Translocation of polymers in a lattice model.

Voltage-driven polymer translocation is studied by means of a stochastic lattice model. The model incorporates voltage drop over the membrane as a bias in the hopping rate through the pore and exhibits the two main ingredients of the translocation process: driven motion through the pore and diffusive supply of chain length towards the pore on the cis-side and the drift away from the pore on the trans-side. The translocation time is either bias limited or diffusion limited. In the bias-limited regime the translocation time is inversely proportional to the voltage drop over the membrane. In the diffusion-limited regime the translocation time is independent of the applied voltage, but it is rather sensitive to the motion rules of the model. We find that the whole regime is well described by a single curve determined by the initial slope and the saturation value. The dependence of these parameters on the length of the chain, the motion rules and the repton statistics are established. Repulsion of reptons as well as the increase of chain length decrease the throughput of the polymer through the pore. As for free polymers, the inclusion of a mechanism for hernia creations/annihilations leads to the cross-over from Rouse-like behaviour to reptation. For the experimentally most relevant case (Rouse dynamics) the bimodal power law dependence of the translocation time on the chain length is found.

Associations between heart rate asymmetry expression and asymmetric detrended fluctuation analysis results.

The relation between recently established asymmetry in Asymmetric Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (ADFA) and Heart Rate Asymmetry is studied. It is found that the ADFA asymmetric exponents are related both to the overall variability and to its asymmetric components at all studied time scales. We find that the asymmetry in scaling exponents, i.e., [Formula: see text] is associated with both variance-based and runs-based types of asymmetry. This observation suggests that the physiological mechanisms of both types are similar, even though their origins and mathematical methods are very different. The graphical abstract demonstrates strong, nonlinear association between the expression of Heart Rate Asymmetry measured using relative descriptors and the Asymmetric Detrended Fluctuation Analysis results. It is clear that there is a strong relation between the two theoretically disparate approaches to signal analysis. The technique to demonstrate the association is loess fit.

Local delivery of enoxaparin to decrease restenosis after stenting: results of initial multicenter trial: Polish-American Local Lovenox NIR Assessment study (The POLONIA study).

BACKGROUND: Enoxaparin inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation in experimental models. Intimal hyperplasia has been found to be the principal cause of restenosis after coronary stent implantation. We sought to determine whether the intramural delivery of enoxaparin before stenting of de novo lesions decreases restenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred patients who were undergoing stenting were randomly assigned to either local administration of enoxaparin during predilation with reduced systemic heparinization or stenting with standard, systemic heparinization. All patients were treated with the same type of stent (NIR). The primary study end point was late luminal loss. The secondary end points were major adverse cardiac events, target lesion revascularization, and angiographic restenosis at 6 months. Angiographic follow-up at 6 months was completed in all except 1 patient. Late luminal loss was reduced to 0.76+/-0.42 mm in the local enoxaparin delivery group versus 1. 07+/-0.49 mm in the systemic heparinization group (P:<0.001). Restenosis, using a binary definition, occurred in 10% of patients in the enoxaparin group and in 24% of patients in the systemic heparinization group (P:<0.05). Target lesion revascularization rates occurred in 8% of the enoxaparin group and 22% of the systemic heparinization group (P:<0.05). There were no deaths and no emergent CABGs were performed. The only subacute stent closure and non-Q-wave infarction occurred in a patient assigned to the systemic heparinization group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective randomized trial in which the local delivery of a drug, enoxaparin, resulted in significant reduction in late luminal loss and restenosis after stent implantation in de novo coronary lesions.

The effect of short-term myocardial ischemia on the expression of adhesion molecules and the oxidative burst of coronary sinus blood neutrophils.

