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The development of alternatives to vascular bone grafts, the current clinical standard for the surgical repair of large segmental bone defects still today represents an unmet medical need. The subcutaneous formation of transplantable bone has been successfully achieved in scaffolds axially perfused by an arteriovenous loop (AVL) and seeded with bone marrow stromal cells or loaded with inductive proteins. Although demonstrating clinical potential, AVL-based approaches involve complex microsurgical techniques and thus are not in widespread use. In this study, 3D-printed microporous bioceramics, loaded with autologous total bone marrow obtained by needle aspiration, are placed around and next to an unoperated femoral vein for 8 weeks to assess the effect of a central flow-through vein on bone formation from marrow in a subcutaneous site. A greater volume of new bone tissue is observed in scaffolds perfused by a central vein compared with the nonperfused negative control. These analyses are confirmed and supplemented by calcified and decalcified histology. This is highly significant as it indicates that transplantable vascularized bone can be grown using dispensable vein and marrow tissue only. This is the first report illustrating the capacity of an intrinsic vascularization by a single vein to support ectopic bone formation from untreated marrow., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Purpose: We aimed to describe the safety and effectiveness of nasotracheal intubation (NTI) in a cohort of patients undergoing reconstruction of oral cavity defects with free tissue transfer (FTT)., Materials and Methods: We implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of consecutive patients undergoing FTT reconstruction of oral cavity, maxillary, or mandibular defects between 2013 and 2017. These patients were all subject to a newly developed enhanced recovery-after-surgery protocol. The primary outcome measurement was hospital length of stay (LOS). The secondary outcome variables were the duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, need for gastrostomy, and airway-related complications directly associated with either NTI or tracheostomy. Descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were completed., Results: The sample was composed of 141 patients who had undergone oral cavity FTT for both benign and malignant diseases (NTI, n = 111; tracheostomy, n = 30). Patients managed with NTI had a statistically significantly shorter hospital LOS (8 days vs 15.5 days, P < .0001) and ICU LOS (1 day vs 2 days, P = .0006), as well as a decreased requirement for gastrostomy (17.1% vs 76.7%, P < .0001). Airway-related complications were rare in both the tracheostomy (13.3%) and NTI (3.6%) groups. Multivariate analysis showed that patients undergoing tracheostomy were 3.14 (P = .004) times more likely to have a prolonged hospitalization and 10.4 (P < .0001) times more likely to require a gastrostomy. A sensitivity analysis of only patients with malignant diagnoses had similar statistically significant results. The delayed tracheostomy rate in the NTI group was 3.6%., Conclusions: To date, this is the largest study to evaluate the use of NTI in patients undergoing oral cavity reconstruction with FTT. Our results suggest that in the appropriate institutional setting, most patients can be safely managed with NTI. This approach results in a decreased hospital LOS and ICU LOS and an earlier resumption of oral intake with less need for gastrostomy., (Copyright © 2018 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Accurate diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is crucial to its proper management and to combating antibiotic resistance. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been shown to distinguish pneumonia from other pathological conditions and can be used to control the severity of infection during admission., Objectives: To investigate an association between consecutive measurements of CRP and the severity of CAP in hospitalized patients., Methods: A total of 500 patients with CAP were admitted to the hospital. Traditional markers of inflammation including CRP, leukocyte count, body temperature, were measured on the first, second, and fifth days of hospitalization. Correlations between these measures and the length of the hospital stay were calculated., Results: Mean levels of CRP, body temperature, and leukocyte count were significantly lower on the second day after hospital admission and even lower on the fifth day. A positive correlation of medium strength was found between the level of CRP on the second day of hospitalization and the length of hospital stay (P < 0.001, rs = 0.447), and a negative correlation was noted between the decrease in CRP level from the first to second day and the length of hospital stay., Conclusions: CRP levels correlated with body temperature and leukocyte count, traditional markers of inflammation. A greater decrease in CRP level between the first and second day of hospitalization was associated with shorter hospital stay and rapid improvement. These findings support the use of CRP as a marker for the severity and complication of CAP.

This chapter describes a simplified method that allows the systematic isolation of multiple types of dental stem cells such as dental pulp stem cells (DPSC), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC), and stem cells of the apical papilla (SCAP) from a single tooth. Of specific interest is the modified laboratory approach to harvest/retrieve the dental pulp tissue by minimizing trauma to DPSC by continuous irrigation, reduction of frictional heat from the bur rotation, and reduction of the bur contact time with the dentin. Also, the use of a chisel and a mallet will maximize the number of live DPSC for culture. Steps demonstrating the potential for multiple cell differentiation lineages of each type of dental stem cell into either osteocytes, adipocytes, or chondrocytes are described. Flow cytometry, with a detailed strategy for cell gating and analysis, is described to verify characteristic markers of human mesenchymal multipotent stromal cells (MSC) from DPSC, PDLSC, or SCAP for subsequent experiments in cell therapy and in tissue engineering. Overall, this method can be adapted to any laboratory with a general setup for cell culture experiments.

