Hyperstable Synthetic Mini-Proteins as Effective Ligand Scaffolds.

Small, single-domain protein scaffolds are compelling sources of molecular binding ligands with the potential for efficient physiological transport, modularity, and manufacturing. Yet, mini-proteins require a balance between biophysical robustness and diversity to enable new functions. We tested the developability and evolvability of millions of variants of 43 designed libraries of synthetic 40-amino acid βαββ proteins with diversified sheet, loop, or helix paratopes.

Ventricular tachycardia in nonpostoperative pediatric patients: role of radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Experience concerning radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in pediatric patients is limited. In adults, success rates vary widely based on the etiology of the VT. Highest success rates have been achieved in patients without structural heart disease.

Catheter tip cooling during radiofrequency ablation of intra-atrial reentry: effects on power, temperature, and impedance.

Introduction: Cooling the catheter tip either passively with increased tip size or actively during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been shown in canine thigh preparations to create larger lesions than standard catheter tips, yielding a theoretical advantage for improving the outcome of RFCA for intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia (IART).

Methods And Results: The pediatric RFCA database at the Medical University of South Carolina was reviewed for RFCA of IART in patients with structural heart disease. From a total of 31 patients who underwent procedures during the study period, 8 patients in whom ablation with conventional ablation techniques failed and who went on to passive cooling with an 8-mm tip catheter or active cooling with an internally cooled-tip catheter were studied.

A technique for conducting noninvasive cardiac electrophysiology studies in conscious swine.

A noninvasive method was developed in swine for conducting cardiac electrophysiology (EP) studies without the potential confounding effects of sedatives or anesthetics. Following a 1-week conditioning regimen in the EP laboratory, 1-month-old Hanford miniature swine underwent transvenous pacemaker (PM) implantation under isoflurane anesthesia. Two bipolar screw-in pacing leads were inserted into the left external jugular vein, with one positioned in the right atrial appendage and one in the myocardium at the right ventricular apex.

Lack of proarrhythmia as assessed by Holter monitor after atrial radiofrequency ablation of supraventricular tachycardia in children.

The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term arrhythmogenicity of atrial radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions in children. Patients with the greatest exposure to RF energy comprised the study group. Holter data on 35 RF ablation procedures in 31 patients with a median age of 13.

Learning curve for radiofrequency catheter ablation in pediatrics at a single institution.

We examined the learning curve for radiofrequency ablation in pediatrics at a single institution. The first 146 cases were retrospectively reviewed, including patients < or = 21 years old with a single tachycardia diagnosis who were undergoing radiofrequency ablation for the first time. Data regarding demographics, electrophysiologic properties of the tachycardia, and procedural characteristics were tabulated.

High-dose narcotic anesthesia using sufentanil in swine for cardiac catheterization and electrophysiologic studies.

A protocol for high-dose narcotic anesthesia using sufentanil by intravenous infusion was developed in swine undergoing cardiac catheterization and intracardiac electrophysiologic studies. In experiments involving cardiac conduction system ablation, nine swine received intramuscular ketamine, 33 mg/kg, and intramuscular acepromazine, 1.1 mg/kg, as premedication.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of incessant, medically resistant supraventricular tachycardia in infants and small children.

Objectives: This study retrospectively evaluates initial experience with radiofrequency catheter ablation in a group of seven infants and small children with a history of incessant, medically resistant supraventricular tachycardia.

Methods: Before attempted catheter ablation, all patients had had unsuccessful conventional medical therapy (with digoxin or propranolol, or both) and, in addition, each continued to have daily episodes of supraventricular tachycardia while taking amiodarone or a class IC antiarrhythmic agent alone or in combination. The average patient age was 10 months (range 1 to 27) and the average patient weight was 6 kg (range 3 to 13).

Subcutaneous lidocaine affects inducibility in programmed electrophysiology testing in children: a follow-up study.

Invasive cardiac electrophysiology testing during cardiac catheterization requires local anesthesia at the point of entry for the catheters. Frequently, lidocaine is employed for this purpose. A prospective study completed in 1990 indicated that subcutaneous administration of lidocaine adversely influenced the inducibility of arrhythmias in pediatric patients.

Oral antidiabetic combination therapy with sulphonylureas and metformin.

In a multicentre trial in general practice, a total of 1823 type 2 diabetics, not adequately controlled by diet and maximal sulphonylurea therapy, were treated with additional metformin 850--2 550 mg/d for 12 weeks. The average postprandial blood sugar decreased from 15.48 mmol/l to 10.

Guar and its effects on metabolic control in type II diabetic subjects.

The effect of guar mini-tablets (5 g t.i.d.