Pro-arrhythmia in atrial fibrillation suppression pacing algorithms.

Atrial overdrive pacing algorithms have been partially effective in controlling atrial fibrillation (AF). A 76-year-old man with history of a cardiomyopathy and paroxysmal AF underwent implant of a dual-chamber ICD. After enabling preferential pacing (PP) algorithms, marked control of his AF was demonstrated, but with inappropriate ICD shocks secondary to a typical AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia.

Permanent pacemaker implantation following aortic valve replacement: current prevalence and clinical predictors.

Background: The incidence of conduction disease requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation following aortic valve replacement (AVR) ranges from 3% to 6%. Data concerning the potential risks for PPM requirement associated with certain valve types have been conflicting and controversial. We sought to evaluate the prevalence, predictors for PPM implantation, and PPM dependency during follow-up in patients undergoing AVR.

Ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation remains the most common arrhythmia in the USA and is associated with an increased risk for stroke, congestive heart failure and overall mortality. There has been a tremendous advance in the field of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation that has resulted in better outcomes for patients. The approach for ablation of atrial fibrillation can be different depending on patients' presentation of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in women with advanced heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Numerous clinical trials have established a role for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure. However, questions remain that regard the clinical benefit of these therapies in different patient subgroups. Specifically, the role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in women with heart failure for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death has not been well established.

Angiomyxoma of the larynx: case report of a rare tumor.

Laryngeal spindle cell neoplasms are uncommon tumors, frequently misdiagnosed as reactive lesions or mesenchymal malignancies. One of the rare mesenchymal tumors of the larynx is myxoid spindle cell tumor (angiomyxoma), a benign proliferative lesion. It is considered the laryngeal counterpart of the aggressive angiomyxoma of the pelvis and perineum.

A novel nanocomposite polymer for development of synthetic heart valve leaflets.

A novel nanocomposite polymer with a polycarbonate soft segment (PCU) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) nanoparticle (POSS-PCU) has been selected for a synthetic heart valve due to its superior biocompatibility and in vivo biostability. However, the development of synthetic heart valves from polymeric materials requires an understanding of the basic mechanical and surface properties of the polymer. In this study, the mechanical properties of POSS-PCU, including tensile strength, tear strength and hardness, were tested and compared to control (PCU).

PAN-811 inhibits oxidative stress-induced cell death of human Alzheimer's disease-derived and age-matched olfactory neuroepithelial cells via suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species.

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in neurotoxicity associated with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased oxidative stress has been shown to be a prominent and early feature of vulnerable neurons in AD. Olfactory neuroepithelial cells are affected at an early stage.

Polymeric heart valves: new materials, emerging hopes.

Heart valve (HV) replacements are among the most widely used cardiovascular devices and are in rising demand. Currently, clinically available devices are restricted to slightly modified mechanical and bioprosthetic valves. Polymeric HVs could represent an attractive alternative to the existing prostheses, merging the superior durability of mechanical valves and the enhanced haemodynamic function of bioprosthetic valves.

Cefazolin-Gentamicin versus Vancomycin-Ceftazidime Eye Drops for Bacterial Corneal Ulcers;a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of topical cefazolin-gentamicin versus vancomycinceftazidime for treatment of bacterial corneal ulcers.

Methods: This randomized double-masked clinical trial was performed on consecutive patients with bacterial corneal ulcers referred to Feiz Hospital, Isfahan, Iran from 2004 to 2005. Patients were randomly assigned to cefazolin-gentamicin or vancomycin-ceftazidime eye drops in a masked fashion.

The EFFEct of HESA-A (natural drug) on visual acuity in age related macular degeneration: a randomized double blind controlled clinical trial.

We investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of HESA-A (a drug of herbal-marine origin) in the treatment of age related macular degeneration (AMD). In a randomized double blind clinical trial 280 eyes of 280 (157 F, 123 M) patients with wet and dry AMD were randomly assigned in treatment or placebo groups. Patients in treatment group received HESA-A tablet 25 mg/Kg twice a day orally and controls received placebo with the same method for 4 weeks.

Percutaneous heart valve replacement: an update.

Valvular heart disease continues to be an important health care problem. Although surgical valve replacement remains the standard treatment, minimally invasive approaches for valve repair and replacement are becoming attractive alternatives among physicians and patients. In fact, percutaneous procedures can extend treatment to the increasing population of elderly patients with severe comorbidities who cannot withstand the stress of open heart surgery and to the younger patients at the early stage of valve disease, who are not treated until older ages to avoid multiple invasive surgeries.

Isolation and characterization of human antibodies targeting human aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase.

Over-expression of the enzyme human aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase (HAAH) has been detected in a variety of cancers. It is proposed that upon cellular transformation, HAAH is overexpressed and translocated to the tumor cell surface, rendering it a specific surface antigen for tumor cells. In this work, twelve human single-chain Fv fragments (scFv) against HAAH were isolated from a human non-immune scFv library displayed on the surface of yeast.

