Shear-stress and wall-stress regulation of vascular remodeling after balloon angioplasty: effect of matrix metalloproteinase inhibition

BACKGROUND: Constrictive vascular remodeling (VR) is the most significant component of restenosis after balloon angioplasty (PTA). Whereas in physiologi

Weakest-link failure predictions for ceramics III : uniaxial and biaxial bend tests on alumina

To obtain a complete and reliable data set of Weibull parameters for the validation of numerical models for weakest-link failure probability calcns. on ceramic components, uniaxial (3- and 4-point) and biaxial (ball-on-ring and ring-on-ring) bend tests were performed on 2 aluminas. With the uniaxial data sets, the biaxial expts. were predicted applying 2 fracture criteria, the mode I failure and the max. noncoplanar strain energy release rate for penny-shaped cracks. The best fitting criterion for the materials turns out to be different showing a marked difference in their shear stress sensitivity. [on SciFinder (R)

Weakest-link failure prediction for ceramics II : design and analysis of uniaxial and biaxial bend tests

Two uniaxial (3- and 4-point) bend tests and 2 biaxial (ball-on-ring and ring-on-ring) bend tests for ceramics were analyzed. Exptl. and numerical concepts are presented which are necessary to obtain reliable test results and which allow for the extrapolation of uniaxial to biaxial strength data. A corresponding exptl. accuracy was achieved at 2 labs. for a justified exchange of these data. [on SciFinder (R)

Visible-light attachment of Si-C linked functionalized organic monolayers on silicon surfaces

Organic monolayers on hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces were prepared under extremely mild conditions using visible light and analyzed by a variety of surface-sensitive techniques: (angle-resolved) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). Detailed XPS and STM analysis of non-functionalized monolayers displays detailed mechanistic and structural information. Additionally, we present the first attachment of a disaccharide to the silicon surface, and a characterization thereof by ATR-IR and HREELS

Pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and safety of montelukast sodium (MK-0476) in healthy males and females

Purpose. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of intravenous (i.v.) montelukast sodium (Singulair®, MK-0476), and the oral bioavailability of montelukast sodium in healthy males and healthy females were studied. Methods. This was a two-part study. Part I was a four-period study in males of rising i.v. doses of montelukast sodium (3, 9, and 18 mg) administered as 15-minute constant-rate i.v. infusions (Periods 1-3), followed by a 10-mg oral tablet dose of montelukast sodium (Period 4) under fasting conditions. Part II was a four-period study in females of i.v. montelukast sodium (9 mg) infused over 15 and 5 minutes (Periods 5 and 6, respectively) or injected as a bolus over 2 minutes (Period 7), followed by a 10-mg oral tablet dose of montelukast sodium (Period 8). Plasma samples were collected and analyzed by HPLC. Results. In males (N = 6), as the i.v. dose of montelukast sodium increased from 3 to 18 mg, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of montelukast sodium from time 0 to infinity (AUC) increased proportionately. The mean values of plasma clearance (CL), steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)), plasma terminal half-life (t( 1/2 )), and mean residence time in the body (MRT(i.v.)) of montelukast sodium were 45.5 ml/min, 10.5 l, 5.1 hr, and 3.9 hr, respectively, and remained essentially constant over the i.v. dosage range. Following oral administration of a 10-mg tablet of montelukast sodium, the AUC, maximum plasma concentration (C(max)), time when C(max) occurred (T(max)), apparent t( 1/2 ), mean absorption time (MAT), and bioavailability (F) of montelukast sodium averaged 2441 ng · hr/ml, 385 ng/ml, 3.7 hr, 4.9 hr, 3.4 hr, and 66%, respectively. Following i.v. administration of 9 mg of montelukast sodium to females (N = 6), the values of CL, V(ss), t( 1/2 ), and MRT i.v. averaged 47.6 ml/min, 9.6 l, 4.5 hr, and 3.6 hr, respectively. Following oral administration of a 10-mg tablet to females, the mean AUC, C(max), T(max), apparent tin, MAT and F were 2270 ng · hr/ml, 350 ng/ml, 3.3 hr, 4.4 hr, 2.6 hr, and 58%, respectively. These parameter values were similar to or slightly smaller than those in healthy males receiving the same i.v. and oral doses. Conclusions. The disposition kinetics of montelukast sodium were linear. Gender had little or no effect on the kinetics of montelukast sodium. Safety results from this study indicate that intravenous doses of montelukast sodium from 3 to 18 mg and a 10-mg oral dose are well tolerated.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Uninterrupted oral anticoagulation versus bridging in patients with long-term oral anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary intervention: subgroup analysis from the WOEST trial

Item does not contain fulltextAIMS: To investigate the optimal periprocedural antithrombotic strategy in patients on long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) who require percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The WOEST study was a randomised controlled trial which recruited 573 patients on long-term OAC who underwent PCI. The periprocedural treatment strategy was left to the operator's discretion. To assess the safety and feasibility of uninterrupted oral anticoagulation (UAC) and bridging therapy (BT), bleeding complications and MACCE were assessed in patients treated according to UAC (n=241) and BT (n=322) regimen. After 30 days, as well as after one year, there were no significant differences in bleeding complications (HR 1.14, 95% CI: 0.77-1.69, p=0.51, and HR 1.26, 95% CI: 0.94-1.69, p=0.12, respectively) and MACCE. MACCE tended to be less frequent in the UAC group (respectively HR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.15-1.51, p=0.21, and HR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.46-1.14, p=0.16). Additionally, adjustment with a propensity score revealed no significant differences. Periprocedural INR was not associated with bleeding or MACCE. CONCLUSIONS: In the WOEST study, UAC was not associated with an increase of bleeding or MACCE compared to bridging therapy. This is the largest study up to now to support the current guidelines. The WOEST trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00769938