Evaluation of compensation filters in pedal radiographs.

Compensation filters allow increased visibility of detail in chest, shoulder, spine, hip, knee, and foot radiographs. This study examines use of an anatomic compensation filter to improve imaging in pedal radiographs. Anteroposterior radiographs were obtained of 25 cadaveric feet at two settings with and without the compensation filter.

Melatonin receptor potentiation of cyclic AMP and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ion channel.

We have used the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel as a model system to study the cAMP signal transduction pathways coupled to the Xenopus melatonin receptor. During forskolin (Fsk) stimulation, melatonin reduced the amplitude of the CFTR currents in oocytes injected with in vitro transcribed cRNAs for the Xenopus melatonin receptor and CFTR. Pertussis toxin (Ptx) treatment eliminated melatonin inhibition of Fsk stimulated CFTR currents.

[Cavo-pulmonary anastomosis associated with intracardiac repair of Ebstein anomaly. Value in high-risk patients].

The surgical prognosis of Ebstein's anomaly depends on the quality of tricuspid valve repair and right ventricular function. In patients with right ventricular failure, a decrease in afterload was attained by a cavo-bipulmonary anastomosis associated with the intraventricular repair. Fifty-nine out of 111 patients operated for Ebstein's anomaly were considered to be at high risk and were selected for this study.

[Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis. Report of a case and literature review].

A case of benign, symmetrical lipomatosis is presented. The clinical aspects of this entity are discussed and points of interest in the head and neck are noted.

A New Experiment for the Measurement of nJ(C,P) Coupling Constants Including 3J(C4'i,Pi) and 3J(C4'i,Pi+1) in Oligonucleotides.

A new experiment for the measurement of nJ(C,P) coupling constants along the phosphodiester backbone in RNA and DNA based on a quantitative-J HCP experiment is presented. In addition to coupling constants, in which a carbon atom couples to only one phosphorus atom, both the intraresidual 3J(C4'i,Pi) and the sequential 3J(C4'i,Pi+1) for the C4' resonances that couple to two phosphorus atoms can be obtained. Coupling constants obtained by this new method are compared to values obtained from the P-FIDS experiment.

Bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt associated with ventriculo and valvuloplasty in Ebstein's anomaly: benefits in high risk patients.

Objective: The prognosis for surgical repair of Ebstein's anomaly depends on the tricuspid valve repair and on the right ventricular function. In order to decrease the preload of the compromised right ventricle, a bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt was added to the intracardiac repair.

Methods: Among 113 patients operated on for Ebstein' s anomaly at our institution from 1980-1997, a cohort of 60 patients was selected for high risk for postoperative complications.

[Risk factors of stroke in carotid endarterectomy].

In order to find risk factors of carotid endarterectomy related stroke (CERS), 102 consecutive carotid endarterectomies, performed within two years on 95 patients were analyzed. Age, sex, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, degree of the operated and non operated carotid stenosis, previous neurological symptoms, anesthesia, protamine, cerebral monitoring, shunt, patch, post op. hypertensive crisis and clamping time were compared with the incidence of CERS.

Tonic and bursting activity in the cuneate nucleus of the chloralose-anesthetized cat.

Whole-cell recordings were obtained from cuneate neurons in anesthetized, paralysed cats. Stimulation of the contralateral medial lemniscus permitted us to separate projection cells from presumed interneurons. Pericruciate motor cortex electrical stimulation inhibited postsynaptically all the projection cells (n=57) and excited all the presumed interneurons (n=29).

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty: clinical follow-up at 12 years.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of dynamic cardiomyoplasty. This surgical technique was conceived to assist the failing heart. The many proposed mechanisms of action of cardiomyoplasty are: (1) systolic assist; (2) limitation of ventricular dilation; (3) reduction of ventricular wall stress (sparing effect); (4) ventricular remodeling with an active girdling effect; (5) angiogenesis; and (6) a neurohumoral effect.

Study of muscular and ventricular function in dynamic cardiomyoplasty: a ten-year follow-up.

Background: The basic physiologic principle underlying cardiomyoplasty is long-term electrostimulation of a latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) wrapped around the heart to obtain a phasic activity that could be integrated with ventricular kinetics. The aim of cardiomyoplasty is to prolong survival and to improve the quality of life of patients with severe chronic and irreversible myocardial failure by improving systolic contraction and correcting diastolic dysfunction.

Methods: To evaluate the long-term outcome of cardiomyoplasty, we investigated 82 patients electively undergoing this procedure in-our hospital.

Cloning and characterization of Kir3.1 (GIRK1) C-terminal alternative splice variants.

Southern blot analysis of RT-PCR products from brain and heart revealed multiple products for a C-terminal region of Kir3.1. Sequencing yielded clones for wild-type Kir3.

Enantioselective Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation via S(N)2' Displacements of Acyclic Allylic Mesylates(1).

