Identification of the Radiative Parameters-Albedo and Optical Thickness-Of the Fiber.

The present work aims to characterize the radiative thermal properties albedo and optical thickness of fibers using a FTIR spectrometer. Measurements of normal/directional transmittance and normal and hemispherical reflectance are performed. The numerical determination of the radiative properties is conducted through the computational treatment of the Radiative Transfer Equation (RTE) using the Discrete Ordinate Method (DOM), together with the inverse method, which is done through Gauss linearization.

Bench to bedside defining calcific aortic valve disease: osteocardiology.

Introduction: For years, calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) was thought to be due to a degenerative process, but recent scientific discoveries have proven it to be an active process. Understanding the cellular mechanisms for the development of disease and translating the cellular changes critical in the development of calcific phenotypes. The use of multimodality imaging has been the gold standard to define the development of calcification to determine the timing of therapy.

Thermal Variation During Osteotomy With Different Dental Implant Drills: A Standardized Study in Bovine Ribs.

Introduction: This study evaluated thermal variation (heat generation) by dental drills of similar geometries, made from different materials, during performance of 450 standardized osteotomies in bovine ribs to simulate implant site preparations.

Materials And Methods: Each of the 3 groups-steel with a diamond-like carbon coating (SG), experimentally surface-treated steel (EG), and aluminum-toughened zirconium ceramic (ZG)-included 3 drills, distributed across 6 subgroups. An implant motor provided torque, rotation, and irrigation for 50% of subgroups.

Thermal change in a resin block during motorized and manual implant placement.

Statement Of Problem: Several studies have demonstrated the harmful role of heat generation during implant site drilling in subsequent bone healing. However, heat generation during implant placement should also be carefully considered.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate thermal change in a resin block during motorized and manual implant placement with and without saline irrigation.

SALTIRE-RAAVE: targeting calcific aortic valve disease LDL-density-radius theory.

SALTIRE and RAAVE were the first two studies to evaluate the use of statin therapy for impeding calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). This review presents the findings of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-density-radius theory as tested using the combined results from the SALTIRE and RAAVE studies. Patients who received statin therapy had a greater degree of LDL cholesterol lowering, seen as the % change in LDL (47 vs 2%, p = 0.

Valvular heart disease and 3-dimensional echocardiography: ready for prime-time?

Significant advances in 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) technology have ushered its use into clinical practice. The recent advent of real-time 3DE using matrix array transthoracic and transesophageal transducers has resulted in improved image spatial resolution, and therefore, enhanced visualization of the patho-morphological features of the cardiac valves. Three-dimensional echocardiography provides unique perspectives of valvular structures by presenting "en face" views of valvular structures, allowing for a better understanding of the topographical aspects of pathology, and a refined definition of the spatial relationships of intracardiac structures.

Natriuretic peptides in aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most prevalent valvular heart disease in developed countries. Diagnosis, risk stratification and monitoring are usually based on clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Complementary methods are needed to improve management and outcome, particularly in patients with severe asymptomatic AS, whose management remains controversial.

Rosuvastatin slows the development of diastolic dysfunction in calcific aortic stenosis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aims were to test the effect of rosuvastatin on the progression of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), and to evaluate the use of beta-natriuretic-peptide (BNP) as a marker of diastolic dysfunction in this condition.

Methods: Sixty-one hypercholesterolemic, consecutive new referrals with moderate AS were administered rosuvastatin (Crestor) 20 mg/day for 18 months, while a further 60 subjects with normal cholesterol levels remained untreated. The LV diastolic function was determined using conventional Doppler echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI); BNP plasma levels were monitored when subjects entered the study and then assessed prospectively at six-month intervals until the study end.

Relationship of PON1 192 and 55 gene polymorphisms to calcific valvular aortic stenosis.