We examined the influence of transient myocardial ischemia on the number and function of neutrophils in patients with effort angina (EA). We tested fluorometrically the expression of neutrophil membrane molecules (CD11b, CD11c, CD18) and neutrophil oxidative burst using a chemiluminescence (CL) generation system. The estimations were conducted before, 1 min after and 20 min after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 15 patients qualified for the treatment because of single-vessel disease. Eight EA patients subjected to coronary arteriography (CA) comprised a control group. We did not observe any marked changes in leucocytosis or lymphocyte number in peripheral blood (PB) or in coronary sinus blood (CSB) after the procedure. The percentage of granulocytes in coronary blood decreased significantly 20 min after reperfusion. No significant changes in white blood cell count were noted in peripheral blood of PTCA patients or in control CA subjects. Oxidative burst of nonstimulated and fMLP, PMA and zymosan stimulated sinus blood neutrophils was significantly depressed 1 min after inflation, and enhanced 20 min after reperfusion. We found a significant increase in the percentage of the CD11c+ neutrophils from 56.7 +/- 7.4% to 64 +/- 6.5% 20 min after inflation and postischemic decrease in the CD11c molecule expression on CSB neutrophils. Significant positive linear correlation (Rval = 0.71) between inflation time and the CD11c molecule expression on CSB immediately after reperfusion was also noted. The results may reflect local activation of neutrophils in ischemic myocardium as a response to ischemia induced increase of activating stimuli.

Pentoxifylline decreases neutrophil respiratory bursts in patients with stable angina.

We estimated the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the respiratory burst (examined by chemiluminescence method) of unprimed and primed neutrophils with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with stable angina pectoris. Chemiluminescence of non-stimulated as well as formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated neutrophils was measured. We studied 45 patients with stable angina subjected to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedure, who were randomly divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 24 patients who were administered pentoxifylline orally, and the control group consisted of 21 patients without pentoxifylline administration. Blood samples for examination were collected from the coronary sinus and peripheral vein just before the PTCA procedure. Pentoxifylline decreased the respiratory burst of non-stimulated and fMLP-stimulated neutrophils without affecting the chemiluminescence of PMA stimulated neutrophils. Moreover, pentoxifylline diminished the chemiluminescence non-stimulated and stimulated by fMLP but not by PMA of TNF-alpha primed neutrophils. We presume that administration of PTX in stable angina patients may have a beneficial effect.

Ischaemic episodes detected by early exercise test and Holter monitoring after myocardial infarction: which are of most prognostic value?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the significance of ST-segment depressions (ST-SD) detected during exercise test or Holter monitoring and to determine which parameters of ST-SD are the most important prognostic factors in patients after myocardial infarction. METHODS: The study group consisted of 164 patients (126 men and 38 women) who survived their first uncomplicated myocardial infarction. Twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring on day 10 (+/- 2) after infarction and a treadmill exercise test 1 or 2 days later were performed. The following parameters of ST-SD were taken into consideration: amplitude, localization according to the area of infarction and presence or absence of concomitant angina. Patients were observed for 24 months to assess the occurrence of new cardiac events. RESULTS: In 78 patients (group I) ST-SD were detected in both Holter monitoring and the exercise test, and in 32 patients (group II) in the exercise test only. Fifty-four patients (group III) were without ST-SD. During follow-up there were 83 cardiac events in group I, 24 in group II and 16 in group III (P < 0.01, group I versus II; P < 0.0001, group I versus III; P < 0.05, group II versus III). In multivariate analysis the presence of ST-SD during Holter monitoring or the exercise test, or both, appeared to be of most prognostic significance (P < 0.0001). The number of new cardiac events was significantly higher in patients with painful ST-SD greater than 3 mm, detected outside the area of infarction (distant ischaemia). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a significant prognostic value of early post-infarction ischaemia detected by Holter monitoring and an exercise test. Distant, painful ST-SD greater than 3 mm were more powerful determinants of poor prognosis than others. Electrode placement during Holter monitoring appears to be very important, particularly in post-infarction patients.

Complement activates neutrophils during PTCA procedure in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

We estimated adherence, aggregation and chemiluminescence of neutrophils as well as concentrations of C3c, C4 and C5 complement components and complement haemolytic activity (CH50) in 27 patients with unstable angina pectoris subjected to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The control group consisted of 12 patients with unstable angina pectoris, in whom coronary angiography was performed but PTCA was decided against for various reasons. Blood samples for examination were taken from coronary sinus and peripheral vein just before, 1 min and 20 min after PTCA or coronary angiography. We observed enhancement of neutrophil adherence, aggregation and chemiluminescence, and decrease in concentrations of C3c, C5 and complement haemolytic activity (CH50) after PTCA procedure. In conclusion we think that ischemia resulting from PTCA causes complement activation in an alternative pathway which seems to be connected with neutrophil activation.

