Repair of recombination between homologous chromosomes plays an important role in maintaining genome integrity, although it is known that double-strand breaks are the main inducers of chromosomal aberrations. Changes in the XRCC3 protein lead to an increase in errors in chromosome segregation due to defects in centrosomes, resulting in aneuploidy and other chromosomal aberrations, such as small increases in telomeres. We examined XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism using PCR-RFLP in 80 selleck chemical astrocytoma and glioblastoma

samples. The individuals of the control group (N = 100) were selected from the general population of the Sao Paulo State. Odds ratio and 95%CI were calculated using a logistic regression model. Patients who had the allele Met of the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism

buy CH5424802 had a significantly increased risk of tumor development (odds ratio = 3.13; 95% confidence interval = 1.50-6.50). There were no significant differences in overall survival of patients. We suggest that XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism is involved in susceptibility for developing astrocytomas and glioblastomas.”
“It has been shown that vascular endothelial cells functionally express a local circuit autocrine-paracrine regulatory pathway driven by endogenously expressed chemically authentic morphine, its cognate opiate alkaloid-selective mu3 and mu4 receptors, and constitutive nitric oxide (NO). Accordingly, the aim of the study was to examine morphine-mediated changes in hypertension-associated gene expression in two independent cell models: primary cultures of human white blood cells (WBCs) and human multilineage progenitor cells (MLPCs). In separate incubations, primary cultures of human WBC and MLPC were treated with morphine at a final concentration of 1 mu M morphine for 2-4 h. After RNA extraction and reverse transcription, Human Genome Survey

Arrays were used to construct and differentially analyze by strict statistical criteria transcriptional/gene expression profiles of WBC and undifferentiated human MLPC in three independent experiments. The Applied Biosystems Human Genome Survey selleck chemicals llc Array contains 31 700 60-mer oligonucleotide probes representing a set of 27 868 individual human genes and > 1000 control probes. After DNA microarray analyses, a variety of hypertension-associated genes from both cell types were observed to be significantly downregulated. The only genes expressed in both cell types were beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 2 (ADRBK2) and coding protein kinase WNK1 (PRKWNK1); however, only PRKWNK1 showed downregulation of its expression after morphine exposure. Only two genes were observed to be significantly upregulated after morphine treatment: ADRBK2 in stem cells and beta 3-adrenergic receptor in WBC. Morphine administration to primary cultures of human WBC and MLPC altered the expression profile of 16 candidate hypertension-associated genes.

“
“Behaviour is typically regarded as among the most flexible of animal phenotypic traits. In particular, expression of cooperative behaviour is often assumed to be conditional upon

the behaviours of others. This flexibility is a key component of many hypothesized mechanisms favouring the evolution of cooperative behaviour. However, evidence shows that cooperative behaviours are often less flexible than expected and that, in many species, individuals show consistent find more differences in the amount and type of cooperative and non-cooperative behaviours displayed. This phenomenon is known as ‘animal personality’ or a ‘behavioural syndrome’. Animal personality is evolutionarily relevant, as it typically shows heritable variation and can entail fitness consequences, Selleckchem Staurosporine and hence, is subject to evolutionary change. Here, we review the empirical evidence for individual variation

in cooperative behaviour across taxa, we examine the evolutionary processes that have been invoked to explain the existence of individual variation in cooperative behaviour and we discuss the consequences of consistent individual differences on the evolutionary stability of cooperation. We highlight that consistent individual variation in cooperativeness can both stabilize or disrupt cooperation in populations. We conclude that recognizing the existence of consistent individual differences in cooperativeness is essential for an understanding of the evolution and prevalence of cooperation.”
“To investigate dopamine transporter in major depressive disorder and Parkinson’s disease, the authors obtained single TPCA-1 photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain images from

