This review summarizes the new evidence for an intrinsic control system in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron in which purinergic signaling regulates sodium transport and governs renal sodium excretion. Electrophysiological studies identify epithelial Na channels (ENaC) as final effectors of purinergic signaling via P2Y2 receptors in the distal nephron. Inhibition of ...

The human SLC4A5 gene has been identified as a hypertension susceptibility gene based on the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with blood pressure levels and hypertension status. The biochemical basis of this association is unknown particularly since no single gene variant was linked to hypertension in humans. SLC4A5 (NBCe2, NBC4) ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies suggest that long-term exposure to transport noise increases the risk for cardiovascular disorders. The effect of transport noise on blood pressure and hypertension is uncertain. METHODS: In 1993-1997, 57,053 participants aged 50-64 year were enrolled in a population-based cohort study. At enrolment, systolic and diastolic blood ...

Sample transport and electrokinetic injection bias are well characterized in capillary electrophoresis and simple microchips, but a thorough understanding of sample transport on devices combining electroosmosis, electrophoresis, and pressure-driven flow is lacking. In this work, we evaluate the effects of electric fields from 0 to 300 V/cm, electrophoretic mobilities from 10(-4) ...

This is a follow-up paper of our previous report on an ion source, which was operated at an operating pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Besides having more working gas for desolvation, the reduction of mean free path of electrons in a higher pressure environment increases the threshold voltage for ...

The active transport of sperm through the female genital tract is a very important factor in the fertilisation process. There is conflicting evidence as to whether seminal plasma has a positive or a negative effect on reproductive performance regarding the sperm transport in the female genital tract. In this study, ...

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:843-847. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Magnesium intake of 500 mg/d to 1000 mg/d may reduce blood pressure (BP) as much as 5.6/2.8 mm Hg. However, clinical studies have a wide range of BP reduction, with some showing no change in BP. The combination of increased intake of magnesium and potassium ...

The treatment of pressure sores represents a significant challenge to health care professionals. Although, pressure wound management demands a multidisciplinary approach, soft tissue defects requiring reconstruction are often considered for surgical management. Myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps can provide stable coverage of pressure sores. Here, we describe our experience using a ...

The characteristics of Hg wet deposition were investigated in a rural area of Korea from August 2006 to July 2008. The volume weighted mean (VWM) Hg(T) concentration and cumulative Hg(T) flux were 8.8 ng L(-1) and 9.4 μg m(-2) per year, respectively. The VWM Hg(T) concentration varied seasonally, similar to ...

Pressure changes within the central nervous system (CNS) have the capacity to provoke neurodegeneration by perturbing axonal homeostatic processes. The pathogenic role of axonal transport dysfunction in diseases characterised by sustained pressure elevation have been clearly delineated, however the patho-physiogical mechanisms underlying neurological disorders typified by measurable fluctuations in CNS ...

Hypertension is closely associated with progressive kidney dysfunction, manifested as glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, proteinuria and eventually declining glomerular filtration. The postulated mechanism for development of glomerulosclerosis is barotrauma caused by increased capillary pressure, but the reason for development of interstitial fibrosis and the subsequently reduced kidney function is less clear. ...

The modern Indian summer monsoon (ISM) is characterized by exceptionally strong interhemispheric transport, indicating the importance of both Northern and Southern Hemisphere processes driving monsoon variability. Here, we present a high-resolution continental record from southwestern China that demonstrates the importance of interhemispheric forcing in driving ISM variability at the glacial-interglacial ...

Inflammation during mechanical ventilation is thought to depend on regional mechanical stress. This can be produced by concentration of stresses and cyclic recruitment in low-aeration dependent lung. Positron emission tomography (PET) with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) allows for non-invasive assessment of regional metabolic activity, an index of neutrophilic inflammation. We tested the ...

We developed a new instrumental method by which human melanoma cells (LU1205) are sonoporated via radiation pressures exerted by highly-confined ultrasonic waves produced by high lateral-resolution ultrasonic micro-transducer arrays (UMTAs). The method enables cellular-level site-specific sonoporation within the cell monolayer due to UMTAs and can be applicable in the delivery ...

Roles of the sympathetic nervous system versus kidney salt transporters in hypertension are debated. A study in Nature Medicine (Mu et al., 2011) shows that dietary salt excess, coupled with β-adrenergic stimulation, increases arterial pressure via glucocorticoid receptors and WNK4, suggesting interactions between these systems in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Computations on NaH_{n}, n=6-12, show that NaH_{9} is stable by P=25  GPa. Cmc2_{1}-NaH_{9} containing both H_{2} and H^{-} units is metallic at P>250  GPa. Other phases with only H_{2} units metallize at lower pressures as a result of the partial filling of the H_{2} σ_{u}^{*} bands by the Na 3s electrons. Pressure ...