Background: Propranolol, a non-selective β-blocker widely used to treat cardiovascular conditions, favours bone accrual. Accordingly, we hypothesized that propranolol could be useful for improving bone healing and osseointegration. This in vivo study was designed to investigate the effect of propranolol on bone healing and osseointegration in rats' tibiae., Methods: On 24 Sprague-Dawley rats, a unicortical defect was created in the right tibial metaphysis of each rat and a custom-made titanium implant was placed in the left tibia. Animals were then assigned into two groups (n = 12, each group) and treated daily with either propranolol (5 mg/kg: subcutaneous) or saline, for 2 weeks. Then, after killing, the volume of the cortical defects (mm3) and the percentages of newly formed bone in the defects, were assessed with microcomputed tomography; bone-implant contact percentage and peri-implant bone volume/tissue volume were assessed by histomorphometry., Result: Propranolol-treated rats presented smaller cortical defects (1.56 ± 0.28 mm 3 versus 2.04 ± 0.29 mm 3 , p < 0.001) with more bone volume/tissue volume (60.6 ± 7.9% versus 41.1 ± 10.2%, p < 0.001) compared to saline-treated rats. Propranolol also enhanced osseointegration as propranolol-treated rats presented higher bone-implant-contact (65.0 ± 13.1% versus 42.5 ± 8.8%, p < 0.001) and peri-implant bone volume/Tissue volume (73.8 ± 10.1% versus 56.9 ± 5.7%, p = 0.007) than saline-treated rats., Conclusion: Propranolol enhanced bone healing and implant osseointegration., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Hydrogels composed of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have become an important alternative to replace traditional inorganic scaffolds for tissue engineering. Here, we describe a novel nanocrystalline material with 2D morphology that was synthesized by tuning the crystallization of the sodium-magnesium-phosphate system. We discovered that the sodium ion can regulate the precipitation of magnesium phosphate by interacting with the crystal's surface causing a preferential crystal growth that results in 2D morphology. The 2D nanomaterial gave rise to a physical hydrogel that presented extreme thixotropy, injectability, biocompatibility, bioresorption, and long-term stability. The nanocrystalline material was characterized in vitro and in vivo and we discovered that it presented unique biological properties. Magnesium phosphate nanosheets accelerated bone healing and osseointegration by enhancing collagen formation, osteoblasts differentiation, and osteoclasts proliferation through up-regulation of COL1A1, RunX2, ALP, OCN, and OPN. In summary, the 2D magnesium phosphate nanosheets could bring a paradigm shift in the field of minimally invasive orthopedic and craniofacial interventions because it is the only material available that can be injected through high gauge needles into bone defects in order to accelerate bone healing and osseointegration.

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms are rare. Treatment options for these lesions include endovascular interventions, such as coiling and stenting, or surgical reconstruction, such as resection and primary reanastomosis, or interposition bypass grafting. In this report, we describe the surgical technique used to perform surgical repair of an internal carotid artery aneurysm extending up to the base of the skull. Anterior exposure of the infratemporal fossa and distal control of the carotid artery at the level of the carotid canal was achieved through a transcervical approach, performing double mandibular osteotomies with superior reflection of the middle mandibular section., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a common disease worldwide, refers to two frequently coexisting lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Physiologically, COPD represents a disruption in ventilation and in the exchange of gases in the lungs. A sharp worsening obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory acidosis leads to repeated hospitalizations and high mortality rates., Objective: This study examined patients with COPD during hospitalization. Parameters included: the number of patients admitted for a defined period of time, the time of ventilation, the average length of hospitalization, the treatment modality, the mortality rate and the percentage of returning patients., Methods: We chose 260 admissions with worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during a six month period in internal medicine departments and the intensive care unit. We selected patients who met the criteria and collected demographic data, complete blood tests including blood gases and checking the ventilator during hospitalization. We checked the relationship between the indices for hospitalization, and the mechanical ventilation., Results: A total of 255 admissions were enrolled in the study; 13 patients were excluded. Data was collected from 242 hospitalizations; 242 admissions included 71 patients hospitalized more than once. Patients' age ranged from 34 to 97 years with a median age of 66.6 years. During hospitalization, 194 patients (80%) were admitted to the internal medicine departments and 48 patients (19.8%) needed mechanical ventilation in intensive care. Most patients (60.7%) were hospitalized for 2 to 4 days, but 50% of the group of patients were hospitalized for almost one week., Conclusion: Although the results were almost identical to those found in the literature we found other factors related to the aggravation of the disease e.g. smoking, ischemic heart disease and malignancy, which are more common in this group of diseases.

Background: Function of the microcirculation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is dynamic and contributes to unpredictability of recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic function., Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate sequential Doppler velocity parameters of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in predicting recovery of global and regional LV systolic function., Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients, 24 males, age 59 ± 12 years, with acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had primary PCI were studied. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) and myocardial blush grades were evaluated. Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) studies, evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LAD territory wall-motion score index (WMSI), and sampling of LAD Doppler velocities up to 6 hours post-PCI, 48 hours postprocedure, and predischarge were performed., Results: Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade before PCI averaged 0.86 ± 1.19 and post-PCI 2.89 ± 0.32, P < 0.05. Myocardial blush grade before PCI was 0.41 ± 0.98 and after PCI 2.22 ± 0.93, P < 0.05. Diastolic velocity deceleration time (DDT) in the LAD early after PCI was less than 600 ms in 16 subjects. Immediately after PCI, in subjects with DDT > 600 ms, LVEF was 38.5 ± 6% and predischarge 49.2 ± 8.7%, P = 9.77 × 10−5 and LAD-WMSI decreased from 2 ± 0.38 to 1.4 ± 0.48, P = 0.000163. In subjects with DDT < 600 ms LAD-WMSI did not change significantly. Early and minimal LAD-DDT correlated with improvement in LV systolic function, r = 0.6, whereas post-PCI blush grade had lower correlation with LVEF, r = 0.39., Conclusions: Global and regional LV systolic function after PCI in acute anterior MI can be predicted by LAD-DDT better than by post-PCI myocardial blush.

Background: Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ECOPD) are a major problem worldwide and usually a leading cause for hospitalizations and in some cases, indication for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV)., Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the length of stay in hospital and outcome of ECOPD patients. We compared the length of hospital stay in the medical ward, intensive care unit (ICU) departments and discharges during a period of six months., Methods: This was an observational, longitudinal prospective study of 242 COPD patients that were admitted with COPD exacerbation. In each patient, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and serial arterial blood gases (ABG) were measured upon and during admission., Results: Eighty per cent (194) of 242 COPD patients were admitted to the medical department and most of them were discharged within five days. Forty-eight needed IMV and stayed in hospital more than ten days; overall mortality rate was about 5%., Conclusion: Most of the hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbation (60%) were discharged within five days, 20% needed IMV and stayed in hospital more than ten days.

