Robotics-assisted epicardial left atrial appendage clip exclusion.

Objectives: We demonstrate the feasibility and safety of robotics-assisted left atrial appendage clip exclusion in clinical practice.

Methods: Analysis of a single center robotics-assisted left atrial appendage clip exclusion experience using an epicardial linear clip device in patients with atrial fibrillation with high-risk of thromboembolic stroke and intolerance to oral anticoagulants.

Results: During the period from December 2017 to September 2020, we performed 42 robotics-assisted left atrial appendage clip exclusions in response to increased risk of bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation and intolerance to oral anticoagulants.

A comparative study of stress episode prevalence and duration among Jomon period foragers from Hokkaido.

This study reconstructs linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) prevalence and stress episode duration among Jomon period foragers from Hokkaido, Japan (HKJ). Results are compared to Jomon period samples from coastal Honshu, Japan (HSJ) and Tigara Inupiat from Point Hope, Alaska (PHT) to provide a more comprehensive perspective on the manifestation of stress among circum-Pacific foragers. LEH were identified macro- and microscopically by enamel surface depressions and increased perikymata spacing within defects.

Identification and plasmid profiles of Lactobacillus species from the vagina of 100 healthy women.

It was hypothesized that Lactobacillus acidophilus might not be the dominant aerobic or microaerophilic Lactobacillus species in the human vagina, and that the dominant isolates are likely to express a variety of properties associated with colonization. To examine the question, vaginal swabs were collected from 100 healthy premenopausal women and cultured to detect the dominant aerobic or microaerophilic isolates of Lactobacillus. Only eight species were detected, with Lactobacillus jensenii being the dominant colonizers in the highest number (35) of women.

Growth inhibition of metronidazole-susceptible and metronidazole-resistant strains of Gardnerella vaginalis by Lactobacilli in vitro.

Metronidazole resistance was produced in susceptible Gardnerella vaginalis after subculture in the presence of metronidazole. Metronidazole-resistant gardnerellae were less susceptible to growth inhibition by Lactobacillus culture filtrates. A low pH (+/- 4) and lactic acid accounted for 60 to 95% of inhibitory activity, and H2O2 accounted for only 0 to 30%.

Cell surface appendages of lactobacilli.

Seventeen vaginal isolates of lactobacillus were negatively stained using 1% phosphotungstic acid and examined by transmission electron microscopy. One or two flagella were observed in a polar or, less frequently, sub-polar position on 14 of the 17 isolates. The structures, measuring 12 nm in diameter and up to 12 microns long, were seen on cells cultured in both solid and liquid MRS medium.