GnRH analogues as an adjuvant therapy for ovarian cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: Lowering gonadotropin levels with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues in patients with ovarian cancer remains open to debate. The aim of this study was to assess the results of treatment in stage III and stage IV ovarian cancer patients who had surgery supplemented with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and GnRH analogues. Gonadotropin levels were monitored during treatment. METHODS: The study group comprised 69 patients aged 27-70 years, stratified according to the type of treatment. The overall disease-free, 5-year survival rates and the frequency of remissions were analyzed. Hormonal tests [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)] were performed in 58 patients. Associations were checked between gonadotropin levels, clinical findings, and survival. The results were statistically compared. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were noted when chemotherapy was supplemented with GnRH analogues and/or radiotherapy. Administration of GnRH analogues resulted in significantly lower levels of LH than of FSH. Levels of FSH were significantly lower in patients surviving at least 5 years or in complete remission at the time of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy can produce favorable results in late-stage ovarian cancer, and GnRH analogues have an important role in treatment strategy.

Effects of a surgical treatment of congenital cervicovaginal agenesia.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital agenesis of the uterine cervix and vagina is one of the rarest congenital defects. The objective of this manuscript is to present our experience and effects of a surgical treatment in five girls with inborn agenesis of the uterine cervix and vagina, who were operated in our clinic. METHOD: The vagina is reconstructed in four stages: (1) formation of vaginal recess; (2) phantomization of vagina; (3) joining of the reconstructed vagina with the uterus; (4) revision and correction of the junction. GnRH analogs were administered to avoid menstrual blood flow into the peritoneal cavity during phantomization. RESULTS: Patency of the uterovaginal junction was maintained with a #6 intubation tube. Normal menstruation was restored in all patients. Atresion of the canal at the uterovaginal junction was disclosed after 3-8 months in three of the patients. Patency was restored with surgical hysteroscope and the canal was mechanically distended. Clinical and ultrasonographic followup in the patients will continue.

[Early occlusion and dissection in coronary angioplasty. Apropos of 855 patients]. / Occlusions et dissections précoces au cours des angioplasties coronaires. A propos de 855 patients.

Between June 1981 and may 1987, 855 patients were treated by transluminal coronary angioplasty at the Cardiovascular Hospital, Lyon. 778 primary successes (84 p. 100) were obtained, 84 of the 855 patients (9.8 p. 100) developed occlusion and/or angiographically proven dissection within the first 24 hours. These patients fell into two groups; group A (n = 35) with occlusion and occlusive dissection, group B (n = 49) with dissection but without coronary blood flow reduction. Among the parameters examined, only three concerning the morphology of the stenosis were associated with a statistically more frequent occurrence of occlusion: eccentric stenosis (p less than 0.05), irregular stenosis (p less than 0.01) and stenosis in a curvilinear segment (p less than 0.01). In addition, among the 84 patients with occlusion and/or dissection, 14 had myocardial infarction and 2 died during the 24 hours following angioplasty. Emergency aorto-coronary bypass was performed in 12 cases, mostly after failure of redilatation. Redilatation was carried out in 26 cases and was effective in 14.

[Transesophageal echocardiograph in the evaluation of proximal segments of coronary arteries]. / Echokardiografia przezprzelykowa w ocenie proksymalnych odcinków naczyn wiencowych.

