Fistula between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium coexisting with a secundum-type atrial septal defect: An unusual case of cyanosis in a girl.

A fistula between the pulmonary artery (PA) and the left atrium (LA) is a rare congenital heart disease that usually presents with cyanosis, clubbing, and dyspnea, as well as the signs and symptoms of a right-to-left shunt. Herein, we report a 16-year-old girl with a fistula between the right PA and the LA. This type of fistula could lead to systemic desaturation.

Morphological and transcriptional responses of Lycopersicon esculentum to hexavalent chromium in agricultural soil.

The carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) on living organisms through the food chain raise the immediate need to assess the potential toxicological impacts of Cr(VI) on human health. Therefore, the concentration-dependent responses of 12 Cr(VI)-responsive genes selected from a high-throughput Lycopersicon esculentum complementary DNA microarray were examined at different Cr concentrations. The results indicated that most of the genes were differentially expressed from 0.

Mitochondrial oxygen consumption deficits in skeletal muscle isolated from an Alzheimer's disease-relevant murine model.

Background: Age is considered a primary risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is also now well understood that mitochondrial function declines with age. Mitochondrial deficits have been previously assessed in brain from both human autopsy tissue and disease-relevant transgenic mice.

Use of covered Cheatham-Platinum stent as the primary modality in the treatment for native coarctation of the aorta.

Background: Bare stent implantation in the treatment for native and recurrent coarctation of the aorta (CoA) has become established as an alternative to surgery and balloon angioplasty. However, this modality still encounters significant complications during the procedure and/or follow-up. The covered Cheatham-Platinum (CP) stent commonly used to be chosen as a rescue treatment in these patients.

[Clinic diagnosis and treatment of patients with Cantrell syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the diagnostic feature, treatment and prognosis of patients with Cantrell syndrome.

Methods: Clinical manifestation, diagnosis, operation and follow-up data of 5 patients with Cantrell syndrome were summarized in this retrospective analysis.

Results: The age of the 5 patients was 7 days-76 years, definite diagnosis was made in 3 cases and 2 cases presented feature of incomplete Cantrell syndrome.

[Value of cardiac CT examination in middle-aged and elderly patients with atrial septal defect before planned transcatheter closure].

Objective: To investigate the value of the cardiac CT examination for decision making in middle-aged and elderly patients before planned transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure.

Methods: Cardiac CT was performed in 63 adult patients [18 males, aged from 50 to 77 years, mean age (56.87 ± 5.

Transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula in children.

Background: Transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula (CAF) has emerged as a successful alternative to surgery. We described our experiences in 10 children patients who were accepted for transcatheter closure of CAF.

Methods: Ten children were 3 - 10 years old (seven males) with CAF who underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure between October 1995 and April 2008.

[Effects of transcatheter closure of extracardiac Fontan fenestration by Amplatzer duct or septal occluder in three patients].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report our experiences from the transcatheter closure of patent fenestration after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) with an extra cardiac conduit.

Methods: Three patients (7, 14 and 8 years old) with various forms of functionally univentricular heart lesions received a total cavopulmonary connection with an extra cardiac conduit as a final reconstructive procedure. Transcatheter occlusion of the fenestration was accomplished using a 8/6 mm Amplatzer duct occluder in one patient, and 5 mm or 10 mm Amplatzer septal occluder in the other two patients.

[Ergonomics principles used in the medical products' designs].

This article analyzes the particularities of medical products and introduces a design of a medical cart, based on the principles of ergonomics. Its construction embodies convenience, comfort, safety and efficiency of ergonomic factors.

Transcatheter occlusion of the ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with an Amplatzer duct occluder.

Background: Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA) can be associated with ventricular septal defects or isolated lesions. Percutaneous transcatheter closure of RSVA has been an alternative strategy to surgery. The results of transcatheter closure of the RSVA in 10 patients were presented.

[Clinical characterizations of patients with isolated left ventricular noncompaction diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging].

Objective: To observe the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characterizations in patients with isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).

Methods: All patients were examined by MRI. The LV was divided into 9 segments for localizing non compacted segments.

[Identification of viable myocardium delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging and 99Tcm-sestamibi or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose single photon emission computed tomography].

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) for the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with myocardial infarction in comparison with (99)Tc(m)-sestamibi (MIBI) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) SPECT. Scar was defined as regionally increased MRI signal intensity 15 minutes after injection of 0.2 mmol/kg gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid or reduced perfusion and glucose metabolism defined by SPECT.

[Transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm using Amplatzer duct occluder].

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA).

Methods: Four patients (3 females) aged 7-57 years with RSVA (3 congenital RSVA and 1 post-surgery RSVA) were involved in the present study. Two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography revealed the ruptures of right coronary sinus into right ventricle in all cases.

[Comparison of pulmonary perfusion imaging with pulmonary angiography in diagnosis of pulmonary involvement in Takayasu's arteritis].

Objective: To compare the diagnostic value of (99)Tc(m)-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging with that of pulmonary angiography for pulmonary involvement in Takayasu's arteritis.

Methods: Twenty-one patients (19 women, 2 men), with diagnosed Takayasu's arteritis and underwent both (99)Tc(m)-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging and pulmonary angiography, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Out of the 21 patients, pulmonary angiography detected 11 patients with pulmonary artery involvement whereas 13 patients were revealed perfusion defects by pulmonary perfusion imaging.