13 patients with major depression, 17 Parkinson’s disease patients, and 10 healthy volunteers by using 99mTc-TRODAT-1. The authors found the 99mTc-TRODAT-1 radio signal in the striatum was reduced in the majority of patients with major depressive disorder, and this decrease was even more severe in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The results support the hypothesis of dopamine hypofunction in major depressive disorder and suggest that deficient dopamine transporter may be involved in the etiology of severe major depressive disorder. (The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2011; 23:63-67)”
“Rice plants grown in paddy fields preferentially use ammonium as a source of inorganic nitrogen. Glutamine synthetase (GS) catalyses the conversion of ammonium to glutamine. Of the three genes encoding cytosolic GS in rice, OsGS1;1 is critical for normal growth and grain filling. However, the basis of its physiological function that may alter the rate of nitrogen assimilation and carbon metabolism within the context of metabolic networks remains unclear. To address this issue, we carried out quantitative comparative analyses between the metabolite profiles of a rice mutant lacking OsGS1;1 and its background wild type (WT).

In the EGF 5′-UTR

61G polymorphism, the heterozygote GA was the most common genotype in the glioma patients. In the NAT2 polymorphism at nucleotide position 857G/A, the G allele and the GG genotype selleck inhibitor were the most prevalent forms in both the glioma and normal samples. We did not find any homozygous AA genotypes in the glioma patients. Based on this preliminary evidence, the EGF 5′-UTR at position 61 and the NAT2 SNP at position 857 polymorphisms are associated with increased risk for glioma.”
“Study Design. A retrospective review of coronal spine balance after tethered cord release for children with tight filum terminale.

Objective. To understand the effects of untethering on coronal spine balance for these patients.

Summary of Background Data. In patients with tight filum terminale, the spinal cord is tethered by a thickened filum with a low conus medullaris but without other forms of spinal dysraphism. There have not been studies examining the effects of spinal cord untethering on coronal spinal alignment in children

with tight filum terminale.

Methods. Forty-five consecutive pediatric patients with tight filum terminale who had undergone untethering were evaluated. Their presenting signs and symptoms, pre- and postsurgery imagings, and clinical courses were reviewed for scoliosis progression.

Results. Twenty-six girls and 19 boys underwent tethered cord release at a mean age of 4.5 years. The prevalence of coronal spinal www.selleckchem.com/products/prt062607-p505-15-hcl.html malalignment, manifesting as scoliosis, before the untethering procedure was 31% (14 of 45). During the follow-up period, nine patients had coronal spinal

alignment that worsened >10 degrees (five patients eventually underwent surgical fusion), two patients had spinal alignment that improved, and five patients’ curves stabilized after untethering surgery. Therefore, at the end of the follow-up period, 9 of 45 patients (20%) had worsened coronal spinal alignment. In the multivariate analysis, patients who presented with a Cobb angle greater than 35 were most likely to progress (P = 0.002, odds ratio = 21). There was no operative HM781-36B morbidity or mortality associated with scoliosis surgery.

Conclusion. A significant number of children with tight filum terminale were found to present with scoliosis. In patients with less severe curves, tethered cord release may halt scoliosis progression.”
“Kava is a herbal anxiolytic drug. The present study investigates the response of central cholinergic neurotransmission to kava treatment by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in cortex, hippocampus and striatum of adult male rats. The present study demonstrates also the effect of chronic use of kava on some liver and kidney function parameters in the sera of rats. Kava administration (75 mg/kg) induced an increase in AChE activity in the striatum after 1 week.

This article reviews the available evidence pro and con the renal protective effects of statins in human subjects.”
“Enteroviruses have been implicated as a cause of low Apgar scores in conjunction with perinatal seizures and respiratory insufficiency. Using in-situ reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (in-situ PCR), Nuovo et al detected enterovirus in up to 86% of placentas from perinates exhibiting these symptoms. In-situ PCR has

been the only method employed to assess for the presence of enterovirus in this specific patient population. The purpose of our study was to use PCR amplification of enterovirus from extracted RNA to confirm these observations. RNA was extracted from CX-4945 in vivo 26 placentas of infants with low Apgar scores, perinatal seizures, and respiratory insufficiency

