Transitional cell papilloma and leiomyoma of the urinary bladder in two goats.
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Abattoirs↗
Biomedical subjects
A Rahimi
Publications and source records attributed to A Rahimi.
Measurement of the D(s)+ lifetime.
A high statistics measurement of the D(s)+ lifetime from the Fermilab fixed-target FOCUS photoproduction experiment is presented. We describe the analysis of the two decay modes, D(s)+ --> phi(1020)pi+ and D(s)+ -->K*(892)0K+, used for the measurement. The measured lifetime is 507.4 +/- 5.5(stat) +/- 5.1(syst) fs using 8961 +/- 105 D(s)+ --> phi(1020)pi+ and 4680 +/- 90 D(s)+ --> K*(892)0K+ decays. This is a significant improvement over the present world average.
Journal Article↗
Early and long-term results of replacement of the descending aorta.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate our results of open surgery on the descending thoracic aorta as benchmark to define indications for endovascular treatment. METHODS: Between January 1981 and December 2000, 115 patients underwent replacement of the descending or thoraco-abdominal aorta. Follow-up to 20 years was complete in 98%. RESULTS: Early mortality was 19% and paraplegia rate was 7%. Surgery before 1990 and coronary artery disease were independent predictors for early mortality. Thoraco-abdominal repair and normothermia were independent predictors for paraplegia. Ten years survival rate was 63%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that replacement of the descending aorta can be performed today with acceptable low mortality and morbidity and with consistent exclusion of the aneurysm or dissection. Long-term results of endovascular stent-grafts in the descending aorta are unclear. In our opinion endovascular stent-grafts should be reserved for high risk patients, acute dissection or acute aortic rupture.
Adolescent↗
3D reconstruction of dental specimens from 2D histological images and microCT-scans.
Direct comparison of experimental and theoretical results in biomechanical studies requires a careful reconstruction of specimen surfaces to achieve a satisfactory congruence for validation. In this paper a semi-automatic approach is described to reconstruct triangular boundary representations from images originating from, either histological sections or microCT-, CT- or MRI-data, respectively. In a user-guided first step, planar 2D contours were extracted for every material of interest, using image segmentation techniques. In a second step, standard 2D triangulation algorithms were used to derive high quality mesh representations of the underlying surfaces. This was accomplished by converting the 2D meshes into 3D meshes by a novel lifting procedure. The meshes can be imported as is into finite element programme packages such as Marc/Mentat or COSMOS/M. Accuracy and feasibility of the algorithm is demonstrated by reconstructing several specimens as examples and comparing simulated results with available measurements performed on the original objects.
Algorithms↗
Association of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) core promoter polymorphism -67T variant with schizophrenia.
Dysfunction of the central dopaminergic neurotransmission has been suggested to play an important role in the etiology of schizophrenia. The dopamine transporter (DAT1) mediates the active reuptake of dopamine from the synapses and thereby plays a key role in the regulation of the dopaminergic neurotransmission. In this study, we sought to determine the possible association of the DAT1 gene core promoter polymorphism -67A/T with schizophrenia in a case/control study. The allele and genotype frequencies of the polymorphism were studied in 100 patients and 100 controls, which were matched on the basis of sex, age, and ethnicity. The genotype frequencies in the patients group were as follows: AA 29%; AT 59%; TT 12% versus the genotype frequencies in the control group: AA 57%; AT 38%; TT 5% [chi2 = 16.54, df = 2, OR = 2.25 (95% CI 1.46-3.45, P < or = 0.0003]. For the first time, these findings provide tentative evidence for the contribution of the DAT1 gene core promoter polymorphism to the etiopathophysiology of schizophrenia at least in the Iranian male population that we studied. Replication studies of independent samples and family-based association studies are necessary to further evaluate the significance of our findings.
Adult↗
Evaluation of the effect of acetazolamide on cystoid macular oedema in patients with Behcet's disease.
