Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery assessed by high-resolution ultrasound is widely used to measure endothelial function. However, the technique is not standardized, with different groups using occlusion of either the wrist or the upper arm to induce increased blood flow. The validity of the test as a marker of endothelial function rests on the assumption that the dilatation ...

We have proposed a novel short-duration thermal angioplasty with uniform temperature distribution. Although the dilatation mechanism of our short-duration heating dilatation was reported in our previous study, the influences on smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are not sufficiently understood. We studied the influences on SMCs in terms of shape change and discussed the relationship between the SMCs' s...

kindler syndrome is a rare hereditary disorder that predominantly involves the skin and mucous membrane. acral skin blistering, progressive photosensivity, skin atrophy and poikiloderma that begin from infancy and childhood are considered to be characteristic manifestations. urethral, anal, esophageal, mouth and laryngeal mucosa may be involved in this syndrome, thus periodontitis and gingival ...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is a high rate of stricturing post-operative recurrence in Crohn's disease (CD) particularly at sites of surgical anastomosis, and over 50% of these patients will require a repeat resection. Endoscopic dilatation of anastomotic strictures is an alternative to surgical resection in selected patients. We aimed to evaluate the safety and long term efficacy of endoscopic b...

Bradykinin (BK) is released in the brain during injury and inflammation. Activation of endothelial BK receptors produces acute dilatation of cerebral arterioles that is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can also modulate gene expression, including expression of the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase (COX-2). We hypothesized that exposure of the brain to BK would produce acute dila...

BACKGROUND Intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin is a new treatment option for achalasia. AIMS To compare the immediate and long term efficacy of botulinum toxin with that of pneumatic dilatation. METHODS Symptomatic patients with achalasia were randomised to botulinum toxin (22 patients, median age 57 years) or pneumatic dilatation (20 patients, median age 56 years). Symptom scores...

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of antenatal renal pelvic dilatation to evaluate antenatal resolution/ progression and post-natal outcome. METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of all women found with renal pelvic dilatation in antenatal scans between January 2011 and December 2013. A cut-off of 5mm was used to dia...