Laser Catheter Modulation of the Sinus Node in the Treatment of Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia: Experimental and Clinical Results.

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a rare type of arrhythmia that is currently difficult to treat successfully. The effects of laser catheter applications aimed at the sinus nodal area were tested experimentally and the technique was used for the treatment of IST. Continuous-wave, mapping-guided 1,064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser applications at 15 W (9.

Lack of efficacy of NMDA receptor-NR2B selective antagonists in the R6/2 model of Huntington disease.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) mediated excitotoxicity is a probable proximate mechanism of neurodegeneration in Huntington disease (HD). Striatal neurons express the NR2B-NMDAR subunit at high levels, and this subunit is thought to be instrumental in causing excitotoxic striatal neuron injury. We evaluated the efficacy of 3 NR2B-selective antagonists in the R6/2 transgenic fragment model of HD.

A successful mandatory influenza vaccination campaign using an innovative electronic tracking system.

Background: Although influenza vaccination of healthcare workers reduces influenza-like illness and overall mortality among patients, national rates of vaccination for healthcare providers are unacceptably low. We report the implementation of a new mandatory vaccination policy by means of a streamlined electronic enrollment and vaccination tracking system at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of a new mandatory staff influenza vaccination program.

Long-term responses of canine lungs to acidic particles.

Sixteen beagle dogs were housed in four large chambers under minimum restraint. They were exposed for 16 months to clean air and individual baseline data of markers were obtained. For 13 months, eight dogs were further exposed to clean air and eight dogs for 6 h/d to 1-microm MMAD (mass median aerodynamic diameter) acidic sulfate particles carrying 25 micromol H(+) m(-3) into their lungs.

Performance evaluation of IVC systems.

An expert Working Group was set up in December 2000 to develop recommendations for users and industry on the evaluation of proper function and operation of individually ventilated cage (IVC) systems. The full report of their recommendations is in two parts--'Part 1: Test Instructions' and 'Part 2: Evaluation Criteria'--both of which have been published in full on the Laboratory Animals Ltd website. They can be found at http://www.