The effect of sildenafil on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced right ventricular failure.

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular failure (RVF) as well as an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Our purpose was to study the effect of sildenafil on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced RVF.

Methods: The rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups.

Cardiovascular screening in asymptomatic adolescents with metabolic syndrome.

Background: In recent days, the prevalence of childhood metabolic syndrome (MS) has increased substantially due to the increasing rate of childhood obesity on a global scale. The aims of this study were to detect the important parameters and provide the screening system to prevent cardiovascular disease in adolescents with MS.

Methods: Ninety one male adolescents were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of MS.

Clinical characteristics and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide as a diagnostic marker of Kawasaki disease in infants younger than 3 months of age.

Purpose: The incidence of Kawasaki disease (KD) is rare in young infants (less than 3 months of age), who present with only a few symptoms that fulfill the clinical diagnostic criteria. The diagnosis for KD can therefore be delayed, leading to a high risk of cardiac complications. We examined the clinical characteristics and measured the serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels of these patients for assessing its value in the early detection of KD.

Evaluation of rice promoters conferring pollen-specific expression in a heterologous system, Arabidopsis.

Promoters can direct gene expression specifically to targeted tissues or cells. Effective with both crop species and model plant systems, these tools can help researchers overcome the practical obstacles associated with transgenic protocols. Here, we identified promoters that allow one to target the manipulation of gene expression during pollen development.

Anesthetic management of HELLP syndrome complicating primary antiphospholipid syndrome -A case report-.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is defined as an autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent thrombosis or obstetrical morbidity. A 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with APS underwent emergency cesarean delivery at 23 weeks' gestation. She had a seizure attack and her laboratory findings were: AST/ALT 1459/1108 IU/L, LDH 1424 IU/L, 30% hematocrit, a platelet count of 43 × 10(3)/ml and urine protein (4+).