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Biomedical subjects

M S Mayer

Publications and source records attributed to M S Mayer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

(Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate: a supernormal stimulus of Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae] sex pheromone behavior.

Males discriminate between the single most important individual component of the sex pheromone of the female cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:Ac), and a mixture containing Z7-12:Ac and the other five putative components. The manifestation of discrimination is not an enhancement of captures by the mixture, rather, it is a reduction of captures in a paired trap baited with Z7-12:Ac by itself. Previous experiments showed that either or both of (Z)-7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7-14:Ac) and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac) were responsible for this discrimination. This report provides evidence that Z7-14:Ac is more active than Z9-14:Ac, which appears to have no demonstrable effect on behavior. The results are discussed with reference to the behavior that is effected by the above three components, the composition of the native sex pheromone, and whether or not Z7-12:Ac might be a supernormal releaser of behavior.

Acetates↗

Spodoptera exigua: mating disruption, measurement of airborne concentration of pheromone, and use of specialist receptor cell responses for comparison to female pheromone emission.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate Shin-Etsu Yoto-con-S 'rope' pheromone dispensers applied at different site densities in cotton to determine efficacy in disrupting sexual communication and mating of beet armyworm moths, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner); obtain atmospheric measurements of the disruptant pheromone components in and away from treated areas; and relate this information to estimates of the concentration of pheromone in the near vicinity of a calling virgin female moth. The number of pheromone-dispensing sites/ha ranged from 25 with 20 ropes/site up to a total of 247 sites with 2 ropes each. A total of 112 g pheromone of a 70:30 blend of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-l- ol acetate (ZETA) and (Z)-tetradecen-1-ol (Z9-14:OH) was applied/ha. As few as 25 sites/ha effectively disrupted sexual communication by 91%, as measured by reductions of moth captures in traps baited with pheromone lures, and mating by beet armyworm females by 94% for at least 10 weeks post-treatment. The results compared favorably to an earlier large-scale field experiment in which beet armyworm larval populations were reduced 95% using 500 pheromone-dispensing sites/ha (two ropes/site) and 160 g total pheromone/ha. The airborne concentration of ZETA and Z9-14:OH measured within the pheromone-treated plots that disrupted mating was 1.5 x 10(-13) M and 1.2 x 10(-13) M, respectively. The airborne concentration of ZETA and Z9-14:OH in the vicinity of a female was estimated (by excision and electrophysiological methods) to range between 2.1 x 10(-11) M and 2.4 x 10(-12) M, respectively, in a 1.6 km/h (1 mph) wind speed. Thus, the average ZETA concentration in the treated plots was about 140 times less than that expected from a single female; the average Z9-14:OH in the treated plots was about 20 times less. The data support an argument that disruption of mating by beet armyworm resulted from an imbalance in sensory input because mating was almost completely disrupted in all of the plots for at least 10 weeks with a mixture of ZETA:Z9-14:OH that differed significantly with that from excised female sex pheromone glands. Estimates of these parameters provide a benchmark for the requisite pheromone concentration in the atmosphere to achieve a high level of mating disruption for beet armyworm and possibly other insect pest species.

Air↗

Interpreting the relationship between pheromone component emission from commercial lures and captures of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) in bucket and cone traps.

Male corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), were captured in conical Texas pheromone traps (cone traps) and bucket traps baited with four different commercial lures manufactured by three different manufacturers. Because significant numbers were captured in bucket traps baited with some of the lures, and none with others, the volatile emissions from all of the lures were sampled and analyzed by gas chromatographic methods. The numbers of males captured in two types of trap were compared with bait emissions in an endeavor to define a more effective lure for bucket traps. The lure from one manufacturer captured the same numbers of males in both trap types; one captured more in bucket traps than in cone traps, and another captured only a small number in bucket traps. The emission rate of all active compounds from each of the different lures was approximately linear for the duration of the assays. A gas-liquid chromatographic peak associated with a third compound, (Z)-9-tetradecenal, which reduces behavioral responses, was observed in the emissions from all lures evaluated. The effectiveness of the Hercon (Emmigsville, PA) lure in capturing males in both types of trap was associated with a lower emission of (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (Z)-9-hexadecenal and (Z)-9-tetradecenal than from the other lures.

