Improvement of glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetic patients: traditional vs. modern insulin regimens (results from the Austrian Biaspart Study).

Objective: Major advantages of modern insulin regimens containing premixed insulin analogues in comparison to traditional insulin regimens have not been evaluated yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether meal-related (breakfast, lunch, dinner) application of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) provides better glycaemic control than administration of biphasic human insulin 30 (BHI 30) twice per day.

Research Design And Methods: In a multi-centre, randomized, open-label parallel trial, a total of 177 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were exposed to the two different insulin regimens described above over a study period of 24 weeks.

Evaluation of a new insulinotropic agent by using an innovative technology: efficacy and safety of nateglinide determined by continuous glucose monitoring.

Nateglinide, a new insulinotropic agent, specifically targets prandial glycemic excursions. Recently, innovative technologies have become available that provide the possibility to measure 72-h blood glucose values continuously. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nateglinide on 24-h blood glucose profiles in diabetic patients.

Hyperlipidemia coincides with reversible growth impairment of cultured human autologous endothelial cells.

Patient-related risk factors for the growth of autologous endothelial cells were assessed in a clinical series of 100 consecutive recipients of in vitro endothelialized prosthetic vascular grafts. For all patients, the indication for bypass operation was arteriosclerotic occlusive disease of the distal arteries. Endothelial cells were harvested from a small piece of subdermal vein and cultured in medium containing 20% of autologous serum.

Transfer of knowledge from the specialist to the generalist by videoconferencing: effect on diabetes care.

We conducted a 12-month prospective interventional study of videoconferencing between primary and secondary care. A treatment network consisting of a diabetes specialist and four general practitioners was established. The communications medium was PC-based videoconferencing via ISDN at 128 kbit/s.

Endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and diabetes.

The prevalence of early and accelerated development of atherosclerosis associated with high morbidity and mortality is markedly increased among individuals with diabetes and hypertension. Although the link between diabetes and vascular disease is not fully understood, loss of the modulatory role of the endothelium could be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Diabetes-associated pathophysiologic conditions in the endothelium are modifications of lipoproteins, formation of advanced glycation end-products and circulating lipoprotein immune complexes, alteration of the nitric oxide pathway, and elevated levels of homocysteine.

Clinical autologous in vitro endothelialization of infrainguinal ePTFE grafts in 100 patients: a 9-year experience.

Background: Clinical in vitro endothelialization was assessed for its ability to improve the long-term patency of prosthetic femoropopliteal bypass grafts.

Methods: Between June 1989 and May 1998, 100 patients received 113 in vitro endothelialized expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts (ePTFE). Bilateral implantations were performed in 13 patients.

In vitro endothelialization of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts: a clinical case report after 41 months of implantation.

Purpose: Forty-one months after we performed bilateral implantation of in vitro endothelialized femoropopliteal bypass grafts in a 69-year-old patient, we obtained a central graft segment for histologic and ultrastructural investigation.

Methods: Before implantation the grafts were confluently lined with autologous first passage mass cultures of pure cephalic vein endothelial cells. The precoating of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis was done with fibrinolytically inhibited fibrin glue.

Evaluation of Cyfra 21-1 as a marker for lung cancer.

The sensitivity and specificity of Cyfra 21-1 as marker for lung cancer was evaluated in comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Patients with histologically verified lung cancer and different groups without lung cancer were investigated. Sensitivity of Cyfra 21-1 (cut-off level 2.