Each extraction was positive for beta-actin RNA, which confirmed that the integrity of RNA was maintained in the sample. Enterovirus RNA was not detected in any of the cases. Our results indicate that enterovirus is not present in placentas from neonates with the combination of low Apgar scores, respiratory insufficiency, and seizures, selleck screening library as previously reported.”
“A new compound 3-acetyloxy-epicycloeucalenol-24-one (1), with 11 known compounds 3-acetyloxy-4,14-dimethyl-9,19-cycloergost-24-oic acid (2), 3-epicycloeucalenol (3), 3-epicycloeucalenyl-24-one (4), 3-epicycloeucalenyl acetate (5), 4,14-dimethyl-5-ergosta-9,19-cyclo-24(31)-en-3-hydroxy-4-carboxylic acid (6), cycloeucalenone (7), friedelin (8), epifriedelanol (9), lup-20 (29)-en-3,30-diol (10), betulin (11), lupeol (12), was isolated from

the stems and leaves of Quercus variabilis Blume. Seven compounds (1-7) showed anti-inflammatory activity.”
“Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. Although prerenal and ischemic causes of AKI are most common, renal insufficiency can complicate several other pregnancy-specific conditions. In particular, severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome, acute www.sellecn.cn/products/cx-4945-silmitasertib.html fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are all frequently complicated by AKI, and share several clinical features which pose diagnostic challenges to the clinician. In this article, we discuss the clinical and laboratory features, pathophysiology and treatment of these 3 conditions, with particular attention to renal manifestations. It is imperative to distinguish these conditions to make appropriate therapeutic decisions which can be lifesaving for the mother and fetus. Typically AFLP and HELLP improve after delivery of the fetus, whereas plasma exchange is the first-line treatment for TTP.”
“Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) causes early-onset, slowly progressive central nervous system white matter disease, macrocephaly, and later cognitive and motor decline. We describe brain structure in a patient with MLC and proven MLC1 mutations. A male, normal at birth, had macrocephaly at 6 months followed by developmental delay.

Molecular assessment of the muscular and AR-13324 mouse neuroregenerative response was determined via measurement of EUS BDNF and PN beta II-tubulin expression respectively, 4, 8, and 12 days after injury. Results Following injury, LPP was significantly reduced with saline compared to either BDNF treatment or sham injury. Similarly, compared to sham injury, resting EUS EMG amplitude and firing rate, as well as amplitude during LPP were significantly reduced with saline but not BDNF treatment. Histology confirmed improved EUS

recovery with BDNF treatment. EUS BDNF and PN beta II-tubulin expression demonstrated that BDNF treatment improved the neurogenerative response and may facilitate sphincteric recovery. Conclusions Continuous targeted neurotrophin therapy accelerates continence recovery after simulated childbirth injury likely through stimulating neuroregeneration and facilitating EUS recovery and re-innervation. Neurotrophins or other therapies targeting neuromuscular regeneration may be useful for treating

SUI related to failure of the neuromuscular continence mechanism. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 8287, 2013. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Objectives: www.selleckchem.com/products/qnz-evp4593.html We reviewed the literature to evaluate the role of common laboratory tests and to examine the recent progress in the laboratory diagnosis of pediatric rheumatic diseases.

Methods: We used the PubMed database (1950-2008) to search for the keywords “”laboratory,”" “”erythrocyte sedimentation rate”" (ESR), “”C-reactive Selleckchem Repotrectinib protein”" (CRP), “”blood cytology,”" “”procalcitonin”" (PCT), “”complement system,”" “”ferritin,”" “”antistreptolysin O titer”" (ASO), “”autoantibodies,”" “”genetic studies,”" in conjunction with “”rheumatic disease in children”" and “”pediatric autoimmune diseases.”" All relevant original and review articles in English were reviewed as well as textbooks of pediatric rheumatology.

