Death certificate completion: how well are physicians trained and are cardiovascular causes overstated?

Purpose: To determine the ability of residents in completing death certificates correctly.

Methods: A total of 4800 residents were asked to complete a survey and cause-of-death statement using a sample case of in-hospital death due to urosepsis, of whom 590 residents (12%) responded. A scoring scale designed based on instructions from the National Association of Medical Examiners and the American College of Pathologists was used to measure responses quantitatively.

Influence of cooking and microwave heating on microstructure and mechanical properties of transgenic potatoes.

The transgenic potato clones of cultivar Irga with improved resistance to a necrotic strain of potato virus Y (PVY(N)) were subjected to heat treatment in order to determine their technological quality. The technological quality was determined on the basis of differences between mechanical properties of unmodified potato and transgenic clones during cooking and microwave heating. The compression test was applied in order to evaluate the mechanical resistance of raw, cooked and microwave-treated potatoes.

Determination of isoflavones in soybean food and human urine using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) was developed for the determination of isoflavones. Electrochemical behaviour of daidzein and genistein was studied on carbon paste electrode (CPE) by adsorptive transfer stripping square wave voltammetry. The obtained electrochemical results were used for the development of HPLC-ED method.

Electrochemical determination of lead and glutathione in a plant cell culture.

In this work we established differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) as the tool for analysis of lead in the plant cell culture. For the cultivation procedure, lead in Pb(II)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Pb-EDTA) chelate has been used. The detection limit of lead was found at 500 pM in phosphate buffer (pH 5.

Square wave and elimination voltammetric analysis of azidothymidine in the presence of oligonucleotides and chromosomal DNA.

Azidothymidine (AZT, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, Zidovudine, Retrovir) is an approved and widely used antiretroviral drug for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Dynamic electrochemical methods have been employed for the fast and inexpensive determination of this drug in natural samples. The electrochemical signal of AZT, resulting from the reduction of azido group, was studied by square wave voltammetry (SWV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and elimination voltammetry with linear scan (EVLS) using a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE).

Cyclic voltammetric study of the redox system of glutathione using the disulfide bond reductant tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine.

The stabilization of the reduction state of proteins and peptides is very important for the monitoring of protein-protein, protein-DNA and protein-xenobiotic interactions. The reductive state of protein or peptide is characterized by the reactive sulfhydryl group. Glutathione in the reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) forms was studied by cyclic voltammetry.

Catheter-induced left internal mammary artery dissection: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

Coronary artery dissection is a well-described but rare complication of diagnostic angiography. With increased numbers of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, the number of patients undergoing repeat angiography for chest pain should likewise increase. The authors report two cases of catheter-induced left internal mammary (LIMA) dissection and review the existing literature.

Practical strategies for cardiac disease prevention. Basic steps to ensure better heart health.

Primary care physicians are deluged with medical information from many sources: medical literature, public media and the Internet, the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and patients themselves. How can a physician best deal with the volume of data provided by scientific research, medical education, drug promotion, popular opinion, government regulation, and payer constraints?

Application of avidin-biotin technology and adsorptive transfer stripping square-wave voltammetry for detection of DNA hybridization and avidin in transgenic avidin maize.

The proteins streptavidin and avidin were electrochemically detected in solution by adsorptive transfer stripping square wave voltammetry (AdTS SWV) at a carbon paste electrode (CPE). AdTS SWV was used to quantify biotinylated oligonucleotides, DNA hybridizations, and avidin in extracts of transgenic avidin maize. The detection limits of denatured and native streptavidin were 6 pM and 120 nM, respectively.

Electrochemical study of heavy metals and metallothionein in yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

The bioaccumulation of heavy metals (cadmium, nickel, cobalt and zinc) and the effect of these metals on the production of metallothionein and metallothionein-like proteins (MT) in Yarrowia lipolytica was studied by electrochemical methods. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). A combination of the constant current chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CPSA) and adsorptive transfer stripping technique (AdTS) was used to determine the content of MT in cells.

Differential benefits and outcomes of tirofiban vs abciximab for acute coronary syndromes in current clinical practice.

Little comparative data exist for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Two hundred twenty-eight patients were studied: 114 received tirofiban (TI) and 114 received abciximab (AB) for either unstable angina (UA) or myocardial infarction (MI). All patients received aspirin, heparin, and ticlopidine or clopidogrel.

Fatal pulmonary artery embolism in a sickle cell patient: case report and literature review.

This article reports a rare case of fatal saddle embolism to the pulmonary artery presenting as an Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) in a Sickle Cell patient. We present a review of the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestation and management of ACS. Clinicians should be aware of the fact that a sickle cell crisis admission may represent a life-threatening process.

Classic Q wave myocardial infarction. Aggressive, early intervention has dramatic results.

One of the most dramatic interventions in modern medicine is the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. The sustained occlusion that occurs with Q wave infarction can result in extensive damage unless coronary flow is restored early. Dr Vacek discusses the rapid response to acute Q wave infarction, including diagnostic techniques, reperfusion, patient monitoring, and ongoing medical therapy.

