By using the post-translational induction system of Arabidopsis V

By using the post-translational induction system of Arabidopsis VND7, a master regulator of xylem vessel element differentiation,

many poplar genes functioning in xylem vessel differentiation downstream from NAC domain protein genes were identified. Transient expression assays showed the variation in PtVNS/PtrWND transactivation activity toward downstream genes, even between duplicate gene pairs. Furthermore, overexpression of PtVNS/PtrWND genes induced ectopic secondary wall thickening in poplar leaves as well as in GSK923295 datasheet Arabidopsis seedlings with different levels of induction efficiency according to the gene. These results suggest that wood formation in poplar is regulated by cooperative functions of the NAC domain proteins.”
“Melt blending of polylactic acid (PLA) and a chain-extended polyethylene glycol (CE-PEG) have been performed in an effort to toughen the Epigenetics inhibitor PLA without significant loss of modulus and ultimate

tensile strength. The chain-extended PEG was prepared with melt condensation of a low molecular weight PEG and 4,4′-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) (MDI) for enhancement of the molecular weight of PEG. The thermal and mechanical properties, miscibility and phase morphologies of blends were investigated. By using thermal and fracture surface analysis, the blends were found to be a partially miscible system with shifted glass transition temperatures. The addition of CE-PEG leads to slight decrease in tensile strength and modulus, while the elongation at break is characterized

by an important increase (540%), compared with neat PLA and PLA/PEG (low molecular weight PEG, M(n) = 35,000). The relative ductility of PLA/CE-PEG is 40 times higher than that of neat PLA. The brittle fracture of neat PLA was transformed into a ductile fracture by the addition of CE-PEG. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 2360-2367, 2012″
“We describe two pediatric patients with an uncommon electrophysiological seizure propagation pattern. Both had dialeptic seizures as the main or only symptom. Case I had a small mass in the left medial temporal structures; case 2 had no lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. In Elafibranor both, the electroencephalogram showed not only left temporal spikes, but also bilaterally synchronous 3-Hz spike-and-wave complexes (SWCs) from onset and unusual secondarily generalized 3-Hz SWC patterns arising from the left temporal region. Case 1 was seizure free following resection of the mass; focal or generalized epileptiform electroencephalographic abnormalities were no longer present. In case 2, magnetoencephalography localized the spikes to the left superior and midtemporal gyrus, which ictal single-photon-emission computed tomography suggested was the origin of onset.


“Objective This study investigated the

effect of


“Objective. This study investigated the

effect of locally immobilized bisphosphonates and systemic estrogen replacement therapy on fixation of hydroxyapatite-coated screws in ovariectomized rats.

Study design. Twelve weeks after being ovariectomized, each of the 20 rats received 2 hydroxyapatite-coated screws in the proximal see more tibia, with or without immobilized bisphosphonates. Half of the animals also received subcutaneous injections of 17 beta-estradiol. Thus, there were 4 groups: control, estrogen, bisphosphonates, and estrogen plus bisphosphonates. Tibiae with screws were measured by microscopic computerized tomography and push-out test 12 weeks after implantation.

Results. Combined treatment had the strongest effects, with the bone volume ratio around screws and the percentage of osteointegration significantly increased by 2.3-fold and 1.9-fold and the push-out force by 3.3-fold compared with untreated control samples. Monotherapy also enhanced the fixation of screws, although less.

Conclusions. Systemic estrogen replacement therapy and locally immobilized bisphosphonates

had additive effects on fixation of hydroxyapatite-coated screws in ovariectomized rats. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: 700-705)”
“The authors characterize AlInN/GaN structures on AlN templates for high-performance ultraviolet photodiodes. selleck screening library AlInN/GaN structures were grown with various growth parameters by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. In the case of nearly lattice-matched to GaN underlying layers, AlInN/GaN structures are found to have smooth interface. AlInN layers grown at the low pressure are confirmed to have high crystal quality from x-ray diffraction measurements and good surface morphology

