Search

Background: Bladder drainage is systematically used in rectal cancer surgery; however, the optimal type of drainage, transurethral catheterization (TUC) or suprapubic catheterization (SPC), is still controversial. The aim was to compare the rates of urinary tract infection on the fourth postoperative day (POD4) between TUC and SPC, after rectal cancer surgery regardless of the day of removal of the urinary drain. Methods: This randomized clinical trial in 19 expert colorectal surgery centers in France and Belgium was performed between October 2016 and October 2019 and included 240 men (with normal or subnormal voiding function) undergoing mesorectal excision with low anastomosis for rectal cancer. Patients were followed at postoperative days 4, 30, and 180. Results: In 208 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 58–71]) randomized to TUC (n = 99) or SPC (n = 109), the rate of urinary infection at POD4 was not significantly different whatever the type of drainage (11/99 (11.1%) vs. 8/109 (7.3%), 95% CI, − 4.2% to 11.7%; p = 0.35). There was significantly more pyuria in the TUC group (79/99 (79.0%) vs. (60/109 (60.9%), 95% CI, 5.7–30.0%; p = 0.004). No difference in bacteriuria was observed between the groups. Patients in the TUC group had a shorter duration of catheterization (median 4 [2–5] vs. 4 [3–5] days; p = 0.002). Drainage complications were more frequent in the SPC group at all followup visits. Conclusions: TUC should be preferred over SPC in male patients undergoing surgery for mid and/or lower rectal cancers, owing to the lower rate of complications and shorter duration of catheterization. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02922647. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antihypertensive therapy is aimed at improving vascular and cardiac health, as well as lowering blood pressure (BP). The benefit of such drugs in untreated patients with borderline BP has not been demonstrated. Subjects with BPs 130 mm Hg systolic or 85 mm Hg diastolic and at least one additional risk factor were randomly assigned to treatment with carvedilol, lisinopril, their combination or placebo. Cardiovascular health was assessed by a disease score (DS), which combines the following tests of cardiovascular function and structure: resting BP, large- and small-artery elasticity (SAE), BP response to exercise, retinal vasculature analysis, electrocardiogram, carotid intima-medial thickness, left ventricular mass, microalbuminuria and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide. DS was assessed at baseline, after 3 and 9 months of therapy and 1 month after discontinuation of therapy. All active treatment groups displayed a sustained reduction in BP during 9 months of treatment, with the greatest reduction in the cardvedilol+lisinopril group. DS and SAE improved in all the treatment groups but the changes were of borderline significance and exhibited no evidence for progressive improvement from 3 months (functional) to 9 months (structural). All changes were reversed within 1 month after discontinuation of therapy. We conclude that 9 months of treatment with carvedilol, lisinopril or their combination produce a sustained and well-tolerated functional improvement but not a structural improvement, perhaps because of a lack of the nitric oxide-enhancing effects of other agents that inhibit structural changes in the vasculature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NOx selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ethanol has been investigated over alumina supported silver catalyst with a special attention to the main involved reactions depending on the temperature test. With this aim, the possible reducers from ethanol transformations were also evaluated (CHOH, CHCHO, CH, CO). In addition, the contributions of the gas phase reactions and the alumina support were also pointed out. Based on the C-products and N-compounds distributions, it is assumed that at low temperature ( T < 300 °C), ethanol reacts firstly with NO + O to produce acetaldehyde and N. For higher temperatures, two reaction pathways have been proposed, supported by the CHCHO-SCR results: a direct reaction between NO and CHCHO, or via -NCO species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy and safety of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren was compared with ramipril for treatment of essential systolic hypertension in elderly patients. A 36-week, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, optional-titration study was performed in 901 patients (aliskiren, n=457; ramipril, n=444) 65 years of age with systolic blood pressure (SBP) 140 mm Hg. Aliskiren 150–300 mg per day or ramipril 5–10 mg per day for was administered for 12 weeks with optional add-on therapy of hydrochlorothiazide (12.5–25 mg per day) at week 12 and amlodipine (5–10 mg per day) at week 22. The primary end point was non-inferiority of aliskiren vs ramipril monotherapy for change from baseline in mean sitting SBP (msSBP) at week 12. Decreases from baseline msSBP and mean sitting diastolic BP with aliskiren monotherapy (−14.0 and −5.1 mm Hg, respectively) were non-inferior (P<0.001 for both values) and superior to ramipril monotherapy (−11.6, −3.6 mm Hg; P=0.02, P<0.01, respectively). More patients achieved BP control with aliskiren (42%) than ramipril (33%; P<0.01). At week 36, fewer patients receiving aliskiren-based therapy required add-on treatment with hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine (P=0.01 and 0.048, respectively). Tolerability was similar, but more patients receiving ramipril reported cough (P<0.001). In elderly patients with systolic hypertension, aliskiren proved to be more effective and better overall anti-hypertensive therapy compared to ramipril. