The Usefulness of Strain Echocardiography as Diagnostic and Prognostic Index of Cardiac Dysfunction in Septic Patients in Correlation with Cardiac Biomarkers.

Background: Compared to standard echocardiography, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) looks more accurate for the detection of subclinical dysfunction of the myocardium. The aim of our work was to assess the value of STE in the diagnosis of subclinical ventricular dysfunction and as a prognostic index in sepsis patients.

Patients And Methods: An observational prospective study involving critically ill patients aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock.

In vitro aerodynamic characteristics of aerosol delivered from different inhalation methods in mechanical ventilation.

Aerodynamic characteristics of aerosol delivery during invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) are mostly determined by inserting cascade impactor in the circuit. Impactor might have some effect on airflow within IMV. Hence, the aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate new in vitro aerodynamic characterization methodology without affecting airflow in IMV.

Cost analysis of vascular readmissions after common vascular procedures.

Objective: This study analyzed readmissions and their associated hospital costs after common vascular surgeries at a single institution.

Methods: Patients undergoing open or endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortoiliac revascularization, or infrainguinal revascularization, from 2010 through 2012, were retrospectively evaluated. We compared 30- and 90-day readmission rates and costs by procedure group, and we tabulated reasons for readmission and procedures performed during readmission.

Effect of environmental enrichment on escalation of cocaine self-administration in rats.

Background: Previous studies found that environmental enrichment protects against the initiation of stimulant self-administration in rats, but it is unclear if enrichment also protects against the escalation of stimulant use with long-term exposure.

Objective: The current study examined the effects of environmental enrichment on escalation of cocaine self-administration using an extended access procedure.

Methods: Rats were raised from 21 days in an enriched condition (EC) with social cohorts and novel objects, a social condition with only social cohorts (SC), a novelty condition (NC) with novel objects in isolated cages, or an isolated condition (IC) without social cohorts or novel objects.

Serotyping of group A rotaviruses in Egyptian neonates and infants less than 1 year old with acute diarrhea.

Group A human rotavirus G serotypes were detected in stool specimens from neonates and infants with and without acute diarrhea in Cairo by using monoclonal antibodies in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serotypes G1 and G4 predominated in all age groups. Mixed (G1 plus G4) and nontypeable specimens represented 16.