Impact of sleep respiratory disorders on endothelial function in children.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children can induce endothelial dysfunction, a well-known early marker of atherosclerosis. The study aimed to evaluate a link among endothelial function (measured by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD)), obesity (evaluated by body mass index (BMI)), and sleep disordered breathing (SDB), assessed with apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI), in a paediatric population. We demonstrated that our little OSAS patients showed an impaired endothelial function as compared to controls.

Aorta structural alterations in term neonates: the role of birth and maternal characteristics.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of selected maternal and neonatal characteristics on aorta walls in term, appropriately grown-for-gestational age newborns.

Methods: Age, parity, previous abortions, weight, height, body mass index before and after delivery, smoking, and history of hypertension, of diabetes, of cardiovascular diseases, and of dyslipidemia were all assessed in seventy mothers. They delivered 34 males and 36 females healthy term newborns who underwent ultrasound evaluation of the anteroposterior infrarenal abdominal aorta diameter (APAO), biochemical profile (glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and D-dimers homeostasis model assessment [HOMAIR]index), and biometric parameters.

Systemic vascular hemodynamic changes due to 17-β-estradiol intranasal administration.

Purpose: According to the literature, estradiol has a direct vasodilator action by means of endothelium-derived relaxing factor synthesis. The present study aims to evaluate the acute hemodynamic effects of intranasal 17-β-estradiol on cerebral and lower limb arterial circulation in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Sixteen healthy women in natural menopause (mean age: 54 ± 3 years) were investigated for at least 6 months, each receiving 300 µg of intranasal 17-β-estradiol.

Endothelial function and cardiovascular risk in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and pre-clinical atherosclerosis in subjects affected by idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL).

Methods: In this study, 29 ISSHL patients and 29 healthy controls were evaluated. All of the patients underwent a complete audiovestibular and clinical evaluation.

Ophthalmic artery vasodilation after intranasal estradiol use in postmenopausal women.

Aim: The study aim was to evaluate the acute hemodynamic effects of intranasal 17-beta-estradiol on ophthalmic arterial circulation in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Twenty-one healthy women in natural menopause for at least 6 months (mean age: 53.2± 2.