Value of assessment of left atrial volume and diameter in patients with heart failure but with normal left ventricular ejection fraction and mitral flow velocity pattern.

Aims: We assessed the comparative value of measurements of tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E'), left atrial diameter (LAD), and left atrial volume (LAV) in patients with possible heart failure (HF) but with normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and mitral flow velocity pattern.

Methods And Results: We determined LAV and LAD indexes in addition to the ratio of peak early diastolic mitral flow velocity (E) to E' (E/E' ratio) in 91 patients with all three of the followings: HF, LVEF of greater than 55%, and normal mitral E/A ratio between 0.8 and 1.

Kaempferol sensitizes colon cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Kaempferol is a natural compound contained in edible plants, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anti-cancer agent. Here, we show for the first time that the combined treatment with kaempferol and TRAIL drastically induced apoptosis in human colon cancer SW480 cells, compared to single treatments. Kaempferol markedly up-regulated TRAIL receptors, DR5 and DR4.

Financial loss in pyramid savings schemes, downward social mobility and acute coronary syndrome in transitional Albania.

Objective: Extensive financial losses caused by the collapse of pyramid savings schemes led to the 1997 turmoil in Albania. The authors' aim was to assess the association of financial loss and social mobility with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) 6-9 years after the precipitous collapse.

Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Tirana, the Albanian capital, in 2003-6.

Television viewing, leisure-time exercise and acute coronary syndrome in transitional Albania.

Objective: To assess the association of leisure-time exercise and television (TV) viewing, a sedentary marker, with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Albania, a transitional country in Southeast Europe.

Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted among Tirana residents in 2003-2006. Information on leisure-time exercise (transformed into kilocalories of energy expenditure) and daily hours of TV viewing was obtained by interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Religious affiliation and acute coronary syndrome: a population-based case-control study in Tirana, Albania.

Background: Our aim was to assess the association of religious affiliation (Muslim versus Christian) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Albania, a predominantly Muslim country in Southeast Europe.

Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Tirana, the Albanian capital, in 2003-2006. Of non-fatal consecutive ACS patients, 467 were recruited (370 men aged 59.

Mechanisms of enhancement of TRAIL tumoricidal activity against human cancer cells of different origin by dipyridamole.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has emerged as an attractive cytokine that selectively targets cancer cells, however its efficacy has been challenged by a number of resistance mechanisms. Therefore, the current study investigated the potential of dipyridamole to enhance TRAIL efficacy and the probable underlying mechanisms. Dipyridamole dramatically sensitized p53-mutant human cancer cell lines: SW480, MG63 and DU145, to the antitumor activity of TRAIL, as evidenced by enabling TRAIL to efficiently cleave initiator and executioner caspases.

The health effects of emigration on those who remain at home.

Background: The health effects of emigration on relatives staying behind has received little attention in the recent literature. Our aim was to assess the association of spouse and offspring emigration with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Albania, a country which is undergoing a particularly rapid socio-economic transition accompanied by intensive emigration.

Methods: A population-based case-control study, conducted in Tirana, Albania, in 2003-06, included 467 non-fatal consecutive ACS patients (370 men, 97 women; 88% response) and 737 population-representative controls (469 men, 268 women; 69% response) aged 35-74 years.

Effects of supplemental O2 inhalation on cerebral oxygenation during exercise in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: It has been recently reported that cerebral oxyhemoglobin (O(2)Hb) decreases during exercise in nearly 50% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The present study evaluated whether the inhalation of supplemental O(2) diminishes the decrease in cerebral O(2)Hb during exercise.

Methods And Results: Ten patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction <50% and a clearly observable decrease in cerebral O(2)Hb during preliminary exercise testing underwent 2 additional symptom-limited incremental exercise tests: 1 while breathing room air (control) and the other while breathing 50% O(2).

Characterization of left ventricular filling abnormalities and its relation to elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide level in acute to chronic diastolic heart failure.

Background: Although Doppler left ventricular (LV) filling abnormalities have been extensively analyzed in patients with systolic heart failure (SHF), they have not yet been well characterized in patients with acute to chronic diastolic heart failure (DHF) in the light of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.

Methods And Results: In 25 patients presenting with acute DHF and 25 with acute SHF, echo Doppler parameters and plasma BNP levels were obtained on admission and in the chronic stage. The mitral E/A ratio was lower in DHF patients than in SHF patients in the acute stage (1.

Lipoxygenase inhibitors induce death receptor 5/TRAIL-R2 expression and sensitize malignant tumor cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Lipoxygenases induce malignant tumor progression and lipoxygenase inhibitors have been considered as promising anti-tumor agents. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is one of the most promising candidates for new cancer therapeutics. Combined treatment with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase inhibitor, and TRAIL markedly induced apoptosis in Jurkat T-cell leukemia cells at suboptimal concentrations for each agent.

Selective hydrogenation of the C=O bond in acrolein through the architecture of bimetallic surface structures.

In the current study we have performed experimental studies and density functional theory (DFT) modeling to investigate the selective hydrogenation of the C=O bond in acrolein on two bimetallic surface structures, the subsurface Pt-Ni-Pt(111) and surface Ni-Pt-Pt(111). We have observed for the first time the production of the desirable unsaturated alcohol (2-propenol) on Pt-Ni-Pt(111) under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Furthermore, our DFT modeling revealed a general trend in the binding energy and bonding configuration of acrolein with the surface d-band center of Pt-Ni-Pt(111), Ni-Pt-Pt(111), and Pt(111), suggesting the possibility of using the value of the surface d-band center as a parameter to predict other bimetallic surfaces for the selective hydrogenation of acrolein.

Influence of cerebrovascular arteriosclerosis on cerebral oxygenation during exercise.

