Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression and Change in Plaque Composition Over Time: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study Using Serial CT Angiography

Objectives We studied the progression of coronary atherosclerosis over time as detected by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in relation to risk factors and plaque composition. Background Studies using MDCT are limited to the assessment of the degree of stenosis without taking into consideration the plaque composition that is seen by MDCT. Methods This study included 200 patients, complaining of chest pain and referred to do 64/128-contrast–enhanced MDCT for the second time, and both studies were retrieved and evaluated for the presence of plaque, plaque type, vessel wall remodeling, percent area, and diameter stenosis and compared in both studies. Plaque progression over time and its association with risk factors were determined. Results We included 200 patients, and 348 plaques were detected by 64/128 MDCT. The duration between follow-up and baseline studies was 25.9 ± 19.2 month. In all, 200 plaques showed progression (57.47%), 122 were stable (35.06%), and 26 regressed (7.47%). In longitudinal regression analysis, the presence of history of diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia and the absence of intraplaque calcium deposits were independently associated with plaque progression over time ( P < 0.0001). Conclusion Coronary plaque burden of patients with chest pain and no history of acute coronary syndrome significantly increased over time. Progression is dependent on plaque composition and cardiovascular risk factors. Larger studies and longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the determinant factors for plaque progression.

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Changes in DNA methylation persist over time in males with severe alcohol use disorder—A longitudinal follow‐up study

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics ◽

10.1002/ajmg.b.32833 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Soundarya Soundararajan ◽

Arpana Agrawal ◽

Meera Purushottam ◽

Shravanthi Daphne Anand ◽

Bhagyalakshmi Shankarappa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Over Time

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Human Milk Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/08903344211030171 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089033442110301

Author(s):

Hannah G. Juncker ◽

M. Romijn ◽

Veerle N. Loth ◽

Tom G. Caniels ◽

Christianne J.M. de Groot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Immunoglobulin A ◽

Spike Protein ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Lactating Mothers ◽

Milk Antibodies ◽

Over Time

Background: Human milk contains antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). These antibodies may serve as protection against COVID-19 in infants. However, the evolution of these human milk antibodies over time is unclear. Research Aim: To elucidate the evolution of immunoglobulin A (IgA) against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This longitudinal follow-up study included lactating mothers ( N = 24) who had participated in the COVID MILK study. To assess the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, serum and human milk samples were collected 14–143 days after the onset of clinical symptoms related to COVID-19. Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay was used to detect antibodies against the ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Results: SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remain present up to 5 months (143 days) in human milk after onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 IgA in human milk seems to gradually decrease over time. Conclusion: Human milk from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent lactating mothers contains specific IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein up to at least 5 months post-infection. Passive viral immunity can be transferred via human milk and may serve as protection for infants against COVID-19. Dutch Trial Register on May 1st, 2020, number: NL 8575, URL: https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8575 .

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Temporal and spatial changes in wall shear stress during atherosclerotic plaque progression in mice

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.171447 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 171447 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. Xing ◽

A. M. Moerman ◽

Y. Ridwan ◽

M. J. Daemen ◽

A. F. W. van der Steen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Shear Stress ◽

Wall Shear Stress ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Proximal Part ◽

Plaque Progression ◽

Plaque Composition ◽

Spatial Changes ◽

Temporal And Spatial ◽

Wall Shear

Wall shear stress (WSS) is involved in atherosclerotic plaque initiation, yet its role in plaque progression remains unclear. We aimed to study (i) the temporal and spatial changes in WSS over a growing plaque and (ii) the correlation between WSS and plaque composition, using animal-specific data in an atherosclerotic mouse model. Tapered casts were placed around the right common carotid arteries (RCCA) of ApoE −/− mice. At 5, 7 and 9 weeks after cast placement, RCCA geometry was reconstructed using contrast-enhanced micro-CT. Lumen narrowing was observed in all mice, indicating the progression of a lumen intruding plaque. Next, we determined the flow rate in the RCCA of each mouse using Doppler Ultrasound and computed WSS at all time points. Over time, as the plaque developed and further intruded into the lumen, absolute WSS significantly decreased. Finally at week 9, plaque composition was histologically characterized. The proximal part of the plaque was small and eccentric, exposed to relatively lower WSS. Close to the cast a larger and concentric plaque was present, exposed to relatively higher WSS. Lower WSS was significantly correlated to the accumulation of macrophages in the eccentric plaque. When pooling data of all animals, correlation between WSS and plaque composition was weak and no longer statistically significant. In conclusion, our data showed that in our mouse model absolute WSS strikingly decreased during disease progression, which was significantly correlated to plaque area and macrophage content. Besides, our study demonstrates the necessity to analyse individual animals and plaques when studying correlations between WSS and plaque composition.

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