from atomic force microscope images. The noble AlInN-based photodiodes were fabricated. Their performances show the leakage current of 48 nA at a reverse voltage of 5 V and the cutoff wavelength around 260 nm. A cutoff-wavelength responsivity of 21.84 mA/W is obtained, corresponding to quantum efficiency of 10.6%. It may be possible to realize high-performance ultraviolet photodiodes by further optimizing AlInN/GaN structures. GDC 0032 chemical structure c 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3544425]“
“The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of intravenous gemcitabine and an intraperitoneal platinum agent in the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with primary, persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer, who received intravenous gemcitabine and an intraperitoneal platinum agent. Patients received gemcitabine (750 mg/m(2)) intravenous on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin (100 or 60 mg/m(2)) intraperitoneal on day 1 every 21 – 28 days.

The chromatographic data and intrinsic dissolution evidenced the

The chromatographic data and intrinsic dissolution evidenced the presence of naphthoquinonic derived groups with distinct features of morphology, solubility and purity. Analytical techniques correlation employed in this study showed parameters of physical properties of HBL batches essentials in differentiation of the quality and evaluation of uniformity AZD6094 mouse of

stand batches and it exposed to be necessary better control in synthesis methodology of HBL.”
“It is well established that several infectious diseases can directly lead to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke during their course. It appears possible that common viral and bacterial infections can increase the susceptibility to stroke by promoting

atherosclerosis, inflammation, and local thrombosis. Stroke commonly leads to disruption of protective mechanisms find more against infection and induces a cascade of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive reactions, which greatly increases the risk of infection. The social and economic costs of post-stroke infections and their impact on stroke morbidity and outcome are dramatic. Understanding the pathophysiologic links between stroke and infection is therefore of paramount importance, and effective preventive strategies to reduce the risk of infection are needed. This article summarizes current clinical and experimental data regarding the interactions between stroke and infection and outlines possible targets for therapeutic intervention.”
“To standardize a preparation method for traditional gochujang, 4 types of meju were prepared using different fermentation tools and inoculation time of Aspergillus oryzae with Bacillus subtilis. The acidic protease activities of the S-1 and S-2 were higher and significantly different than those of S-3 and S-4 on 8-day fermentation at 30 C. The free amino acid contents of the meju were high, in the order of S-2 (275.9 mg%, w/w) > S-1 (238.3 mg%) > S-3 (215.0 mg%) > S-4 (189.9

mg%). The amino-type nitrogen contents of the S-1 (355.6 +/- 12.3 unit/mL) and S-2 (327.0 +/- 5.8 unit/mL) JNK-IN-8 manufacturer were higher and significantly different than those of S-3 and S-4 on 4-day fermentation. However, no consistent differences were observed between S-1 and S-2 during the fermentation period. Therefore, we conclude that meju fermentation was largely affected by the inoculation time of A. oryzae rather than the fermentation tool (tray or net).”
“Flos Genkwa (the dry bud of Daphne Genkwa Sieb. et Zucc.) is an old Chinese medicine that can only be safely and clinically used after being fried in vinegar to reduce its strong toxicity. However, no obvious difference between crude Flos Genkwa and vinegared Flos Genkwa has been determined thus far, and even traditional fingerprinting methods have failed to distinguish them effectively.

For each condition, the moments required to reach the range of mo

For each condition, the moments required to reach the range of motion (ROM) of the intact whole spine segment under +/- 10 Nm (WSP10) were compared for all major planes of motion within L2-S1. The ROM at segments L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5 when WSP10 was applied were also compared for each condition. The moments needed to maintain WSP10 increased with each stage of stabilization, from ISP to SLF to DFT to TLF (p < 0.001), in all planes of motion within L2-S1. The ROM increased in the same order at L3/4 (extension,

flexion, and lateral bending) and L2/3 (all except right axial rotation, left lateral bending) during WSP10 application with 300 N axial preload (p < 0.005 in ANOVA). At L4/5, while applying DAPT WSP10, all planes of motion were affected by stepwise stabilization (p < CBL0137 purchase 0.001): ROM increased from ISP to SLF and decreased from SLF to DFT to TLF (partially p < 0.05). The moments required to reach WSP10 increase dependent on the number of fixated levels and the fixation stiffness of the implants used. Additional fixation shifts motion to the superior segment, according to fixation stiffness. Therefore, dynamic instrumentation cannot be recommended