Background: Phosphorus (P) is an essential element in all living cells, it is extremely important in the process of production of adenosine triphosphate, main element in the structure of nucleic acids. Low levels of phosphorus in blood is very rare, however, it may be caused by unbalance between components participating in phosphorus cycle and affect performances of several systems. A low level of phosphorus in the blood increases the exacerbation and the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and requires prolonged ventilation process., Aim: This study aims to examine the prognostic effects of hypophosphatemia in COPD patients and evaluate the correlation between phosphorus levels and severity, recurrences of attacks, ventilation duration and successful of weaning process., Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five patients who were admitted because of worsening in COPD, from October 2010-April 2011, were examined. A comparison was made between the group with normal blood phosphorus (2.5-4.5 mg%), group of patients with low phosphorus (2-2.5 mg%) and group with very low phosphorous values (<2.0 mg%)., Results: Ninety-five per cent of all admissions had normal blood phosphorus levels, 3.3% had low phosphorus levels, and only 1.7% of all admissions had very low phosphorus levels. 2.4% of patients had both low levels of phosphorus and potassium. All patients (100%) with very low phosphorus needed mechanical ventilation, compared to 62.5% of patients with low phosphorus and 16.9% of patients with normal phosphorus levels. In addition, 16 ventilated patients (33% of all ventilated patients) had low potassium values., Summary: Low blood phosphorus levels contribute to an increase in: COPD flare-up, need for ventilation, duration of hospitalisation, days in intensive care units and finally increased rate of mortality. Accordingly, close monitoring and careful adjustment of disorders correlated to electrolyte such as phosphorus, are crucial and may improve prognosis and also increase the survival rate of patients with COPD., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Uncontrolled hypertension is present in most patients treated with only a single morning dose or fixed dose drug combination; usually a third of them have a high prevalence of a nondipper blood pressure pattern, especially patients with chronic illness. In most cases, nondipping is related partly to the absence of 24-h therapeutic coverage of the single morning doses. We have investigated the usefulness of shifting therapy to evening instead of the morning., Aim: The aim of the study was to better control blood pressure and convert patients with a nondipping pattern to a dipper pattern without the need to increase the dose of their drugs or the addition of any other family of drugs., Methods: Among 200 hypertensive patients, we investigated the impact of treatment time on the blood pressure pattern in 60 patients (33.3%) with uncontrolled hypertension with a nondipper pattern on the basis of clinic measurements who were studied by 24-h ambulatory monitoring during 2 and 4 months of follow-up; all of them received their treatment in the morning. This group of patients was divided randomly into two groups of 30 patients each; one group continued to receive the medication on awakening and the other took their medication at bedtime. Most of the treatment involved calcium channel blockers and other angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), and 20 patients were taking one tablet of combined treatment (calcium blocker with ACEI)., Results: The percentage of patients with controlled ambulatory blood pressure was 0.86 among patients taking the drug at bedtime (P=0.005). Twenty-six patients with uncontrolled hypertension, receiving one drug or combined therapy at bedtime, showed a significant reduction in the 24-h mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (6.2 and 2.6 mmHg, respectively; P<0.009). This reduction was more prominent during night-time (8.3 and 5.0 mmHg; P<0.001). In addition, all 26 patients showed normal blood pressure less than 140/90 during clinic measurement at daytime. Only four patients treated with monotherapy in the morning were unresponsive to the switching, and their blood pressure was controlled by the addition of a second drug at bedtime. The control group (who continued taking therapy in the morning) showed no reduction in blood pressure during night-time and remained with uncontrolled hypertension as they were at the beginning of the study., Conclusion: In patients with uncontrolled hypertension, switching of therapy to bedtime should be considered to improve control and to avoid the nondipper pattern before any attempt is made to increase the dose or add more drugs. We need other research studies with long time follow-up to verify the efficacy of switching therapy.

Introduction: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of daily consecutive measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the initial 2 days of hospitalization on the 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)., Methods: We used 4 different thresholds of fractional decrease (FD) in CRP at the second day of admission (CRP2) of 25%, 30%, 40%, and 60%. In addition, we studied the association of each of these thresholds with the 30-day all-cause mortality., Results: The mean age was 64 ± 20; males, 59%. The 30-day mortality rate was 18% (20/111). The mean serum CRP levels at the first day of all study group and CRP2 were 203 ± 98 vs 146 ± 92 mg/L, respectively, P = .05. The mean FD in CRP2 levels among the survivors was 33 %, whereas among the nonsurvivors, was 7%, P < .001. Multiple regression analysis revealed that FD less than 25% in CRP2 was associated with 30-day all-cause mortality, odds ratio of 3.07 (95% confidence interval, 2.84-5.03), P = .002, compared with those with FD more than 25% in CRP2., Conclusions: Fractional decrease less than 25% in CRP levels at the second day was significantly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with severe CAP., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Intrathoracic goiters represent substantial enlargement and descent of cervical thyroid tissue into the thoracic cavity, usually in the anterior mediastinum. Rarely, they extend posteriorly, causing obstructive symptoms, sometimes with acute onset. Posterior mediastinal goiters should be differentiated from other mediastinal masses by appropriate work-up, while computed tomography is the most valuable technique. We report two cases of such symptomatic goiters. First reported case was atypically presented with aspiration pneumonia and second was successfully operated. Our overview aims to increase awareness of this rare clinical entity due to possible respiratory compromise. Reasonable surgical management is mandatory.