AIM: To study the effect of acetazolamide on cystoid macular oedema (CMO) in patients with Behcet's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 67 eyes of 35 Behcet's patients with chronic, but well-controlled uveitis, and CMO were randomised into a double-masked, crossover trial comparing the effect of acetazolamide vs placebo. The patients received an initial 4-week course of either 250 mg acetazolamide twice daily (b.i.d.) or placebo, followed by a 4-week washout period. They then received a 4-week course of the reverse study medication. An improvement in visual acuity and fundus fluorescein angiographic findings was assessed. RESULTS: In total, 29 patients (55 eyes) completed the trial and were available for analysis. Of the 29, 16 men and 13 were women. The age range was 13-50 years (mean 33.6 years). Patients on acetazolamide showed a slightly better improvement of angiographic signs (at least by one grade improvement) over that of placebo (12 vs five eyes). They also had less deterioration of angiographic signs over that of placebo (three vs seven eyes). However, these findings were not statistically significant (P=0.99). Acetazolamide had no statistically significant effect (P=0.53) on the improvement of visual acuity of patients over that of placebo (13 vs eight eyes), nor on the deterioration of visual acuity (three vs 11 eyes). CONCLUSION: Despite seemingly favourable results, the 4-week course of acetazolamide (250 mg b.i.d.) has no statistically significant effect on the improvement of the visual acuity and the fluorescein angiographic findings in Behcet's patients with CMO.
Acetazolamide↗
Seasonal variations in the incidence of cerebral venous thrombosis.
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Humans↗
A high statistics measurement of the Lambda(+)(c) lifetime.
A high statistics measurement of the Lambda(+)(c) lifetime from the Fermilab fixed-target FOCUS photoproduction experiment is presented. We describe the analysis technique with particular attention to the determination of the systematic uncertainty. The measured value of 204.6 +/- 3.4 (stat) +/- 2.5 (syst) fs from 8034 +/- 122 Lambda(+)(c)-->pK(-)pi(+) decays represents a significant improvement over the present world average.
Journal Article↗
Search for CP violation in the decays D+--> K(S)pi+ and D+-->K(S)K+.
A high-statistics sample of photoproduced charm from the FOCUS experiment has been used to search for direct CP violation in the decay rates for D+-->K(S)pi+ and D+-->K(S)K+. We have measured the following asymmetry parameters relative to D+-->K-pi+pi+: A(CP)(K(S)pi+) = (-1.6+/-1.5+/-0.9)%, A(CP)(K(S)K+) = (+6.9+/-6.0+/-1.5)%, and A(CP)(K(S)K+) = (+7.1+/-6.1+/-1.2)% relative to D+-->K(S)pi+. We have also measured the relative branching ratios and found Gamma(D+-->K(0)pi+)/Gamma(D+-->K-pi+pi+) = (30.60+/-0.46+/-0.32)%, Gamma(D+-->K(0)K+)/Gamma(D+-->K-pi+pi+) = (6.04+/-0.35+/-0.30)%, and Gamma(D+-->K(0)K+)/Gamma(D+-->K(0)pi+) = (19.96+/-1.19+/-0.96)%.
Journal Article↗
Measurement of the branching ratios of D(+) and D(+)(s) hadronic decays to four-body final states containing a K(S).
We have studied hadronic four-body decays of D(+) and D(+)(s) mesons with a K(S) in the final state using data recorded during the 1996-1997 fixed-target run of the Fermilab high energy photoproduction experiment FOCUS. We report a new branching ratio measurement of gamma(D(+)-->K(S)K-pi(+)pi(+))/gamma(D(+)-->K(S)pi(+)pi(+)pi(-)) = 0.0768+/-0.0041+/-0.0032. We make the first observation of three new decay modes with branching ratios gamma(D(+)-->K(S)K+pi(+)pi(-))/gamma(D(+)-->K(S)pi(+)pi(+)pi(-)) = 0.0562+/-0.0039+/-0.0040, gamma(D(+)-->K(S)K+K-pi(+))/gamma(D(+)-->K(S)pi(+)pi(+)pi(-)) = 0.0077+/-0.0015+/-0.0009, and gamma(D(+)(s)-->K(S)K+pi(+)pi(-))/gamma(D(+)(s)-->K(S)K-pi(+)pi(+)) = 0.586+/-0.052+/-0.043, where in each case the first error is statistical and the second error is systematic.
Journal Article↗
Study of the decay D0 --> K+pi-.
Using a large sample of photoproduced charm mesons from the FOCUS experiment at Fermilab (FNAL-E831), we observe the decay D0-->K+pi- with a signal yield of 149+/-31 events compared to a similarly cut sample consisting of 36 760+/-195 D0-->K-pi+ events. We use the observed ratio of D0-->K+pi- to D0-->K-pi+ (0.404+/-0.085+/-0.025)% to obtain a relationship between the D0 mixing and doubly Cabibbo suppressed decay parameters.
