Background: Hyperthyroidism has substantial effects on the circulatory system. The cardiac biomarkers NT-proBNP and troponin I (cTNI) have proven useful in identifying cats with myocardial disease but have not been as extensively investigated in hyperthyroidism. Hypothesis: Plasma NT-proBNP and cTNI concentrations are higher in cats with primary cardiac disease than in cats with hyperthyroidism and higher in cats with hyperthyroidism than in healthy control cats. Animals: Twenty-three hyperthyroid cats, 19 cats with HCM without congestive heart failure, and 19 euthyroid, normotensive healthy cats eight years of age or older. Fourteen of the hyperthyroid cats were re-evaluated three months after administration of 131I. Methods: A complete history, physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistries, urinalysis, blood pressure measurement, serum T4 concentration, plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP and cTNI, and echocardiogram was prospectively obtained from each cat. Results: Hyperthyroid and HCM cats had plasma NT-proBNP and cTNI concentrations that were significantly greater than healthy older cats, but there was no significant difference between hyperthyroid and HCM cats with respect to concentration of either biomarker. In hyperthyroid cats that were re-evaluated three months after 131I treatment, plasma NT-proBNP and cTNI concentrations as well as ventricular wall thickness decreased. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Although there may be a role for NT-proBNP in monitoring the cardiac response to treatment of hyperthyroidism, neither NT-proBNP nor cTNI can be used to distinguish hyperthyroid cats from cats with HCM. Therefore, the thyroid status of older cats should be ascertained prior to interpreting results of cardiac biomarker testing. / Master of Science

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

The study of the family in the classical period is gaining momentum and continues to engage amongst others, biblical scholars. This mounting interest by biblical critics is indicative of the fact that the family as reality and imagery could be a hermeneutical procedure and methodology through which the Gospels and other New Testament texts and message could be interpreted. The researcher has chosen the Roman, Jewish, African and New Testament families to substantiate this assertion. The contribution of the social-scientific scholars to an understanding of how the family could be utilised as a paradigm in biblical criticism, is the first aspect to be stated and discussed. Their major thrust as far as the family is concerned is that the New Testament is both a reflection of and a response to the social and cultural setting in which the text was produced. Therefore, meanings explicit and implicit in the text are determined by the social and cultural systems inhabited by both authors and intended readers. The researcher goes beyond the contribution of the Western and North American scholars by postulating what he calls the African social-descriptive approach. It is an attempt to appropriate the results of the social-scientific biblical critics from an African perspective. It is therefore, contended that the concept and experience of the African family is closer to the narratological symbolic world of the Gospels during the Graeco-Roman era. As a result, the New Testament message can be proclaimed and interpreted in the context of the cultural milieu already experienced in Africa. Concerning the Roman and Jewish families, it is asserted that when Christianity entered these cultures, a negotiation of meaning was necessary. To the Romans the Christian faith was to a large extent presented in a language of something valued by the Romans, the family. Whatever the obstacles in other respects to accepting the new religion, the Romans would find the Christian symbolism of the family recognisable and intellectually comprehensible. They would therefore, understand something new, Christianity by means of something old, the family. The Jewish tradition was also indelibly interwoven into family life. Although at that time the Gentile converts were welcomed, Palestine Judaism remained fundamentally an ethnic tradition fostering a conception and praxis of religion, which was bound up with Jewish ethnic identity. The family symbolism