Closure of left ventricle perforation with the use of muscular VSD occluder.

Growing experience in interventional cardiology leads to the use of large diameter of vascular equipment. In some instances, the so-called hybrid procedures are performed. After performing the interventional procedure, the opening in ventricular wall is closed surgically. Our intention was to check if the MVSDO can be used to close the perforation in the heart after the interventional cardiology procedure performed through the left ventricular (LV) free wall. In three pigs under general anesthesia, the heart was exposed through a small substernal incision. The LV was punctured and an 18F sheath was introduced into the LV. A 14 mm MVSDO was inserted through the 10F Delivery System. Using both the echocardiographic and angiographic guidance, the MVSDO was placed on the LV wall to close the opening in the LV. Time and volume of bleeding was recorded. In all cases the occluder was successfully placed closing the opening, bleeding observed after deployment of occluder lasted for approximately 2 min. We think MVSD occluder can be used to close the LV free wall perforation after hybrid interventional cardiac procedure. Early bleeding through MVSDO might be resolved by the manufacturing of new occluder with better sealing properties.     

Violence at the workplace--a questionnaire survey of nurses.

BACKGROUND: In the health sector, anywhere in the world nurses are one of the most exposed groups to violence. However, it is not obvious that psychiatric nurses (PNs) are more exposed to aggression and burnout. OBJECTIVES: To determine the nature and effects of aggressive acts towards nursing staff in psychiatric and other medical services in Poland. METHODS: Various questionnaires (Stress at Work Scale, General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Work Satisfaction Scale), were distributed among psychiatric (N=78) and non-psychiatric nurses (N-PNs) (N=335). A 92.6% response rate was achieved. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between PNs and non-psychiatric counterparts with respect to their experiences of violence. The most frequently reported incident was verbal abuse, followed by threats and physical assault. Patients were significantly more frequent perpetrators in psychiatric wards than in others. The level of intra-staff aggression did not significantly vary between groups, neither did the level of work satisfaction and absenteeism. CONCLUSION: The frequency of violent acts and stress related to them point out the strong need for the development of preventive programs to address the issue of violence at work.     

Effect of polyacid aqueous solutions on photocuring of polymerizable components of resin-modified glass ionomer cements.

OBJECTIVES: Resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGI) are hybrid materials prepared by incorporation of polymerizable components (typically 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with possible addition of multifunctional methacrylates) into a conventional acid-base mixture (a polymeric acid with powdered calcium fluoro-aluminosilicate glasses). During setting, the photopolymerization process and the acid-base reaction affect each other. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of a 45% aqueous solution of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and the liquid component of a commercial glass ionomer cement on HEMA and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) photopolymerization. METHODS: The polymerization was initiated by 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) and camphorquinone (CQ)/coinitiator system. The reaction course was monitored under Ar and air by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry. RESULTS: The main effect of addition of polyacid solution (PAA and commercial) up to 10wt% to HEMA on the polymerization initiated with DMPA was earlier onset of autoacceleration. For the process initiated by the CQ-based system, the addition of 5wt% of PAA solution strongly accelerated the polymerization and increased the conversion, both in Ar atmosphere as well as in air. TEGDMA photopolymerization was not influenced or slightly retarded by the presence of 3wt% of PAA solution (the upper limit of solubility), depending on the initiating system used. SIGNIFICANCE: Under initiation conditions used in curing of commercial dental products (CQ-based two component initiating system), the presence of polyacid-aqueous solution in HEMA-based photocurable component increases markedly the polymerization rate and the conversion both in Ar atmosphere as well as in air. This result contributes to a characterization of the setting process of RMGIs.     

Multi-phase approach to eradicate enzootic mouse coronavirus infection.

Infections with mouse coronavirus (also known as mouse hepatitis virus, MHV) are common and prompt concern because the adverse research effects of infection have been well documented. The animal facility we describe had contained an enzootic infection of mouse coronavirus for more than a decade. Eradication of the virus had been tried with limited success in the past. With an increase in the populations of immune-compromised and transgenic animals elsewhere in the facility, eradication of the virus became a high priority. The affected animals were in multiple breeding colonies comprising more than 4000 mice representing more than 50 site-specific strains, lines, and sublines. A task force designed to ensure representation of all interested parties developed a multi-phase approach which included (a) culling of nonessential animals, (b) cessation of breeding, (c) testing and culling of individual animals, and (d) cross-fostering to clean dams. To date, all of the strains, lines, and sublines manipulated through this multi-phase eradication approach continue to test negative for mouse coronavirus. This multi-phase approach may be useful for other institutions attempting to eradicate mouse coronavirus.     

Effects of Lovastatin Alone or Combined with Irradiation on Tumor Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of lovastatin alone or combined with radiation on U87MG and FaDu cells in vitro and U87MG tumors in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cell number, p21(WAF1) expression, apoptosis, reproductive cell death, and cell-cycle distribution were investigated after incubation of U87MG and FaDu cells in vitro. The effect of lovastatin (50 mg/kg/day) on tumor growth and on tumor growth delay after single-dose irradiation with 20 Gy was investigated using U87MG tumors in nude mice. RESULTS: Lovastatin dose dependently decreased cell number and proliferation of U87MG and FaDu cells. The proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase, apoptosis and p21 protein expression increased after lovastatin alone or combined with 4-Gy irradiation in both cell lines. Effects of lovastatin on cell cycle and cell number were more pronounced in U87MG compared to FaDu. No radiosensitization of clonogenic cells by lovastatin could be demonstrated in both cells lines, but the colony-forming ability after lovastatin alone was decreased in FaDu cells. In vivo, lovastatin decreased tumor volume over time but did not increase growth delay after irradiation of U87MG tumors with 20 Gy. CONCLUSION: The data support effects of lovastatin on proliferation, apoptosis and colony-forming ability in vitro and tumor volume in vivo. At the drug concentration achievable, lovastatin did not improve the effects of radiation on U87MG tumors in vivo.     

Microsomatoagnosia: whole body schema illusion as part of an epileptic aura

We report a patient who presented with a whole body microsomatoagnosia as part of an epileptic aura. We postulate that this rare phenomenon argues in favor of the existence of a whole body integrative neuronal network which mediates the bodily awareness.