Background: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a major problem worldwide and are usually the main indication for mechanical ventilation (MV), especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). The rate of weaning failure is also high and prolonged MV leads to complications of intubation. The goal is to wean these patients as soon as possible., Objective: To determine the optimal time necessary to start the weaning process., Methods: In an attempt to determine the length of MV and stay in the ICU, we compared the length of MV, weaning, reintubations and discharge during a 10 month period. This study included 122 patients on MV due to severe exacerbation of COPD who were not suitable for non-invasive ventilation. For each patient serial arterial blood gases were measured at admission and during hospitalization. PeCO2 (mixed expired CO2) was tested using a Datex S/5 instrument at follow-up., Results: The study population comprised all patients who required MV; of these 122, 108 were ventilated from 6 to 140 hours (mean 48 +/- 42), 9 needed more than 168 hours, and 5 died due to severe ventilation-associated pneumonia. No correlation was found between pH, PCO2 and length of MV; these findings did not contribute to evaluation of the patient's condition nor did they enable us to predict the length of treatment necessary., Conclusion: Most of the patients (93%) ventilated for acute respiratory failure due to COPD required MV for only 6-90 hours.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization is a severe illness with high mortality, especially if the appropriate treatment is delayed. Sometimes diagnosis is difficult due to an equivocal clinical picture or chest film, or to accompanying diseases that mask or simulate pneumonia., Objectives: To assess the usefulness of certain inflammatory markers in differentiating pulmonary edema from pneumonia throughout the hospital stay in patients admitted for pneumonia or pulmonary edema of non-infectious origin and to monitor the response to treatment., Methods: The study group comprised 50 patients admitted for pneumonia, 50 admitted for pulmonary edema and 30 healthy individuals. Blood samples for determination of leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, sCD14 and oxidized fibrinogen were drawn upon admission, at 48 and 72 hours after admission, and at discharge from the intensive care unit., Results: The levels of sCD14 were similar in both patient groups but higher than control levels during the first 48 hours (P< 0.03). They decreased gradually with hospital stay. The concentration of oxidized fibrinogen was similar in both patient groups and significantly lower than that of the healthy control group throughout the hospitalization period., Conclusions: Oxidized fibrinogen and sCD14 are not reliable markers for the diagnosis of pneumonia, for its differential diagnosis from pulmonary edema, and for patient follow-up throughout hospitalization. The finding of elevated levels of oxidized fibrinogen in the group of healthy controls warrants further study to identify the factors responsible for altering fibrinogen oxidation. The other markers are more indicative.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to document transfusion practices in a cross section of general intensive care units (ICUs) in Israel and to determine whether current guidelines are being applied., Materials and Methods: This prospective study was performed in 5 general ICUs in Israel over a 3-month period. Red cell transfusion data collected on consecutive patients included the trigger, units transfused per transfusion event, and indications, categorized either to treat a specified condition for which transfusions may be beneficial (acute hemorrhage, acute myocardial ischemia, or severe sepsis) or to treat a low hemoglobin concentration., Results: Of the 238 patients studied, 50% received at least one red blood cell transfusion. The main indication for transfusion (43.7%, or 162/368 U transfused) was to treat a low hemoglobin concentration, in the absence of one of the specified conditions. Total red cell use was 3.0 ± 2.9 U per admission, and patients received a mean of 1.2 ± 0.4 U per transfusion event. The transfusion trigger for the whole group was 7.9 ± 1.1 g/dL. This did not differ significantly between the indications apart from a significantly higher trigger for patients with acute myocardial ischemia (8.8 ± 0.9 g/dL). In addition, patients with a history of heart disease had a higher trigger irrespective of the primary indication for transfusion and received significantly more units per transfusion event. Patients receiving a transfusion had significantly longer ICU stay and hospital mortality., Conclusions: Our study showed that evidence-practice gaps continue to exist, and it appears that physician behavior is mainly driven by the absolute level of hemoglobin. Educational interventions focused on these factors are required to limit the widespread and often unnecessary use of this scarce and potentially harmful resource., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fat embolism syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by varying degrees of cerebral dysfunction, pulmonary changes and petechial rash that usually develop within 24-48 hours in a small percentage of victims after trauma and Long bone fractures. Deterioration can occur within a few hours Leading to unconsciousness or acute respiratory insufficiency, similar to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The pathophysiology is still not clearly understood and there are two theories--the mechanical and biochemical cascade of events. It seems that the most significant diagnostic sign is hypoxemia with relatively normaL values of PaCO2 leading to development of radiographic "snow-like appearance" of the Lungs, resulting from the typical interstitial lung edema. Treatment consists of early fracture fixation, volume replacement, respiratory support and analgesia carefully managed since some of the patients may develop acute respiratory distress. The role of steroids and other drugs is still under debate. The vast majority of patients may heal without any complications, while 5%-10% of the patients may develop some neurological complications manifesting as behavior disturbances. The aim of this review is to update the clinical and pathophysiological aspects of fat embolism syndrome and to describe the various aspects of prevention and treatment.

Background: Renal artery stenosis is one of the most frequent causes of secondary hypertension. Appropriate methods for screening, diagnosis and therapy are currently under debate., Objectives: To evaluate and recommend methods for screening and diagnosing renal artery stenosis, and to assess the clinical outcomes of renal artery stenting., Methods: A total of 450 patients undergoing non-emergent coronary angiography fulfilled the selection criteria for selective renal arteriography; those with severe (luminal narrowing > or = 70%) renal artery stenosis underwent percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with renal artery stenting., Results: Of 166 patients (36.9%) with renal artery stenosis, 41 (9.1%) had severe stenosis that required renal artery stenting, and 83% had ostial renal stenosis. The primary success rate was 100% and there were no complications. During the follow-up period, two patients required a second PTRA. After stent deployment, significant reductions were observed in systolic and diastolic pressures (P < 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively) and in the number of antihypertensive drugs used by the patients (P < 0.001). These reductions were sustained during follow-up. Hypertension was cured (systolic blood pressure < 130 mmHg) in 9 patients (21.4%) and improved in 27 (64.3%). Plasma creatinine did not change significantly., Conclusions: Selective renal angiography is an effective diagnostic tool for identifying symptomatic cases of renal artery stenosis in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Our finding of a high success rate and low complication rate supports the use of primary renal artery stenting in symptomatic patients with renal artery stenosis.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a common disease worldwide, refers to two frequently coexisting lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Physiologically, COPD represents a disruption in ventilation and in the exchange of gases in the lungs. Laboratory tests indicate elevated CO2 level, gradual reduction of the levels of oxygen and pH in arterial blood and elevated PeCO2. It does not include other obstructive diseases such as asthma., Objective: Patients with COPD represent a large portion of those artificially ventilated in an ICU. In an attempt to determine the length of ventilation and stay in ICU, we compared the length of ventilation, weaning, reintubation and discharge during a period of ten months., Methods: This study included 73 patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) due to severe exacerbation of COPD that were not suitable for non-invasive ventilation. Each patient's arterial blood gases (ABG) were measured upon admission and PeCO2 was tested using a Datex S/5 instrument., Results: All patients included in the study needed MV; 67 patients were ventilated from 5 to 161 hours (average 40 + 47), 6 patients need more than one week. Three of these patients died due to severe ventilated associated pneumonia. No correlation was found between pH, Pco2 and length of artificial respiration; these findings do not contribute to evaluation of the patient's condition nor do they enable us to predict the length of treatment necessary., Conclusion: Most of the patients (92%) ventilated for acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) needed MV for only between 40-47 hours.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition in which there is limited airflow during expiration (exhaling, or breathing out) that is not fully reversible and usually worsens over time. The disease is estimated to kill more than 100,000 Americans each year, and costs related to care of patients with COPD are significant. Physiologically, COPD represents a disruption in ventilation and in the exchange of gases in the lungs. Laboratory tests indicate elevated CO2 levels, gradual reduction of the levels of oxygen and pH in arterial blood, and a consequent rise in the dead space fraction (DSF) of the lungs., Objective: Patients with COPD exacerbation represent a large portion of those artificially ventilated. In an attempt to develop a prognostic tool for length of treatment, we compared the proportion of DSF to the length of mechanical ventilation (MV)., Methods: This study included 73 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) where they received MV due to exacerbation of COPD. Each patient's arterial blood gases (ABG) were measured upon admission. PeCO2 was tested using a Datex S/5 instrument. Subsequently, DSF was calculated using the Bohr equation. Statistical data was analyzed using SPSS software., Results: Patients included in the study were ventilated from 6 to 160 hours (average 40 +/- 47). In addition to ABG measurements, PeCO2 (expired CO2) levels were measured and DSF calculated for each patient. DSF values varied from 0.21 to 0.76 (average 0.119 +/- 0.489). No correlation was found between DSF and length of artificial ventilation., Conclusion: Evaluation of DSF does not provide a factor in estimating the length of treatment for patients with acute respiratory failure due to COPD exacerbation.

