[Radiofrequency ablation as the first line of treatment in patients with common atrial flutter. The arguments con].

After years of development, radiofrequency ablation of common flutter circuits is a well established procedure. Once the structure of the circuit, and its critical isthmus, were defined, effective approaches to ablation have been developed, improving initial results. The problem of recurrence has been largely controlled, and the present recurrence rate is 10-15%.

A recruitment-based rheological model for mechanical behavior of soft tissues.

When lung tissue is subjected to finite deformations, phenomena appear that can only be described using nonlinear models. This paper considers the lung as a material composed of two elements, a continuous phase that acts uninterruptedly and a second phase composed of fiber elements that are recruited progressively into the mechanical process. Each individual fiber participates in the mechanical response of the set only when the deformation is above a certain value.

[Relationship between the sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the post-antibiotic effect of sparfloxacin and ciprofloxacin].

The post antibiotic effect (PAE) of 8 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with different susceptibility to sparfloxacin and ciprofloxacin was evaluated by the colony counting method using centrifugation to remove the antibiotic. The bacteria were exposed for 60 min to a quinolone concentration of 1 mg/ml. The MIC of sparfloxacin and ciprofloxacin ranged from 0.

Casual recognition of an azygous continuation of the inferior vena cava in a patient with lung cancer.

Anomalous continuation of the inferior vena cava with an azygous vein is a rare vacular anomaly. The enlarged venous system may simulate adenopathies or mediastinal and retroperitoneal masses on the radiographs. We describe the case of a patient with lung cancer - a pathological condition which may cause adenopathies at these sites - and a dilated azygous-hemiazygous system resulting from failure of formation of the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava.

[Acute hepatic failure and Hodgkin's disease].

We present the clinical outcome and imaging micro and macroscopic of a patient who died of e liver acute failure. Hodgkin disease with massive infiltration was found at necropsy. We offer a review of the liver complaint in this particular disease.

Randomized, prospective comparison of four burst pacing algorithms for spontaneous ventricular tachycardia.

"Less aggressive" burst stimulation is more effective in terminating spontaneous monomorphic ventricular tachycardia with a lesser acceleration rate. Higher ventricular tachycardia cycle length and use of 91% coupling interval were independent predictors for pacing termination.

[The ablation of atrial flutter. The long-term results after 8 years of experience].

Objective: Since the 1990's radiofrequency ablation radiofrequency ablation of atrial flutter has evolved in its methods and results. We have reviewed the long term outcome in 62 patients with typical (common) or reversed (clockwise) flutter undergoing radiofrequency ablation between 1990 and 1997.

Patients And Methods: Fifty men and 12 women, aged 22-78 years (57 +/- 12) with flutter recurring after cardioversion and antiarrhythmic drugs make this series.

Effects of botulinum neurotoxin type A on the expression of gephyrin in cat abducens motoneurons.

In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term synaptic blockade on postsynaptic receptor clustering at central inhibitory glycinergic synapses. High doses of botulinum neurotoxin type A injected in the lateral rectus muscle completely abolishes inhibitory postsynaptic potentials onto abducens motoneurons within 2 days postinjection, and transmission remains blocked for at least 2 months. Using this model, we analyzed the expression of gephyrin, a glycine receptor clustering protein, on the membrane of motoneuron somata after botulinum neurotoxin type A injection in their target muscle.

Diagnostic value of cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA 21-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in lung cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of a new tumour marker, cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA 21-1), in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for the diagnosis of lung cancer. The cross-sectional study included 36 patients with lung cancer, 19 with benign lung diseases and 13 control subjects. In the group with cancer, BAL was performed in the cancer-involved lung and in the opposite lung.

Dye coupling between spinal cord oligodendrocytes: differences in coupling efficiency between gray and white matter.

Oligodendrocytes express two gap junction proteins, connexin32 (Cx32) and Cx45. To test for functional coupling between oligodendrocytes, cells were filled with the (Cx32-permeable) dyes Lucifer Yellow (LY) and Neurobiotin. Cells in slices from rat spinal cord were dialyzed via the patch pipette containing the dye while recording with the patch-clamp technique.

Antibody response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein B (gB) in AIDS patients with HCMV end-organ disease.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-specific antibody responses in HIV-1 infected individuals either with or without HCMV end-organ disease were examined to determine the whether development of HCMV disease was associated with a particular deficit in the antibody response. Antiwhole HCMV, anti-glycoprotein B (gB), and neutralizing antibody levels were higher in HIV-1 infected individuals than in healthy immunocompetent subjects, particularly in patients with AIDS either with or without HCMV-associated disease. Irrespective of location and spread of HCMV disease, patients who had received anti-HCMV therapy prior to sampling exhibited significantly higher anti-gB and neutralizing antibody titers than those who remained untreated.

Localization of parvalbumin, calretinin, and calbindin D-28k in identified extraocular motoneurons and internuclear neurons of the cat.

Calcium-binding proteins have been shown to be excellent markers of specific neuronal populations. We aimed to characterize the expression of calcium-binding proteins in identified populations of the cat extraocular motor nuclei by means of immunohistochemistry against parvalbumin, calretinin, and calbindin D-28k. Abducens, medial rectus, and trochlear motoneurons were retrogradely labeled with horseradish peroxidase from their corresponding muscles.

Analysis of the degree of QRS fusion necessary for its visual detection: importance for the recognition of transient entrainment.

Background: Fixed fusion is the hallmark for the demonstration of transient entrainment. However, the degree of accuracy of its recognition on the surface ECG is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ability to detect fusion in the QRS complex.

