Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in a foal.

An 8-day-old Arabian-Morgan cross colt underwent cardiac evaluation. The foal was tachycardic, tachypneic, exercise intolerant and had a loud right-sided heart murmur and cyanotic mucous membranes. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection was diagnosed with echocardiography and confirmed at postmortem examination.

Glow discharge mass spectrometry.

Over the past twenty years or so, glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) has become the industry standard for the analysis of trace elements in metals and semiconductors. A review of its history is followed by a picture of the present situation and a look to where the future may lie. Applications are summarised, including the ability of GDMS to offer depth-resolved data and non-conductor analysis, and the well-documented quantitative nature of the results is reviewed.

Small interacting peptides. Part II: Interaction of cyclohexapeptides with immobilised model peptides. Comparison of infrared investigations, principal components analysis and force field calculations.

The interaction of cyclic peptides with surface-bound model peptides was investigated by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, principal components analysis and force field calculations. Information about the interacting functional COOH, COO-, and NH3+ groups and the peptide backbone was gained through a set of cyclohexapeptides (seven of the type c(X1KX2KX3K) (K = L-lysine) and one of the type c(X1KX2KX3k) (k = D-lysine), which are interacting with L-arginine- or tripeptide-coated Si-ATR crystals. All measurements were performed in aqueous solutions.

Comparison of the annealing behavior of thin Ta films deposited onto Si and SiO2 substrates.

Structural changes at annealing temperatures (T(an)) of 500-1,100 degrees C were investigated for thin Ta films which were sputter-deposited onto pure Si substrates and onto thermally oxidized Si. In the as-deposited state, the Ta layers predominantly consist of metastable tetragonal beta-Ta, whereby the [001] texture is independent of the substrate material. At lower annealing temperatures, the microstructural evolution is essentially the same for both Ta films.

[Effect of war on alcoholism].

Object Of Work: To investigate and analyze the effect of the war upon the representation of the hospitalized alcoholics at the Department of Psychiatry at the Clinical Hospital of Mostar. RESPONDENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective research was analyzed the representation of alcoholism in all the patients hospitalized in the year 1994 and in all the patients hospitalized in the year 1999, by examining the disease history. All the patients were hospitalized at the Department of Psychiatry of the Clinical Hospital of Mostar.

Retrospective cohort study of diabetes mellitus and antipsychotic treatment in a geriatric population in the United States.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate risk of diabetes among elderly patients during treatment with antipsychotic medications.

Design: We conducted a longitudinal, retrospective study assessing the incidence of new prescription claims for antihyperglycemic agents during antipsychotic therapy.

Setting: Prescription claims from the AdvancePCS claim database were followed for 6 to 9 months.

Induction of apoptosis of CD4+ T cells by immunomodulatory therapy of multiple sclerosis with glatiramer acetate.

Glatiramer acetate (GA), a mixture of synthetic polypeptides, has beneficial effects on the clinical course and the MRI-defined disease activity of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, evidence has been provided that the apoptosis of disease-relevant T cells is dysregulated. In this study, we investigated the effect of GA on T cell apoptosis, T cell activation, and cytokine profile of lymphocytes derived from 19 relapsing-remitting MS patients during the first year of GA therapy.

Efficacy and safety of repeated intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide application in progressive multiple sclerosis patients.

Available immunomodulatory and conventional steroid treatment options for patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) only provide limited symptomatic benefit. We performed an open trial on the short-term and long-term efficacy and safety of repeated intrathecal application of the sustained release steroid triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) in 36 progressive MS patients. Six TCA administrations, performed every third day, reduced the EDSS score (initial: 5.

Improvement of image quality of non-invasive coronary artery imaging with magnetic resonance by the use of the intravascular contrast agent Clariscan (NC100150 injection) in patients with coronary artery disease.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of Clariscan, an intravascular contrast agent, for free breathing, navigator assisted, high resolution, three-dimensional-magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) in patients, as extracellular contrast agents are unfavorable for the improvement of image quality.

Materials And Methods: MRCA was performed in 10 patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) with (1-5 mg Fe/kg body weight) and without contrast agent.

Results: Compared to unenhanced images, Clariscan did not improve signal-to-noise (SNR) or contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) compared to fat or myocardium in the proximal parts of the coronary arteries.

Effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on opioid-induced respiratory depression and acute antinociception in rats.

Although exogenous opioids alter the responses of animals to tissue-damaging stimuli and therefore are the cornerstone in the treatment of acute antinociception, they have profound side effects on ventilation. To diminish ventilatory effects, combination therapies have been advocated. Recent studies reported the effectiveness of the addition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists such as ketamine to morphine in the treatment of acute pain.

Small interacting peptides. Part I. Interaction of cyclohexapeptides with an unspecific SiOH surface: comparison of infrared investigations and force field calculations.

The interaction of cyclohexapeptides c(X(1)(1)K(2)X(2)(3)K(4)X(3)(5)K(6)) in water with hydrolysed silicon surfaces were studied by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy and by force field calculations. The band sequences (1800-1500 cm(-1)) for dissolved and adsorbed cyclohexapeptides were recorded and compared with those obtained after flushing with distilled water in order to eliminate the background signal of the peptides in solution. Band analyses and principal component analyses were carried out for the characteristic peptide vibrations in order to evaluate the spectra.

