Why study sympathetic nervous system?

Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. However, during last decades, an improvement was made in diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular diseases, there was still a need for better understanding of their pathophysiology. Among neurohormonal systems, SNS plays a central role in cardiovascular regulation in both health and disease.

Proton assisted insensitive nuclei cross polarization.

This communication presents a solid-state NMR N-C polarization transfer scheme applicable at high B and high MAS frequencies, requiring moderate r.f. powers (~50 kHz C/N) and mixing time (1–6 ms).

Catecholamine excretion and circadian blood pressure profile in patients with pheochromocytoma.

Circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm is often disturbed in patients with secondary forms of hypertension. The aim of the present article was to investigate changes in circadian BP profile parameters using two-step statistical approach by Fourier analysis in relation to day and night urinary catecholamine excretion in 35 patients with pheochromocytoma (mean age 42+/-19 years). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP measurements (ABPM) were obtained using the SpaceLabs 90,207 monitor.

Dynamic nuclear polarization of amyloidogenic peptide nanocrystals: GNNQQNY, a core segment of the yeast prion protein Sup35p.

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) permits a approximately 10(2)-10(3) enhancement of the nuclear spin polarization and therefore increases sensitivity in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Here, we demonstrate the efficient transfer of DNP-enhanced (1)H polarization from an aqueous, radical-containing solvent matrix into peptide crystals via (1)H-(1)H spin diffusion across the matrix-crystal interface. The samples consist of nanocrystals of the amyloid-forming peptide GNNQQNY(7-13), derived from the yeast prion protein Sup35p, dispersed in a glycerol-water matrix containing a biradical polarizing agent, TOTAPOL.

[Comparison of the effect of nitroglycerine and pentaerithritol compositum on exercise time restricted by anginal pain or objective parameters of ischaemia in patients with stable angina].

Short acting nitrates are commonly used to prevent the anginal pain. The purpose of the study was to compare antianginal efficacy of Pentaerythritol compositum (20 mg of pentaerythritol tetranitrate and 0.5 mg of nitroglicerine) and 0,5 mg of nitroglycerine.

Multipole-multimode Floquet theory of rotational resonance width experiments: 13C-13C distance measurements in uniformly labeled solids.

A formal description of zero-quantum (ZQ) NMR processes using multipole-multimode Floquet theory is proposed for studying polarization transfer in magic angle spinning experiments. Specifically, we investigate the factors affecting the accuracy and precision of 13C-13C distance measurements that are based on ZQ-magnetization exchange processes in rotational resonance width experiments. With suitable examples drawn from measurements in N-acetyl-[U-13C,15N]-L-valine-L-leucine, we substantiate our approach and propose methods for improving the accuracy and reliability of such 13C-13C distance measurements in uniformly 13C, 15N-labeled solids.

Broadband homonuclear correlation spectroscopy at high magnetic fields and MAS frequencies.

We present a new homonuclear recoupling sequence, CMAR, that allows observation of 2D 13C-13C correlation spectra at high magnetic fields and MAS frequencies (10-30 kHz). The main advantages of the sequence are that it provides efficient, broadband dipolar recoupling and concurrently decouples the 1H spins from the 13C's. Thus, no additional 1H decoupling is required during the mixing period, thereby significantly reducing the radio frequency power requirements for the experiment.

Glycocalyx-mimetic dextran-modified poly(vinyl amine) surfactant coating reduces platelet adhesion on medical-grade polycarbonate surface.

A dextran-modified poly(vinyl amine) comb-like surfactant polymer, poly(N-vinyl dextran aldonamide-co-N-vinyl hexanamide), that can surface-adsorb on hydrophobic polymeric substrates, was designed to improve the interfacial blood-compatibility of polymeric biomaterials. Medical-grade polycarbonate was selected as a model substrate because of its extensive use in blood-contacting biomedical devices like hemodialyzers, blood pumps and oxygenators. The surfactant polymer was physisorbed from aqueous solution onto the polycarbonate substrate.

An enhanced method for peptides sequencing by N-terminal derivatization and MS.

An improved method for peptide sequencing based on acetylation/deuteroacetylation in conjunction with ESI MS is introduced. Derivatization with a 1:1 mixture of acetic anhydride and deuterated acetic anhydride incorporates a stable isotope label into the analyzed molecule. This approach has been initially applied to FAB.

Fracture of brittle metallic glasses: brittleness or plasticity.

We report a brittle Mg-based bulk metallic glass which approaches the ideal brittle behavior. However, a dimple structure is observed at the fracture surface by high resolution scanning electron microscopy, indicating some type of "ductile" fracture mechanism in this very brittle glass. We also show, from the available data, a clear correlation between the fracture toughness and plastic process zone size for various glasses.

Ultrasonic detection of middle ear effusion: a preliminary study.

Objective: To assess the ability to detect and characterize middle ear effusion in children using A-mode ultrasonography.

Design: Prospective nonblinded comparison study.

Setting: Tertiary children's hospital.