in the Gospels had much affinity with the Old Testament. For instance, God as the Father had converted Israel from a barren couple (Abraham and Sarah) and adopted them as his own. The New Testament message of the church as a family consisting of those redeemed and born in God's family was not to be new to the Jews. The New Testament perspectives of family is also discussed by referring to the synoptic gospels and John. These New Testament writers use many analogies to describe the nature and identity of the church. One of the most common analogies was that Jesus came and altered the existing conceptions and experience of family ties. Those he called his disciples, the propagators of the post-Easter faith subordinated their natural family ties in order for them to be with Him and to be engaged in his mission for the sake of the gospel. They obeyed Jesus, even at the cost of household based security and identity - the family. In line with the New Testament family, the African family values are brought to the fore. The two are compared and contrasted. The areas of convergence are indicative of the fact that the New Testament could be appropriated in an African family context. There are also differences. These dissimilarities illustrate that the New Testament can impact the family values in compliance with the biblical text and message. The research closes with a suggestion that at the threshold of the new millennium, where the family institution is tremendously under stress, the New Testament family is an ideal model. / Thesis (PhD (NT Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

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This dissertation is an attempt to face the current cacophony in biblical scholarship by suggesting a multidimensional approach to biblical texts, as a reality-orientated, problem- solving and progressive-effective hypothesis. In chapter I the hermeneutical and exegetical dilemma is illustrated in the light of the history of research on 1 Peter. In section A an analysis of this cacophony identified a lack of theory and methodology as the dissonant elements in biblical interpretation. In section B a communication theory is proposed, to deal with the hermeneutical-exegetical dilemma. With the aid of insights from semiotics, linguistics, literary theory and reception theory, a multidimensional communication model lS outlined, to do justice to the static, dynamic and dialectic parameters of textual communication. In order to simplify this multidimensional (i e the intratextual dimension as the prelude, the historical dimension as the interlude and the metatextual dimension as the finale of text analysis) and plurimodal (i e syntactic, semantic and pragmatic modes of a text) model, the notions of static thrust, dynamic perspective and dialectic strategy are proposed as the basic parameters and constituents in textual communication. A theoretical outline of the implications of this model is also given in section B. In section C the presuppositions underlying this model are crosschecked in the light of the epistemologico- paradigmatic parameters of the philosophy of science. Chapters II, III and IV are an implementation of this communication model. In these chapters a methodology for the intratextual (chapter II A), historical (chapter III A) and metatextual (chapter IV A) analyses is proposed, whereafter in each of them, it is implemented, in order to determine the thrust, perspective and strategy of 1 Peter (i e in sections B and C of chapters II, III and IV respectively). The implementation of this multidimensional approach to 1 Peter has confirmed the hypothesis that a one -dimensional approach to ancient canonized texts is futile. The over - and underexposure of the text by either an absolutized text-immanent or historic al analysis is comparable to someone trying to solve Rubic's cube by turning only one level of squares. Therefore it is concluded that a multidimensional approach to textual communication which takes account of the basic relief-mapping function of the static thrust, the cosmologic-orientational function of the dynamic perspective and the persuasive function of the dialectic strategy, is required. Ultimately the analysis of the thrust, perspective and strategy of 1 Peter has illustrated new possibilities of experiencing the successful communication of an ancient canonized text as a cosmologic battle between perspectives. / Thesis (DD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

