HT Group Research Articles

PTU-015 Comparative Study Of Hybrid Technique (ht) Versus Fluoroscopic Technique (ft) For Insertion Of Self Expanding Metallic Stents (sems) In Non Traversable Oesophageal Tumours

IntroductionSEMS is an accepted palliation for dysphagia in patients with oesophageal cancer. Endoscopic technique (ET) for SEMS insertion has previously been shown to be safe, effective, less time consuming with...

Reactive oxygen species play a role in muscle wasting during thyrotoxicosis.

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in muscle protein hydrolysis and protein oxidation in thyrotoxicosis has not been explored. This study indicates that ROS play a role in skeletal muscle wasting pathways in thyrotoxicosis. Two experimental groups (rats) were treated for 5days with either 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (HT) or HT with α-tocopherol (HT + αT). Two controls were used, vehicle (Control) and control treated with αT (Control + αT). Serum T3, peritoneal fat, serum glycerol, muscle and body weight, temperature, mitochondrial metabolism (cytochrome c oxidase activity), oxidative stress parameters and proteolytic activities were examined. High body temperature induced by HT returned to normal when animals were treated with αT, although total body and muscle weight did not. An increase in lipolysis was observed in the HT + αT group, as peritoneal fat decreased significantly together with an increase in serum glycerol. GSH, GSSG and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) decreased and catalase activity increased in the HT group. The glutathione redox ratio was higher in HT + αT than in both HT and Control + αT groups. Carbonyl proteins, AOPP, mitochondrial and chymotrypsin-like proteolytic activities were higher in the HT group than in the Control. HT treatment with αT restored mitochondrial metabolism, TRAP, carbonyl protein, chymotrypsin-like activity and AOPP to the level as that of the Control + αT. Calpain activity was lower in the HT + αT group than in HT and Control + αT and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in the HT + αT group than in the Control + αT. Although αT did not reverse muscle loss, ROS was involved in proteolysis to some degree.

Pure tone audiometry and otoacoustic emissions in hypertensive subjects

Pure tone audiometry and otoacoustic emissions in hypertensive subjects

Validation of a neuropathology score using quantitative methods to evaluate brain injury in a pig model of hypoxia ischaemia.

Neuropathological examination is the classic outcome measure in experimental studies of newborn brain injury to evaluate novel therapies. We have used a graded neuropathology score in an established global model of perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) injury. We wished to validate the score using cell counting in our model. 32 newborn pigs underwent a 45 min global HI insult then maintained at normothermia (NT, rectal temperature, Trectal 38.5 °C) for 72 h or mild total body hypothermia (HT, Trectal 37.0 °C) combined with selective head cooling for 48 h and subsequently maintained at NT for 24h before brain perfusion fixation. A perinatal pathologist scored haematoxylin and eosin stained 6 μm histological sections for injury in the hippocampus and basal ganglia on a 9-step scale (0.0=no injury, 4.0=>75% injury). We counted the number of healthy neurons in the hippocampus CA1 region and putamen using morphological criteria in eight random, non-overlapping fields from representative sections. Healthy neuronal cell density correlated with neuropathology score in the hippocampus CA1 (r = -0.74) and in the putamen (r = -0.75) and both measures detected a difference between groups. The correlation coefficients were better for the NT compared to the HT group in both the hippocampus (r = -0.87 vs. -0.53) and putamen (r = -0.77 vs. -0.54). We have validated a histological neuropathological scoring system in our model of perinatal HI by showing correlation between neuronal cell count and estimated injury. Our neuropathology score is a valid method to assess brain injury with good reproducibility and sensitivity.

An In Vitro Comparison of the Shear Bond Strengths of Two Different Gingiva‐Colored Materials Bonded to Commercially Pure Titanium and Acrylic Artificial Teeth

