Chamber-dependent expression of brain natriuretic peptide and its mRNA in normal and diabetic pig heart.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is produced in cardiac myocytes, and increased secretion is closely associated with cardiac dysfunction. However, several fundamental aspects of BNP expression in the myocardium have not yet been resolved. In the present study, we report the presence of a precursor BNP mRNA transcript and a mature BNP mRNA transcript in normal porcine hearts.

Overexpression of apolipoprotein B in the heart impedes cardiac triglyceride accumulation and development of cardiac dysfunction in diabetic mice.

The heart secretes apolipoprotein B (apoB) containing lipoproteins. Herein, we examined whether the overexpression of a human apoB transgene in the heart affects triglyceride accumulation and development of cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin-treated diabetic mice. Blood glucose, plasma free fatty acids, and plasma triglycerides were similarly affected in diabetic wild type mice and diabetic apoB transgenic mice as compared with non-diabetic mice of the same genotype.

Hepatic expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and in vivo secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are increased in obese diabetic mice.

Secondary hyperlipidemia is a major cardiovascular risk factor in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Increased hepatic production of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins contributes to the elevated plasma levels, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Recent results have established that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is rate limiting for the assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins.

[Evidence-based grounds of physical therapy. Focus on training/exercise therapy of musculoskeletal problems].

Evidence of the benefit of exercise for patients with musculoskeletal problems was examined by analysing meta-analyses and systematic reviews. The literature search was confined to studies where pain and/or function was used as the outcome measure. Twenty-three meta-analyses/systematic reviews were covered, and the methodical quality was assessed.

Use of isokinetic muscle strength as a measure of severity of rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison of this assessment method for RA with other assessment methods for the disease.

The aim of this study was to study the association between isokinetic muscle strength (IMS) and other clinical indicators of disability and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A cohort of 36 RA patients was followed over a 1-year period with five measurements of disease activity at regular intervals during this time. IMS was measured at seven angular velocities in both knees, on five separate occasions.

A method to reduce the number of measured parameters when using isokinetic muscle strength as a clinical indicator in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

The aim of the study was to present a method enabling a reduction of the number of measurements when quantifying isokinetic muscle strength (IMS), and to describe an expression for IMS which is independent of measuring conditions. IMS is a measure of muscle strength used to categorise patients and to assess changes over time. IMS measurements involve one or several measures of peak torque at different chosen angular velocities.

Effect of 3 modified fats and a conventional fat on appetite, energy intake, energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation in healthy men.

Background: Different dietary fats are metabolized differently in humans and may influence energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, appetite regulation, and body weight regulation.

Objective: We examined the short-term effects of 4 triacylglycerols (test fats) on subjective appetite, ad libitum energy intake, meal-induced thermogenesis, and postprandial substrate oxidation.

Design: Eleven healthy, normal-weight men (mean age: 25.

[Pool exercise therapy of rheumatoid arthritis].

Aquatic therapy is a subgroup of balneotherapy and consists of exercises in a hot water pool. It uses the physical properties of water to achieve better mobility for patients whose pain, lack of muscle strength, and joint deformities are inhibiting factors when exercising on land. Pool therapy shows positive effects as part of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients, but too few studies with an acceptable design and a well-defined patient group have been carried out.

MRI of the plantar structures of the foot after falanga torture.

Falanga is an ancient form of punishment or torture but is still commonly reported by our refugees. The late result of caning the heel and ball of the foot is a chronic painful condition with few clinical signs. The aim of the present study was to assess, by MRI, possible morphologic characteristics of the heel and ball of the foot, related to falanga and pain in correlation to clinical findings.

Oxygen and lactate concentrations measured in vivo in the intervertebral discs of patients with scoliosis and back pain.

Study Design: Oxygen concentrations in intervertebral discs were measured in 10 patients during discography and in 13 patients with scoliosis and 11 patients with back pain during spinal surgery. Lactate concentration profiles were measured in 12 of these discs. The discs were graded for degeneration by magnetic resonance imaging and histology where possible.

[Dissection of the extracranial vertebral artery. Color duplex ultrasound findings and follow-up of 20 patients].

Aim: To assess the diagnostic potential of duplex color-flow imaging in the evaluation of extracranial vertebral artery dissection. In 15 of 20 patients (75%), the dissection was related to trauma.

Method: Over the last six years, we evaluated 20 consecutive patients aged 18 to 59 years with 24 extracranial vertebral artery dissections (four occurring bilaterally).

Evaluation of extracranial vertebral artery dissection with duplex color-flow imaging.

Background And Purpose: We describe the diagnostic potential of duplex color-flow imaging in the evaluation of extracranial vertebral artery dissection.

Methods: Twenty patients with 24 extracranial vertebral artery dissections (four bilateral) were examined with duplex ultrasonography over a period of 6 years. Color-flow imaging was carried out in 16 of these patients.

Color Doppler imaging of basal cerebral arteries: normal reference values and clinical applications.

Transcranial color-coded duplex ultrasonography is a new diagnostic procedure allowing the visualization of major intracranial vessels. The purpose of this report is to describe this method and to evaluate its practical potential in the routine examination of basal cerebral arteries. The results from the examination of 96 patients are presented.

Quantitative measurements of blood flow velocity in basal cerebral arteries with transcranial duplex color-flow imaging. A comparative study with conventional transcranial Doppler sonography.

Transcranial duplex color-flow imaging is a new diagnostic method that allows visual display of blood flow in the basal cerebral arteries. This method allows determination of and correction for the Doppler angle of insonation. Conventional transcranial Doppler sonography has no imaging component and assumes a 0-degree Doppler angle for the calculation of flow velocities.

[Transcranial color-coded duplex ultrasound--possibilities and limits of this method in comparison with conventional transcranial Doppler ultrasound].

The purpose of this report is to describe, based on the experience with 50 patients, transcranial colour-coded duplex ultrasonography and to evaluate its practical potential in the routine examination in comparison with conventional transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Under visual control, the Doppler angle between the ultrasonic beam and the flow direction can be adjusted. The mean angle of incidence in the middle cerebral artery was 33 degrees +/- 15 degrees, in the anterior cerebral artery 35 degrees +/- 17 degrees, in the posterior cerebral artery 45 degrees +/- 18 degrees and in the basilar artery 15 degrees +/- 14 degrees.

Advantages of color Doppler imaging for the evaluation of vertebral arteries.

Assessment of the vertebral arteries is often difficult with conventional duplex ultrasonography. This study of 60 patients aimed to determine the potential advantages of color Doppler imaging over conventional duplex ultrasonography in the evaluation of vertebral arteries, specifically three extracranial segments of these vessels. Both methods allowed visualization of the vertebral artery in the midcervical course (V2 and distal V1 segments) in all subjects.

The myosin molecule--charge response to nucleotide binding.

A decrease in the net fixed electric charge in the A-bands of cross-striated muscle was observed by Bartels and Elliott [2,10] when the muscle went from the rigor to the relaxed condition. The current work localises the source of the charge decrease by following the net charge on myosin (in the form of concentrated gels) and also myosin rod and light meromyosin gels when the gels are exposed to different concentrations of ATP. The work includes a study of muscle A-bands when the muscle is exposed to the same variations in ATP concentrations as the protein gels.

Additive insulinotropic effects of exogenous synthetic human gastric inhibitory polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36) amide infused at near-physiological insulinotropic hormone and glucose concentrations.

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36) amide (GLP-1) are glucose-dependent insulinotropic gut hormones that may explain the greater insulin secretory response with oral compared to i.v. glucose (incretin effect).

[Color coded Doppler sonography of the vertebral arteries. Comparison with conventional duplex sonography].

In 60 patients the vertebral arteries were investigated to determine whether color Doppler imaging has advantages over conventional duplex ultrasonography. The vertebral artery was easily identified in the midcervical course (V1-V2 segment) with both methods. Visualization at the atlas loop (V3 segment) was rarely successful with duplex scanning, however, color Doppler imaging enabled good documentation of vertebral artery flow in 87% on the right and in 85% on the left side.

Duplex ultrasonography of vertebral arteries: examination, technique, normal values, and clinical applications.

A technique for the imaging of vertebral arteries at their origins and along the longitudinal extracranial course is described. The results of the examination of 108 normal vertebral arteries are shown. The vertebral artery could be distinguished in the pretransverse and intertransverse segment C5-C6 in 100%.

Lack of effect of synthetic human gastric inhibitory polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide 1 [7-36 amide] infused at near-physiological concentrations on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in normal human subjects.

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 [7-36 amide] (GLP-1) are glucose-dependent insulinotropic gut hormones. Under experimental conditions, both have been shown to reduce stimulated gastric acid secretion. To study their individual and combined effects on pentagastrin-stimulated (0.

[Duplex sonography of the vertebral arteries. 2. Clinical application].

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate pathological findings such as hypoplasia, stenosis and occlusion that were diagnosed by duplex-ultrasonography of vertebral arteries. Duplex scanning provides complementary to the continuous wave Doppler examination more accurate haemodynamical and morphological information for the diagnosis of hypoplasia or intracranial stenosis. In comparison with DSA this method may give additional information allowing to differentiate between vertebral aplasia and occlusion at the origin.