European journal of medical research
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Prostacyclin (PGI2) causes vasodilation and inhibition of platelet aggregation in vivo. PGI2 is also postulated to affect pulmonary vascular remodeling, at least partly through anti-proliferative effect via PGI2 receptor (PGIR). However, the mechanism(s) of action by which (PGI2) exerts its therapeutic effect is still not clear despite clear clinical benefit seen in severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients. ⋯ Morphometry did not reveal any significant difference between the two groups either in the % thickness of intima, media, or adventitia or in the density of plexiform lesions. Immunostain also failed to demonstrate any notable difference in PGIR expression. In conclusion, PGI2-treated cases revealed more pronounced pulmonary alveolar edema and inflammation, but no morphological evidence of altered vascular remodeling or PGIR expression after PGI2 therapy.
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Oxytocin is one of the most potent uterotonic agents and is known to fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, showing an increase during sexual stimulation and arousal, with a peak during orgasm in women. To date, limited data are available on the effects of oxytocin on the regulation of uterine contractility and transport mechanisms in human reproduction. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of oxytocin on uterine contractility and peristalsis in estrogen-primed non-pregnant uteri. ⋯ While after estrogen perfusion oxytocin produced a significant increase in intrauterine pressure in the isthmus uteri compared to the corpus uteri, and 80% of the peristaltic waves started in the isthmus uteri, moving in the direction of the corpus uteri. This observation strengthens the view that oxytocin is able to support directed transport mechanism in the female genital tract only in the presence of estrogens. The biological role of oxytocin increase during sexual stimulation and arousal with a peak during orgasm for the mechanisms of reproduction may be to stimulate directed uterine transport mechanisms in the presence of estrogens.
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Since many years in adults associations between dyslipidaemia, increased insulin resistance, arterial hypertension and the risk for cardiovascular diseases have been recognized. It was the aim of the present trial to investigate these associations and interactions between height, weight, body-mass index and blood pressure values in overweight/obese and normal weight children and adolescents. ⋯ Overweight and obesity in childhood are highly associated with multiple comorbidities, elevated blood pressure values, dyslipidaemia, reduced insulin sensitivity and alterations of large and minor vessels. Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents should not longer be regarded as variations of normality, but as diseases with an extremely high risk for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in adulthood. Knowledge of these complex associations implicate even in young age the need for intervention.
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To assess the diagnostic value of whole-body positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the fusion of PET and CT (PET/CT) and PET and MRI (PET/MRI) in the detection of metastatic disease of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors. ⋯ PET as single modality revealed the most lymph node and osseous metastases. MRI as single modality revealed the most liver metastases. The combination of molecular/metabolic with anatomical/ morphological information improves the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of metastases in comparison to the single modalities. Whole-body PET/MRI is a very promising diagnostic modality for oncological imaging due to the missing radiation exposure and the high soft tissue resolution of MRI in contrast to CT.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Efficacy and tolerability of a spray with Salvia officinalis in the treatment of acute pharyngitis - a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with adaptive design and interim analysis.
This randomised, double-blind, parallel group phase II/III study with adaptive two-stage design and interim analysis compared the efficacy and tolerability of spray (containing a Salvia officinalis fluid extract) against placebo in the treatment of patients with acute viral pharyngitis. - ⋯ The efficacy and tolerability profile of a 15 % sage spray indicated that this preparation provides a convenient and safe treatment for patients with acute pharyngitis. A symptomatic relief occurred within the first two hours after first administration and was statistically significantly superior to placebo.