Pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy: an overview

Article Abstract:

One of the major causes of death and disease in diabetics is microangiopathy, the damage and clogging of very small blood vessels, which leads to further tissue and organ diseases. The severity of microangiopathy is related to how long the diabetes has been present and how well blood glucose levels have been controlled. However, these two factors alone can not account for the presence or absence of vascular disease in many diabetics. Not all diabetics suffer from vascular disease, even though they have had the disease for many years and control has been less than adequate. Other diabetics develop vascular disease quickly despite good glycemic (blood sugar) control. Recent research suggests that genetic factors play a role in the development of vascular disease in these patients; diabetes may trigger their genetic predisposition for vascular disease. Genetic screening may become an important tool in treating diabetics. The process by which capillaries (very small blood vessels) become damaged and clogged is only partially understood. Thickening and leaking of the membranes that line capillaries is thought to be an early stage of microangiopathy. Continuously high blood glucose levels can lead to an abnormal attaching of glucose molecules to other molecules (glycosylation). These abnormal molecules do not break down easily and can build-up. Diabetics may also have abnormally high levels of free radicals, highly reactive molecules that can adversely affect cell membranes. Fibrinolysis, or the breakdown of fibrin (a protein involved in blood clotting), may be decreased in diabetics, contributing further to vessel damage. Gliclazide is a sulfonylurea that has been used in the treatment of diabetics because it helps maintain good glycemic control and may prevent microangiopathy. In a small pilot study by the authors, gliclazide appeared to increase fibrinolysis and prevent some of the damaging effects of free radicals. Further research on microangiopathy in diabetics is required. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Development and progression, Drug therapy, Type 2 diabetes, editorial, Sulfonylurea compounds, Sulfonylureas, Gliclazide, Diabetic angiopathies

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Laser calibration

Article Abstract:

Aircraft makers have begun to acknowledge the need to use laser calibration systems in their maintenance activities. Able to detect machining inaccuracies from the axis positioning system and the dimensional changes in the workpiece due to changing environments, the system can also report a linear accuracy of nearly one part/million over a range of up to 80 meters. However, over a certain period of time, environmental changes affect such an accuracy. To ensure that the calibration system becomes a permanent fixture on a machine tool, Renishaw has developed the HS10 Laser Scale system.

Equipment and supplies, Aircraft industry, Calibration

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A man's intuition

Article Abstract:

Long has saved precious lives twice in only two years. Aside from successfully pulling out a driver from a car crash in May 1998, Long also assisted in an Aug 1996 rescue of a brother and a sister who were trapped in an undertow near Pawleys Island, SC, in Aug 1996.

Appreciation, Helping behavior, Long, T.J.

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