Cardiovascular Week articles from December 2008

Cardiovascular Week archives from December 2008

Bad cholesterol inhibits the breakdown of peripheral fat.
December 1, 2008... [PRESS RELEASE, 20 November 2008] The so called bad cholesterol (LDL) inhibits the breakdown of fat in cells of peripheral deposits, according to a study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. The discovery reveals a novel...

Studies from F. Mahmood and co-researchers yield new data on abdominal aortic aneurysm.(Clinical report)
December 1, 2008... According to recent research published in the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, "Perioperative measurement of the myocardial performance index (MPI) with transesophageal echocardiography in patients undergoing elective...

Study findings on abdominal aortic aneurysm are outlined in reports from University of Leuven.
December 1, 2008... In this recent study, researchers in Louvain, Belgium conducted a study "To assess the time period of onset, etiology, and outcomes of limb occlusion after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms with supported endografts. From 1998...

Study data from E. Akalin et al provide new insights into allograft nephropathy.
December 1, 2008... In this recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study "To investigate the prevalence and the predictors for the development of hyperuricemia at 6 months after kidney transplantation, and its association with clinical...

New aneurysm research from M. Agarwal and colleagues discussed.
December 1, 2008... "Posterior dislocation or fracture-dislocation of the shoulder is a rare entity, and is often missed in the Emergency Department. The causes include a tonic-clonic seizure, electrocution, and major trauma," researchers in Manchester, the United...

Research in the area of cardiology reported from B. Schweikert and colleagues.(Report)(Survey)
December 1, 2008... According to recent research from Neuherberg, Germany, "The valid and reliable measurement of health service utilization, productivity losses and consequently total disease-related costs is a prerequisite for health services research and for...

Research on cardiology reported by scientists at Princeton University.
December 1, 2008... "The Nodal signaling pathway plays a conserved role in determining left-sided identity in vertebrates with this early left-right (L/R) patterning influencing the asymmetric development and placement of visceral organs. We have studied the role...

Researchers at University of Calgary publish new data on cardiology.
December 1, 2008... According to a study from Calgary, Canada, "The use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), particularly the routine implementation of evidence-based cardiovascular health maintenance and disease management recommendations, affords both expert...

Scientists at Lehigh University publish research in cardiology.
December 1, 2008... "This paper compares program expenditure and treatment quality of stroke and cardiac patients between 1997 and 2000 across hospitals of various ownership types ill Taiwan. Because Taiwan implemented national health insurance in 1995, the...

Studies from J.G. Jacot et al provide new data on cardiology.
December 1, 2008... "Cardiac cells mature in the first postnatal week, concurrent with altered extracellular mechanical properties. To investigate the effects of extracellular stiffness on cardiomyocyte maturation, we plated neonatal rat ventricular myocytes for 7...

Findings from University of North Carolina broaden understanding of cardiomegaly.
December 1, 2008... According to a study from the United States, "To determine whether the expression of cardiac genes changes in a graded manner or by on/off switching when cardiac myocytes change genetic programs in living animals, we have studied two...

Findings in cardiomegaly reported from Medical College.(Report)
December 1, 2008... "This study aimed to characterize the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in cardiac hypertrophy induced by parathyroid hormone (PTH). Various concentrations of...

Data on genetics & genomics detailed by researchers at INSERM.
December 1, 2008... "Heart-hand syndromes are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterised by the association of congenital cardiac disease and limb deformities. Laminopathies are a group of diseases caused by mutations in the LMNA gene encoding A-type...

New hernia research from K.C. Koskinas and co-researchers described.
December 1, 2008... According to a study from Greece, "Despite the high prevalence of hiatus hernia, a relatively small number of echocardiographically manifested cases have been reported. Presentation: An 82-year old woman presented with acute retrosternal pain...