if prevention of hyper-mobility in the adjacent levels is the main target.”
“Withania ashwagandha Maul (Solanaceae) is an annual plant species of immense medicinal importance. It is a repository of a large number of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites known as with-anolides. Evidence for the delimitation of the species from W somnifera has been provided by our group using multidisciplinary approaches. Knowledge of reproductive biology of medicinal plants is crucial for improvement, effective conservation and management plans to evolve genetically superior varieties. The present paper reports our findings on the floral biology, pollination behavior and breeding system of W. ashwagandha in natural populations grown at our experimental field under find more near natural conditions. Flowering (peak) takes place during April-July and anthesis occurs between 08:00 and 11:00 h.

The period of stigma receptivity coincides with anther dehiscence. Fruit set on pollination treatments ranged from 90.8% (passive autogamy), 72% (assisted autogamy), 30.30% (xenogamy), and 56.50% (geitonogamy) through 50.40% (open pollination). Xenogamy brings about very low fruit set, seed-set and seed germination percentages. It is inferred that W. ashwagandha is predominantly an autogamous and self-compatible species. Self-compatibility is mainly accomplished due to close proximity of stigma and anthers. This work is the first report on the reproductive biology of W. ashwagandha and will be useful for conservation and development of improved varieties of this multipurpose herb. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of lymph node metastases in the specimen was significan

Detection of lymph node metastases in the specimen was significantly correlated with a poorer prognosis, while out of all factors implicated, a new prognostic factor comprising iliac tumor involvement and primary tumor ulceration showed the strongest statistical correlation with prognosis. The median dissection time was 137 min, 58 min devoted to the iliac part. Complications necessitating reoperation (n = 7) related only to the inguinal wound area. Minimally invasive iliac lymph node dissection is ready for clinical routine. The additional information obtained by the iliac dissection-in particular, in combination with primary tumor

ulceration-is AG-120 cell line of important prognostic relevance. Further development of this

technique performing a completely minimally invasive ilioinguinal dissection may confer additional advantages.”
“Background: Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function selleck chemical is essential for the management of heart failure. We verified whether LV diastolic function could be evaluated by measuring the fractional area change (FAC) using cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods: We collected clinical data from 59 patients who underwent echocardiography and cine CMR. Normal, impaired relaxation, pseudonormal, and restrictive LV filling were observed in 15, 28, 11, and 5 patients, respectively. We calculated FAC during the first 30% of diastole (diastolic-index%) selleck kinase inhibitor in the short-axis view, by tracing the contours on only three MR cine images.

Results: The diastolic index was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in patients with impaired relaxation (32.4 +/- 7.5), pseudonormal filling (25.4 +/- 5.6), and restrictive filling (9.5 +/- 1.5) compared to those with normal diastolic function (67.7 +/- 10.8), and the index decreased

significantly with worsening of diastolic dysfunction. The diastolic index correlated positively with early diastolic mitral annular velocity measured by tissue Doppler imaging (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions: Measurement of FAC can be useful for the evaluation of LV diastolic function using cine CMR.”
“Some countries and societies ban the use of donor gametes in IVF and other assisted reproductive treatments. Supporters of these bans maintain that third-party gametes damage marriage, pose dangers to children and families, put donors at risk, and endanger society at large, but these views are open to moral dispute. In particular, secular moral philosophy does not require couples to rely on their own gametes only to have children. Families call thrive even if children vary in their genetic relationships with parents and siblings. The use of donor gametes merits close attention in matters of safety and oversight, but there is no effect that is so damaging to children, donors or society that,justifies closing off their use altogether. Moreover.

Data from the 290 consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary re

Data from the 290 consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary resection between January 2008 and SIS 3 January 2011 were extracted from a prospective clinical data base. In-hospital mortality risk scores are calculated for every patient by using Thoracoscore and ESOS.01 and were compared with actual in-hospital mortality.

The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to establish how well the systems rank for predicting patient mortality. Actual in-hospital mortality was 3.1% (n = 9). Thoracoscore and ESOS values (mean +/- SEM) were 4.93 +/- 0.32 and 4.08 +/- 0.41, respectively. The area under the ROC curve values for ESOS and Thoracoscore were 0.8 and 0.6, respectively. ESOS was reasonably accurate at predicting the overall mortality (sensitivity 88% and specificity 67%), whereas Thoracoscore was a weaker predictor of mortality (sensitivity 67% and specificity 53%). The ESOS score had better predictive values in our patient population and might be easier to calculate. Because of their low specificity, the use of these scores should be limited to the assessment of outcomes of surgical cohorts, but they are not designed to predict risks for individual patients.”
“P>The swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus is mainly responsible for flu. No hepatitis attributable to H1N1 virus has been previously documented. Herein, we report on a kidney transplant patient who developed influenza

H1N1 virus-induced hepatocellular injury. The patient’s body temperature was only somewhat elevated, and pulmonary and flu symptoms were mild. H1N1 virus PP2 solubility dmso was detected by

polymerase chain reaction assay Blebbistatin in vivo in nasopharyngeal and bronchoalveolar swabs, as well as in the serum. The hepatocellular injury episode resolved after the patient had been placed on oseltamivir therapy. This observation suggests that acute hepatocellular injury could be linked to the influenza H1N1 virus.”
“Background: The current guidelines do not recommend increasing the dose of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) for ischemic stroke patients weighing >100 kg. Obese patients are therefore receiving an IV rt-PA dose <0.9 mg/kg; however, the consequences of such underdosing are unknown. Our goal was to determine the relationship between obesity and clinical outcomes among acute ischemic stroke patients receiving IV rt-PA. Methods: Data from all patients admitted to US hospitals between 2002 and 2009 who were treated with IV thrombolysis and who had a primary discharge diagnosis of stroke were included. The effect of obesity on rates of intracerebral hemorrhage and discharge outcomes was analyzed after adjusting for potential confounders using logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 81,579 patients with ischemic stroke treated with IV rt-PA, 5174 (6.3%) were categorized as obese. The intracerebral hemorrhage rates in obese and nonobese patients were significantly different (4.5% v 6.3%; P = .01).

In Groups 2 and 3, canal wall up (closed) tympanoplasty or canal

In Groups 2 and 3, canal wall up (closed) tympanoplasty or canal wall down with canal reconstruction tympanoplasty was performed in all patients.

Intervention Diagnostic.

Main Outcome Measures The severed nerves were readapted or approximated on the temporalis muscle fascia used to reconstruct the eardrum during surgery. Preoperative and postoperative gustatory functions were assessed using electrogustometry. Twelve to 260 months after severing the CTN, the surface of the midlateral region of the tongue was observed with a confocal laser microscope.

Results EGM thresholds find more showed no

response 1 month after surgery in all patients of Groups 2 and 3. In Group 2, EGM thresholds showed recovery 1 to 2 years after surgery and before confocal microscopy

(-1.3 6.5 dB). There was a significant difference between Group 1 (-5.7 +/- 2.0 dB; SNX-5422 p < 0.01) and Group 2. In Group 3, EGM thresholds showed no response for more than 2 years. In the control group (Group 1), 0 to 16 taste buds were observed in each FP, and 55 (79.7%) of 69 FP contained at least 1 taste bud. The mean number of taste bud per papilla was 3.7 +/- 3.6. In patients with a recovered taste function (Group 2), 0 to 8 taste buds were observed in each FP. In this group, 54 (56.2%) of 94 FP contained at least 1 taste bud. The mean number of taste bud per papilla was 2.0 +/- 2.2 (p < 0.01). In Group 3, without recovery, the FP was atrophied, and no taste bud was observed.