Journal Article↗
Severe obesity does not adversely affect perioperative mortality and morbidity in coronary artery bypass surgery.
OBJECTIVE: Obese patients are usually thought to have an increased risk for complications in coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: Therefore, the data of 500 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting at our department in 1998 by use of cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed. Severe obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) > or = 30.0 kg/m(2). Obese patients (n=100; group O) were compared to the remaining 400 patients (group C). Both groups were comparable with respect to sex, history of prior myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous stroke, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamp time and number of distal anastomoses performed. Obese patients were slightly younger and diabetes and hypertension were more common in these patients. RESULTS: Survival and potential complications including perioperative myocardial infarction, sternal wound infection, wound infection at the leg, renal failure, stroke, prolonged mechanical ventilation, pneumonia, reexploration for bleeding, and atrial arrhythmias were analyzed. No significant differences between obese and non-obese patients were detected. CONCLUSION: Severe obesity does not necessarily adversely affect perioperative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in this study.
Aged↗
Sumatriptan in patients with postdural puncture headache.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of sumatriptan in the management of patients presenting for an epidural blood patch for the management of postdural puncture headache. BACKGROUND: Postdural puncture headache can be quite severe, requiring invasive therapy (ie, epidural blood patch). Sumatriptan has been used successfully in patients with postdural puncture headache, however, its use has not been investigated in a controlled fashion. METHODS: Ten patients with postdural puncture headache presenting for an epidural blood patch were given either saline or sumatriptan subcutaneously. The severity of the headache was evaluated at baseline and 1 hour following injection. If the headache remained severe, an epidural blood patch was performed. RESULTS: Only one patient in each group received relief from the injection. CONCLUSIONS: We do not recommend sumatriptan in patients who have exhausted conservative management of postdural puncture headache.
Adult↗
Hemodynamic effects of noninvasive bilevel positive airway pressure on patients with chronic congestive heart failure with systolic dysfunction.
BACKGROUND AND STUDY OBJECTIVES: Noninvasive positive airway pressure may play a significant role in treating patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We tested our hypothesis that noninvasive bilevel positive airway pressure improves left ventricular performance in patients with chronic CHF secondary to severe systolic dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: To determine the cardiac performance of patients using bilevel positive airway pressure, and to describe the hemodynamic effects of bilevel positive airway pressure and its use as a therapeutic adjunct in these patients. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort, nonrandomized study. SETTING: Outpatient medicine clinic. PATIENTS: Fourteen patients (9 men and 5 women) with stable chronic CHF with left ventricular ejection fraction < or =35%; mean age was 60.6 years (range, 43 to 87 years). INTERVENTIONS: Bilevel positive airway pressure via nasal mask at an inspiratory pressure of 5 cm H(2)O and an expiratory pressure of 3 cm H(2)O on spontaneous mode at room air for 1 h. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Myocardial performance and changes were measured using clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared with the same parameters after 1 h of bilevel positive airway pressure. Statistically significant (p<0.05, Wilcoxon matched pair signed-rank test) decreases were noted in these mean values: systolic BP from 136.21 to 124.14 mm Hg (p = 0.008), heart rate from 85.07 to 74.71 beats/min (p = 0.002), respiratory rate from 23.07 to 15.43 breaths/min (p = 0.001), and systemic vascular resistance from 1671. 46 to 1236.27 dyne. s. cm(3) (p = 0.001). Statistically significant increases were noted in these mean values: cardiac output from 5.09 to 6.37 L/min (p = 0.004), ejection fraction from 28.71% to 34.36% (p = 0.001), and end-diastolic volume from 224.36 to 246.21 mL (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Bilevel positive airway pressure has excellent potential for improving left ventricular performance of patients with chronic CHF secondary to severe systolic dysfunction.
Adult↗
Quantification of C3 and C4 in infertile men with antisperm antibody in their seminal plasma.