Agriculture↗

Compared effects of sotalol, flecainide and propafenone on ventricular repolarization in patients free of underlying structural heart disease.

Antiarrhythmic drugs are known to affect the depolarization and repolarization time in a different fashion. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of Sotalol, Flecainide and Propafenone on some common (QT, QTc, JT, JTc) or uncommon (QTc dispersion, T-peak to T-end interval) electrocardiographic parameters in order to evaluate the effects of these antiarrhythmic drugs on ventricular repolarization time both in terms of absolute values and of dispersion across the myocardium. The analysis of these antiarrhythmic drug effects was performed on the standard 12-lead electrocardiograms of 31 patients (17F and 14M, age 38.1+/-17 years, range 11-67 years) in the free-drug state and at the steady state after oral treatment with Sotalol (160 mg daily), Flecainide (200 mg daily) and Propafenone (450 mg daily). These drugs were prescribed, separately, to all the 31 patients, free of underlying structural heart disease, for the treatment of their atrio-ventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia. Data of the present study show that Sotalol, over the range prescribed, significantly prolongs ventricular repolarization index QT (P=0.001), JT (P=0.0001) and JTc (P=0.0001) values in an homogeneous fashion, as shown by the significant decrease in QTcD (P=0.019) and Tp-Te (P=0.01). On the contrary, Flecainide treatment was associated with an increase in QTcD (P=0.029), Tp-Te (0.0001), QT (P=0.001), QTc (P=0.0001) and QRS (P=0.0001), with no significant changes in JT and JTc. Propafenone, over the range prescribed, did not affect repolarization time, resulting only in a prolongation of depolarization time as expressed by the increase of QRS (P=0.0001).

Adolescent↗

Impact of heart rate and atrioventricular delay on left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with dual-chamber pacing for sick sinus syndrome or atrioventricular block.

We examined the effect of left ventricular filling on different combinations of programmable heart rate and atrioventricular delay in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers. Pacing mode with heart rates of 60 beats/min and 156 ms of atrioventricular delay induced a diastolic pattern that resembles more than others the one observed in healthy subjects in sinus rhythm.

Aged↗

Electrophysiologic significance of leftward QRS axis deviation in bifascicular and trifascicular blocks.

BACKGROUND: Intraventricular conduction disturbances determine complete impairment of impulse propagation along the right or left bundle branch or the two left fascicles. HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to investigate the electrophysiologic significance of QRS axis (QRSA) orientation in bifascicular and trifascicular blocks. METHODS: A group of 76 subjects, 43 with right bundle-branch block (RBBB) and left anterior hemiblock (LAH) (Group A), and 33 with left bundle-branch block (LBBB) (Group B), was submitted to electrophysiologic evaluation. RESULTS: In Group A, QRSA was inversely related only to intraventricular conduction, while in Group B, QRSA inversely related to infrahisal conduction times. A value of < -60 degrees was considered the cut-off point for determining subjects with a considerable leftward QRSA deviation. Of the 27 Group A patients with a QRSA < -60 degrees, 38.5% developed an infrahisal second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block during incremental atrial stimulation (IAS) in comparison with 11.1% of those with QRSA > -60 degrees. Of the 9 Group B patients with a QRSA < -60 degrees, 44.4% exhibited severe impairment of infrahisal conduction at baseline and 66.6% developed an infrahisal second-degree AV block during IAS, whereas among the remaining 24 with a QRSA > -60 degrees, in only 8.3% were both infrahisal (HV1 and HV2) intervals dangerously prolonged, and 23.8% encountered an infrahisal second-degree AV block during IAS. In Group A, atrioventricular conduction time > 200 ms exhibited a better predictive accuracy than QRSA < -60 degrees for the development of an infrahisal second-degree AV block during IAS, whereas the latter appeared the best noninvasive predictor in Group B with a slightly lesser predictive accuracy than HV > 80 ms. CONCLUSION: The degree of leftward QRSA deviation seems to reflect the entity of intraventricular conduction delay in patients with RBBB + LAH, while it appears to be directly related to infrahisal conduction prolongation in those with LBBB.