Results: Laboratory tests (ESR, CRP, blood cytology, complement system, ferritin, ASO titer) play an important role in confirming a diagnosis and in the follow-up of rheumatic diseases in the pediatric age group. The ESR is probably the most widely measured index of the acute

phase response. Measurement of CRP is very useful in the rapid diagnosis of infection as a progressive increase can be shown in the first 48 hours. Also, the subsequent fall in serum CRP concentration on resolution of inflammation is useful for monitoring the efficacy of treatment. In chronic diseases, a combination of CRP and ESR may provide the most useful information. Cytopenia and different forms of anemia can be encountered in many rheumatic diseases: they can be related to disease activity or to therapeutic side effects. Determination of complement levels (C3 and/or C4) is useful in the follow-up of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Ferritin is a laboratory hallmark of primary and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

RESULTS: Ninety-five patients out of 100 randomized patients completed the study. Patient age, body mass index, and uterus weight showed no significant differences between both groups. All results are given as mean (+/- standard deviation; median). Total operating time for the

robotic group was significantly higher with 106 (+/- 29; 103) compared with 75 (+/- 21; 74) (conventional group) minutes. Blood loss, complications, analgesics use, and return to activity for both groups THZ1 mw were comparable. The change in preoperative to postoperative quality-of-life index (quality of life measured on a linear scale from 0 to 100) was significantly higher in the robotic group, with 13 (+/- 10; 13) compared with 5 (+/- 14; 5) (conventional group).

CONCLUSION: Cytoskeletal Signaling inhibitor Robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy and conventional laparoscopy compare well in most surgical aspects, but the robotic procedure is associated with longer operating times. Postoperative quality-of-life

index was better; however, long-term, there was no difference. However, subjective postoperative parameters such as analgesic use and return to activity showed no significant difference between both groups.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00683293. (Obstet Gynecol 2012; 120: 604-11) DOI: http://10.1097/AOG.0b013e318265b61a

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I”
“Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Astragalus beckari yielded four flavonol aglycones,

namely kaempferol, quercetin, 5-deoxy kaempferol and fisitin. These small molecule library screening isolated compounds were then synthesised in the laboratory using the Algar-Flyn-Oyamad reaction. Antioxidant activity of both the isolated and synthesised flavonoids was compared using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method. The isolated flavonoids were found to be more active.”
“From cultural filtrates of the freshwater fungus Ophioceras dolichostomum YMF1.00988 a novel neolignan with an unprecedented dibenzo-1,6-dioxacyclodecane carbon skeleton, ophiocerol (1), was isolated, and the known compounds isoamericanoic acid A (2) and caffeic acid (3) were identified. The structure of the novel compound was determined by interpretation of its spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D, 1H and 13C NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY), and MS. Compounds 1-3 were assayed for their nematicidal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus as well as their antifungal activity against several plant pathogen fungi.”
“OBJECTIVE: Most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who are alive at 5 years have active disease. Thus, 10-year survival rather than 5-year survival may be a more appropriate endpoint. Relative survival adjusts for the general survival of the United States population for that race, sex, age, and date at which the diagnosis was coded. Our objective was to estimate relative survival in epithelial ovarian cancer over the course of 10 years.

After 10 days of antibiotic therapy, hyperhidrosis regressed together with the clinical manifestations. According to these data, we hypothesize that hyperhidrosis is find more due to an eccrine sweat gland hyperfunction, probably secondary to bacterial infection.”
“The objective of this study was to produce green phenolic resins and adhesives using bio-phenolic compounds produced from lignin/forestry residuals. To produce bio-phenolic compounds, an organosolv lignin (OL) was catalytically degraded in 50/50 (v/v) water-ethanol

and pure ethanol media under sub/supercritical condition in hydrogen atmosphere. Effects of lignin degradation process conditions (catalyst, temperature, type of reactor, etc.) on the yields and properties

(molecular weights) of the degraded lignin selleck chemical (DL) products were examined in this study. The DL products were used to substitute for phenol in the synthesis of bio-phenol formaldehyde resins, denoted as degraded lignin phenol-formaldehyde (DLPF) resins, whose properties (such as viscosity, non-volatile contents, storage time, free formaldehyde contents, curing behavior, and thermal stability) were compared with pure PF resin and organosolv lignin phenol-formaldehyde (OLPF) resins. Plywood samples glued with the OLPF and DLPF adhesives with a phenol replacement ratio up to 75 wt% showed higher dry and wet tensile strengths than those of PF adhesives. Although the OLPF adhesives have better bond strengths and thermal stability than DLPF adhesives, the DLPF resins have a lower free formaldehyde content and can be cured at a lower temperature. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The practice of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening has been increasing in Italy despite uncertain scientific evidence and contrary recommendations from most scientific societies. In 2002, a survey of PSA screening diffusion among general practices was performed, looking for screening frequency and age pattern of screened individuals. The objective of this study was to assess whether the features of PSA screening

