491 research outputs found
La figura di Zhou Qufei e il valore storico della sua opera geografica Lingwai Daida
No full textThis paper will introduce western scholars to the geographical work, Lingwai Daida岭外代答, Notes from the lands beyond the Passes, written by Zhou Qufei in 1178. It can be divided in three parts. First, the author will try to define which versions are available nowadays, then you will focus on the work’s structure and its main features, in the end, the search will led us to compare Zhou’s work and Fan Chengda’s Guihai yuheng zhi桂海虞衡志 (On Guihai rural affairs). The main aim is to underline the importance and the historical value of Daida, in the framework of overseas relationships of Chinese empire. Lingwai Daida includes 10 rolls, 21 chapters and 294 sections. Every chapter provides information about different topics (from administrative divisions and local resources of Guangxi region to overseas reigns which had trading contacts with Chinese empire). Zhou was influenced by his predecessor Fan Chengda and his geographical treatise, but he provides much more details concerning foreign countries and his structure is more complete and cohesive. The present work will explain these differences
The historical value of the work Lingwai Daida by Zhou Qufei
No full textThis work, for the first time in English, presents the annotated translation of the geographical sections of the work Lingwai Daida (Notes from the Land Beyond the Passes) written by Zhou Qufei in 1178. It is composed by two chapters: firstly, the author focuses on Zhou’s life, on the structure of his work and on other relevant aspects (its sources, editorial history, relationship with other geographical works written during the Song dynasty). Secondly, in the second chapter, the author translates and analyzes the Chinese text, paying attention to the image of the world as known by the Chinese people at that time (described by Zhou Qufei) and to how this image was influenced (in some cases) by the Arab knowledge
High HbA1c levels correlate with reduced plaque regression during statin treatment in patients with stable coronary artery disease: Results of the coronary atherosclerosis study measuring effects of rosuvastatin using intravascular ultrasound in Japanese subjects (COSMOS)
No full textBackground: The incidence of cardiac events is higher in patients with diabetes than in people without diabetes. The Coronary Atherosclerosis Study Measuring Effects of Rosuvastatin Using Intravascular Ultrasound in Japanese Subjects (COSMOS) demonstrated significant plaque regression in Japanese patients with chronic coronary disease after 76 weeks of rosuvastatin (2.5 mg once daily, up-titrated to a maximum of 20 mg/day to achieve LDL cholesterol <80 mg/dl).Methods: In this subanalysis of COSMOS, we examined the association between HbA1c and plaque regression in 40 patients with HbA1c ≥6.5% (high group) and 86 patients with HbA1c <6.5% (low group).Results: In multivariate analyses, HbA1c and plaque volume at baseline were major determinants of plaque regression. LDL cholesterol decreased by 37% and 39% in the high and low groups, respectively, while HDL cholesterol increased by 16% and 22%, respectively. The reduction in plaque volume was significantly (p = 0.04) greater in the low group (from 71.0 ± 39.9 to 64.7 ± 34.7 mm3) than in the high group (from 74.3 ± 34.2 to 71.4 ± 32.3 mm3). Vessel volume increased in the high group but not in the low group (change from baseline: +4.2% vs -0.8%, p = 0.02). Change in plaque volume was significantly correlated with baseline HbA1c.Conclusions: Despite similar improvements in lipid levels, plaque regression was less pronounced in patients with high HbA1c levels compared with those with low levels. Tight glucose control during statin therapy may enhance plaque regression in patients with stable coronary disease.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier NCT00329160. © 2012 Daida et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd
IMPACT OF INTENSIVE LIPID LOWERING THERAPY ON CAROTID PLAQUE INSTABILITY ASSESSED BY MRI; CHALLENGER TRIAL: CAROTID PLAQUE IN HUMAN FOR ALL EVALUATIONS WITH AGGRESSIVE ROSUVASTATIN THERAPY – EVALUATION BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
No full textClinical Significance of Intensive Lipid-Lowering Therapy Using Statins in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
No full textAtherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Japan
No full text Increased global mortality is associated with atherosclerosis, which appears to be independent of race. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Japan. Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease characterized by abnormal lipid accumulation and inflammation in the arterial wall, is the main underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. Numerous cardiovascular risk scores have been developed and are used to prioritize patients’ treatment needs. The predictive performance of risk scores established in Western nations needs to be examined in Japanese populations. For secondary prevention, it is imperative to control hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and local interventions. In this review, we present a historical overview of atherosclerotic risk research and the risk factors for atherosclerosis in Japan and compare the situation in Japan with that in Western nations. In addition, we discuss relevant cardiovascular risk assessment tools in the context of clinical practice in Japan. </jats:p
Establishment of a high sensitivity plasma assay for human pentraxin3 as a marker for unstable angina pectoris
No full textPlasma pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels are increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction, yet its involvement in unstable angina pectoris (UAP) remains unclear. To critically evaluate the role of PTX3 in UAP, a sensitive and precise measurement of PTX3 concentration is needed. METHODS AND RESULTS: We established a high sensitive plasma ELISA assay system for the detection of PTX3 using monoclonal antibodies. The lower limit of detection of our ELISA was 0.1 ng/mL, sensitivity far greater than the current commercially available kit. Plasma samples were obtained from 162 consecutive patients treated for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular disease at a physician's office. PTX3 was not associated with any known coronary risk factors. Additionally, we collected plasma samples from 252 consecutive subjects admitted to a university hospital for coronary artery assessment by coronary angiography. PTX3 was significantly increased in patients in whom coronary intervention was performed. We further analyzed the plasma level of PTX3 in 52 patients with effort angina (EAP) and 16 patients with UAP. Compared with the control group, PTX3 were significantly higher in the UAP group. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of plasma PTX3 were increased in patients with arterial inflammation, especially UAP. This PTX3 detection system will be useful for the prediction of UAP
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