Data on life sciences reported by researchers at University of Colorado, Colorado Health Sciences Center.
December 1, 2008... Investigators publish new data in the report 'Sequence differences in the IQ motifs of CaV1.1 and CaV1.2 strongly impact calmodulin binding and calcium-dependent inactivation.' "The proximal C terminus of the cardiac L-type calcium channel...

Studies from Tohoku University, Faculty of Medicine update current data on life sciences.(Report)
December 1, 2008... Current study results from the report, 'Feasibility of cardiac MR examination during quantitative isometric muscular exercise,' have been published. "MR examination during quantitative muscular exercise is currently unavailable because the MR...

Endologix Responds to Unsolicited Proposal from Elliott Associates.
December 1, 2008... Endologix, Inc. (NASDAQ:ELGX), the developer of the Powerlink(R) System for the minimally invasive treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously determined not to pursue the unsolicited...

Data on abdominal aortic aneurysm detailed by K.W. Cheng and co-authors.
December 8, 2008... According to recent research from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, "We describe the anesthetic management in a 56-year old man with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis who underwent liver transplantation (LT). Pretransplantation workup showed a 3-cm wide...

New abdominal aortic aneurysm research has been reported by S. Devaraj et al.
December 8, 2008... "Some studies have considered abdominal aortas of 2.6-2.9 cm diameter (ectatic aortas) at age 65 years as being abnormal and have recommended surveillance, whereas others have considered these normal and surveillance unnecessary. It is,...

New findings reported from Z. Alaly and co-authors describe advances in kidney disease.
December 8, 2008... "Arterial calcification is very common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other chronic inflammatory discorders such as diabetes mellitus. Arterial calcification is associated with significant morbidity and increased early...

Research conducted at University of Zurich has updated our knowledge about abdominal aortic aneurysm.(Report)
December 8, 2008... Researchers in Zurich, Switzerland conducted a study "To assess the diagnostic performance of dual-energy dual-source computed tomography (CT) in the detection of endoleaks after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. This study...

Studies from University Medical Center yield new information about abdominal aortic aneurysm.
December 8, 2008... In this recent article published in the Journal of Endovascular Therapy, scientists in Netherlands conducted a study "To study inter- and intraobserver variability of volume measurements with anew, fast semi-automatic method and compare the...

Studies conducted at National Institutes of Health on enzyme research recently published.
December 8, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene 1, hERG1, are associated with cardiac arrhythmias. The Kv11.1 channels encoded by hERG1 are also essential for...

Research on genetics & genomics described by W.T. Wright and colleagues.(Report)
December 8, 2008... "Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common single gene disorder, pre-disposing to cardiovascular disease, which is most commonly caused by mutations in the LDL-receptor (LDLR) gene. About 5% of patients carry the p.R3527Q (previously...

New life sciences research from University of Turin discussed.
December 8, 2008... According to recent research published in the journal Chemmedchem, "Recently we reported a new class of NO-donor phenols that could be of interest in the treatment of many forms of cardiovascular disease (M). Their potencies as inhibitors of...

Researchers from Tsinghua University report details of new studies and findings in the area of life sciences.(Report)
December 8, 2008... According to a study from Beijing, People's Republic of China, " Tropomyosin (Tpm) proteins, encoded by four Tpm genes (Tpm 1-4), are associated with the stabilization of the F-actin filaments and play important roles in modulating muscle...

Researchers' work from University of Pavia focuses on cardiology.
December 8, 2008... Researchers in Pavia, Italy conducted a study "To analyse the influence of breathing activity on cerebrovascular dynamics during presyncope. Retrospective study. University hospital. 38 subjects developing neurocardiogenic syncope (syncope...

Study results from Ondokuz Mayis University provide new insights into cardiology.
December 8, 2008... According to a study from Samsun, Turkey, "We describe a 5-month old infant who presented with a continuous murmur and enlargement of the left heart. The patient's diagnosis was an anomalous systemic arterial supply to basal segments of the...

Reports summarize life sciences research from H. Patural and co-authors.
December 8, 2008... New investigation results, 'Autonomic cardiac control of very preterm newborns: a prolonged dysfunction,' are detailed in a study published in Early Human Development. "Autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity is fundamental to infant health....