Conclusion

Regenerated fungiform taste bud could be observed in vivo using confocal laser scanning microscopy, indicating that regenerated taste bud can be detected without biopsy.”
“Microinjection of nuclear vacuole-free spermatozoa selected by motile sperm organellar PLX4032 morphological examination (MSOME) has been claimed to enhance assisted reproduction treatment outcome compared with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. However, the nature of these nuclear vacuoles is unclear, since their localization at the front of the sperm head suggests they might be of acrosomal origin. To study this hypothesis, acrosomal status was evaluated using Pisum sativum, agglutinin staining on a smear, together with sperm organellar morphological examination using the same optics as for MSOME on 30 sperm samples from infertile patients, yielding >3200 spermatozoa. Vacuoles were present in 61% of spermatozoa when acrosomal material or intact acrosomes were observed, versus 29% when spermatozoa were acrosome reacted (P < 0.0001). Induction of the acrosomal reaction by ionophore A23587 from 17.4% to 36.1% significantly increased the percentage of vacuole-free spermatozoa from 41.2% to 63.8% (P < 0.001). These data suggest that most nuclear vacuoles are of acrosomal origin. Hence, the best spermatozoa selected by MSOME are mostly acrosome-reacted spermatozoa.

Results showed that the highest fresh and dry fruit yields were o

Results showed that the highest fresh and dry fruit yields were obtained at the final harvest date (13 November) in the first experiment. Moreover, the brix, pH and anthocyanin fruit content were increased but total titratable acidity was decreased by delaying in harvest date. Qualitative indices of seedless barberry were

in maximum values before sunrise, then were decreased until noon and after that were increased until sunset. The maximum and minimum brix values were selleckchem obtained at 07.00 and 10.00 (12.7% and 9.7%, respectively). In addition, the highest maturity index and anthocyanin fruit content (mg/100 g dry berries) were obtained at 7.00 (3.40 and 128.5, respectively) and the lowest values of these indices were observed at 10.00 (3.03 and 83, respectively). The maximum value of brix (9.8%), total titratable

acidity (3.5%), maturity index (2.8) and anthocyanin fruit content (63.5 mg/100 g dry berries) were observed in berry picking method. Moreover, the highest brix value (9.8%), total titratable acidity (3.6%), maturity index (2.7) and anthocyanin fruit content (72.5 mg/100 g dry berries) were obtained in the sun drying method. Generally, results of these experiments showed that berry picking in cool hours during the day and sun drying method are effective https://www.selleckchem.com/products/BEZ235.html ways for improving barberry qualitative indices. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose of review

There have been many new developments in therapeutic modalities

for the treatment of pediatric dermatological diseases in the past year. Advances in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, infantile hemangiomas and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa will be discussed. The following review will Selleck Fer-1 update the reader on these exciting new possibilities for patient care and future directions for research to improve the lives of children suffering from skin diseases.

Recent findings

This review will discuss recent articles describing the use of topical tacrolimus for maintenance of remission in atopic dermatitis, utility of nurse educators in atopic dermatitis, safety and efficacy of etanercept for the treatment of psoriasis in children, narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapy for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, use of topical timolol for infantile hemangiomas and bone marrow transplantation for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Summary

There are many new interesting, potentially useful therapeutic modalities emerging in pediatric dermatology. New treatments for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, infantile hemangiomas and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa are reviewed.

The FE-SEM analysis revealed that the cured products with C=C rat

The FE-SEM analysis revealed that the cured products with C=C ratio 2/1 and 1/1 are homogeneous, whereas phase separation occurs for the 1/2 product. The glass transition temperature, 5% weight loss temperature, Nutlin-3 concentration and tensile modulus of the cured DCO/BMI

increased with increasing BMI content. Regarding the tensile strength, the cured DCO/BMI 1/1 product showed the highest value. To evaluate the reaction of DCO and BMI, the model reaction products of DCO and N-phenylmaleimide (PMI) in DMI were analyzed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The (1)H NMR data of DCO revealed that DCO has about 4.8 CH=CH bonds per triglyceride and that the ratio of conjugated and nonconjugated diene moieties is about 41/59. The NMR data of the reaction products Of DCO/PMI with the C=C ratio 2/1. and 1/1 at 200 degrees C for 24 h revealed that both Diels-Alder and ene reactions occurs in addition to radical polymerization. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals,

Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 1033-1039, 2009″
“A model is discussed for magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in a nanobilayer of ferromagnetic and piezoelectric phases on a substrate. The theory is applied to a specific case, nickel ferrite and lead zirconate titanate bilayer on strontium titanate substrate. Both low-frequency coupling and ME interactions at frequencies corresponding to bending oscillations have been considered. The www.selleckchem.com/products/BKM-120.html influence of lattice mismatch between the substrate and piezoelectric and piezomagnetic layers on material parameters has been estimated using the Landau-Ginsburg-Devonshire phenomenological thermodynamic theory. At low frequencies, the model Selleckchem Stem Cell Compound Library predicts a maximum in the ME coupling strength when the substrate is of the same thickness

as the bilayer. The ME voltage coefficient drops with further increase in substrate thickness due to clamping effects. The bending oscillations in nanobilayers are expected to occur at ultralow frequencies (< 5 Hz) compared to longitudinal acoustic modes at 100-200 kHz for bilayers of nominal dimensions. The mode frequency shows an increase with increasing substrate thickness, and the resonance value of the ME coefficient is predicted to show a minimum when the substrate-to-bilayer thickness ratio is 0.3.”
“Exfoliation of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites based upon epoxy resin has previously been reported to be enhanced by allowing some homopolymerization of the resin to occur, catalyzed by the onium ion of the organically modified clay, before the addition of the crosslinking agent and the curing of the nanocomposite. In this work we examine the effects of homopolymerization induced by pre-conditioning the resin/clay mixtures by storing them at various temperatures, from room temperature to 100 degrees C, prior to curing.

150,

P < 0 001), IL-6

150,

P < 0.001), IL-6 Selleck AG-14699 (r = 0.154, P < 0.001), oxidized LDL (oxLDL) (r = 0.161, P = < 0.001), and baPWV (r = 0.087, P = 0.032); and negative correlation with folate (r = -0.353, P < 0.001) and vitamin B(12) (r = -0.269, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis based on plasma tHcy level, tHcy was associated with baPWV in men with high levels of tHcy (>= 13.1 mu mol/L, n = 153; r = 0.258, P = 0.001), but not in those with low-tHcy (< 13.1 mu mol/L, n = 459; r = -0.033, P = 0.478). The association between tHcy and baPWV in the high-tHcy group remained significant after adjustment for age, BMI, smoking, drinking, folate, and vitamin B(12). In the high-tHcy group, tHcy level was also positively correlated with IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, oxLDL,

and blood pressure; and negatively correlated with LDL particle size. In addition, baPWV showed negative correlation with LDL particle size and positive correlation with oxLDL in the high-tHcy group.

Conclusion: This study shows an association between high levels of plasma tHcy and more advanced arterial stiffness, smaller LDL particle size, and higher levels of oxLDL and cytokines in men with hyperhomocysteinemia. Enhanced arterial stiffness in hyperhomocysteinemia might be attributed, in part, to Hcy-related LDL atherogenicity. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention SYN-117 ic50 (PCI)-induced myocardial damage is associated with late cardiovascular events. Treatment with atorvastatin before PCI can reduce myocardial damage during the peri-PCI period.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and myocardial effects of different atorvastatin loading doses and dosing frequency before PCI in non-ST segment EPZ5676 in vivo elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients.

METHODS: Eighty NSTE-ACS patients were randomly divided into four groups (20 patients per group). The control group was given

40 mg atorvastatin each night. The three loading dose groups were treated the same as in the control group, but were given 80 mg atorvastatin 12 h before PCI (low-load group) in combination with 40 mg atorvastatin 2 h to 4 h before PCI (mid-load group) or 60 mg atorvastatin 2 h to 4 h before PCI (high-load group). All patients underwent PCI within 48 h to 72 h of admission, and received 40 mg atorvastatin for at least one month after PCI. Changes in myocardial markers and highly sensitive C-reactive protein were analyzed. Patients were followed up for 30 days to monitor the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

RESULTS: No deaths or revascularizations were recorded. The incidences of MACE differed significantly between the four groups (40%, 25%, 10% and 0% for the control, low-load, mid-load and high-load groups, respectively; P<0.05).