Epidural ketamine potentiates epidural morphine but not fentanyl in acute nociception in rats.

Epidural opioids have been reported to provide superior analgesia in acute pain management. Despite the fact that the required doses are low, major side effects such as respiratory depression may still occur. In an effort to maximize analgesia and to minimize the rate of side effects, epidural NMDA receptor antagonists, especially ketamine, may be co-administered with opioids.

Urinary bladder scanning after day-case arthroscopy under spinal anaesthesia: comparison between lidocaine, ropivacaine, and levobupivacaine.

Background: Micturition problems after spinal anaesthesia may delay hospital discharge. The use of lidocaine has raised concerns because of the occurrence of transient neurological symptoms (TNS). This randomized double-blind study was designed to compare the newer local anaesthetics with lidocaine regarding block characteristics, micturition problems, and discharge times in day-case spinals for arthroscopy.

Crystal structure of Thermotoga maritima alpha-glucosidase AglA defines a new clan of NAD+-dependent glycosidases.

Glycoside hydrolase family 4 represents an unusual group of glucosidases with a requirement for NAD+, divalent metal cations, and reducing conditions. The family is also unique in its inclusion of both alpha- and beta-specific enzymes. The alpha-glucosidase A, AglA, from Thermotoga maritima is a typical glycoside hydrolase family 4 enzyme, requiring NAD+ and Mn2+ as well as strongly reducing conditions for activity.

Target controlled infusion of rocuronium: analysis of effect data to select a pharmacokinetic model.

Background: We aimed to evaluate whether area under the curve (AUC) analysis of pharmacodynamic data can be used to compare pharmacokinetic models taken from the literature, during a target controlled infusion (TCI) of rocuronium.

Methods: Seventy-two patients scheduled for orthopaedic surgery received a TCI of rocuronium (Stanpump) based on one of four pharmacokinetic models: those described by Szenohradszky, Alvarez-Gomez, Wierda, and Cooper. The resulting theoretical plasma concentration versus time curve was calculated for all patients based on all four pharmacokinetic models.

Interactions of NMDA antagonists and an alpha 2 agonist with mu, delta and kappa opioids in an acute nociception assay.

Animal and clinical studies have reported potentiation of opioid antinociception by co-administration of alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists such as clonidine and NMDA receptor antagonists such as ketamine and dextromethorphan. The aim of this study was to compare these clinically available compounds in combination with classical morphine, fentanyl-like opioids, the delta opioid agonist SNC80 and the kappa opioid agonist U50,488H. Using a mouse hot-plate test, dose-response relationships were first determined for all compounds individually and then for opioids co-administered with fixed doses of clonidine, ketamine or dextromethorphan.

Dextromethorphan and ketamine potentiate the antinociceptive effects of mu- but not delta- or kappa-opioid agonists in a mouse model of acute pain.

Animal and clinical studies have reported potentiation of opioid antinociception by NMDA receptor antagonists such as ketamine and dextromethorphan. The aim of this study was to compare these clinically available NMDA antagonists in combination with classical morphine, mu-selective fentanyl-like opioids, the delta-opioid agonist SNC80 and the kappa-opioid agonist U50,488H. Using a mouse hot-plate test, dose-response relationships were first determined for all compounds individually and then for opioids co-administered with fixed doses of ketamine or dextromethorphan.

Initial experience with the intravascular contrast agent NC100150-injection (Clariscan) for breath-hold and navigator-gated magnetic resonance coronary artery imaging.

Purpose: To examine magnetic resonance coronary artery imaging after NC100150-Injection.

Materials And Methods: Breath-hold and navigator-gated images were acquired in five patients.

Results: Breath-hold image quality, coronary artery-fat SDNR, and coronary artery SNR improved.

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance coronary angiography using a new blood pool contrast agent: initial experience.

Objective: The aim of this feasibility study was to assess the effect of a new blood pool contrast agent on magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) in patients suspected of having coronary artery disease.

Methods: Nine patients referred for diagnostic x-ray coronary angiography in the evaluation of chest pain underwent MRCA using a thin-slab three-dimensional (3D) breath-hold segmented gradient echo technique at 1.5 T before and after intravenous administration of feruglose, a new blood pool contrast agent.

Transmission of 3 keV Ne7+ ions through nanocapillaries etched in polymer foils: evidence for capillary guiding.

We report unprecedented transmission experiments of 3 keV Ne7+ ions through capillaries of 100 nm diameter and 10 microm length produced by etching ion tracks in a polymer foil. We studied foils tilted up to +/-20 degrees for which the incident ions are forced to interact with the capillary surface. Surprisingly, the majority of Ne7+ ions were found to survive the surface scattering events in their initial charge state.

A null mutation within the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)-gene: implications for susceptibility and disease severity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Impaired remyelination and axonal degeneration may account for progressive disability in MS patients. As ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) takes part in myelogenesis, we examined the frequency of a CNTF-null mutation in 349 MS patients with respect to their clinical presentation and in comparison with 434 healthy controls.

Improved cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance using Clariscan (NC100150 injection).

We evaluated the use of Clariscan 0.75, 2, and 5 mg Fe/kg body weight in six patients to determine optimal dosing for short repetition time cine imaging. Breathhold cine images were acquired in the vertical and horizontal long axes and the short axis.