Research from W. Barillot and co-researchers provides new data on life sciences.(Report)
December 8, 2008... Research findings, 'Induction and modulation of smooth muscle differentiation in Xenopus embryonic cells,' are discussed in a new report. According to a study from Bordeaux, France, "By comparison with skeletal or cardiac developmental...

Fitch Upgrades Pocono Medical Center Pennsylvania Revs to 'A-'.
December 8, 2008... Fitch Ratings upgrades to 'A-' from 'BBB+' approximately $104.7 million of Monroe County Hospital Authority, PA (Pocono Medical Center) Series 2002A, 2002B, and 2007 bonds. The Rating Outlook is Stable (see also Fitch Ratings). The upgrade...

Itamar Medical's Endo-PAT2000 now available in Italy.
December 8, 2008... Itamar Medical, an international medical technology company developing noninvasive diagnostic systems using the Peripheral Arterial Tone (PATO) Signal, announced its distribution agreement with EndoTech SPA to bring Itamar Medical's patented...

New Software Streamlines Interface Management, Delivers More System Security and Greater IT Control.
December 8, 2008... LUMEDX Corporation, a leading provider of fully integrated cardiovascular imaging and information systems, introduces the latest version of CardioGate(TM) interface management solution. CardioGate 3.1 enables the management of multiple hospital...

Vital Images Launches Vitrea Web.
December 8, 2008... Vital Images, Inc. (NASDAQ:VTAL), a worldwide leading provider of advanced visualization and analysis solutions, has launched Vitrea(R) Web, a new solution exclusive to ViTAL Enterprise customers, that provides anywhere access to all of Vital...

Research conducted at S.A. Badger and co-researchers has updated our knowledge about abdominal aortic aneurysm.
December 15, 2008... According to a study from North Ireland, "The objective of this abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening study was to determine attendance and disease prevalence patterns in Northern Ireland and the role of deprivation and other risk factors....

Study results from F. Sharif et al provide new insights into adenovirus.(Report)
December 15, 2008... "Drug-eluting stents for coronary artery disease results in inhibition of smooth muscle cell (SMC) and endothelial cells which may increase the risk of stent thrombosis. In this study, we attempted to enhance re-endothelialization of deployed...

New alcoholism study findings recently were reported by researchers at Medical College.(Report)
December 15, 2008... "Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) develops in response to chronic alcohol intake and it is hypothesized that activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and disorders in energy metabolism may play important roles in its onset. Given that the...

Scientists at Aga Khan University report research in anaphylactic shock.
December 15, 2008... "Severe anaesthetic anaphylaxis is relatively uncommon. Oxygen, fluids and epinephrine are considered to be the mainstay for treatment of cardiovascular collapse and current guidelines for the management of anaphylaxis list only epinephrine as...

Recent findings from Duke University highlight research in aneurysm.
December 15, 2008... "The Gore TAG thoracic endoprosthesis ( W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) was approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms on March 23, 2005, and remains the only FDA approved...

Research on life sciences discussed by scientists at Aarhus University.(Report)
December 15, 2008... According to recent research from Aarhus, Denmark, "Motivational interviewing approaches are currently recommended in primary prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general practice in Denmark, based on an empirical and...

New findings from University of Calgary in the area of tachycardia described.
December 15, 2008... "A 26-year-old woman underwent electrophysiologic study in the setting of recurrent Sustained tachycardia with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) QRS complex morphology (Figure 1). Baseline 12-lead ECG was normal, and HV interval was 40 ms,"...

Research results from University Hospital update understanding of tachycardia.
December 15, 2008... According to a study from Krakow, Poland, "A 54-year-old man with all artificial aortic valve and a history of hemodynamically unstable Sustained ventricular tachycardia was admitted for placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator...

