No abstract

Deregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is an important factor contributing to the development of vascular lesions. Plasma levels and zymographic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were investigated in type II diabetics with (n ϭ 51) or without (n ϭ 42) peripheral artery disease (PAD) and in normal volunteers (n ϭ 23). Plasma MMP-2 levels were higher in type II diabetics with (p Ͻ 0.01) or without (p Ͼ 0.05) PAD in comparison with normal volunteers. Similarly, type II diabetics with (p Ͻ 0.0001) or without (p Ͼ 0.05) PAD had higher plasma MMP-9 levels than normal volunteers. Plasma zymographic activities of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 were positively correlated with their plasma levels. Plasma MMP-2 zymographic activity was higher in type II diabetics with PAD than type II diabetics without PAD (p Ͼ 0.05). Plasma MMP-9 zymographic activity was higher in type II diabetics with (p Ͻ 0.0001) or without (p Ͻ 0.0001) PAD in comparision with normal volunteers. Together, these results indicate that increased plasma levels and zymographic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 may contribute to PAD in type II diabetics. In particular, plasma MMP-9 may be a useful marker for the development of vascular disease in type II diabetics.

The heterogeneity of published data regarding post-stroke depression (PSD) prompted an Italian multicenter observational study (DESTRO), which took place in 2000-2003. The investigation involved 53 Italian neurology centers: of these, 50 treat acute patients and 3 provide rehabilitation care; 21 centres are in Northern Italy, 20 are in Central Italy, and 12 are in Southern Italy. The time schedule was articulated into three phases: registration of 6289 stroke patients; selection of 1817 cases and enrollment of 1074 patients; and follow-up for two years (1064 patients). Mood assessment was performed by evaluating depressive symptoms according to DSM IV and the Beck depression inventory (visual analog mood scale for aphasic patients). Depressed patients were also administered the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale. Scores were related to function (Barthel index, modified Rankin scale), cognition (MMSE), quality of life (SF-36), and clinical data. Data analysis will provide information on PSD prevalence, onset and evolution, correlation with ischemic clinical syndrome, impact on activities of daily living, cognitive level and quality of life. The few data available at the present time concern PSD prevalence in the first six months after stroke (33.6%). DESTRO is a longitudinal investigation of a large patient sample and is expected to provide insights into the relationship of PDS with the functional and clinical consequences of stroke.

Intravenous administration of propionyl L-carnitine to haemodialysis patients with PAD improves both haemodynamic flow and the oxidative profile.

In this paper the dynamics of a system composed of a harmonically forced single-degree-of-freedom linear oscillator coupled to a Vibro-Impact Nonlinear Energy Sink (VI-NES) is experimentally investigated. The mass ratio between the VINES and the primary system is about 1%. Depending on the external force's amplitude and frequency, either a Strongly Modulated Response (SMR) or a constant amplitude response (CAR) is observed. In both cases an irreversible transfer of energy occurs from the linear oscillator towards the VINES: process known in literature as passive Targeted Energy Transfer (TET). Furthermore, the problem is analytically studied by using the method of multiple scales. The obtaineSlow Invariant Manifold (SIM) shows the existence of a stable and of an unstable branch of solutions, as well as of an energy threshold (a saddle-node bifurcation) for the solutions to appear. Subsequently the fixed points of the problem are calculated. When a stable fixed point is reached, the system is naturally drawn to it and a CAR is established, whereas when no stable point is attained, the system exhibits a SMR regime. Finally a good correlation between the experimental and the analytical results is presented.