Partial congenital defect of the left pericardium: angiographic diagnosis and treatment by thoracoscopic pericardiectomy: case report

Twenty-six patients with an intracardiac myxoma underwent surgical resection at our institution from 1977 through 1992. Left atrial myxoma was diagnosed in 22 patients, left ventricular in 1, right atrial in 2, and right ventricular in 1. Six patients were asymptomatic; preoperative symptoms included dyspnea, arrhythmias, embolic episodes, and syncope. The diagnosis was established with transthoracic echocardiography in all cases but one. Surgery was performed in all cases with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia and cold crystalloid cardioplegia. One patient with a left ventricular myxoma died in a comatose state during the immediate postoperative period. Long-term clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 19 patients; results were excellent (all the patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II), and no recurrences were documented. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, and surgical approach are presented and discussed.     

Cinematic primitives for multimedia

The development of robust frameworks in interactive multimedia for representing story elements to the machine so that they can be retrieved in multiple contexts is addressed. Interactive multimedia is discussed as a user-directed form of storytelling, and the nature of cinematic storytelling is examined. It is proposed that content can be represented in layers. This model for layered information will allow programs to take advantage of the relation between cinematic sequences and the world they represent. The collection of content by the camera and microphone is considered in this context. The use of the methodology to build meaningful, context-rich sequences is discussed     

Solution structure of a DNA duplex containing the exocyclic lesion 3,N4-etheno-2'-deoxycytidine opposite 2'-deoxyguanosine

Vinyl chloride reacts with cellular DNA producing 3,N4-etheno-2'-deoxycytidine (epsilonC) along with other exocyclic adducts. The solution structure of an oligodeoxynucleotide duplex containing an epsilonC.dG base pair was determined by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. NMR data indicated that the duplex adopts a right-handed helical structure having all residues in anti orientation around the glycosylic torsion angle. The epsilonC adduct has a sugar pucker in the C3'-endo/C4'-exo region while the rest of the residues are in the C2'-endo/C3'-exo range. NOE interactions established Watson-Crick alignments for canonical base pairs of the duplex. The imino proton of the lesion-containing base pair resonated as a sharp signal that was resistant to water exchange, suggesting hydrogen bonding. Restrained molecular dynamics simulations generated three-dimensional models in excellent agreement with the spectroscopic data. The refined structures are slightly bent at the lesion site without major perturbations of the sugar-phosphate backbone. The adduct is displaced and shifted toward the major groove of the helix while its partner on the complementary strand remains stacked. The epsilonC(anti).dG(anti) base pair alignment is sheared and stabilized by the formation of hydrogen bonds. The biological implications of structures of epsilonC-containing DNA duplexes are discussed.     

The patterns of oxygen metabolism in the early posthemorrhagic period]

Investigated all links of oxygen homeostasis of patients in early period afterwards surgical stoppage gastro-intestinal bleeding and urgent intravascular volume replacement. Macrodelivery of oxygen (DO2) was reduced in two and more time in comparison with norm predominant in connection with anemia. In spite of the infringement of transport of oxygen through alveolar-capillary membrane (especially in patients with complications and death in early postoperative period), little affected of degree of hemoglobin saturation by oxygen. Despite decrease of erythrocyte zeta-potential, largely expressed in cases of lethal outcome, considerable infringement of passage through microcirculation vessels is fixed was not. The increase of degree of morbidity and anaerobic metabolism in early postoperative period was accompanied of hyperdynamic hemodynamic reaction. The increase of degree of morbidity was accompanied of increase oxygen deficit owing to infringement of oxidoreduction in fabries also.     

The interaction of peripheral blood leukocytes with alpha1-acid glycoprotein, its carbohydrate chains and neoglycoconjugates

The interaction of human peripheral blood leukocytes with alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), its glycoforms as well as neoglyco-conjugates representing carbohydrate chains of AGP or its fragments was studied by flow cytometry. It was shown that the main target cells for AGP as well as for conjugates of its carbohydrate chains with polyacrylamide (PAA) are monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes but not lymphocytes. The interaction of AGP with monocytes and granulocytes are mediated by its carbohydrate chains: the binding of AGP with cells was inhibited by AGP, AGP oligosaccharides as well as conjugates of oligosaccharides and its fragments with PAA. The data obtained show the existence of monocyte (and granulocyte) receptors which interact with complex type sialooligosaccharides of AGP.     

Memory complaints in epilepsy: correlations with cognitive performance and neuroticism

Experimental results are presented to show that the adhesion force is the single most important limiting factor in high-resolution atomic force microscopy of DNA in air, prepared by the cytochrome-C-assisted spreading method. It is also shown that humidity plays a minor role in the control of probe force. Using a pure carbon film as the substrate to clean the AFM tip prior to imaging, it is demonstrated that 4-6 nm resolution on DNA can be routinely obtained by the atomic force microscope with commercial Si3N4 pyramid cantilevers. We also show that in organic solvents a resolution of up to 3 nm can be obtained under optimal conditions.     

A STUDY OF SUPERIMPOSED FRACTURE MODES I, II AND III ON PMMA

A test apparatus has been developed to study the fracture behaviour of engineering materials subjected to superimposed tensile and shear (Mode I and II) loads using a single edge notch specimen. Stress intensity factors were calculated using finite element analysis. Test results for PMMA are reported. Results from circumferentially notched round bar specimens, subjected to combined tension and torsion (Mode I and III) loading are also reported. The Mode I/II results are consistent with the mixed mode fracture response of a wide range of brittle materials, although there is some evidence of non-linear behaviour. The fracture behaviour for superimposed Modes I and III indicates the strong influence of non-linear deformation which causes the mixed mode toughness to be dependent on the sequence and type of loading.     

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Liver Disease

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is becoming the treatment of choice for critically ill patients with acute renal failure around the world. In particular, CRRT is used for patients with combined liver and acute renal failure, because they are often hemodynamically unstable. The question arises as to whether the use of CRRT should be extended to those patients with acute and chronic liver failure who do not have dialysis-dependent renal failure. CRRT could potentially allow some detoxification by removing water-soluble toxins and also allow regulation of intravascular volume and correction of sodium and other electrolyte and acid–base imbalances. By providing homeostatic control, CCRT could potentially help support patients by bridging to liver transplantation and managing those who eventually recover with hepatic regeneration.