Capillary microscopy is a potential screening method for connective tissue disease in children with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Background: Nailfold capillary microscopy (NCM) is a cornerstone in the diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) in adulthood. Although Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is very common in childhood, studies on diagnostic methods to differentiate between primary RP (PRP) and secondary RP (SRP) at a young age are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the value of NCM in differentiating between PRP and SRP in children and adolescents with RP.

Vascular aging in long-term survivors of testicular cancer more than 20 years after treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Background: Late effects of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in testicular cancer survivors (TCS) include cardiovascular morbidity, but little data is available beyond 20 years. The objective was to assess vascular damage in very long-term TCS.

Methods: TCS (treated with chemotherapy or orchiectomy only) and age-matched healthy controls were invited.

Thermalization of rotational states of NO A(2)Σ+(v = 0) in an atmospheric pressure plasma.

Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements of nitric oxide (NO) are performed in an atmospheric pressure microwave plasma jet, operated with a mixture of He and 3% air. The fluorescence signal of NO A(2)Σ(+)(v = 0) is measured time and fluorescence wavelength resolved. Based on the evolution of the rotational spectrum at different positions in the plasma, we determined the thermalization time of the rotational distribution of NO A after pumping a single transition, at temperatures in the range 300-1500 K.

Oxytocin receptor density is associated with male mating tactics and social monogamy.

Despite its well-described role in female affiliation, the influence of oxytocin on male pairbonding is largely unknown. However, recent human studies indicate that this nonapeptide has a potent influence on male behaviors commonly associated with monogamy. Here we investigated the distribution of oxytocin receptors (OTR) throughout the forebrain of the socially monogamous male prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster).

Acute chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular changes in patients with testicular cancer.

Purpose: After cisplatin- and bleomycin-containing chemotherapy for testicular cancer, part of the patient population will develop acute or long-term cardiovascular toxicity. It is largely unknown whether standard tests can be used to assess chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular changes.

Patients And Methods: In 65 testicular cancer patients (median age, 27 years; range, 18 to 48 years), we measured the following cardiovascular parameters before and within 10 weeks after completion of cisplatin-based chemotherapy: platelet numbers, plasma levels of hemostatic and fibrinolytic factors, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, baroreflex sensitivity, intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, and flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery.