Endothelial progenitor cells are differentially impaired in ANCA-associated vasculitis compared to healthy controls.

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are of major importance in vascular repair under healthy circumstances. Vascular injury in need of repair occurs frequently in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). A specialized T cell subset enhancing EPC function and differentiation has recently been described.

Solving a cold case of haemolysis: back to the basics.

Membrane disorders comprise an important group of inherited haemolytic anaemias. Diagnostic work-up starts with examination of the blood smear, followed by osmotic gradient ektacytometry. In special cases DNA analysis is performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Significance of haemodynamic variables in coronary care unit for prediction of survival after acute myocardial infarction.

In order to assess the value of haemodynamic monitoring in the coronary care unit for long term prognosis after recovery of an acute myocardial infarction, the records of two groups of consecutive patients were reviewed retrospectively. From 254 patients, 32 (13%) died in the hospital and nine patients had to be excluded from subsequent follow-up for various reasons. Four year mortality among the 213 patients who were discharged from the hospital and could be followed up was 26%.

Cardiovascular responses to increasing plasma concentrations of AQ-A 39 Cl, a new compound with negative chronotropic effects.

5,6-Dimethoxy-2-((3[(alpha-(3,4-dimethoxy) phenylethyl)-methylamino]propyl))-phthalimidine hydrochloride (AQ-A 39 Cl, in the following briefly called AQ-A 39) is a new compound with a structure similar to that of verapamil and which exhibits a specific bradycardic effect by a direct action on the sinus node. In nine anesthetized pigs the compound produced a dose-dependent decrease in heart rate up to 35%. For concentrations less than 1500 ng .

Stomal dysfunction following partial gastrectomy.

The case is reported of a man aged 57 years in whom after partial gastrectomy, gastric emptying remained impaired for a long period of time. The disorder was caused by stomal dyfunction. After 74 days' conservative therapy, mostly on an outpatient basis, passage through the stomach recurred spontaneously.