Increased plasma norepinephrine levels in previously pre-eclamptic women.

A history of pre-eclampsia increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity by mechanisms yet unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess whether plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels are increased 5-6 years after pre-eclamptic pregnancy and to investigate associations with pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease: insulin sensitivity, vascular function and arterial pressure. A total of 28 women with previous pre-eclampsia and 20 controls were examined.

Thromboprophylaxis for recurrent miscarriage in women with or without thrombophilia. HABENOX: a randomised multicentre trial.

Recurrent miscarriage affects 1-2% of women. In more than half of all recurrent miscarriage the cause still remains uncertain. Thrombophilia has been identified in about 50% of women with recurrent miscarriage and thromboprophylaxis has been suggested as an option of treatment.

A relationship between insulin sensitivity and vasodilation in women with a history of preeclamptic pregnancy.

Women with a history of preeclampsia are characterized by vascular dysfunction and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In the present study we investigated whether insulin sensitivity is decreased in women with previous preeclampsia and whether it is associated with endothelium-dependent and/or -independent vasodilation and/or features of metabolic syndrome. Twenty-eight nonobese women with previous severe preeclampsia and 20 women with a previous normotensive pregnancy were studied 5 to 6 years after the index pregnancy.

Renal and vascular function in women with previous preeclampsia: a comparison of low- and high-degree proteinuria.

The degree of proteinuria during preeclampsia has been considered to be a marker of severity of the disease and of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the study was to assess whether the degree of proteinuria in preeclamptic pregnancy is related to impairment of vascular dilatation and/or kidney function years after the index pregnancy. Thirty women with a history of severe preeclampsia divided into low (n=8, dU-prot <5 g/day) and high (n=22, dU-prot >/=5 g/day) proteinuric groups and 21 women with previous normotensive pregnancy were studied 5-6 years after index pregnancy.

Impaired vascular dilatation in women with a history of pre-eclampsia.

Objective: The mechanisms underlying increased cardiovascular risk among women with a history of pre-eclampsia remain unclear. Impaired endothelial function has been observed in both pre-eclampsia and atherosclerosis, and provides a plausible link between the two conditions. We studied endothelial function and arterial compliance in non-pregnant, previously pre-eclamptic women.

Pulse wave reflection in currently and previously preeclamptic women.

Objective: Disturbed maternal endothelial function is believed to be central in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and has been observed to persist for several years following the preeclamptic pregnancy. Endothelial dysfunction has been reported to cause increased pulse wave reflection, a measure of systemic arterial stiffness. This study tested the hypothesis that preeclampsia and a history of preeclampsia are associated with increased pulse wave reflection.

Costs and practicability of clean feeding of dairy cattle during radioactive contamination of grasslands.

Both the farm-specific and regional costs of clean feeding as a countermeasure to reduce ingestion of contaminated grass when there is insufficient supply of other types of roughage were estimated for dairy farming in Finland in the first year after contamination. The cost estimation considered expenditures and revenues associated with milk production and were calculated using farm models developed for economic planning. A hypothetical contamination scenario was designed using RODOS models for atmospheric dispersion and transfer in terrestrial food chains.

Treatment of postpartum thrombotic microangiopathy with plasma exchange using cryosupernatant as replacement.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are rare but acknowledged problems of pregnancy and the postpartum period. These diseases together with thrombotic angiopathy are associated with high maternal and fetal mortality and severe long-term morbidity. We describe four women with postpartum HUS/TTP treated with plasma exchange cryosupernatant fraction of plasma (CFP) as replacement fluid.

BDNF regulates the expression of fragile X mental retardation protein mRNA in the hippocampus.

Both fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are implicated in the maturation of neurons and in the higher cognitive functions. We have investigated whether FMRP and BDNF are reciprocally regulated in neurons. Exposure of cultured hippocampal neurons to BDNF, but not to NT-3, reduced FMR1 mRNA levels to 84.

Plasma exchange in severe postpartum HELLP syndrome.

We present a case of extremely severe postpartum HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome, associated with activation of coagulation, massive recurrent intra-abdominal bleeding requiring two laparotomies, renal failure, and central nervous system symptoms. This case underlines the complexity of pregnancy-related thrombotic microangiopathies regarding their differential diagnosis, multiple organ dysfunction, as well as management. Systemic endothelial cell injury plays a central role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathies.

Responses of blood and plasma lactate and plasma purine concentrations to maximal exercise and their relation to performance in standardbred trotters.

Objective: To study whether end products of 2 pathways of anaerobic energy metabolism, lactate and purines, that accumulate in the blood after intense exercise indicate any relation to exercise performance.

Design: Venous blood samples were taken within 1 and 15 minutes after a trotting race of 2,100 m.

Animals: 16 Clinically healthy Standardbred trotters.