Frontiers in physiology
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Frontiers in physiology · Jan 2019
Ischemia-Modified Albumin, a Novel Predictive Marker of In-Hospital Mortality in Acute Aortic Dissection Patients.
This work explored the prognostic prediction capabilities of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in patients suffering from acute aortic dissection (AAD). ⋯ Admission IMA was an independent forecastor for in-hospital mortality among people suffering from AAD.
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Frontiers in physiology · Jan 2019
Microcirculation After Trochanteric Femur Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study Using Non-invasive Laser-Doppler Spectrophotometry.
Proximal femur fractures represent a major healthcare problem in the aging society. High rates of post-operative infections are linked to risk factors that seem to affect local microcirculation. Patterns and time courses of alterations in microcirculation have, however, not been previously investigated. ⋯ Comparison of implants indicated the minimally invasive implant PCCP altered microcirculation less than the DHS or the Gamma3 nail. Overall, the proximal femur fracture alone did not alter local skin microcirculation significantly in a way comparable to the effect caused by surgery. In conclusion, microcirculation after proximal femur fractures is highly affected by surgery, gender, smoking, diabetes, age and implant in ways specified in this study.
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Frontiers in physiology · Jan 2019
Plasma Heme Scavengers Alpha-1-Microglobulin and Hemopexin as Biomarkers in High-Risk Pregnancies.
Women with established preeclampsia (PE) have increased plasma concentration of free fetal hemoglobin. We measured two hemoglobin scavenger system proteins, hemopexin (Hpx) and alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) in maternal plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during the late second trimester of pregnancy in women with high and low risk of developing PE. ⋯ Women with severe PE had higher plasma A1M levels compared to women with non-severe PE. In conclusion, the concentration of plasma A1M is increased in the late second trimester in high-risk controls, suggesting activation of endogenous protective system against oxidative stress.
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Frontiers in physiology · Jan 2019
Protective Effect of Ursolic Acid on the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in a Rat Model of Liver Fibrosis.
Oxidative stress mediated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) plays an important role in intestinal mucosal barrier damage in various disease states. Recent evidence suggests that intestinal mucosal barrier damage and intestinal dysbiosis occur in mice with hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 or bile duct ligation. Another study showed that ursolic acid (UA) attenuates experimental colitis via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. ⋯ Furthermore, our results suggested that UA improved intestinal dysbiosis and the expression of the tight junction proteins Claudin 1 and Occludin in the ileum of rats. These results indicate that UA has protective effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting intestinal NOX-mediated oxidative stress. Our findings may provide a basis for further clinical studies of UA as a novel and adjuvant treatment to cure liver fibrosis.
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Frontiers in physiology · Jan 2019
Influence of Left Bundle Branch Block on the Electrocardiographic Changes Induced by Acute Coronary Artery Occlusion of Distinct Location and Duration.
Background: Electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnosis of acute myocardial ischemia is hampered in the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB). Objectives: We analyzed the influence of location and duration of myocardial ischemia on the ECG changes in pigs with LBBB. Methods: LBBB was acutely induced in 14 closed chest anesthetized pigs by local electrical ablation. ⋯ Three hours after coronary occlusion, ST segment changes declined progressively and only the LAD occlusion could be reliably recognized. Conclusion: LBBB did not mask the ECG recognition of the occluded coronary artery during the first 60 min of ischemia, but 3 h later only the LAD occlusion could be reliably identified. ST elevation in leads V7 to V9 is specific of LCX occlusion and it could be useful in the diagnosis of acute myocardial ischemia in the presence of LBBB.