Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in severe heart failure. Independent marker of increased mortality due to sudden death. GESICA-GEMA Investigators

BACKGROUND: The goal of the study was to determine the prognostic value of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in total mortality in severe congestive heart failure (CHF) and in death modes. NSVT is associated with an increased mortality in CHF. However, the predictive value of NSVT as a marker for sudden death or death due to progressive heart failure has not been determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five hundred sixteen patients from the GESICA trial (33.4% with NSVT) were initially studied with the results of 24-hour Holter and 2 years of follow-up. Within 2 years, 87 of 173 patients (50.3%) with NSVT and 106 of 343 patients (30.9%) without NSVT died. Relative risk (RR) was 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 to 2.24; P < .0002), and Cox proportional hazard analysis was 1.62 (95% CI, 1.22 to 2.16; P < .001). Sudden death increased from 8.7% (30 of 343) to 23.7% (41 of 173) in patients with NSVT (RR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.78 to 4.44; P < .001). Progressive heart failure death was also increased from 17.5% (60 of 343) to 20.8% (36 of 173) (P = .22). Quantitative analysis of 24-hour Holter (first 295 patients) demonstrated that couplets had a similar RR to that of NSVT for both total mortality (RR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.66; P < .002) and sudden death (RR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.57 to 7.25; P < .0005). Couplets and/or NSVT (ventricular repetitive beats) were even more predictive for sudden death (RR, 10.1; 95% CI, 1.91 to 52.7; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CHF, NSVT is an independent marker for increased overall mortality rate and sudden death. The absence of NSVT and ventricular repetitive beats in a 24-hour Holter indicates a low probability of sudden death.     

Quantification of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine serum levels by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

The effect of NMDA receptor antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) on expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA in the rat brain was studied. Administration of PCP (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p., 6 h) caused marked induction of COX-2 mRNA and heat shock gene hsp-70 mRNA, a marker of neuronal injury, in the retrosplenial cortex, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that COX-2 may play a role in the neurotoxicity of NMDA receptor antagonists.     

Two-dimensional (2D) Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets with superior adsorption behavior for phosphate and nitrate ions from the aqueous environment

With the advancement of modern industries and metropolitan areas, negative environmental impacts such as eutrophication have become serious issues obstructing the usage of water sources in many countries. In this study, two-dimensional (2D) MXene materials were employed for the adsorptive removal of phosphate and nitrate ions from waters. The adsorption parameters of the sorption system including reaction time, solution pH, background ions, and reusability, were evaluated in batch experiments. Material characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were performed. The mechanism of removing phosphate and nitrate was clearly described by various kinds of interactions such as electrostatic interactions, and the complexation was significant to elucidate the adsorption mechanism. The adsorption data for phosphate and nitrate update was determined using different isotherms and kinetic models. Reusability and field studies on the MXenes were also conducted. The above findings demonstrate that 2D MXenes could act as promising adsorbents for the elimination of toxic ions from water/wastewater.     

Cuticular Chemistry of Males and Females in the Ant Formica fusca

Communication between organisms involves visual, auditory, and olfactory pathways. In solitary insects, chemical recognition cues are influenced mainly by selection regimes related to species recognition and sexual selection. In social insects, chemical recognition cues have an additional role in mediating recognition of society members and, thereby, allowing kin selection to operate. Here, we examined whether cuticular hydrocarbon profiles are sex-specific and whether males and young queens of the ant Formica fusca have colony-specific profiles. We also investigated whether there is a relationship between genetic relatedness and chemical diversity within colonies. We demonstrated that female and male sexuals do not have unique sex-specific compounds, but that there are quantitative chemical differences between the sexes. Out of the 51 cuticular hydrocarbon compounds identified, 10 showed a significant quantitative difference between males and females. We also showed that both males and females have a significant colony-specific component in their profiles. Finally, we found a negative correlation between within-colony relatedness and within-colony chemical diversity of branched, but not linear compounds. This suggests that colonies with multiple matri- or patrilines also have a significantly greater chemical diversity.     

A classification of controlled interpersonal affect regulation strategies.

