Straining mode-dependent collagen remodeling in engineered cardiovascular tissue

Similar to native cardiovascular tissues, the mechanical properties of engineered cardiovascular constructs depend on the composition and quality of the extracellular matrix, which is a net result of matrix remodeling processes within the tissue. To improve tissue remodeling, and hence tissue mechanical properties, various mechanical...

Testicular microlithiasis in a 2-year-old boy with pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Pseudoxantoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare chromosomal disorder that results in mineralization of elastic fibers, especially in the skin, eye, and cardiovascular system. Recently, PXE has been associated with testicular microlithiasis (TM),1 which itself might be associated with testicular malignancy.2 Here we report on a 9-year-old boy with PXE...

The role of collagen cross-links in biomechanical behavior of human aortic heart valve leaflets - Relevance for tissue engineering

A major challenge in tissue engineering of functional heart valves is to determine and mimic the dominant tissue structures that regulate heart valve function and in vivo survival. In native heart valves, the anisotropic matrix architecture assures sustained and adequate functioning under high-pressure conditions. Collagen, being the main load...

A hepatocyte nuclear factor-3 site in the fibrinogen beta promoter is important for interleukin 6-induced expression, and its activity is influenced by the adjacent -148C/T polymorphism

An elevated plasma fibrinogen level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, an understanding of the regulation of fibrinogen expression is important. Inflammation and genetic variation of the fibrinogen beta gene regulate plasma fibrinogen levels, and there are indications that inflammation and genetic variation...

Sublingual nitroglycerin used in routine tilt testing provokes a cardiac output-mediated vasovagal response

Objectives We set out to determine the effect of sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG), as used during routine tilt testing in patients with unexplained syncope, on hemodynamic characteristics and baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Background Nitroglycerin is used in tilt testing to elicit a vasovagal response...

The Need for Cooperation in Cereal Research

The trends and needs in cereal research as discussed in 2003 AACC annual meeting are presented. The seminar identified the need of feeding a growing world population with less arable land and under more adverse agronomic conditions. An urgent need of eliminating mycotoxins and coeliac diseases to ensure safety and health of the consumers was...

Low efficacy adenosine A1 agonists inhibit striatal acetylcholine release in rats improving central selectivity of action

The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) and its low efficacy derivatives 2′-deoxy-CPA (2DCPA), 3′-deoxy-CPA (3DCPA), 8-ethylamino-CPA (8ECPA) and 8-butylamino-CPA (8BCPA) on the release of acetylcholine (ACh) using intrastriatal microdialysis. These low...

Physiological workload reactions to increasing levels of task difficulty

The sensitivity of physiological measures to mental workload has been investigated in a flight simulator. Twelve pilots had to fly through a tunnel with different levels of difficulty. Additionally, they had to perform a memory task with four levels of difficulty. The easiest memory task was combined with the easiest tunnel task and the most...

Cardiovascular instability and baroreflex activity in a patient with tetanus

In a patient with tetanus we tested the hypothesis that the hyperadrenergic cardiovascular instability might be due to impairment of the baroreceptor reflex by the tetanus toxin. Baroreflex sensitivity assessed with the phenylephrine method was found to be normal. Changes in arterial pressure correlated inversely with relative changes in plasma...

Pressure-diameter relationships of segments of human finger arteries

Pressure-diameter relationships of segments of human finger arteries, aged 57-85 years, were measured in vitro. The arteries, obtained at autopsy within 48 h after death, were stored in glucose-free Tyrode at 4 degrees C. Experiments began within 40 h after autopsy. The diameter responses to various transmural pressure changes, with and without...

PAF-acether-induced release of tissue-type plasminogen activator from vessel walls

Platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether; 1-O-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine) induced the release of plasminogen activator in rat, both in vivo and in perfused hind legs. The released plasminogen activator was shown by immunologic and functional criteria to be tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Release of t-PA by PAF...

Response of fibrinolytic activity and factor VIII-related antigen to stimulation with desmopressin in hyperlipoproteinemia

Impairment of fibrinolysis is supposed to contribute to CVD. In 38 hyperlipoproteinemic patients, known to be at risk for early CVD, fibrinolytic activity was measured before and after stimulation with DDAVP. A negative correlation was found between serum triglyceride levels and fibrinolytic activity, both before and after DDAVP. A subnormal...

Changes in local cerebral blood flow, local EEG, and flow in the distal stump of the middle cerebral artery in cats with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery

The local EEG, the local cerebral blood flow (lCBF), and the flow in the distal stump of the occluded middle cerebral artery were simultaneously recorded in 28 acute experiments in cats. Nembutal anesthesia was used eleven times, and Halothane anaesthesia 17 times. The recordings were made via platinum electrodes: 12 in the ischaemic hemisphere,...