Ripple Frequency Determined via a Novel Algorithm Is Associated With Atrial Fibrillation Termination and Freedom From Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex arrhythmia, and attaining freedom from AF with ablation has been challenging.

Objectives: This study evaluated a novel CARTO software algorithm based on the CARTO Ripple map for AF termination and 18-month freedom from AF.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent first-time ablation for persistent AF were included.

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Substrate Characteristics: Insights from Multimodality Structural and Functional Imaging of the VT Substrate Using Cardiac MRI Scar, I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine SPECT Innervation, and Bipolar Voltage.

Postischemic adaptation results in characteristic myocardial structural and functional changes in the ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate. The aim of this study was to compare myocardial structural and functional adaptations (late gadolinium enhancement/abnormal innervation) with detailed VT mapping data to identify regional heterogeneities in postischemic changes. Fifteen patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and drug-refractory VT underwent late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (CMR), I-metaiodobenzylguanidine SPECT, and high-resolution bipolar voltage mapping to assess fibrosis (>3 SDs), abnormal innervation (<50% tracer uptake), and low-voltage area (<1.

Validation of a novel CARTOSEG™ segmentation module software for contrast-enhanced computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Visualization of left atrial (LA) anatomy using image integration modules has been associated with decreased radiation exposure and improved procedural outcome when used for guidance of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. We evaluated the CARTOSEG™ CT Segmentation Module (Biosense Webster, Inc.) that offers a new CT-specific semiautomatic reconstruction of the atrial endocardium.

Impact of conversion on short and long-term outcome in laparoscopic resection of curable colorectal cancer.

Introduction: Long-term outcome of patients following conversion during laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is not often reported. Recent data suggest a negative impact of conversion on long-term survival. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of conversion on the perioperative outcome and on long-term survival in patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for curable colorectal cancer.

Current changes in the management and outcome of patients with curable colorectal cancer.

Background: Major changes in the evaluation and treatment of curable colorectal cancer (CRC) have emerged in the last two decades. These changes have led to better patient outcome overtime.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of these changes as reflected in the difference in long-term outcome of a consecutive group of recently laparoscopically operated curable CRC patients and a consecutive group of patients operated 20 years earlier in the same department.

Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal polyps.

Background: Size, location, and type of colonic polyps may prevent colonoscopic polypectomy. Laparoscopic colectomy may serve as an optimal alternative in these patients. We assessed the perioperative outcome and the risk for cancer in patients operated on laparoscopically for colonic polyps not amenable to colonoscopic resection.

[Initial experience with collagen plug for the treatment of complex anal fistula].

Introduction: Anorectal fistulas are a communication between the anal canal or the rectum to the perineum, which are generally formed by an infectious process of the submucosal glands. Surgery is the treatment of choice for these fistulas with preservation of the anal sphincters function, and hence continence, mandatory. Recently, however, some articles published suggested that the use of anal fistula plugs, instead of surgery, leads to better results.

[Obstructed defecation syndrome].

Constipation has always been a common problem but recently it appears to be on the rise in the western world. Its prevalence in the general population is estimated at around 20% with reports suggesting significantly higher levels in the elderly, especially above the age of 65. There have also been reports of females being affected more then males, Higgins et al reporting a male to female ratio of 1: 2.

An extension of the Minute Virus of Mice tissue tropism.

Well-defined tissue tropism makes Autonomous Parvoviruses a valuable model for studies of virus-cell interactions and gene therapy research. We developed a new Minute Virus of Mice variant, different from the known prototype (MVMp) and immunosuppressive (MVMi) strains. The new virus variant, designated F1, was isolated from the culture of semi-permissive Fisher Rat Fibroblasts, F111, infected with MVMp.

Correlation of CO2 pneumoperitoneal pressures between rodents and humans.

Introduction: Many studies have reported on the effects of pneumoperitoneum in a rat model, using a wide range of intra-abdominal pressures. The correlation between pneumoperitoneal pressures in rodents to pressures in humans has not been established. This study evaluates changes in various physiological parameters in different pneumoperitoneum pressures in the rat model with a comparison to known data in humans.

[Anal mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in long standing fistula-in-ano].

Perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma is an unusual but well described malignancy constituting approximately 3 to 11% of all anal carcinoma. The pathology is thought to develop from one of three types, the distal part of the rectum, the mucin-secreting columnar epithelium of the anal glands, and from chronic fistula-in-ano. The association of carcinoma with anal fistula may manifest itself in several ways: a fistula may be associated with cancer elsewhere in the colon; cancer may present as a fistula; or cancer may develop in anal fistula.

Host cell specificity of minute virus of mice in the developing mouse embryo.

Productive infection by the murine autonomous parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) depends on a dividing cell population and its differentiation state. We have extended the in vivo analysis of the MVM host cell type range into the developing embryo by in utero inoculation followed by further gestation. The fibrotropic p strain (MVMp) and the lymphotropic i strain (MVMi) did not productively infect the early mouse embryo but were able to infect overlapping sets of cell types in the mid- or late-gestation embryo.

Viral inoculation of mouse embryos in utero.

A technique is described for the injection of live virus into early- and mid-gestation mouse embryos in utero. The procedure is quick, easy, harmless to the embryos, and does not require specialized surgical or microinjection equipment. Since the developing embryo contains most different cell types in a very wide range of differentiation states, the procedure permits a rapid and near complete characterization of the host cell type range in a single experimental system.

A replacement for methoxyflurane (Metofane) in open-circuit anaesthesia.

Methoxyflurane (Metofane) has been widely used as an open-circuit anaesthetic in small laboratory animals for several decades. Its low vapour pressure and high blood solubility have permitted its use in convenient and simple drop-chamber/nose-cone setups. Recently, following the decision by the primary manufacturer to discontinue production, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain methoxyflurane.