Involvement of silver and palladium with red peanuts skin extract for cotton functionalization.

A systematic study is currently demonstrated approach for approving the superior role of silver and palladium metallic particles in acting the role of mordant with acquiring the dyed cotton fabrics excellence in color fastness with additional functions of antimicrobial potentiality and UV-protection action. Whereas, samples were dyed with extract of red peanuts skin as natural textile colorant (RPN dye). The represented data revealed that, in absence of mordant, the samples treated with metal precursors prior to dyeing were exhibited with the excellent color strength, color fastness, antimicrobial action and UV-protection action. Color fastness (washing, rubbing and light fastness) was estimated to be in the range of very good-excellent. Sample pretreated with silver salt and dyed in the absence of mordant was graded with excellent UV-protection action (UPF 31.5, UVB T% 2.6% and UVB blocking percent 97.4%). Antimicrobial potency against E. coli, S. aureus and Candida albicans through inhibition zone and the reduction percent was approved to be in the range of excellence (93.01-99.51%) for the samples dyed in absence of mordant and pretreated with either silver or palladium precursors.

Comparative efficacy of bio-selenium nanoparticles and sodium selenite on morpho-physiochemical attributes under normal and salt stress conditions, besides selenium detoxification pathways in Brassica napus L.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have attracted considerable attention globally due to their significant potential for alleviating abiotic stresses in plants. Accordingly, further research has been conducted to develop nanoparticles using chemical ways. However, our knowledge about the potential benefit or phytotoxicity of bioSeNPs in rapeseed is still unclear. Herein, we investigated the effect of bioSeNPs on growth and physiochemical attributes, and selenium detoxification pathways compared to sodium selenite (Se (IV)) during the early seedling stage under normal and salt stress conditions. Our findings showed that the range between optimal and toxic levels of bioSeNPs was wider than Se (IV), which increased the plant's ability to reduce salinity-induced oxidative stress. BioSeNPs improved the phenotypic characteristics of rapeseed seedlings without the sign of toxicity, markedly elevated germination, growth, photosynthetic efficiency and osmolyte accumulation versus Se (IV) under normal and salt stress conditions. In addition to modulation of Na+ and K+ uptake, bioSeNPs minimized the ROS level and MDA content by activating the antioxidant enzymes engaged in ROS detoxification by regulating these enzyme-related genes expression patterns. Importantly, the main effect of bioSeNPs and Se (IV) on plant growth appeared to be correlated with the change in the expression levels of Se-related genes. Our qRT-PCR results revealed that the genes involved in Se detoxification in root tissue were upregulated upon Se (IV) treated seedlings compared to NPs, indicating that bioSeNPs have a slightly toxic effect under higher concentrations. Furthermore, bioSeNPs might improve lateral root production by increasing the expression level of LBD16. Taken together, transamination and selenation were more functional methods of Se detoxification and proposed different degradation pathways that synthesized malformed or deformed selenoproteins, which provided essential mechanisms to increase Se tolerance at higher concentrations in rapeseed seedlings. Current findings could add more knowledge regarding the mechanisms underlying bioSeNPs induced plant growth.

Effect of Vitamin D supplementation in patients with liver cirrhosis having spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most serious liver cirrhosis with ascites complications. Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency has been associated with a high risk of infection and mortality in cirrhotic patients. Herein, the assessment of Vit D level as a prognostic marker in SBP patients and the impact of Vit D supplementation on their treatment plan was studied as well. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ascetic patients with SBP and Vit D deficiency were divided randomly into treatment and control groups. The control group received standard treatment without Vit D and the treatment group received standard treatment plus Vit D. Clinical monitoring of Vit D was done over 6 months. RESULTS: At baseline, all patients in both groups revealed an elevated serum and ascetic TLC, AST, ALT, total and direct bilirubin, in addition to elevation in INR and procalcitonin (PCT) level. Univariate regression analysis confirmed that deficiency of Vit D was an independent predictor of infection and mortality (p < 0.01; Crude Hazard Ratio: 0.951). Over 6 months, the study revealed significant improvement in serum Vit D level in the treatment group (34.6 ± 9.2 and 18.3 ± 10.0 ng/mL; p < 0.001). Moreover, a statistically significant increase in survival rate (64% vs. 42%; p < 0.05) and duration (199.5 days vs. 185.5 days; p < 0.05) were recorded as well. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis confirmed that Vit D supplementation was positively correlated to survival over 6 months (p < 0.001; Adjusted Hazard Ratio: 0.895). CONCLUSIONS: Vit D deficiency is prevalent in SBP cirrhotic patients and is used as an independent predictor of infection and death. Therefore, Vit D supplementation revealed improvement in their response to treatment.

Mustard Seed (Brassica nigra) Extract Exhibits Antiproliferative Effect against Human Lung Cancer Cells through Differential Regulation of Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Migration, and Invasion.

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and development of novel lung cancer preventive and therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Brassica nigra (black mustard) seeds are commonly consumed in several Asian and African countries. Mustard seeds previously exhibited significant anticancer activities against several cancer types. In the present study, we have investigated various cellular and molecular mechanisms of anticancer effects of an ethanolic extract of B. nigra seeds against A549 and H1299 human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. B. nigra extract showed a substantial growth-inhibitory effect as it reduced the viability and clonogenic survival of A549 and H1299 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. B. nigra extract induced cellular apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion as evidenced from increased caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, treatment of both A549 and H1299 cells with B. nigra extract alone or in combination with camptothecin induced DNA double-strand breaks as evidenced by upregulation of γH2A histone family member X, Fanconi anemia group D2 protein, Fanconi anemia group J protein, ataxia-telangiectesia mutated and Rad3-related protein. Based on cell cycle analysis, B. nigra extract significantly arrested A549 and H1299 cells at S and G2/M phases. Additionally, B. nigra extract suppressed the migratory and invasive properties of both cell lines, downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP9, and Snail and upregulated the expression of E-cadherin at mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that B. nigra seed extract may have an important anticancer potential against human lung cancer which could be mediated through simultaneous and differential regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage, cell cycle, migration, and invasion.

Bacterial Diversity and Bioremediation Potential of the Highly Contaminated Marine Sediments at El-Max District (Egypt, Mediterranean Sea).

Coastal environments worldwide are threatened by the effects of pollution, a risk particularly high in semienclosed basins like the Mediterranean Sea that is poorly studied from bioremediation potential perspective especially in the Southern coast. Here, we investigated the physical, chemical, and microbiological features of hydrocarbon and heavy metals contaminated sediments collected at El-Max bay (Egypt). Molecular and statistical approaches assessing the structure of the sediment-dwelling bacterial communities showed correlations between the composition of bacterial assemblages and the associated environmental parameters. Fifty strains were isolated on mineral media supplemented by 1% crude oil and identified as a diverse range of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria involved in different successional stages of biodegradation. We screened the collection for biotechnological potential studying biosurfactant production, biofilm formation, and the capability to utilize different hydrocarbons. Some strains were able to grow on multiple hydrocarbons as unique carbon source and presented biosurfactant-like activities and/or capacity to form biofilm and owned genes involved in different detoxification/degradation processes. El-Max sediments represent a promising reservoir of novel bacterial strains adapted to high hydrocarbon contamination loads. The potential of the strains for exploitation for in situ intervention to combat pollution in coastal areas is discussed.

Chemoprevention of Diethylnitrosamine-Initiated and Phenobarbital-Promoted Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats by Sulfated Polysaccharides and Aqueous Extract of Ulva lactuca.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common cancers and lethal diseases worldwide. Both oxidative stress and chronic inflammation contribute to the pathogenesis of HCC. Because of limited treatment options and a grave prognosis of HCC, preventive management has been emphasized. The marine macroalgae Ulva lactuca (Ulvaceae) is consumed by humans and livestock because of its nutritional value. Recent studies showed that various extracts of U. lactuca possess antiviral, antiplasmodial, antinephrotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, very limited information is available on anticancer potential of U. lactuca with no reports on liver cancer chemopreventive efficacy of this marine algae. Accordingly, the present study was initiated to evaluate the possible antihepatocarcinogenic effects and antioxidant mechanisms of action of various U. lactuca extracts against a clinically relevant rodent model of HCC. Initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats by a single injection of dietary carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DENA, 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), followed by promotion with phenobarbital (0.05%) in drinking water. The rats were fed with daily oral dose (50 mg/kg) of polysaccharide sulfate or aqueous extract of U. lactuca for 2, 12, and 24 weeks. At these timepoints, blood samples were taken to measure hepatic injury markers, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, and bilirubin. The liver tissue was harvested for measurement of hepatic oxidative indices, including lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase. Hepatic histopathology, immunohistochemical analysis of cell proliferation and apoptosis by DNA fragmentation assay were performed. Our results clearly indicate that sulfated polysaccharides of U. lactuca exert a marked chemoprevention of DENA-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis through inhibition of abnormal cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. A modest inhibition rat liver carcinogenesis was observed with the aqueous extract. The sulfated polysaccharides altered serum parameters of hepatic damage and modulated various components of the hepatic enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems. The sulfated polysaccharides from U. lactuca may have unique properties of providing protection against DENA-induced oxidative stress which could contribute to chemoprevention of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. U. lactuca sulfated polysaccharides could be developed as chemopreventive and therapeutic drug against human HCC.

