A narrow quantitative trait locus in C. elegans coordinately affects longevity, thermotolerance, and resistance to paraquat.

By linkage mapping of quantitative trait loci, we previously identified at least 11 natural genetic variants that significantly modulate Caenorhabditis elegans life-span (LS), many of which would have eluded discovery by knock-down or mutation screens. A region on chromosome IV between markers stP13 and stP35 had striking effects on longevity in three inter-strain crosses (each P < 10(-9)). In order to define the limits of that interval, we have now constructed two independent lines by marker-based selection during 20 backcross generations, isolating the stP13-stP35 interval from strain Bergerac-BO in a CL2a background.

Comparison of auditory brainstem response peak measures using ear lobe, mastoid, and custom ear canal reference electrodes.

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) peak measures were compared for a custom ear canal electrode and traditional mastoid and ear lobe reference electrode sites with the assumption that the ear canal electrode would yield larger Wave I amplitudes. In this study, Waves I, III, and V latencies and amplitudes were measured and compared in twenty participants between the ages of 18 and 50, with particular interest in a potential Wave I advantage using the custom ear canal reference electrode. The statistical analysis suggested that all reference electrode sites yielded comparable results with no statistical differences in peak latency or peak-to-trough amplitude for Waves I, III, and V.

Atresia of the left internal mammary artery graft following percutaneous intervention of the left main.

Because of its durability and patency, the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is preferentially used to bypass obstructive lesions in the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and/or the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The long-term patency of the LIMA graft is determined by several factors, principal among them being the dynamic competition between flow through the internal mammary artery graft and the LAD. We report a patient with LMCA stenosis and a well-functioning and mature LIMA graft, who after percutaneous intervention of the LMCA and normalized antegrade flow in the LAD, developed atresia of a large caliber LIMA graft.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: a rare complication of infective endocarditis.

Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is rare in children. This report describes the case of a 2-year-old previously healthy girl who was diagnosed with endocarditis and underwent resection of a large mitral valve vegetation from the posterior mitral leaflet. One month after this surgery, she was diagnosed with a large LV pseudoaneurysm based on echocardiography performed during routine outpatient follow-up.

Utility of fractional flow reserve to determine treatment after recent large myocardial infarction with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Evaluation of ischemia and the extent of viable myocardium is required prior to consideration of revascularizing a lesion after a myocardial infarction in which there is hypo- or akinesis. We present a case in which we utilized fractional flow reserve (FFR) of a lesion in a patient whose nuclear study 7 days after infarction suggested minimal viability in the infarct zone. After FFR was positive, stenting was performed with recovery of a large amount of viable myocardium at 1 month as shown on nuclear study.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction as a complication of retrograde chronic total occlusion recanalization.

With the advent of new tools and techniques including the retrograde approach, success rates for recanalization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) have improved. Numerous cardiac and extracardiac complications during retrograde CTO recanalization have been described. To date the development of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with retrograde recanalization as a result of atheroembolization has not been reported.

Osteoprotegerin prevents glucocorticoid-induced osteocyte apoptosis in mice.

The adverse skeletal effects of glucocorticoid excess are due to increased osteoclast survival, decreased production of osteoblasts, and increased apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes, but it remains unknown which of these is the principle cause of the decrease in bone strength. Previous studies suggested that osteocytes contribute to bone strength independently of changes in bone mass. Administration of the receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) antagonist osteoprotegerin (OPG) rapidly decreases osteoclasts followed by a decrease in osteoblasts but should not affect the long-lived osteocytes.

"It has its ups and downs": adolescents' quality of life after heart transplantation.

Context: Heart transplantation is not curative and results in a high-morbidity chronic illness. Despite this, little research has focused on adolescents' quality of life after heart transplant. Such research is critically needed because of the complex developmental changes experienced by adolescents and the need for transition to self-management during this vulnerable period.

Potential involvement of LOX-1 in functional consequences of endothelial senescence.

Numerous studies have described the process of senescence associated with accumulation of oxidative damage, mutations and decline in proliferative potential. Although the changes observed in senescent cells are likely to result in significant phenotypic alterations, the studies on consequences of endothelial senescence, especially in relation to aging-associated diseases, are scarce. We have analyzed effects of senescence on the functions of endothelial cells relevant to the development of atherosclerosis including angiogenesis, adhesion, apoptosis and inflammation.

Preemptive gastrostomy tube placement after Norwood operation.

Objective: Because infants undergoing a Norwood operation have poor interstage weight gain, we hypothesized that preemptive gastrostomy tube (GT) placement would result in earlier discharge, improved growth, and higher survival to stage 2.

Study Design: Records of 74 neonates who underwent a Norwood operation were reviewed until stage 2 palliation. The patients were divided into conventional (n = 43) and preemptive GT groups (n = 31).

