limosum at 24 and 48 h In the mixed bacterial culture, the produ

limosum at 24 and 48 h. In the mixed bacterial culture, the production of propionic acid

was reduced significantly at 24 and 48 h in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas butyric acid production showed a significant linear increase.

Conclusions: The results indicated that Aloe vera possessed bacteriogenic activity in vitro and altered the production of acetic, butyric and propionic acids by micro-organisms selected for the study.

Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of the study suggest that consumption of a dietary supplement, Aloe vera, may alter the production of short chain fatty acids by human intestinal microflora.”
“Aims: To achieve high-level expression and secretion of active VP28 directed by a processing-efficient signal peptide in Bacillus subtilis WB600 and exploit the possibility of YAP-TEAD Inhibitor 1 obtaining an oral vaccine against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) using vegetative cells or spores as delivery vehicles.

Methods and Results: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified vp28 gene was inserted into a shuttle expression

vector with a novel signal peptide sequence. After electro-transformation, time-courses for recombinant VP28 (rVP28) secretion level in B. subtilis WB600 were analysed. Crayfish were divided into three groups subsequently challenged by 7-h immersion at different time points after vaccination. Subgroups including 20 inter-moult crayfish with an average weight of 15 g in triplicate were vaccinated by feeding coated food pellets with vegetative cells or spores for 20 days. Vaccination DNA Damage inhibitor trials showed that rVP28 by spore delivery induced a higher ifoxetine resistance than using vegetative cells. Challenged at 14 days postvaccination, the relative per cent survival (RPS) values of groups of rVP28-bv and rVP28-bs was 51.7% and 78.3%, respectively.

Conclusions: The recombinant B. subtilis strain

with the ability of high-level secretion of rVP28 can evoke protection of crayfish against WSSV by oral delivery.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Oral vaccination by the B. subtilis vehicle containing VP28 opens a new way for designing practical vaccines to control WSSV.”
“Aims: To establish a system that greatly increases the gene-targeting frequency in Aspergillus parasiticus.

Methods and Results: The ku70 gene, a gene of the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, was replaced by the nitrate reductase gene (niaD) in A. parasiticus RHN1 that accumulates O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST). The NHEJ-deficient strain, RH Delta ku70, produced conidia, sclerotia and OMST normally. It had identical sensitivity as RHN1 to the DNA-topoisomerase I complex inhibitor, camptothecin, and the DNA-damaging agent, melphalan. For targeting an aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway gene, adhA, partial restriction enzyme recognition sequences in its flanking regions were manipulated to create homologous ends for integration.

The renal and hypogastric arteries were localized for endograft d

The renal and hypogastric arteries were localized for endograft deployment exclusively with CO, in all patients. Completion angiography was done with CO2 in all patients and an additional angiogram with iodinated media was done ill 13 cases.

Results: All endograft deployments were done Successfully With CO2 angiography injected through the endograft delivery systems and femoral access sheaths. Additional iodinated media completion angiography did not modify the procedure in any case. All

patients were discharged within two days after surgery. There were no ischemic or systemic complications related to CO2 administration. Follow-up CT-scan revealed well positioned endografts with the expected MRT67307 manufacturer patent renal and hypogastric arteries in all patients, and no additional endoleaks. No significant deterioration in renal function occurred in any case.

Conclusion: Carbon dioxide angiography conducted through

the endograft delivery sheath is reliable for endograft deployment, safe, non-toxic and inexpensive. In addition, it may expedite EVAR by eliminating a number of angiographic catheter placements and exchanges during the procedure. This favorable experience warrants further utilization of this technique.”
“The amygdala is classically regarded as a detector of potential this website threat and as a critical component of the neural circuitry mediating conditioned fear responses. However, it has been reported that the human amygdala responds Tangeritin to multiple expressions of emotions as well as emotionally neutral stimuli of a novel, uncertain or ambiguous nature. Thus, it has been proposed that the function of the amygdala may be of a more general art, i.e. as a detector of behaviorally relevant stimuli [Sander D, Grafman J, Zalla T (2003) The human amygdala: an evolved system for relevance detection. Rev Neurosci 14:303-316]. To investigate this putative function of the amygdala, we used event related functional magnetic resonance

imaging (fMRI) and a modified Go-NoGo task composed of behaviorally relevant and irrelevant letter and number stimuli. Analyses revealed bilateral amygdala activation in response to letter stimuli that were behaviorally relevant as compared with letters with less behavioral relevance. Similar results were obtained for relatively infrequent NoGo relevant stimuli as compared with more frequent Go stimuli. Our findings support a role for the human amygdala in general detection of behaviorally relevant stimuli. (C) 2008 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: We compared the results of endovascular repair using the Powerlink endovascular graft with conventional open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair through a 6-year follow-up period.

