Vascular Cells in Blood Vessel Wall Development and Disease.

The vessel wall is composed of distinct cellular layers, yet communication among individual cells within and between layers results in a dynamic and versatile structure. The morphogenesis of the normal vascular wall involves a highly regulated process of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The use of modern developmental biological and genetic approaches has markedly enriched our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these developmental events. Additionally, the application of similar approaches to study diverse vascular diseases has resulted in paradigm-shifting insights into pathogenesis. Further investigations into the biology of vascular cells in development and disease promise to have major ramifications on therapeutic strategies to combat pathologies of the vasculature.

Early dynamic SPECT acquisition for the imaging of hepatic hemangiomas utilizing Tc-99m labeled red blood cells.

PURPOSE: To determine whether rapid, dynamic SPECT imaging with Tc-99m labeled red blood cells was technically feasible and of value in the detection of cavernous hemangiomas of the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The acquisition protocol for Tc-99m labeled red blood cell imaging of hepatic hemangiomas was modified with six sequential 3-minute SPECT images replacing the planar flow phase. Delayed 20-minute SPECT of the liver was then performed 2 hours later. RESULTS: The authors present examples of pathologically proven positive and negative cases and retrospectively review their patient series. Examination of 19 patients with 41 lesions revealed no evidence of a false-positive examination results and only one false-negative result. Only one lesion seen to be positive with a 2-hour delayed study was not seen within 18 minutes. Lesions as small as 1.0 cm could be detected with a 3-minute SPECT. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid, dynamic early SPECT hemangioma imaging is feasible, provides images with relatively good quality, and can replace the planar flow phase.

Mercury determination by CV-AAS in wastewater and sewage sludge from a stabilization pond system.

The mercury concentrations in wastewater and sewage sludge of a stabilization pond system have been evaluated. The system is built by three parallel facultative ponds followed by two systems of three maturation ponds in series. The samples of wastewater and sludge were digested using nitric acid and placed into a Parr-type bomb for 4 h at 110 degrees C. Mercury was measured by Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CV-AAS) at 253.7 nm with sodium tetrahydroborate as reductant. The methodologies were checked with an USEPA quality control sample, a standard reference material from NIST and with another method of mineralization (cold mineralization) showing good results. Concentrations of mercury in wastewater between 1.47 +/- 0.75 microgl(-1) have been found at the entrance of the system and 0.74 +/- 0.0 microgl(-1) at the exit, while in sludge the results were between 0.29 +/- 0.12 microgkg(-1) in the facultative pond and 0.04 +/- 0.02 microgkg(-1) in the second maturation pond (exit).

Role of prophylactic anticoagulation for direct current cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

The need for prophylactic anticoagulation to prevent embolism before direct current cardioversion is performed for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter is controversial. To examine this issue further, a retrospective review was undertaken to assess the incidence of embolic complications after cardioversion. The review involved 454 elective direct current cardioversions performed for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter over a 7 year period. The incidence rate of embolic complications was 1.32% (six patients); the complications ranged from minor visual disturbances to a fatal cerebrovascular event. All six patients had atrial fibrillation, and none had been on anticoagulant therapy (p = 0.026). The duration of atrial fibrillation was less than 1 week in five of the six patients who had embolic complications. Baseline characteristics of patients with a postcardioversion embolic event are compared with those of patients who did not have an embolic event. There was no difference in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or prior stroke between the two groups, and there was no difference in the number of patients who were postoperative or had poor left ventricular function. Left atrial size was similar between the two groups. No patient in the embolic group had valvular disease. No patient with atrial flutter had an embolic event regardless of anticoagulant status; therefore, anticoagulation is not recommended for patients with atrial flutter undergoing cardioversion. Prophylactic anticoagulation is pivotal in patients undergoing elective direct current cardioversion for atrial fibrillation, even those with atrial fibrillation of less than 1 week's duration.

Chiari's osteotomy in the treatment of Perthes' disease.

Seventeen patients, with an average age of nine years 11 months, underwent 18 Chiari osteotomies for the treatment of painful subluxation of the hips following Perthes' disease. The average follow-up period was four years three months. The 13 patients reviewed clinically all did well and none complained of pain or instability. The radiographs were examined in all 17 cases. The average centre-edge angle and percentage femoral head cover were definitely improved by the operation. No significant medical displacement of the femoral head was achieved. The clinical success may result from improved femoral head coverage and diminished eccentricity. Chiari's osteotomy is recommended for adolescent patients with painful subluxation of the hip as a consequence of Perthes' disease.

[Position of the mandible, range of movement and temporomandibular joint noises in edentulous patients (proceedings)]. / Unterkieferlage, Bewegungsbereiche und Kiefergelenkgeräusche bei zahnlosen Patienten.

The authors present studies on lateral displacements and ranges of horizontal and vertical movements of the mandible. Theyy used a new device--deviatiometer (fig. 1--4)--for measuring the position and the movements of the mandible. They stated no significant differences in the frequency of temporomandibular joint noises with regard to sex, age, lateral displacement of the mandible and ranges of movements. Consequently, temporomandibular joint noises should not be overvalued in the edentulous patient.