New cardiology data have been reported by N.A. Haas and co-authors.
December 15, 2008... According to recent research from Brisbane, Australia, " The haemodynamic response after an IV-loading dose of amiodarone followed by continuous infusion for various supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias was studied in children...

New findings from Stanford University in the area of cardiology published.
December 15, 2008... "The patterning of the cardiovascular system into systemic and pulmonic circulations is a complex morphogenetic process, the failure of which results in clinically important congenital defects. This process involves extensive vascular...

New findings in cardiology described from Duke University.
December 15, 2008... According to a study from the United States, "We have used zebrafish and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) to investigate the developmental toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that exert their effects through the aryl...

Reports from A. Skyschally and co-researchers add new data to research in cardiology.
December 15, 2008... According to recent research published in the journal Basic Research in Cardiology, "We addressed calcium responsiveness in microembolized myocardium at 6 h after coronary microembolization (ME). Methods and results In anesthetized pigs calcium...

Research findings from Rush University update understanding of cardiology.
December 15, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Ca2+ release from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum ( SR) via ryanodine receptors ( RyRs) is regulated by dyadic cleft [Ca2+] and intra-SR free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+](SR)). Robust SR Ca2+ release...

Research from C. Collesi and co-authors in the area of cardiology published.
December 15, 2008... According to recent research published in the Journal of Cell Biology, "The identification of the molecular mechanisms controlling cardiomyocyte proliferation during the embryonic, fetal, and early neonatal life appears of paramount interest in...

Studies from Columbus Children's Hospital in the area of cardiology described.(Report)
December 15, 2008... "Episodic 2:1 block occurs in 9% of adults with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT), but developmental differences in conduction physiology among children could influence this phenomenon. This study sought to characterize the...

Studies from M. Malik et al in the area of cardiology described.(Report)
December 15, 2008... "Circadian QTc changes have been reported, with conflicting results. Spontaneous QTc variability is important for pharmaceutical cardiac safety studies," scientists in the United Kingdom report (see also Cardiology). "The purpose of this...

Recent findings from J.W. Olin and co-authors highlight research in cardiovascular medicine.
December 15, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "McDermott et al. have demonstrated, for the first time, that a poor 6 min walk performance and slow walking speed in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are predictors of...

Studies from Hallym University in the area of cardiovascular pharmacology published.(Report)
December 15, 2008... According to recent research published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, "Diabetes can cause a wide variety of vascular complications and endothelial dysfunction. In this study, human vascular endothelial cells were exposed to 5.5...

Study data from V. Ariyarajah and colleagues update understanding of echocardiography.
December 15, 2008... "Massive right atrial (RA) enlargement is certainly more common in children than in adults, owing to rare congenital anomalies," scientists in Winnipeg, Canada report (see also Echocardiography). "Indeed, the largest description of such...

Data on enzyme research discussed by researchers at University of Glasgow.
December 15, 2008... "Protein kinase A (PKA) is a key regulatory enzyme that, on activation by cAMP, modulates a wide variety of cellular functions. PKA isoforms type I and type II possess different structural features and biochemical characteristics, resulting in...

Research on enzyme research described by scientists at Campinas State University, Medical Department.(Report)
December 15, 2008... "The aim of this study was to investigate whether Shp2 (Src homology region 2, phosphatase 2) controls focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity and its trophic actions in cardiomyocytes. We show that low phosphorylation levels of FAK in...

Reports from University of Western Ontario highlight recent research in hyperlipoproteinemia.
December 15, 2008... " Several known candidate gene variants are useful markers I for diagnosing hyperlipoproteinemia. In an attempt to identify other useful variants, we evaluated the association of two common APOA5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms across the range...

New myalgia research has been reported by scientists at Linkoping University.(Report)
December 15, 2008... "Different research techniques indicate alterations in muscle tissue and in neuromuscular control of aching muscles in patients with chronic localized pain. Ultrasound can be used for analysis of muscle tissue dynamics in clinical practice,"...