INTRODUÇÃO: A estenose aórtica, doença valvar de grande prevalência, tem na avaliação clínica e ecocardiográfica as principais ferramentas para avaliação dos pacientes. Ferramentas auxiliares de avaliação são desejáveis e neste contexto surgem os peptídeos natriuréticos. Os peptídeos natriuréticos BNP e NT-proBNP podem ser usados como marcadores diagnósticos e prognósticos em diversas situações clínicas. Postulamos que os peptídeos pudessem ter papel diagnóstico, mas principalmente valor prognóstico em pacientes com estenose aórtica grave. OBJETIVO: primariamente, definir o papel prognóstico de sobrevida dos peptídeos natriuréticos BNP e NT-proBNP no acompanhamento prospectivo de uma população de pacientes com estenose aórtica grave. Secundariamente, comparar os níveis séricos de BNP e NT-proBNP entre pacientes com EAo grave assintomáticos e sintomáticos. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos de forma consecutiva 66 pacientes com estenose aórtica grave, definida pela presença de gradiente médio de pressão transvalvar aórtica maior que 40 mmHg. Os critérios de exclusão foram fibrilação atrial, outra valvopatia, cardiopatia associada, infecções ativas, neoplasias, doenças auto-imunes ou inflamatórias, insuficiência renal e obesidade. Dos 66 pacientes incluídos, 76% eram sintomáticos (50/66). Os sintomas foram definidos como dispnéia aos esforços, síncope ou angina. Na inclusão, todos os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação clínica inicial, realização de ecocardiograma e dosagem de BNP e NT-proBNP. Os pacientes sintomáticos recebiam a indicação de tratamento cirúrgico e os pacientes assintomáticos eram conduzidos clinicamente. Os pacientes foram acompanhados prospectivamente. O desfecho clínico avaliado foi óbito cardiovascular, definido por morte súbita, morte por insuficiência cardíaca e óbito peri-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes foram acompanhados por 869 + 397 dias. Houve 11 óbitos durante o acompanhamento. Na inclusão, os níveis de BNP e NT-proBNP foram similares em assintomáticos e sintomáticos: BNP 72 (41-175) pg/mL versus 104 (46-270) pg/mL; p = 0,275 e NT-proBNP 676 (235-1356) pg/mL vs. 871 (310-2230) pg/mL; p = 0,226. Houve diferença entre os níveis de BNP e NT-proBNP e classe funcional (p < 0,001 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). Através da curva ROC foi determinado um valor de corte de BNP (105 pg/mL) e NT-proBNP (1500 pg/mL) capazes de predizer classe funcional III e IV (New York Heart Association), com área sob a curva de 0,806 e 0,786 respectivamente. BNP e NT-proBNP foram preditores de mortalidade (p=0,007 e p=0,001 respectivamente). BNP > 105 pg/mL aumentou o risco de óbito cardiovascular de forma independente [OR= 6,3 (IC95%: 1,36 - 29,25)]. NT-proBNP > 1500 pg/mL aumentou o risco de óbito cardiovascular de forma independente [OR = 6,5 (IC95%: 1,73 - 24,63)]. CONCLUSÃO: O BNP e o NTproBNP foram preditores independentes de mortalidade em pacientes com estenose aórtica grave em um acompanhamento de quatro anos. O BNP e o NT-proBNP foram preditores de classe funcional III e IV (New York Heart Association) em pacientes com estenose aórtica grave. O BNP e o NT-proBNP não permitiram diferenciar pacientes sintomáticos de assintomáticos / BACKGROUND: Aortic valve stenosis is a high prevalent cardiac valve disease, in which clinical and echocardiographic parameters are the most common approach of diagnosis and risk evaluation. Complementary methods are desirable and the natriuretic peptides BNP and NT-proBNP, both diagnostic and prognostic markers in multiple clinical situations, could improve patient assessment. We postulate that these peptides may have diagnostic purpose, but mainly a prognostic value in patients with severe aortic stenosis. OBJECTIVE: primarily, define the survival prognostic role of natriuretic peptides BNP and NT-proBNP in monitoring a population of patients with severe aortic stenosis prospectively. Secondarily, compare the serum levels of BNP and NT-proBNP among patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: 66 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis, defined by the presence of gradient mean transvalvular aortic pressure greater than 40 mmHg were included. Exclusion criteria were concomitant atrial fibrillation, other valve disease, other myocardiopathies, active infections, autoimmunity diseases, inflammatory diseases, neoplasia, renal failure or obesity. 