Background: Although it is assumed that cerebral oxygenation during exercise is influenced by both cardiopulmonary function and cerebrovascular arteriosclerosis, the latter factor has not been fully clarified. In the present study the relationship between the degree of cerebrovascular arteriosclerosis and cerebral oxygenation during exercise was investigated.

Methods And Results: A total of 109 patients (69 patients with coronary artery disease, 40 patients with hypertensive heart disease) (61.

Conventional risk factors and acute coronary syndrome during a period of socioeconomic transition: population-based case-control study in Tirana, Albania.

Aim: To assess the association between conventional risk factors and acute coronary syndrome in Albania, a transitional country in Southeast Europe.

Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Tirana in 2003-2006. A total of 467 consecutive patients with nonfatal acute coronary syndrome were recruited.

Does the severity of central sleep apnea correlate with respiratory gas indexes during cardiopulmonary exercise testing?

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is thought to arise as a consequence of chronic heart failure. We have attempted to determine the relationship between the severity of CSA and the respiratory gas indexes during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), indexes well-known to reflect the severity of heart failure. Twenty consecutive cardiac patients (59.

Critical level of cerebral oxygenation during exercise in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: In a recent study the indexes of cerebral oxygenation decreased during maximal exercise in nearly half of all patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Whether these levels decrease severely enough to influence mental status or level of consciousness was evaluated in the present study.

Methods And Results: Forty-two patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and 29 healthy subjects underwent a symptom-limited maximal exercise test.

Correlating electronic properties of bimetallic surfaces with reaction pathways of C2 hydrocarbons.

The rate and selectivity of chemical reactions on transition-metal surfaces can be controlled by using different bimetallic combinations. The interaction of bimetallic components leads to a change in the electronic properties of the surface, which in turn produces a change in chemical reactivity. In the current paper, we illustrate the correlation of the electronic properties of bimetallic surfaces with the reaction pathways of C2 hydrocarbons.

Myocardial infarction and religion: hospital-based case-control study in Tirana, Albania.

Aim: To assess the association between religion, Muslim vs Christian, and myocardial infarction in the population of Tirana, capital of Albania.

Method: A hospital-based case-control study included all patients with acute non-fatal myocardial infarction hospitalized in Tirana University Hospital Center between October 1999 and June 2001. There were 146 women with the mean age (+/-standard deviation) of 62+/-9 years and 331 men aged 59+/-10 years.

Pilsicainide-induced coronary vasospasm in a patient with Brugada-type electrocardiogram.

A 65-year-old man with Brugada-type electrocardiogram (ECG) was admitted to our hospital for chest pain, palpitation and faintness. In the cardiac electrophysiological study, no ventricular tachyarrthymia was induced either at baseline or after pilsicainide (50 mg) infusion. Intravenous administration of pilsicainide exaggerated ST-segment elevation in V(1-4) and converted it to the coved type in V(1), accompanied by severe chest pain.

The potential role of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in the treatment of experimentally-induced mammary tumour: does celecoxib enhance the anti-tumour activity of doxorubicin?

The potential anti-tumour activity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) has been previously discussed. This study was undertaken to assess the possible anti-tumour activity of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor; celecoxib in an animal model of mammary carcinoma; the solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC). The possibility that celecoxib may modulate the anti-tumour activity of doxorubicin on the SEC was also studied.

Partial suppressive effect of melatonin on indomethacin-induced renal injury in rat.

Intramuscular injection of a single high dose of indomethacin (20 mg/kg) in fasted rats produced renal injury. The results showed increases in the level of lipid peroxidation and cholesterol, and activity of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the kidney. Also, the renal contents of both reduced glutathione and activity of total adenosine triphosphatase were decreased by the toxicant.

Synthesis and anti-HBV activity of thiouracils linked via S and N-1 to the 5-position of methyl beta-D-ribofuranoside.

Reverse nucleoside derivatives of 2-(methylsulfanyl)uracils 6a-d were prepared by treating of the sodium salt of 2-(methylsulfanyl)uracils (5a-d) with methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-p-toluenesulfonyl-beta-D-ribofuranoside (2). The alkylation of 2-thiouracils 4a-d with methyl 5-deoxy-5-iodo-2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-ribofuranoside (3) afforded the corresponding S-ribofuranoside derivatives 8a-d. Deisopropylidenation of 6a-d and 8a-d afforded the corresponding deprotected derivatives 7a-d and 9a-d, respectively.

Optimal value of filling pressure in the right side of the heart in acute right ventricular infarction.

Haemodynamic monitoring was performed within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms in basal conditions, during volume loading, and during infusion of glyceryl trinitrate in 41 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic electrocardiographic and haemodynamic criteria of right ventricular infarction. In most patients an increase of mean right atrial pressure up to 10-14 mm Hg was followed by an increase in right ventricular stroke work index. But raising the mean right atrial pressure above 14 mm Hg was almost always accompanied by a reduction in right ventricular stroke work index.

Acute haemodynamic effects of nifedipine in patients with ventricular septal defect.

The haemodynamic effects of nifedipine were studied in 14 patients (aged 8-14 years, seven male and seven female) with ventricular septal defect with and without pulmonary hypertension. All underwent left and right heart catheterisation. In each patient the pressures and heart rate were measured and blood samples were taken for oximetry before and after sublingual administration of 10 mg nifedipine.

Protection against hemorrhagic pneumonia of mink by Pseudomonas aeruginosa multicomponent vaccine.

An attempt to prevent epidemics of hemorrhagic pneumonia in mink due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa was made in the course of epidemics with injection of the multicomponent vaccine consisting of common protective antigen (OEP) of P. aeruginosa mixed with toxoids of protease and elastase of the bacillus. Enzootics of hemorrhagic pneumonia, due to P.