Transvenous catheter–based microwave ablation for atrial flutter

We report a case of successful transvenous, catheter-based, cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for treatment of atrial flutter using microwave energy. Microwave energy was delivered at 900–930 MHz using 21 W of power. Bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus conduction block was achieved by microwave ablation without any patient discomfort or complication during the procedure. Our initial experience suggests that transcatheter microwave ablation is feasible for the cure of typical atrial flutter.     

Performance and comparison of the Cockcroft-Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate in a Chinese Type 2 diabetic population.

AIMS: Our aim was to assess performances of the Cockcroft-Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Chinese diabetic populations and their association with vascular risks. METHODS: A total of 1009 patients with Type 2 diabetes were categorized into low estimated GFR groups (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and control groups by the two equations. The performances of these formulae were assessed at different stages of kidney function. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy or albuminuria were compared among the groups. The ability of these formulae to identify established vascular risk markers using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were also compared. RESULTS: The prevalence of low estimated GFR was 32.7% with the Cockcroft-Gault formula and 5.2% with the MDRD formula, respectively. In low estimated GFR subjects by the MDRD formula, IMT was significantly thicker than those by the Cockcroft-Gault formula (1.2 mm vs. 1.0 mm; P < 0.05), with a higher prevalence of albuminuria (78.4 vs. 52.8%, P < 0.05) and diabetic retinopathy (46.5 vs. 30.5%; P < 0.05). The Cockcroft-Gault formula gave a specificity of 71.7% and a sensitivity of 37.0%, and the MDRD formula gave a specificity of 96.6% and a sensitivity of 7.9% in estimating low GFR relevant for established vascular risks. CONCLUSIONS: These formulae performed differently in Chinese diabetic populations. The simplified MDRD formula is minimally superior to the Cockcroft-Gault formula for its high specificity and positive predictive values in estimating low GFR relevant for vascular risks.     

Incidence of BK with Tacrolimus Versus Cyclosporine and Impact of Preemptive Immunosuppression Reduction

Our purposes were to determine the incidence of BK viruria, viremia or nephropathy with tacrolimus (FK506) versus cyclosporine (CyA) and whether intensive monitoring and discontinuation of mycophenolate (MMF) or azathioprine (AZA), upon detection of BK viremia, could prevent BK nephropathy. We randomized 200 adult renal transplant recipients to FK506 (n = 134) or CyA (n = 66). Urine and blood were collected weekly for 16 weeks and at months 5, 6, 9 and 12 and analyzed for BK by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). By 1 year, 70 patients (35%) developed viruria and 23 (11.5%) viremia; neither were affected independently by FK506, CyA, MMF or AZA. Viruria was highest with FK506-MMF (46%) and lowest with CyA-MMF (13%), p = 0.005. Viruria >/= 9.5 log(10) copies/mL was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of viremia and a 13-fold increased risk of sustained viremia. After reduction of immunosuppression, viremia resolved in 95%, without increased acute rejection, allograft dysfunction or graft loss. No BK nephropathy was observed. Choice of calcineurin inhibitor or adjuvant immunosuppression, independently, did not affect BK viruria or viremia. Viruria was highest with FK506-MMF and lowest with CyA-MMF. Monitoring and preemptive withdrawal of immunosuppression were associated with resolution of viremia and absence of BK nephropathy without acute rejection or graft loss.     

Iron-containing proteins in the plasma and serum of the blood in patients during hyperbaric oxygenation therapy

Extra-erythrocyte hemoglobin (EEH) level and total peroxidase activity (TPA) have been analysed in the blood serum and plasma of 44 patients following hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO). The levels of the parameters tested decreased after 3 HBO procedures and remained low to the end of the treatment period in the first group of patients. In the second group of patients, on the contrary, EEH and TPA levels increased after 3 HBO procedures and remained high to the end of the treatment period. In both groups of patients EEH changes correlated with TPA alterations. Possible EEH and TPA determination for the estimation and enhancement of HBO treatment efficacy is discussed.     

Simultaneous assessment of blood flow in UVB-inflamed human skin by laser Doppler flowmetry and the 133-xenon washout technique.

The purpose of the study was to compare skin blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and the 133-Xenon washout technique in UVB-inflamed human skin. Six healthy subjects participated in the study. Forearm skin blood flow was measured prior to irradiation and then 8, 24, 48 and 72 h after the exposure to twice the minimal erythema dose of UVB. Baseline blood flow as measured by the 133-Xenon washout method was 5.2 (range 3.0 to 10.4) ml/100g/min and LDF flux was 3.1 (range 2.7 to 5.7) arbitrary units. Following irradiation, maximum blood flow increase as evaluated by the 133-Xenon washout was 10.8 (95% confidence interval 3.7 to 11.3) times baseline blood flow, corresponding to an absolute blood flow of 47.5 (range 33.8 to 56.3) ml/100g/min. Maximum increase after induction of inflammation as assessed by LDF was 34.6 (95% confidence interval 24.6 to 56.5) times baseline flux. The two methods showed comparable time courses in all subjects. A significant correlation between the two methods was found, Spearman's rho = 0.54, p = 0.006. The relative LDF blood flow increase was 4.2-fold (95% confidence interval 2.7 to 5.0) greater than the increase measured by the 133-Xenon washout method. These results are at variance with previous comparative studies of the two methods. Some explanations are discussed.     

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation is not altered by amygdaloid kindling

Kindling is a process in which episodic electrical stimulation permanently increases seizure susceptibility. One mechanism to account for a change in seizure susceptibility is some alteration in signal transduction, possibly at the level of second messenger systems. In this study, male Long-Evans rats were kindled in the amygdala, and Ca2+/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM)-dependent protein phosphorylation was assessed at the site of the primary kindled focus using one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. In vitro phosphorylation of membrane and cytosol fractions in the presence of absence of Ca2+/CaM did not differentiate kindled from nonkindled amygdaloid tissue. These results suggest that changes in Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphorylation are not related to the mechanism(s) underlying the establishment of an amygdaloid kindled focus.     

Psychiatric disorders in the families of schizotypal subjects.

In a study of the families of 21 schizotypal patients, we found an increased morbidity risk for schizophrenia compared with that in the families of 21 nonschizotypal patients and 42 controls. The Axis I diagnoses did not influence the distribution of the morbidity risk in the families of the schizotypal patients. If the schizotypal subjects also had other personality disorders, the morbidity risk for schizophrenia among their relatives was lower, although not significantly.     

Utility of the dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of poststroke depression.

The utility of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in the diagnosis of depression was examined in an outpatient sample of 29 stroke patients. Results indicated that the DST's sensitivity was 15%, its specificity was 67%, and its positive predictive value was 48%. These findings suggest that the DST yields no more information than would be gained from random assignment of the diagnosis of depression. Therefore, it is not a useful measure of mood in these patients.