Search results for "blood [Neurofilament Proteins]"

Antibodies to vascular endothelial cells in chronic rejection of renal allografts.

2000

Vitamin B12 and hepatic enzyme serum levels correlate in male alcohol-dependent patients.

2001

- Vitamin B12 serum levels and markers for alcohol consumption were determined in 80 male alcohol-dependent patients. Spearman correlation coefficients (r(S)) were calculated. Significant positive correlations between vitamin B12 and hepatic enzyme values were found (gamma-glutamyltransferase: r(S) = 0.58; alanine aminotransferase: r(S) = 0.43; aspartate aminotransferase: r(S) = 0.47; glutamate dehydrogenase: r(S) = 0.43; all P:0.001). Therefore, for a proper interpretation of vitamin B12 levels, it may be clinically relevant to take markers of hepatocellular damage into account.

The Adverse Events and Hemodynamic Effects of Adenosine-Based Cardiac MRI

2011

OBJECTIVE We wanted to prospectively assess the adverse events and hemodynamic effects associated with an intravenous adenosine infusion in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease and who were undergoing cardiac MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and sixty-eight patients (64 ± 9 years) received adenosine (140 µg/kg/min) during cardiac MRI. Before and during the administration, the heart rate, systemic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were monitored using a MRI-compatible system. We documented any signs and symptoms of potential adverse events. RESULTS In total, 47 out of 168 patients (28%) experienced adverse effects, which were mostly mild or moderate. In 13 patie…

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Pre- and Postoperative Assessment with Breath-hold MR Imaging Techniques

2004

To evaluate the potential of breath-hold magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques in morphologic and functional assessment of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) before and after surgery.Thirty-four patients with CTEPH were examined before and after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). For morphologic assessment, contrast material-enhanced MR angiography was used; for assessment of hemodynamics, velocity-encoded gradient-echo sequences and cine gradient-echo sequences along the short axis of the heart were performed. Contrast-enhanced MR angiography was compared with selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for depiction of central thromboembolic m…

Magnetically labeled water perfusion imaging of the uterine arteries and of normal and malignant cervical tissue: initial experiences.

1998

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a magnetically labeled water perfusion imaging technique as a non-contrast-enhanced approach to demonstrate the uterine artery, its branches, and to assess the cervical uterine blood flow in healthy volunteers and in patients with advanced uterine cervical carcinoma (FIGO IIB-IVA). Methods and Materials: Seven healthy volunteers (mean age, 29 years) and twenty-two patients (mean age, 52 years) with advanced cancer of the uterine cervix (FIGO IIB-IVA) were prospectively examined by magnetically labeled water perfusion imaging at different inversion delay times (300–900 ms). The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of all patients were…

A 588-gene microarray analysis of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of spondyloarthropathy patients

2002

OBJECTIVES: To identify genes which are more highly expressed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), in comparison to normal subjects. METHODS: A 588-gene microarray was used as a screening tool to select a panel of such genes from PBMC of these subjects and of normal subjects. Results were then validated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The following genes were more highly expressed in arthritis patients than in normal subjects: macrophage differentiation marker MNDA (myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen), MRP8 and MRP14 (migratory inhibitor…

Effects of an ultra-long-distance (1000 km) race on lipid metabolism

1989

The influence was examined of ultra-long-distance running (1000 km race lasting 20 days) on changes in serum lipids. The 110 participants received two types of diet, a conventional Western diet and a wholesome vegetarian diet. Of the 55 finishers the serum concentration of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and triglycerides decreased significantly during the first 8 days of the run, but rose again towards the end of the race without reaching pre-race levels. The high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol increased initially but decreased in the final days of the run. The values for apolipoprotein A-I were not correlated with HDL-cholesterol. The …

Endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor status in kidney transplants undergoing acute rejection.

1999

Abstract Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor with vasopressor and mitogenic effects. Blood samples were collected from 21 renal transplant patients undergoing acute rejection at the time of diagnostic kidney biopsy: there were 20 men and one woman, mean age 35.6 years. All patients were on triple immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A, azathioprine and methylprednisolone. Twenty living kidney donors pre-uninephrectomy (11 men and nine women, mean age 34 years) served as controls. Control kidney was obtained from fresh autopsy material and normal kidney tissue from nephrectomies for malignancy. Mean plasma ET-1 was significantly increased at 1.56±0.2 pg ml −1 during acute …

Freestyle pedicled perforator flaps: safety, prevention of complications, and management based on 85 consecutive cases.

2011

Background: Despite the widespread use of free perforator flaps, pedicled perforator flaps seem not to be as widely accepted, probably because of the fear of vascular complications caused by transfer of a flap attached only by its vascular pedicle, prone to shearing, kinking, and trauma. In this article, the authors report on their experience with 85 consecutive cases, focusing on incidence, prevention, and management of complications. Methods: Eighty-five consecutive cases were treated over 6 years at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of the University of Palermo for defects of different causes that were reconstructed with a freestyle pedicled perforator flap, in every regi…

Effect of obesity on left ventricular function studied by radionuclide angiocardiography

1991

Several studies have shown a significant association of obesity with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The present study was carried out to investigate central and systemic haemodynamics in overweight and moderate obese, but otherwise healthy subjects, and in a lean control group to determine whether obesity can influence left ventricular performance per se. In this study an attempt has been made to eliminate misleading factors, such as diabetes, lipid abnormalities and hypertension. A total of 67 subjects, 44 with overweight or moderate obesity and 23 lean healthy subjects, were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to BMI levels and Garrow's criteria as follows…