Tricuspid atresia with absent pulmonary valve and intact ventricular septum: a rare association.

The absence of the pulmonary valve in connection with tricuspid atresia and intact ventricular septum is a rare malformation, associated with a poor prognosis. The right ventricle is severely hypertrophied, resembling a cardiac mass protruding into the left ventricular outflow tract. We report such a case that underwent successful palliation with a Blalock-Taussig shunt followed by a superior cavopulmonary anastomosis.

Serious early childhood wheezing after respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract illness in preterm infants.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) in early life has been associated with sustained airway hyperreactivity during childhood; however, corresponding data in premature infants are sparse.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether RSV-LRI during early infancy of preterm infants was associated with an increased risk for serious early childhood wheezing (SECW) by age 3 years.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a large (∼14 million members) US health plan database.

MyD88 deficiency leads to decreased NK cell gamma interferon production and T cell recruitment during Chlamydia muridarum genital tract infection, but a predominant Th1 response and enhanced monocytic inflammation are associated with infection resolution.

We have previously shown that MyD88 knockout (KO) mice exhibit delayed clearance of Chlamydia muridarum genital infection compared to wild-type (WT) mice. A blunted Th1 response and ineffective suppression of the Th2 response were also observed in MyD88 KO mice. The goal of the present study was to investigate specific mechanisms whereby absence of MyD88 leads to these effects and address the compensatory mechanisms in the genital tract that ultimately clear infection in the absence of MyD88.

Doppler tissue imaging and catheter-derived measures are not independent predictors of rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

The purpose of the study is to determine the association of Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) and catheter-derived measures with rejection in pediatric heart transplant (PHT) recipients and to determine any correlation between DTI and catheter-derived measurements. Sixty echocardiograms were prospectively performed in 37 PHT recipients at the time of surveillance cardiac biopsy. During right-heart cardiac catheterization, sequential pressures of the right heart and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCWP) were measured.

An unusual case of congenital scoliosis in a patient with Down syndrome.

We report on a case of a young infant with congenital scoliosis (multiple hemivertebrae in the thoracic region and an unsegmented bar in the mid-thoracic region) associated with Down syndrome. Although scoliosis has been previously described in relation to Down syndrome, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no prior report of Down syndrome associated with congenital scoliosis. The patient underwent placement of a vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib implant.

Rehabilitation for hospital-associated deconditioning.

Functional decline associated with acute hospitalization may be termed "hospital-associated deconditioning." This seems to be a relatively common problem, with older adults most frequently affected. As the older adult population in the United States is projected to double by 2030, the incidence of this condition is likely to increase in a similar manner.

Best practices in implementing and sustaining quality of care. A review of the quality improvement literature.

A literature review was undertaken to explore both published and unpublished quality improvement studies, projects, and initiatives that strove to develop more efficient systems to support an infrastructure for nursing home quality of care. The review included a search of all available, full-text published literature from 1997 to 2007 available from PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE. The methods used by the researchers were varied, and this article identified several primary findings: the use of a specific, measurable mission or goal statement; the use of multidepartmental and multidisciplinary involvement; the need for further education and resource materials; the use of a reward/incentive program; the need for internal and external stakeholders to be identified along with a project champion; and the process of feedback and outcome measurement.

Autophagy delays apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells in cisplatin cytotoxicity.

One of the major side effects of cisplatin chemotherapy is toxic acute kidney injury due to preferential accumulation of cisplatin in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells and the subsequent injury to these cells. Apoptosis is known as a major mechanism of cisplatin-induced cell death in renal tubular cells. We have also recently demonstrated that autophagy induction is an immediate response of renal tubular epithelial cell exposure to cisplatin.

LOX-1 deletion decreases collagen accumulation in atherosclerotic plaque in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice fed a high-cholesterol diet.

Aims: Collagen, as a component of the extracellular matrix, has been linked to atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability. Activation of LOX-1, a lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1, exerts a significant role in collagen formation. We examine the hypothesis that LOX-1 deletion may inhibit collagen accumulation in atherosclerotic arteries in LDL receptor (LDLR) knockout (KO) mice.

Management of Ebstein's anomaly and pure tricuspid insufficiency in the neonate.

Because the pulmonary vascular resistance is very elevated at birth, severe tricuspid regurgitation is poorly tolerated and even life-threatening in the newborn. The etiology may be tricuspid valve papillary muscle rupture or the more ominous Ebstein's anomaly, with its associated dysfunctional right ventricle. After the diagnosis is established and the patient is supported with prostaglandin infusion and nitric oxide, definitive surgical management is undertaken with the expectation of excellent outcomes for isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation.