Search results for "Function"

The Role of Endothelium in COVID-19

2021

The 2019 novel coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is causing a global pandemic. The virus primarily affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts and raises the risk of a variety of non-pulmonary consequences, the most severe and possibly fatal of which are cardiovascular problems. Data show that almost one-third of the patients with a moderate or severe form of COVID-19 had preexisting cardiovascular comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, heart failure, or coronary artery disease. SARS-CoV2 causes hyper inflammation, hypoxia, apoptosis, and a renin–angiotensin system imbalance …

The use of ultrasound to study muscle–tendon function in human posture and locomotion

2013

Analysis of human movement has traditionally relied on measures such as kinematics, kinetics and electromyography. These measures provide valuable information about movement performance and make it possible to draw inferences about muscle and tendon function. Musculoskeletal models are also used frequently to examine the relationship between joint kinematics and muscle-tendon behaviour, and have provided important insights into both healthy and clinical gait. However, muscles interact with compliant tendons during movement, which complicates interpretation of muscle and tendon function based on external measures such as joint kinematics. Accordingly, methods have been developed that enable …

Constipation severity is associated with productivity losses and healthcare utilization in patients with chronic constipation

2014

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the association between constipation severity, productivity losses and healthcare utilization in a national sample of Italian patients with chronic non-organic constipation (CC). METHODS: We enrolled 878 outpatients with CC. Clinical and demographic data were collected by physicians during clinical examinations. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire (Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms, PAC-SYM; Work Productivity and Activity Impairment; healthcare utilization, and Symptoms Checklist 90 Revised - Somatization Scale, SCL-90 R). RESULTS: Mean PAC-SYM score was 1.62 ± 0.69. Mean weekly sick time due to constipation was 2.7 ± 8.6 h and pro…

Changes in gallbladder motor function during the female cycle — a risk factor leading to gallstone formation?

1982

The gallbladder volume of eight women with stable cycles was determined by sonography. Furthermore, gallbladder contraction — following an orally administered fatty meal and the spontaneous refilling of the empty gallbladder — was quantitatively examined. The formula of a rotation ellipsoid, which has been proven to be adequately accurate in in vitro studies, was used for calculating the gallbladder volume. In the gestagen phase (21st or 22nd day) the intraindividual studies showed greater fasting volumes, higher residual volumes after contraction, slower gallbladder emptying, and retarded refilling of the empty gallbladder as compared to the estrogen phase (12th or 13th day). The hormonall…

Changes in neural drive to calf muscles during steady submaximal contractions after repeated static stretches

2021

Key points: Repeated static-stretching interventions consistently increase the range of motion about a joint and decrease total joint stiffness, but findings on the changes in muscle and connective-tissue properties are mixed. The influence of these stretch-induced changes on muscle function at submaximal forces is unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, the changes in neural drive to the plantar flexor muscles after a static-stretch intervention were estimated. Neural drive to the plantar flexor muscles during a low-force contraction increased after repeated static stretches. These findings suggest that adjustments in motor unit activity are necessary at low forces to accommodate reduct…

Coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome

2015

Diabetes and the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Insights from Recent Experience Might Guide Future Management

2020

Human corticotropin-releasing hormone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone modulate the hypercapnic ventilatory response in humans

1996

Human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) are known to stimulate ventilation after i.v. administration in humans. In a placebo-controlled, single-blind study we aimed to clarify if both peptides act by altering central chemosensitivity. Two subsequent CO2-rebreathing tests were performed in healthy young volunteers. During the first test 0.9% NaCl was given i.v.; during the second test 200 micrograms of hCRH (n = 12) or 400 micrograms of TRH (n = 6) was administered i.v. Nine subjects received 0.9% NaCl i.v. during both rebreathing manoeuvres. The CO2-response curves for the two tests were compared within the same subject. In the hCRH group a marke…

0057 : Preoperative Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) as a novel biomarker of acute kidney injury after cardiac bypass surgery

2015

ObjectivePreviously, we demonstrated that preoperative plasma GDF15 levels significantly improved the prognostic value of the EuroSCORE for mortality after cardiac surgery. Despite the strong correlation between GDF15 and renal function, no data are available regarding the potential interest of preoperative GDF15 levels to improve the prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Design134 patients operated on for CABG of whom 50 underwent offpump surgery at our university hospital were included in this prospective, observational study. Exclusion criteria were age 80 years, previous atrial fibrillation/flutter, previous severe renal failure (estimated …

The spectrum of risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography or intervention

2014

Abstract Introduction Contrast induced nephropathy is an unfavorable acute event which can complicate the clinical course of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Clinical characteristics predisposing to its occurrence are still rather obscure. Methods We enrolled 591 patients (mean age 64.2 ± 10.98; 449 male and 142 female) who underwent emergency or elective Coronary angiography/Angioplastic in our Cardiologic Division between 10/2006 and 06/2008, paying attention to their Cardiovascular risk factors, dose and type of contrast medium, type and number of affected coronary arteries, pharmacological therapies, baseline renal function and extracoronary atherosclerosis. We performed a univ…