Introduction And Objectives: Paraoxonases may exert anti-atherogenic action by reducing lipid peroxidation. Previous studies examined associations between polymorphisms in the paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene and development of coronary artery disease (CAD), with inconsistent results. Given the similarities in clinical and pathophysiological risk factors of CAD and calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), we postulated a link between PON1 alleles and CAVS progression.

Valvular lesions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome: an old disease but a persistent challenge.

Valvular heart disease is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome. Immunologic insult plays a fundamental role in its pathogenesis but data on the role of antiphospholipid antibodies have been inconsistent, particularly regarding SLE-associated valvular lesions. Although timely diagnosis is essential to prevent progression of valvular lesions, treatment remains a challenge because of the lack of large systematic studies.

Analysis of variability and reproducibility of echocardiography measurements in valvular aortic valve stenosis.

Background: Doppler echocardiography is the most frequent method for detecting and evaluating the severity of valvular aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the variability and reproducibility of echocardiographic parameters including aortic valve area (AVA), peak aortic jet velocity (V(max)), velocity ratio (V(LVOT)/V(max)), peak gradient (G(max)) and mean gradient (G(mean)) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients.

Methods: Doppler echocardiograms were obtained from 150 randomly selected patients (56.

[Bicuspid aortic valve and aortic disease: past, present and future].

Bicuspid Aortic Valve is the most common cardiac congenital abnormality occurring in 1% to 2% of the general population. The acquired bicuspid valve has been considered by some authors to be a rheumatic disease consequence. Meanwhile, some recent experimental studies where atrioventricular valves have been studied for the presence of rheumatic stigmata have excluded this hypothesis.

Effect of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme-a reductase inhibitors on the long-term progression of rheumatic mitral valve disease.

Background: At present, no medical therapy is known to affect the progression of rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). We sought to assess the effect of statin treatment on long-term progression of MS in a large population.

Methods And Results: From our 20-year database, we identified all patients with rheumatic MS with > or =2 echocardiographies > or =1 year apart.

New cardiovascular biomarkers: clinical implications in patients with valvular heart disease.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is characterized by an ongoing, inflammatory cellular response which results in a left ventricular hemodynamic stress change in response to valvulopathy. The current inflammatory hypothesis suggests that as the heart valve disease progresses the inflammatory cytokine response is activated causing continuation of deleterious effects on the heart and vasculature. This can lead to progression of heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction.

New understanding about calcific aortic stenosis and opportunities for pharmacologic intervention.

Purpose Of Review: This review article will discuss aortic stenosis, the evolving studies defining the cellular mechanisms and the potential for medical therapies for the treatment of this disease.

Recent Findings: Currently, the only therapy for these patients is surgical valve replacement. In the past decade there has been a change in the paradigm towards our understanding of the cellular biology of this disease process.

Mechanical model for simulating the conditioning of air in the respiratory tract.

Objective: To create a mechanical model that could be regulated to simulate the conditioning of inspired and expired air with the same normal values of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity as those of the respiratory system of a healthy young man on mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Using several types of materials, a mechanical device was built and regulated using normal values of vital capacity, tidal volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, and gas temperature in the system. The device was submitted to mechanical ventilation for a period of 29.

The role of statins in aortic stenosis. Myth or reality?

Our understanding of aortic valve disease has improved in the past decade from considering it a degenerative process to the realization that it is an active biologic disease. Aortic valve disease, although it has a similar atherosclerotic pathogenesis to vascular disease, differs in terms of bone calcification. Determining the appropriate timing of statin therapy to slow the progression of bone formation in these lesions is essential for the routine use of these drugs in such patients.

Rosuvastatin affecting aortic valve endothelium to slow the progression of aortic stenosis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to test the effect of a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor on the progression of moderate to severe aortic stenosis as measured by echocardiography.

Background: Recent retrospective studies support the hypothesis that statins slow the progression of aortic stenosis.

Methods: We performed an open-label, prospective study evaluating 121 consecutive patients with asymptomatic moderate to severe aortic stenosis (aortic valve area > or = 1.