1,720,976 research outputs found
Increased serum concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules in "non-dippers" hypertensives.
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VEGF and MCP-1 plasma levels in hypertension. Relationship with vascular structural changes.
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Coronary heart disease in smokers - Vitamin C restores coronary microcirculatory function
No full textBackground-Coronary endothelial function and vasomotion are impaired in smokers without coronary disease, and this is thought to be due to increased oxidative stress. Methods and Results-We used positron emission tomography to measure the coronary flow reserve, an integrated measure of coronary flow, through both the large epicardial coronary arteries and the microcirculation in 11 smokers and 8 control subjects before and after administration of the antioxidant vitamin C, At baseline, coronary flow reserve was reduced by 21% in smokers compared with control subjects (P < 0.05) but was normalized after vitamin C, whereas the drug had no effect in control subjects. Conclusions-The present study is the first to demonstrate that the noxious prooxidant effects of smoking extend beyond the epicardial arteries to the coronary microcirculation and affect the regulation of myocardial blood flow. Vitamin C restores coronary microcirculatory responsiveness and impaired coronary flow reserve in smokers, which provides evidence that the damaging effect of smoking is at least in part accounted for by an increased oxidative stress
Strong reduction of interchain interaction by bridged chain substitution in luminescent phenylenevinylene thin films
No full textThe strong reduction of interchain interaction in poly-(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) films with a 2,5 O-(CH2)(12)-O closed chain substitution (bridged PPV), engineered to reduce the molecular packing in the solid state, is reported. Evidence of this effect unambiguously stems from the systematic comparison between the optical properties of a series of dialkoxy-PPV derivatives with bridged and open chain side groups. Reduction of interchain energy relaxation channels explains the close similarity between the optical spectra of bridged-PPV films and solutions, the higher photoluminescence efficiency and the lower threshold for the observation of spectral line narrowing in the solid state. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003- 6951(99)04840-8]
Regional myocardial blood flow and glucose utilization during fasting and physiological hyperinsulinemia in humans
No full textMRI post-vertebroplasty - Imaging RM post-vertebroplastica
No full textPurpose. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), first described by Herve Deramond in 1984, is an interventional procedure for the treatment of aggressive vertebral angioma. The aim of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns in the affected vertebrae before and after vertebroplasty by determining changes in signal intensity and size and distribution of bone cement within the vertebra at follow-up carried out at 1 week, 6 months and 12 months. Materials and methods. Fourteen patients were examined using MRI, for a total of 41 treated vertebrae; MRI was performed with a 0.5-Tesla (T) superconductive magnet (SIGNA GE). Results. MRI patterns following vertebroplasty are mainly characterised by the signal produced by the areas surrounding the cement and by the cement itself. There is little effect on the size of the treated vertebra. Acrylic cement appears as an intraspongy focal area of T1 and T2 hypointensity that is mostly oval (34%) or rounded (26.8%); this appearance tends to become stable 6 months after treatment. The area surrounding the cement appears hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2, a likely expression of bone marrow oedema; this signal alteration tends to disappear gradually. Conclusions. In pre- and post-vertebroplasty imaging, MRI is regarded as the reference standard for correct evaluation of both container and content. Awareness of cement changes over time and of the reaction of the surrounding bone tissue is crucial for correct assessment of post-vertebroplasty images
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