Methods: Two hundred fifty-eight patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter trial and underwent endovascular repair (N = 192) or conventional open surgery (N = 66).

The primary outcome was any surgical-site infection within 30 day

The primary outcome was any surgical-site infection within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included individual types of surgical-site infections.

RESULTS

A total of 849 subjects (409 in the chlorhexidine-alcohol group and 440 in the povidone-iodine group) qualified for the intention-to-treat analysis. The overall rate of surgical-site infection was significantly lower in the chlorhexidine-alcohol group than in the povidone-iodine group (9.5% vs. 16.1%; P = 0.004; relative risk, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.41 to 0.85). Chlorhexidine-alcohol was significantly selleck screening library more protective than povidone-iodine against both superficial incisional

infections (4.2% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.008) and deep incisional infections (1% vs. 3%, P = 0.05) but not against organ-space infections (4.4% vs. 4.5%). Similar results were observed in the per-protocol analysis of the 813 patients who remained in the study during the 30-day follow-up period. Adverse events were similar in the two study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative cleansing of the patient’s skin with chlorhexidine-alcohol is superior to cleansing with povidone-iodine for preventing surgical-site infection after clean-contaminated surgery. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00290290.)”
“BACKGROUND

Like

learn more previous epidemic and pandemic diseases, 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) may pose an increased risk of severe illness in pregnant women.

METHODS

Statewide surveillance for patients who were hospitalized with or died from 2009 H1N1 influenza was initiated by the California Department of Public Health. We reviewed demographic and clinical data reported from April 23 through August 11, 2009, for all H1N1-infected, reproductive-age women who were hospitalized or died -nonpregnant women, pregnant women, and postpartum women (those who had delivered <= 2 weeks previously).

RESULTS

Data were reported for 94 pregnant women, 8 postpartum women,

Non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase and 137 nonpregnant women of reproductive age who were hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 influenza. Rapid antigen tests were falsely negative in 38% of the patients tested (58 of 153). Most pregnant patients (89 of 94 [95%]) were in the second or third trimester, and approximately one third (32 of 93 [34%]) had established risk factors for complications from influenza other than pregnancy. As compared with early antiviral treatment (administered <= 2 days after symptom onset) in pregnant women, later treatment was associated with admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or death (relative risk, 4.3). In all, 18 pregnant women and 4 postpartum women (total, 22 of 102 [22%]) required intensive care, and 8 (8%) died. Six deliveries occurred in the ICU, including four emergency cesarean deliveries. The 2009 H1N1 influenza-specific maternal mortality ratio (the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) was 4.3.


“While it is known that risk of death from sepsis is highe


“While it is known that risk of death from sepsis is higher in patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease its mechanism is unknown. To study this we established a two-stage mouse model where renal disease was first induced by folic acid injection followed by sub-lethal cecal ligation and puncture to induce sepsis. Septic mice with pre-existing renal disease had significantly higher mortality, serum creatinine, vascular permeability, plasma vascular endothelial

growth factor (VEGF) levels, bacteremia, serum IL-10, splenocyte apoptosis and more severe septic shock when compared to septic mice without pre-existing Selleck PF299804 disease. To evaluate the contribution of vascular and immunological dysfunction, we treated the folate-septic mice with soluble Flt-1 to bind VEGF and chloroquine to reduce splenocyte apoptosis. Fosbretabulin purchase These treatments together resulted in a significant improvement in kidney injury, hemodynamics and survival. Our study shows that the sequential mouse model mimics human sepsis frequently complicated by pre-existing renal disease and might be useful in evaluating preventive and therapeutic strategies.”
“Noradrenaline is known to modulate memory formation in the mammalian hippocampus. We have examined how noradrenaline and selective beta-adrenoceptor (AR)

agonists affect memory consolidation and how antagonists inhibit memory consolidation in the avian hippocampus. Injection of selective beta-AR agonists and antagonists at specific times within