Variation of radiocesium concentrations in cedar pollen in the Okutama area since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Due to releases of radionuclides in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, radiocesium ((134)Cs and (137)Cs) has been incorporated into large varieties of plant species and soil types. There is a possibility that radiocesium taken into plants is being diffused by pollen. Radiocesium concentrations in cedar pollen have been measured in Ome City, located in the Okutama area of metropolitan Tokyo, for the past 3 y. In this research, the variation of radiocesium concentrations was analysed by comparing data from 2011 to 2014. Air dose rates at 1 m above the ground surface in Ome City from 2011 to 2014 showed no significant difference. Concentration of (137)Cs contained in the cedar pollen in 2012 was about half that in 2011. Between 2012 and 2014, the concentration decreased by approximately one-fifth, which was similar to the result of a press release distributed by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Phytic Acid Exposure Alters AflatoxinB1-induced Reproductive and Oxidative Toxicity in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus).

The increased use of feed in Egypt's aquaculture and animal industries raises concerns about the possible presence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs. The use of alternative medicine, such as botanicals and nutritional supplements, has become popular with inflammatory cases. The present study aimed to testify the role played by phytic acid (IP6) in enhancing the reproductive and oxidative toxicity induced in aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) treated white male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) throughout treatment and withdrawal periods. One hundred and twenty white male albino rats were grouped into four groups. Group 1, was injected with 300 mug kg(-1) body wt of AFB1 once every 3 days for 15 days and left uninjected for another 15 days to study the withdrawal effect. Group 2, was injected with 300 mug kg(-1) body wt of AFB1 once every 3 days for 15 days and treated simultaneously with IP6 daily for another 15 days. Group 3, was treated daily with IP6 (40 mg kg(-1) body wt) for 15 days and with no treatment for other 15 days. Group 4, injected with equivalent volume of sterile phosphate buffer saline solution as a control group. Sera were taken at the experimental intervals and assayed for testosterone hormone, follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to determine the toxicological impact of AFB1 and the possibility of amelioration by phytic acid on the reproductive performance of the studied animal. The effects of AFB1 treatment on the absolute and relative weight of testis as well as its histopathologic effect on the testis and the possibility of amelioration by IP6 treatment were evaluated. The activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidants, in addition to lipid peroxidation were measured in the testis' homogenate of AFB1-treated rats. A decrease in sex hormone levels, an increase in testicular lipid peroxidation product levels and a significant decrease in testicular glutathione content, catalase and total peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were recorded. The histopathologic alterations revealed a degeneration and highly mitotic division within the spermatogenic nuclei, in addition to some karyomegaly and nuclear pyknosis. It is concluded that the reduction in the toxicity of free radicals by phytic acid might be responsible for the protective influence observed.

Effect of weekly or successive iron supplementation on erythropoietin doses in patients receiving hemodialysis.

AIMS: To conduct a 3-month prospective study to determine the optimal way for intravenous iron supplementation in hemodialysis (HD) patients with resistance to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy due to deficient iron storage. METHODS: Thirty-five HD patients with iron deficiency were divided into three groups: (1) patients receiving an intravenous infusion of 40 mg of iron during the first ten HD sessions (n = 12); (2) patients receiving 40 mg of iron injected once a week for 10 weeks (n = 12), and (3) patients without any iron supplementation (n = 11). The rHuEPO dosage was adjusted to maintain hemoglobin levels >10.0 g/dl, and the degree of anemia was assessed 3 months later. RESULTS: In group 1, the hemoglobin levels were significantly increased after 4 weeks and remained increased until the end of the study (p < 0.01). In group 2, the hemoglobin levels were gradually increased until the end of the study (p < 0.01). There was no difference in the final hemoglobin values between both groups. The rHuEPO dosage was significantly decreased from 131 +/- 18 to 90 +/- 17 U/kg/week in group 1 (p < 0.01), but could not be changed in group 2 during the observation period despite a similar elevation of the serum ferritin level. In group 3, the rHuEPO doses were rather increased at the end of the study (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aggressive iron supplementation for the short term may be effective to restore rHuEPO hyporesponsiveness in HD patients with functional iron deficiency.

Effects of phosphorus-containing calcium preparation (bone meal powder) and calcium carbonate on serum calcium and phosphorus in young and old healthy volunteers: a double-blinded crossover study.

