Calcium imaging, MEA recordings, and immunostaining images dataset of neuron-astrocyte networks in culture under the effect of norepinephrine.

Background: Monitoring the activity and morphology of neuron-astrocyte networks in culture is a powerful tool for studying dynamics, structure, and communication in neuron-astrocyte networks independently or as a model of the sub-brain network. These cultures are known to produce stereotypical patterns of activity, e.g.

Activity changes in neuron-astrocyte networks in culture under the effect of norepinephrine.

The concerted activity of neuron-glia networks is responsible for the fascinating dynamics of brain functions. Although these networks have been extensively investigated using a variety of experimental (in vivo and in vitro) and theoretical models, the manner by which neuron-glia networks interact is not fully understood. In particular, how neuromodulators influence network-level signaling between neurons and astrocytes was poorly addressed.

Tumor invasion optimization by mesenchymal-amoeboid heterogeneity.

Metastasizing tumor cells migrate through the surrounding tissue and extracellular matrix toward the blood vessels, in order to colonize distant organs. They typically move in a dense environment, filled with other cells. In this work we study cooperative effects between neighboring cells of different types, migrating in a maze-like environment with directional cue.

Effect of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis on surgical site infections complicating cardiac surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an optimized policy for antibiotic prophylaxis on surgical site infection (SSI) rates in cardiac surgery.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary medical center in Israel.

Decision-support information system to manage mass casualty incidents at a level 1 trauma center.

Mass casualty incidents are probably the greatest challenge to a hospital. When such an event occurs, hospitals are required to instantly switch from their routine activity to conditions of great uncertainty and confront needs that exceed resources. We describe an information system that was uniquely designed for managing mass casualty events.

Moral dilemmas faced by hospitals in time of war: the Rambam Medical Center during the second Lebanon war.

Rambam Medical Center, the only tertiary care center and largest hospital in northern Israel, was subjected to continuous rocket attacks in 2006. This extreme situation posed serious and unprecedented ethical dilemmas to the hospital management. An ambiguous situation arose that required routine patient care in a tertiary modern hospital together with implementation of emergency measures while under direct fire.

An academic medical center under prolonged rocket attack--organizational, medical, and financial considerations.

The Rambam Medical Center, the major academic health center in northern Israel, serving a population of two million and providing specialized tertiary care, was exposed to an unprecedented experience during the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006. For more than one month, it was subjected to continuous rocket attacks, but it continued to provide emergency and routine medical services to the civilian population and also served the military personnel who were evacuated from the battlefront. To accomplish the goals of serving the population while itself being under fire, the Rambam Medical Center had to undertake major organizational decisions, which included maximizing safety within the hospital by shifting patients and departments, ensuring that the hospital was properly fortified, managing the health professional teams' work schedules, and providing needed services for the families of employees.

[The encounter between literature and medicine--from theory to practice].

The relationship between literature and medicine has existed from Ancient Greece to the 19th century. However, in the last two centuries, the scientific achievements in medicine, along with the dominance of the biological model in medical education, have weakened this relationship. In the last quarter of the 20th century "Literature and Medicine" has made a comeback in an effort to restore the humanistic component to medical education.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm or diverticulum: differential diagnosis and dynamic evaluation by catheter left ventriculography and ECG-gated multidetector CT.

We present a case report of the findings of a left ventricular diastolic out pouching in a patient following acute myocardial infarction diagnosed by catheter left ventriculography and electrocardiography (ECG)-gated multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings. Left ventriculography demonstrated a small left ventricular diastolic out pouching, while MDCT enabled accurate evaluation of both left ventricular myocardium and lumen, establishing the diagnosis of an intramural small left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. This case illustrates the full capabilities of MDCT in the evaluation of left ventricular pseudoaneurysms.

Surgical site infection rates following cardiac surgery: the impact of a 6-year infection control program.

Background: To evaluate the impact of an infection control program on surgical site infections (SSIs) complicating cardiac operations.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of patients undergoing cardiac operations. Interventions included prospective surveillance, povidone-iodine scrub showers, depilation before surgery, administration of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in the operating room, and postdischarge follow-up.

Skeletonized versus pedicled internal mammary artery: impact of surgical technique on post CABG surgery pain.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery often results in chronic chest wall pain, termed: 'post CABG pain syndrome' (PCP). Direct injury to intercostal nerves during the surgical procedure was presumed to underlie this syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two harvesting techniques of the internal mammary artery (IMA)-skeletonization (S-LIMA) and pedicle (P-LIMA) on the occurrence and incidence of PCP.

Comparison between two legal indications for compulsory outpatient treatment in Israel.

