[MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE 9 AND TISSUE INHIBITOR OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES TYPE 1 SERUM CONCENTRATIONS AND GENETIC POLYMORPHISM IN SENILE AORTIC STENOSIS].

The study of the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases type 1 (TIMP1) was conducted involving 108 patients aged over 65, with calcinosis and/or calcific aortic valve (AV) stenosis. The purpose of the study was to identify the molecular and genetic markers responsible for the development of senile aortic stenosis. Besides, there was also typing of polymorphic loci of MMP9 gene A8202G (rs1169732) and TIMP1 gene C536T(rs11551797) performed.

Aesthetic vaginal labioplasty.

Labia minora that protrude past the labia majora are aesthetically and functionally unsatisfactory to some women. Historically, female circumcision has been practiced in Islamic/Arabic countries for many centuries and is still commonly practiced in these countries. Three case reports present middle-aged women who were dissatisfied with the size and protuberance of the labia minora, and an aesthetic labioplasty was performed in these three women.

Myocardial metabolism and performance in hypoxia: effect of epinephrine.

Effects of epinephrine (10(-5) M) on mechanical performance, glycolysis, glycogenolysis, lipolysis, and metabolism of adenine nucleotides were studied in isolated hypoxic rabbit hearts. The exposure of hearts to hypoxia decreased their mechanical performance and heart rate, but increased their utilization of glucose by 50% and the release of lactate by 139%. Myocardial stores of glycogen and ATP declined by 53 and 84%, respectively, but their breakdown products such as lactate, pyruvate, AMP, and inosine accumulated in these hearts.