The Phoenicians were the dominant traders in the Mediterranean Sea two thousand to three thousand years ago and expanded from their homeland in the Levant to establish colonies and trading posts throughout the Mediterranean, but then they disappeared from history. We wished to identify their male genetic traces in modern populations. Therefore, we chose Phoenician-influenced sites on the basis of well-documented historical records and collected new Y-chromosomal data from 1330 men from six such sites, as well as comparative data from the literature. We then developed an analytical strategy to distinguish between lineages specifically associated with the Phoenicians and those spread by geographically similar but historically distinct events, such as the Neolithic, Greek, and Jewish expansions. This involved comparing historically documented Phoenician sites with neighboring non-Phoenician sites for the identification of weak but systematic signatures shared by the Phoenician sites that could not readily be explained by chance or by other expansions. From these comparisons, we found that haplogroup J2, in general, and six Y-STR haplotypes, in particular, exhibited a Phoenician signature that contributed > 6% to the modern Phoenician-influenced populations examined. Our methodology can be applied to any historically documented expansion in which contact and noncontact sites can be identified.

Background: The temporal behavior of the coronary microcirculation in acute myocardial infarction may affect outcome. Diastolic deceleration time and early systolic flow reversal derived from coronary artery blood flow velocity patterns reflect microcirculatory function., Objectives: To assess left anterior descending coronary artery flow velocity patterns using Doppler transthoracic echocardiography after primary percutaneous coronary intervention, in patients with anterior AMI., Methods: Patterns of flow velocity patterns of the LAD were obtained using transthoracic echocardiography-Doppler in 31 consecutive patients who presented with anterior AMI. Measurements were done at 6 hours, 36-48 hours, and 5 days after successful PPCI. Measurements of DDT and pressure half times (Pt%), as well as observation for ESFR were performed., Results: In the first 2 days following PPCI, the average DDT (600 +/- 340 msec) was shorter than on day 5 (807 +/- 332 msec) (P < 0.012), FVP in the first 2 days were dynamic and bidirectional: from short DDT (< 600 msec) to long DDT (> 600 msec) and vice versa. On day 5 most DDTs became longer. Pt1/2 at 6 hours was not different than at day 2 (174 +/- 96 vs. 193 +/- 99 msec, P = NS) and became longer on day 5 (235 +/- 98 msec, P = 0.012). Bidirectional patterns were also observed in the ESFR in 6 patients (19%) at baseline, in 4 (13%) at 36 hours, and in 2 (6.5%) on day 5 after PPCI., Conclusions: Flow velocity patterns of the LAD after PPCI in AMI are dynamic and reflect unpredictable changes in microcirculation.