Aged↗

Repolarization abnormalities in patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardias.

STUDY POPULATION: Twenty patients without laboratory evidence of cardiac disease who underwent electrophysiological study because of recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population was divided into two groups: group A (20 patients [six males and 14 females] mean age 42.2 +/- 13 years), with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT), and group B (30 controls [10 males and 20 females] mean age 43.6 +/- 16 years). Noninvasive multiparametric analysis of the ventricular repolarization phase was performed on the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram by using a digitizer connected with a computerized system. The intervals JT, heart rate-corrected JT (JTc), JT apex (JTa), heart rate-corrected JTa (JTac), T apex T end (TaTe) and heart rate-corrected TaTe (TaTec) were measured and considered to be representative of the whole depolarization process. QT dispersions (QTeD) and QTc dispersions (QTecD) were calculated to assess the degree of spatial inhomogeneity of action potential duration. RESULTS: Patients in group A had higher JT (272 +/- 36 ms versus 265 +/- 25 ms, P = 0.01), JTc (336 +/- 28 ms versus 318 +/- 18 ms, P = 0.01), JTa (210 +/- 28 ms versus 185 +/- 28 ms, P = 0.001) and JTac (240 +/- 20 ms versus 215 +/- 13 ms, P < 0.001) values than those of patients in group B, despite shorter TaTe (71 +/- 10 ms versus 90 +/- 18 ms, P < 0.001) and TaTec (88 +/- 12 ms versus 110 +/- 12 ms, P < 0.001). Moreover, QTeD and QTecD were significantly longer in group A than in group B (55 +/- 18 ms versus 42 +/- 19 ms [P = 0.01] and 80 +/- 18 ms versus 55 +/- 28 ms [P = 0.001], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with idiopathic VT exhibit inhomogeneous prolongation of ventricular repolarization, due to a considerable increase in the initial part in association with a shorter terminal phase, as well as a greater dispersion of ventricular repolarization.

Adult↗

QTc and not QTc dispersion behavior affects the occurrence of ventricular extrasystole during exercise in infarcted patients.

Both a long QTc and a large QTc dispersion (QTcd) can predispose infarcted patients to ventricular arrhythmias. The former simply reflects a general prolongation of ventricular recovery time, whereas QTcd is useful for revealing regional inhomogeneities of ventricular repolarization. The aim of our study was to evaluate QTc and QTcd behavior during exercise in 50 patients (all men) with previous myocardial infarction, and its possible correlation with the occurrence of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes (EIPVC). Our patients underwent ergometric stress test with a load increase of 25 W, every 2 min, until the maximal age-related heart rate or symptoms were obtained, followed by a 10-min recovery phase. QTc and QTcd measurement was performed at rest (BS) and during exercise at two progressively increasing heart rate steps: 100-115 beats/min (T1) and 116-130 beats/ min (T2). The patients were divided into two groups according to the absence (group A; n = 22) or presence (group B; n = 28) of EIPVC. In terms of QTcd, no significant difference was found between the two groups at BS, T1, and T2. As for the mean QTc (QTcm), it was significantly longer in group B at BS (416 +/- 22 ms versus 395 +/- 19 ms; P = 0.001) and at T1 (431 +/- 24 ms versus 410 +/- 8 ms; P = 0.0001). When group B was further differentiated into two subgroups-Bx and Bz-according to the severity of EIPVC, we noted that patients with the most severe arrhythmic response (group Bz; n = 12) showed a persisting, significantly longer QTcm than group A (BS, 426 +/- 28 ms versus 395 +/- 19 ms; P < 0.05; T1, 445 +/- 24 ms versus 410 +/- 8 ms; P < 0.05; T2, 427 +/- 17 ms versus 412 +/- 14 ms; P < 0.05), and group Bx (n = 16) (BS, 426 +/- 28 ms versus 409 +/- 15 ms; P < 0.05; T1, 445 +/- 24 ms versus 420 +/- 19 ms; P < 0.05; T2, 427 +/- 17 ms versus 410 +/- 17 ms; P < 0.05). Group Bx showed a significantly longer QTcm than group A only at BS (409 +/- 15 ms versus 395 +/- 19 ms; P < 0.05). No significant difference in QTcd was found between the three groups at BS, T1, and T2. We also noted that the relationship between QTcm and QTcd was modified by the exercise, changing from a trend of direct relation at BS, towards an inverse one during effort, which reached significance at T2 (r = -0.319; P = 0.037). Based on our data, EIPVC occurrence seems to be more affected by the total duration rather than by regional inhomogeneities of the ventricular recovery time. In those patients with the most severe arrhythmic response, the autonomic modifications generated by the exercise succeed in attenuating only the regional inhomogeneities, but do not eliminate the differences in total duration of the repolarization period.