Consistency of echocardiographic ejection fraction: variation and 'drift' by interpreter and practice site.

Aims: Visual analysis of ejection fraction by echocardiography (echo) is commonly performed, but little data exists regarding consistency among interpreters. We postulate that an active echo group evolves a standard to which interpreters cluster, with variation or 'drift' occurring at satellite sites distant from the main practice centre. Assuming that echo ejection fraction follows a normal distribution, average ejection fraction for high volume readers should be similar.

Catalytic signal of rabbit liver metallothionein on a mercury electrode: a combination of derivative chronopotentiometry with adsorptive transfer stripping.

Constant current chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CPSA) in combination with adsorptive transfer stripping (AdTS) technique was used to study the rabbit liver metallothionein (MT) on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Metallothionein yielded a distinct, sharp chronopotentiometric signal at very negative potentials (about -1.7 V), also known as the "peak H".

Urinalysis drug testing within a civilian pilot training program: did attitudes change during the 1990's?

Background: Attitudes toward fairness and effectiveness of mandatory drug testing vary within pilot populations (4,8) as well as other populations (3). This descriptive-correlational study examined civilian student pilots' attitudes toward urinalysis (UA) drug testing over a 10-yr period and the pilots' opinions regarding effectiveness, adequacy, and fairness of the testing as a deterrent for substance abuse among pilots.

Methods: A sample of three different groups of civilian aviation students (n = 314), consisted of 103 pilots studied prior to implementing a mandatory drug testing program, 113 pilots studied 1 yr after implementing a mandatory drug testing program, and 98 pilots studied 6 yr into a mandatory drug testing program.

Molecular dynamics of a grid-mounted molecular dipolar rotor in a rotating electric field.

Classical molecular dynamics is applied to the rotation of a dipolar molecular rotor mounted on a square grid and driven by rotating electric field E(nu) at T approximately 150 K. The rotor is a complex of Re with two substituted o-phenanthrolines, one positively and one negatively charged, attached to an axial position of Rh(2)(4+) in a [2]staffanedicarboxylate grid through 2-(3-cyanobicyclo[1.1.

Digital echocardiography: its role in modern medical practice.

Digital echocardiography has evolved rapidly during the last decade, and the all-digital echocardiographic laboratory has just reached the threshold of reality. This review article explains what this transition means for the modern medical practice and concisely presents what a digital echocardiogram is, the technical aspects of digital image acquisition and processing, and the advantages and limitations of digital echocardiography vs analog echocardiography. This review should serve as a useful source of information for the general cardiologist not working closely with digital echocardiography, as well as a resource for the noncardiologist.

Coronary angioplasty in black and white patients: demographic characteristics and outcomes.

Background: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an effective means of revascularization, but differences may exist in application and outcomes for patient subgroups. Few data compare PTCA in black and white patients.

Methods: We compared patient characteristics and outcomes of PTCA in 3,447 white patients and 52 black patients.

The role of angioplasty for non-Q wave myocardial infarction: the impact of diabetes on outcomes.

Understanding of the mechanisms, outcomes and treatment of non-Q wave myocardial infarction (NQMI) has evolved. Coexisting diabetes poses additional challenges. We studied baseline characteristics, in-hospital and one-year outcomes for NQMI patients having percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Transition to an all-digital echocardiography laboratory: a large, multi-site private cardiology practice experience.

Acquisition, interpretation, and storage of digital echocardiographic images has many advantages over the standard videotape-based method. Archival, transmission, and comparative interpretation are all optimized with digital echocardiography. A study performed at one site can be immediately available for viewing and analysis at another site by means of standard data transfer technology.

Gender-related risk factors and outcomes for non-Q wave myocardial infarction patients receiving in-hospital PTCA.

Background: We analyzed the risk factors and outcomes associated with non-Q wave myocardial infarction (MI) in females and males. We studied 376 consecutive patients N 275 males (73%) and 101 females (27%) N who presented with non-Q wave MI and had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) prior to discharge during the period between January 1992 and February 1996.

Results: Females were significantly older (68 +/- 10 years vs.

Incidence of factor V Leiden in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The genetic defect of coagulation factor V known as factor V Leiden produces a resistance to degradation by activated protein C (APC) and increases the risk of venous thromboembolism. The data on arterial thrombosis associated with APC resistance are still not clearly defined. We conducted a study in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI) to assess whether factor V Leiden increases the risk of arterial thrombosis.

Isolated left anterior descending coronary artery disease: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty versus stenting versus left internal mammary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Single-vessel coronary artery disease is usually treated with PTCA; however, this approach when applied to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is hampered by high restenosis rates, often approaching 50%. Coronary stenting (STENT) and left internal mammary artery bypass grafting of the LAD (LIMA-LAD) are other options that have been successfully used for single-vessel LAD disease. The optimal mode of revascularization for patients with isolated single-vessel LAD disease is unclear.