A six-year experience with the omnicarbon valve in North American patients.

Aim: We studied the results of an all-carbon monoleaflet valve prosthesis (the Omnicarbon) in a North American population.

Methods: Patients were recalled to our valve clinic for complete evaluation, including echocardiography, laboratory tests, and physician examination. This experience includes 108 Omnicarbon valve implants.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum K(+) channels from human and sheep atrial cells display a specific electro-pharmacological profile.

It has recently been proposed that the Ca(2+) uptake by the SR is inhibited by blocking Cl(-) and/or K(+) movements across this intracellular membrane. We have characterised the functional and pharmacological profile of the SR K(+) channel derived from human and sheep atrial cells. Mammalian atrial SR preparations were subjected to [(3)H]-ryanodine binding assays, SDS-PAGE analysis and channel protein reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers.

[The most significative parameters for the diagnosis of focal neuropathy of the cubital nerve in the elbow].

Objective: Determine the diagnostic validity of the most usual neurophysiological procedures in the examination of compressive neuropathies and/or ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.

Patients And Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of one year which included 19 patients with clinical features compatible with entrapment/compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, their neurophysiological diagnosis and surgical confirmation. We also studied 49 patients who were attended in our clinic for other reasons not related to disorders of the ulnar nerve.

Characterization of the sarcoplasmic reticulum k(+) and Ca(2+)-release channel-ryanodine receptor-in human atrial cells.

Since the role of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the E-C coupling of mammalian atrial cells has long been a subject of debate, biochemical, electrophysiological and immunological assays were performed in order to define and compare the properties of the Ca(2+)-release channel-ryanodine receptor (RyR)-from atrial and ventricular tissues. Cardiac SR preparations from human, canine and ovine tissues were compared using [(3)H]ryanodine binding, channel reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers and Western blot analysis involving RyR antibodies. [(3)H]ryanodine binding assays revealed a K(d)value of; 2.