Effect of indomethacin and adrenocorticotrophic hormone on renal function in man: An experimental model of inappropriate antidiuresis

Effect of indomethacin and adrenocorticotrophic hormone on renal function in man: An experimental model of inappropriate antidiuresis. The effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition on basal and ACTH-stimulated adrenal and renal function was investigated in normai volunteers. Data were collected during control and experimental study periods (13 days each). Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (Cosyntropin, 80 U/day) was administered i.v. on days 8 and 9 of each period. Indomethacin (150 mg/day) was given on days 5 through 13 of the experimental period. The subjects ate a constant diet containing 9 mEq of sodium, 100 mEq of potassium, and 2,500 ml of fluid daily. Indomethacin markedly inhibited urinary PGE excretion and plasma PGE concentration. The effect of ACTH alone as compared to the effect of ACTH and indomethacin showed: plasma sodium concentration, 139 ± 1 vs. 131 ± 3 mEg/liter (P < 0.01, mean ± SEM); plasma osmolality, 287 ± 3 vs. 270 ± 3 mOsm/liter (P < 0.01); free water clearance, 97 ± 66 vs. -1100 ± 380 ml/24hr (P < 0.01); urine volume, 2,000 ± 60 vs. 950 ± 200 ml/day (P < 0.01); and urine osmolality 282 ± 12 vs. 720 ± 144 mOsm/liter (P < 0.01). We conclude that the effects of ACTH and prostaglandin synthesis inhibition interact to result in inappropriate antidiuresis.Effet de l'indométhacine et de l'hormone adrénocorticotrope sur la fonction rénale chez l'homme: Un modèle expérimental d'antidiurèse inappropriée. L'effet de l'inhibition de la synthèse de prostaglandine sur la fonction surrénalienne basale et stimulée par l'ACTH et sur la fonction rénale a été étudié chez des sujets normaux volontaires. Les résultats ont été obtenus au cours de périodes contrôles et expérimentales de 13 jours chacune. De l'hormone adrénocorticotrope (Cosyntropin) a été administrée par voie i.v. les 8ème et 9ème jours de chaque période à raison de 80 U par jour. L'indométhacine, 150 mg/jour, a été donnée du 8ème au 13ème jour de la période expérimentale. Les sujets ont été soumis à un régime constant contenant 9 mEq de sodium, 100 mEq de potassium, et 2,500 ml de liquide par jour. L'indométhacine a fortement inhibé l'excrétion urinaire de PGE et abaissé la concentration plasmatique de PGE. L'effet de l'ACTH seul comparé à l'effet de l'ACTH associé à l'indométhacine a montré: une concentration plasmatique de sodium de 139 ± 1 vs. 131 ± 3 mEq/litre (P < 0,01) moyenne et SEM); une osmolalité plasmatique de 287 ± 3 vs. 270 ± 3 mOsm/litre (P < 0,01); une clearance de l'eau libre de 97 ± 66 vs. - 1100 ± 380 ml/24 hr (P < 0,01); un débit urinaire de 2,000 ± 60 vs. 950 ± 200 ml/jour (P < 0,01); et une osmolalité urinaire de 282 ± 12 vs. 720 ± 144 mOsm/litre (P < 0,01). Nous considérons que les effets de l'ACTH et de l'inhibition de la synthèse de prostaglandine se combinent pour déterminer une antidiurése inappropriée

Investigation of continuous-time quantum walk by using Krylov subspace-Lanczos algorithm

