Dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted first-pass perfusion images were acquired at 1.5 T and analyzed for transit time variables, area under curves, relative blood flow, and maximum and minimum enhancement rates in left atrial appendage, left atrium, and left ventricle. These data were compared with previously published left ventricular non-compaction data of the same study population. Arrival time of contrast agent bolus in superior vena cava was similar in patients and controls (6.7[2.0] vs. 7.1[2.5] cardiac cycles, P = 0.626). Arrival and peak times showed comparable characteristics in patients and controls (P > 0.535). The minimum enhancement rate of the left ventricle was lower in patients than in controls (- 28 +/- 11 vs. - 36 +/- 13 1/(cardiac cycle), P = 0.012). Area under curves, relative blood flow, and other enhancement rates showed no significant differences between patients and controls (P > 0.107). Relative blood flow of cardiac chambers correlated with non-compacted left ventricular volume ratio (P < 0.011). Our results indicate slower washout of contrast agent and blood flow stagnation in the left ventricle of young patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. The washout was associated with left ventricular non-compaction, suggesting conditions favoring formation of intraventricular thrombosis.Peer reviewe

Evidence of subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction in cryptogenic stroke in the young

Introduction: Ischemic stroke in young patients often remains cryptogenic, that is, no underlying reason can be found. Some of these strokes may originate in the heart. Left ventricular (LV) dynamic volumetry and strain analysis are relatively new and promising methods for evaluating LV function. Methods: In this pilot study, we recruited 30 young (18-50 years) patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke and 30 age- and sex-matched controls from the SECRETO study (NCT01934725). The LV systolic function was assessed by LV volumetry (ejection fraction, peak emptying rate, and time to peak emptying rate). The longitudinal systolic function was assessed by speckle tracking strain and strain rate imaging, and by tissue velocity imaging derived MAD (mitral annular displacement) and septal S'. Results: Stroke patients had less vigorous global longitudinal strain (median -18.9, interquartile range 3.3), compared to healthy controls (median -20.0, interquartile range 2.8), P = .010. There was no statistically significant differences in septal S', MAD, global longitudinal strain rate, or dynamic volumetry-derived parameters between the two groups. Conclusions: Young cryptogenic stroke patients have subtly altered systolic function compared to healthy controls, found merely with longitudinal strain analysis. This infers that the heart may play a role in the pathogenesis of cryptogenic ischemic stroke.Peer reviewe

Diastolic function in young patients with cryptogenic stroke : A case-control pilot study

Background Ischaemic stroke in young individuals often remains cryptogenic. In this pilot study, we investigated, whether advanced echocardiography methods could find differences in the diastolic function between young cryptogenic stroke patients and stroke-free controls. Methods We recruited 30 cryptogenic ischaemic stroke patients aged 18-49 and 30 age- and sex-matched stroke-free controls among participants of the Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO) study (NCT01934725). We measured diastolic function parameters derived from speckle tracking strain rate, Doppler techniques and 4D volumetry. We also performed statistical analyses comparing only the highest and lowest tertile of cases and controls for each parameter. Results None of our patients or controls had diastolic dysfunction according to ASE/EACVI criteria. However, compared to stroke-free controls, the stroke patient group had lower E/A ratio of mitral inflow, lower lateral and mean e', lower A/a' ratio, lower strain rate in early diastole and lower speckle tracking-derived e/a ratio. When comparing the lowest tertiles, patients also had a lower peak filling rate by 4D volumetry, a lower peak early filling fraction (fraction of left ventricular filling during early diastole), and lower velocities in a series of the tissue Doppler-derived diastolic parameters and blood flow/tissue velocity ratios. Conclusion Our study displayed subtle differences in diastolic function between patients and stroke-free controls, which may play a role in early-onset cryptogenic stroke. The differences were clearer when the lowest tertiles were compared, suggesting that there is a subgroup of young cryptogenic stroke patients with subclinical heart disease.Peer reviewe

Left ventricular non-compaction as a potential source for cryptogenic ischemic stroke in the young : A case-control study

Background Up to 50% of ischemic strokes in the young after thorough diagnostic work-up remain cryptogenic or associated with low-risk sources of cardioembolism such as patent foramen ovale (PFO). We studied with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, whether left ventricular (LV) non-compaction-a possible source for embolic stroke due to sluggish blood flow in deep intertrabecular recesses-is associated with cryptogenic strokes in the young. Methods Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO; NCT01934725) is an international prospective multicenter case-control study of young adults (aged 18-49 years) presenting with an imaging-positive first-ever ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology. In this pilot substudy, 30 cases and 30 age- and sex-matched stroke-free controls were examined with CMR. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) bubble test was performed to evaluate the presence and magnitude of right-to-left shunt (RLS). Results There were no significant differences in LV volumes, masses or systolic function between cases and controls; none of the participants had non-compaction cardiomyopathy. Semi-automated assessment of LV non-compaction was highly reproducible. Non-compacted LV mass (median 14.0 [interquartile range 12.6-16.0] g/m(2)vs. 12.7 [10.4-16.6] g/m(2), p = 0.045), the ratio of non-compacted to compacted LV mass (mean 25.6 +/- 4.2% vs. 22.8 +/- 6.0%, p = 0.015) and the percentage of non-compacted LV volume (mean 17.6 +/- 2.9% vs. 15.7 +/- 3.8%, p = 0.004) were higher in cases compared to controls. In a multivariate conditional logistic regression model including non-compacted LV volume, RLS and body mass index, the percentage of non-compacted LV volume (odds ratio [OR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-2.18, p = 0.011) and the presence of RLS (OR 11.94, 95% CI 1.14-124.94, p = 0.038) were independently associated with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. Conclusions LV non-compaction is associated with a heightened risk of cryptogenic ischemic stroke in young adults, independent of concomitant RLS and in the absence of cardiomyopathy.Peer reviewe