Research from University of Porto reveals new findings on tyrosine kinase.(Report)
December 15, 2008... "Voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels are key determinants of cardiac and neuronal excitability. A substantial body of evidence has accumulated in support of a role for Src family tyrosine kinases in the regulation of Kv channels," investigators in...

Reports from P.R. Ruwanpura and colleagues advance knowledge in eagle syndrome.
December 15, 2008... Scientists discuss in 'Sudden unexpected death probably due to Eagle's syndrome: a case report' new findings in eagle syndrome. "An abnormally long styloid process producing autonomic effects gives rise to Eagle's syndrome. Sudden deaths have...

Research from University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences broadens understanding of hypertrophy cell biology.
December 15, 2008... Fresh data on hypertrophy are presented in the report 'Expression of mitochondrial regulatory genes parallels respiratory capacity and contractile function in a rat model of hypoxia-induced right ventricular hypertrophy.' "Chronic hypobaric...

Researchers from University of Saskatchewan report recent findings in life sciences.
December 15, 2008... Fresh data on life sciences are presented in the report 'Proteomic analysis of cardiac metabolic enzymes in asphyxiated newborn piglets.' According to recent research from Saskatoon, Canada, "Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) creates an energetic...

Reports by A. Hamdan and co-researchers describe recent advances in magnetic resonance.
December 15, 2008... A new study, 'Regional right ventricular function and timing of contraction in healthy volunteers evaluated by strain-encoded MRI,' is now available. In this recently published article, scientists in Berlin, Germany conducted a study "To...

Research on ventricular dysfunction detailed by scientists at Medical University of Warsaw.
December 15, 2008... Researchers detail in 'B-type natriuretic peptide in acute pulmonary embolism,' new data in ventricular dysfunction. "Myocardial stretch leads to the natriuretic peptides release in acute or chronic left ventricular dysfunction. However, there...

Inter Valley Health Plan Selects Silver&Fit[R] Senior Fitness Program for More than 14,000 Members in California.
December 15, 2008... American Specialty Health (ASH), a leading national health improvement organization, announced that Inter Valley Health Plan, a non-profit, federally qualified Medicare Advantage program, has selected its Silver&Fit[R] senior fitness program...

New research on abdominal aortic aneurysm from G. Barbiero and co-authors summarized.(Report)
December 22, 2008... According to a study from Italy, "This study reviews, on the basis Of Our experience, the indications and options for treating endoleaks (EL) after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) by endografting. Ninety-five patients...

Studies from H. Ishibashi and colleagues reveal new findings on abdominal aortic aneurysm.
December 22, 2008... Researchers in Japan conducted a study "To define the indications for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery in octogenarians. We reviewed septuagenarians and octogenarians with a nonspecific AAA diagnosed at our hospital between January, 1990...

Investigators at Queen Elizabeth Hospital target aneurysm.
December 22, 2008... According to a study from Birmingham, the United Kingdom, "A 52-year-old male smoker suffered a left-sided stroke. Bubble contrast echocardiography demonstrated an aneurysmal atrial septum and patent foramen ovale (PFO)." "The patient was...

Recent studies by M. Gherghiceanu and co-authors add new data to angiology findings.
December 22, 2008... "We present here evidence for the existence of a new type of interstitial cell in human myocardial sleeves of pulmonary veins: interstitial Cajal-like cell (ICLC). This cell fulfils the criteria for positive diagnosis of ICLC, including CD...

New apoptosis findings from X.Y. Yu and co-researchers published.
December 22, 2008... "Glucose toxicity is an important initiator of cardiovascular disease, contributing to the development of cardiomyocyte death and diabetic complications. The present Study investigated whether high glucose state could induce apoptosis of rat...

New life sciences study findings have been reported by X.B. Dou and co-researchers.
December 22, 2008... According to recent research from Hangzhou, People's Republic of China, "Plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is mainly taken up and cleared by the hepatocellular LDL receptor (LDL-R). LDL-R gene expression is regulated by the...