The study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of TEE for evaluation of morphology and flow in coronary arteries. TEE (2D, spectral and color Doppler imaging) and coronary angiography were performed in 75 patients (pts)-41 with valvular heart disease and 34 with ischemic heart disease. Proximal coronary artery stenosis was detected by coronarography in 11 pts (9--left main coronary artery, 2--right coronary artery). TEE visualization of proximal coronary arteries was possible in all pts. Echocardiographic features of artery stenosis were: the narrowing of the vessel in 2D image (9 pts), high flow velocity spectral Doppler (4 pts, mean 135 cm/s vs 55 cm/s in normal arteries) and mosaic, turbulent flow in color Doppler (10 pts). Sensitivity and specificity of TEE for coronary artery stenosis detection was respectively 81%/98% for 2D imaging and 90%/100% for color Doppler. TEE is a new, noninvasive and safe method for the evaluation of proximal coronary arteries. Detection of LMCA stenosis prior to catheterization may enhance the safety of coronary angiography.

[GnRH analogs for treatment of ovarian cancer]. / Analogi GnRH w leczeniu raka jajnika.

To make use of antigonadotropin and antiproliferating action of the synthetic analogs of GnRH there was applied this decapeptide in 33 patients with ovarian cancer who were treated traditionally by chemotherapeutics PAC and radiotherapy. The monitoring of treatment was supported on the clinical opinion of the whole and locally state of health, the USG examinations of pelvic and diaphragm, the measure of level of CA-125 and second-look operations. There were got statistically characteristic rise of remissions and stabilizations of neoplastic process.

[Evaluation of work systems in the textile industry in relation to the development of pathological changes in the genital organs of seamstresses]. / Ocena systemów pracy w przemysle odziezowym na tle rozwoju zmian patologicznych w narzadzie rodnym szwaczek.

The investigations which have proceeded for some years in clothing plants of the Western Pomeranian region with the aim of finding out pathological changes involving female machine operators' genital organs, have revealed a number of unfavourable phenomena, mainly, psychoneurotic changes in the initial phase and pelvic congestion syndrome (pcs), as described by Taylor, in a later phase. The paper is aimed at evaluation of one factor possibly affecting workers' health, i.e. work systems. The data collected from the plant managers, female chargehands and machine operators themselves, as well as from our own observations and investigations, revealed that the test groups of women were performing a piece-job, direct-line and belt-system production. For eight hours a day they performed strictly defined labour requiring great precision in course of repeated tasks in predetermined time limits. A more relaxed system, so called "direct line-synchro nests", arranged temporarily on experimental basis, appeared less efficient and was finally given up for economical reasons. Altogether, 575 machine operators have been examined. The control group consisted of 100 women working in the so called work-gang system offering a greater freedom of movements (cleaners, cutters, store- keepers). The obtained results are presented in two tables. The rate of pcs was found to be statistically significantly higher in machine operators, as compared to controls.

[Introduction of the results of ergonomic studies in clothing factories]. / Wdrozenie wyników badan ergonomicznych w zakladach odziezowych.

Hypokinesis is known to exert a negative effect on human systems, the circulatory, osseo-articular, muscular and many other systems. Ergonomic investigations, performed during five years and covering 1350 women employed at clothing and knitting plants as seamstresses carrying out their work at piece-rate, direct line as well as beltsystem, under the conditions of restricted motorial activity, i.e. under hypokinetic conditions, revealed the occurrence of pelviccongestion syndrome (pcs). Relying on the obtained results of the investigations, the evaluation involved the condition of women's reproductive organ in the context of the integrated state of health of female workers employed as seamstresses at clothing and knitting plants, viewed against the background of professional and sociological problems. Moreover, recommendations were issued as to the treatment of genital organ disorders in women employed under the conditions of restricted motorial activity, and also prophylaxis concerning these disturbances, particularly with regard, to the pelvic congestion syndrome. Elements of reorganization of the health service at the clothing and knitting industry plants have been worked out and described.

[Follow up results of treatment for premature puberty (central origin)]. / Odlegle wyniki leczenia przedwczesnego pokwitania pochodzenia osrodkowego.

Distant treatment results of premature central origin puberty with chlormadinone (Polfa) were described. Premature central origin puberty was diagnosed at 19% (38/202) of patients examined with premature puberty as a initial diagnosis. Annual medium height intake 5.5 cm +/- 1.2 cm and puberty inhibition testify to proper drug doses. Hormonal treatment should be employed till patients height is 150 cm, what is usually obtained at the age 9 at half. It makes possible to obtain final height of 162 cm +/- 4.2 cm. The average menarche age of treated girls was 10- and 11 months, and the first menstruation approximately 15 months after hormonal treatment.

