We could demonstrate in humans that USPIO-based contrast agents enable a more detailed characterization of myocardial infarct pathology mainly by detecting infiltrating macrophages. Considering the multi-functionality of USPIO-based particles and their superior safety profile compared with gadolinium-based compounds, these observations open up new vistas for the clinical application of USPIO.

ECV measurement by CMR is a useful tool in assessing the total extent of myocardial fibrosis as well as in depicting subtle diffuse fibrosis in areas of normal appearing myocardium on LGE-images. Thus, myocardial ECV is a potential additional quantitative tool for accurate detection of cardiac involvement and risk stratification in muscular dystrophy patients.

This study examined the relation between sexual functions of women in prepregnancy (before conception) and during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This study was conducted on 59 healthy pregnant women. Participants were followed from the eighth week of gestation to 6 months after delivery. Sexual function during pregnancy and the postpartum period was shown to have a significant linear correlation with prepregnancy sexuality. There was no relation between pregnancy and postpartum sexuality. All of the participants who had prepregnancy sexual dysfunction continued to experience it during pregnancy, and the majority of them had a significant level of sexual dysfunction in the postpartum period. Our results showed that prepregnancy sexuality plays an important role in maintaining sexuality during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

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