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MicroRNAs (miRNA) are important regulators of oocyte maturation, playing a key role in modulating gene expression both in a temporal- and spatial-specific manner. These small non-coding RNAs are involved in important processes during oocyte maturation, acting as messengers between the oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells. Despite its significance, the bidirectional communication mechanism is still unknown. To test miRNA communication between oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells through the gap junctions the gap junctions were either blocked with carbenoxolone or not. MiRNA sequencing of oocytes at 1, 6, and 22 h of in vitro maturation was then performed. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, bta-miR-21-5p, a regulator of cumulus cell viability and oocyte maturation, was the only previously known miRNA. Furthermore, by labeling a bta-miR-21-5p mimic with FAM, crossing of this miRNA through the gap junctions within the cumulus-oocyte complex could be visualized and internalization in the oocyte was confirmed by RT-qPCR. In conclusion, this study provides, for the first time, evidence that miRNA communication within the bovine cumulus-oocyte complex is enabled through the gap junctional network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To propose an objective approach in order to determine the number of beds required for a hospital department by considering how recruitment fluctuates over time. To compare this approach with classical bed capacity planning techniques.Methods: A simulated data-based evaluation of the impact that the variability in hospital department activity produces upon the performance of methods used for determining the number of beds required. The evaluation criteria included productive efficiency measured by the bed occupancy rate, accessibility measured by the transfer rate of patients due to lack of available beds and a proxy of clinical effectiveness, by the proportion of days during which there is no possibility for unscheduled admission.Results: When the variability of the number of daily patients increases, the Target Occupancy Rate favors productive efficiency at the expense of accessibility and proxy clinical effectiveness. On the contrary, when the variability of the department activity is marginal, the Target Activity Rate penalizes the proxy of clinical effectiveness, and the Target Occupancy Rate underoptimizes productive efficiency. The method we propose led to a superior performance in terms of accessibility and proxy of clinical effectiveness at the expense of productive efficiency. Such a situation is suitable for intensive care units. In the case of other departments, a weighting procedure should be used to improve productive efficiency.Conclusions: This approach could be considered as the first step of a family of methods for quantitative healthcare planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To assess if dopaminergic control of aldosterone secretion is mediated by the renin-angiotensin system, the effect of chronic angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition by enalapril on the aldosterone response to metoclopramide has been studied in 10 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Enalapril reduced supine blood pressure and increased the heart rate significantly. Plasma renin activity and urinary sodium excretion rose significantly. PRA was not changed by metoclopramide, neither during placebo nor during enalapril treatment. Metoclopramide induced a two-fold increase in plasma aldosterone, the peak response being reached within 15 min. Enalapril treatment did not alter the aldosterone response to metoclopramide. Dopaminergic control of aldosterone secretion appears to be independent of the renin-angiotensin system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study patient compliance in hypertensive outpatients amlodipine (5 mg once daily) and slow release nifedipine (20 mg twice daily) were compared in an open, crossover study in general practices. Four methods of assessment for patient compliance (pill count, taking compliance, days with correct dosing, timing compliance) were used in both study arms. For the latter three assessment a special device, the medication event monitoring system, was used to record the time and date of each opening and closure of the container. The compliance of the 320 hypertensive patients with once-daily amlodipine was markedly superior to twice-daily slow release nifedipine. Therapeutic coverage was also significantly better for amlodipine in the hypertensive patients. Amlodipine was better tolerated than nifedipine slow release. Patient compliance and therapeutic coverage with the calcium antagonist amlodipine given once daily was superior to slow release nifedipine b. d. in hypertensive outpatients recruited in general practice. Statistical Unit: Léon Kaufmann, Marie-Paule Derde, Data Investigation Company Europe, Brussels Participating Investigators: D. Abbate, G. Armand, C.I. Authelet, J.L. Badot, J. Baeck, P. Baeck, P. Bastin, C.I. Bernard, P. Bernard, B. Beyssens, J. Bosly, P. Boudart, J. Bourdeaudhuy, W. Callens, L. Carolides, Y. Catry, E. Cerstelotte, F. Charlier, H. Charloteaux, J.M. Chaudron, L. Christiaen, G. Cornette, P. Cranskens, R. Creteur, N. De Cock, M. De Corte, A. De Vos, P. Defrance, P. Delhaye, G. Deneckere, M. Dobbeleir, A. Dufour, P. Dumont, L. D'Haen, H. D'Haenens, P. Eloy, P. Evrard, C. Fellemans, G. Geeraerts, L. Gielen, D. Grand, J. Grosjean, J. Guffens, R. Guillaume, R. Hacquaert, V. Hamoir, W. Hens, M. Hondeghem, M.C. Humblet-Koch, L. Leven, W. Janssens, L. Jeanfils, J. Jodogne, B. Jortay, W. Ketels, J.M. Krzesinski, E. Langendries, J. Lannoy, M. Leeman, J. Leire, P. Lempereur, L. Lenaerts, F. Lustman, R. Martens, Y. Maus, M. Meroueh, J.P. Meurant, P. Meurant, A. Michiels, E. Mievis, H. Moors, K. Naesens, P. Neels, J. Neven, W. Odeurs, W. Pardon, M. Peduzzi, J. Piette, D. Plessers, P. Putzeys, A. Quoidbach, A. Renaerts, G. Rits, M. Ruhwiedel, M. Salavracos, M. Seret, P. Sibille, M. Taziaux, J. Teucq, H. Therasse, F. Tihon, F. Vandenput, J. Van Elsen, J.P. Van Liefferinge, J. Van Neck, M. Van Pelt, T. Van Vlaenderen, G. Vandenbeylaardt, M. Vandewoude, F. Veldeman, D. Ven, F. Verbruggen, A. Vlaeminck, P. Werion, J. Westerlinck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the role of methyldopa in the development of Lupus-like syndrome. Association of methyldopa with the development of antinuclear antibodies; Determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Assessment of renal function and intravenous pyelography.