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are considered as novel biomarkers that are useful in the prediction of early cardiovascular risk. We studied the relationship between carotid artery stiffness index β and the cardiovascular biomarkers BNP and hs-CRP in 55 consecutive subjects. Carotid artery stiffness was assessed using the stiffness index β derived from brachial artery blood pressure measurement and carotid ultrasonography. Venous blood samples were obtained for BNP and hs-CRP. Pearson's correlation coefficient suggested a strong bivariate relationship between carotid stiffness index β and age (r=0.56, P<0.0001), BNP (r=0.45, P<0.004) and hs-CRP (r=0.26, P=0.06), respectively. On multiple regression analysis, significant correlations were found between carotid stiffness index β and age (P=0.004), BNP (P=0.027) and hs-CRP (P=0.029). These findings suggest that there is a relationship between intra-cardiac pressures (measured by BNP), vascular inflammation (measured by hs-CRP) and vascular stiffness. Cardiovascular biomarkers are thus associated with functional parameters of the vascular tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the effect of Mn or Fe addition on the NO x storage–reduction properties of a Pt/Ba/Al2O3 model catalyst. NO x storage capacity, SO2 poisoning and regeneration and NO x removal efficiency under rich/lean cycling conditions are studied. Fe addition to Pt/Ba/Al2O3 leads only to a small increase of NO x storage capacity, and more interestingly, to a better sulfur removal due to the inhibition of bulk barium sulfate formation. Unfortunately, the NO x storage property cannot be fully recovered. Moreover, Fe addition results in a decrease in the NO x removal efficiency. Mn addition also improves the NO x storage capacity, but no significant influence on the sulfur elimination is observed. Mn-doped catalyst does not improve the NO x removal efficiency, but NH3 selectivity is found to drastically decrease at 400 °C, from 20 to 3%. In addition, the NO x conversion can be improved at higher H2 concentration in the rich pulse, always keeping NH3 selectivity at low level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation is the main mechanism for controlled proteolysis, which is crucial for muscle development and maintenance. The ankyrin repeat-containing protein with a suppressor of cytokine signaling box 2 gene (ASB2) encodes the specificity subunit of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex involved in differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Here, we provide the first evidence that a novel ASB2 isoform, ASB2β, is important for muscle differentiation. ASB2β is expressed in muscle cells during embryogenesis and in adult tissues. ASB2β is part of an active E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and targets the actin-binding protein filamin B (FLNb) for proteasomal degradation. Thus, ASB2β regulates FLNb functions by controlling its degradation. Knockdown of endogenous ASB2β by shRNAs during induced differentiation of C2C12 cells delayed FLNb degradation as well as myoblast fusion and expression of muscle contractile proteins. Finally, knockdown of FLNb in ASB2β knockdown cells restores myogenic differentiation. Altogether, our results suggest that ASB2β is involved in muscle differentiation through the targeting of FLNb to destruction by the proteasome.Cell Death and Differentiation (2009) 16, 921–932; doi:10.1038/cdd.2009.27; published online 20 March 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NO x storage capacity, sulphur resistance and regeneration of 1wt%Pt/Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 (Pt/CeZr) and 1wt%Pt/10wt%BaO/Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 (Pt/Ba/CeZr) catalysts were studied and compared to a 1wt%Pt/10wt%BaO/Al2O3 (Pt/Ba/Al) model catalyst submitted to the same treatments. Pt/Ba/CeZr presents the best NO x storage capacity at 400 °C in accordance with basicity measurements by CO2 TPD and Pt/CeZr shows the better performance at 200 °C mainly due to a low sensitivity to CO2 at this temperature. For all samples, sulphating induces a detrimental effect on NO x storage capacity but regeneration at 550 °C under rich conditions generally leads to the total recovery of catalytic performance. However, the nearly complete sulphur elimination is only observed on Pt/CeZr. Moreover, an oxidizing treatment at 800 °C leads to partial sulphates elimination on the Pt/CeZr catalyst whereas a stabilization of sulphates on Ba containing species is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma concentration of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is used as a marker for inflammatory states and is directly correlated with the risk for coronary heart disease. Evidence concerning the role