The aim of the present study was to compare the outcome of two legal indications for Compulsory Outpatient Treatment (COT) in Israel (a) as an alternative to compulsory hospitalization (CH) and (b) as a follow-up to CH. Demographic, clinical and legal measurements based on 326 COT orders issued in the Jerusalem and Southern district of Israel were compared according to the two legal provisions for COT contained in the Treatment of Mental Patients Law (1991). The COT order was found to be more effective when used as an alternative to CH (53.

The sheep as a model for coronary artery bypass surgery.

The sheep is considered to be a suitable model for cardiovascular surgery because of its ease of handling, size, and vascular anatomy which bears close resemblance to the human. Several difficulties, however, have limited the use of the sheep for such a purpose-mainly the high infection rate resulting from median sternotomy incision and its susceptibility to intractable ventricular fibrillation (VF) with the slightest manipulation of the heart, and even the risk of short periods of myocardial ischaemia. We have used the sheep model extensively to perform coronary artery bypass surgery and were successful in overcoming these difficulties.

An automatic sutureless coronary anastomotic device: initial results of an animal study.

Background: The efficacy and long-term patency of a new distal anastomotic device (DAD) for the creation of rapid, sutureless end-to-side venous or arterial coronary artery bypass graft anastomoses were tested in a sheep model.

Methods: The DAD was used on the beating hearts of 34 sheep to create 20 anastomoses between saphenous veins (n = 9) or internal mammary arteries (n = 11) and various coronary arteries. Fourteen conventional hand-sutured anastomoses (7 veins; 7 internal mammary arteries) served as controls.

CorLink sutureless aortic anastomotic device: results of an animal study.

Background: The CorLink Automated Anastomotic Device (AD) was developed to create a sutureless vein-to-aorta anastomosis without the need to clamp the aorta. This study examined the effectiveness and safety of this device in an animal model.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven vein-to-aorta anastomoses using the AD and 27 control hand-sutured anastomoses were constructed in 28 sheep.

Minimal dissection and continuous retrograde cardioplegia for aortic valve replacement in patients with a patent left internal mammary artery bypass graft.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and a patent pedicled internal mammary artery (IMA) is often complicated by a need to dissect and clamp the IMA to achieve optimal myocardial protection. Eliminating this need may simplify and facilitate surgery; hence, a new surgical technique for use in these patients is described.

Methods: Five patients with previous CABG and functioning IMA who required AVR between January 1998 and October 2002 were studied.

The abdominal compartment syndrome as a consequence of penetrating heart injury.

The abdominal compartment syndrome results from gradual increase of intra-abdominal pressure and affects many bodily systems. It is usually associated with abdominal trauma or surgery. We report the first case of this syndrome developing after a penetrating wound to the chest and heart.

Colchicine for the prevention of postpericardiotomy syndrome.

Background: Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a troublesome complication of cardiac surgery, occurring in 10-45% of cases. Accepted modalities of treatment include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and pericardiectomy in severe cases. The optimal method for prevention of PPS has not been established.

Vancomycin sequestration during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Objective: The present study was designed to analyze vancomycin disposition in adult patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting during and following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Coronary bypass surgery was performed on 11 adults with a mean age (SD) of 62.9 (9.

Vancomycin versus cefazolin prophylaxis for cardiac surgery in the setting of a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections.

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of vancomycin prophylaxis with that of cefazolin in preventing surgical site infections in a tertiary medical center with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections.

Methods: All adult patients (> or = 18 years) scheduled for cardiac surgery requiring sternotomy were randomly assigned to receive vancomycin (1 g every 12 hours) or cefazolin (1 g every 8 hours). Prophylaxis was started during the induction of anesthesia and continued for only 24 hours.

Altered regulation of gene and protein expression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis components in an immature rat model of chronic stress.

Chronic stress early in postnatal life influences hormonal and behavioural responses to stress persistently, but the mechanisms and molecular cascades that are involved in this process have not been clarified. To approach these issues, a chronic stress paradigm for the neonatal rat, using limited bedding material to alter the cage environment, was devised. In 9-day-old rats subjected to this chronic stress for 1 week, significant and striking changes in the expression and release patterns of key molecules that govern the neuroendocrine stress responses were observed.

Early clinical experience with a new sutureless anastomotic device for proximal anastomosis of the saphenous vein to the aorta.

Background: Avoiding aortic side clamping is useful to avoid local particulate embolization. A device that allows a saphenous vein graft to be anastomosed to the aorta without aortic manipulation is clinically evaluated.

Methods And Results: From July 1999 to March 2000, 17 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization had an aorta-saphenous vein graft anastomosis performed by means of an aortic anastomotic device.