Effects of Eprosartan on Serum Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Essential Hypertension

The effect of the anti-hypertensive drug eprosartan on metabolic parameters is currently not extensively documented. We evaluated the effect of eprosartan on parameters involved in atherogenesis, oxidative stress and clotting activity. This open-label unblinded intervention study included 40 adult patients with essential hypertension taking eprosartan. Eprosartan significantly reduced by 8% (p<0.001) the systolic and by 13% (p<.001) the diastolic blood pressure, and in-creased by 24% the time needed to produce oxidative by-products (p=0.001), a marker of oxidative stress. In contrast, ep-rosartan did not alter 8-isoprostane (8-epiPGF2a) levels, another marker of oxidative stress. Additionally, eprosartan re-duced by 14% aspartate aminotransferase and by 21% then alanine aminotransferase activity, while it had a neutral effect on the lipid profile and apolipoprotein levels and did not influence glucose homeostasis, creatinine and uric acid levels. Eprosartan did not affect the clotting/fibrinolytic status (estimated by plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, tissue plasmino-gen activator and a2 antiplasmin levels), or the enzymatic activity of the lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1). In conclusion, eprosartan should be mainly considered as an anti-hypertensive agent with neutral effects on most of the metabolic parameters in hypertensive patients

Effect of Temperature Fluctuations on the Bearing Capacity of Cold In-Depth Recycled Pavements

This study investigates the influence of the temperature fluctuations on the bearing capacity of cold in-depth recycled (CIR) pavements stabilized with foamed asphalt (FA). Aiming to achieve this goal, non-destructive testing was conducted during mild and high temperatures on a highway CIR pavement, utilizing mainly the FWD device. The back-calculated moduli values were utilized to estimate the strain values within the body of the pavement, while the strains induced using the FWD device were measured with a fiber optic sensors (FOS) system. Moreover, data from the fatigue behavior of the layer materials was also considered. The results of the related analysis indicate that for every 1 °C temperature increase within the body of the AC overlay, an approximately 5.7% increase of the critical tensile strain is expected. Moreover, for every 1 °C temperature increase within the body of the FA layer, an approximately 1.8% increase of the tensile strain at the bottom of the FA layer is expected. The new constructed layers, i.e., asphalt concrete (AC) and FA, sustain much more damage at high temperatures. This was more evident in the upper layer, i.e., the AC overlay

Driver perception and safe behavior in traffic : Perception in actual traffic situations

Die Untersuchung der Bedeutung der Wahrnehmung in konkreten Verkehrssituationen berücksichtigt folgende Felder: Spurverhalten, Kurvenfahren, Nachfahren, Überholen und Knotenpunkte. Die Arbeit befasst sich mit Problemen der Wahrnehmung, soweit sie in der Literatur dokumentiert sind und einen Bezug zur ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Anwendung erkennen lassen

Effect of Temperature Fluctuations on the Bearing Capacity of Cold In-Depth Recycled Pavements

This study investigates the influence of the temperature fluctuations on the bearing capacity of cold in-depth recycled (CIR) pavements stabilized with foamed asphalt (FA). Aiming to achieve this goal, non-destructive testing was conducted during mild and high temperatures on a highway CIR pavement, utilizing mainly the FWD device. The back-calculated moduli values were utilized to estimate the strain values within the body of the pavement, while the strains induced using the FWD device were measured with a fiber optic sensors (FOS) system. Moreover, data from the fatigue behavior of the layer materials was also considered. The results of the related analysis indicate that for every 1 &deg;C temperature increase within the body of the AC overlay, an approximately 5.7% increase of the critical tensile strain is expected. Moreover, for every 1 &deg;C temperature increase within the body of the FA layer, an approximately 1.8% increase of the tensile strain at the bottom of the FA layer is expected. The new constructed layers, i.e., asphalt concrete (AC) and FA, sustain much more damage at high temperatures. This was more evident in the upper layer, i.e., the AC overlay

Dark tourism acceptance and peacebuilding in troubled destinations

Dark tourism represents an established area of research and has a world-leading academic center for dark tourism scholarship, research and teaching. Extended body of research proved that troubled destinations need to acknowledge their pasts. This acknowledgement is absolutely necessary for the construction of identity but also peacebuilding; while moving forward without talking about the past increases trauma within a destination. However, a debate still exists on how dark tourism places and spaces are interpreted. Reflecting on the timeline of historical past events, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot authorities have different representations of collective memories. This chapter discusses and debates how tourism can support peacebuilding activities through the acknowledgement of all dark sites within the island of Cyprus and include them in specialized tours, where the tourists personally can acknowledge the island’s dark and turbulent past. Acknowledgement rather than dismissiveness can pave the path towards peacebuilding

Musculoskeletal injuries among elite Greek gymnasts: A ten-year study of 156 elite athletes.

Injury data on elite gymnasts outside North America are sparse. This study reports the injuries recorded over a period of 10 years in 156 Greek elite male and female gymnasts. 2390 injuries were reported for a rate of 1,5 new injuries per year per athlete. Most commonly affected areas were the hip (18.5%), the ankle (16.5%), the lumbar spine (16%) and the foot (16%). The most frequent diagnosis was tendinitis (32%), followed by low back pain (20%), and sprains (12%). Fifteen athletes (9%) sustained serious injuries that required surgery. Rhythmic gymnasts had significantly more repetitive load type injuries compared to artistic gymnasts (p=0.049). Gymnastics is a sport with a high incidence of musculoskeletal pathology that needs proper documentation in order to establish preventive measures