BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) affects coronary flow after the operation. Surgical as compared to device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) serves as a good model to clarify the effects of surgery with CPB on coronary flow. METHODS: Coronary flow parameters were determined by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography before and after ASD closure. Thirteen children underwent surgery on CP

BACKGROUND: Shed mediastinal blood is known to be a source of microemboli in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to characterize in detail the lipid particles found in this blood. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 24 patients undergoing routine cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Arterial and shed blood was analyzed using the Coulter counter technique to establish the numb

PhenCode (Phenotypes for ENCODE; http://www.bx.psu.edu/phencode) is a collaborative, exploratory project to help understand phenotypes of human mutations in the context of sequence and functional data from genome projects. Currently, it connects human phenotype and clinical data in various locus-specific databases (LSDBs) with data on genome sequences, evolutionary history, and function from the E

In a series of 450 patients over 70 years of age with displaced fractures of the femoral neck sustained between 1995 and 1997 treatment was randomised either to internal fixation or replacement. Depending on age and level of activity the latter was either a total hip replacement or a hemiarthroplasty. Patients who were confused or bed-ridden were excluded, as were those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Developing countries, including Egypt and North African countries, need to improve their quality of research by enhancing international cooperation and exchanges of scientific information, as well as competing for obtaining international funds to support research activities. Research must comply with laws and other requirements for research that involves human subjects. The purpose of this article

Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR) is first-line treatment for medically fit chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, however despite good response rates many patients eventually relapse. Whilst recent high-throughput studies have identified novel recurrent genetic lesions in adverse-prognostic CLL, the mechanisms leading to relapse after FCR therapy are not completely understoo

As breast volume may be associated with heart cancer risk, we studied the relationship between breast volume, CYP1A2*1F and coffee intake. Among healthy premenopausal non-hormone users, 3+ cups per day was associated with lower volume only in C-allele carriers (P(interaction)=0.02), which is consistent with reports that coffee protects only C-allele carriers against breast cancer.British Journal o

A second dermatan sulfate epimerase (DS-epi2) was identified as a homolog of the first epimerase (DS-epi1), which was previously described by our group. DS-epi2 is 1,222 a.a. long and has a ~700-a.a. N-terminal epimerase domain that is highly conserved between the two enzymes. In addition, the C-terminal portion is predicted to be an O-sulfotransferase domain. In this study we found that DS-epi2 h

Global oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2 ) were quantified in a test-retest study. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) data, required for CMRO2 estimation, were obtained using dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI). OEF and CMRO2 were quantified using two separate data sets, that is, conventional high-resolution (HR) gradient echo (GRE) phase maps as well a

OBJECTIVE: Hyperglycemia is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease in diabetes. Recently, we reported that high glucose activates the Ca(2+)/calcineurin-dependent transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) in arteries ex vivo. Here, we sought to determine whether hyperglycemia activates NFAT in vivo and whether this leads to vascular complications. METHODS AND RES

Thylakoids are membranes isolated from plant chloroplasts which have previously been shown to inhibit pancreatic lipase/colipase catalysed hydrolysis of fat in vitro and induce short-term satiety in vivo. The purpose of the present study was to examine if dietary supplementation of thylakoids could affect food intake and body weight during long-term feeding in mice. Female apolipoprotein E-deficie

ABSTRACT Introduction: A wireless BRAVO() (Medtronic, Shoreview, MN) capsule for pH measurement in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is intended to be less uncomfortable, and facilitates activity during the measuring period, compared to the usual method with a naso-esophageal catheter. The aim of this study was to report on our experience with the wireless system in children.

Macroporous scaffolds composed of chitosan and using oxidized dextran as a crosslinker are produced through cryogelation. Introducing gelatin as a third component into the structure results in the formation of mesopores in the pore walls, which are not seen if gelatin is excluded. The mesoporous structure is explained by the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes between chitosan and gelatin befor

The gradient of five dansylated amino acids in a capillary-based separation system commonly used in capillary liquid chromatography (LC) or capillary electrochromatography (CEC) was followed and examined in detail using a detection method based on laser-induced fluorescence imaging. The detection system consisted of an XeCl excimer laser and an image-intensified charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.

BACKGROUND: Resolution of ST-segment elevation in the electrocardiogram (ECG) is used as a reperfusion sign during thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction. Analysis of high-frequency QRS components (HF-QRS) might provide additional information. The study compares changes in HF-QRS (150-250 Hz) to ST-segment changes in the standard ECG during thrombolytic therapy. METHODS: Twelve patien

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of 4 gait performance tests in individuals with late effects of polio. DESIGN: An intrarater (between occasions) test-retest reliability study. SETTINGS: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty men and women (mean age 63 +/- 6.4 years) with clinically and electrophysiologically verified late effects of polio. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is best known as a potent soluble inhibitor of the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system. This large 500kDa multimeric plasma glycoprotein is expressed mainly in the liver but also in lung and pancreas. It consists of several identical 75kDa α-chains and often also one 40kDa β-chain, both of which are mainly composed of complement control protein (CCP) d

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is currently considered the reference standard for in vivo assessment of myocardial infarction (MI). There is, however, no international consensus on how MI quantification from CMR should be performed. The aim of this study was to test how previously published manual quantification of MI using CMR images compares with MI quantification using a semiautom