Endotrol-tracheal tube assisted endotracheal intubation during video laryngoscopy.

Video laryngoscopes allow indirect visualization of the glottis and provide superior views of the glottis compared to direct laryngoscopes in patients with both normal and difficult airways, but it may be difficult to advance the endotracheal tube (ETT) through the vocal cords into the trachea, unless a stylet is used. We propose that the Endotrol(®) ETT may be an effective tool to facilitate video laryngoscope-assisted orotracheal intubation without the use of a stylet. After obtaining written and oral informed consent, 60-adult patients scheduled for elective surgery requiring general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation were enrolled.

Cell-based bioluminescent assays for all three proteasome activities in a homogeneous format.

A luminescent method to individually measure the chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, or caspase-like activities of the proteasome in cultured cells was developed. Each assay uses a specific luminogenic peptide substrate in a buffer optimized for cell permeabilization, proteasome activity, and luciferase activity. Luminescence is generated in a coupled-enzyme format in which proteasome cleavage of the peptide conjugated substrate generates aminoluciferin, which is a substrate for luciferase.

N-Alkylated 6'-aminoluciferins are bioluminescent substrates for Ultra-Glo and QuantiLum luciferase: new potential scaffolds for bioluminescent assays.

A set of 6'-alkylated aminoluciferins are shown to be bioluminescent substrates for Ultra-Glo and QuantiLum luciferases. These studies demonstrate that both the engineered and wild-type firefly luciferases tolerate much greater steric bulk at the 6' position of luciferin than has been previously reported. The nature of the alkyl substituent strongly affects the strength of the bioluminescent signal, which varies widely based on size, shape, and charge.

A homogeneous assay to measure live and dead cells in the same sample by detecting different protease markers.

A method to simultaneously determine the relative numbers of live and dead cells in culture by introducing a combination of two fluorogenic substrates or a fluorogenic and a luminogenic protease substrate into the sample is described. The method is based on detection of differential ubiquitous proteolytic activities associated with intact viable cells and cells that have lost membrane integrity. A cell-permeable peptide aminofluorocoumarin substrate detects protease activity restricted to intact viable cells.

Luminogenic cytochrome P450 assays.

Luminogenic cytochrome P450 (CYP) assays couple CYP enzyme activity to firefly luciferase luminescence in a technology called P450-Glo(TM) (Promega). Luminogenic substrates are used in assays of human CYP1A1, -1A2, -1B1, -2C8, -2C9, -2C19, -2D6, -2J2, -3A4, -3A7, -4A11, -4F3B, -4F12 and -19. The assays detect dose-dependent CYP inhibition by test compounds against recombinant CYP enzymes or liver microsomes.

Homogeneous, bioluminescent protease assays: caspase-3 as a model.

Using caspase-3 as a model, the authors have developed a strategy for highly sensitive, homogeneous protease assays suitable for high-throughput, automated applications. The assay uses peptide-conjugated aminoluciferin as the protease substrate and a firefly luciferase that has been molecularly evolved for increased stability. By combining the proluminescent caspase-3 substrate, Z-DEVD-aminoluciferin, with a stabilized luciferase in a homogeneous format, the authors developed an assay that is significantly faster and more sensitive than fluorescent caspase-3 assays.

Synthesis and thermodynamics of oligonucleotides containing chirally pure R(P) methylphosphonate linkages.

Methylphosphonate (MP) oligodeoxynucleotides (MPOs) are metabolically stable analogs of conventional DNA containing a methyl group in place of one of the non-bonding phosphoryl oxygens. All 16 possible chiral R(P) MP dinucleotides were synthesized and derivatized for automated oligonucleotide synthesis. These dimer synthons can be used to prepare (i) all-MP linked oligonucleotides having defined R(P) chirality at every other position (R(P) chirally enriched MPOs) or (ii) alternating R(P) MP/phosphodiester backbone oligonucleotides, depending on the composition of the 3'-coupling group.

Antisense oligonucleotide containing an internal, non-nucleotide-based linker promote site-specific cleavage of RNA.

