This study investigates the impacts of future climate uncertainties in the new generation of future climate data sets according to AR5(5 th assessment report of IPCC) on simulating the energy performance of buildings by studying the building stock in Germany (Potsdam). This work is based on two data bases, namely 'Tabula web tool-European building' and 'EPISCOP'. Software IDA ICE was used to make

Numbers reveal, but they also hide; they tell us who we are, but also who we ought to become; they show us how happy and healthy we are, but also urge us to adjust ourselves to the norm. Numbers manage us and we, in turn, manage ourselves through numbers. At the same time, the rationale behind these metrics remains inaccessible to us, stored safely away in a locket, kept secret from all but the fe

In atherosclerotic vascular disease, endothelial dysfunction is induced by risk factors such as arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco use. In fl ammatory mechanisms and in fl ammatory cytokines play important roles in all of these mechanisms, and the different steps in atherogenesis involve cytokines as in fl ammatory promoters, stimulating the expression of proatherogenic genes

Background/Aim: Vulva cancer surgery is associated with a high level of morbidity mostly due to wound healing disorders in the inguinal region following lymphadenectomy. Our aim is to evaluate the feasibility of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using the PICO™ device in groin wounds after lymphadenectomy. Patients and Methods: The groins of twenty patients who underwent bilateral lymph node

Background If carotid artery narrowing remains asymptomatic (ie, has caused no recent stroke or other neurological symptoms), successful carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces stroke incidence for some years. We assessed the long-term effects of successful CEA. Methods Between 1993 and 2003, 3120 asymptomatic patients from 126 centres in 30 countries were allocated equally, by blinded minimised rand

OBJECTIVE: To examine prospectively whether inflammatory biomarkers and endothelin (ET)-1 are increased in patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS), and to investigate how treatment with percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) affects these variables during the first month after intervention. METHODS: One hundred patients with suspected RAS undergoing renal angiography were included. P

Aim. The epidemiology of critical limb ischemia (CLI) is insufficiently studied, and treatment of risk factors for atherosclerosis has received less attention in CLI patients than in patients with coronary or precerebral atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of CLI and the quality of risk factor treatment in Swedish CLI patients. Methods. During 14 months, 316 conse

The burden of vascular diseases is growing worldwide, as the population ages, prompting a call to action not only in terms of awareness but also and most urgently in recognizing the need for vascular physicians, also called angiologists. Vascular medicine views the vascular system (arteries, veins, and lymphatics) as a whole, unique, and independent entity requiring specialized competencies. Vascu

Objective: To develop a minimum core data set for evaluation of acute limb ischaemia (ALI) revascularisation treatment and outcomes that would enable collaboration among international registries. Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus among international multidisciplinary vascular specialists and registry members of the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (IC

Regarding the clinical diagnosis of Raynaud’s phenomenon and its associated conditions, investigations and treatment are substantial, and yet no international consensus has been published regarding the medical management of patients presenting with this condition. Most knowledge on this topic derives from epidemiological surveys and observational studies; few randomized studies are available, almo

Objectives: ACST-2 is currently the largest trial ever conducted to compare carotid artery stenting (CAS) with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis requiring revascularization. Methods: Patients are entered into ACST-2 when revascularization is felt to be clearly indicated, when CEA and CAS are both possible, but where there is substantial uncertainty

Aim. The aim of the study was to describe results from a single vascular unit of endovascular revascularisation of subclavian and innominate arterial disease. Methods. Between April 1994 and March 2010, 63 patients (mean age 61.8±10.8 years, 41[65%] women) were endovascularly treated for subclavian and innominate arterial disease. Fourteen (22%) had upper extremity claudication, 5 (8%) acute arm i

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for vascular disease. In order to evaluate relations between hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial and leukocyte function, the investigators related homocysteine to indices of endothelial function (plasma endothelin-1 [p-ET-1] and intraplatelet levels of the nitric oxide [NO] and prostacyclin mediators 3'-5' guanosine monophosphate [cGMP] and cycli