Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 

About: Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Diabetes mellitus. It has an ISSN identifier of 0043-5325. Over the lifetime, 12543 publications have been published receiving 92619 citations. The journal is also known as: Wiener klinische Wochenschrift (Print).

Endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors.

Abstract: Since the description of the essential role of the endothelium in mediating relaxations due to acetylcholine in mammalian arteries, it has become obvious that endothelial cells release several relaxing and contracting substances. The release is activated by a variety of agents including circulating hormones, autacoids, and products liberated by aggregating platelets, but also by changes in shear stress exerted by the blood. There is strong evidence that the major endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is the free radical nitric oxide (NO) formed enzymatically from L-arginine. Endothelium-dependent relaxations caused by EDRF are induced through increases in the activity of soluble guanylate cyclase in the smooth muscle. Other relaxing factors, such as prostacyclin and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) contribute to endothelium-dependent relaxations. Beside the recently described and chemically identified peptide endothelin, at least two other endothelium-derived contracting factors appear to exist. The mechanisms by which endothelium-derived contracting factors activate vascular smooth muscle are not yet clear. In certain clinical situations an impairment of the production of EDRF in face of a maintained or augmented release of contracting factors may contribute to the occurrence of localized vasospasm or generalized increases in peripheral resistance.

Gait disorders in adults and the elderly : A clinical guide.

Abstract: Human gait depends on a complex interplay of major parts of the nervous, musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems. The individual gait pattern is influenced by age, personality, mood and sociocultural factors. The preferred walking speed in older adults is a sensitive marker of general health and survival. Safe walking requires intact cognition and executive control. Gait disorders lead to a loss of personal freedom, falls and injuries and result in a marked reduction in the quality of life. Acute onset of a gait disorder may indicate a cerebrovascular or other acute lesion in the nervous system but also systemic diseases or adverse effects of medication, in particular polypharmacy including sedatives. The prevalence of gait disorders increases from 10 % in people aged 60–69 years to more than 60 % in community dwelling subjects aged over 80 years. Sensory ataxia due to polyneuropathy, parkinsonism and frontal gait disorders due to subcortical vascular encephalopathy or disorders associated with dementia are among the most common neurological causes. Hip and knee osteoarthritis are common non-neurological causes of gait disorders. With advancing age the proportion of patients with multiple causes or combinations of neurological and non-neurological gait disorders increases. Thorough clinical observation of gait, taking a focused patient history and physical, neurological and orthopedic examinations are basic steps in the categorization of gait disorders and serve as a guide for ancillary investigations and therapeutic interventions. This clinically oriented review provides an overview on the phenotypic spectrum, work-up and treatment of gait disorders.