76% of patients were symptomatic (50/66), defined as dyspnea on exertion, syncope or angina. All patients underwent initial clinical evaluation, echocardiography and BNP and NT-proBNP measurement. Symptomatic patients were referred for surgical treatment and asymptomatic patients were clinically managed. (Patients were followed up prospectively). The clinical outcome was cardiovascular death, defined by sudden death, death from heart failure and peri-operative death. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 869 + 397 days. There were 11 deaths during followup. On admission, levels of BNP and NT-proBNP were similar in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals: BNP 72 (41-175) pg / mL vs. 104 (46-270) pg / mL, p = 0.275 and NT-proBNP 676 (235-1356) pg / mL vs. 871 (310-2230) pg / ml, p = 0.226. There were differences between the levels of BNP and NT-proBNP and functional class (p <0.001 p <0.001, respectively). ROC-curve analysis demonstrated a cut-off value of BNP (105 pg / mL) and NT-proBNP (1500 pg / mL) capable of predicting NYHA functional class III and IV, with an area under the curve of 0.806 and 0.786 respectively. BNP and NT-proBNP could predict mortality (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001 respectively). BNP > 105 pg/mL independently increased the risk of cardiovascular death [OR = 6.3 (95% CI: 1.36 to 29.25)]. NT-proBNP > 1500 pg/mL independently increased the risk of cardiovascular death [OR = 6.5 (95% CI: 1.73 to 24.63)]. CONCLUSION: BNP and NT-proBNP were independent predictors of mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis after a follow up of 4 years. BNP and NT-proBNP were predictors of NYHA functional class III and IV in patients with severe aortic stenosis. BNP and NT-proBNP alone did not distinguish symptomatic from asymptomatic patients

Gemeinsamer Workshop von Universitaetsrechenzentrum und Professur Rechnernetze und verteilte Systeme der Fakultaet fuer Informatik der TU Chemnitz. Anwendungssoftware im Administrationst des URZ für Windows

INTRODUÇÃO: A estenose aórtica, doença valvar de grande prevalência, tem na avaliação clínica e ecocardiográfica as principais ferramentas para avaliação dos pacientes. Ferramentas auxiliares de avaliação são desejáveis e neste contexto surgem os peptídeos natriuréticos. Os peptídeos natriuréticos BNP e NT-proBNP podem ser usados como marcadores diagnósticos e prognósticos em diversas situações clínicas. Postulamos que os peptídeos pudessem ter papel diagnóstico, mas principalmente valor prognóstico em pacientes com estenose aórtica grave. OBJETIVO: primariamente, definir o papel prognóstico de sobrevida dos peptídeos natriuréticos BNP e NT-proBNP no acompanhamento prospectivo de uma população de pacientes com estenose aórtica grave. Secundariamente, comparar os níveis séricos de BNP e NT-proBNP entre pacientes com EAo grave assintomáticos e sintomáticos. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos de forma consecutiva 66 pacientes com estenose aórtica grave, definida pela presença de gradiente médio de pressão transvalvar aórtica maior que 40 mmHg. Os critérios de exclusão foram fibrilação atrial, outra valvopatia, cardiopatia associada, infecções ativas, neoplasias, doenças auto-imunes ou inflamatórias, insuficiência renal e obesidade. Dos 66 pacientes incluídos, 76% eram sintomáticos (50/66). Os sintomas foram definidos como dispnéia aos esforços, síncope ou angina. Na inclusão, todos os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação clínica inicial, realização de ecocardiograma e dosagem de BNP e NT-proBNP. Os pacientes sintomáticos recebiam a indicação de tratamento cirúrgico e os pacientes assintomáticos eram conduzidos clinicamente. Os pacientes foram acompanhados prospectivamente. O desfecho clínico avaliado foi óbito cardiovascular, definido por morte súbita, morte por insuficiência cardíaca e óbito peri-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes foram acompanhados por 869 + 397 dias. Houve 11 óbitos durante o acompanhamento. Na inclusão, os