The mitochondrial division inhibitor Mdivi-1 rescues mammalian neurons from anesthetic-induced cytotoxicity.

Background: Concerns have risen regarding the potential side effects of clinical exposure of the pediatric population to inhalational anesthetics, and how they might impact cognitive, learning, and memory functions. However, neither the mechanisms of anesthetic cytotoxicity, nor potential protective strategies, have yet been fully explored. In this study, we examined whether two of the most commonly used inhalational anesthetics, sevoflurane and desflurane, affect neuronal viability and synaptic network assembly between cultured rat cortical neurons.

Red blood cell distribution width as a prognostic marker of mortality in patients on chronic dialysis: a single center, prospective longitudinal study.

Aim: To determine if red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with all-cause mortality in patients on chronic dialysis and to evaluate its prognostic value among validated prognostic biomarkers.

Methods: This is a single center, prospective longitudinal study. At the time of inclusion in January 2011, all patients were physically examined and a routine blood analysis was performed.

Carotid endarterectomy unexpectedly resulted in optimal blood pressure control.

Resistant hypertension is defined as hypertension that remains above 140/90 mmHg despite the provision of three or more antihypertensive drugs in a rational combination at full doses and including a diuretic. It is associated with adverse clinical outcome and therefore requires aggressive medical treatment. We present a case of 70-year-old woman who was treated for resistant hypertension with a diuretic, ACE-inhibitor, calcium channel blocker, and with centrally acting antihypertensive, moxonodine.

[Biochemical markers in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome].

Acute coronary syndrome is a set of symptoms interpreted as being the result of cardiac ischemia. The subtypes of acute coronary syndrome, depending on the degree of cardiac ischemia, include unstable angina and two forms of myocardial infarction. Determination of serum cardiac markers plays a key role in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Anti-citrullinated protein antibody and rheumatoid factor in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and on hemodialysis (HD) are at increased risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a result of defective immunity. Our aim was to examine if ESRD and the length of HD treatment impact the clinical utility of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) as diagnostic tools for RA.

Methods: We included 94 subjects in our study: 37 healthy volunteers and 57 patients with ESRD who had been undergoing HD for 1-12 years, and without confirmed RA.

The right atrial thrombus: the sword of Damocles with real risk of massive pulmonary embolism.

Cases of 6 patients admitted at the intensive care unit for massive pulmonary embolism are reported. All patients presented with dyspnea, tachypnea, and tachycardia, and 4 were hypotensive and had syncope. Lung ventilation/ perfusion scans revealed perfusion defects in 4 patients.