We have designed and synthesized a series of novel antisense methylphosphonate oligonucleotide (MPO) cleaving agents that promote site-specific cleavage on a complementary RNA target. These MPOs contain a non- nucleotide-based linking moiety near the middle of the sequence in place of one of the nucleotide bases. The region surrounding the unpaired base on the RNA strand (i.

Left ventricular mechanoenergetics during asynchronous left atrial-to-aortic bypass. Effects of pumping rate on cardiac workload and myocardial oxygen consumption.

The purpose of this study was to analyze left ventricular energetics during asynchronous, pulsatile left atrial to aortic bypass in the failing heart with the use of the pressure-volume relationship. In 12 anesthetized Holstein calves (body weight 94 +/- 7 kg), 10 microns microspheres (3.3 x 10(7) +/- 1.

Linear end-systolic pressure-volume relationship during pulsatile left ventricular bypass represents native heart function.

This study assessed whether the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship obtained without any interventions during pulsatile left ventricular bypass adequately represents native heart function. In 11 anesthetized Holstein calves, left ventricular pressure was measured with a micromanometer while left ventricular volume was simultaneously calculated from orthogonal left ventricular diameters measured with ultrasonic dimension transducers. End-systolic pressure and volume data were subjected to linear regression analysis to achieve an end-systolic pressure-volume relationship.

Left ventricular mechanics during synchronous left atrial-aortic bypass.

The purpose of this study was to analyze left ventricular mechanics during asynchronous, pulsatile left atrial-aortic bypass before and after microsphere injection with the pressure-volume relationship. In 14 anesthetized Holstein calves, left ventricular pressure was measured with a micromanometer and ultrasonic dimension transducers measured left ventricular orthogonal diameters. Ellipsoidal geometry was used to calculate simultaneous left ventricular volume.

Weight, length, head and chest circumference at birth in Phoenix, Arizona.

Standard percentile curves are presented for weight, length, head circumference and chest circumference at birth for a population of 27,963 singleton infants born between the gestational ages of 26 and 42 weeks at a large, private hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. At term, all four growth parameters were significantly greater in male than in female infants. These parameters were significantly reduced in infants born to mothers who smoked and increased in infants born to mothers with diabetes.

Hypophosphatemia--incidence, etiology, and prevention in the trauma patient.

Hypophosphatemia is associated with a number of undesirable physiologic consequences and has been reported to occur frequently in trauma patients. We studied patients in the immediate posttraumatic period to document a) the decrease in serum P, b) renal P excretion, and c) the response to prophylactic PO4 administration. In both group 1 (n = 12) and group 2 (n = 10) patients, we measured serum P, creatinine, ionized Ca, urinary P excretion, and creatinine clearance daily for the first 3 to 4 days postinjury.

Prenatal diagnosis of intracerebellar hemorrhage: case report.

Evidence continues to accumulate that neurologic damage can occur during the antenatal period, unrelated to intrapartum events. We report a case in which intracerebellar hemorrhage was diagnosed by antepartum ultrasonographic examination. Correlation of fetal heart rate patterns, Apgar scores with neonatal course, and neuropathologic findings are presented.

A case of superior laryngeal nerve paresis and psychogenic dysphonia.

A psychogenic voice disorder co-occurred or evolved with the symptoms and signs of unilateral superior laryngeal nerve paresis. We speculated that the former was a manifestation of a musculoskeletal tension or conversion reaction disorder, whereas the latter was a sequela to a self-limiting inflammatory process. Voice therapy proved effective for alleviating the psychogenic dysphonia after the signs of the neuropathy had resolved, whereas psychotherapy offered strategies for stress management.

Aneurysm of the facial vein.

Venous aneurysms of the head and neck are rare lesions that present as soft, compressible, nonpulsatile masses with no associated bruit. A case of a facial vein aneurysm is reported along with a discussion of differential diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.

Tension hydrothorax from intrapleural migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

A male newborn underwent a myelomeningocele repair, with subsequent placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for treatment of hydrocephalus. Five days after shunt surgery, the infant acutely developed a deeply sunken fontanel, pallor, tachypnea, bradycardia, and irritability. Chest radiographs revealed intrathoracic migration of the distal shunt tubing and a tension hydrothorax.