Research from Aristotle University has provided new data on life sciences.
December 22, 2008... According to a study from Thessaloniki, Greece, "Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition in men with cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet it is frequently under-recognized and under-diagnosed in clinical practice. Men are often reluctant...

Research from E. Papadopoulou and colleagues provide new insights into periventricular leukomalacia.
December 22, 2008... According to recent research from Greece, "We describe a new family with Adams-Oliver syndrome (AOS). The propositus is a 14-month-old boy presenting with aplasia cutis congenita, distal limb transverse defects, growth retardation, and a wide...

Researchers at INSERM publish new data on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
December 22, 2008... Researchers detail in 'Haplotypic analysis of tag SNPs of the interleukin-18 gene in relation to cardiovascular disease events: the MORGAM Project,' new data in cardiovascular disease. According to a study from Paris, France, "Interleukin-18...

Investigators at Medical University of Graz have published new data on liver cirrhosis.
December 22, 2008... According to a study from Graz, Austria, "To study whether circulatory changes during large volume paracentesis (LVP) in patients with liver cirrhosis and tense ascites as assessed by novel non-invasive haemodynamic measuring technology are...

New life sciences research from Thomas Jefferson University discussed.
December 22, 2008... A new study, 'Physical coupling supports the local Ca2+ transfer between sarcoplasmic reticulum subdomains and the mitochondria in heart muscle,' is now available. According to recent research from the United States, "In many cell types,...

New proteomics findings from Stanford University published.
December 22, 2008... Fresh data on proteomics are presented in the report 'Regulation of receptor signaling by relaxin A chain motifs: derivation of pan-specific and LGR7-specific human relaxin analogs.' "Relaxin peptides are important hormones for the regulation...

California Rules to Cut Diesel Truck Pollution Called Most Sweeping in U.S.
December 22, 2008... The California Air Resources Board today approved two diesel truck regulations that will dramatically cut the largest source of diesel pollution in the state and are the first of their kind in the United States, according to Environmental...

Scientists find link between inflamed gums and heart disease.(Report)
December 29, 2008... The next person who reminds you to floss might be your cardiologist instead of your dentist. Scientists have known for some time that a protein associated with inflammation (called CRP) is elevated in people who are at risk for heart disease....

Rare disease provides clues about enzyme role in arrhythmias.
December 29, 2008... A University of Iowa study provides insight into a calcium-sensing enzyme already known to play a role in irregular heartbeats and other critical functions. The researchers showed that the enzyme, calmodulin kinase II (CaM kinase II),...

Data on abdominal aortic aneurysm described by L. Mureebe et al.(Report)
December 29, 2008... "This study evaluated trends in hospitalizations, treatment, and mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) in the United States Medicare population. The Medicare inpatient database (1995 through 2006) was reviewed for patients...

New findings from University of Pittsburgh describe advances in abdominal aortic aneurysm.
December 29, 2008... "We present the case of a 79-year-old female who presented with severe left flank pain and a pulsatile abdominal mass. She was diagnosed with left peripelvic urinary extravasation and forniceal rupture secondary to all intact infrarenal...

Recent findings in abdominal aortic aneurysm described by researchers from University of Padua.(Report)
December 29, 2008... "This study aimed to determine the natural history of common iliac arteries (CIAs) after elective open infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with an aorto-aortic prosthetic graft. All patients who had a straight lube graft inserted...

Research from S. Lescouarnec and colleagues has provided new data on arrhythmia.
December 29, 2008... According to a study from Angouleme, France, "The identification of nearly a dozen ion channel genes involved in the genesis of human atrial and ventricular arrhythmias has been critical for the diagnosis and treatment of fatal cardiovascular...

Research by C.D. Swerdlow and colleagues in defibrillators provides new insights.
December 29, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "The primary method for monitoring implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead integrity is periodic measurement of impedance. Sprint Fidelis leads are prone to pace-sense lead fractures,...