On-Demand Gait-Synchronous Electrical Cueing in Parkinson's Disease Using Machine Learning and Edge Computing: A Pilot Study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) can lead to gait impairment and Freezing of Gait (FoG). Recent advances in cueing technologies have enhanced mobility in PD patients. While sensor technology and machine learning offer real-time detection for on-demand cueing, existing systems are limited by the usage of smartphones between the sensor(s) and cueing device(s) for data processing.

Photon-shot-noise-limited transient absorption soft X-ray spectroscopy at the European XFEL.

Femtosecond transient soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a very promising technique that can be employed at X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs) to investigate out-of-equilibrium dynamics for material and energy research. Here, a dedicated setup for soft X-rays available at the Spectroscopy and Coherent Scattering (SCS) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (European XFEL) is presented. It consists of a beam-splitting off-axis zone plate (BOZ) used in transmission to create three copies of the incoming beam, which are used to measure the transmitted intensity through the excited and unexcited sample, as well as to monitor the incoming intensity.

Structural Insights into Hysteretic Spin-Crossover in a Set of Iron(II)-2,6-bis(1H-Pyrazol-1-yl)Pyridine) Complexes.

Bistable spin-crossover (SCO) complexes that undergo abrupt and hysteretic (ΔT ) spin-state switching are desirable for molecule-based switching and memory applications. In this study, we report on structural facets governing hysteretic SCO in a set of iron(II)-2,6-bis(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine) (bpp) complexes - [Fe(bpp-COOEt) ](X) ⋅CH NO (X=ClO , 1; X=BF , 2). Stable spin-state switching - T =288 K; ΔT =62 K - is observed for 1, whereas 2 undergoes above-room-temperature lattice-solvent content-dependent SCO - T =331 K; ΔT =43 K.

Supporting front crawl swimming in paraplegics using electrical stimulation: a feasibility study.

Background: Participation in physical and therapeutic activities is usually severely restricted after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Reasons for this are the associated loss of voluntary motor function, inefficient temperature regulation of the affected extremities, and early muscle fatigue. Hydrotherapy or swim training offer an inherent weight relief, reduce spasticity and improve coordination, muscle strength and fitness.

Reconstituted HDL in acute coronary syndromes.

Objectives: The strong inverse relationship between plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease provides the epidemiological basis that HDL is atheroprotective. Since HDL enhances cholesterol efflux and exhibits potent antiinflammatory properties, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether infusion of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) impacts on vascular function, a well-established surrogate of atherosclerotic vascular disease, as well as markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with ACS were randomized to double-blind treatment with rHDL or albumin.

Spontanous periodic breathing is associated with sympathetic hyperreactivity and baroreceptor dysfunction in hypertension.

Objectives: Intermittent periods of hypoxemia such as during periodic breathing are associated with hypertension and increased sympathetic activity. In patients with sleep apnea syndrome, hypertension is common. Treating apnea improves hypertension and reduces sympathetic outflow.

Acute effect of nitroglycerin on cyclosporine-induced hypertension after cardiac transplantation.

Background: Cyclosporine represents a milestone in immunosuppression following organ transplantation. Its use, however, comes at the cost of significant side effects, such as arterial hypertension which is rarely controllable by currently available anti-hypertensive drugs. The aim was to investigate the effect of acute administration of nitroglycerin in heart-transplanted patients with cyclosporine-induced hypertension.

Cholesterylestertransfer protein inhibition and endothelial function in type II hyperlipidemia.

Introduction: While elevated plasma HDL levels are inversely correlated with cardiovascular events, raising HDL with the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib, however, was associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the ILLUMINATE trial. Whether the deleterious clinical effects of torcetrapib represent a molecule specific off-target effect, a class effect of CETP inhibitors or both is matter of ongoing debate. As such, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether CETP-inhibition with JTT-705, a molecule distinctly different from torcetrapib, impacts on vascular function, a well-established surrogate of atherosclerotic vascular disease, as well as markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with type II hyperlipidemia.

Dark chocolate improves coronary vasomotion and reduces platelet reactivity.

Background: Dark chocolate has potent antioxidant properties. Coronary atherosclerosis is promoted by impaired endothelial function and increased platelet activation. Traditional risk factors, high oxidative stress, and reduced antioxidant defenses play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, particularly in transplanted hearts.

Chronic treatment with long-acting nifedipine reduces vasoconstriction to endothelin-1 in essential hypertension.

Essential hypertension is associated with enhanced biological activity of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists have antioxidant activity in vitro, and they improve endothelial function in vivo. We tested whether calcium antagonists also influence the biological activity of ET-1 in essential hypertensive (EH) patients in the presence and absence of hypercholesterolemia.

The vascular endothelium in hypertension.