Lebanon is an eastern Mediterranean country inhabited by approximately four million people with a wide variety of ethnicities and religions, including Muslim, Christian, and Druze. In the present study, 926 Lebanese men were typed with Y-chromosomal SNP and STR markers, and unusually, male genetic variation within Lebanon was found to be more strongly structured by religious affiliation than by geography. We therefore tested the hypothesis that migrations within historical times could have contributed to this situation. Y-haplogroup J*(xJ2) was more frequent in the putative Muslim source region (the Arabian Peninsula) than in Lebanon, and it was also more frequent in Lebanese Muslims than in Lebanese non-Muslims. Conversely, haplogroup R1b was more frequent in the putative Christian source region (western Europe) than in Lebanon and was also more frequent in Lebanese Christians than in Lebanese non-Christians. The most common R1b STR-haplotype in Lebanese Christians was otherwise highly specific for western Europe and was unlikely to have reached its current frequency in Lebanese Christians without admixture. We therefore suggest that the Islamic expansion from the Arabian Peninsula beginning in the seventh century CE introduced lineages typical of this area into those who subsequently became Lebanese Muslims, whereas the Crusader activity in the 11(th)-13(th) centuries CE introduced western European lineages into Lebanese Christians.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common disease that tends to occur worldwide. Physiologically, COPD represents a disruption in ventilation and in the exchange of gases in the lungs. Laboratory tests indicate elevated CO2 level, gradual reduction of the levels of oxygen and pH in arterial blood, and a consequent rise in the Dead Space Fraction (DSF) of the lungs., Objective: Patients with COPD represent a large portion of those artificially ventilated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In an attempt to develop a prognostic tool for the length of treatment, we compared the proportion of DSF to the length of artificial respiration., Methods: This study included 49 patients receiving ventilation due to exacerbation of COPD. Each patient's arterial blood gases (ABG) were measured upon admission. PECO2 was tested using a Datex S/5 instrument. Subsequently, DSF was calculated using the Bohr equation. Statistical data was analyzed using the SPSS-11 program., Results: Patients included in the study were respirated from 5 to 161 hours (average 40 +/- 47). In addition to ABG measurements, PECO2 levels were measured and DSF calculated for each patient. DSF values varied from 0.22 to 0.74 (average 0.119 +/- 0.489). No correlation was found between DSF and length of artificial respiration. These findings do not contribute to the evaluation of the patient's condition nor do they enable us to predict the length of treatment necessary., Conclusion: Evaluation of Dead Space Fraction does not provide a factor in estimating the length of treatment for patients with acute respiratory failure due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Background: Hyperglycemia is common among patients admitted to intensive care units, and carries the risk for complications and prolonged ICU stay. With intensive insulin control of blood glucose, morbidity and mortality can be reduced., Objectives: To determine whether intensive or conventional insulin control of blood glucose in hyperglycemic ICU patients correlated with the prognosis., Methods: Following admission to the ICU, hyperglycemic patients were randomly assigned to a group treated intensively with insulin targeting glucose at 110-140 mg/dl, or to a conventional insulin therapy group, where glucose, upon exceeding 200 mg/dl, was controlled at 140-200 mg/dl. Rates of morbidity and mortality, hypoglycemic episodes, and insulin dosage were compared., Results: In the 41 patients treated intensively with insulin the glucose level was 142 +/- 14 mg/dl, as compared to 174+/-20 mg/dl in the 48 patients on conventional insulin treatment. Both groups were similar in age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score. Morbidity was also similar, except for increased vascular damage in the conventional treatment group and slightly shorter ICU stay in the intensive therapy group. Both groups had similar in-ICU, in-hospital, and 28 day mortalities, and similar rates of hypoglycemic episodes. The daily dosage of insulin was significantly higher with the conventional treatment (P= 0.004)., Conclusions: Intensive insulin treatment did not affect the mortality or morbidity rates in ICU patients. The increased insulin dosage of conventional insulin treatment was attributable to the group's higher prevalence of diabetes. Future studies should address this bias and determine the optimal glucose target.

This is an unusual case, of an adult man who was hospitalized with a severe asthmatic attack and severe hypercapnia, refractory to intensive medical treatment, which responded to pressure mechanical ventilation. We advise to consider this mode of treatment in similar cases.

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia, that requires hospitalization, is a severe illness with high mortality rates, especially in cases of delay of appropriate treatment. At times, the correct diagnosis of the disease is difficult due to equivocal clinical picture or chest film, accompanying diseases that could mask or simulate the pneumonia., The Aims of Our Study Were: 1. follow-up levels of fibrinogen throughout hospitalization in the group of patients admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia and pulmonary edema of non-infectious origin; 2. an estimation opportunity using them as possible new markers for diagnosis of pneumonia and for following response to treatment., Methods: Three groups of patients were studied: a group of 15 patients admitted due to pneumonia, a group of 15 patients admitted due to pulmonary edema, and a control group 15 healthy subjects. The blood samples for white blood cells count, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, levels of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, albumin, were taken for each patient on admission, 48 and 72 hours following admission and on discharge day. The received dates were compared using Student t-test., Results: The levels of fibrinogen were higher on admission, in the patients with pneumonia, maximally after 48 and 72 hours (P<0.001) in comparison to the control group. In pulmonary edema the fibrinogen levels were also high but less than those with pneumonia (P=0.0044), with gradual declining throughout hospitalization period (P> 0.027 for both groups in discharge day). The comparison of fibrinogen levels between groups of patients with pneumonia and pulmonary edema reveal statistically significant results at time of admission, after 48 and 72 hours but not on discharge day., Conclusion: Fibrinogens can be used as reliable markers for primary diagnosing of pneumonia or differential diagnosis from pulmonary edema, on admission and until 72 hours but not for patient follow-up throughout hospitalization period. Additional studies are needed for discovering other new markers for patient follow-up throughout hospitalization period.

The association of hypercalcemia and systemic lupus erythematosus is quite uncommon, with only three cases having been reported in the literature. We present a case in which this association is highlighted and demonstrate the presumed mechanism of high calcium level and the usefulness of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.

Introduction: The DES era has increased the demand on PCI-based revascularization and lesion complexity. One of the technical problems still limiting success rates in complex PCI is limited device deliverability. This work describes a new technique to improve deliverability., Methods: When deliverability was limited during PCI, a second 0.014-inch guide wire was inserted into the non-target artery. Then, another attempt was made to deliver the device to the target lesion., Results: The technique was attempted in 13 consecutive cases with difficulties in delivering a device; five of CTO (38.5%), five of diffuse calcifications (38.5%), two of direct stenting (15.3%) and one case (7.7%) of dilated aortic root. The anchor wire technique was the only maneuver needed in eight (61.5%) cases. Additional technique was needed in four (30.7%) cases. In four out of five (80%) CTO cases, the anchor wire technique allowed successful PCI and to deliver a balloon across a CTO. Final procedural success was achieved in 12 (92.3%) cases., Conclusions: The anchor wire technique can be very useful in increasing success rates in CTOs and various complex PCI's and has the advantage of being simple to use, without a need to re-cross the target lesion or to exchange PCI system.

A further new case of sarcoidosis associated with the use of interferon (IFN) in the classical treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is reported. During the last two years, more than 20 cases of interferon-induced sarcoidosis have been described in the literature and about half of these cases have involved CHC. Therefore this disorder appears more common than originally thought two years ago, possibly due to the more frequent use of interferon therapy and an improvement in the methods of diagnosis.

