We investigated whether the capacity of serum to induce cholesterol efflux was associated with endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Methods: Endothelium-dependent and-independent vasodilation of the brachial artery was measured by high-resolution vascular ultrasound

and serum cholesterol efflux capacity was determined by measuring the transfer of [3H] cholesterol selleck screening library from Fu5AH cells to serum in 137 patients with type 2 diabetes and 75 controls. Results: Serum cholesterol efflux capacity was lower in diabetic patients than in the controls (13.6+/-2.5% vs. 14.6+/-3.4%, respectively, p=0.02), and both endothelium-dependent vasodilation (4.9+/-2.2% vs. 8.8+/-4.1%, respectively, p<0.01) and endothelium-independent vasodilation were impaired (13.4+/-4.3% vs. 16.3+/-5.5%. respectively, p<0.01). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation correlated with serum cholesterol efflux capacity (r=0.26, p=0.003) in diabetic patients and controls (r=0.24, p=0.037). On general linear model analysis, the presence of diabetes, brachial artery diameter and serum cholesterol efflux capacity were significant independent determinants of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Conclusion: Impaired serum cholesterol efflux capacity was associated with endothelial dysfunction independent of other cardiovascular risk

factors.”
“To improve the interaction between syndiotactic polypropylene (SPP) and fibrous cellulose (FC), the effects of the addition of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and FC surface modification with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on SPP/FC composites were studied with respect to the morphology and the tensile properties. CH5183284 purchase The

addition of MAPP brought about an improvement in the interfacial adhesion between SPP and FC according to scanning electron microscopy observations and tensile testing. This improvement was, however, less effective than the improvement in the interfacial adhesion between isotactic polypropylene (IPP) and FC. SPP and MAPP partially or microscopically phase-separated because of the IPP-like polymer chain structure of MAPP. With respect selleck kinase inhibitor to the compatibility between SPP and FC, FC surface modification with APTES was more suitable. The increase in Young’s modulus was remarkable in the SPP/silanized FC composite with APTES. The tensile strength of the SPP/silanized FC composite with APTES was, however, considerably lower than that of the SPP/FC/MAPP composite. These results suggest that interfacial improvement between SPP and FC requires a compatibilizer or a surface modifier with a suitable primary structure. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 2022-2029, 2009″
“Alterations of elastic properties may contribute to the accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with T2D. Little is known, however, about radial artery distensibility in this patient group. A total of 19 patients with T2D and 19 controls were investigated.