| 1. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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| 2. |
- Thompson, Paul M., et al.
(author)
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The ENIGMA Consortium : large-scale collaborative analyses of neuroimaging and genetic data
- 2014
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In: BRAIN IMAGING BEHAV. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1931-7557 .- 1931-7565. ; 8:2, s. 153-182
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium is a collaborative network of researchers working together on a range of large-scale studies that integrate data from 70 institutions worldwide. Organized into Working Groups that tackle questions in neuroscience, genetics, and medicine, ENIGMA studies have analyzed neuroimaging data from over 12,826 subjects. In addition, data from 12,171 individuals were provided by the CHARGE consortium for replication of findings, in a total of 24,997 subjects. By meta-analyzing results from many sites, ENIGMA has detected factors that affect the brain that no individual site could detect on its own, and that require larger numbers of subjects than any individual neuroimaging study has currently collected. ENIGMA's first project was a genome-wide association study identifying common variants in the genome associated with hippocampal volume or intracranial volume. Continuing work is exploring genetic associations with subcortical volumes (ENIGMA2) and white matter microstructure (ENIGMA-DTI). Working groups also focus on understanding how schizophrenia, bipolar illness, major depression and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affect the brain. We review the current progress of the ENIGMA Consortium, along with challenges and unexpected discoveries made on the way.
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| 3. |
- Danad, Ibrahim, et al.
(author)
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Carotid artery intima-media thickness, but not coronary artery calcium, predicts coronary vascular resistance in patients evaluated for coronary artery disease
- 2012
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In: European Heart Journal: Cardiovascular Imaging. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2047-2404 .- 2047-2412. ; 13:4, s. 317-323
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims There is growing evidence that coronary artery disease (CAD) affects not only the conduit epicardial coronary arteries, but also the microvascular coronary bed. Moreover, coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMVD) often precedes the stage of clinically overt epicardial CAD. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) measured with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound, respectively, are among the available techniques to non-invasively assess atherosclerotic burden. An increased CAC score and C-IMT have also been associated with CMVD. It is therefore of interest to explore and compare the potential of CAC against C-IMT to predict minimal coronary vascular resistance (CVR). Methods and results We evaluated 120 patients (mean age 56 +/- 9 years, 58 men) without a documented history of CAD in whom and results obstructive CAD was excluded. All patients underwent C-IMT measurements, CAC scoring, and vasodilator stress O-15-water positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, during which the coronary flow reserve (CFR) and minimal CVR were analysed. Minimal CVR increased significantly with increasing tertiles of C-IMT (22 +/- 6, 27 +/- 11, and 28 +/- 9 mmHg mL(-1) min(-1) g(-1), P < 0.01), whereas the CFR was comparable across all C-IMT groups (P = 0.50). Minimal CVR increased significantly with an increase in CAC score (23 +/- 9, 27 +/- 8, 32 +/- 10, and 32 +/- 7 mmHg mL(-1) min(-1) g(-1). P < 0.01), whereas the CFR did not show a significant decrease with higher CAC scores (P = 0.18). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that C-IMT (P = 0.03), but not CAC, was independently associated with minimal CVR. Conclusion C-IMT, but not CAC score, independently predicts minimal CVR in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and suspected of CAD.
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| 4. |
- Danad, Ibrahim, et al.
(author)
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Coronary risk factors and myocardial blood flow in patients evaluated for coronary artery disease : a quantitative [15O]H2O PET/CT study
- 2012
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In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 39:1, s. 102-112
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundThere has been increasing interest in quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) imaging over the last years and it is expected to become a routinely used technique in clinical practice. Positron emission tomography (PET) using [15O]H2O is the established gold standard for quantification of MBF in vivo. A fundamental issue when performing quantitative MBF imaging is to define the limits of MBF in a clinically suitable population. The aims of the present study were to determine the limits of MBF and to determine the relationship among coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, gender and MBF in a predominantly symptomatic patient cohort without significant CAD.MethodsA total of 128 patients (mean age 54 ± 10 years, 50 men) with a low to intermediate pretest likelihood of CAD were referred for noninvasive evaluation of CAD using a hybrid PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner. MBF was quantified with [15O]H2O at rest and during adenosine-induced hyperaemia. Obstructive CAD was excluded in these patients by means of invasive or CT-based coronary angiography.ResultsGlobal average baseline MBF values were 0.91 ± 0.34 and 1.09 ± 0.30 ml·min−1·g−1 (range 0.54–2.35 and 0.59–2.75 ml·min−1·g−1) in men and women, respectively (p < 0.01). However, no gender-dependent difference in baseline MBF was seen following correction for rate–pressure product (0.98 ± 0.45 and 1.09 ± 0.30 ml·min−1·g−1 in men and women, respectively; p = 0.08). Global average hyperaemic MBF values were 3.44 ± 1.20 ml·min−1·g−1 in the whole study population, and 2.90 ± 0.85 and 3.78 ± 1.27 ml·min−1·g−1 (range 1.52–5.22 and 1.72–8.15 ml·min−1·g−1) in men and women, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified male gender, age and body mass index as having an independently negative impact on hyperaemic MBF.ConclusionGender, age and body mass index substantially influence reference values and should be corrected for when interpreting hyperaemic MBF values.