Distal embolic event is one of the major limitations of coronary and non-coronary vascular interventions. Balloon and filter-based Embolic Protection Devices (EPDs) are a new class of interventional devices, used to prevent consequential morbidity and mortality of the distal embolic events. Data from first generation EPD supply proof of concept and show approximately 40% reduction in mortality and morbidity, when EPDs are used during saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) interventions. Current limitations of all first generation EPD technology taper their penetration. With breakthroughs in embolic protection technology, it is estimated that, in the near future, EPDs will be used with stenting in all high-risk lesions (SVGs, carotid arteries and acute coronary syndromes), become the standard of care and even be used in low risk cases.

In this prospective study, we examined the diagnostic accuracy of exercise-induced left QRS axis deviation as a marker of LAD coronary artery stenosis. The mean frontal QRS axis of 66 consecutive patients with chest pain and exercise-induced ST segment depression referred for diagnostic coronary angiography was analyzed and related to the angiographic findings. An exercise-induced leftward QRS axis deviation was found in 9/40 patients with and 0/26 patients without obstructive (> or = 70%) LAD disease (sensitivity 23%, specificity 100%, p = 0.025). In 7 of the 9 patients with left axis deviation, the lesion was proximal to and in 2 in the region of the first septal perforator. Inclusion of patients with 0 degrees exercise-induced QRS axis deviation provided a more sensitive but less specific marker of LAD disease [sensitivity 53% (21/40), specificity 81% (21/26), p = 0.015]. The findings were similar in patients with single and with multivessel coronary artery disease. Grouping all patients in the present prospective and two previous retrospective studies (n = 165), the sensitivity was 29% and specificity 100% (p < 0.0001). Exercise-induced left QRS axis deviation was a highly specific marker of LAD coronary artery stenosis.

Two patients with primary angiosarcoma of the heart were treated. The first patient presented with spinal cord compression syndrome secondary to metastatic angiosarcoma of the lumbar spine. The primary tumour was found to be a right atrial mass. In contrast, the second patient presented with repeated episodes of pleural and pericardial hemorrhage resulting in effusive constrictive pericardial physiology. Repeated diagnostic attempts failed, and an open thoracotomy found an infiltrative type of pericardial angiosarcoma involving the right atrial wall. For both patients, the angiosarcoma proved to be rapidly fatal. The clinical spectrum of these two cases and a review of the literature suggest two major clinicopathological forms most commonly arising from the right atrium: a large obstructing mass and a less common, less symptomatic, locally infiltrative tumour, offering a greater diagnostic challenge. The prognosis is usually poor. However, a more aggressive diagnostic approach -- especially in the locally infiltrative tumours -- may offer hope for improving survival.

Serial Doppler diastolic transmitral flow patterns were compared with simultaneous hemodynamic measurements in a homogeneous group of patients with severe (New York Heart Association class 4) heart failure who were receiving high dose (508 +/- 271 micrograms/min) intravenous isosorbide dinitrate. The Doppler tracing uniformly showed a severe restrictive pattern, with tall peak early diastolic filling (E) wave (84 +/- 12 cm/s), small late filling (A) wave (28 +/- 8 cm/s) and very high E/A ratio (3.2 +/- 0.8). Isosorbide dinitrate decreased wedge pressure and systemic vascular resistance by a third and increased cardiac index by more than 40%. Transmitral Doppler E/A ratio changed directly in relation to the changes in pulmonary capillary wedge (r = 0.85, p = 0.03) and right atrial pressure (r = 0.84, p = 0.03), indicating preload dependence of transmitral flow velocity, even in severe heart failure.

The acute haemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of flosequinan, a new direct-acting vasodilator, were studied in 12 patients with severe (eight in New York Heart Association grade 3, four in grade 4) cardiac failure. Flosequinan was administered in a single oral dose of 100 mg, with haemodynamic monitoring over a 22 h period. The effects were compared with those observed during high dose intravenous nitroglycerin therapy (276 +/- 100 micrograms.min-1), given to the same patients for an identical period on the previous day. Both flosequinan and nitroglycerin produced significant haemodynamic improvement during the 22 h monitoring period. Cardiac and stroke indices increased with both drugs. However, while systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance were reduced similarly by both drugs, the decrease in right atrial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures was greater with nitroglycerin and less with flosequinan, indicating a greater venodilator effect for nitroglycerin and a more balanced arterial and venodilator effect for flosequinan. Systemic arterial pressure and heart rate tended to increase with flosequinan and to decrease with nitroglycerin. In contrast to nitroglycerin, flosequinan did not increase plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone levels. Atrial natriuretic peptide decreased appropriately after both drugs, in keeping with the decreases in left and right heart filling pressures. The favourable haemodynamic and neurohumoral profiles of flosequinan suggest that it may be a useful vasodilating drug in the management of patients with severe heart failure.

The effect of intracoronary isosorbide dinitrate on provoked myocardial ischaemia during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was studied in 60 patients who had at least 1 mm electrocardiographic (ECG) ST segment deviation during a 70 s control balloon inflation period. Isosorbide dinitrate (dose 1 mg, 2 mg or 3 mg) or placebo (saline) was administered by slow intracoronary injection, and the ST segment changes recorded again during an identical dilatation period 2-4 min later. Following injection of isosorbide dinitrate, the severity of ST segment deviation decreased (1 mg -31 +/- 30%, P = 0.03; 2 mg -51 +/- 35%, P = 0.0001; 3 mg -36 +/- 32%, P = 0.002) during coronary balloon inflation, and the time until onset of 1 mm ST deviation was prolonged (1 mg +79 +/- 137%, P = 0.06; 2 mg +85 +/- 87%, P = 0.02; 3 mg +78 +/- 109%, P = 0.02). With the 3 mg dose, the time to maximum ECG change increased (+37 +/- 87%, P = 0.02). In the placebo group, there was a small decrease in the severity of ST segment deviation in patients receiving placebo (-23 +/- 32%, P = 0.03), but no change in the time to its onset or in the time to maximum ST deviation. Isosorbide dinitrate did not alter heart rate, systolic arterial pressure or the rate-pressure product at maximum ST segment change, implying that when isosorbide was administered by direct intracoronary injection, a direct cardiac effect was responsible for the major anti-ischaemic effect of the drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were measured in 17 patients with severe congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class IV), and the response of the peptide was studied during changes in cardiac filling pressures induced by a 24-hour infusion of nitroglycerin. In the control state plasma ANP levels (687 +/- 551 pg/ml) were 10-fold normal. During the administration of nitroglycerin, natriuretic peptide levels decreased (p less than 0.005) with changes matching very closely the decreases in pulmonary arterial wedge and right atrial pressures, a 1% mean decrease in the peptide level for every 1.5 to 2% mean change in atrial filling pressures. In patients with hemodynamic tolerance to constant-dose nitroglycerin infusion, the resulting increase in atrial pressures was accompanied by an appropriate secondary increase in the plasma ANP level. During the 24-hour study period there was a direct linear relationship between both wedge (r = 0.93, p = 0.007) and right atrial (r = 0.93, p = 0.008) pressures and the plasma ANP level, with a zero-pressure ANP intercept near normal (69 pg/ml for wedge, 174 pg/ml for right atrial pressure). The findings were no different in a subgroup of five patients receiving simultaneous treatment with captopril, except that plasma renin activity was higher and the aldosterone level lower than in the control group by a factor of approximately 2.5. The close relationship and tracking of atrial pressure and natriuretic peptide curves suggested that the sensitivity of the atrial stretch response to changes in atrial filling pressures was maintained in severe congestive heart failure.