Controlled interpersonal affect regulation refers to the deliberate regulation of someone else’s affect. Building on existing research concerning this everyday process, the authors describe the development of a theoretical classification scheme that distinguishes between the types of strategy used to achieve interpersonal affect regulation. To test the theoretical classification, the authors generated a corpus of 378 distinct strategies using self-report questionnaires and diaries completed by student and working samples. Twenty participants then performed a card-sort of the strategies. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to determine how well the theoretical classification represented spontaneous understandings of controlled interpersonal affect regulation. The final classification primarily distinguished between strategies used to improve versus those used to worsen others’ affect, and between strategies that engaged the target in a situation or affective state versus relationship-oriented strategies. The classification provides a meaningful basis for organizing existing research and making future conceptual and empirical distinctions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Removal of chromium(III) from tannery effluents,using a system of packed columns of zeolite and activated carbon

The removal of chromium(III) in packed columns of zeolite and activated carbon has been studied. The process of Cr(III) exchange in 13X zeolite was optimized using mass transference parameters. In addition, the effects of pH, the presence of interfering ions and the anion associated with the chromium in the solution were studied. It was found that particle diameter controls the Cr(III) exchange in the zeolite, indicating that particle diffusion predominantly controls the process of Cr(III) exchange in 13X zeolite. A mixed system of zeolite and activated carbon columns increased the efficiency of chromium removal from diluted wastewater. This effect occurred due to the reduction of the organic matter (chemical oxygen demand), adsorption of chromium, and interfering ions on the activated carbon column. The activated carbon + zeolite column system emerges as an alternative method in Cr(III) removal from tannery effluents. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tumor necrosis factor locus polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis

Pleomorphic adenoma of the larynx is a rare disorder, and until recently has been treated mainly by approaches involving pharyngotomy. We encountered a case of pleomorphic adenoma originating from the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis and removed it using a YAG laser through a suspension laryngoscope. This case was complicated by delayed-onset bilateral vocal-cord paralysis, the causes of which are also discussed.     

Hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer

One-hundred thirty-one primary hepatic resection for colorectal secondary tumors were performed at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center between 1975 and 1993. Perioperative mortality occurred in five patients (3.8%). Twenty-three patients had minor morbidities (18%); major morbidity occurred only in the five patients who died. Curative resections were performed in 107 patients. Overall actuarial survival at 2, 3, and 5 years was 62, 42, and 25 per cent, respectively. Patients with extrahepatic disease (5-year survival, 0% vs 27%; P = 0.049) and positive resection margins (0% vs 30%; P < 0.001) had significantly poorer survival. Among the curative resections, patients who had metachronous hepatic resections did significantly better than those who underwent synchronous colon and hepatic resections (35% vs 13%; P = 0.002). This survival benefit persisted when comparison was restricted to patients with synchronous metastases. Age, sex, race, number of lesions, site of colon primary resection, blood transfusion, disease-free interval, and extent of resection had no effect on survival. All patients who are acceptable surgical risks with potentially resectable metastatic colorectal cancer confined to the liver should undergo exploration. Assessment of resectability should include intraoperative ultrasound in all patients to maximize the probability of tumor clearance.     

Changes in adipose tissue composition in malnourished patients before and after liver transplantation: a carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gas-liquid chromatography study

We investigated adipose tissue fatty acid composition in 22 moderately to severely malnourished patients with cirrhosis and in 22 healthy volunteers by in vivo carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of adipose tissue samples was also performed in 11 of the patients and in 4 volunteers. In vivo 13C magnetic resonance spectra were obtained from the subcutaneous adipose tissue before and after eight weeks following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Adipose tissue biopsy samples were obtained for GLC analysis at the time of transplantation in the patients and at inguinal hernia repair in the 4 volunteers. No significant differences were found in the subcutaneous adipose tissue total-saturated, -polyunsaturated or -monounsaturated fatty acid composition between patients and healthy volunteers by in vivo 13C MRS. GLC analysis of adipose tissue samples confirmed that total levels of saturated, poly-, and monounsaturated fatty acids remained the same but revealed significant differences in levels of individual fatty acids, particularly n-3 fatty acids (total n-3, cirrhotics: .84% +/- .07% vs. controls: 1.36% +/- .13%, P < .01). Eight weeks following transplantation, recipients showed a considerable increase in body mass (pretransplantation: 59.3 +/- 3.2 vs. posttransplantation: 63.2 +/- 3 kg, P < .01). 13C MRS revealed a significant increase in saturated fatty acids (pretransplantation: 21.6 +/- 2.8 vs. posttransplantation: 25.5% +/- 1.2%, P < .05) and a significant decrease in unsaturated fatty acids. The application of noninvasive MRS techniques may be important to identify the differential uptake of fats, examining both specific fatty acids and different body fat compartments. In the future, this may be useful in optimizing the dietary management of severely malnourished patients with chronic liver disease before liver transplantation.