Jagiellonian University

About: Jagiellonian University is a education organization based out in Krakow, Poland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 17438 authors who have published 44092 publications receiving 862633 citations. The organization is also known as: Academia Cracoviensis & Akademia Krakowska.

Prognostic Value of Reading-to-Reading Blood Pressure Variability Over 24 Hours in 8938 Subjects From 11 Populations

Abstract: In previous studies, of which several were underpowered, the relation between cardiovascular outcome and blood pressure (BP) variability was inconsistent. We followed health outcomes in 8938 subjects (mean age: 53.0 years; 46.8% women) randomly recruited from 11 populations. At baseline, we assessed BP variability from the SD and average real variability in 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings. We computed standardized hazard ratios (HRs) while stratifying by cohort and adjusting for 24-hour BP and other risk factors. Over 11.3 years (median), 1242 deaths (487 cardiovascular) occurred, and 1049, 577, 421, and 457 participants experienced a fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular, cardiac, or coronary event or a stroke. Higher diastolic average real variability in 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings predicted (P0.03) total (HR: 1.14) and cardiovascular (HR: 1.21) mortality and all types of fatal combined with nonfatal end points (HR: 1.07) with the exception of cardiac and coronary events (HR: 1.02; P0.58). Higher systolic average real variability in 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings predicted (P0.05) total (HR: 1.11) and cardiovascular (HR: 1.16) mortality and all fatal combined with nonfatal end points (HR: 1.07), with the exception of cardiac and coronary events (HR: 1.03; P0.54). SD predicted only total and cardiovascular mortality. While accounting for the 24-hour BP level, average real variability in 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings added 1% to the prediction of a cardiovascular event. Sensitivity analyses considering ethnicity, sex, age, previous cardiovascular disease, antihypertensive treatment, number of BP readings per recording, or the night:day BP ratio were confirmatory. In conclusion, in a large population cohort, which provided sufficient statistical power, BP variability assessed from 24-hour ambulatory recordings did not contribute much to risk stratification over and beyond 24-hour BP. (Hypertension. 2010;55:1049-1057.)

A massive binary black-hole system in OJ 287 and a test of general relativity

Abstract: Black holes are firmly established in astronomy and in the public imagination. Yet the concept still depends on the assumption that Einstein's general theory of relativity is the correct theory of gravitation. Tests of general relativity in a strong gravitational field are best conducted in systems containing black holes. Valtonen et al. report such a test in a close binary system of two proposed black holes in the quasar OJ 287. This quasar shows quasiperiodic optical outbursts at 12-year intervals, with two outburst peaks per interval. The latest outburst in September 2007 was within a day of the time predicted by the binary black hole model and general relativity. Tests of Einstein's general theory of relativity in a strong gravitational field may be best conducted in systems containing black holes. Such a test in a close binary system of two proposed black holes in the quasar OJ287 is reported. This quasar shows quasi-periodic optical outbursts at 12 year intervals, with two outburst peaks per interval. The latest outburst occurred in September 2007, within a day of the time predicted by the binary black hole model and the general relativity. Tests of Einstein’s general theory of relativity have mostly been carried out in weak gravitational fields where the space-time curvature effects are first-order deviations from Newton’s theory1,2,3,4,5,6. Binary pulsars4 provide a means of probing the strong gravitational field around a neutron star, but strong-field effects may be best tested in systems containing black holes7,8. Here we report such a test in a close binary system of two candidate black holes in the quasar OJ 287. This quasar shows quasi-periodic optical outbursts at 12-year intervals, with two outburst peaks per interval9,10. The latest outburst occurred in September 2007, within a day of the time predicted by the binary black-hole model and general relativity11. The observations confirm the binary nature of the system and also provide evidence for the loss of orbital energy in agreement (within 10 per cent) with the emission of gravitational waves from the system12. In the absence of gravitational wave emission the outburst would have happened 20 days later13.

Acute-Phase Reactants

Abstract: The term “acute-phase reactants” (AP-reactants) is generally considered to refer to protein components of plasma whose concentration is significantly increased in the acute phase of inflammatory processes. This category includes several proteins with various physicochemical properties (Table 4.1) and biological functions, but at least two common features may be ascribed to them: almost all contain significant amounts of carbohydrates and all are synthesized in liver parenchymal cells. Hence AP-reactants may be defined as trauma-inducible liver-produced plasma glycoproteins.