Evaluation of the heart pump function by afterload intracardiac pressure and blood flow measurements in cats

In experiments carried out on cats and by using a mathematical model the authors studied afterload characteristics of the left ventricle of normal and hypertrophied heart. They found that afterload characteristics, expressed by a relationship between left ventricular systolic pressure and the aortic blood flow rate, have both in a normal as well as in a hypertrophied heart a nearly linear character, do not depend on the elastic properties of the aorta, and can be described by two parameters: the force parameter--i.e. maximum pressure at zero flow (Pm), and the rate parameter--i.e. the maximum flow value at zero pressure (Qm). Afterload characteristics change at inotropic influences: positive inotropic effects shift the characteristics upward and rightward, negative inotropic action shifts them downward and leftward. In moderate hypertrophy, Pm and Qm increase, with the increase in Qm being greater. The parameters of afterload characteristics can be used as pump function indexes characterizing the heart's ability to cope with the load in the outflow tract.     

A study of the transforming activity of streptomycin-resistance in the pathogenic microorganisms

Summary Evidence is produced that the streptomycin-resistance acquired by listeria, salmonella, streptococci and other microorganisms is capable of being transmitted by heredity, in one set of cases by the type of progressive, and in the other, of regressive, heredity. Irrespective of the form of the hereditary transmission, the streptomycin resistance produce a transforming effect of the sensitive strains of the microbes. The transforming effect of streptomycin resistance proved to be common for various species, genera and families of the microbes possessing no species' specificity. The transforming factor fo streptomycin-resistance proved to be thermostable. The presence of transforming action of the acquired streptomycin-resistance confirms the fact that the latter is transmitted to the subsequent generations according to the law of the acquired properties' inheritance.(Presented by Active Member, AMN, USSR, N. N. Zhukov-Verezhnikov) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 52, No. 10, pp. 80–84, October, 1961     

Telephone transmission of radiographic images

A new system for telecommunication of radiographic images using readily available telephone transmission circuitry is described. The resulting video images were satisfactory for accurate interpretation in 80% of the cases tested. The system is moderately priced and has facilitated maintenance of radiodiagnostic interpretive services at a satellite office form the central hospital location.     

Non-natural 2H-azirine-2-carboxylic acids: an expedient synthesis and antimicrobial activity

Non-natural 2H-azirine-2-carboxylic acids were obtained in high yields by FeCl₂-catalyzed isomerization of 5-chloroisoxazoles to azirine-2-carbonyl chlorides followed by their hydrolysis. The 3-aryl- and 3-heteroaryl-substituted acids are stable during prolonged storage, exhibit antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens and show a low level of cytotoxicity.

A method for the synthesis of 2H-azirine-2-carboxylic acids with high antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens and low cytotoxicity was developed.     

The effects of enfuvirtide therapy on body composition and metabolic parameters over 48 weeks in the TORO body imaging substudy*

Objective

The aim of the study was to compare the metabolic and morphological effects of enfuvirtide plus an optimized background (OB) regimen vs. OB alone (control group) in treatment‐experienced patients in the T‐20 vs. Optimized Regimen Only (TORO) studies.

Methods

Body composition and metabolic changes were investigated in patients over 48 weeks, based on fasting chemistries, body weight, and other anthropometric measurements. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and computed tomography (CT) scans were performed in a patient subgroup (n=155) at baseline and at weeks 24 and 48.

Results

At week 48, mean changes from baseline were similar between treatment groups for glucose, insulin, C‐peptide, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The enfuvirtide group experienced a significant increase in body weight [mean change from baseline +0.99 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI) +0.54, +1.44] and, in those who had body scans, there was a significant increase in truncal fat (by DEXA: median change +419.4 g; 95% CI+71.3, +767.5) and total fat [visceral adipose tissue (VAT)+subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) by single‐slice abdominal CT scan: median change +25.5 cm²; 95% CI+8.9, +42.0] over 48 weeks; significant increases in these parameters were not seen in the control group. There was no significant change in truncal:peripheral fat ratio in either the enfuvirtide or the control group.

Conclusion

The addition of enfuvirtide to an OB regimen does not appear to have unfavourable effects on fat distribution or metabolic parameters.