The purpose of this study was to compare shear bond strengths between two different gingiva-colored materials bonded to titanium alloy discs and acrylic resin artificial teeth. For the first part of this study, 30 titanium alloy disc specimens were embedded in autopolymerizing resin. These discs were then divided randomly into two groups: Heat Cure (HT(1) ) and Pink Composite (CT(1) ). The discs were sandblasted with 100 μm aluminum oxide particles. For the HT(1) group using silicone molds, a wax-up was performed. After the wax removal step, heat-cured acrylic resin was applied and processed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For the CT(1) group using silicone molds, metal primer II and gum opaque were applied and light cured; pink composite was then applied and light cured. For the second part of the study, 30 artificial resin first molar teeth were completely embedded in autopolymerizing resin. Teeth were then divided randomly into two groups: Heat Cure (HT(2) ) and Pink Composite (CT(2) ). For the HT(2) group using silicone molds, wax-up was performed. Specimens were then transferred to be processed in the heat-cured acrylic resin according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For the CT(2) group using silicone molds, composite primer followed by pink composite were applied and light cured. Shear bond tests were performed using an Instron 3345 universal testing machine. The shear load at the point of failure was recorded in Newtons. The force was calculated in MPa by calculating the failure load divided by the surface area. Two independent-samples t-tests were performed. A significance level of p < 0.05 was used for comparison. This study revealed that the difference in the shear bond strengths of two different gingiva-colored materials bonded to titanium discs was statistically significant (p = 0.012). The difference in the shear bond strengths of two different gingival-colored materials bonded to acrylic teeth was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In this in vitro study, heat-cured acrylic resins exhibited higher bonding strengths when bonded to titanium discs or acrylic artificial teeth in comparison to pink composite resins.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Retropharyngeal Hematoma After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Retrospective review of prospective database. To investigate risk factors involved in the development of anterior cervical hematomas and determine any impact on patient outcomes. Postoperative (PO) hematomas after anterior cervical spine surgery require urgent recognition and treatment to avoid catastrophic patient morbidity or death. Current studies of PO hematomas are limited. Cervical spine surgical procedures performed on adults by the senior author at a single academic institution from 1995 to 2012 were evaluated. Demographic data, surgical history, operative data, complications, and neck disability index (NDI) scores were recorded prospectively. Cases complicated by PO hematoma were reviewed, and time until hematoma development and surgical evacuation were determined. Patients who developed a hematoma (HT group) were compared with those that did not (no-HT group) to identify risk factors. NDI outcomes were compared at early (<11 mo) and late (>11 mo) time points. There were 2375 anterior cervical spine surgical procedures performed with 17 occurrences (0.7%) of PO hematoma. In 11 patients (65%) the hematoma occurred within 24 hours PO, whereas 6 patients (35%) presented at an average of 6 days postoperatively. All underwent hematoma evacuation, with 2 patients (12%) requiring emergent cricothyroidotomy. Risk factors for hematoma were found to be (1) the presence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (relative risk = 13.2, 95% confidence interval = 3.2-54.4), (2) presence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (relative risk = 6.8, 95% confidence interval = 2.3-20.6), (3) therapeutic heparin use (relative risk 148.8, 95% confidence interval = 91.3-242.5), (4) longer operative time, and (5) greater number of surgical levels. The occurrence of a PO hematoma was not found to have a significant impact on either early (HT: 30, no-HT: 28; P = 0.86) or late average NDI scores (HT: 28, no-HT 31; P = 0.76). With fast recognition and treatment, no long-term detriment from PO anterior cervical hematoma was found. We identified risk factors to be (1) presence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, (2) presence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, (3) therapeutic heparin use, (4) longer operative time, and (5) greater number of surgical levels. 4.

Estrogen treatment does not reduce fractures?

Estrogen treatment does not reduce fractures?