Aged↗

[Electrophysiological analysis of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction in bi- and tri-fascicular blocks].

We have evaluated, at baseline and during incremental atrial pacing (AP), intracardiac conduction features of 53 patients with electrocardiographic diagnosis of bifascicular or trifascicular block, free from any pharmacological treatment potentially able to affect atrioventricular (AV) conduction system properties. The patients have been subdivided in the following groups: group A (13 patients), with LBBB and a PQ interval > or = 200 msec; group B (14 patients), with RBBB, LAH with a PQ interval > or = 200 msec; group C (8 patients), with LBBB and a PQ < 200 msec; group D (15 patients), with RBBB, LAH and a PQ < 200 msec; group E (3 patients), with RBBB, LPH and a PQ < 200 msec. In group A, 31% presented a long AH interval (> 140 msec), while 85% showed an increased infra-his conduction time (HV > 55 msec). During AP, only 38.5% maintained a 1:1 AV conduction ratio up to 140 bpm, while 30.8% developed an infra-his Mobitz 2 2nd degree AV block. 15.4% an infrahis 2:1 2nd degree AV block, 15.4% an AV nodal Mobitz 2 2nd degree AV block. In group B, 64% and 29% exhibited respectively an AV nodal and an infrahis conduction delay. During AP, 57.1% maintained a 1:1 AV conduction ratio up to 140 bpm, 14.3% developed an AV nodal Mobitz 1 2nd degree AV block, 14.3% an infrahis Mobitz 1 2nd degree AV block, 7.1% an AV nodal 2:1 2nd degree AV block, 7.1% an infrahis Mobitz 2 2nd degree AV block. In group C, no patient manifested a prolonged AH interval, while 50% exhibited a HV > 55 msec. 62.5% maintained a 1:1 AV conduction ratio up to 140 bpm, 25% developed an AV nodal Mobitz 1 2nd degree AV block and 12.5% an infrahis 2:1 2nd degree AV block. In group D, no patient showed an increased AH interval and only 13% presented a HV interval exceeding 55 msec. During AP, 86.7% maintained a 1:1 AV conduction ratio up to 140 bpm, 6.6% developed an AV nodal Mobitz 1 2nd degree AV block, 6.6% an infrahis 2:1 2nd degree AV block. In group E, no patient showed a prolonged AH interval, while 2/3 (66.6%) exhibited an infrahis conduction delay. During AP, 100% developed an infrahis 2:1 2nd degree AV block. Considering all patients with LBBB (groups A+C) and with RBBB+LAH (groups B+D), no differences were found in terms of PQ, PA and AH intervals, even though, concerning patients with a long PQ (group A vs group B), AH interval resulted significantly longer in patients with RBBB+LAH (121.85 +/- 36.4 msec vs 163.29 +/- 55.96 msec, p = 0.031). Infrahis conduction, independently from the measurement adopted (HVI interval: from the beginning of the His to the onset of the ventricular electrogram recorded at the His region; HV2 interval: from the beginning of the His to the onset of the surface QRS), resulted more compromised in patients with LBBB than in patients with RBBB+LAH (HVI: 75.24 +/- 40.23 msec vs 50.79 +/- 25.16 msec, p = 0.011; HV2: 77.24 +/- 38.12 msec vs 53.92 +/- 29.3 msec, p = 0.015). Such a difference became even more significant when comparing the percentage of patients with a prolonged HV interval (average value > 55 msec) in the above mentioned groups: 71.4% in case of LBBB, 20.7% in case of RBBB+LAH (p < 0.001). Regarding intraventricular conduction (IV), no statistically significant differences were found. In patients with RBBB+LAH, IV was not related to infrahis conduction time and PQ interval appeared more related to AH (r = 0.838, p < 0.001) than to HV (PQ-HV1: r = 0.381, p = 0.041, PQ-HV2: r = 0.474, p = 0.009). Conversely, in patients with LBBB infrahis and IV conduction appeared linearly related (HVI-V: r = 0.416, p = 0.06; HV2-V: r = 0.445, p = 0.043). As for PQ interval, it resulted more closely related to infrahis conduction (PQ-HVI: r = 0.626, p = 0.002; PQ-HV2: r = 0.674, p < 0.001), than to AH (r = 0.533, p = 0.013). In conclusion, infrahis conduction resulted more impaired in patients with LBBB. In this group, differently from patients with RBBB+LAH, infrahis conduction seems to affect the degree of IV conduction delay. (ABST

