Fibrinolytic variables and cardiovascular prognosis in patients with stable angina pectoris treated with verapamil or metoprolol. Results from the Angina Prognosis study in Stockholm

BACKGROUND: Disturbed fibrinolytic function may influence the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and contribute to thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Angina Prognosis Study in Stockholm (APSIS), patients with stable angina pectoris were studied prospectively during double-blind treatment with metoprolol or verapamil. Various measures of fibrinolytic function were studied in 631 (of 809) patients. During a median follow-up time of 3.2 years (2132 patient-years), 32 patients suffered a CV death, 21 had a nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and 77 underwent revascularization. Plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) activity and antigen (ag), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) activity at test, and TPA responses to exercise were determined at baseline and after 1 month's treatment and were related to subsequent fatal and nonfatal CV events. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that elevated levels of TPA-ag at rest (P < .05), high PAI-1 activity (P < .05), and low TPA-ag responses to exercise (P < .05) were associated with increased risk of subsequent CV death. After adjustment for baseline risk factors, TPA-ag independently predicted CV death or MI. In addition, PAI-1 activity independently predicted CV death or MI in male patients. Verapamil treatment was associated with a 10% decrease of TPA-ag levels and metoprolol treatment with a 2% increase (P < .001 for treatment difference). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma TPA-ag levels at rest, and among male patients PAI-1 activity as well, independently predict subsequent CV death or MI in patients with stable angina pectoris.     

Hepatic vein thrombosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties

Budd Chiari syndrome (liver vein thrombosis) may be a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. On the basis of four different cases we review the major diagnostic and therapeutic principles involved. Imaging techniques are necessary in order to establish the diagnosis. Ultrasound examination with Duplex doppler is usually sufficient, but MR angiography is also useful. Treatment options are thrombolysis, surgery or liver transplantation. What treatment is selected will depend on the clinical situation and the prognosis.     

Mathematical modelling of surface segregation in aluminum DC casting caused by exudation

A mathematical model for the development of a segregated layer of exudated droplets during DC casting of aluminum ingots is established. The model accounts for the metallostatic pressure driven interdendritic melt flow through the mushy zone by a Darcy type equation, the surface segregation due to this melt flow, and the decrease of the total solute concentration in different positions of the mush as a result of the exudation. The solution domain for the governing differential equations is constituted by the mushy zone of the cast. The main physical phenomena included in the model have been studied in a simple one dimensional case study.     

A new boundary-layer wind tunnel at the Danish Maritime Institute

The paper describes a new boundary-layer wind tunnel at the Danish Maritime Institute in Lyngby. The wind tunnel is of the open-circuit type and is integrated into a building raised for the purpose. The design was constrained by the need to provide a simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer (without thermal stratification) and alternatively a uniform flow without excessive turbulence.The wind tunnel has a working section of principal dimensions: length 20.8 m, width 2.6 m and height 1.8 m (adjustable from 1.8 to 2.3 m). The maximum wind speed in the working section when empty is about 26 m s^?1.Data acquisition, analysis and instrumentation in relation to the new wind tunnel are discussed and, finally, an example of a simulated natural wind is presented.     

On the off-design of a natural gas-fired combined cycle with CO2 capture

During the last 15 years cycles with CO₂ capture have been in focus, due to the growing concern over our climate. Often, a natural gas fired combined cycle with a chemical absorption plant for CO₂ capture from the flue gases have been used as a reference in comparisons between cycles. Neither the integration of the steam production for regeneration of amines in the combined cycle nor the off-design behaviour of such a plant has been extensively studied before.     

Static and Dynamic Spins in Superconducting La2−x Sr x CuO4: The Risø Years

One important area of modern condensed matter research is the investigation of the nature of the superconducting cuprates. Much progress in this field has been obtained with the technique of neutron scattering. We here present a review of neutron scattering studies of the high-temperature superconductor La_2?xSr_xCuO₄, performed at Risø National Laboratory. We review the work on the mapping of the incommensurate spin fluctuations, the investigation of the gap in the fluctuation spectrum, the magnetic properties of the vortices appearing in an applied field, and the quantum critical behaviour of the system. We discuss our findings in the light of results of neutron scattering from other groups, on other cuprate systems, and results from other experimental methods, e.g. NMR, μSR, STM, X-ray diffraction, and ARPES. We end with a discussion on the implications of the experimental results for the progress in the general understanding of high-temperature superconductivity. PACS numbers: 61.12.Ex, 74.20.Mn, 74.72.Dn, 75.25.+z, 78.70.Nx.     

Les qualités psychométriques de l'échelle de comportements d'adaptation Loranger-Pépin.

Presents results of 3 studies on the psychometric properties of the LP-ABC (M. Loranger and M. Pépin, 1993), a French-language instrument for assessing general functioning in adults with mental retardation. The studies involved a total of 299 male and female Canadian adults with mental retardation. Results confirm the internal consistency, construct validity, criterion validity, discriminant validity, interrater reliability, and test–retest reliability of the LP-ABC. (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mechanical Properties of Large Arteries in Mother and Fetus during Normal and Diabetic Pregnancy

Cardiodilatin (CDD)/atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a 28-amino acid peptide hormone known to be synthesized in the heart of a large number of different vertebrates. It plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and natriuresis/diuresis. Since the cardiovascular system of the horse has to meet the highest requirements concerning its physiological performance, we intended to characterize the cardiodilatin/atrial natriuretic peptide system of this species. By means of immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy, we precisely identified auricular cardiocytes as the loci of CDD/ANP synthesis. Using aortic smooth muscle relaxation assay and CDD/ANP-ELISA, we succeeded in isolating the biologically active prohormone. We subsequently cloned the equine cDNA of the CDD/ANP precursor protein and deduced its primary sequence. The entire precursor protein is in good agreement with the CDD/ANP prohormones of other mammals. The deduced theoretical average Mr of equine CDD/ANP-1-126 is 13,764, corresponding to the molecular weight of purified peptide determined by ESI-MS. Our findings suggest that equine CDD/ANP is produced in auricular cardiocytes and the predominant storage form of CDD/ANP in the auricle is the prohormone CDD/ANP-1-126.     

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