To evaluate the effects of bone meal powder (BEC) on calcium and phosphorus metabolism, a calcium absorption test was conducted using a preparation of calcium carbonate (CAC) as the control drug. A total of 12 healthy volunteers, consisting of 6 younger (aged 20-29 years, 3 men and 3 women) and 6 older (aged 60-69 years, 3 men and 3 women) persons, were subjected to a double-blinded crossover study. Serum calcium (s-Ca) level significantly increased to 105.3% +/- 1.9% (P < 0.01 vs the basal value; mean +/- SD) from the basal value in the BEC group and to 104.4% +/- 2.7% (P < 0.01) in the CAC group at 3h post load. Urinary excretions of calcium (u-Ca/glomerular filtration rate, u-Ca/GF) after BEC and CAC load rose to 226.6% +/- 154.5% (P < 0.05) and 211.1% +/- 148.0% (P < 0.05), respectively. Serum phosphorus (s-P) levels after BEC load increased to 110.0% +/- 15.1% (P < 0.05), whereas that after CAC load showed no significant change (99.3% +/- 7.9%). On the other hand, urinary excretion of phosphorus (u-P/GF) after CAC load decreased to 60.0% +/- 32.4% (P < 0.01) and that in the BEC group showed no significant change (92.5% +/- 49.5%). The increase in s-Ca led to decrease in serum intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) level [77.3% +/- 33.4% (P < 0.05) for BEC and 69.5% +/- 20.3% (P < 0.01) for CAC] although s-P was increased by the BEC load. The responses to BEC and CAC administration were compared in the younger and the older groups. The responses in the younger and the older group showed fundamentally the same trends and to the same extent. However, the changes in serum ionized calcium (i-Ca) and i-PTH levels at 1.5 h post load were significantly smaller in the older group than in the younger group (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). The increment in s-P level after BEC load in the older group was larger than that in the younger group. In conclusion, BEC can modulate not only calcium but also phosphorus metabolism in both younger and older subjects. Further investigations are required to evaluate the effects of BEC on bone density and safety for renal function in long-term observations.

MK800-62F1, a new inhibitor of apoptotic cell death, from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes MK800-62F1. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activity.

A new compound, MK800-62F1, was isolated from a cultured broth of Streptomyces diastatochromogenes MK800-62F1. It inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis in human small cell lung carcinoma Ms-1 cells as well as in human T-cell leukemia Jurkat cells. In addition, MK800-62F1 also inhibited camptothecin-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells, which was mediated by intracellular H2O2 generation. MK800-62F1 did not exhibit antioxidative activity in vitro, suggesting that inhibition of apoptosis by MK800-62F1 was not due to the scavenging of H2O2, rather it was due to the modulation of the downstream event of H2O2 generation.

Effect of beta-blocker on left ventricular function and natriuretic peptides in patients with chronic heart failure treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

To evaluate whether or not beta-blockers can improve the condition of patients with heart failure treated with a combination of diuretics, digitalis and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), 52 patients with chronic heart failure who have been treated with ACEI for more than 6 months were enrolled. They were divided into 2 groups: 26 patients continued the same therapy another 6 months or more (group A), and 26 patients were given oral metoprolol for 6 months or more, in addition to the ACEI (group B). Echocardiographic parameters and atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP) were measured. The left ventricular dimensions at end-diastole and end-systole were significantly decreased and fractional shortening was significantly increased in group B after 6 months' treatment with the beta-blocker, but these parameters remained unchanged in group A. Plasma levels of both ANP and BNP were significantly decreased in group B, but remained unchanged in group A. These results indicate that concomitant beta-blocker therapy can improve left ventricular function and attenuate plasma ANP and BNP levels in patients with chronic heart failure treated with ACEI.

A useful method to evaluate bone resorption inhibitors, using osteoclast-like multinucleated cells.

Since excessive bone resorption in postmenopausal osteoporosis is a pathological manifestation of the disease, it is important to control bone resorption activity of osteoclasts as a means of controlling the disease. To screen bone resorption inhibitors, a simple and quantitative method to assay bone resorption is needed. However, it has been difficult to prepare a lot of osteoclasts required for the screening of many compounds in vitro. We used the method for the preparation of mouse osteoclast-like multinucleated cells in vitro and developed a useful method in which osteoclast-like multinucleated cells were placed on dentin slices and the calcium released from dentin into the culture medium was measured. Under the optimal conditions, the increase of the calcium concentration caused by bone resorption activity of the osteoclast-like cells was significant and inhibited by calcitonin in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the inhibitory effect of calcitonin on the pit area caused by bone resorption and found that the decrease of the calcium released from dentin was correlated with that of the pit area. Furthermore, several known bone resorption inhibitors such as bisphosphonate, bafilomycin A1, and herbimycin A showed inhibitory effects on the calcium release from dentin slices. Thus, this simple method provides us a useful screening system to find bone resorption inhibitors with novel mechanisms.