Pulmonary oxygen (O(2)) uptake during apnoea results in a fall in lung volume. Given that electrical impedance tomography (EIT) provides reliable data on regional lung volume changes we hypothesized that EIT could be used to measure regional O(2) uptake. A total of 12 lung healthy supine patients were studied. EIT ...

The mechanisms underlying the growth of fungal hyphae are rooted in the physical property of cell pressure. Internal hydrostatic pressure (turgor) is one of the major forces driving the localized expansion at the hyphal tip which causes the characteristic filamentous shape of the hypha. Calcium gradients regulate tip growth, and ...

We recently modeled fluid flow through gap junction channels coupling the pigmented and nonpigmented layers of the ciliary body. The model suggested the channels could transport the secretion of aqueous humor, but flow would be driven by hydrostatic pressure rather than osmosis. The pressure required to drive fluid through a ...

The study was designed to develop a new procedure for perfusion of brain and pituitary explants collected from three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). The procedure was elaborated for studies of arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT) release from explants of both species. AVT and IT, analogs ...

Healthcare workers often are unsatisfied with their working conditions despite declaring to like their jobs. Psychosocial constraints in the workplace have increased recently due to changes in work organization. These psychosocial constraints are linked to cardiovascular diseases. To analyze the relationship between blood pressure levels and organizational occupational risk factors ...

A mathematical model of interstitial fluid flow is developed, based on the application of the governing equations for fluid flow, i.e., the conservation laws for mass and momentum, to physiological systems containing solid tumors. The discretized form of the governing equations, with appropriate boundary conditions, is developed for a predefined ...

Higher-category pressure redistribution mattresses are considered a critical component of a pressure ulcer prevention program, but few studies have quantified the impact of specific preventive measures on the incidence or prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs). Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the impact of low-air-loss beds on HAPU ...

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is characterized by increased pressure in the tarsal tunnel. In hyperpronation, there is excessive abnormal pronation resulting from partial displacement of the talus on the calcaneus. In this study, we hypothesized that hyperpronation caused by talotarsal instability will lead to increased pressure in the tarsal tunnel and ...

Mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in human urine and hair samples from Gouxi (GX, n=25) and Laowuchang (LWC, n=18), Tongren, Guizhou, China, to evaluate human exposure from artisanal Hg mining. Geometric means of urinary Hg (U-Hg) were 216 and 560μgg(-1) Creatinine (μgg(-1) Cr) for artisanal mining workers from GX and ...

In obesity-hypoventilation-syndrome patients mechanically ventilated for hypercapnic respiratory failure we investigated the relationship between CO₂ response, body mass index, and plasma bicarbonate concentration, and the effect of acetazolamide on bicarbonate concentration and CO₂ response. CO₂ response tests and arterial blood gas analysis were performed in 25 patients ready for a ...

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) in patients in severe refractory cardiogenic shock (SRCS) despite intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and/or high-dose vasopressor support. SRCS is associated with substantial mortality despite IABP counterpulsation. Until recently, there was no rapid, minimally invasive means of providing ...

Calculation of integer heart rate variability (HRVi) permits monitoring over extended periods. We asked whether continuous monitoring of HRVi or integer pulse pressure (PP) variability (PPVi) could predict intracranial hypertension, defined as ICP >20 mm Hg, cerebral hypoperfusion, defined as CPP<60 mm Hg, mortality or functional outcome after severe traumatic brain injury. ...

OBJECTIVES: In patients with high-risk hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), the Norwood operation (NW) in the neonatal period still results in high mortality compared with other cardiac surgery. Bilateral pulmonary artery banding (bPAB), a very effective initial procedure for HLHS, for which the specific evaluation is as yet unsatisfactory, was ...

Chronic compartment syndrome is well recognized, although it is rare in the forearm. Diagnosis is based on history, clinical examination, and compartment pressure readings. Existing normal pressure ranges for the forearm are based on lower limb measurements. This study aimed to establish normal pre- and post-exercise forearm compartment pressures. Using ...

The excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis (ELANA) technique facilitates the construction of an end-to-side anastomosis between a donor vessel and a recipient artery without the need to temporarily occlude the recipient artery. To test whether the surgically difficult ELANA technique can be simplified. In 42 rabbits, with the aorta as the ...

The interest in using titanium to fabricate removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks has increased, but there are few studies evaluating the effects of casting methods on clasp behavior. This study compared the occurrence of porosities and the retentive force of commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) removable partial ...

