The canonical effect in statistical models for relativistic heavy ion collisions

Enforcing exact conservation laws instead of average ones in statistical thermal models for relativistic heavy ion reactions gives raise to so called canonical effect, which can be used to explain some enhancement effects when going from elementary (e.g. pp) or small (pA) systems towards large AA systems. We review the recently developed method for computation of canonical statistical thermodynamics, and give an insight when this is needed in analysis of experimental data.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Talk given in Strangeness in Quark Matter, Frankfurt am Main 2001. Submitted to J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phy

Exercise-induced asthma in a group of South African schoolchildren during physical education classes

Objectives. The study was conducted to ascertain whether physical education teachers, using a peak flow meter, could reliably screen for exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in children during free running.Design, setting and subjects. The study was conducted using a convenience sample of male pupils between the ages of 12 and 18 years. They were tested with a peak flow meter for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and with a flow-volume curve for forced expiratory flow in 1 second (FEV1) before and 10 minutes after a self-paced free running test during physical education classes. Testing was undertaken by teachers using the peak flow meter and by a medical doctor using a flow-volume curve.Results. Using a 10% decrease in flow parameters (PEFR and FEV1), teachers detected EIA in 14.9% of pupils and the doctor detected EIA in 21.7% of pupils.Conclusion. We conclude that EIA is common and that teachers using a peak flow meter can detect EIA and thus screen for it; they do, however, underestimate the true magnitude of the problem

Regulation of calcium homeostasis in activated human neutrophils - potential targets for anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies

Objectives. The objectives of the current study were to: (i) present an integrated model for the restoration of calcium homeostasis in activated human neutrophils based on current knowledge and recent research; and (ii) identify potential targets for the modulation of calcium fluxes in activated neutrophils based on this model and to investigate the effects of intracellular probes which target key processes involved in calcium homeostasis and pro-inflammatory activity in these cells. Design and setting. Laboratory-based experimental research using purified human neutrophils from healthy, adult human volunteers. Outcome measures. Calcium metabolism and pro-inflammatory activity of neutrophils. Results. Modulation of calcium fluxes in activated human neutrophils can be achieved by cAMP-dependent upregulation of the activity of the endomembrane Ca2+-ATPase which resequesters cytosolic Ca2+. Formoterol, a long-acting b2-agonist, elevates intracellular cAMP levels, accelerates Ca2+ restoration in activated neutrophils and downregulates the pro-inflammatory responses of these cells. Alterations in the membrane potential of activated neutrophils may play a role in regulating calcium reuptake into the cells as attenuation of the membrane depolarisation response is associated with accelerated calcium influx. Conclusions. Modulation of the activity of the endomembrane Ca2+-ATPase in human neutrophils represents an important target for anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies, while new insights into the role played by membrane depolarisation in regulating calcium fluxes in these cells may also facilitate development of novel anti-inflammatory agents directed against neutrophils. (South African Medical Journal: 2002 92(12): 990-996

Structural Causes of Right Bundle Branch Block—Time for a Closer Look?

Right bundle branch block is an electrocardiographic phenomenon with specific criteria

The accessory papillary muscle with inferior J-waves - peculiarity or hidden danger?

Originally described in 1953, today the so-called J-wave is the source of much controversy. As a marker of so-called "early repolarization", this variant has been regarded as a totally benign variant since the 1960's. However, since then a wealth of data have indicated that the J-wave may be a marker of a highly arrhythmogenic substrate with a resultant high risk of sudden cardiac death

Hypercholesterolaemia and coronary risk

Studies have shown that only 10.6% of people with hypercholesterolaemia receive a statin or treatment. There is a within-person variability of cholesterol measurements and therefore a one-time measurement of cholesterol tends to underestimate the strength of the relationship between cholesterol and coronary heart disease. Multiple cholesterol measurements over time (decades) such as done in some epidemiological studies are therefore important to get an idea of life-time risk of atherosclerosis as the disease develops over decades.http://www.specialistforum.co.zaam2016Internal Medicin

LDL-cholesterol reduction vs LDL target level : which is more important?

There is enough documented evidence of the role of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).http://www.specialistforum.co.zaam2016Internal Medicin