The occurrence of 11-oxotetrodotoxin, a rare tetrodotoxin analogue, in the brachycephalidae frog Brachycephalus ephippium.

11-oxoTTX is an analogue 4-5 times more toxic than TTX itself, been rare even in marine animals. Two ions at m/z 320 and 336 corresponding to TTX and 11-oxoTTX (M+H(+)), respectively, were detected in the Brachycephalidae frog Brachycephalus ephippium extracts. The fragment ion pattern of 11-oxoTTX is similar to that TTX, although its possible to verify some specific fragments.     

Mitral stenosis: evaluation with MR imaging after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty

To evaluate the pathoanatomic findings of mitral valve stenosis and changes after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (PBV), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in 23 patients. The patients were imaged with a 2.0-T system within 1 week before and 3-10 days after PBV. The angle of the interatrial septum was measured on the transverse image to facilitate a successful transseptal puncture. On MR images, the mean transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the left atrium at the level of the aortic root in the ventricular diastolic phase decreased significantly after PBV. Areas of flow-related intraluminal signal intensity detected in the left atrial cavity of 17 patients (74%) before the procedure disappeared in 15 patients after the procedure. Other MR imaging findings after PBV were the disappearance of intraluminal signal intensity in the pulmonary artery, normal curvature of the interatrial and interventricular septa, and pericardial effusion as a complication. MR imaging was thought to provide useful information before and after PBV in patients with mitral stenosis.     

Quantitative Description of the Patient Population in a Labor and Delivery Unit

Realistic efforts should be made to quantitatively determine patient care given by labor and delivery nursing personnel. In an effort to accurately evaluate staffing requirements, the total patient population utilizing the labor and delivery room was analyzed. Of the 1,281 patients receiving treatment or evaluation, 453 were nondelivered patients (36%) who were not recorded in the average census. These nondelivered patients were analyzed according to their diagnoses. Suggestions are given on which more realistic nursing staffing can be based.