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| 5. |
- de Haan, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Parametric imaging of myocardial viability using ¹⁵O-labelled water and PET/CT : comparison with late gadolinium-enhanced CMR
- 2012
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In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 39:8, s. 1240-1245
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThe perfusable tissue index (PTI) is a marker of myocardial viability. Recent technological advances have made it possible to generate parametric PTI images from a single [15O]H2O PET/CT scan. The purpose of this study was to validate these parametric PTI images.MethodsThe study population comprised 46 patients with documented or suspected coronary artery disease who were studied with [15O]H2O PET and late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).ResultsOf the 736 myocardial segments included, 364 showed some degree of LGE. PTI and perfusable tissue fraction (PTF) diminished with increasing LGE. The areas under the curve of the PTI and PTF, used to predict (near) transmural LGE on CMR, were 0.86 and 0.87, respectively. Optimal sensitivity and specificity were 91 % and 73 % for PTI and 69 % and 87 % for PTF, respectively.ConclusionPTI and PTF assessed with a single [15O]H2O scan can be utilized as markers of myocardial viability in patients with coronary artery disease.
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| 6. |
- Harms, Hendrik J, et al.
(author)
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Parametric Images of Myocardial Viability Using a Single 15O-H2O PET/CT Scan
- 2011
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In: Journal of Nuclear Medicine. - : Society of Nuclear Medicine. - 0161-5505 .- 1535-5667 .- 2159-662X. ; 52:5, s. 745-749
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Perfusable tissue index (PTI) is a marker of myocardial viability and requires acquisition of transmission, 15O-CO, and 15O-H2O scans. The aim of this study was to generate parametric PTI images from a 15O-H2O PET/CT scan without an additional 15O-CO scan.Methods:Data from 20 patients undergoing both 15O-H2O and 15O-CO scans were used, assessing correlation between PTI based on 15O-CO (PTICO) and on fitted blood volume fractions (PTIVb). In addition, parametric PTIVb images of 10 patients undergoing 15O-H2O PET/CT scans were generated using basis-function methods and compared with PTIVb obtained using nonlinear regression. Simulations were performed to study the effects of noise on PTIVb.Results:Correlation between PTICO and PTIVb was high (r2 = 0.73). Parametric PTIVb correlated well with PTIVb obtained using nonlinear regression (r2 = 0.91). Simulations showed low sensitivity to noise (coefficient of variation < 10% at 20% noise).Conclusion:Parametric PTI images can be generated from a single 15O-H2O PET/CT scan.
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| 7. |
- Harms, Hendrik J, et al.
(author)
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Quantification of [(11)C]-meta-hydroxyephedrine uptake in human myocardium
- 2014
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In: EJNMMI Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2191-219X. ; 4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the optimal tracer kinetic model for [(11)C]-meta-hydroxyephedrine ([(11)C]HED) and to evaluate the performance of several simplified methods.METHODS: Thirty patients underwent dynamic 60-min [(11)C]HED scans with online arterial blood sampling. Single-tissue and both reversible and irreversible two-tissue models were fitted to the data using the metabolite-corrected arterial input function. For each model, reliable fits were defined as those yielding outcome parameters with a coefficient of variation (CoV) <25%. The optimal model was determined using Akaike and Schwarz criteria and the F-test, together with the number of reliable fits. Simulations were performed to study accuracy and precision of each model. Finally, quantitative results obtained using a population-averaged metabolite correction were evaluated, and simplified retention index (RI) and standardized uptake value (SUV) results were compared with quantitative volume of distribution (V T) data.RESULTS: The reversible two-tissue model was preferred in 75.8% of all segments, based on the Akaike information criterion. However, V T derived using the single-tissue model correlated highly with that of the two-tissue model (r (2) = 0.94, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.96) and showed higher precision (CoV of 24.6% and 89.2% for single- and two-tissue models, respectively, at 20% noise). In addition, the single-tissue model yielded reliable fits in 94.6% of all segments as compared with 77.1% for the reversible two-tissue model. A population-averaged metabolite correction could not be used in approximately 20% of the patients because of large biases in V T. RI and SUV can provide misleading results because of non-linear relationships with V T.CONCLUSIONS: Although the reversible two-tissue model provided the best fits, the single-tissue model was more robust and results obtained were similar. Therefore, the single-tissue model was preferred. RI showed a non-linear correlation with V T, and therefore, care has to be taken when using RI as a quantitative measure.
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