Aged↗

[Acute hepatitis following amiodarone administration].

A 61 year old man, treated with amiodarone since 1993 for resistant supraventricular arrhythmias, developed acute hepatitis after an intravenous amiodarone administration. Kidney and liver function tests were performed and pointed out abnormal results. Symptoms ascribable to hepatotoxicity were absent. These changes returned to normal levels within 20 days from withdrawal of the drug. Amiodarone hepatotoxicity can be related to prolonged therapy with a high dose. Intravenous amiodarone may cause acute hepatic disease, but it is suggested that polysorbate 80, a solvent added to the intravenous infusion, is a more likely cause of this complication.

Acute Disease↗

[The pharmacological treatment of supraventricular atrioventricular nodal reentry or accessory pathway reentry tachycardias: the usefulness of transesophageal electrophysiological study in the selection of therapy].

Transesophageal atrial pacing is a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in patients with supraventricular reciprocating tachycardia (SVRT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transesophageal atrial pacing in the selection of the chronic treatment of SVRT. Between June 1993 and March 1995 we have performed transesophageal atrial pacing in 44 patients affected by atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT: n = 28) or atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) using a concealed or manifest bypass tract (n = 16). After a basal (free drug state) transesophageal atrial pacing, we performed serial electropharmacological tests during chronic treatment with sotalol (160 mg/die), flecainide (200 mg/die) and propafenone (450 mg/die). At the end of these tests, the patients were finally discharged with the drug that allowed a more difficult induction or a wider cycle length, and that showed a better clinical tolerance. At the end of the electropharmacological tests 53.6% of the patients affected by AVNRT were discharged with sotalol, 17.8% with propafenone and 28.6% with flecainide. The follow-up of these 28 patients is 11.4 +/- 1.7 months. In the 79.2% of the patients the drug is still effective (absence of whatever episode of SVRT in the follow-up period). In the AVRT group, at the end of the electropharmacological tests, 25% of the patients were discharged with sotalol, 6.25% with propafenone, and 68.75% with flecainide. The follow-up of these 16 patients is 11.7 +/- 1.8 months. In the 78.6% of the patients the drug is still effective (absence of episode of SVRT in the follow-up period).