30 min of a weakly or strongly reinforced, single-trial, bead discrimination Celecoxib learning test in 1-day-old chicks allowed us to determine the pattern of beta-AR involvement in hippocampal memory processing. Different beta-AR subtypes were recruited in temporal sequence after learning in the order beta(1), beta(3), and beta(2). We provide evidence that the effect of manipulation of beta(1)-ARs by selective agonists and antagonists within 2.5 min of training parallels the action of NMDA receptor agonists and antagonists. Activation of beta(3)- and beta(2)-ARs facilitated memory but utilized different mechanisms: beta(3)-ARs by stimulating glucose uptake and metabolism, and beta(2)-ARs by increasing the breakdown of glycogen-with both metabolic events occurring in astrocytes and affecting intermediate memory. The different receptors are activated at different times within the lifetime of labile memory and within 30 min of learning. We have defined separate roles for the three beta-ARs in memory and demonstrated that the avian hippocampus is involved in learning and memory in much the same way as the hippocampus in the mammalian brain.”
“Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) is a potential therapeutic agent for acute and chronic renal diseases.

Specifically, because clock gene dysfunction is good candidate fo

Specifically, because clock gene dysfunction is good candidate for enhancing the susceptibility

to these psychiatric disorders, we selected two circadian rhythm-related genes (CSNK1D and CSNK1E) and investigated genetic associations of the genes with these three this website disorders.

None of the SNPs showed a significant association with MDD, but a SNP (rs2075984) in CSNK1E and SNP (rs6502097) in CSNK1D were associated with SCZ (P=0.0091. uncorrected) and BD (P=0.030, uncorrected), respectively. To confirm these findings, we analyzed an independent dataset (maximum N=3815) but found a lack of association (P=0.63 for rs2075984 and P=0.61 for rs6502097). The final meta-analysis showed no association between these SNPs with SCZ (P=0.21) and BD (P=0.53). These results do not support that genetic variation in CSNK1D and CSNK1E is a susceptibility factor for major psychiatric disorders in the Japanese population. (C) 2012

Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“While work with viral fusion proteins selleckchem has demonstrated that the transmembrane domain (TMD) can affect protein folding, stability, and membrane fusion promotion, the mechanism(s) remains poorly understood. TMDs could play a role in fusion promotion through direct TMD-TMD interactions, and we have recently shown that isolated TMDs from three paramyxovirus fusion (F) proteins interact as trimers using sedimentation equilibrium (SE) analysis (E. C. Smith, et al., submitted for publication). Immediately N-terminal to the TMD is heptad repeat B (HRB), which plays critical roles in fusion. Interestingly, addition of HRB decreased the stability of the trimeric TMD-TMD interactions. This result, combined Clomifene with previous findings that HRB forms a trimeric coiled coil in the prefusion form of the whole protein though HRB peptides fail to stably associate in isolation, suggests that the trimeric TMD-TMD interactions work in concert with elements in the F ectodomain head to stabilize

a weak HRB interaction. Thus, changes in TMD-TMD interactions could be important in regulating F triggering and refolding. Alanine insertions between the TMD and HRB demonstrated that spacing between these two regions is important for protein stability while not affecting TMD-TMD interactions. Additional mutagenesis of the C-terminal end of the TMD suggests that beta-branched residues within the TMD play a role in membrane fusion, potentially through modulation of TMD-TMD interactions. Our results support a model whereby the C-terminal end of the Hendra virus F TMD is an important regulator of TMD-TMD interactions and show that these interactions help hold HRB in place prior to the triggering of membrane fusion.”
“White matter damage and its contribution to clinical manifestations in patients with dementia have been increasingly recognized.