In papers\cite{js,jsa}, the amplitudes of continuous-time quantum walk on graphs possessing quantum decomposition (QD graphs) have been calculated by a new method based on spectral distribution associated to their adjacency matrix. Here in this paper, it is shown that the continuous-time quantum walk on any arbitrary graph can be investigated by spectral distribution method, simply by using Krylov subspace-Lanczos algorithm to generate orthonormal bases of Hilbert space of quantum walk isomorphic to orthogonal polynomials. Also new type of graphs possessing generalized quantum decomposition have been introduced, where this is achieved simply by relaxing some of the constrains imposed on QD graphs and it is shown that both in QD and GQD graphs, the unit vectors of strata are identical with the orthonormal basis produced by Lanczos algorithm. Moreover, it is shown that probability amplitude of observing walk at a given vertex is proportional to its coefficient in the corresponding unit vector of its stratum, and it can be written in terms of the amplitude of its stratum. Finally the capability of Lanczos-based algorithm for evaluation of walk on arbitrary graphs (GQD or non-QD types), has been tested by calculating the probability amplitudes of quantum walk on some interesting finite (infinite) graph of GQD type and finite (infinite) path graph of non-GQD type, where the asymptotic behavior of the probability amplitudes at infinite limit of number of vertices, are in agreement with those of central limit theorem of Ref.\cite{nko}.Comment: 29 pages, 4 figure

Localized states in strong magnetic field: resonant scattering and the Dicke effect

We study the energy spectrum of a system of localized states coupled to a 2D electron gas in strong magnetic field. If the energy levels of localized states are close to the electron energy in the plane, the system exhibits a kind of collective behavior analogous to the Dicke effect in optics. The latter manifests itself in ``trapping'' of electronic states by localized states. At the same time, the electronic density of states develops a gap near the resonance. The gap and the trapping of states appear to be complementary and reflect an intimate relation between the resonant scattering and the Dicke effect. We reveal this relation by presenting the exact solution of the problem for the lowest Landau level. In particular, we show that in the absence of disorder the system undergoes a phase transition at some critical concentration of localized states.Comment: 28 pages + 9 fig

R-PEP-27, a potent renin inhibitor, decreases plasma angiotensin II and blood pressure in normal volunteers

The hemodynamic and humoral effects of the specific human renin inhibitor R-PEP-27 were studied in six normal human subjects on low and high sodium intake diets. An intravenous infusion of R-PEP-27 (0.5 to 16 micrograms/min/kg body wt) reduced blood pressure in a dose-dependent fashion; the mean arterial blood pressure at the end of the infusion fell from 128 +/- 4/83 +/- 4 to 119 +/- 3/71 +/- 3 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) (P &lt; .01) during the low sodium intake diet. R-PEP-27 had no effect on blood pressure during the high sodium intake diet. R-PEP-27 significantly reduced plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations. The temporal response to R-PEP-27 suggests that it is a short-lived although highly potent competitive inhibitor of renin; this peptide is a valuable and specific physiologic probe of the renin-angiotensin system

International comparison of acute myocardial infarction care and outcomes using quality indicators

Objective: To compare temporal changes in European Society of Cardiology (ESC) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) quality indicator (QI) attainment in the UK and Israel. Methods: Data cross-walking using information from the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project and the Acute Coronary Syndrome in Israel Survey for matching 2-month periods in 2006, 2010 and 2013 was used to compare country-specific attainment of 14 ESC AMI QIs. Results: Patients in the UK (n=17 068) compared with Israel (n=5647) were older, more likely to be women, and had less diabetes, dyslipidaemia and heart failure. Baseline ischaemic risk was lower in Israel than the UK (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk, 110.5 vs 121.0). Overall, rates of coronary angiography (87.6% vs 64.8%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (70.3% vs 41.0%) were higher in Israel compared with the UK. Composite QI performance increased more in the UK (1.0%-86.0%) than Israel (70.2%-78.0%). Mortality rates at 30 days declined in each country, with lower rates in Israel in 2013 (4.2% vs 7.6%). Composite QI adherence adjusted for GRACE risk score was inversely associated with 30-day mortality (OR 0.95; CI 0.95 to 0.97, p<0.001). Conclusions: nternational comparisons of guideline recommended AMI care and outcomes can be quantified using the ESC AMI QIs. International implementation of the ESC AMI QIs may reveal country-specific opportunities for improved healthcare delivery