Adolescent↗

[An unusual case of ectopic atrial tachycardia: triggered activity as an arrhythmogenic mechanism].

We report a rare case of ectopic atrial tachycardia induced by ergometric stress test whose arrhythmogenic mechanism, after transesophageal electrophysiological study, seemed to be triggered activity. The patient was successfully treated with a beta-blocker (metoprolol), confirming the importance of autonomic modulation in the genesis of arrhythmias caused by afterdepolarizations.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

[Sotalol, propafenone, and flecainide: compared multiparametric analysis of ventricular repolarization in subjects without organic cardiopathy].

Antiarrhythmic drugs are known to affect depolarization and repolarization time in a different fashion. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of sotalol, flecainide and propafenone on some common (mean QT and QTc, mean JT and JTc), or uncommon (QTc dispersion, T-peak to T-end interval-Tp-Te) electrocardiographic parameters in order to evaluate the effects of these antiarrhythmic drugs on repolarization time. QTc dispersion, defined as the difference between maximum and minimum QTc calculated from the standard 12 ECG leads, and the average Tp-Te interval, reflect regional variation in ventricular repolarization. We have analyzed retrospectively the standard 12-lead electrocardiograms of 28 patients (15 females and 13 males, age 36.11 +/- 16 years, range 11-67 years), recorded in the free-drug state and at the steady state after oral treatment with sotalol (160 mg/ die), flecainide (200 mg/die) and propafenone (450 mg/die). These drugs were prescribed, separately, for the treatment of patients with supraventricular tachycardia without underlying structural heart disease. Sotalol treatment prolongs ventricular repolarization times (QT, p = 0.0001; JT, p = 0.0001 and JTc, p = 0.0001) in an homogeneous fashion, as showed by the significant decrease in QTc dispersion (p = 0.026) and Tp-Te interval (p = 0.011). On the contrary, flecainide treatment is associated with an increase in QTc dispersion (p = 0.039) and Tp-Te interval (p = 0.0001), mean QT (p = 0.0001), QTc (p = 0.0001) and QRS (p = 0.0001), with no significant changes in JT and JTc (NS). Propafenone treatment does not affect repolarization time indexes, affecting only depolarization time as expressed by an increase in QRS (p = 0.046).

Adolescent↗

[Double ventricular response to a single atrial stimulation caused by simultaneous anterograde conduction through two atrioventricular nodal pathways].

In a patient with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, during programmed stimulation, an atrial extrastimulus induced a double ventricular response due to a single atrial depolarization, with simultaneous and delayed anterograde conduction through fast and slow pathways, and induced the tachycardia. Pacing-induced type I block involving both pathways put these pathways out of phase, so that the distal conduction system and the ventricle responded to both the fast and slow pathways anterograde impulses.

Atrioventricular Node↗

[Linking in a phase-3 branch block: the electrocardiographic manifestations].

Two cases of phase 3 intraventricular block and linking phenomenon of type 1 and type 2 (or bigeminal rhythm linking) are presented. In the first case, complexes that follow the extrasystolic blocked beat are wide, although they are associated with relative long R-R cycle:type 1 linking. In the second case, bundle branch block and normal conduction alternate in bigeminal extrasystolic beats:type 2 linking. The linking phenomenon is due to concealed retrograde penetration of the bundle branch that is blocked in anterograde direction. It delays the cycle and the refractory period of the bundle branch. Therefore, in type 1 linking, the subsequent stimulus, although occurring with a long R-R cycle, is again blocked in the same bundle branch. In type 2 linking, the R-R cycle and refractory period, occurring after bundle branch block, are shorted because comprised between retrograde activation by extrastimulus and anterograde activation by subsequent sinus stimulus. The subsequent ectopic impulse, although premature, is normally conducted.

Adult↗