For the first time, a model addressing plasma membrane flow and c

For the first time, a model addressing plasma membrane flow and cytosis regulation were posed. Therefore, it represents a missing piece in an integrative model of pollen tube growth, in which cell wall mechanics, hydrodynamic fluxes and regulation mechanisms are combined. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“p53 and ARF are well-established tumor-suppressor proteins that function together in the negative regulation of cancer. Recently, both proteins were found to play surprising roles in autophagy.

Autophagy eating’) is a crucial response of eukaryotic cells to metabolic and other stress. During this process, portions of the cytosol are sequestered into characteristic double-membrane vesicles that are delivered to the lysosome GSK-3 inhibitor for degradation, leading to the release of free

amino acids and promoting cell survival. The mechanisms whereby p53 and ARF control autophagy are only now becoming elucidated. An emerging question is whether we can develop metabolic poisons that preferentially destroy tumor cells depending on their reliance on autophagy for survival, and on their p53 and ARF status.”
“This review compares the folding behavior of proteins and RNAs. Topics covered include the role of topology in the determination of folding rates, major folding events www.selleckchem.com/products/forskolin.html including collapse, properties of denatured states, pathway heterogeneity, and the influence of the mode of initiation on the folding pathway.”
“Protein self-association is critical to many biological functions. However, atomic-level structural characterization of these assemblies has remained elusive. In this report we present insights into the mechanistic details of the process of self-association of the 136- residue GTPase effector domain ( GED) of the endocytic protein dynamin into a megadalton- sized soluble mass. Our approach is based on NMR monitoring of regulated folding and association through Gdn- HCl titration. The results suggest the evolution of a sequence – self-

association paradigm. Equally significantly, the study demonstrates an elegant bottom- up strategy that can render large protein self- assemblies accessible to NMR investigations that have remained difficult to date.”
“Competition Lenvatinib concentration among cells has long been recognized as an important part of carcinogenesis. However, the role of cellular cooperation in cancer has been largely ignored. In this work, we investigated the role of cooperation in early tumor progression using a mathematical and agent-based modeling approach. We hoped to learn how the introduction of cooperative cells into a cell population would affect the dynamics of the system. We modeled the stem cell compartment of tissue using a spatial structure organized into cell patches, with stem cells able to replicate or leave the stem cell compartment through apoptosis or differentiation.

Findings 128 patients (11%) had involvement of the circumferentia

Findings 128 patients (11%) had involvement of the circumferential resection margin, and the plane of surgery achieved was classified as good (mesorectal) in 604 (52%), intermediate

(intramesorectal) in 398 (34%), and poor (muscularis propria plane) in 154 (13%). We found that both a negative circumferential resection margin and a superior plane of surgery achieved were associated with low local recurrence rates. Hazard ratio (HR) was 0 – 32 (95% CI 0.16-0.63, p=0.0011) with 3-year local recurrence rates of 6% (5-8%) Nirogacestat solubility dmso and 17% (10-26%) for patients who were negative and positive for circumferential resection margin, respectively. For plane of surgery achieved, HRs for mesorectal and intramesorectal groups compared with the muscularis propria group were 0 – 32 (0.16-0.64) and 0.48 (0.25-0.93), respectively. At 3 years, the estimated local recurrence rates SB202190 price were 4% (3-6%) for mesorectal, 7% (5-11%) for intramesorectal, and 13% (8-21%) for muscularis propria groups. The benefit of short-course preoperative radiotherapy did not differ in the three plane of surgery groups (p=0.30 for trend). Patients in the short-course preoperative radiotherapy group who had a resection in the mesorectal plane had a 3-year local recurrence rate of only 1%.

Interpretation In rectal cancer, the plane of surgery achieved is an important prognostic

factor for local recurrence. Short-course preoperative radiotherapy reduced the rate of local recurrence for all three plane of surgery groups, almost abolishing local recurrence in short-course preoperative radiotherapy patients who had a resection in the mesorectal plane. The plane of surgery achieved should therefore be assessed and reported routinely.