[Renovascular hypertension: is it only the top of the iceberg?].

Essential hypertension accounts for 95% of all cases of hypertension. A small number of patients (between 2% and 5%) have a reversible disease as the cause for raised blood pressure. Unilateral and bilateral renal artery stenosis may be responsible for secondary hypertension.

[Alagille syndrome and chronic renal failure].

Alagille syndrome is characterized by paucity of bile ducts leading to cholestasis and may be accompanied by renal and cardiovascular abnormalities. We report 42-years old patient with hypertension, chronic renal failure and Alagille syndrome. Ischemic nephropathy was suspected, which was not confirmed on angio-CT.

The range of motion of the cervical spine in children aged from 3 to 7 years - an electrogoniometric study.

The aim of the study has been to evaluate the range of motion of the cervical spine in relation to the age of the participants, and to determine the dimorphic and asymmetrical differences in the range of motion in pre-determined age categories. The study involved 300 children (150 girls and 150 boys) aged from 3 to 7 years, and tensiometric electrogoniometry was used to evaluate the range of cervical spine motion. The highest amplitude of cervical spine motion could be observed in the transverse plane and this was followed by that of the sagittal plane, with frontal plane motion being the lowest.

Verification of selected anatomical landmarks used as reference points for universal goniometer positioning during elbow joint mobility range measurements.

The paper presents the results of comparative studies on the range of active elbow joint motion based on data obtained from 50 physical education students. The measurements were made with both an electrogoniometer and a manual goniometer. An explanation of differences in measurement results has been provided based on an investigation by the photographic method of 3 elbow joints using cadaveric material.

Long-term effects of phosphorus precipitations with alum in hypereutrophic Lake Süsser See (Germany).

Precipitation and inactivation of phosphorus (P) by the addition of aluminum (Al) is a widely applied lake restoration measure. Many studies about short-term effects are reported, but little is known about long-term effects. To reduce this lack of knowledge we investigated the German hardwater lake, Süsser See, which was treated almost annually from 1977 to 1992 with aluminum sulfate (alum).

Decision support for the selection of an appropriate in-lake measure to influence the phosphorus retention in sediments.

Many in-lake measures which aimed to influence the phosphorus retention in lake sediments have failed to improve the trophic state of the lakes. The present paper introduces a systematic approach to select an appropriate in-lake measure. Before selecting an in-lake measure the goal of the measure should be defined, the problems of the lake must be identified, and the probability of success must be estimated.

[Antithrombin III, protein C and thrombin/antithrombin III complexes (TAT) in patients suffering from chronic cholecystolithiasis treated by classical and laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Surgery is the basic treatment method of cholecystolithiasis. Traditional methods have been replaced laparoscopy. The aim of the study was the evaluation of haemostasis after classical and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Two-dimensional small-scale variability of pore water phosphate in freshwater lakes: results from a novel dialysis sampler.

Vertical concentration profiles of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the upper sedimentary zone of freshwater lakes are an important means for studying internal phosphorus (P) loading and to gain insight into early diagenetic processes. The interpretation of such pore water profiles generally neglects the occurrence of horizontal variability at a specific sampling site. To further examine this variability, we have designed a novel two-dimensional sampler (2D peeper) consisting of 2280 chambers at a spatial resolution of 9 mm providing a sampling area of 43 x 44 cm.

[Activation of hemostasis in patients with chronic cholecystitis].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of chronic cholecystitis on haemostasis. The study was conducted on 48 patients suffering from chronic cholecystolithiasis admitted for cholecystectomy to the Department of Surgery Regional Hospital in Białystok. The control group consisted of 25 healthy subjects in this same age range.

Verification of selected anatomic landmarks used as reference points for universal goniometer positioning during knee joint mobility range measurements.

The study was concerned with verification of the selection of reference points used for knee joint mobility range goniometry. The verification was based on photometric and electrogoniometric methods of femorotibial angle measurements. The material for measurements were three knee joint preparations.

Generic isolated horizons and their applications.

The notion of isolated horizons is extended to allow for distortion and rotation. Space-times containing a black hole, itself in equilibrium but possibly surrounded by radiation, satisfy these conditions. The framework has three types of applications: (i) it provides new tools to extract physics from strong field geometry; (ii) it leads to a generalization of the zeroth and first laws of black hole mechanics and sheds new light on the "origin" of the first law; and (iii) it serves as a point of departure for black hole entropy calculations in nonperturbative quantum gravity.

Blood pressure, plasma NPY and catecholamines during physical exercise in relation to menstrual cycle, ovariectomy, and estrogen replacement.

Some evidences indicate that the female sex hormones protect against the development of cardiovascular diseases. Modulation of sympathetic activity may be one of the possibilities. We investigated the influence of treadmill stress on blood pressure (BP) and plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations in 11 normotensive, menstruating women in the follicular (HWf) and luteal (HWl) phases and in eight ovariectomized women, before (OVX) and after estrogen supplementation (OVXe).