Epithelial tissue folding pattern in confined geometry.

The primordium of the exoskeleton of an insect is epithelial tissue with characteristic patterns of folds. As the insect develops from larva to pupa, the spreading of these folds produces the three-dimensional shape of the exoskeleton of the insect. It is known that the three-dimensional exoskeleton shape has already been encoded in characteristic patterns of folds in the primordium; however, a description of how the epithelial tissue forms with the characteristic patterns of folds remains elusive.

Mechanical roles of apical constriction, cell elongation, and cell migration during neural tube formation in Xenopus.

Neural tube closure is an important and necessary process during the development of the central nervous system. The formation of the neural tube structure from a flat sheet of neural epithelium requires several cell morphogenetic events and tissue dynamics to account for the mechanics of tissue deformation. Cell elongation changes cuboidal cells into columnar cells, and apical constriction then causes them to adopt apically narrow, wedge-like shapes.

Self-reported differences between cardiologists and heart failure specialists in the management of chronic heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is responsible for considerable mortality morbidity rates and resource utilization. Recently, several studies have reported improved outcomes when patients are managed by special HF clinics, but it is uncertain whether this improvement reflects differences in physician practices or other aspects of the operation of these clinics.

Objectives: This study was designed to identify differences in HF management practices between general cardiologists and cardiologists specializing in the treatment of patients with HF.

Prophylactic atenolol reduces postoperative myocardial ischemia. McSPI Research Group.

Background: Perioperative myocardial ischemia occurs in 20-40% of patients at risk for cardiac complications and is associated with a ninefold increase in risk for perioperative cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or unstable angina, and a twofold long-term risk. Perioperative atenolol administration reduces the risk of death for as long as 2 yr after surgery. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial tested the hypothesis that perioperative atenolol administration reduces the incidence and severity of perioperative myocardial ischemia, potentially explaining the observed reduction in the risk for death.

Differences between primary care physicians and cardiologists in management of congestive heart failure: relation to practice guidelines.

Objectives: This study was designed to characterize physician practices in the management of congestive heart failure (CHF) and to determine whether these practices vary by specialty and how they relate to guideline recommendations.

Background: Congestive heart failure is responsible for considerable mortality, morbidity and health care resource utilization. Although there have been important advances in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of CHF, little information is available on physician practices in this area.