Dynamic interconversion of chiral oxime compounds in gas chromatography.

A number of chiral oxime compounds have been synthesised and their gas chromatographic analysis on both a polyethelene glycol phase column and two chiral column phases was investigated. Of particular interest to this work is the observation of dynamic interconversion behaviour, both in a single dimensional analysis, and by using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC). A number of non-chiral compounds were studied as a means to understand the nature of the behaviour observed.

Power-scalable system of phase-locked single-mode diode lasers.

The direct use of diode lasers for high-power applications in material processing is limited to applications with relatively low beam quality and power density requirements. To achieve high beam quality one must use single-mode diode lasers, however with the drawback of relatively low optical output powers from these components. To realize a high-power system while conserving the high beam quality of the individual emitters requires coherent coupling of the emitters.

Fast comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with cryogenic modulation.

The fast separation of a mixture of 29 compounds by using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography is reported. Capillary column sets with shorter lengths and smaller inner diameter in both the first and second dimensions have been tested, for both fast chiral and achiral separations. Fast chiral separations, which included enantiomer separations of limonene, linalool, citronellol, and alpha-isomethylionone, were achieved within 23 min, which corresponds to approximately 2-fold faster than analyses under conditions previously considered as normal.

Enantiomeric analysis of amino acids by using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

The chiral separation of amino acids (AA) derivatised with ethyl chloroformate by using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography is reported. A commercially available enantioselective capillary column (Chirasil-l-Val) has been tested as first-dimension column. Two nonenantioselective stationary phases (BPX50 and BP1) with different column lengths were combined with the enantioselective column, which represent chiral/polar and chiral/low-polarity column sets, respectively.

Short-term improvement in submaximal exercise capacity by optimized therapy with ACE inhibitors and beta blockers in heart failure patients is associated with restoration of peripheral endothelial function.

Background: Improved exercise capacity in chronic heart failure (CHF) has been attributed to restoration of endothelial function. ACE inhibitors as well as beta blockers have previously been shown to enhance endothelial function and exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to determine whether short-term improvement in submaximal exercise capacity induced by optimized therapy with ACE inhibitors in combination with beta blockers is associated with restoration of endothelial function in CHF patients.

Chronic heart failure is associated with vascular remodeling of the brachial artery.

Aims: Endothelial dysfunction has been shown to correlate with severity of congestive heart failure (CHF) and recent data suggest morphological changes of peripheral vasculature to be associated with the syndrome. We therefore investigated the hypothesis that vascular remodeling is associated with functional changes in peripheral conduit arteries and with systemic overexpression of ET-1 in patients suffering from CHF.

Methods And Results: 57 consecutive patients referred to the Innsbruck Heart Failure and Transplantation Program (EF=23+/-7%) and 16 matched controls (EF=60+/-5%) were studied.

Acute myocardial infarction and vascular remodeling.

We used intravascular ultrasound to show that outward remodeling predominates in lesions responsible for acute myocardial infarction, whereas negative remodeling is far more prevalent in lesions responsible for chronic stable angina. The total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein ratio was also strongly correlated with outward remodeling.

Cell-mediated immune responses (CMIR) in human rhinosporidiosis.

Cell mediated immune responses (CMIR) to Rhinosporidium seeberi in human patients with rhinosporidiosis have been studied. With immuno-histochemistry, the cell infiltration patterns in rhinosporidial tissues from 7 patients were similar. The mixed cell infiltrate consisted of many plasma cells, fewer CD68+ macrophages, a population of CD3+ T lymphocytes, and CD56/57+ NK lymphocytes which were positive for CD3 as well.

Accentuated remodeling on the upstream side of atherosclerotic lesions.

Although it has been postulated that atherosclerotic stenotic lesions cannot remodel in response to altered flow, evidence to support or refute this hypothesis has been elusive. In vitro models have shown that accelerated endothelial shear stress occurs on the upstream side of stenoses, while turbulent lower shear stress is seen on the downstream side. We therefore compared vascular remodeling at paired sites 2 mm upstream and 2 mm downstream of the site of minimal lumen area in 25 atherosclerotic lesions in 23 patients using intravascular ultrasound.

Spatial orientation of atherosclerotic plaque in non-branching coronary artery segments.

It has been postulated that atherosclerotic plaque deposition is spatially related to regions of low shear in non-branching vessel segments. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) allows precise spatial orientation of coronary artery plaque formation in humans. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that coronary plaques have a higher prevalence on the myocardial side in regions that encounter low surface shear stress.

New aspects concerning the regulation of the post-operative acute phase reaction during cardiac surgery.

During a cardio-pulmonary bypass, as well as post-operatively, high levels of endotoxin, interleukin-6 (Il-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 30 patients. A significant increase in endotoxin plasma level occurred during surgery, culminating in a peak during reperfusion. Plasma levels of endotoxin continued to be slightly raised until the fifth day after surgery, whereas those of Il-6 rose at the time the operation came to an end and were at their highest 6 h later.