[Adhesion and aggregation of neutrophils in patients with unstable angina]. / Adherencja i agregacja neutrofilów u chorych z niestabilna dusznica bolesna.

The adherence and aggregation abilities of neutrophils (PMNs) were evaluated in thirty three patients with unstable angina, who were qualified for PTCA procedure. The control group consisted of forty one clinically healthy persons. The blood for investigations was obtained from coronary sinus and basilic vein just before the procedure, while in the control group from basilic vein only. The adherence of PMNs to plastic surface (rest and stimulated by PMA) was estimated in vitro according to Oez's et al. method by measuring optical density of generated formazan, whereas the aggregation of PMNs was evaluated using the leukergy test according to the method of Fleck in Berliner's and Aronson's modification. In patients with unstable angina statistically significant higher (p < 0.001) adherence of peripheral blood PMNs, compared with control groups was found (patients: rest-0.525 +/- 0.245, stimulated-0.839 +/- 0.419, control group: rest-0.260 +/- 0.129, stimulated-0.522 +/- 0.377). The aggregation of peripheral blood PMNs was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the sick than in the control group (the sick-10.98 +/- 4.29%, controls-4.65 +/- 3.01%). No differences in investigated parameters of PMNs obtained from peripheral or coronary sinus blood were found.

[Generation of active oxygen species by neutrophils in patients with unstable angina pectoris]. / Generowanie aktywnych zwiazków tlenowych przez neutrofile u chorych z niestabilna dusznica bolesna.

The generation of O2-. and H2O2 by neutrophils (PMNs) obtained from peripheral and coronary sinus blood was investigated in twenty four patients with unstable angina, who were qualified for PTCA procedure. The control group consisted of twenty one clinically healthy persons. The blood for the investigations was obtained from coronary sinus and basilic vein just before the procedure, while in the control group from--basilic vein only. In patients with unstable angina statistically significant higher (p < 0.05) O2-. generation by peripheral blood PMNs (at rest and stimulated), compared with the control group, was found respectively (the sick: rest--11,09 +/- 1.92; stimulated--25.48 +/- 5.76 nmol/cell/min.; healthy: rest--7.98 +/- 1.06; stimulated--13.58 +/- 1.19 nmol/cell/min). No significant differences in O2-. generation between PMNs obtained from coronary sinus or peripheral blood were found. No differences in H2O2 generation by rest PMNs obtained from coronary sinus or peripheral blood were found in patients compared with the control group. The generation of H2O2 by PMA stimulated PMNs was higher in the sick without statistical significance.

[Myocardial revascularization for sudden cardiac death in patients after previous coronary angioplasty]. / Rewaskularyzacja serca w trybie naglym u chorych po przebytej koronaroplastyce.

UNLABELLED: PTCA was introduced into our hospital in June 1991. Since then till the end of 1996 emergency CABG operations were performed in fourteen patients. They were indicated because of acute myocardial ischaemia and hemodynamic deterioration that was the result of the dissection and occlusion of a coronary artery during angioplasty. There were 11 male and 3 female patients in this group aged 34 to 65 average 50 years. Twenty-three grafts were performed in total (18 saphenous, 5 using internal mammary artery), that is 1.6 graft per patient. A female patient died of myocardial infarction on the first postoperative day. All other patients survived and are under outpatient clinic's care. Over the analysed 6 years' period of time 1079 PTCAs were performed. The low rate of the unsuccessful procedures (1.3%) that required the emergency CABG is noteworthy. Since 1995, when the implantation of stents was introduced into our hospital, there were only 2 such procedures (0.4% of all PTCAs). CONCLUSIONS: The CABG operation performed shortly after a dissection and occlusion of the coronary artery underwent angioplasty usually prevents myocardial infarction and saves the patient's live. The introduction of implantation of the stents significantly diminished a number of patients who required an emergency CABG operation.