Morphine induces albuminuria by compromising podocyte integrity.

Morphine has been reported to accelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease. However, whether morphine affects slit diaphragm (SD), the major constituent of glomerular filtration barrier, is still unclear. In the present study, we examined the effect of morphine on glomerular filtration barrier in general and podocyte integrity in particular.

Deficit of p66ShcA restores redox-sensitive stress response program in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

Overwhelming oxidative stress and compromised tubular cell antioxidant response have been incriminated for cisplatin (Cis)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesized that Cis-induced AKI was the outcome of the deactivated redox-sensitive stress response program (RSSRP). Wild type (WT) and heterozygous p66ShcA(p66(+/-)) mice in groups of six were administered either normal saline (WT) or Cis (12.

Integration of cardiac and respiratory motion into MRI roadmaps fused with x-ray.

Purpose: Volumetric roadmaps overlaid on live x-ray fluoroscopy may be used to enhance image guidance during interventional procedures. These roadmaps are often static and do not reflect cardiac or respiratory motion. In this work, the authors present a method for integrating cardiac and respiratory motion into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived roadmaps to fuse with live x-ray fluoroscopy images, and this method was tested in large animals.

Transthoracic delivery of large devices into the left ventricle through the right ventricle and interventricular septum: preclinical feasibility.

Background: We aim to deliver large appliances into the left ventricle through the right ventricle and across the interventricular septum. This transthoracic access route exploits immediate recoil of the septum, and lower transmyocardial pressure gradient across the right versus left ventricular free wall. The route may enhance safety and allow subxiphoid rather than intercostal traversal.

Primary bowing tremor: a task-specific movement disorder of string instrumentalists.

Fear of a tremulous or unsteady bow is widespread among string instrumentalists. Faulty technique and performance anxiety have generally been blamed. The cases of 4 high-level violinists and 1 violist, 3 women and 2 men, with uncontrollable bow tremor are presented.

Variability in diagnosing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease using standard and proposed diagnostic criteria.

Introduction: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive dementia with a median survival of 2-14 months. The diagnosis can only be made accurately by biopsy/autopsy. However, this is not always feasible or desirable.

On the HORYZON: moderated online social therapy for long-term recovery in first episode psychosis.

Background: Early intervention services have demonstrated improved outcomes in first episode psychosis (FEP); however, recent evidence shows that treatment benefits may not be sustainable over time. These findings have resulted in repeated recommendations for the implementation of longer term treatment programs. An Internet-based intervention specifically designed for young people with psychosis may provide a cost-effective alternative to prevent loss of treatment benefits from early intervention.

Internet-based interventions for psychosis: a sneak-peek into the future.

The Internet and mobile technologies are becoming ubiquitous. However, the potential of these technologies to support people with psychosis has been unexplored and the development of innovative e-based interventions is overdue. Research suggests the acceptability and effectiveness of such interventions in psychosis.

Real-time MRI-guided right heart catheterization in adults using passive catheters.

Aims: Real-time MRI creates images with superb tissue contrast that may enable radiation-free catheterization. Simple procedures are the first step towards novel interventional procedures. We aim to perform comprehensive transfemoral diagnostic right heart catheterization in an unselected cohort of patients entirely using MRI guidance.

MRI active guidewire with an embedded temperature probe and providing a distinct tip signal to enhance clinical safety.

Background: The field of interventional cardiovascular MRI is hampered by the unavailability of active guidewires that are both safe and conspicuous. Heating of conductive guidewires is difficult to predict in vivo and disruptive to measure using external probes. We describe a clinical-grade 0.

Inhibition of renin activity slows down the progression of HIV-associated nephropathy.

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of inhibition of renin activity (aliskiren) on the progression of renal lesions in two different mouse models (Vpr and Tg26) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). In protocol A, Vpr mice were fed either water (C-VprA) or doxycycline [Doxy (D-VprA)] in their drinking water for 6 wk. In protocols B and C, Vpr mice received either normal saline (C-VprB/C), Doxy + normal saline (D-VprB/C), or Doxy + aliskiren (AD-VprB/C) for 6 wk (protocol B) or 12 wk (protocol C).

Active delivery cable tuned to device deployment state: enhanced visibility of nitinol occluders during preclinical interventional MRI.

Purpose: To develop an active delivery system that enhances visualization of nitinol cardiac occluder devices during deployment under real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials And Methods: We constructed an active delivery cable incorporating a loopless antenna and a custom titanium microscrew to secure the occluder devices. The delivery cable was tuned and matched to 50Ω at 64 MHz with the occluder device attached.

One hundred tasks an hour: an observational study of emergency department consultant activities.

