Glyphosate residues in Swiss market foods: monitoring and risk evaluation.

A total of 243 samples of diverse foodstuffs were analysed for glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) using a liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method with a relatively low limit of quantification in the range of 0.0005-0.0025 mg kg.

Myocardial homing of mesenchymal stem cells following intrapericardial application and amplification by inflammation - an experimental pilot study.

Recent studies demonstrated potential effects of stem cells on cardiac function in heart failure. However, influences of the technique of application remained undetermined. In the present study, the pericardial sac was used as depot for fluorescent-labeled mesenchymal stem cells in rats.

Mechanisms increasing n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in the heart.

Due to ambiguous findings on cardiovascular benefits of systemic omega-3 fatty acid therapy, endogenous mechanisms contributing to local organ-specific concentrations of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) were examined. Using gas chromatography, 43 fatty acids were analyzed in atrial and ventricular myocardium and in pericardial fluid of male Wistar rats. To examine the endogenous fatty acid metabolism, precursors were administered into the pericardial sac.

Natural occurrence of bisphenol F in mustard.

Bisphenol F (BPF) was found in mustard up to a concentration of around 8 mg kg(-1). Contamination of the raw products or caused by the packaging could be ruled out. Also, the fact that only the 4,4'-isomer of BPF was detected spoke against contamination from epoxy resin or other sources where technical BPF is used.

From Heart Failure to Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acid Deficiency and Vice Versa: Bidirectional Heart and Liver Interactions.

Background: In several trials, beneficial prognostic effects of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in heart failure were shown. Because other studies showed no incremental benefit in nearly preserved cardiac function, the question arises, whether the degree of cardiac dysfunction is involved. It is hypothesized that increased left ventricular (LV) wall stress affects the endogenous hepatic HUFA metabolism, which in turn exhibits adverse cardiac consequences.

Endocrine activity of alternatives to BPA found in thermal paper in Switzerland.

Alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA) are more and more used in thermal paper receipts. To get an overview of the situation in Switzerland, 124 thermal paper receipts were collected and analyzed. Whereas BPA was detected in most samples (n=100), some alternatives, namely bisphenol S (BPS), Pergafast® 201 and D-8 have been found in 4, 11 and 9 samples respectively.

Replacement of reduced highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA deficiency) in dilative heart failure: dosage of EPA/DHA and variability of adverse peroxides and aldehydes in dietary supplement fish oils.

Objectives: To explore the rationale for ω-3 fatty acids in heart failure treatment, the dosage of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) for replacing low levels of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA deficiency) was examined. To judge the usefulness of various EPA/DHA preparations, their content of peroxides and aldehydes was determined.

Methods: In 298 patients with dilative heart failure, the serum HUFA level was assessed by gas chromatography.

Pericardioscopy and epi- and pericardial biopsy - a new window to the heart improving etiological diagnoses and permitting targeted intrapericardial therapy.

The etiology of pericardial effusions remains unresolved in many cases because not the full spectrum of diagnostic methods including cytology, histology, immunohistology and PCR on cardiotropic agents, which are currently available, used in many institutions. After comprehensive clinical workup and use of imaging methods, such as echocardiography and cardiac MRI, pericardiocentesis and epicardial and pericardial biopsy were carried out under pericardioscopical control of the biopsy site. Biopsies and fluid were evaluated by cytological, histological, immunological and molecular (PCR) methods in 259 patients of our tertiary referral center following an identical clinical pathway, diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm in all cases.

Mechanisms involved in the differential reduction of omega-3 and omega-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids by structural heart disease resulting in "HUFA deficiency".

The causes of reduced levels of omega-3 and omega-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids ("HUFA deficiency") in heart failure remain unresolved. HUFA profiles were examined in the serum of 331 patients with failing versus nonfailing heart disease. Arachidonic acid was positively correlated (P < 0.

Increased end diastolic wall stress precedes left ventricular hypertrophy in dilative heart failure--use of the volume-based wall stress index.

Introduction: To examine a potential interrelation of left ventricular (LV) wall stress and hypertrophy, we assessed increased wall stress in patients with suspected non-ischemic dilative cardiomyopathy and addressed the question whether increased LV wall stress is involved in the development of LV hypertrophy.

Methods: We studied 502 consecutive patients in whom LV mass, LV enddiastolic (LVEDV) and endsystolic volume (LVESV) was determined using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Based on a thick-walled sphere, we introduced a myocardial and cavity volume-based wall stress index.

Occurrence of late gadolinium enhancement is associated with increased left ventricular wall stress and mass in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Occurrence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been attributed to various myocardial injuries. We hypothesized that LGE is associated with left ventricular (LV) wall stress.

Methods And Results: We examined 300 patients with suspected non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Association of hyperhomocysteinemia with left ventricular dilatation and mass in human heart.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease. Several other mechanisms apply also to dilative types of heart failure of various, non-ischemic etiologies. We hypothesized that hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with left ventricular (LV) dilatation and hypertrophy in dilative cardiomyopathy.

Omacor (prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters 90): From severe rhythm disorders to hypertriglyceridemia.

Despite progress made in post-myocardial infarction (MI) revascularization and background therapy for the failing heart, the prevention of adverse cardiac remodeling associated with severe rhythm disorders remains an important drug target. Part of the remodeling can be counteracted by modulating the activity of ion channels and exchangers by omega-3 acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In the GISSI-Prevenzione and GISSI-HF trials, omega-3 fatty acids were administered as ethyl esters (Omacor Solvay Pharmaceuticals) and not as triglycerides present in fish oil.

Depression of heart rate variability in patients with increased ventricular wall stress.

Background: Heart failure is characterized by neurohumoral dysfunction that can be assessed by measurement of heart rate variability (HRV). Depression of HRV is related to several hemodynamic parameters. We hypothesized that an increased left ventricular (LV) wall stress is related to a depressed HRV in patients with LV dilatation or dysfunction.