Effects of mild hypothermia on the ROS and expression of caspase-3 mRNA and LC3 of hippocampus nerve cells in rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Cardiac arrest (CA) is a common and serious event in emergency medicine. Despite recent improvements in resuscitation techniques, the survival rate of patients with CA is unchanged. The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of mild hypothermia (MH) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the effect of neurological function and related mechanisms. Sixty-five healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) adult rats were randomly (random number) divided into 2 groups: blank control group (n=5) and CPR group (n=60). CA was induced by asphyxia. The surviving rats were randomly (random number) divided into two groups: normothermia CPR group (NT) and hypothermia CPR group (HT). Normothermia of 37 °C was maintained in the NT group after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hypothermal intervention of 32 °C was carried out in the HT group for 4 hours immediately after ROSC. Both the NT and HT groups were then randomly divided into 2 subgroups 12 hours and 24 hours after ROSC (NT-12, NT-24, HT-12, HT-24 subgroups). During observation, the neurological deficit scores (NDSs) was recorded, then the bilateral hippocampi were obtained from rats' head, and monoplast suspension of fresh hippocampus tissue was made immediately to determine the level of intracellular ROS by flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultramicro changes of cellular nucleus and mitochondria. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of caspase-3 mRNA, and western-blotting (WB) was used to determine the level of LC3 in frozen hippocampus tissue. Measured data were analyzed with paired sample t test and One-Way ANOVA. Of 60 rats with CA, 44 (73%) were successfully resuscitated and 33 (55%) survived until the end of the experiment. The NDSs of rats in the NT and HT groups were more significantly reduced than those in the BC group (F=8.107, P<0.05), whereas the NDSs of rats in the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups were significantly increased in comparison with those NDSs of rats in the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=9.692, P<0.001; t=14.374, P<0.001). The ROS in hippocampus nerve cells in the NT and HT groups significantly increased compared to the BC group (F=16.824, P<0.05), whereas the ROS in the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups significantly reduced compared with that ROS in the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=9.836, P<0.001; t=7.499, P<0.001). The expression of caspase-3 mRNA in hippocampus nerve cells in the NT and HT groups were significantly increased compared to the BC group (F=24.527, P<0.05), whereas the expression of caspase-3 mRNA in rats of the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups was significantly reduced compared to the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=6.935, P<0.001; t=4.317, P<0.001). The expression of LC3B-II/I in hippocampus nerve cells of rats in the NT and HT groups significantly increased compared to the BC group (F=6.584, P<0.05), whereas the expression of LC3B-II/I in rats of the HT-12 and HT-24 subgroups significantly reduced compared to the NT-12 and NT-24 subgroups, respectively (t=10.836, P<0.001; t=2.653, P=0.02). Ultrastructure damage of nucleus and mitochondria in the NT group was more evident than in the BC group, and eumorphism of nucleus and mitochondria were maintained in rats of the HT group compared with the NT group. Mild hypothermia lessened the injury of nerve cells and improved the neurological function of rats that survived from cardiac arrest by reducing the ROS production of nerve cells and inhibiting the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and LC3, leading to cellular apoptosis and massive autophagy in rats that survived from cardiac arrest after CPR.

Comparison of inflammatory markers in non-dipper hypertension vs. dipper hypertension and in normotensive individuals: uric acid, C-reactive protein and red blood cell distribution width readings.

AimIn this study, we investigated the relationship of increased inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein – CRP), oxidative stress markers (serum uric acid – SUA) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with non-dipper hypertension (NDHT).Material and methodsAmong the individuals who presented to the cardiology clinic, 40 patients (32.5% male, 67.5% female; mean age: 54.4 ±7.1) who had hypertension and were diagnosed with NDHT through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, 40 age- and sex-matched dipper hypertension (DHT) patients (25% male, 75% female, mean age: 54.2 ±7.0), and 40 normotensive individuals (42.5% male, 57.5% female, mean age: 51.9 ±9.0) were enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all the patients in order to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters. All the assessed parameters were compared among the groups.ResultsThe CRP, RDW and uric acid levels were observed to be significantly higher in the non-dipper hypertension group in comparison to the dipper hypertension patients and the normotensive population (p < 0.05). These parameters were also significantly higher in the dipper HT group compared to the normotensive population (p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe found in our study that increased CRP, uric acid and RDW levels, which are indicators of increased inflammation and oxidative stress, are significantly higher in the non-dipper HT patients in comparison to the dipper HT patients and control group.

Noninvasive Assessment of Left Atrial Phasic Function in Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes Using Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking and Volumetric Parameters

To evaluate the left atrial phasic function of hypertensive patients with or without coexisting diabetes using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)-based strain and strain rate imaging and volumetric parameters. The study included an isolated hypertension group (HT group) comprising 99 patients, a hypertension and diabetes group (HT + DM group) comprising 65 patients, and 26 age-matched healthy controls. The 2DSTE-based strain and strain rate images were studied, and the following parameters were measured: peak left atrial longitudinal strain (LAS-S ), early diastolic (LAS-E ) and late diastolic (LAS-A ) atrial longitudinal strains, and systolic (LASR-S ), early diastolic (LASR-E ) and late diastolic (LASR-A ) strain rates. The LAS-S and LASR-S were lower in the HT group and the HT + DM group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The LAS-E and LASR-E were lower in the HT group (14.9 ± 5.5% and -1.1 ± 0.4/sec, respectively) than in the control group (22.1 ± 8.3% and -1.7 ± 0.6/sec, respectively) (P < 0.001), and they were further depressed in the HT + DM group (12.3 ± 6.3% and -1.0 ± 0.4/sec, respectively) (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in LAS-A or LASR-A among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that HT and DM were independently related to LAS-E and LASR-E . Hypertension can lead to abnormal left atrial reservoir and conduit functions, and coexisting diabetes can further impair conduit function. 2DSTE-derived strain and strain rate imaging are sensitive methods for evaluating left atrial phasic function.