did change after 6 years in the same considered setting. Using 8-Bromo-cAMP mouse the data obtained from 500 Italian general practitioners providing information to the Health Search/CSD Patient database, we selected, for the study purpose 351 091 male individuals. We assumed PSA prescriptions performed during 2005-2008 in individuals without prostate cancer, or benign prostate disease, or urological symptoms history to have a screening purpose. Screening frequency was analyzed in the overall series, by year and by patient’s age. Exposure to PSA screening (at least on PSA test in the considered period) of males aged over 50 years raised from 31.4% (confidence interval 95% 31.08-31.70%) during 2002 to 46.4% (confidence interval 95% 46.19-46.68%) during 2008.

The GT of P407 based

in situ gel increased with an increase in the P188 concentration. NaHA and C934 lowered the GT of poloxamer analogs based in situ gel. Correlation analysis demonstrated that in vitro drug release from in situ gel was controlled by gel dissolution and followed zero-order kinetics. Tiopronin in vitro transcorneal transit accorded with zero-order kinetics. Twenty-two percent P407 and 6% P188 containing 0.2% NaHA based formulation can be chosen as in situ gel matrix of tiopronin because of proper GT and sustained releasing ability. In vivo study showed that the area under the aqueous humor-concentration time curve of tiopronin increased by 1.6 folds for in situ gel, compared with MK-1775 mouse tiopronin aqueous solution. High-dose tiopronin in situ gel and solution delayed the development of selenite cataract 6 d and 4 cl, respectively. The results showed

that tiopronin in situ gel exhibits higher bioavailability and therapeutical effect. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 775-783, 2009″
“We report on the surface nanostructuring of silicon wafer by self-organization of redeposited Si nanoparticles, at various energy levels, in the vaporization regime of laser-matter interaction. By using the semiconfined configuration, a quasi-two-dimensional turbulent Si vapor field with gradients of pressure and temperature is formed. The turbulent field evolves into point vortices which condense into Si nanodroplets. At a low laser energy of similar to 1.2 J (0.23 GW/cm(2)), the inertial instability of nanodroplets under gradients of pressure and temperature, cause their intermittent accumulation BI 10773 solubility dmso in the low-pressure regions of turbulent field. The solidification of Si nanodroplets into particles and their redeposition, cause a simple two-dimensional low density nanostructuring of Si wafer in the near periphery region, and a high density nanostructuring in the periphery region of the spot. The pattern of redeposited Si nanoparticles

in these regions is equivalent to the pattern of point vortices in a two-dimensional turbulent field. Such a pattern of point vortices is obtained by numerical simulation from the two-dimensional selleck chemicals Navier-Stokes equation for forced turbulence. The self-organization of the coherent point vortex pattern is generated by numerical simulation of the solitary turbulence model based on the nonlinear Schroumldinger equation. At the high laser energy of similar to 1.5 and similar to 2.0 J (similar to 0.42 and similar to 0.52 GW/cm(2), respectively), the transition from simple intermittent two-dimensional nanoparticle organization into a continuous and more complex one takes place. The nanostructured pattern shows a continuous distribution of Si particles, whose size increases from the periphery toward the center without spatial intermittency, showing a gradient of particle size.

To describe the effects of sex hormones on cardiovascular disease (CVD) that may act via serum lipids.

Recent findings

Low endogenous testosterone is associated with high low-density lipoprotein and low high-density lipoprotein in both cross-sectional and prospective observational studies. Exogenous testosterone administration is associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein coupled with beneficial decreases in low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol. The overall impact of testosterone administration on CVD is still unclear, with mixed safety results from recent randomized controlled trials.

