Articles: cations.
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Journal of hypertension · Nov 2014
Review Meta AnalysisEffect of exposure to PM2.5 on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Comprehensive studies have confirmed that particulate matter air pollution could trigger myocardial infarction, heart failure and reduce heart rate variability; however, its effect on blood pressure (BP) remains controversial. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association and its magnitude between exposure to PM2.5 and BP. ⋯ Exposure to PM2.5 had a statistically significant impact on BP and the magnitude of this effect may have substantially clinical implication.
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Surgical safety checklists aim to improve patient safety by prompting the attention of the surgical team towards critical steps during the operation. The checklist's items are aimed to improve compliance with proven interventions, and to facilitate multidisciplinary communication and teamwork. Based on the current literature, corroborated by systematic reviews and meta-analysis, surgical safety checklists have a positive impact on communication and reduce postoperative complications including mortality. ⋯ Several determinants leading to behaviour were checklists are checked but not properly executed have been highlighted. As surgical safety checklists are in essence complex sociological interventions, they must be implemented accordingly. Key factors for the implementation of these checklists have been suggested in the literature, although, the most profound way of implementation remains unclear.
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Cerebral vasospasm is a potentially devastating complication in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The purpose of this article is to review the use of computed tomogram (CT) angiography and CT perfusion in the diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and also assess their use in guiding treatment decisions. ⋯ Computed tomogram angiography can directly visualize arterial narrowing and CT perfusion is able to evaluate differences in perfusion parameters after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage with high sensitivity and specificity. CT perfusion is better at predicting which patients require endovascular treatment.
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Despite fluctuations in dietary iron intake and intermittent losses through bleeding, the plasma iron concentrations in humans remain stable at 10-30 μM. While most of the iron entering blood plasma comes from recycling, appropriate amount of iron is absorbed from the diet to compensate for losses and maintain nontoxic amounts in stores. Plasma iron concentration and iron distribution are similarly regulated in laboratory rodents. ⋯ Hepcidin deficiency causes iron overload in hereditary hemochromatosis and ineffective erythropoiesis. Hepcidin, ferroportin and their regulators represent potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of iron disorders and anemias. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cell Biology of Metals.
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Physiological reviews · Apr 2005
ReviewMolecular physiology and pathophysiology of electroneutral cation-chloride cotransporters.
Electroneutral cation-Cl(-) cotransporters compose a family of solute carriers in which cation (Na(+) or K(+)) movement through the plasma membrane is always accompanied by Cl(-) in a 1:1 stoichiometry. Seven well-characterized members include one gene encoding the thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter, two genes encoding loop diuretic-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporters, and four genes encoding K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporters. These membrane proteins are involved in several physiological activities including transepithelial ion absorption and secretion, cell volume regulation, and setting intracellular Cl(-) concentration below or above its electrochemical potential equilibrium. ⋯ Some of these cotransporters serve as targets for loop diuretics and thiazide-type diuretics, which are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world, and inactivating mutations of three members of the family cause inherited diseases such as Bartter's, Gitelman's, and Anderman's diseases. Major advances have been made in the past decade as consequences of molecular identification of all members in this family. This work is a comprehensive review of the knowledge that has evolved in this area and includes molecular biology of each gene, functional properties of identified cotransporters, structure-function relationships, and physiological and pathophysiological roles of each cotransporter.