Biological Potential and Chemical Profile of European Varieties of .

Plants of the genus are widespread throughout the world, with its best-known representative being from South America. The European species shows similarities in its terpenoid, sugar and phenolic acid profiles. Using aqueous extracts of as a supplement in Wistar rats showed that, despite the lack of caffeine, it had strong hypocholesterolemic effects.

Independent reaching of the sitting position depends on the motor performance in the 3rd month of life.

Objective: Sitting is one of milestones in motor development. However, reaching of the sitting position must precede achieving the ability of independent sitting. Qualitative assessment of motor performance at 3 months of age, with the prospective quantitative assessment of the function of independent reaching of the sitting position at the age of 8 months.

Endothelial dysfunction and sympathetic nervous system activation in young patients with essential arterial hypertension and without hypercholesterolaemia.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether measurements of hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) would provide useful information for the assessment of endothelial dysfunction and sympathetic nervous system activation in a selected group of young, properly treated patients with essential arterial hypertension (HTN) and without hypercholesterolaemia.

Methods And Results: Serum hs-CRP and ET-1 as well as plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were measured in 134 subjects (62 patients with diagnosed HTN and 72 healthy subjects from a reference group). In patients the concentrations of hs-CRP, ET-1 and NE were significantly higher, than in healthy subjects.

Hypotensive effect of atorvastatin is not related to changes in inflammation and oxidative stress.

We sought to determine if atorvastatin lowers blood pressure in patients with previously diagnosed and well-controlled essential arterial hypertension and if this effect could be related to anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Among 92 patients with essential arterial hypertension, we studied 56 non-smoking and normolipemic: 39 were randomized to receive 80 mg atorvastatin daily for 3 months (statin-treated patients, ST), and the rest continued a previous hypotensive therapy (statin-free patients, SF). Blood pressure was measured using a 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement device.

Apelin: a novel marker for the patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

To date, only animal studies have been concerned with apelin involvement in acute myocardial ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate apelin measurements in low-risk patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to assess if apelin may feature as a marker of left ventricular (LV) injury and prognosis. In 78 consecutive patients (mean age 67 +/- 11.

Influence of atorvastatin on blood pressure control in treated hypertensive, normolipemic patients - An open, pilot study.

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine whether a high dose of atorvastatin lowers blood pressure (BP) in normolipemic patients with well controlled primary arterial hypertension and if this effect is associated with alteration of biomarkers of endothelial function and oxidative stress. In this open-label study, normolipemic patients (n=56) were randomized in the proportion of 2:1 to receive atorvastatin 80 mg daily for 3 months (statin-treated, ST n=39), or to previous therapy (statin-free, SF). BP was measured using a 24-h ambulatory BP measurement device.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and total antioxidant status in patients with essential arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Purpose: To assess low-grade, systemic inflammation and antioxidant status as additional factors contributing to pathophysiology of essential arterial hypertension (HTN) and compare them with traditional risk factors, like abnormal lipids profile, considering their potential diagnostic usefulness.

Material And Methods: Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured in 143 subjects - 71 patients with diagnosed HTN and in 72 healthy controls.

Results: In hypertensive patients, as compared to healthy control group, the median hs-CRP concentration was higher (2.

Diagnostic biomarkers of essential arterial hypertension: the value of prostacyclin, nitric oxide, oxidized-LDL, and peroxide measurements.

Endothelial function is impaired in hypertensive patients. Decreased nitric oxide and prostacyclin production as well as increased oxidative stress are involved in this abnormality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress have diagnostic value in patients with essential hypertension.

Prognostic significance of the admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide measurement in patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction in comparison with C-reactive protein and TIMI risk score.

Background: In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) holds promise for risk stratification. Aim of this study was to assess prognostic value of plasma BNP measurement and to compare with other powerful prognostic markers -- TIMI Risk Score (TRS) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with first STEMI treated with primary PCI (pPCI).

Methods: 86 patients, admitted within initial 12 h of the first STEMI.

Periodontal condition in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Unlabelled: The cardiovascular system diseases constitute a serious problem for modern medicine.

The Aim: To investigate the potential risk and the connection of periodontal diseases and cardiovascular disorders.

Material: The examination was performed in the group of 104 patients of both sexes, aged 50-90 years.

The benefits of repeated measurements of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction are useful in the prediction of poor outcome. It is still not established how often and when assessment of neurohormonal activation provides the best prognostic information.

Aim: To evaluate whether repeated measurements of B-type natriuretic peptide provide additional clinical information in patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Low dose rofecoxib, inflammation and prostacyclin synthesis in acute coronary syndromes.

Purpose: To assess the influence of low dose rofecoxib on inflammatory mediators and prostacyclin synthesis in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in a short-term follow up.

Material And Methods: Twenty nine patients with ACS without ST elevation were randomized to simvastatin alone or together with low dose rofecoxib. Serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), 6-keto-PGF-1alpha--stable product of prostacyclin (PGT2) and hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed on enrollment and after 30-day follow up.

[Massive haematoma following rescue coronary angioplasty in a patient with acute myocardial infarction - a case report].

A case of a 79 year old female with acute myocardial infarction, treated with rescue coronary angioplasty, is presented. The patient received also thrombolysis, followed by heparin and IIb/IIIa platelet receptor blocker. The hospital stay was complicated by a massive groin haematoma and ecchymoses in the other parts of the lower and upper limbs, requiring blood transfusion.