Funding Medical Research Council (UK) and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.”
“Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a proinflammatory cytokine acting FAD on two distinct

receptor subtypes, namely p55 and p75 receptors. TNF-alpha p55 and p75 receptor knockout mice were previously shown to display a decreased or enhanced susceptibility to seizures, respectively, suggesting intrinsic modifications in neuronal excitability. We investigated whether alterations in glutamate system function occur in these naive knockout mice with perturbed cytokine signaling that could explain their different propensity to develop seizures. Using Western blot analysis of hippocampal homogenates, we found that p55(-/-) mice have decreased levels of membrane GluR3 and NR1 glutamate receptor subunits while GluR1, GluR2, GIuR6/7 and NR2A/B were unchanged as compared to wild-type mice. In p75(-/-) mice, GluR2, GluR3, GluR6/7 and NR2AJB glutamate receptor subunits were increased in the hippocampus while GluR1 and NR1 did not change. Extracellular single-cell recordings of the electrical activity of hippocampal neurons were carried out in anesthetized mice by standard electrophysiological techniques.

However, she is reluctant to attempt to quit now, in part because

However, she is reluctant to attempt to quit now, in part because she fears she will not succeed. What would you advise?”
“Objective: To document the 30- and 90-day outcomes in patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy in the acute phase of crescendo cerebral transient ischemic attacks (CcTIAs).

Methods: From January 2003 to December 2009, data from patients suffering CcTIAs with

an ipsilateral severe internal carotid artery stenosis and consecutively operated in our department were prospectively collected. CcTIA patients operated in the acute phase were those who had experienced two cerebral TIAs and had been consecutively operated within check details 2 weeks of their first-ever TIA. Clinical assessment was by the vascular neurologist. Duplex ultrasonography was initially

used for the diagnosis of severe (> 70%) ipsilateral internal carotid artery and further assessed by magnetic resonance angiography and/or computed tomography angiography. Brain damage was assessed by magnetic resonance Elacridar supplier imaging or at default computed tomography scan. Perioperative medical treatment and operative techniques were standardized. Stroke, death, and major cardiac events were analyzed.

Results: Sixty-four patients sustained a median of four cerebral TIAs. Median delay to surgery from initial examination was 5 days. The mean degree of internal carotid artery stenosis was 87.9%. Of the 55 patients who had magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging, 43 (78%) patients had new acute infarction

in an area that corresponded to the clinical symptoms. All patients received antiplatelet therapy and statin during the intervening period. All patients underwent conventional carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with patch angioplasty (polytetrafluoroethylene). Fifty-six patients (87.5%) underwent CEA under local anesthesia with two (3.5%) utilizing selective shunting, and eight patients had general anesthesia with systematic shunting. From CEA to discharge, all patients had complete recovery of their unstable clinical syndrome. At discharge and at 1 and 3 months many postoperatively, no stroke or death, or major cardiac event occurred in this series with a 100% complete follow-up.

Conclusions: Short delay between symptom onset and neurological assessment, immediate start of secondary stroke prevention, optimal perioperative medical treatment, and standardized operative techniques enabled performance of CEA in the acute phase of CcTIAs with low combined risk of stroke, death, and major cardiac event. (J Vasc Surg 2011;53: 637-42.)”
“Objective: We aimed to study the long-term development of health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with peripheral arterial disease after they underwent peripheral bypass surgery and to evaluate the influence of adverse vascular events that occurred during follow-up.

All rights reserved “
“Background Lowering of LDL cholestero

All rights reserved.”
“Background Lowering of LDL cholesterol reduces major vascular events, but whether more intensive therapy safely produces extra benefits is uncertain We aimed to establish efficacy and safety of more intensive statin treatment in patients at high cardiovascular risk

Methods We undertook a double-blind randomised trial in 12064 men and women aged 18-80

years with a history of myocardial infarction Participants were either currently on or had clear indication for statin therapy, and had a total cholesterol concentration of at least 3 5 mmol/L if already on a stain or 4 5 mmol/L. if not Randomisation to either 80 mg or 20 mg simvastatin daily was done centrally using a minimisation algorithm Participants were assessed at CH5183284 price 2 4 8, and 12 months after randomisation and then every selleck chemicals 6 months until final follow up The primary endpoint was major vascular events, defined as coronary death, myocardial infarction, stroke or arterial revascularisation Analysis was by intention to treat This study is registered number ISRCTN74348595