Normobaric hypoxia training causes more weight loss than normoxia training after a 4-week residential camp for obese young adults

Intermittent normobaric hypoxia training, an alternative to altitude training for athletes, may be beneficial to treat overweight and obesity. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether normobaric hypoxia training combined with low-caloric diet has the additive effect on weight loss compared with normoxia training in obese young adults. Twenty-two subjects (age 17-25 years, body mass index >27.5 kg/m(2)) were recruited for a 4-week residential camp of weight loss with low caloric intake, and trained at 60-70% maximal heart rate of aerobics and 40-50% of maximal strength of training. They were randomly assigned to either a normobaric hypoxia (HT, FiO2 = 16.4-14.5 %) or normoxia training group (NT, FiO2 = 21%), and subjects in HT and NT groups experienced weekly 16-h normoxia and 6-h hypoxia or 22-h normoxia training, respectively. Body composition, resting blood pressure (BP) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were determined before and after the intervention. Weight loss was found in HT (-6.9 kg or -7.0%, p < 0.01) and NT groups (-4.3 kg or -4.2%, p < 0.01) significantly, and the former lost more weight than the latter (p < 0.01). Hypoxia training improved systolic BP (-7.6%) and mean BP (-7.1%) significantly (p < 0.05) despite having no effect on baPWV. Four weeks of normobaric hypoxia residential training with low caloric diet has an additive improvement on weight loss. It seems that normobaric hypoxia training might be a promising method to treat obesity.

Use of quadriceps tendon versus hamstring tendon autograft for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comparative analysis of clinical results

This study aims to evaluate midterm clinical results of the use of two autogenous graft types. Between June 2005 and November 2010, clinical data of 44 patients who were operated were retrospectively analyzed. Quadriceps tendon-patellar bone autograft was used for reconstruction surgery in 23 patients (QT-PB group), while quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft was used in 21 patients (HT group). The Tegner's activity scale, Lysholm scoring system, single-leg-hop test and KT-2000 arthrometric measurements were used for data collection. The mean length of follow-up was 37.6 months. Although the mean Lysholm score increased in both groups, excellent results in HT group were two-fold higher compared to QT-PB group. The mean laxity for the operated knee joint was 5.65 mm (3.5 to 8.0 mm) in QT-PB group and 3.67 mm (3.0 to 5.5 mm) in HT group. Head-to-head analysis using KT-2000 arthrometer demonstrated that 12 patients (52.1%) in QT-PB group and two patients (9.6%) in HT group had more than 3 mm of anterior laxity difference. Quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft is superior to central quadriceps tendon-patellar bone in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.

Hypoxic exercise training improves cardiac/muscular hemodynamics and is associated with modulated circulating progenitor cells in sedentary men

BackgroundCirculating progenitor cells (CPCs) improve cardiovascular function and organ perfusion by enhancing the capacities of endothelial repair and neovasculogenesis. This study investigates whether exercise regimens with/without hypoxia affect cardiac and muscular hemodynamics by modulating CPCs and angiogenic factors. MethodsForty sedentary males were randomly divided into hypoxic (HT, n=20) and normoxic (NT, n=20) training groups. The subjects were trained on a bicycle ergometer at 60%VO2max under 15% (HT) or 21% (NT) O2 conditions for 30min daily, five days weekly for five weeks. ResultsAfter the five-week interventions, the HT group exhibited a larger improvement in aerobic capacity than the NT group. Furthermore, the HT regimen (i) enhanced cardiac output (QH) and perfusion (QM)/oxygenation of vastus lateralis during exercise; (ii) increased levels of CD34+/KDR+/CD117+, CD34+/KDR+/CD133+, and CD34+/KDR+/CD31+ cells in blood; (iii) promoted the proliferative capacity of these CPC subsets, and (iv) elevated plasma nitrite/nitrate, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) concentrations. Despite the lack of changes in QH and the number or proliferative capacity of CD34+/KDR+/CD117+ or CD34+/KDR+/CD31+ cells, the NT regimen elevated both QM and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels and suppressed the shedding of endothelial cells (CD34−/KDR+/phosphatidylserine+ cells). ConclusionsThe HT regimen improves cardiac and muscular hemodynamic adaptations, possibly by promoting the mobilization/function of CPCs and the production of angiogenic factors.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Patellar Tendon, Hamstring Tendon and Double-Bundle ACL Reconstructions: Patient-Reported and Clinical Outcomes at a Minimal Two-Year Follow-Up