Morphologic and histologic characterization of cardiac myxomas by magnetic resonance imaging.

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of ECG-gated spin-echo (SE) magnetic resonance (MR) images, cine MR images, and gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced MR images for the morphologic and histologic diagnosis of atrial myxomas. Four patients with left atrial myxoma were imaged with a 1.5-T MR imager. The T1-weighted images and the cine MR images were obtained before injection of Gd-DTPA. After the injection of Gd-DTPA, the T1-weighted images were obtained again. Gd-DTPA-enhanced images of the myxomas were histologically compared with the extracted specimens. The tumors were represented more clearly on the cine MR images as low-intensity areas than on the SE images as high-intensity areas. On post-Gd-DTPA images, the 2 tumors were homogeneously enhanced and the other 2 were inhomogeneously enhanced. The locus of enhancement on post-Gd-DTPA images fitted with histologic myxoma or inflammation, and the unenhanced region reflected the necrosis or cystic changes in the specimens, respectively. The morphologic diagnosis of cardiac myxomas by MRI first should be done with SE images, and when the images are unclear, the cine MR images must be supplemented to depict the tumor clearly. Moreover, Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI could elucidate histologic characteristics in myxomas.

Regression of increased left ventricular masses in elderly hypertensive patients on lisinopril as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated, using magnetic resonance imaging, whether the addition of lisinopril could reduce increased left ventricular (LV) masses in hypertensive patients whose blood pressure was well controlled with nifedipine. METHODS: Fourteen hypertensive patients being treated with nifedipine and having an interventricular septum thickness of more than 12 mm were studied. Half of them were given 5 mg lisinopril, and the others were not. Short-axis images of the left ventricle from the base to the apex were obtained by a standard spin-echo pulse sequence. The entire LV mass was calculated from the area of short-axis slices of the left ventricle multiplied by slice thickness. RESULTS: Blood pressure fell slightly and almost equally in both groups. The LV mass and LV mass index showed a significant decrease in the lisinopril-treated group but not in the control group. CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate the effectiveness of lisinopril in reducing increased LV masses, at least in combination with nifedipine.

Assessment of apoptosis in oesophageal carcinoma preoperatively treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Apoptosis, programmed cell death, was immunohistochemically determined in 55 samples of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma using the BM1 Mab. Sections from patients not treated (group 1, n = 12) or preoperatively treated by chemotherapy (group 2, n = 11), radiation (group 3, n = 13) or both (group 4, n = 8), and 11 additional cases of high-grade dysplasia or early cancer were examined. Most of the apoptotic cells were BM1-positive and checked by TUNEL proved to be nick end positive. They accounted for 7 (11%), 19 (29%), 21 (32%) and 26 (38%) cells per field in those 4 groups respectively. Chemotherapy and/or radiation significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells as compared to controls (p = 0.029 and p = 0.029, respectively). To assess the implications of the oncogene expression in the apoptotic pathway, additional section stained with bcl2 and p53 were negative for bcl2 and were positive for p53 in 16 samples (37%). Overall, positive cases for p53 mutation showed a significantly decreased incidence of apoptotic cells (p = 0.03). These results suggest that in situ assessment of apoptotic response better correlates to the apoptosis induced by radiation than that by chemotherapy, that abnormalities of the p53 protein decrease the apoptotic response in oesophageal carcinoma, and that immunohistochemical analysis of p53 protein helps to determine the sensitivity to these anticancer agents.

Effects of sublingually administered nifedipine on left ventricular isovolumic relaxation, diastolic filling, and distensibility in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

The acute effects of nifedipine (20 mg) on left ventricular diastolic function were investigated in 16 patients with chronic coronary artery disease by measuring left ventricular pressure with a manometer-tipped catheter and by measuring volume with cineangiography. Heart rates were maintained by right atrial pacing. Left ventricular peak systolic pressure (-15%; p less than 0.01 vs control) decreased significantly. With afterload reduction, left ventricular ejection fraction (+11%; p less than 0.01) increased. There was no significant change in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. The diastolic peak filling rate of left ventricular volume significantly increased (+36%; p less than 0.05), whereas the time from end-systole to the peak filling rate remained unchanged. Administration of nifedipine did not improve left ventricular relaxation as assessed by the isovolumic pressure decay. There was also no significant change in the left ventricular diastolic pressure-volume relationship. We conclude that nifedipine improves left ventricular systolic function with afterload reduction but has little or no effect on left ventricular diastolic properties in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.