The vascular endothelium plays a fundamental role in the basal and dynamic regulation of the circulation. Thus, it has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. A spectrum of vasoactive substances is synthesised in the endothelium; of these, nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI2) and endothelin (ET)-1 are the most important.

Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) and coronary endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease and mild hypercholesterolemia.

Objective: To investigate the association of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) and coronary endothelial function.

Methods And Results: In 289 patients with coronary artery disease we assessed coronary endothelium-dependent and -independent vascular responses to intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine, adenosine, and nitroglycerin, respectively, and determined plasma ADMA and l-arginine concentrations by HPLC. After 6 months of treatment with either cerivastatin, nifedipine, cerivastatin+nifedipine, or placebo, coronary vascular function testing as well as ADMA and l-arginine determinations were repeated.

Protection of endothelial function: targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions.

The vascular endothelium synthesizes and releases a spectrum of vasoactive substances and therefore plays a fundamental role in the basal and dynamic regulation of the circulation. Nitric oxide (NO)-originally described as endothelium-derived relaxing factor-is released from endothelial cells in response to shear stress produced by blood flow, and in response to activation of a variety of receptors. After diffusion from endothelial to vascular smooth muscle cells, NO increases intracellular cyclic guanosine-monophosphate concentrations by activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase leading to relaxation of the smooth muscle cells.

Cardiovascular disease in HIV infection.

The survival of patients with HIV infection who have access to highly active antiretroviral therapy has dramatically increased. In HIV-infected persons, cardiovascular disease can be associated with HIV infection, opportunistic infections or neoplasias, use of antiretroviral drugs or treatment of opportunistic complications, mode of HIV acquisition (such as intravenous drug use), or with the classic non-HIV-related cardiovascular risk factors (such as smoking or age). Diseases of the heart associated with HIV infection or its opportunistic complications include pericarditis and myocarditis.

Protection of endothelial function.

The vascular endothelium synthesizes and releases a spectrum of vasoactive substances and therefore plays a fundamental role in the basal and dynamic regulation of the circulation. Nitric oxide (NO)--originally described as endothelium-derived relaxing factor--is released from endothelial cells in response to shear stress produced by blood flow, and in response to activation of a variety of receptors. After diffusion from endothelial to vascular smooth muscle cells, NO increases intracellular cyclic guanosine-monophosphat concentrations by activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase leading to relaxation of the smooth muscle cells.

[The sweet secret of dark chocolate].

For centuries dark chocolate has been known for its taste as well as its beneficial effects on health. Mainly polyphenols, a heterogeneous group of molecules, have been associated with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore they inhibit primary hemostasis and pathways associated with platelet activation and aggregation.

[Coffee--poison or medicine?].

Intake of coffee, one of the most common beverages worldwide, has often been discussed as a potential cardiovascular risk factor. However, definitive data about this topic are missing and newer studies even point out for a favorable rather than hazardous effect. Despite many studies no clear association between coffee and the risk of hypertension, myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases was found.

Coffee blunts mental stress-induced blood pressure increase in habitual but not in nonhabitual coffee drinkers.

Coffee is widely consumed, especially during mental stress conditions. Cardiovascular impact of coffee remains debated because the underlying mechanisms of action are complex. We reported previously differential cardiovascular stimulation of coffee at rest depending on habitual consumption.

Rapid progression of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

We describe the case of a 39-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected man with angiographically documented rapid progression of coronary artery disease. Over a time course of only 2 months, he developed high-grade stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The risk of myocardial infarction is increased in patients with HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Cardiac arrest in a soccer player: a unique case of anomalous coronary origin detected by 16-row multislice computed tomography coronary angiography.

Anomalous origin of the coronary arteries may be present in otherwise normal subjects without clinical significance, but can also be the cause of myocardial ischemia and sudden death in both adults and teenagers. In particular, the origin of the left main coronary artery or left anterior descending artery from the right sinus of Valsalva or right coronary artery may result in compression of the vessel during or immediately after exercise. We present a unique case of coronary anomaly with four separate coronary ostia originating from the right coronary sinus in a soccer player with sudden cardiac arrest.

Cardiovascular effects of coffee: is it a risk factor?

Intake of coffee, one of the most common beverages worldwide, is often reported as a cardiovascular risk factor; however, definitive data are lacking. Acute intake of coffee or beverages containing caffeine can increase blood pressure, heart minute volumes, and cardiac index, as well as activate the sympathetic nervous system in nonhabitual coffee drinkers. Interestingly, this is not observed in habitual coffee drinkers.

Endogenous estrogens increase postischemic hyperemia in the skin microcirculation.

Estrogens have been recognized as a major regulator of vascular tone and structure, particularly in the skin. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of endogenous estrogens on the skin microcirculation. Skin blood flow was measured at the forearm at rest and during postischemic hyperemia using laser Doppler flowmetry in 32 healthy women (mean age 34.