of inflammation in atheroma formation has been derived from several models of atherosclerosis. Inflammation should exert its adverse vascular effects by structural changes in the artery wall and consequently alterations in arterial elasticity, which could be detected already in asymptomatic early vascular disease. We hypothesized that CRP is related to large artery elasticity, but not to small artery elasticity in early vascular disease. Therefore, we examined the association between arterial stiffness of large and small arteries and inflammation in an asymptomatic population referred for primary prevention cardiovascular screening. Studies were performed in 391 subjects (age 21–82 years; 254 men, 137 women) who underwent screening at the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Center. Large artery (C1) and small artery (C2) elasticity indices were obtained by the CVProfiler 2000 (HDI, Eagan, MN, USA). After overnight fasting, venous samples were taken for measurement of hsCRP, lipids, glucose. There was a significant inverse correlation between hsCRP (0.29±0.40 mg/dl) and C1 (16.7±5.8 ml/mmHg), r=−0.133, P=0.01; there was no significant correlation between hsCRP and C2 (6.6±3.2 ml/mmHg). C2, but not hsCRP, was inversely correlated with age, abnormal lipids and glucose, whereas C1, but not hsCRP, was inversely correlated with age and systolic blood pressure (SBP). In multiple regression analysis, the relationship between hsCRP and C1 was not affected by age, body mass index, SBP, serum glucose or lipids. In conclusion, these findings support the hypothesis that hsCRP, a marker for acute and low-grade inflammation, is associated with large artery but not with small artery elasticity in asymptomatic individuals undergoing primary prevention cardiovascular screening.Journal of Human Hypertension (2005) 19, 515–519. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001860 Published online 19 May 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of aniline, phenol, carboxylic acids and ammonia was carried out in a batch reactor over noble metals (Ru, Pd, Pt) supported on ceria. Ruthenium is very active for the conversion of a wide range of organic compounds and selective into carbon dioxide. The ability of ceria to transfer oxygen is essential for good performances in CWAO. However, Ru/CeO2 is not selective for ammonia oxidation into N2. Addition of small amount of Pd enhances both activity and selectivity of Ru in this reaction. Finally, oxidation of nitrogenous organic compounds requires moderate temperature and oxygen pressure and needs to adjust the oxidizing capacity of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until now, no information is available about the effect of the presence of a doctor-in-training on a patient's blood pressure. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of a last year medical student might increase the blood pressure of the patient, in addition to the possible pressor response to the doctor-trainer. Normotensive and hypertensive patients with a minimum age of 25 years, visiting for any reason, were recruited at 22 teaching general practices. Patients were randomised into a‘trainee’group (n=133) and a‘no trainee’(n=129) group. The blood pressure was measured at two subsequent contacts. In the‘trainee’group, a student was present at the first visit only. In the‘no trainee’group, both visits were without student. Both groups had similar anthropometric characteristics at entry. At the first visit, systolic pressure was higher in the‘trainee’group than in the control group (139.5 vs 133.1?mmHg, P=0.004), with a similar trend for diastolic pressure (80.2 vs 77.8?mmHg, P=0.07). From the first contact to the follow-up visit, blood pressure decreased in the trainee group by 4.8?mmHg systolic (P<0.001) and 1.7?mmHg diastolic (P=0.03), whereas the corresponding changes in the control group were-0.1?mmHg (P=0.90) and+1.5?mmHg (P=0.03). Thus, the between group differences in these trends averaging 4.7?mmHg (CI 1.5-7.9, P=0.005) systolic and 3.2?mmHg (CI 1.1-5.3, P=0.003) diastolic were statistically significant. We conclude that in teaching-practices, the presence of a doctor-in-training has a significant pressor effect when an experienced general practitioner measures a patient's blood pressure. If confirmed, our findings imply that doctors should be cautious to initiate or adjust antihypertensive treatment when blood pressure readings are obtained in the presence of a student.Journal of Human Hypertension (2004) 18, 769-773. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001744 Published online 13 May 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computer model was developed to take into account all the phenomena that can occur in 18O/16O isotopic exchange over Pt/CeZrOx materials: adsorption/desorption on the metal, surface and bulk O diffusion. Discriminating each step of the exchange process is no longer necessary: kinetic parameters and O diffusivity can be calculated in a single experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a work-site study of hypertension prevalence in the adult population of Belgium. Cardiovascular morbidity; Association between age and systolic blood pressure; Association between systolic blood pressure and alcohol intake in men.

Oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of TW catalysts has a strong impact on their performances under oscillatory conditions. This paper reviews the different methods developed for OSC measurements, the effects of catalyst composition on OSC as well as the impact of OSC on TW catalysis, concentrating on the results obtained in our laboratory. Use of OSC measurements for catalysts control (on-board diagnostic) is also examined. The role of superoxide species as intermediates in the oxygen storage process will be emphasized. Finally, we shall review the recent developments on CeZr-based oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of NO by propene in the presence of oxygen and water was studied on a Pt/Al2O3 catalyst in the following conditions (ppm (v)): NO/C3H6/O2/H2O = 800/500/50000/50000. The organic products accompanying N2, N2O and NO2 formation were trapped and analyzed by GC-MS. These analyses revealed the presence in small quantities of products of propene partial oxidation such as ketones or acids, nitrogen derivatives such as nitriles or/and nitro and nitroso compounds. The transformation of some nitrogen-containing derivatives were studied under reaction conditions to explain the formation of the by-products and of N2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on the support morphology and the metal/support contact, Ru/CeO2 catalysts show very different behavior in catalytic wet air oxidation of acrylic, succinic and acetic acids. TEM and electron diffraction studies favor the hypothesis of a specific role of ceria in oxygen transfer from gas phase to metal sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced centres are formed at the silica surface during the pretreatment of Rh/SiO2 catalysts at high temperatures (500-900°C). These centres can be titrated with steam according to the reaction: reduced centre + H2O → oxidized centre + H2. The selective formation of H2 when catalysts pretreated in D2 are reacted with H2O confirms that steam is decomposed during the titration reaction. XRD, TEM and EDX were used to investigate the morphological and structural changes in the catalysts. Owing to the formation of Rh2Si alloy, the number of reduced centres formed on SiO2 is much greater than the number found with Rh/Al2O3 reduced under similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study the acute effect of sublingual nifedipine (10 mg) on the superior mesenteric artery pulsatility index (PI) was studied over 60 min in 12 healthy subjects (Age 43 y). Methods: PI was considered as a parameter of vascular resistance and was calculated as the peak-to-peak amplitude of the waveform divided by the mean amplitude. PI measurements were performed with the subject resting and fasting and were made 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min for 1 hour after nifedipine (10 mg) or placebo. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the same times. Results: Placebo administration failed to change arterial blood pressure, heart rate or PI. 5 min after 10 mg sublingual nifedipine, PI had significantly decreased from 5.0 to 3.8, with a nonsignificant decrease in arterial blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. By 15 min after nifedipine administration PI had further decreased to 3.1, and there was a concomitant significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure and increase in heart rate. Sixty minutes after drug intake PI and arterial blood pressure were still below baseline not significant but the heart rate remained significantly increased. Conclusion: Our data indicate that in healthy subjects sublingual administration of nifedipine had a vasodilator effect (decrease in PI) on the superior mesenteric vascular bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) and food ingestion on superior mesenteric artery impedance was investigated in 24 healthy volunteers (age 40 ± 2.7 years). Superior mesenteric artery circulation was assessed by duplex ultrasound. Pulsatility index (PI) was considered as a parameter of vascular resistance and was calculated as the peak-to-peak amplitude of the waveform divided by the mean amplitude. The subjects were randomly allocated to four groups (ISDN, meal, ISDN+meal, meal+ISDN). PI measurements were performed in resting and fasting conditions and serially for 1 h after sublingual 5 mg ISDN, ingestion of a 300-kcal, 300-ml mixed liquid meal; sublingual 5 mg ISDN followed 10 min later by the test meal; and ingestion of the test meal followed 5 min later by sublingual 5 mg ISDN. Five minutes after 5 mg sublingual ISDN, PI had increased from 6.8 to 12.4, while after intake of a meal PI had decreased from 7.6 to 4.9. Separate effects of 5 mg ISDN and meal intake lasted for at least 1 h. The reflex vasoconstrictive effect of 5 mg ISDN on the superior mesenteric artery circulation was counterbalanced by ingestion of a meal in healthy volunteers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of a pharmacokinetic interaction between isosorbide-5-mononitrate (5-ISMN) and epinine, the active metabolite of ibopamine, has been investigated in 8 healthy male subjects given single doses of 200 mg ibopamine and 20 mg 5-ISMN, separately and together. The plasma 5-ISMN concentration-time profile was the same whether 5-ISMN was administered concomitantly with ibopamine or alone [AUC(o-t): 2.24 μg·ml·h after 5-ISMN alone, 2.16 μg·ml·h after 5-ISMN + ibopamine]. The plasma concentrations of total and free epinine and the urinary recovery of total epinine, homovanillic acid and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, too, were not different when ibopamine was administered alone or concomitantly with 5-ISMN. The intake of ibopamine did not change the blood pressure and heart rate. The decrease in diastolic blood pressure induced by 5-ISMN was not influenced by concomitant intake of ibopamine. The observations suggest that in healthy volunteers there is no pharmacokinetic interaction between 5-ISMN and ibopamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semiconducting ceramics deposited on a porous metallic film acting both as catalyst and electronic collector present large photocurrents and considerably enhanced electrooxidation currents when illuminated in the presence of small amounts of alcohol vapors. In the present research, several types of thin, 'nanocrystalline' TiO ceramics have been deposited onto a porous, thin metallic (Au) film evaporated on a commercial glass fritt with fine porosity. Such composite layers, can be used under light irradiation to carry out photoassisted electrochemical processes. The morphology of TiO ceramics prepared in three different ways (painting, spray pyrolysis, and spin coating) have been examined by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Their efficiency in the photoassisted electrooxidation of alcohol vapors make them look promising for the decontamination of polluted air or waste water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the effect of age to aorta.

The possibility of a pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interaction between epanolol and digoxin has been investigated in 10 healthy male subjects taking digoxin 0.375 mg daily for 14 days. During that period epanolol 200 mg daily or matching placebo was also given, each for 7 days, according to a double-blind, randomized cross-over plan. The plasma digoxin concentration-time profiles after 7 days of concomitant placebo or epanolol were comparable. Trough and peak plasma digoxin levels were similar (placebo: 0.84 and 2.62 ng · ml; epanolol: 0.87 and 2.46 ng · ml). The renal clearances of digoxin and creatinine were lower during treatment with epanolol, but the differences were not significant (placebo 142.0 and 126.5 ml · min; epanolol 105.7 and 109.3 ml · min). STI indexes were lower during treatment with digoxin plus epanolol, than after digoxin alone. The difference was significant for QSI (513 versus 503 ms), PEPI (119 versus 112 ms) and PEP/LVET (0.286 versus 0.304). The observations suggest that in healthy volunteers there is no pharmacokinetic interaction between epanolol and digoxin, and that epanolol does not interfere with the positive inotropic action of digoxin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Validity and reliability of aortic pulse wave velocity and augmentation index determined by the new cuff-based SphygmoCor Xcel" by M-H Hwang and colleagues published in the same issue.