Quantum dynamics in strong fluctuating fields

A large number of multifaceted quantum transport processes in molecular systems and physical nanosystems can be treated in terms of quantum relaxation processes which couple to one or several fluctuating environments. A thermal equilibrium environment can conveniently be modelled by a thermal bath of harmonic oscillators. An archetype situation provides a two-state dissipative quantum dynamics, commonly known under the label of a spin-boson dynamics. An interesting and nontrivial physical situation emerges, however, when the quantum dynamics evolves far away from thermal equilibrium. This occurs, for example, when a charge transferring medium possesses nonequilibrium degrees of freedom, or when a strong time-dependent control field is applied externally. Accordingly, certain parameters of underlying quantum subsystem acquire stochastic character. Herein, we review the general theoretical framework which is based on the method of projector operators, yielding the quantum master equations for systems that are exposed to strong external fields. This allows one to investigate on a common basis the influence of nonequilibrium fluctuations and periodic electrical fields on quantum transport processes. Most importantly, such strong fluctuating fields induce a whole variety of nonlinear and nonequilibrium phenomena. A characteristic feature of such dynamics is the absence of thermal (quantum) detailed balance.Comment: review article, Advances in Physics (2005), in pres

Factors associated with dental caries among institutionalized residents with schizophrenia in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little research has been done on the relationship between dental caries and the personal characteristics of institutionalized residents diagnosed with schizophrenia. This study investigates the individual and treatment factors associated with the dental caries among institutionalized residents with schizophrenia in Taiwan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An oral health survey of institutionalized residents with schizophrenia in the largest public psychiatric hospital was conducted in Taiwan in 2006. Based on this data, multiple logistic analyses were used to determine the relationship between some explanatory variables and the outcome variables of dental caries among subjects with schizophrenia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 1,108 subjects with schizophrenia, age was the only variable independently associated with DMFT > 8 (OR = 7.74, 95% CI = 3.86-15.55, p < 0.001 in comparison to residents aged 65 + years vs. 20-44 years; OR = 3.06, 95% CI = 2.03-4.61, p < 0.001 in comparison to residents aged 55-64 years vs. 20-44 years) after making adjustments for other explanatory variables. In addition, those with an education of only elementary school (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.08-2.56, p = 0.021), low income (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.02-2.44, p = 0.039), and length of stay (LOS) of > 10 years (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.30-3.37, p = 0.002) were associated with a care index < 54.7%. Older age, lower educational level, and longer hospital stays were associated with number of remaining teeth being < 24.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Aging was the most important factor related to a high level of dental caries. Low educational level, low income, and LOS were also associated with the indicators of dental caries among institutionalized subjects with schizophrenia. It is necessary to address the treatment factors such as prolonged stay in institutions when decision-makers are planning for preventive strategies of oral health for institutionalized residents with schizophrenia.</p

Active Brownian Particles. From Individual to Collective Stochastic Dynamics

We review theoretical models of individual motility as well as collective dynamics and pattern formation of active particles. We focus on simple models of active dynamics with a particular emphasis on nonlinear and stochastic dynamics of such self-propelled entities in the framework of statistical mechanics. Examples of such active units in complex physico-chemical and biological systems are chemically powered nano-rods, localized patterns in reaction-diffusion system, motile cells or macroscopic animals. Based on the description of individual motion of point-like active particles by stochastic differential equations, we discuss different velocity-dependent friction functions, the impact of various types of fluctuations and calculate characteristic observables such as stationary velocity distributions or diffusion coefficients. Finally, we consider not only the free and confined individual active dynamics but also different types of interaction between active particles. The resulting collective dynamical behavior of large assemblies and aggregates of active units is discussed and an overview over some recent results on spatiotemporal pattern formation in such systems is given.Comment: 161 pages, Review, Eur Phys J Special-Topics, accepte