Neurobiology of Dream Activity and Effects of Stimulants on Dream.

The sleep-wake cycle is the result of the activity of multiple neurobiological network interactions. The dreaming feature is one interesting sleep on that represents sensorial components, mostly visual perceptions, accompaniedby intense emotions. Further complexity has been added to the topic of the neurobiological mechanism of dream generation by the current data suggesting drugs' influence on dream generation.

The Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor in Addiction: A Novel Drug Target.

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are a superfamily of well-recognized ligand-binding nuclear receptors comprising three isoforms: PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARβ/δ. In response to endogenous lipid messengers, PPARs trigger the transcription of genes related to a wider spectrum of physiological phenomena, including fatty acid oxidation, inflammation, adipogenesis, among many others. Thus, the importance of PPARs as putative protective therapy in health issues has increased the interest of studying these nuclear receptors, including the management of neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis, and likely addiction.

Cryoplasty versus conventional angioplasty in femoropopliteal arterial recanalization: 3-year analysis of reintervention-free survival by treatment received.

Purpose: To compare long-term efficacy of cryoplasty therapy versus conventional angioplasty in the treatment of peripheral arterial atherosclerotic stenosis on the basis of our 3-year clinical experience.

Materials And Methods: From January 2006 to December 2008, a total of 155 patients with 192 lesions of the femoropopliteal sector were randomized to receive either cryoplasty or conventional balloon angioplasty. The primary study end point was lesion target patency.

Assessment of and physician response to glycemic control in diabetic patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common comorbidity among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The frequency with which physicians assess diabetic patients' glycemic control during an ACS hospitalization is not known and may represent an opportunity for quality improvement.

Methods: This study describes the proportion of diabetic patients who had an assessment of their glycemic control (HbA1c) at the time of an ACS hospitalization.

An unusual case of shunting across the atrial septum after mitral valve repair.

We report a case of an iatrogenic defect in the interatrial septum as a result of mitral valve repair using the transeptal approach.

Solid-phase synthesis of 2-substituted 4-amino-7-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines: an example of cyclization-assisted cleavage.

An efficient solid-phase synthesis of 2-substituted 4-aminopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines 12 by cyclization-assisted cleavage from resin is reported. The procedure starts by solid supporting an alpha,beta-unsaturated acid 8 to the Wang resin 13 by using DCC and 4-DMAP in THF. The resulting alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 14 is converted to the Michael adduct by treatment with malononitrile in NaOMe/THF.

Acoustic artifacts and reverberation shadows in gallbladder sonograms: their cause and clinical implications.

From among more than 7000 sonographic examinations of the gallbladder performed over a period of 2 years, different types of acoustic artifacts were observed in 42 patients. Artifacts originated in the gallbladder wall in 37 cases and within the lumen in 5 cases. Eighteen patients had symptoms related to the hepatobiliary area.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen: ultrasound and computed tomographic findings.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen is an extremely rare benign lesion characterized by a wide spectrum of nonspecific inflammatory and reparative changes. The ultrasound and computed tomographic (CT) findings of inflammatory pseudotumor affecting the spleen in an asymptomatic patient are reported. The CT scanning revealed a partially calcified mass showing a nonhomogeneous enhancement after contrast injection.

Intraarterial infusion of urokinase in the treatment of acute pulmonary thromboembolism: preliminary observations.

Eleven patients were treated for acute pulmonary thromboembolism by perfusion of urokinase in the main pulmonary artery for a period of 12 hr with angiographic control. Clinical and radiologic improvement was achieved in all patients except for one in whom an embolectomy was later performed. The complications were similar to those for intravenous urokinase treatment, the most frequent being hemorrhage.

Crossed ureteral ectopia with solitary kidney.

A case of crossed ectopia with a solitary kidney in a 73-year-old man is presented. The fact that the kidney is normally situated and vascularized, and the presence of a second blind homolateral ureter leads us to conclude that this is a case of crossed ureteral ectopia in a solitary kidney. The embryogenesis of the malformation is discussed.