Resistance of the internal mammary artery to restenosis: a histomorphologic study of various porcine arteries.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts is much less pronounced than in other arteries and venous grafts. The aim of the study was to test whether various arteries respond differently to dilatation. METHODS: PTA of the IMA, carotid, renal and circumflex coronary (RCx) arteries was performed in 9 pigs (balloon to artery ratio of 1:1.5). After 8 weeks, angiography was repeated and vessels prepared for histological analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was done to examine proliferative activity (Ki67) and to identify the vasa vasorum of the adventitia (F VIII-RA). RESULTS: The intima-media ratio after PTA was lowest in the IMA (0.06), followed by the carotid (0.27) and renal arteries (0.49) and the RCx (0.69). Proliferation of the intima was seen at 287 degrees of the vessel circumference in the RCx, at 286 degrees in the renal and at 166 degrees in the carotid artery. No proliferative activity was seen in the IMA. The intima-adventitia ratio was lower in the IMA than in the RCx and renal arteries (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intima proliferation after PTA varies between the different vessels, with best results seen in the IMA. There are differences in remodeling after PTA between muscular, muscular/elastic and elastic arteries.

Environmental Tax on Products and Services Based on Their Carbon Footprint: A Case Study of the Pulp and Paper Sector

The main aim of this work is to define an environmental tax on products and services based on their carbon footprint. We examine the relevance of conventional life cycle analysis (LCA) and environmentally extended input-output analysis (EIO) as methodological tools to identify emission intensities of products and services on which the tax is based. The short-term price effects of the tax and the policy implications of considering non-GHG are also analyzed. The results from the specific case study on pulp production show that the environmental tax rate based on the LCA approach (1,8%) is higher than both EIO approaches (0,8% for product and 1,4% for industry approach), but they are comparable. Even though LCA is more product specific and provides detailed analysis, EIO would be the more relevant approach to apply economy wide environmental tax. When the environmental tax considers non-GHG emissions instead of only CO2, sectors such as agriculture, mining of coal and extraction of peat, and food exhibit higher environmental tax and price effects. Therefore, it is worthwhile for policy makers to pay attention on the implication of considering only CO2 tax or GHG emissions tax in order for such a policy measure to be effective and meaningful. Keywords: Environmental tax; Life cycle analysis; Environmental input-output analysis.

Sperrin Lakeland Trust - Consultation Paper: Making Services Safer In Sperrin Lakeland Trust

Sperrin Lakeland Trust - Consultation Paper: Making Services Safer In Sperrin Lakeland Trust

Sperrin Lakeland Trust - Comprehensive Assessment of Acute Services at Sperrin Lakeland Trust

Sperrin Lakeland Trust - Comprehensive Assessment of Acute Services at Sperrin Lakeland Trust

Independent Review of Health and Social Services Care in Northern Ireland

Appleby Report - August 2005

Census of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services in Northern Ireland: 1 March 2005 (PDF 285 KB)

Census of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services in Northern Ireland: 1 March 2005

Draft Regional Transport Services Strategy - March 2005 (PDF 232 KB)

A Consultation Paper

Regional Transport Services Strategy (PDF 232 KB)

Regional Transport Services Strategy

Public Attitudes to Health and Personal Social Services in Northern Ireland, 2004

Final Report

Public Attitudes to Health and Personal Social Services in Northern Ireland, 2004 - Final Report

Public Attitudes to Health and Personal Social Services in Northern Ireland, 2004 - Final Report

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 296 KB)

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Explanatory Memorandum

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 (PDF 306 KB)

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004

Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Regulatory Impact Assessment (PDF 254 KB)

Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Regulatory Impact Assessment