This prospective, double-blind randomized clinical trial shows no difference in disease-specific quality-of-life outcome at two-years post-op, in patients receiving anatomic patellar tendon, quadruple-stranded hamstring and double-bundle hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction. More traumatic graft injuries occurred in the HT and DB groups, but similar atraumatic graft “failures” between groups.

Lower CD28+ T cell proportions were associated with CMV-seropositivity in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

BackgroundAlterations in the naive T cell subpopulations have been demonstrated in patients with T cell mediated autoimmune disorders, reminiscent of immunological changes found in the elderly during immunosenescence, including the switch from CD45RA + to CD45RO + T cells and decreased thymic function with increased compensatory proliferative mechanisms, partly associated with latent Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The present study was aimed to investigate proportions of lymphocytes, their relation to CMV-seropositivity and the replicative history of CD45RA + expressing T cells in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT, n = 18) and healthy controls (HC, n = 70).MethodsProportions of peripheral T cells were investigated by flow cytometry. The replicative history was assessed by T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and relative telomere length (RTL). Expression of CD62L was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in thyroid sections. The role of CMV was assessed by serology, ELISPOT assay and in situ hybridization.ResultsOur results demonstrated a significant increase of CD28-negative T cells, associated with CMV-seropositivity in HT patients. HT showed abundant CD45RO + T cells with peripheral loss of CD62L-expressing CD8 + CD45RA + T cells, the latter mainly depending on disease duration. CD62L was expressed in thyroid lymphocyte infiltrations. The diagnosis of HT and within the HT group CMV-seropositivity were the main determinants for the loss of CD28 expression. RTL was not different between HC and HT. HT showed significantly lower TRECs in CD4 + CD45RA + T cells compared to HC.ConclusionsPatients with HT display a peripheral T cell phenotype reminiscent of findings in elderly persons or other autoimmune disorders. Whether these mechanisms are primary or secondary to the immunological alterations of autoimmune conditions should be investigated in longitudinal studies which may open research on new therapeutic regimes for treatment of HT and associated autoimmune diseases.

Estimation of individual-specific progression to impending cardiovascular instability using arterial waveforms

Trauma patients with "compensated" internal hemorrhage may not be identified with standard medical monitors until signs of shock appear, at which point it may be difficult or too late to pursue life-saving interventions. We tested the hypothesis that a novel machine-learning model called the compensatory reserve index (CRI) could differentiate tolerance to acute volume loss of individuals well in advance of changes in stroke volume (SV) or standard vital signs. Two hundred one healthy humans underwent progressive lower body negative pressure (LBNP) until the onset of hemodynamic instability (decompensation). Continuously measured photoplethysmogram signals were used to estimate SV and develop a model for estimating CRI. Validation of the CRI was tested on 101 subjects who were classified into two groups: low tolerance (LT; n = 33) and high tolerance (HT; n = 68) to LBNP (mean LBNP time: LT = 16.23 min vs. HT = 25.86 min). On an arbitrary scale of 1 to 0, the LT group CRI reached 0.6 at an average time of 5.27 ± 1.18 (95% confidence interval) min followed by 0.3 at 11.39 ± 1.14 min. In comparison, the HT group reached CRI of 0.6 at 7.62 ± 0.94 min followed by 0.3 at 15.35 ± 1.03 min. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and SV did not differentiate HT from LT groups. Machine modeling of the photoplethysmogram response to reduced central blood volume can accurately trend individual-specific progression to hemodynamic decompensation. These findings foretell early identification of blood loss, anticipating hemodynamic instability, and timely application of life-saving interventions.

