Paramecium calcium channels are blocked by a family of calmodulin antagonists.

Although the voltage-sensitive Ca channel present in Paramecium has been subjected to detailed physiological and genetic analysis, no organic ligands have been described that block this channel with high affinity and that ultimately can be used to identify channel components. Based on a previous observation that the naphthalene sulfonamide calmodulin antagonist W-7 can block Paramecium Ca channels at high concentration, we have synthesized analogs of W-7 that block these channels at concentrations of less than 1 microM. The effectiveness of these compounds was tested both by a sensitive behavioral assay and on Ca channels that had been incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. Despite the fact that these compounds are effective Paramecium calmodulin antagonists, two independent lines of evidence suggest that W-7 and its analogs block the Ca channel by a mechanism that is independent of their action on calmodulin. In addition, the sensitivity to W-7 or dihydropyridines of Ca channels present in a number of eukaryotic phyla has been used to identify similarities in Ca channels from widely diverse organisms. It appears that the pharmacological specificity provides a means to group Ca channels.     

Effect of total parenteral nutrition with intravenous fat on lipids and high density lipoprotein heterogeneity in neonates

Plasma lipid concentrations and high density lipoprotein (HDL) subclass distributions were evaluated in 22 newborn infants nourished with intravenous (iv)-fat. The majority of infants were premature with respiratory distress syndrome. Based on baseline (prior to iv-fat) HDL subclass profiles determined by gradient gel electrophoresis (GGE), infants fell into two classes, one with two or more pronounced peaks within the normal HDL spectrum (group I, 17 subjects) and the other with highly unusual HDL distribution (group II, five subjects). Total plasma cholesterol increased in both groups during low and high fat intravenous feeding. HDL-cholesterol, however, did not change with iv-fat where mean values for groups I and II at baseline, iv-low fat and -high fat were: group I, 31.2 +/- 7.1, 30.0 +/- 8.8, and 36.6 +/- 16.7 mg/dl, respectively; and group II, 20.0 +/- 7.8, 20.2 +/- 7.4, and 19.8 +/- 8.8 mg/dl, respectively. Unlike HDL-cholesterol levels that remained constant with iv-fat, apolipoprotein (apo) AI concentrations increased significantly: group I, 73.0 +/- 11.0, 88.3 +/- 15.9, and 93.1 +/- 21.9 mg/dl, respectively; and group II, 31.8 +/- 10.5, 41.0 +/- 12.8, and 59.3 +/- 18.5 mg/dl, respectively. In group I infants, iv-fat is associated with an increase in larger-sized particles, particularly in the (HDL2b)gge range; in group II there is an increase in (HDL3b)gge and (HDL3c)gge components and a disappearance of particles that fall outside of the size range of normal HDL. In both groups, enteral feeding is associated with a further normalization of HDL subclass distribution. The aberrant GGE profiles and very low apoAI levels of group II infants at baseline were associated with unusual HDL morphology determined by electron microscopy where discoidal structures were prominent. With iv-fat, discoidal particles decline in number while normal spherical structures increase. Prevalence of discoidal HDL at baseline was associated with low concentrations of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) (1.12 +/- 0.5 micrograms/ml); with iv-fat this enzyme rose to 1.61 +/- 0.18 micrograms/ml. Increased LCAT is associated with the normalization of HDL morphology. It is likely that iv-fat improves the nutritional status of premature infants, thereby stimulating increased liver synthesis of important proteins, including apoAI and LCAT, associated with HDL metabolism.     

Uterine myomata and outcome of assisted reproduction

The aim of this work was to study the effect of uterine myomata on the implantation rate and outcome in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Among 406 patients, 51 (12.6%) were found to have uterine corporeal myomata. Twelve patients were excluded from the study as they had large myomata, submucous myomata or intramural myomata encroaching on the cavity. These patients were advised to have myomectomy before being enrolled in the IVF/ICSI programme. The remaining patients (n = 39) were sorted according to the number, site and size of the myomata as assessed by transvaginal sonography. Three patients had more than one myoma. Most of the myomata were subserous (72.7%) and the mean diameter of the myomata was 3.5 +/- 0.9 cm. A control group (n = 367) was chosen with normal uteri and no history of uterine reconstruction surgery. The mean age of myoma patients was 34.7 +/- 3.6 years as compared to 34.0 +/- 4.4 years in the control group. The age, period of infertility, body mass index, duration and number of human menopausal gonadotrophin ampoules needed for stimulation, oestradiol levels, number of oocytes retrieved and the fertilization rate were not significantly different in the myoma patients compared to the control group. Fifteen myoma patients (38.5%) subsequently showed one or more pregnancy sacs on ultrasonography of which three (20%) spontaneously aborted during the first trimester and two (13.3%) had preterm labour, as compared to 123 (33.5%), 19 (15.5%) and nine (7.3%) respectively, among the control group (P = 0.27, 0.33 and 0.21). In conclusion, uterine corporeal myomata, not encroaching on the cavity and <7 cm in mean diameter, do not affect the implantation or miscarriage rates in IVF or ICSI.      

Vía clínica de recuperación intensificada en cirugía cardiaca. Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología,Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor (SEDAR), la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE) y la Asociación Española de Perfusionistas (AEP)

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.     

四氯偶氮苯在大鼠胆汁中的分泌和代谢

四氯偶氮苯（３,３’,４,４’ｔｅｔｒａｃｈｌｏｒｏａｚｏｂｅｎｚｅｎｅ,ＴＣＡＢ）和四氯氧化偶氮苯（３,３’,４,４’ｔｅｔｒａｃｈｌｏｒｏａｚｏｘｙｂｅｎｚｅｎｅ,ＴＣＡＯＢ）是在合成氯代或二氯代苯胺类除草剂时生成的污染废弃物。此类除草剂经...     

Obstetric sciatic paralysis: a 29-year experience in a tertiary hospital

Obstetrical sciatic palsy have been frequently seen in our hospital, but bibliography about this subject is rare, not only in Spanish but also in other languages. We review our experience about this pathology, and if it is possible, to contribute to prevent its occurrence.