Findings 6031 participants were allocated 80 mg simvastatin daily, and 6033 allocated 20 mg simvastatin daily During a mean follow up of 6 7 (SD 1 5) years allocation to 80 mg simvastatin produced

an average 0 35 (SE 0 01) mmol/L greater reduction in LDL cholesterol compared with allocation to 20 mg Major vascular events occurred m 1477 (24 5%) participants allocated 80 mg simvastatin versus 1553 (25 7%) of those allocated 20 mg, corresponding to a 6% proportional reduction (risk ratio 0 94 95% CI 0 88-1 Dipeptidase 01, p=0 10) There were no apparent differences in numbers of haemorrhagic strokes (24 [0 4%] vs 25 [0 4%]) or deaths attributed to vascular (565 [9 4%] vs 572 [9 5%]) or non vascular (399 [6 6%] vs 398 [6 6%]) causes Compared with two (0 03%) cases of myopathy in patients taking 20 mg simvastatin daily there were 53 (0 9%) cases in the 80 mg group

Interpretation The 6% (SE 3 5%) reduction in major vascular events with a further 0 35 mmol/L reduction in LDL

cholesterol in our trial is consistent with previous trials Myopathy was increased with 80 mg simvastatin daily, but intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol can be achieved safely with other regimens”
“Objective. – Fatigue of lower limb presents various impacts on postural control. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a unilateral lower-limb muscle fatigue on undisturbed stance.

Methods. – Nine healthy men performed until exhaustion a fatiguing exercise of the limb extensor muscles of one leg (exercised leg). Just before and after the fatiguing exercise, postural sway measures (centre of pressure) were recorded simultaneously from a double force platform and an in-shoe pressure system in quiet standing conditions. Maximal plantar pressure was computed from each sensor of the in-shoe system, before being averaged for the medial and lateral heel, the external mid-foot, the external and internal foreparts.

Results.

However, this anatomical change was not

associated with a

However, this anatomical change was not

associated with a greater improvement in symptoms or exercise tolerance or with a reduction in the rate of death or hospitalization for cardiac causes. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00023595.)”
“Objective: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is secreted by the heart in response to ventricular wall stress and has prognostic value in patients with heart failure, coronary artery disease, and heart valve abnormalities. Postoperative and long-term outcome is also related to these risk factors. This study assessed the additional prognostic value of NT-proBNP levels as a simple objective this website risk marker for postoperative cardiac events among vascular surgery patients.

Methods: A detailed cardiac history (angina, myocardial infarction, age > 70 years, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, stroke, heart failure), resting echocardiography, and NT-proBNP levels were obtained in 400 vascular surgery Pictilisib price patients. Postoperative troponin-T levels and an electrocardiogram were obtained on days 1, 3, 7, and 30, and whenever clinically indicated. Patients were monitored every 6 months at the outpatient

clinic. Study end points were perioperative cardiac events (ie, composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and troponin release) and long-term all-cause mortality. The additional value of NT-proBNP was assessed with multivariable regression analysis. The optimal cut off value was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results: Postoperative troponin T release occurred in 79 patients (20%). Cardiac risk factors were used to classify patients as low (0 risk factors), intermediate (1 to 2), and high (>3)

cardiac risk (event rate of 7%, 15%, and 37%, respectively). The median NT-proBNP level was 206 pg/mL (interquartile range, 80-548 pg/mL). The risk of postoperative cardiac events was augmented with increasing NT-proBNP, irrespective of underlying Isotretinoin cardiac risk factors and type of vascular surgery. In addition to cardiac risk factors only (C index, 0.66) or cardiac risk factors and site and type of surgery (C index, 0.81), NT-proBNP was an excellent too] for further risk stratification (C index, 0.86), with an optimal cutoff value of 350 pg/mL. In multivariate analysis, NT-proBNP >350 pg/mL remained significantly associated with perioperative cardiac events (odds ratio [OR], 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-10.5, P < .001). NT-proBNP >350 pg/mL was also associated with an independent 1.9-fold (95% CI 1.1-3.2) increased risk for long-term mortality during a median follow-Lip of 2.4 years.

Conclusion: NT-proBNP is an independent prognostic marker for postoperative cardiac events and long-term mortality in patients undergoing different types of vascular surgery and might be used for preoperative cardiac risk stratification. (J Vase Surg 2009;49:435-42.