Summary

There may be CVD risk reduction benefits, including an improved lipid

profile, from testosterone administration in hypogonadal men. The overall effect of testosterone on CVD risk LDK378 order has not been definitively determined.”
“Background: Concern has recently been raised over the possibility of a reduced efficacy of clopidogrel because of genetic variations

in cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 19 (CYP2C19) metabolism. A black box warning from the US Food and Drug Administration recommends that all patients be tested. It has been estimated that approximately 3% (range 2-14%) of the population are poor metabolizers, but few data are available for cerebrovascular patients. The objective Savolitinib purchase of this study is to evaluate the frequency and effects of variability in CYP2C19 metabolism in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: A retrospective

review of all patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) tested for the clopidogrel CYP2C19 genotype https://www.selleck.cn/screening/stem-cell-compound-library.html was performed, with a collection of data including race/ethnicity, CYP2C19 status, and the presence of recurrent vascular events. Results: A total of 53 cerebrovascular patients were tested, consisting of 5.7% poor (n = 3), 26.4% intermediate (n = 14), 62.3% extensive (n = 33), 3.8% indeterminate (n = 2), and 1.9% “”mixed ultra rapid and poor”" (n = 1) metabolizers. Only 10 of 38 white patients (26.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.42) were intermediate or poor metabolizers, compared with 7 of 15 (46.7%; 95% CI 0.25-0.70) non-whites. Of 43 patients treated with clopidogrel, 3 of 27 extensive metabolizers (11.1%; 95% CI 0.04-0.28) had recurrent cerebrovascular events compared with 33.3% of intermediate metabolizers (4/12; 95% CI 0.14-0.61) and 50% of poor metabolizers (1/2; 95% CI 0.09-0.90). Conclusions: These data suggest that the proportion of poor/intermediate clopidogrel metabolizers in cerebrovascular patients is comparable to cardiovascular studies and these patients may have an increased risk of recurrent cerebrovascular events. Routine CYP2C19 testing may be warranted.”
“Plants are an important source of several clinically useful anti-cancer agents. A volatile extract was obtained from Ricinus communis L.

Prevalence of 3-vessel disease was significantly higher in groups 3 and 4 compared with the other groups.

Conclusions The presence of angina pectoris was related to extensive CAD in patients with DM. The extent of CAD was not correlated with the type of angina (typical or atypical).”
“Treatment of 3-methyl-2-phenylcycloprop-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid

with potassium tert-butoxide induced its isomerization into trans-2-methylidene-3-phenylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid which was converted into methyl ester, and heating of the latter for 1 h in toluene gave methyl (E)-2-(2-phenylcyclopropylidene)acetate. Thermal isomerization of methyl (E)-2-(2-phenylcyclopropylidene)acetate on prolonged heating in toluene afforded 5-methoxy-3-methyl-2-phenylfuran, selleckchem and the reaction with 1,3-diphenyl-2-benzofuran resulted in [4 + 2]-cycloaddition at the exocyclic double bond.”
“A growing beneficial reuse of biosolids in agriculture has led to concerns about potential contamination of water resources and the food

chain. In order to comprehend the potential risks of transmission of diseases to the human population, an advanced quantitative risk assessment is essential. This requires good quantitative data which is Currently limited due to the methodological limitations. Consequently, further development and standardization of methodologies for the detection, enumeration and viability assessment of pathogens in biosolids is required. There is a Paucity of information on the numbers and survival of enteric virus and protozoan pathogens of concern

in biosolids. There is a growing Quisinostat urgency for the identification of more reliable alternative indicators, both index and model microorganisms, which could be used for potential public health risk assessment. In this review, we have summarized reported literature on the numbers and fate of enteric pathogens 17DMAG supplier and indicators in biosolids. The advantages and limitations of the use of conventional and alternative index and model microorganisms for the prediction of pathogen presence in biosolids are also discussed. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background A family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular events.

Hypothesis Atorvastatin may improve endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with premature CAD with ED.

Methods Thirty-five FDRs (median age, 52 years [interquartile range (IQR), 46-57 years], 21 male) of patients with premature CAD with ED were recruited in a prospective trial with a crossover double-blind design: 6 weeks of treatment with atorvastatin 40 mg/day followed by placebo, or vice versa. After each treatment, the digital pulse wave amplitude was determined by EndoPAT to obtain the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), a measure for endothelial function.