Search results for "exam"
showing 10 items of 1241 documents
Corneo-scleral contact lenses in an uncommon case of keratoconus with high hyperopia and astigmatism
2017
Purpose: To analyse the visual quality achieved by fitting corneo-scleral contact lenses (CScL) in an uncommon case of bilateral keratoconus, high hyperopia and astigmatism. Methods: A 45-year-old man presented for eye examination due to the unsatisfactory quality of his vision wearing soft toric contact lenses. He presented high hyperopia and astigmatism with bilateral keratoconus. He was fitted with CScL to correct his irregular astigmatism and ocular aberrations. A diagnostic trial set was used in the fitting process and he was assessed according to standardised fitting methodology. Visual acuity, corneal topography, biometry and ocular aberrations were evaluated. The follow-up period wa…
Glucocorticoids as modulators of expression and activity of Antithrombin (At): potential clinical relevance.
2014
Abstract Introduction An inverse relationship has been reported between decreased postoperative Antithrombin (AT) plasmatic levels and the incidence of complications. We hypothesized that Nuclear Hormone Receptors could modulate the expression of SERPINC1 , encoding AT, through a Hormone Regulatory Element present in its promoter, and thus hormone analogs could be a pharmacological complement in surgical procedures to activate endogenous AT synthesis. Materials and Methods The expression of SERPINC1 was analyzed in HepG2 cells by quantitative RT-PCR and Western Blot. Two studies were conducted with (a) patients submitted to cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass receiving (n =17) or no…
Effects of glucocorticoid excess on the sensitivity of glucose transport and metabolism to insulin in rat skeletal muscle.
1997
This study examines the mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in rat soleus muscle. Glucocorticoid excess was induced by administration of dexamethasone to rats for 5 days. Dexamethasone decreased the sensitivity of 3-O-methylglucose transport, 2-deoxyglucose phosphorylation, glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation to insulin. The total content of GLUT4 glucose transporters was not decreased by dexamethasone; however, the increase in these transporters in the plasma membrane in response to insulin (100 m-units/litre) was lessened. In contrast, the sensitivity of lactate formation to insulin was normal. The content of 2-deoxyglucose in the dexamethasone-treated muscle was …
Presynaptic nicotine receptors mediating a positive feed-back on transmitter release from the rat phrenic nerve.
1986
The effects of 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP) and of nicotine receptor antagonists on [3H]acetylcholine release from the rat phrenic nerve preincubated with [3H]choline were investigated in the absence and presence of cholinesterase inhibitors (presynaptic effects). Additionally, the effects of hexamethonium and tubocurarine on the muscle contraction of the indirectly stimulated diaphragm were examined (postsynaptic effects). DMPP (1-30 microM) increased (76-92%), whereas hexamethonium (0.001-1 mM) and tubocurarine (1-10 microM) decreased (52-60%) the release of [3H]acetylcholine following a train of 100 pulses at 5 Hz. The release caused by a longer train (750 pulses at 5 Hz) was…
Opposite role played by GABAA and GABAB receptors in the modulation of peristaltic activity in mouse distal colon.
2014
We investigated the role of GABA on intestinal motility using as model the murine distal colon. Effects induced by GABA receptors recruitment were examined in whole colonic segments and isolated circular muscle preparations to analyze their influence on peristaltic reflex and on spontaneous and neurally-evoked contractions. Using a modified Trendelenburg set-up, rhythmic peristaltic contractions were evoked by gradual distension of the colonic segments. Spontaneous and neurally-evoked mechanical activity of circular muscle strips were recorded in vitro as changes in isometric tension. GABA, at low concentrations (10-50 µM), potentiated peristaltic activity and the neural cholinergic contrac…
Association between phenotypic familial hypercholesterolaemia and telomere length in US adults: results from a multi-ethnic survey
2018
Aims: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) accelerates atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and accordingly is the most potent hereditary cause of premature coronary heart disease. The association between telomere length (TL), a biological index of ageing, and FH has not been hitherto investigated. We addressed this question using data from the US National Health and Education National Surveys (NHANES, 1999-2002).Methods and results: We included individuals, who had TL measurements (with quantitative polymerase chain reaction method) and a phenotypic diagnosis of FH based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria. Sample weights were applied for unequal probabilities of sel…
Depressive symptoms, handgrip strength, and weight status in US older adults
2018
Background: Handgrip strength is a valid indicator of broader physical functioning. Handgrip strength and weight status have been independently associated with depressive symptoms in older adults, but no study has yet investigated the relationships between all three in older US adults. This study investigated the relationship between physical function and depressive symptoms by weight status in older US adults. Methods: Cross-sectional data were analysed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey waves 2011 to 2012 and 2013 to 2014. Physical function was assessed using a grip strength dynamometer. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the self-reported Patient Health Questi…
Improving Knowledge of Arterial Resistant Hypertension: What Is Relevant?
2013
Resistant hypertension, also known as refractory hypertension in the literature, is a relatively common disease that is associated with elevated cardiovascular and renal risk. Clinical trials suggest that its prevalence is around 35% in hypertensive patients with a baseline blood pressure (BP) > 160/100 mmHg. However, data obtained from registries or from the physician’s office suggest that its prevalence is around 12%. The recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests a similar prevalence of 12.3% in diagnosed and treated hypertensive patients. An incidence study conducted at Kaiser Permanente Colorado and Kaiser Permanente Northern California followed up more than 200 0…
Nicotine receptors do not modulate the 3H-noradrenaline release from the isolated rat heart evoked by sympathetic nerve stimulation.
1982
Isolated rat hearts with the right sympathetic nerves attached were perfused at a constant flow rate of 7 ml/min with Tyrode's solution. (-)-3H-Noradrenaline (final concentration 10–13.9 nM) was infused for 10 min to label the noradrenaline stores. After wash-out the sympathetic nerves were stimulated electrically (3 Hz, 180 impulses, 1 ms, 20–30 mA) three times (S1–S3) at intervals of 15 min. 3H-Noradrenaline and its metabolites were determined by liquid scintillation counting according to Graefe et al. (1973). Both, nicotine 50 μM and p-aminophenethyltrimethylammonium (PAPETA) 30 μM, enhanced the 3H-noradrenaline overflow in the absence of nerve stimulation. The effect of PAPETA was bipha…
Down-regulation of the expression of endothelial NO synthase is likely to contribute to glucocorticoid-mediated hypertension.
1999
Hypertension is a side effect of systemically administered glucocorticoids, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Ingestion of dexamethasone by rats telemetrically instrumented increased blood pressure progressively over 7 days. Plasma concentrations of Na + and K + and urinary Na + and K + excretion remained constant, excluding a mineralocorticoid-mediated mechanism. Plasma NO 2 − /NO 3 − (the oxidation products of NO) decreased to 40%, and the expression of endothelial NO synthase (NOS III) was found down-regulated in the aorta and several other tissues of glucocorticoid-treated rats. The vasodilator response of resistance arterioles was tested by intravital m…