Effects of botulinum neurotoxin type A on abducens motoneurons in the cat: ultrastructural and synaptic alterations.

The synaptic alterations induced in abducens motoneurons by the injection of 3 ng/kg of botulinum neurotoxin type A into the lateral rectus muscle were studied using ultrastructural and electrophysiological techniques. Motoneurons identified by the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase showed a progressive synaptic stripping already noticeable by four days post-injection which increased over the study period. By 35 days post-injection, the normal coverage of motoneurons by synaptic boutons (66.

Effects of botulinum neurotoxin type A on abducens motoneurons in the cat: alterations of the discharge pattern.

The discharge characteristics that abducens motoneurons exhibit after paralysis of the lateral rectus muscle with botulinum neurotoxin type A were studied in the alert cat. Antidromically identified motoneurons were recorded during both spontaneous and vestibularly induced eye movements. A single injection of 0.

Antioxidant enzyme status in biliary obstructed rats: effects of N-acetylcysteine.

Background/aims: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a modulator of thiol levels that protects against hepatotoxic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether NAC might improve hepatic antioxidant defenses in chronically biliary obstructed rats.

Methods: Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced by 28 days of bile-duct obstruction.

An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa related to contaminated urodynamic equipment.

Investigation of an outbreak of multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa urinary tract infections within our hospital identified the urodynamic laboratory as the point source. Disinfection procedures were inadequate, and transducers designated for single-patient use were used repeatedly and subsequently became contaminated. These improper procedures were part of a cost-containment effort.

Synthesis and Characterization of (2,4,6-Trimethylphenylimido)molybdenum Complexes. X-ray Crystal Structures of (L(OEt))Mo(Nmes)(2)Cl, (L(OEt))Mo(Nmes)Cl(2), and MoCl(3)(Nmes)(depe) (mes = 2,4,6-Trimethylphenyl, L(OEt) = (eta-C(5)H(5))Co{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3), depe = Et(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PEt(2)).

The bis(imido) complex MoCl(2)(Nmes)(2)(dme) (1) (mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) has been used as the starting material for the preparation of the compounds (L(OEt))Mo(Nmes)(2)Cl (2) (L(OEt) = (eta-C(5)H(5))Co{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)) and Mo(Nmes)(2)(acac)(2) (5), as well as for the synthesis of the mixed oxo-imido MoCl(2)(Nmes)(O)(dme) (6), the latter reaction involving conproportionation of 1 and MoCl(2)(O)(2)(dme). Similarly, the paramagnetic mono(imido) species Mo(Nmes)Cl(3)(dme) (11) can also be obtained from 1 by interaction with MoCl(4)(THF)(2) (THF = tetrahydrofuran) in refluxing dme. Compounds 6 and 11 are suitable sources for the synthesis of other diamagnetic mixed oxo-imido and paramagnetic mono(imido) compounds, respectively.

Diagnostic value of SCC, CEA and CYFRA 21.1 in lung cancer: a Bayesian analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of three tumour markers, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CYFRA 21.1, in lung cancer using a Bayesian analysis to obtain the predictive values for different pretest probabilities or prevalences. A cross-sectional study included 94 patients with lung cancer, 40 with benign lung disease, and 40 healthy controls.

Dose-dependent, central effects of botulinum neurotoxin type A: a pilot study in the alert behaving cat.

We investigated, in alert behaving cats, the long-term effects of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) type A injected into the lateral rectus muscle of the eye. We studied orthodromic field potentials recorded in the injected muscle, eye movements, and the discharge characteristics of the innervating abducens motoneurons. Single BoNT injections at doses from 0.

Involvement of cerebellar cortex and nuclei in the genesis and control of unconditioned and conditioned eyelid motor responses.

The eyelid motor system of the cat was used here for the study of the kinetic properties of reflex and conditioned lid movements, and of the role played by the cerebellum in the acquisition and/or performance of both types of motor responses. Spontaneous blinks, eyelid reflex responses, eye-guided lid movements and conditioned lid responses were recorded in alert cats in simultaneity with unitary and field electrical activity of cerebellar cortex and nuclear zones related to the eyelid motor system. Results indicate that nuclear unitary activity does not precede unconditioned or conditioned lid responses, but that cerebellar nuclei are directly involved in the performance of the late components of reflex lid movements and in the acquisition of conditioned lid responses.

Characterization of Purkinje cells in the goldfish cerebellum during eye movement and adaptive modification of the vestibulo-ocular reflex.

The discharge characteristics of Purkinje cells were analyzed in the goldfish cerebellum during eye movement and adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). Purkinje cells, identified by the simultaneous recording of complex and simple spikes, were recorded in the cerebellar area where electrical microstimulation elicited ipsiversive horizontal eye movements. Simple spikes of Purkinje cells displayed signals related to head and/or eye velocity as determined independently during either VOR suppression or optokinetic stimulation, respectively.

Regulation of connexin-43, GFAP, and FGF-2 is not accompanied by changes in astroglial coupling in MPTP-lesioned, FGF-2-treated parkinsonian mice.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; FGF-2) has potent trophic effects on developing and toxically impaired midbrain dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons which are crucially affected in Parkinson's disease. The trophic effects of FGF-2 are largely indirect, both in vitro and in vivo, and possibly involve intermediate actions of astrocytes and other glial cells. To further investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the restorative actions of FGF-2, and to analyse in more detail the changes within astroglial cells in the MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-lesioned striatum, we have studied striatal expression and regulation of connexin-43 (cx43), the principal gap junction protein of astroglial cells, along with the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), FGF-2, and functional coupling.