Search

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents our research in detection of emotive (emotionally loaded) sentences. The task is defined as a text classification problem with an assumption that emotive sentences stand out both lexically and grammatically. The assumption is verified exper- imentally. The experiment is based on n-grams as well as more sophisticated patterns with disjointed elements. To deal with the sophisticated patterns a novel language modelling algorithm based on the idea of language combinatorics is applied. The results of experiments are explained with the standard means of Precision, Recall and balanced F-score. The algorithm also provides a refined list of most frequent sophisticated patterns typical for both emotive and non-emotive context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Noninvasive arrhythmia risk stratification in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using autonomic markers have yielded disappointing results. Heart rate turbulence is a new method to assess cardiac autonomic function. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the predictive value of heart rate turbulence with those of conventional autonomic risk markers for ventricular tachyarrhythmic events in patients with DCM. Methods: The predictive value of heart rate turbulence, baroreflex sensitivity (phenylephrine method), and heart rate variability was assessed in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure due to DCM who were in sinus rhythm and had a 24-hour Holter recording. Patients were followed for a combined end point of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events. Results: A total of 114 patients (mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 28 ± 11%), included in the Frankfurt DCM database between 1996 and 2000, fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in this study. Determinate test results were obtained for heart rate variability in 98%, for baroreflex sensitivity in 90%, and for heart rate turbulence in 75% of patients (P = .008). Correlation between the different autonomic markers were only modest (r values, 0.36-0.43). During a follow-up of 22 ± 17 months, an end point event occurred in 15 patients. On univariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction and baroreflex sensitivity were significant predictors of arrhythmic events. On multivariate analysis, only baroreflex sensitivity remained an independent predictor (χ 2 = 3.17; P = .07). Conclusion: Reliable analysis of heart rate turbulence is possible in approximately 75% of eligible patients with DCM. Whereas blunted baroreflex sensitivity is a predictor of arrhythmic events, heart rate variability and turbulence do not yield predictive power in these patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH) is a rare developmental disorder of childhood and is characterized by asymmetric enlargement of the epiphyseal cartilage of the long bones. After 4 to 5 years of age, the lesions histologically resemble osteochondroma. To our knowledge, only one publication of this entity is available in an English pathology journal. The clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of 9 cases of DEH were retrospectively reviewed. The patients'' age ranged from 3 to 15 years with single or multiple lesions of the femur, fibula, tibia, and talus. The etiology and pathogenesis of DEH are not known. Its origin and evolution has initially apparent similarities to the development and growth of epiphyseal secondary ossification centers. DEH can be differentiated from osteochondroma of long bones using clinical, radiologic, and pathologic parameters. DEH occurs in young children and adolescents manifesting as lesions that arise particularly from the epiphysis of the lower extremities and tarsus. Osteochondroma, in contrast, occurs most frequently between 10 and 30 years of age and originates from the metaphysis of long bones. Although the DEH cartilage resembles osteochondroma, there are several significant histologic differences. During infancy, lesions of DEH histologically reveal osteocartilaginous nodules that resemble secondary ossification centers. Usually after 4 to 5 years of age they develop into osteochondroma-like lesions. Although all cases of DEH contain small areas of calcified cartilage beneath the cartilage cap, a significant percentage of osteochondromas show large amounts. The nodules and cartilage cap of DEH contain bands of cartilage separating areas of cancellous bone; these bands are not present in osteochondroma. Among the other distinguishable features, recent molecular studies of DEH demonstrated normal expression levels of EXT1 and EXT2 genes, comparable to that of normal growth plate. Osteochondroma, in contrast, has low levels of EXT1 and EXT2 gene expression due to gene mutation. The histologic differences in combination with the distinct clinical and radiographic features should enable a pathologist to differentiate these entities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Spinal injections are frequently performed for the relief of pain. These injections include both interlaminar and transforaminal approaches to the epidural space, spinal injections, and paravertebral injections. Frequently steroids are used, but neurolytic procedures may be performed as well. These injections have a good safety record, but a thorough understanding of the possible complications will improve patient safety even further. The goal of this article is to discuss these complications, including infections, hematomas, compromise of the vascular supply to the spinal cord, and reactions to contrast or corticosteroids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: This study evaluated the predictive power of heart rate (HR) assessed from the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) or from Holter recordings for future mortality and arrhythmic events in survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Data from 432 consecutive survivors of AMI (343 men, 89 women; mean [SD] age, 58 [11] years) were analyzed. Heart rate was assessed from a standard 12-lead ECG and from 24-hour Holter recordings obtained at hospital discharge. In addition, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was noninvasively determined. The study end point was prospectively defined as a composite end point comprising mortality and arrhythmic events (ie, sudden death, resuscitated ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia). Patients were followed for an average (SD) of 41 (25) months. Results: Patient age, LVEF, and HR were univariate risk predictors of event-free survival. Multivariate analysis by means of a stepwise regression analysis revealed LVEF (χ 2 11.4, P = .0007), age (χ 2 9.2, P = .02), and HR assessed from the standard 12-lead ECG (χ 2 7.1, P = .008) as independent risk parameters. Conclusions: Bedside risk stratification of survivors of AMI is feasible using simple parameters such as age, LVEF, and HR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]