Diffusion- and perfusion-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging in patients with neurologic complications after cardiac surgery.

Background: Neurologic complications after cardiac surgery include stroke, encephalopathy, and persistent cognitive impairments. More precise neuroimaging of patients with these complications may lead to a better understanding of the etiology and treatment of these disorders.

Objective: To study the pattern of ischemic changes on diffusion- and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI, and MRPI, respectively) in patients with neurologic complications after cardiac surgery.

Paper-based archiving of mammalian and plant samples for RNA analysis.

The ability to archive biological samples for subsequent nucleic acid analysis is essential for tissue specimens and forensic samples. FTA Card is a chemically treated filter paper designed for the collection and room temperature storage of biological samples for subsequent DNA analysis. Its usefulness for the preservation of biological samples for subsequent RNA analysis was tested.

Long PCR for VNTR analysis.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has revolutionized the analysis of DNA from a variety of sources. With its sensitivity and ability to amplify degraded DNAs and small quantities of samples, coupled with fast turn-around-time, PCR is often the analytical method of choice for DNA profiling in forensic laboratories. RFLP methods, while requiring larger amounts of high molecular weight DNA and needing approximately 6-8 weeks of analytical time, still provide a higher power of discrimination per locus than that achieved using the loci currently available for PCR.

Assessing the impact of cerebral injury after cardiac surgery: will determining the mechanism reduce this injury?

Background: Central nervous system dysfunction continues to produce significant morbidity and associated mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Using a closed-chest canine cardiopulmonary bypass model, dogs underwent 2 h of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) at 18 degrees C, followed by resuscitation and recovery for 3 days. Animals were assessed functionally by a species-specific behavioral scale, histologically for patterns of selective neuronal necrosis, biochemically by analysis of microdialysis effluent, and by receptor autoradiography for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor subtype expression.

Determinants of cognitive change after coronary artery bypass surgery: a multifactorial problem.

Background: Several studies have investigated predictors of cognitive decline after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but there is little consensus as to which specific factors are predictive of poor cognitive outcomes.

Methods: We evaluated 127 patients undergoing CABG with standardized neuropsychological tests preoperatively, at 1 month and at 1 year. The outcome measure was a continuous variable reflecting change in z-scores for eight cognitive domains over time for individual patients.