Normal gestation is associated with a hyperdynamic adaptive state. The circulatory changes represent an additional burden on the cardiovascular system of women with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). Life-threatening complications can occur in pregnant women with severe MS. We successfully performed percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PMV) in eight pregnant patients (mean age 28 +/- 6.9 years, range 21-38 years). Pregnancy mean age was 24.6 +/- 6.5 weeks. Five patients were in NYHA functional class III and three patients were in class IV. Emergency PMV seemed to be life saving to both mother and foetus in one case. All patients but one had pliable valves. PMV was achieved using the double balloon transseptal technique. To protect the foetus from radiation, the patient's pelvic-abdominal area was shielded and left ventriculography was not performed. The total mean time of PMV was 72 +/- 19 min and that of fluoroscopy was 16.6 +/- 7.8 min. Gorlin's mitral valve area increased from 0.83 +/- 0.15 to 2.4 +/- 0.34 cm2 and the cardiac index from 3.1 +/- 0.77 to 4.2 +/- 0.79 l.min-1.m-2. Left atrium pressure decreased from 29 +/- 10 to 14 +/- 5 mmHg and mitral valve gradient from 21 +/- 7 to 6 +/- 3 mmHg. There were no complications or residual MS. At a mean follow-up of 13.2 +/- 9.4 months, all patients were in NYHA class I and had a normal course of pregnancy. The eight women delivered healthy full-term babies. At 1-25 months post-partum follow-up, the eight infants had shown normal growth and development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) 相似文献
The plasma membrane of Neurospora crassa contains an electrogenic H+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.35), for which we have isolated and sequenced both genomic and cDNA clones. The ATPase gene is interrupted by four small introns (58-124 base pairs). It encodes a protein of 920 amino acids (Mr, 99,886) possessing as many as eight transmembrane segments. The Neurospora ATPase shows significant amino acid sequence homology with the Na+,K+- and Ca2+-transporting ATPases of animal cells, particularly in regions that appear to be involved in ATP binding and hydrolysis. 相似文献
Redox‐active polymers became the focus of attention in the field of organic electronics during the last decade. Quinoide systems are intensively studied in this field. Although benzoquinones are generally known as radical scavengers, certain monomers can be polymerized by radical polymerization techniques. For this purpose, methacrylate functionalities are attached to the redox‐active quinone moiety. A free‐radical polymerization technique is applied utilizing AIBN as initiator. The molar mass can be adjusted by the choice of an appropriate solvent system. Electrochemical investigations of these new monomers and polymers, in particular cyclic voltammetry, are performed in aqueous and non‐aqueous electrolytes in the dissolved and solid states, showing the potential usefulness of the system for applications in organic radical batteries.
BackgroundElevated levels of total plasma homocysteine are a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease.AimsThe rationale behind this study is to explore the correlation between degree and site of coronary lesion and hyperhomocysteinemia in Lebanese CAD patients and assess environmental and genetic factors for elevated levels of total plasma homocysteine.MethodsA total of 2644 patients were analyzed for traditional CAD risk factors. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association of hyperhomocysteinemia with degree and site of coronary lesions controlling for risk factors. Environmental and genetic factors for hyperhomocysteinemia were analyzed by logistic regression using a candidate gene approach.ResultsTraditional risk factors were correlated with stenosis. Hyperhomocysteinemia associated with increased risk of overall stenosis, and risk of mild and severe occlusion in major arteries. Hyperhomocysteinemia and hypertension were highly correlated suggesting that hyperhomocysteinemia acts as a hypertensive agent leading to CAD. Diuretics and genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR and SLCO1B1 were associated with hyperhomocysteinemia.ConclusionsHyperhomocysteinemia is a medical indicator of specific vessel stenosis in the Lebanese population. Hypertension is a major link between hyperhomocysteinemia and CAD occurrence. Genetic polymorphisms and diuretics’ intake explain partly elevated homocysteine levels. This study has important implications in CAD risk prediction. 相似文献
In recent years it has become evident that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) action in the nucleus is highly dynamic, characterized by a rapid exchange at the chromatin template. This stochastic mode of GR action couples perfectly with a deterministic pulsatile availability of endogenous ligand in vivo. The endogenous glucocorticoid hormone (cortisol in man and corticosterone in rodent) is secreted from the adrenal gland with an ultradian rhythm made up of pulses at approximately hourly intervals. These two components - the rapidly fluctuating ligand and the rapidly exchanging receptor - appear to have evolved to establish and maintain a system that is exquisitely responsive to the physiological demands of the organism. In this review, we discuss recent and innovative work that questions the idea of steady state, static hormone receptor responses, and replaces them with new concepts of stochastic mechanisms and oscillatory activity essential for optimal function in molecular and cellular systems. 相似文献