The copper-mediated S(N)2' displacement of enantiomerically pure allylic mesyloxy vinyl sulfoxides takes place with high yields and stereoselectivities. In these adducts, the newly created chiral center is adjacent to a vinyl sulfoxide functionality which should allow for subsequent chirality transfer operations. Alternatively, enantiopure alkenyl sulfones and alkenes bearing an allylic stereocenter are readily available from these adducts with high geometric control.

Utilization of the Intramolecular Cycloaddition-Cationic pi-Cyclization of an Isomünchnone Derivative for the Synthesis of (+/-)-Lycopodine.

A new annulation sequence leading to the tetracyclic skeleton of the Lycopodium family of alkaloids is effected by using the tandem cycloaddition-cationic pi-cyclization reaction of an isomünchnone dipole as the key strategic element. Synthesis of the required alpha-diazo imide precursor involved treating 5-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one with the organocopper reagent derived from 3-methoxybenzyl chloride in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane. Ozonolysis of the resulting silyl enol ether followed by a Wittig reaction and conversion to the desired alpha-diazo imide was carried out using standard malonylacylation and diazotization procedures.

Tandem Dipolar Cycloaddition-Mannich Cyclization as an Approach to Tricyclic Nitrogen Heterocycles.

A series of 2-diazo-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N-hept-6-enoylmalonamides were prepared and treated with a catalytic amount of rhodium(II) perfluorobutyrate. The resultant carbenoids undergo facile cyclization onto the neighboring amide carbonyl oxygen atom to generate isomünchnone-type intermediates. Subsequent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition across the pendant olefin affords intramolecular cycloadducts in high yield.

Coupled slow and delta oscillations between cuneothalamic and thalamocortical neurons in the chloralose anesthetized cat.

Simultaneous recordings were obtained from cuneothalamic (extracellular) and thalamocortical (intracellular) cells in chloralose anesthetized cats. It was found that cuneothalamic neurons present slow rhythmicity (0.1-1 Hz) tightly coupled to slow oscillations of thalamocortical neurons.

Exercise training and heparin pretreatment in patients with coronary artery disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether combined treatment with a cardiovascular exercise rehabilitation program and low doses of heparin can induce changes in ergometric parameters of ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Heparin may potentiate the development of new vessels promoted by ischemia and therefore may produce important clinical improvement. Thirty-six patients with stable CAD and evidence of myocardial ischemia on exercise testing were randomized into three groups: a control group (n = 11) received the usual medical treatment; another group (n = 11) underwent three exercise sessions per week during 12 weeks; and a third group (n = 14) undertook this exercise program and also received calcium heparin 12,500 IU subcutaneously 20 to 30 minutes before each exercise session.

Directed TOCSY, a method for selection of directed correlations by optimal combinations of isotropic and longitudinal mixing.

The directed TOCSY pulse sequence element transfers coherence predominantly into "forward-directed" antiphase coherences while simultaneously suppressing in-phase and "backward-directed" antiphase coherences. This novel selection principle, based on the "direction" of the target coherences, provides a new approach for the simplification of crowded spectra. In this article, the theory of directed TOCSY is presented for linear spin systems that are frequently found in carbon-labeled biomolecules.

The sensitivity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors to lead inhibition is dependent on the receptor subunit composition.

Pb+2 is a potent inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and its action is dependent on neuronal maturation. Developmentally regulated expression of NMDA receptor subunits may underlie the changing sensitivity to Pb+2. In oocytes expressing in vitro transcribed cRNAs for zeta 1 epsilon 1 or zeta 1 epsilon 2 NMDA receptor subunits, Pb+2 inhibited glutamate-activated currents with IC50 values of 0.

Melatonin receptors activate heteromeric G-protein coupled Kir3 channels.

The effects of melatonin on circadian pacemaker activity in the central nervous system may be the result of melatonin receptor activation of G-protein coupled potassium channels which inhibit the action potential firing of neurons. Xenopus laevis and human1a melatonin receptors stimulated heteromeric G-protein activated inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir3.1/Kir3.

Residual cavities after surgery for hepatic hydatid cysts--an ultrasonographic evaluation.

Ultrasonography has made it easier to diagnose precisely hepatic hydatid cysts, but the interpretation of images of residual cavities persisting long after the operation can be difficult. We reviewed the clinical histories of 22 children treated surgically for hepatic hydatid cysts at our hospital (1985-1992) to find clues to the proper attitude toward residual cavities. The children's mean age was 7.

University of Wisconsin solution versus Stanford cardioplegic solution and the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

Background: University of Wisconsin (intracellular) solution has been shown to offer some distinct benefits of myocardial preservation over Stanford (extracellular) solution, including a more rapid functional recovery, improved adenosine triphosphate preservation, and a tendency for less postoperative inotropic agents. However intracellular solutions with high potassium content have been reported to cause a functional if not structural endothelial injury in laboratory experiments.

Methods: Because of this information we retrospectively viewed our follow-up angiographic data for the development of the cardiac allograft vasculopathy in a consecutive series of 195 heart transplant recipients.