Objective: To determine work activity patterns undertaken by ED consultants.

Methods: A single observer time-motion study of consultants rostered to clinical shifts: primarily administrative (Duty) or clinical (Resuscitation). Direct observation of 130 h was undertaken using purpose developed time-stamping software.

Dissemination of a tobacco cessation program for unionized workers.

Many multilevel, contextually relevant, evidenced-based health promotion programs are not disseminated widely. The purpose of this study is to describe the adaptation of a published effective tobacco-use cessation intervention, which was implemented and evaluated in a broader population of unionized workers partnering with a health and welfare fund health benefits carrier. 68 tobacco users enrolled.

MRI roadmap-guided transendocardial delivery of exon-skipping recombinant adeno-associated virus restores dystrophin expression in a canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cardiomyopathy patients currently have no therapeutic options. We evaluated catheter-based transendocardial delivery of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) expressing a small nuclear U7 RNA (U7smOPT) complementary to specific cis-acting splicing signals. Eliminating specific exons restores the open reading frame resulting in translation of truncated dystrophin protein.

Increasing response rates from physicians in oncology research: a structured literature review and data from a recent physician survey.

Although the physician survey has become an important tool for oncology-focused health services research, such surveys often achieve low response rates. This mini-review reports the results of a structured review of the literature relating to increasing response rates for physician surveys, as well as our own experience from a survey of physicians as to their referral practices for suspected haematologic malignancy in the United States. PubMed and PsychINFO databases were used to identify methodological articles assessing factors that influence response rates for physician surveys; the results were tabulated and reviewed for trends.

Closed-chest transthoracic magnetic resonance imaging-guided ventricular septal defect closure in swine.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to close ventricular septal defects (VSDs) directly through the chest wall using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance, without cardiopulmonary bypass, sternotomy, or radiation exposure.

Background: Surgical, percutaneous, and hybrid management of VSD each have limitations and known morbidity.

Methods: Percutaneous muscular VSDs were created in 10 naive Yorkshire swine using a transjugular laser catheter.

Direct percutaneous left ventricular access and port closure: pre-clinical feasibility.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate feasibility of nonsurgical transthoracic catheter-based left ventricular (LV) access and closure.

Background: Implanting large devices, such as mitral or aortic valve prostheses, into the heart requires surgical exposure and repair. Reliable percutaneous direct transthoracic LV access and closure would allow new nonsurgical therapeutic procedures.

A deflectable guiding catheter for real-time MRI-guided interventions.

Purpose: To design a deflectable guiding catheter that omits long metallic components yet preserves mechanical properties to facilitate therapeutic interventional MRI procedures.

Materials And Methods: The catheter shaft incorporated Kevlar braiding. A 180° deflection was attained with a 5-cm nitinol slotted tube, a nitinol spring, and a Kevlar pull string.

MRI-guided vascular access with an active visualization needle.

Purpose: To develop an approach to vascular access under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as a component of comprehensive MRI-guided cardiovascular catheterization and intervention.

Materials And Methods: We attempted jugular vein access in healthy pigs as a model of "difficult" vascular access. Procedures were performed under real-time MRI guidance using reduced field of view imaging.

Bright-blood T(2)-weighted MRI has high diagnostic accuracy for myocardial hemorrhage in myocardial infarction: a preclinical validation study in swine.

Background: Myocardial hemorrhage after myocardial infarction (MI) usually goes undetected. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of bright-blood T(2)-weighted cardiac MRI for myocardial hemorrhage in experimental MI.

Methods And Results: MI was created in swine by occluding the left anterior descending (n=10) or circumflex (n=5) coronary arteries for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion for ≤3 days (n=2), 10 days (n=7), or 60 days (n=6).

Virtual dye angiography: flow visualization for MRI-guided interventions.

In magnetic resonance imaging-guided cardiovascular interventional procedures, it is valuable to be able to visualize blood flow immediately and interactively in selected regions. In particular, it is useful to assess normal or pathological communications between specific heart chambers and vessels. Phase-contrast velocity mapping is not suitable for this purpose as it requires too much data and is not capable of determining directly if blood originating in one location travels to a nearby location.

Pressure-wire based assessment of microvascular resistance using calibrated upstream balloon obstruction: a predictor of myocardial viability.

Objectives: We assess microvascular integrity as a marker of myocardial viability after coronary stenting, using only a pressure guidewire.

Background: Microvascular integrity generally is not assessed using pressure-only guidewires because the transducer lies upstream of microvasculature. We partially inflate a balloon inside a coronary stent to achieve a specific normalized pressure drop at rest (distal coronary/aortic pressure = 0.