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Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) are treatments of choice for coronary artery disease. Quality of life (QoL) is an important factor in determining optimum treatment. This study was aimed to compare changes in QoL, six months post procedure, between CABG and PTCA, and to understand the confounding effect of various contributing factors. Thirty stable angina patients each in CABG and PTCA groups, were followed up for six months. QoL was assessed with WHO-QoL-BREF. Depression was rated on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Changes in QoL and depression within and between CABG and PTCA groups were compared. Multinomial logistic regression was used to measure the predictive strength of treatment type (CABG and PTCA) on QoL, controlling for significant confounders. Although scores of QoL and depression significantly changed over time in both the groups, time×group interaction did not reach to a significance. Significant confounding effects of diabetes (P less then 0.01), hypertension (P less then 0.05) and diet restriction (P less then 0.05) were found. Controlling for confounding effects of these factors, group distribution to PTCA, compared to CABG, significantly predicted greater improvements in QoL (P less then 0.01).Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced bone loss is the most prevalent form of secondary osteoporosis. Previous studies demonstrated that long-term incubation of dexamethasone (DEX) induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions, consequently leading to apoptosis of differentiated osteoblasts. This DEX-induced cell death might be the main causes of bone loss. We previously described that DEX induced biphasic mitochondrial alternations. As GC affects mitochondrial physiology through several different possible routes, the short-term and long-term effects of GC treatment on mitochondria in the osteoblast have not been carefully characterized. Here, we examined the expression levels of genes that are associated with mitochondrial functions at several different time points after incubation with DEX. Mitochondrial biogenesis-mediated genes nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1) and Nrf2 were upregulated after 4-h incubation, and then declined after 24-h incubation, suggesting that mitochondrial biogenesis were transiently upregulated by DEX. In contrast, mitochondrial fusion gene optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) started to be elevated as the biogenesis started to decrease. Finally, the mitochondrial fission increased and apoptosis becomes prominent. Agree with the mitochondrial biphasic alterations hypothesis, the results suggested an early increase of mitochondrial activities and biogenesis upon DEX stimulation to the osteoblasts. The oxidative phosphorylation and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels increased results in oxidative stress accumulation, leading to mitochondrial fusion, and subsequently fission and triggering the apoptosis. Our results indicated that the primary effects of GC on mitochondria are promoting their functions and biogenesis. Mitochondrial breakdown and the activation of the apoptotic pathways appeared to be the secondary effect after long-term treatment.

Heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is most commonly due to heterozygous mutations of the

gene. Based on expert consensus, guidelines recommend annual screening echocardiography in asymptomatic

mutation carriers. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate characteristics of asymptomatic

mutation carriers, assess their risk of occurrence of PAH, and detect PAH at an early stage in this high-risk population.

Asymptomatic

mutation carriers underwent screening at baseline and annually for a minimum of 2 years (DELPHI-2 study, NCT01600898). Annual screening included clinical assessment, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk distance, cardiopulmonary exercise test, chest X-ray, echocardiography, and NT pro-BNP level. Right heart catheterisation (RHC) was performed based on predefined criteria. An optional RHC at rest and exercise was proposed at baseline.

Fifty-five subjects (26 males, median age 37 years) were included. At baseline, no PAH was suspected based on echocardiography and NT pro-BNP levels. selleck kinase inhibitor All subjects accepted RHC at inclusion, which identified two mild PAH cases (3·6%), and 12 subjects with exercise pulmonary hypertension (21·8%). At long term follow-up (118·8 patients.year follow-up), three additional cases were diagnosed, yielding a PAH incidence of 2·3%/year (0·99%/year in men and 3·5%/year in women). All PAH cases have remained at low-risk status on oral therapy at last follow-up.

Asymptomatic

mutation carriers have a significant risk of developing incident PAH. International multicenter studies are needed to confirm that refined multimodal screening programs with regular follow-up allow early detection of PAH.

Asymptomatic BMPR2 mutation carriers have a significant risk of developing incident PAH. International multicenter studies are needed to confirm that refined multimodal screening programs with regular follow-up allow early detection of PAH.

Spinal cord injury (SCI), often characterized by sensory-motor dysfunction, is a major debilitating disorder of the central nervous system. As no useful treatment for post-SCI complications has been approved thus far, finding novel treatments is of great importance.

Considering the promising effects of melatonin (MEL) against destructive mechanisms in other models of brain damage, in the current study we evaluated its ameliorative effects on sensory-motor outcomes, inflammatory mediators, histological changes and other post-SCI complications.

Rats, in SCI and MEL groups, underwent laminectomy followed by a severe compression injury by an aneurysm clip. Then, intrathecal treatment with vehicle (5% dimethyl sulfoxide) or MEL was carried out post-injury. Acetone drop, von Frey, inclined plane, and BBB tests as well as weight changes and auricle temperature, were used to evaluate the neuropathic pain, motor function, and other post-SCI complications. The effects of MEL on the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assessed using gelatin zymography method every week till day 28 post-SCI.