níveis de BNP e NT-proBNP foram similares em assintomáticos e sintomáticos: BNP 72 (41-175) pg/mL versus 104 (46-270) pg/mL; p = 0,275 e NT-proBNP 676 (235-1356) pg/mL vs. 871 (310-2230) pg/mL; p = 0,226. Houve diferença entre os níveis de BNP e NT-proBNP e classe funcional (p < 0,001 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). Através da curva ROC foi determinado um valor de corte de BNP (105 pg/mL) e NT-proBNP (1500 pg/mL) capazes de predizer classe funcional III e IV (New York Heart Association), com área sob a curva de 0,806 e 0,786 respectivamente. BNP e NT-proBNP foram preditores de mortalidade (p=0,007 e p=0,001 respectivamente). BNP > 105 pg/mL aumentou o risco de óbito cardiovascular de forma independente [OR= 6,3 (IC95%: 1,36 - 29,25)]. NT-proBNP > 1500 pg/mL aumentou o risco de óbito cardiovascular de forma independente [OR = 6,5 (IC95%: 1,73 - 24,63)]. CONCLUSÃO: O BNP e o NTproBNP foram preditores independentes de mortalidade em pacientes com estenose aórtica grave em um acompanhamento de quatro anos. O BNP e o NT-proBNP foram preditores de classe funcional III e IV (New York Heart Association) em pacientes com estenose aórtica grave. O BNP e o NT-proBNP não permitiram diferenciar pacientes sintomáticos de assintomáticos / BACKGROUND: Aortic valve stenosis is a high prevalent cardiac valve disease, in which clinical and echocardiographic parameters are the most common approach of diagnosis and risk evaluation. Complementary methods are desirable and the natriuretic peptides BNP and NT-proBNP, both diagnostic and prognostic markers in multiple clinical situations, could improve patient assessment. We postulate that these peptides may have diagnostic purpose, but mainly a prognostic value in patients with severe aortic stenosis. OBJECTIVE: primarily, define the survival prognostic role of natriuretic peptides BNP and NT-proBNP in monitoring a population of patients with severe aortic stenosis prospectively. Secondarily, compare the serum levels of BNP and NT-proBNP among patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: 66 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis, defined by the presence of gradient mean transvalvular aortic pressure greater than 40 mmHg were included. Exclusion criteria were concomitant atrial fibrillation, other valve disease, other myocardiopathies, active infections, autoimmunity diseases, inflammatory diseases, neoplasia, renal failure or obesity. 76% of patients were symptomatic (50/66), defined as dyspnea on exertion, syncope or angina. All patients underwent initial clinical evaluation, echocardiography and BNP and NT-proBNP measurement. Symptomatic patients were referred for surgical treatment and asymptomatic patients were clinically managed. (Patients were followed up prospectively). The clinical outcome was cardiovascular death, defined by sudden death, death from heart failure and peri-operative death. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 869 + 397 days. There were 11 deaths during followup. On admission, levels of BNP and NT-proBNP were similar in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals: BNP 72 (41-175) pg / mL vs. 104 (46-270) pg / mL, p = 0.275 and NT-proBNP 676 (235-1356) pg / mL vs. 871 (310-2230) pg / ml, p = 0.226. There were differences between the levels of BNP and NT-proBNP and functional class (p <0.001 p <0.001, respectively). ROC-curve analysis demonstrated a cut-off value of BNP (105 pg / mL) and NT-proBNP (1500 pg / mL) capable of predicting NYHA functional class III and IV, with an area under the curve of 0.806 and 0.786 respectively. BNP and NT-proBNP could predict mortality (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001 respectively). BNP > 105 pg/mL independently increased the risk of cardiovascular death [OR = 6.3 (95% CI: 1.36 to 29.25)]. NT-proBNP > 1500 pg/mL independently increased the risk of cardiovascular death [OR = 6.5 (95% CI: 1.73 to 24.63)]. CONCLUSION: BNP and NT-proBNP were independent predictors of mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis after a follow up of 4 years. BNP and NT-proBNP were predictors of NYHA functional class III and IV in patients with severe aortic stenosis. BNP and NT-proBNP alone did not distinguish symptomatic from asymptomatic patients

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