The angiotensin II-induced vasodilatation was evaluated in rat middle cerebral artery, especially regarding endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF), by use of a pressurised arteriograph. The angiotensin II dilatation was partly antagonised by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase. The remaining dilatation was inhibited by the potassium channel blockers, charybdotoxin...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results of endoscopic dilatation in caustic esophageal strictures and to analyze the factors associated with a favorable response. PATIENTS AND METHOD We performed a retrospective study of 33 patients who underwent dilatation with Savary bougie between 1989 and 2001. Response to initial dilatation and outcome during follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS The mean age was...

PURPOSE Bile duct dilatation is a relatively common sonographic finding; nevertheless, its clinical significance in children is controversial because little research has been done in the area. Therefore, we investigated the natural course and clinical significance of biliary duct dilatation in children. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of 181 children (range, 1-day-old to 17-year-ol...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term results of endoscopic dilatation of airway stenosis and to evaluate predictive factors for favorable results. METHODS Fifty-four patients with tracheal and subglottic stenosis who underwent endoscopic dilatation with at least 12 months follow-up were enrolled in this study. We evaluated predictive factors for final treatment out...

A variety of noncardiac conditions mimic the electrocardiographic changes ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Therefore, a physician must maintain high index suspicion when evaluating ST-segment elevation (STE). We present case epigastric pain secondary to ileus and gastric dilatation masquerading as anterolateral STEMI on an electrocardiogram (ECG). The STE promptly resolved following ...

BACKGROUND Pneumatic dilatation or intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection provide effective symptom relief for patients with achalasia. Although intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection is simple and safe, its efficacy may be short-lived. Pneumatic dilatation lasts longer, but esophageal perforation is a risk. We compared treatment costs for pneumatic dilatation and intrasphincteric botul...

BACKGROUND Medical treatment of esophageal strictures in horses is limited and the use of balloon dilatation is described in few cases. Long-term follow up after balloon dilatation and the use of intralesional corticosteroids has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES To describe the use of endoscopic guided, esophageal balloon dilatation in horses for cervical and thoracic esophageal strictures and ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diabetes mellitus impairs reactivity of large peripheral arteries and arterioles to activation of beta-adrenergic receptors. The goal of this study was to determine whether diabetes mellitus alters dilatation of cerebral arterioles to activation of beta-adrenergic receptors. METHODS In vivo diameter of pial arterioles was measured in nondiabetic and diabetic (streptozot...

OBJECTIVE Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia. Atrial dilatation, a predictor of atrial fibrillation, is thought to result from increased ventricular pressure. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for atrial dilatation are largely unknown. Here we sought to examine whether the expression of a basic leucine zipper inhibitor prot...

BACKGROUND Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor (PTL) is important in order to establish treatment. Our aim was to determine the relation between cervical dilatation and time interval from admission to delivery in women with preterm labor. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 83 singleton gestations admitted for preterm labor between 24 w...