Pathfinder: Visual Analysis of Paths in Graphs.

The analysis of paths in graphs is highly relevant in many domains. Typically, path-related tasks are performed in node-link layouts. Unfortunately, graph layouts often do not scale to the size of many real world networks. Also, many networks are multivariate, i.e., contain rich attribute sets associated with the nodes and edges. These attributes are often critical in judging paths, but directly visualizing attributes in a graph layout exacerbates the scalability problem. In this paper, we present visual analysis solutions dedicated to path-related tasks in large and highly multivariate graphs. We show that by focusing on paths, we can address the scalability problem of multivariate graph visualization, equipping analysts with a powerful tool to explore large graphs. We introduce Pathfinder (Figure 1), a technique that provides visual methods to query paths, while considering various constraints. The resulting set of paths is visualized in both a ranked list and as a node-link diagram. For the paths in the list, we display rich attribute data associated with nodes and edges, and the node-link diagram provides topological context. The paths can be ranked based on topological properties, such as path length or average node degree, and scores derived from attribute data. Pathfinder is designed to scale to graphs with tens of thousands of nodes and edges by employing strategies such as incremental query results. We demonstrate Pathfinder's fitness for use in scenarios with data from a coauthor network and biological pathways.

Higher levels of antioxidant defenses in enalapril-treated versus non-enalapril-treated hemodialysis patients.

We previously reported chronic treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) increases antioxidant defenses in mice. In the present study, however, we examined various antioxidant defenses in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients either treated with enalapril (10 mg/d) for at least 6 months (+ACEi; n = 11) or untreated (-ACEi; n = 11). The relationship between antioxidant status and HD was investigated by determining oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defenses in a group of chronic HD patients (n = 33) and a group of age-matched controls (n = 29). The effect of a single HD session on those parameters was also evaluated. Before an HD session (pre-HD), HD patients had significantly lower levels of red blood cell (RBC) glutathione (GSH), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity (RBC-Se-GPx), plasma ubiquinol-10, and alpha-tocopherol than controls. In a randomly selected group of patients (n = 19), a single HD session caused an additional decrease in RBC-GSH and plasma ubiquinol-10 levels. Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels were significantly greater in pre-HD patients than controls. Post-HD plasma TBARS levels were similar to control values. The cohort of +ACEi HD patients had greater pre-HD RBC-GSH content, RBC-Se-GPx activity, and plasma beta-carotene concentrations than -ACEi patients (RBC-GSH: +ACEi, 3.1 +/- 0.9 micromol/mL packed RBCs [PRBCs]; -ACEi, 1.2 +/- 0.3 micromol/mL PRBCs [P < 0.05 v +ACEi]; RBC-Se-GPx: +ACEi, 5.8 +/- 0.7 U/mL PRBCs; -ACEi, 4.3 +/- 0.2 U/mL PRBCs [P < 0.05 v +ACEi]; plasma beta-carotene: +ACEi, 0.54 +/- 0.16 micromol/L plasma; -ACEi, 0.19 +/- 0.05 micromol/L plasma [P < 0.05 v +ACEi]). Results show profound alterations in the circulating antioxidant systems of chronic HD patients and that additional oxidative stress occurs during the HD procedure. In addition, in +ACEi HD patients, the levels of several antioxidant defenses are greater than in those in -ACEi HD patients.

[Metabolic syndrome with vascular risk and arterial hypertension]. / Sindrome metabolico de riesgo vascular e hipertensión arterial.

Hypertension is associated with metabolic disturbances that may be related to hyperinsulinemia, both resulting from our lifestyle. Insulin resistance generated by central obesity, and complex relations with sympathetic activity, dyslipemia, atherosclerosis, sodium retention, altered vascular reactivity and hypertension, lead to pathophysiological connections, that are still to be understood. Even if obesity and hypertension were not related through hyperinsulinemia, the metabolic syndrome increases either vascular risk or hypertension, and it has to be re-evaluated whether essential hypertension is an adequate diagnosis for these patients.

[Toxicological and pharmacological studies of glycerol]. / Ricerche tossicologiche e farmacologiche sul glicerolo

The toxicological effects of 10% glycerol were investigated in the mouse and rat. This product displayed very low acute toxicity on i.v. and intraperitoneal administration while no toxic effects were noted in the rat as a result of repeated administration over 3 months. Teratogenic effects were not observed after daily i.v. administration in the rabbit. Changes in arterial pressure and globular osmotic resistance did not appear during or after continuous infusion. The relevant literature is also examined. Glycerol has been found active in experimental various models of cerebral oedema. It also has a useful effect on cerebral metabolism.