PROBLEM: Previous studies showed that some infertilities are caused by antisperm antibodies (ASAs). It was shown that some major complement (C) components are present in seminal fluid. Due to the role of C in the pathogenesis of ASAs, the existence and amount of two key C components (C3 and C4) were investigated in seminal plasma (SP). METHOD OF STUDY: Single radial immunodiffusion assay and a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used for C3 and/or C4 quantification, respectively, in serum and SP, and the tray agglutination test was used for ASA detection in 12 fertile and 53 infertile men (18 ASA-positive [ASA+] and 35 ASA-negative [ASA-] men). RESULTS: Of the 18 ASA + infertile men, 61.11% had positive C3, whereas 27.77% showed positive C4 levels. ASA + infertile men showed significant differences in seminal plasma C3 mean values compared with ASA- infertile (P < 0.01) and fertile (P < 0.05) men, but the seminal plasma C4 values only showed differences compared with ASA- infertile men (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in serum C3 and/or C4 levels of ASA+ infertile men compared with other groups. No significant correlation was found between ASA titer and C3 and C4 levels in SP. A significant correlation existed between SP and serum C3 levels of ASA+ (r = 0.522, P < 0.01) and ASA- (r = 0.451, P < 0.01) infertile men, but no correlation was observed between C4 levels. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of ASAs, the C system has no definitive activity in blood serum or outside the male genital tract. In SP, and in association with ASAs, C has no lytic activity by the classical pathway. The excess of C3 in SP of ASA+ infertile men may participate in other C-mediated activities in the male reproductive tract.
Antibodies↗
Relationships between plasma measures of oxidative stress and metabolic control in NIDDM.
Diabetes mellitus may be associated with increased lipid peroxidation which may contribute to long-term tissue damage. To test this hypothesis, we measured hydroperoxides (ROOHs) as well as alpha-tocopherol in plasma from healthy subjects and individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (n = 41 and 87, respectively). ROOHs were analysed using the ferrous oxidation with xylenol orange version II (FOX2) assay in conjunction with a specific ROOH reductant, triphenylphosphine, alpha-Tocopherol was analysed by HPLC with fluorimetric detection. NIDDM patients had lower cholesterol standardised alpha-tocopherol levels as compared to control subjects (3.3 +/- 1.0 vs 5.1 +/- 2.3 (mumol/l)/(mmol/l); p < 0.0005, Mann-Whitney test): range (1.5-6.5 vs 1.9-13.0, respectively). Plasma ROOHs were substantially higher in the diabetic subjects compared to those of the control subjects (9.4 +/- 3.3 vs 4.1 +/- 2.2 mumol/l; p < 0.0005 Mann-Whitney test: range 2.7-16.8 vs 0.4-10.3, respectively). ROOH/cholesterol standardised alpha-tocopherol ratio was significantly higher in the diabetic patients compared to control subjects (3.2 +/- 1.6 vs 0.9 +/- 0.6; p < 0.0005, Mann-Whitney test: range 0.7-8.3 and 0.1-2.7, respectively). Plasma levels of ROOHs and alpha-tocopherol were similar in diabetic patients with or without complications as well as in smokers and non-smokers. The present study confirms previous findings from this laboratory that NIDDM is associated with increased oxidative stress as assessed by plasma ROOHs. Increased oxidative stress in diabetic patients appears to be related to the underlying metabolic abnormalities in diabetes, rather than to the complications of this disease. We therefore suggest that oxidative stress is an early stage in the disease pathology, which may contribute to the development of complications.
Adolescent↗
Nalmefene or naloxone for preventing intrathecal opioid mediated side effects in cesarean delivery patients.
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of nalmefene vs. naloxone in preventing side effects resulting from intrathecal opioids, in patients undergoing cesarean delivery. Eighty patients who were scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were included in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized into four groups: saline; intravenous nalmefene 0.25 micro.kg(-1) every 12 h x 2; intravenous nalmefene 0.5 microg.kg(-1) every 12 h x 2; and naloxone infusion 48 microg.h(-1) (1.2 microg.ml(-1)). There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to pain, sedation, satisfaction, or the occurrence or treatment of pruritus or nausea. There was a significant difference among the groups with respect to the occurrence of vomiting (P < 0.03): both nalmefene groups had a higher rate of vomiting than did the control group; the 0.25 microg.kg(-1) nalmefene group had a higher rate than did the naloxone group. The use of narcotic antagonists does not result in improved comfort in obstetrical patients receiving intrathecal morphine and fentanyl.
Clinical Trial↗
Hypoprothrombinemia (factor II deficiency): report of a case and review of literature.
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Adult↗