OBJECTIVES: The passive leg-raising maneuver is a reversible fluid-loading procedure used to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether intra-abdominal hypertension (which impairs venous return) reduces the ability of passive leg raising to detect fluid responsiveness in critically ill ventilated ...

Complete ophthalmic examination of a mob of western gray kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) was performed under chemical restraint. Examination included intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement by rebound and applanation tonometry, fluorescein staining, corneal diameter measurement, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect funduscopy. The corneal diameters had a mean of 19.52 mm, SD 2.16 mm, ...

To determine whether veterinary-specific oscillometric blood pressure units yield measurements that are in good agreement with directly measured blood pressures in cats. Evaluation study. 21 cats undergoing routine spaying or neutering. A 24-gauge catheter was inserted in a dorsal pedal artery, and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were directly ...

Intra-abdominal pressure created during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is accepted as a factor for postoperative pain. In this prospective, randomized, clinical study, the goal is to determine the effects of different intra-abdominal pressure values on visceral type pain. Sixty women who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this study. Low-pressure (8 mm ...

To evaluate a novel contact lens-embedded pressure sensor for continuous measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP). Repeated measurements of IOP and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) were recorded in 12 eyes of 12 subjects in sitting and supine positions using 3 configurations of the dynamic contour tonometer: slit-lamp mounted (DCT), hand-held (HH), ...

This review highlights the paucity of data that support actively decreasing blood pressures (BP) to a level of less than 130/80 mm Hg. Although the data support a lower cardiovascular (CV) event rate with this lower level of pressure in high-risk CV people, early aggressive intervention to prevent levels from ...

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as resting mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) ≥ 25 mm Hg. MPAP pressure estimation by right-sided heart catheterization (RHC) is considered the gold standard; however, its invasiveness limits repeated and frequent use. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy and precision of three ...

Multiple animal models of burn injury have been reported, and only some of these have been fully validated. One of the most popular approaches is burn infliction by direct contact with the heat source. Previous investigators have reported that the pressure of application of the contact burn infliction device does ...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether reduced lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) predicts the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in heterogeneous group of patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary function and transthoracic echocardiographic testing within a 6-month period were retrospectively identified by chart ...

Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) is used to differentiate patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with left-sided heart disease from other etiologies. Technical errors in the measurement of PAOP are common and lead to incorrect classification of the etiology of PH. We investigated the agreement among PAOP measurements obtained from ...

This study compared torcetrapib-induced blood pressure (BP) changes simultaneously obtained by high-definition oscillometry (HDO) and telemetry. Male beagles (n = 6) received single oral doses of vehicle or torcetrapib at 10 or 30 mg/kg; BP were acquired simultaneously by HDO and telemetry from 2 h before dosage until 7 h ...

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome and intra-abdominal hypertension cause morbidity and mortality. Body mass index (BMI) may affect intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). Knowledge of the baseline IAP in the obese and the effect of BMI are not clearly defined. METHODS: IAPs were measured in 37 morbidly obese patients undergoing elective gastric bypass. ...

BACKGROUND: The reliability of intrabladder pressure measurements obtained in nonsupine patients is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the reliability of measurements of intrabladder pressure obtained with 30 degrees head-of-bed elevation. METHODS: With patients supine, 30 degrees head-of-bed elevation, and instillation of 0 and 25 mL physiological saline, intrabladder pressure was measured ...

In vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) studies were carried out on samples of mercury (Hg) mine-waste calcine (roasted Hg ore) by leaching with simulated human body fluids. The objective was to estimate potential human exposure to Hg due to inhalation of airborne calcine particulates and hand-to-mouth ingestion of Hg-bearing calcines. Mine waste ...

Stable Hg isotope ratios provide a new tool to trace environmental Hg cycling. Thiols (-SH) are the dominant Hg-binding groups in natural organic matter. Here, we report experimental and computational results on equilibrium Hg isotope fractionation between dissolved Hg(II) species and thiol-bound Hg. Hg(II) chloride and nitrate solutions were equilibrated ...

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate serum potassium level variation in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock (HS). METHODS: Eight pigs were studied in a controlled hemorrhage model of HS. Blood withdrawal began at a 50 mL/min to 70 mL/min rate, adjusted to reach a mean arterial pressure (MAP) ...

This study was designed to identify the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at which rebleeding occurs when a clot is formed by a hemostatic agent, Celox or TraumaDEX, compared with a standard dressing. Fifteen pigs (5 each) were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups: Celox, ...

Ex vivo studies have suggested that high dose proton pump inhibitors (PPI) may have negative inotropic effects in myocardial tissue. We sought to investigate this concept in a real-world clinical setting. In this case series, we enrolled critically ill patients in the coronary and cardiothoracic intensive care units who had ...