Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are associated with reduced cognition in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes is associated with cognitive dysfunction, but the mechanisms are unknown. We assessed the relationships of biomarkers of oxidation, endothelial function and inflammation with cognition in participants of the CAROLINA trial (CARdiovascular Outcome Trial of LINAgliptin Versus Glimepiride in Type 2 Diabetes).

Methods: Baseline circulating biomarkers of oxidation (8-iso-prostaglandin F2α), endothelial function (asymmetric dimethylarginine, endothelin-1) and inflammation (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α), based on linear regression, were related to cognition on five domains, as measured with an automated battery.

The SITS-UTMOST: A registry-based prospective study in Europe investigating the impact of regulatory approval of intravenous Actilyse in the extended time window (3-4.5 h) in acute ischaemic stroke.

Introduction: The SITS-UTMOST (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Upper Time window Monitoring Study) was a registry-based prospective study of intravenous alteplase used in the extended time window (3-4.5 h) in acute ischaemic stroke to evaluate the impact of the approval of the extended time window on routine clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: Inclusion of at least 1000 patients treated within 3-4.

Thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke with alteplase in an Asian population: results of the multicenter, multinational Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Non-European Union World (SITS-NEW).

Background: Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Non-European Union World was a multinational, prospective, open, monitored, observational study of intravenous alteplase as thrombolytic therapy in clinical practice. Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Non-European Union World was required to assess the safety of alteplase in an Asian population by comparison with results from the European Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study and pooled results from randomized controlled trials.

Aims And/or Hypothesis: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous alteplase (0·9 mg/kg) as thrombolytic therapy within three-hours of onset of acute ischaemic stroke in an Asian population.

Telmisartan on top of antihypertensive treatment does not prevent progression of cerebral white matter lesions in the prevention regimen for effectively avoiding second strokes (PRoFESS) MRI substudy.

Background And Purpose: High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs). There is limited evidence from one randomized trial that blood pressure-lowering is able to slow WML progression. We investigated whether telmisartan prevents WML progression in the imaging substudy of the Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes (PRoFESS) trial.

Risk of recurrent stroke in patients with silent brain infarction in the Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes (PRoFESS) imaging substudy.

Background And Purpose: Silent brain infarctions are associated with an increased risk of stroke in healthy individuals. Risk of recurrent stroke in patients with both symptomatic and silent brain infarction (SBI) has only been investigated in patients with cardioembolic stroke in the European Atrial Fibrillation Trial. We assessed whether patients with recent noncardioembolic stroke and SBI detected on MRI are at increased risk for recurrent stroke, other cardiovascular events, and mortality.

Oral dabigatran versus enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis after primary total hip arthroplasty (RE-NOVATE II*). A randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial.

This trial compared the efficacy and safety of oral dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, versus subcutaneous enoxaparin for extended thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. A total of 2,055 patients were randomised to 28-35 days treatment with oral dabigatran, 220 mg once-daily, starting with a half-dose 1-4 hours after surgery, or subcutaneous enoxaparin 40 mg once-daily, starting the evening before surgery. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of total venous thromboembolism [VTE] (venographic or symptomatic) and death from all-causes.

Effects of aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole versus clopidogrel and telmisartan on disability and cognitive function after recurrent stroke in patients with ischaemic stroke in the Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes (PRoFESS) trial: a double-blind, active and placebo-controlled study.

Background: The treatment of ischaemic stroke with neuroprotective drugs has been unsuccessful, and whether these compounds can be used to reduce disability after recurrent stroke is unknown. The putative neuroprotective effects of antiplatelet compounds and the angiotensin II receptor antagonist telmisartan were investigated in the Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes (PRoFESS) trial.

Methods: Patients who had had an ischaemic stroke were randomly assigned in a two by two factorial design to receive either 25 mg aspirin (ASA) and 200 mg extended-release dipyridamole (ER-DP) twice a day or 75 mg clopidogrel once a day, and either 80 mg telmisartan or placebo once per day.

Telmisartan to prevent recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events.

Background: Prolonged lowering of blood pressure after a stroke reduces the risk of recurrent stroke. In addition, inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system in high-risk patients reduces the rate of subsequent cardiovascular events, including stroke. However, the effect of lowering of blood pressure with a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor soon after a stroke has not been clearly established.

Aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole versus clopidogrel for recurrent stroke.

Background: Recurrent stroke is a frequent, disabling event after ischemic stroke. This study compared the efficacy and safety of two antiplatelet regimens--aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole (ASA-ERDP) versus clopidogrel.

Methods: In this double-blind, 2-by-2 factorial trial, we randomly assigned patients to receive 25 mg of aspirin plus 200 mg of extended-release dipyridamole twice daily or to receive 75 mg of clopidogrel daily.

Chip with twin anchors for reduced ion suppression and improved mass accuracy in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

A new sample target for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry is described. The target consists of pairs of elevated hydrophilic anchor surfaces, positioned in proximity onto a microchip. The anchors are used to obtain separate preparations of sample and external standard, while both anchor surfaces are irradiated simultaneously by the laser pulse.