Differential Effects of Two Isoenergetic Meals Rich in Saturated or Monounsaturated Fat on Endothelial Function in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—To examine the acute effects of consumption of monounsaturated (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SAFAs) on endothelial function in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Μαγγελάνος (ιταλ. Magellano) / Fabio Turchetti και Luca Congedo

Μετάφραση από τα ιταλικά θεατρικού έργο των Fabio Turchetti και Luca Congedo  βασισμένο σε χειρόγραφο του Antonio Pigafetta, με τίτλο “Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo”, όπου περιγράφεται λεπτομερώς η πρώτη αποστολή περίπλου της Γης του Μαγγελάνου. Στόχος του κειμένου είναι η ανάδειξη του συναισθηματικού κόσμου και της εσωτερικής πάλης που βίωσε ο Μαγγελάνος ανάμεσα στις καθιερωμένες αξίες που είχε ο ίδιος ως Ευρωπαίος πολίτης του 16ου αι. και στην επαφή του με το διαφορετικό του νέου κόσμου που ανακαλύπτει.  Το έργο μεταφράστηκε για τις ανάγκες μουσικοθεατρικής παράστασης  που δόθηκε στα Ιωάννινα, με την υποστήριξη του Πνευματικού Κέντρου Ιωαννίνων και της Περιφέρειας της Απουλίας (Ιταλία) με τη συμμετοχή των: Luca Congedo, Fabio Turchetti, Vincenzo Urso, Hermes Mangialardo και Ελένης Σοκορέλη

真空紫外・軟X線領域の新しい光物性理論(講義,講義の報告,1985年度物性若手夏の学校報告)

この論文は国立情報学研究所の電子図書館事業により電子化されました

Acute hyperhomocysteinaemia blunts endothelial dependent and endothelial independent vasodilatation in diabetic patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute, methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinaemia on endothelial function of skin microcirculation in diabetic compared with non-diabetic persons. Endothelial-and non-endothelial-dependent vasodilatation of the skin microcirculation were evaluated in 20 persons with type 2 diabetes (59.95 +/- 2.36 years old) and 24 age-and gender-matched controls using laser Doppler flowmetry, during fasting and four hours after 0.1 g/kg methionine-induced acute hyperhomocysteinaemia. Methionine loading caused a comparable increase of homocysteine in the two groups. Four hours after induction of acute hyperhomocysteinaemia, endothelial-dependent vasodilatation (acetylcholine effect) was lower in the diabetic patients compared with the controls ([mean +/- SEM] 8.09 +/- 1.18-fold increase in diabetic patients vs. 11.11 +/- 1.33-fold increase in controls, p=0.027). The same was observed for the endothelial-independent vasodilatation (sodium-nitroprusside effect, 7.55 +/- 0.80-fold increase in the diabetic patients vs. 12.19 +/- 1.26-fold increase in controls, p=0.008). Acute hyperhomocysteinaemia causes a decreased response of both endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent vasodilatation of the skin microcirculation in diabetic compared with non-diabetic persons. These alterations might contribute to the vascular complications of hyperhomocysteinaemia in diabetes, and especially the microvascular ones

Increased left ventricular arrhythmogenicity in metabolic syndrome and relationship with myocardial performance, risk factors for atherosclerosis, and low-grade inflammation

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors recently associated with left ventricular dysfunction Limited data exist on the association between MetS and ventricular arrhythmogenicity This study examined differences in ventricular arrhythmogenicity assessed by classic (QT interval) and newer (spatial QRS-T angle [spQRS-Ta]) electrocardiographic markers in subjects with and without MetS A total of 306 subjects, 153 with and 153 without MetS, matched for sex and age were examined The spQRS-Ta, which vectorcardiographically quantifies the deviation between the directions of ventricular depolarization and repolarization, was measured using a computer-based electrocardiograph Left ventricular mass index and myocardial performance were evaluated echocardiographically The spQRS-Ta was significantly higher in subjects with in comparison with those without MetS Left ventricular mass index, QT interval. and its dispersion wet e not different between the 2 groups Left ventricular myocardial performance was worse in subjects with MetS and was associated with higher values of the spQRS-Ta Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated MetS status as the strongest predictor of ventricular arrhythmogenicity Addition of the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the model increased the explained variance of the spQRS-Ta by 11% In conclusion, ventricular arrhythmogenicity is present in MetS and is associated with myocardial dysfunction, risk factors for atherosclerosis, and low-grade inflammation. The Independent association between the spQRS-Ta and MetS implies that the clustering of the metabolic disturbances has additional prognostic information than its individual components in terms of ventricular arrhythmogenicity and may explain in part the excess cardiovascular risk in subjects with MetS (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserve

Meal-induced thermogenesis and macronutrient oxidation in lean and obese women after consumption of carbohydrate-rich and fat-rich meals

Objective: To examine differences in meal-induced thermogenesis and macronutrient oxidation between lean and obese women after consumption of two different isocaloric meals, one rich in carbohydrate (CHO) and one rich in fat. Methods: A total of 19 lean and 22 obese women were studied on two occasions, 1 wk apart. In one visit they consumed a CHO-rich meal and in the other visit a fat-rich meal. The two meals were isocaloric and were given in random order. Resting energy expenditure and macronutrient oxidation rates were measured and calculated in the fasting state and every hour for 3 h after meal consumption. Results: Meal-induced thermogenesis was not different between lean and obese subjects after the CHO-rich (P = 0.89) or fat-rich (P = 0.32) meal, but it was significantly higher after the CHO-rich compared with the fat-rich meal in the lean and the obese individuals (P < 0.05). Protein oxidation rate increased slightly but significantly after the test meals in both groups (P < 0.01). Fat oxidation rate decreased after consumption of the CHO-rich meal (P < 0.001), whereas it increased after consumption of the fat-rich meal in both groups (P < 0.01). CHO oxidation rate increased in both groups after consumption of the CHO-rich meal (P < 0.001). Oxidation rates of protein, fat, and CHO during the experiment were not significantly different between lean and obese participants. Conclusion: Meal-induced thermogenesis and macronutrient oxidation rates were not significantly different between lean and obese women after consumption of a CHO-rich or a fat-rich meal. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Organic Remains in Early Christian Egyptian Metal Vessels: Investigation with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Organic remains preserved on eight copper alloy artifacts of the Byzantine Collection of the Benaki Museum with an Egyptian provenance were investigated, implementing a multi-analytical approach combining microscopy-FTIR and GC/MS. The transmission spectra of powder samples provided important information on the vessels regarding inorganic and organic components. In the latter case, subsequent extractions with a range of solvents allowed discrimination of components with different polarities and provided data on the suitability of the solvents for the acquisition of more informative spectra. GC/MS was implemented for the detailed characterization of the compounds present in the samples because of the complex nature of the residues preserved. A wide range of fatty acid oxidation products was identified, including a series of α, ω-dicarboxylic acids typical of such remains. In addition, vicinal dihydroxy-docosanoic and dihydroxy-eicosanoic acid, oxidation products of erucic and gondoic acid, respectively, were detected. Both are found in abundance in oils from plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family and imply their multiple uses in medieval Egypt

Organic Remains in Early Christian Egyptian Metal Vessels: Investigation with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Organic remains preserved on eight copper alloy artifacts of the Byzantine Collection of the Benaki Museum with an Egyptian provenance were investigated, implementing a multi-analytical approach combining microscopy-FTIR and GC/MS. The transmission spectra of powder samples provided important information on the vessels regarding inorganic and organic components. In the latter case, subsequent extractions with a range of solvents allowed discrimination of components with different polarities and provided data on the suitability of the solvents for the acquisition of more informative spectra. GC/MS was implemented for the detailed characterization of the compounds present in the samples because of the complex nature of the residues preserved. A wide range of fatty acid oxidation products was identified, including a series of α, ω-dicarboxylic acids typical of such remains. In addition, vicinal dihydroxy-docosanoic and dihydroxy-eicosanoic acid, oxidation products of erucic and gondoic acid, respectively, were detected. Both are found in abundance in oils from plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family and imply their multiple uses in medieval Egypt

Rapid development of an axillary mass in an adult: A case of cystic hygroma

Cystic hygroma is a congenital anomaly of lymphatic origin, which mainly develops during childhood. Its development in adulthood, however, has been proposed to be related to several predisposing factors such as trauma, infection, tumor growth or iatrogenic stimuli. The development of cystic hygroma in the extremities of adults is extremely rare and moreover, its development in the axillary region has, to our knowledge, been reported only once in the literature. We describe an unusual case of a cystic hygroma which developed rapidly in the axillary region of a female patient in the absence of any predisposing factor. The diagnostic workup and the need for surgical excision of the mass to obtain an accurate, histologic diagnosis is presented