Effect of focal mild hypothermia on expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1, Tau-1 and β-APP in rats with cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Primary objective: Following stroke, hypothermia is reported to reduce both cellular and extracellular damage. This study aimed to examine the effects of focal mild hypothermia on proteins associated with both extracellular (matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of MMP-9 (TIMP-1)) and cellular damage (Tau-1 and β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP)) to characterize the protective effects of hypothermia.Methods and procedures: Male Wistar rats received ischaemic damage using a transient, focal ischaemia/reperfusion model. Afterwards, one group (HT) received 6 hours of focal mild hypothermia (33 °C) applied to the head, while another remained at normal temperature (NT). The brains were collected at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after hypothermia to measure infarct volume ratio and to detect cells immunopositive for MMP-9, TIMP-1, Tau-1 and β-APP, while neurological deficits were examined separately after 2 weeks.Main outcomes and results: Focal mild hypothermia had no effect on infarct volume ratio but expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1 Tau-1 and β-APP was decreased. Furthermore, neurological function in the HT group was better than in the NT group.Conclusions: Focal mild hypothermia has protective effects on cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury characterized by decreased expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1, Tau-1 and β-APP, along with improvement of neurological function despite no changes in infarct volume.

Ambulatory arterial stiffness index in children after kidney transplantation

Given the increase in CV morbidity after RTx and the scarcity of CV events in pediatrics, surrogate markers should be assessed to characterize CV damage in this population. AASI is a marker of arterial stiffness in adults, predicting cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity. Our aim was to assess the determinants of AASI in RTx children (n=54, 15.5±3.5yr) and to examine its relationship to central PWV. AASI was calculated from 24 h ABPM. PWV was determined by applanation tonometry, body composition by multifrequency bioimpedance measurement. The dipping state, volume overload, and time on dialysis were the main predictors of AASI (p<0.05). Children with established HT (n=34) had increased AASI, extracellular body water, and BNP (p<0.05). In contrast to AASI, PWV did not differ between HT and normotensive RTx patient groups. There was no correlation between AASI and PWV. PWV was increased in children who spent more than oneyr on dialysis prior to RTx. In conclusion, increased AASI in HT RTx children better characterizes the actual volume- and pressure-dependent arterial rigidity rather than long-term morphological changes in large arteries as reflected by PWV.

Evaluation of Correlation between Aortic Elastic Parameters and Atrial Electromechanical Abnormalities in Hypertensive Patients

Arterial hypertension leads to instability and heterogeneity in atrial conduction by these hemodynamic and morphological changes in heart and aorta. These changes can be evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of aortic elastic parameters and atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) parameters in patients with hypertension. Eighty-one hypertensive patients and 55 control subjects were included in the study. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography for detecting aortic elastic parameters and AEMD parameters. There was no difference between HT and control groups regarding age and gender. Aortic strain (8.1±4.3% vs. 10.3±5.1%, P=0.008) and aortic distensibility (0.35±0.18cm(2) /dyn vs. 0.45±0.23cm(2) /dyn, P=0.003) were decreased in hypertensive patients than in controls. Intra-left AEMD (25.5±7.3 vs. 21.8±9.2 P<0.009) was significantly higher in hypertensive patients compared to control subjects. No statistically significant difference was found in intra-right AEMD and inter-AEMD between the groups. There was a positive significant moderate correlation between aortic strain and intra-left AEMD (r=0.501, P<0.001). This study demonstrated that intra-left AEMD was increased in hypertensive patients and aortic elastic parameters was correlated with intra-left AEMD. These findings may be related to similar structural and functional changes in heart and aorta in hypertension.

Aerobic training and lipid profile of hypothyroid rats

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 17 weeks of swimming exercise on the lipid profile of hypothyroid rats. Method24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: controls submitted to aerobic training (CT); hypothyroid submitted to aerobic training (HT); sedentary controls (SC) and sedentary hypothyroid (SH). HT and SH were induced to hypothyroidism by administering 1 mg of propylthiouracil, while CT and SC animals received distilled water. The animals had unrestricted access to ration and water. Swimming took place five times per week, 60 minutes per session, with overload corresponding to 3% of body weight. At the end of the experiment total cholesterol (C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), triglycerides and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured. ResultsThe main finding of the study was the lower values (p<0.05) obtained for two variables in the HT group (C=74.6±8.7mg/dl and LDL=43.7±6.5mg/dl) compared to the SH group (C=91.3±6.8mg/dl and LDL-C=55.6±2.0mg/dl). ConclusionIt was concluded that swimming exercises can minimize the increase in C and LDL-C blood levels in hypothyroid rats.