A distinctive cardiovascular lesion resembling histiocytoid (epithelioid) hemangioma. Evidence suggesting mesothelial participation

This paper presents 14 examples of a distinctive cardiovascular lesion. The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 76 years (mean, 51 years). There were seven male patients and seven female patients. All of the lesions were small and represented incidental surgical findings. Ten were attached to the endocardium, three were free-floating in the pericardial cavity, and one was inside a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Microscopically, the lesions were enclosed in a fibrinous network and composed of a solid proliferation of round to polygonal cells with centrally located nuclei. Immunohistochemically, the cells were negative for FVIII-related antigen and lysozyme, but they stained positively for keratin, especially when clustered in small micropapillary or tubule-like formations. The nature and pathogenesis of these lesions are uncertain. Their location and some of their microscopic features originally suggested a relationship with the entity described as histiocytoid (epithelioid) hemangioma. However, their intense immunoreactivity for keratin, occasional presentation in the pericardial sac, and marked morphologic similarities with nodular mesothelial hyperplasia as sometimes seen in hernia sacs point toward the alternative possibility of a reactive mesothelial nature. A possible pathogenetic mechanism for the endocardial cases is ingrowth of pericardial mesothelial cells along a perforation tract that may have developed at the time of a cardiac catheterization. There were no recurrences or metastases in any of the cases.     

Lobster-claw syndrome.

Lobster-Claw syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant, hand-foot malformation with Oro-dental features. This is a rare condition and from the available reports so far, cases being reported are less than 1%. Most reports have focused on the hand-foot deformity of this syndrome. This paper highlights the typical Oro-dental features associated with this syndrome such as retained deciduous teeth, hypodontia and variation in crown size, arch length and arch width.     

Robust fixed‐order H2 controller for micro air vehicle—design and validation

Design and real‐time validation of a robust fixed‐order H₂ optimal controller for micro aerial vehicle, named Sarika‐2, is presented. Strengthened discrete optimal projection equations, which approximate the first‐order necessary optimality condition, are used for the controller design. Effect of low‐frequency gust disturbance and high‐frequency sensor noise is alleviated through the output sensitivity and control sensitivity minimization. The novelty of this paper is that a single robust H₂ controller, which is designed at the central operating point, ensures simultaneous stabilization of the radio‐controlled aircraft over the entire cruise speed range of 16–26 m/s. The controller is implemented on a digital‐signal‐processor‐based flight computer, and subsequently, it is validated through the real‐time hardware‐in‐loop‐simulation. The responses obtained from the hardware‐in‐loop‐simulation compares well with those obtained from the off‐line simulation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inspiratory spirogram in emphysema.

Bronchodilator therapy on inspiratory indices has not been documented so far. Reduction in inspiratory airflow resistance following inhalation of bronchodilator giving the most consistent and significant changes in emphysematous patients has been demonstrated in the present study.     

Causes of sudden death in athletes.

The incidence of sudden death in athletes is low. Some pathologic conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies, and right ventricular dysplasia may predispose to sudden death during exercise in young athletes. In older individuals, exercise may trigger terminal arrhythmias in patients with atherosclerosis. Screening programs for young individuals undertaking athletic regimens are currently recommended only for those with a suggestive clinical or family history. For older individuals, caution should be advised for patients with known or suspected atherosclerotic disease.     

Effect of endothelium mimicking self-assembled nanomatrices on cell adhesion and spreading of human endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells

The goal of this study is to develop unique native endothelium mimicking nanomatrices and evaluate their effects on adhesion and spreading of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs). These nanomatrices were developed by self-assembly of peptide amphiphiles (PAs) through a solvent evaporation technique. Three PAs, one containing the Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR) ligand, the second containing the Val-Ala-Pro-Gly (VAPG) ligand, and a third without cell adhesive ligands, were developed. Cell adhesion and spreading were evaluated by a PicoGreen-DNA assay and live/dead assay, respectively. Our results show that PA-YIGSR significantly enhances HUVEC adhesion (26,704 ± 2708), spreading (84 ± 8%), and proliferation (50 ± 2%) compared with that of other PAs. PA-VAPG and PA-YIGSR showed significantly greater AoSMC adhesion compared with that of PA-S. PA-VAPG also showed significantly greater spreading of AoSMCs (63 ± 11%) compared with that of other PAs. Also, all the PAs showed significantly reduced platelet adhesion compared with that of collagen I (control). These findings would facilitate the development of novel vascular grafts, heart valves, and cell-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases.From the Clinical EditorThe goal of this study was to develop unique native endothelium mimicking nanomatrices and evaluate their effects on adhesion and spreading of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs). These nanomatrices were developed by self-assembly of peptide amphiphiles through a solvent evaporation technique. The findings are expected to facilitate the development of novel vascular grafts, heart valves, and cell based therapies for cardiovascular diseases.