Sexual risk-taking behaviors among boys aged 15-18 years in Tehran.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent and potential correlates of sexual risk-taking behaviors among adolescent boys aged 15-18 in metropolitan Tehran.

Methods: Data were collected from a population-based, cross-sectional survey of adolescent males (ages 15-18) residing in Tehran, Iran. Of 1385 subjects, 382 reported sexual experience (27.

PAN-811 provides neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity by suppressing activation of JNK and p38 MAPK.

In an earlier study, we demonstrated that PAN-811 (3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone), a novel neuroprotectant, provides protection against glutamate, staurosporine, veratridine, or hypoxia/hypoglycemia toxicities in primary cortical neuronal cultures by upregulating Bcl-2 expression [R.-W. Chen, C.

Report of an unusual cause of rhinolithiasis: an 'opioma'.

We report an unusual case of unilateral rhinolith. The patient was a 21-year-old man who had a history of left-sided nasal obstruction and recurrent bouts of fetid, purulent rhinorrhea of several years'duration. The rhinolith, which had formed around an impacted foreign body, was extracted in several pieces under local anesthesia.

Neuroprotective activity of 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (PAN-811), a cancer therapeutic agent.

3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP) is a highly-hydrophobic small molecule that was originally developed for cancer therapy (Triapine, Vion Pharmaceuticals) due to its ability to inhibit ribonucleotide reductase, a key enzyme required for DNA synthesis. 3-AP has a high affinity for divalent cations, chelating the Fe(2+) at the R2 subunit of the enzyme and inhibiting formation of a tyrosyl radical essential for ribonucleotide reduction. We have demonstrated that 3-AP is also a potent neuroprotectant (as such, it is referred to as "PAN-811").

A multifunctional cytoprotective agent that reduces neurodegeneration after ischemia.

Cellular and molecular pathways underlying ischemic neurotoxicity are multifaceted and complex. Although many potentially neuroprotective agents have been investigated, the simplicity of their protective mechanisms has often resulted in insufficient clinical utility. We describe a previously uncharacterized class of potent neuroprotective compounds, represented by PAN-811, that effectively block both ischemic and hypoxic neurotoxicity.

Expanding cardiac resynchronization for systolic heart failure to patients with mechanical dyssynchrony and atrial fibrillation.

Despite progress in the management of heart failure (HF) using pharmacotherapy, the mortality and morbidity associated with this condition remain unacceptably high. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), a left-sided pacing therapy for drug-refractory and highly symptomatic HF patients with ventricular conduction delay, has been shown to improve left ventricular (LV) systolic function, myocardial oxygen consumption, and New York Heart Association functional class and to inhibit or reverse LV chamber dilation and remodeling. Atrial fibrillation is common in patients with HF and is associated with significant worsening of HF and myocardial function.

PAN-811 (3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone), a novel neuroprotectant, elicits its function in primary neuronal cultures by up-regulating Bcl-2 expression.

Neurotoxicity in primary neurons was induced using hypoxia/hypoglycemia (H/H), veratridine (10microM), staurosporine (1microM) or glutamate (100microM), which resulted in 72%, 67%, 75% and 66% neuronal injury, respectively. 3-Aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (PAN-811; 10microM; Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Gaithersburg, MD) pretreatment for 24 h provided maximal neuroprotection of 89%, 42%, 47% and 89% against these toxicities, respectively. Glutamate or H/H treatment of cells increased cytosolic cytochrome c levels, which was blocked by pretreatment of cells with PAN-811.

A study of the relation between body mass index and the incidence of age related macular degeneration.

Background: Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness among the elderly. Obesity may be one of the risk factors of ARMD as suggested, yet not proved, by several studies. This study assesses the relation between body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of ARMD METHODS: This case-control study included 50 patients with ARMD and 80 subjects who were adjusted for age, sex, cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and diabetes.

Anatomic and visual outcomes of scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachment: six-month follow-up results of a single operation--report no. 1.

Purpose: To compare the anatomic and visual results and complications of conventional scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy for management of pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachment.

Design: Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial.

Participants: Two hundred twenty-five eyes of 225 patients with pseudophakic or aphakic retinal detachment.

Alzheimer-specific epitopes of tau represent lipid peroxidation-induced conformations.

Several recent studies support a link between tau protein phosphorylation and adduction of tau by reactive carbonyls. Indeed, the phosphorylation-dependent adduction of tau by carbonyl products resulting from lipid peroxidation creates the neurofibrillary tangle-related antigen, Alz50. To determine whether epitopes of carbonyl-modified tau are major conformational changes associated with neurofibrillary tangle formation, we examined seven distinct antibodies raised against neurofibrillary tangles that recognize unique epitopes of tau in Alzheimer disease.

Oxidative damage in cultured human olfactory neurons from Alzheimer's disease patients.

Oxidative abnormalities precede clinical and pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease and are the earliest pathological changes reported in the disease. The olfactory pathways and mucosa also display the pathological features associated with Alzheimer's disease in the brain. Olfactory neurons are unique because they can undergo neurogenesis and are able to be readily maintained in cell culture.