\n\nResults A heterogeneous, normally distributed PI (mean 40.8 +/- 26.2%) response to clopidogrel was observed in 157 subjects (age 67.2 +/- 12.2 years; 59.9% men). Multiple variable analysis of clinical and biochemical factors known to affect platelet reactivity revealed lower PI in patients with an elevated plasma fibrinogen level (>= 375 mg/dl), diabetes mellitus, and increased body mass index

(BMI) (>= 25 kg/m(2)). On testing for interaction, elevated fibrinogen level was associated with diabetic status, resulting in lower PI in diabetic patients (23.9 +/- 3.9% vs. 45.1 +/- 4.5%, p < 0.001), but not nondiabetic patients (44.7 +/- 4.4% vs. 46.3 +/- 4.8%, p = 0.244). Increased BMI remained independently associated with lower PI after clopidogrel therapy regardless of find more diabetic status or fibrinogen level (36.8 +/- 9.0% vs. 49.0 +/- 7.0%, p < 0.001).\n\nConclusions Elevated plasma fibrinogen (>= 375 mg/dl) in the presence of diabetes mellitus and increased BMI (>= 25 kg/m(2)) are associated with lower PI with clopidogrel in patients with CVD.”
“We report on the fabrication of a highly aligned

silver-decorated array of zinc oxide nanotubes for use in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The ZnO nanotube array was first prepared by chemical etching, and the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were then deposited on their surface by magnetron Angiogenesis inhibitor sputtering. Such ZnO/Ag hybrid structures are shown to act as SERS-active substrates with remarkable sensitivity. The enhancement factor can be as high as 10(5) JNK-IN-8 nmr when using

4-mercaptopyridine in solution as a SERS probe. The synergistic combination between SERS “hot spots” and the formation of an interfacial electric field between the zinc oxide nanotubes and the AgNPs in our opinion contribute to the high sensitivity. The relative standard deviations of signal intensities for the major SERS peaks are < 7 %. This demonstrates that the optimized ZnO/Ag hybrid represents an excellent SERS substrate that may be used in trace analysis and ultrasensitive molecular sensing.”
“Impaired wound healing represents an enormous clinical and financial problem for companion animals and humans alike. Unfortunately, most models used to study healing rely on rodents, which have significant differences in the healing and scarring process and rarely develop complications. In order to better simulate impaired healing, the model should strive to reproduce the natural processes of healing and delayed healing. Wounds on the limbs of horses display similarities to wounds in humans in their epithelialization/contraction ratio, genetic influence as well as dysregulated cytokine profile and the spontaneous development of fibroproliferative disorders.