The effects of the second generation calcium channel blocking drug nisoldipine on subjective and objective measurements of exercise performance were studied in 19 patients with moderate to severe heart failure (9 New York Heart Association functional class 2, 9 class 3 and 1 class 4) due to fixed ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction. Nisoldipine (10 mg 3 times daily) or placebo were administered for 8 weeks in a double-blind parallel study, assessing exercise performance by symptom-limited treadmill exercise testing using a modified Naughton protocol. Nisoldipine was well-tolerated and produced a small increase in peak estimated workload performed (6.2 +/- 2.9 to 8.2 +/- 3.0 METs, p = 0.06). The rate of perceived exertion (Borg scale) increased from 17.5 +/- 2.2 to 18.8 +/- 1.2 (p less than 0.02). The higher workload was performed at a lower peak systolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), higher peak heart rate (p = 0.06) and identical double product (NS). There was no change in resting and peak heart rate and blood pressure or in exercise performance in patients receiving placebo. Resting left ventricular ejection fraction, measured by radionuclide ventriculography, was unchanged after 8 weeks both in the placebo (21 +/- 9 to 20 +/- 9%) and nisoldipine (34 +/- 17 to 36 +/- 19%) groups.

The possible role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in preventing or minimizing tolerance to intravenous nitroglycerin in severe congestive heart failure (CHF) was studied by quantitating the degree of tolerance in 12 patients receiving nitroglycerin (group 1) and in 9 patients (group 2) receiving nitroglycerin and concurrent treatment with captopril (60 +/- 29 mg/day). At peak effect, nitroglycerin produced almost identical hemodynamic changes in both groups, with significant decreases in right atrial and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, systolic blood pressure and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances. Cardiac index increased. The extent of nitrate tolerance was calculated for each hemodynamic parameter as the percentage loss of the peak effect achieved by the drug. At 24 hours, 98 +/- 80% of the benefit achieved with respect to right atrial pressure was lost in group 1 and 61 +/- 74% in group 2 (group 1 vs 2, difference not significant). For pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, 51 +/- 31% (group 1) and 85 +/- 53% (group 2) (difference not significant) of the effect was lost, and for cardiac index, 53 +/- 58% (group 1) and 54 +/- 44% (group 2) (difference not significant). Tolerance was also almost identical regarding systolic blood pressure and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance. Thus, the extent of tolerance to high-dose intravenous nitroglycerin in CHF was unaltered by administration of captopril, indicating that in clinical dosage, counter-regulatory neurohumoral mechanisms involving the renin-angiotensin system appear to be unimportant in its development.

The hemodynamic profile of tolerance to intravenous nitroglycerin was studied in 9 patients with New York Heart Association Class III to IV congestive heart failure. After rapid dosage build-up to the maximal tolerated dose (decrease in pulmonary wedge pressure to 10 mm Hg or systolic blood pressure to 90 mm Hg), nitroglycerin (525 +/- 548 micrograms/min) was administered at a constant continuous intravenous infusion for a total of 24 hours. The extent of nitrate tolerance at 24 hours was calculated as the percentage loss of the benefit achieved at time of peak effect of nitroglycerin. Tolerance had a different time course and magnitude in the venous, arterial and pulmonary circulations. At 24 hours, right atrial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance returned to control values in most patients, while 40 to 50% of the effect on systemic vascular resistance, cardiac index and pulmonary wedge pressure was maintained. These findings emphasize the importance of precise definitions in studies relating to nitrate tolerance.

This paper addresses conceptual issues underlying the assessment and implementation of health care priorities in developing countries as practised by foreign development agencies coping with a potentially destabilizing unmet social demand. As such, these agencies mediate the gap between existing health care structures patterned around the narrow needs of the ruling classes and the magnitude of public ill-health mass movements thrive to eradicate with implications for capitalism at large. It is in this context that foreign agencies are shown to intervene for the re-assessment and implementation of health care priorities in developing countries with the objective of defending capitalism against the delegitimizing effects of its own development, specifically the persistence of mass disease. Constrained by this objective, the interpretations they offer of the miserable state of health prevailing in developing countries and how it could be improved remains ideological: it ranges between 'stage theory' and modern consumption-production Malthusianism. (a) Developing countries are entering into a new pattern of public health which derives from their unique location in the development of capitalism, more specifically in the new international division of labor. Their present position affects not only the pattern and magnitude of disease formation but also the effective alleviation of mass disease without an alteration in the mode of production itself. (b) In the context of under-development, increased productivity is at the necessary cost of public health. Orienting health care priorities in line with belief in the instrumentality of profit for eradicating the diseases of under-development is ideological and counterproductive. Public health improvement is basically incompatible with production-consumption Malthusianism from which the leading 'Basic Needs' orientation in the assessment and implementation of health care priorities derives. Marx said that "Countries of developing capitalism suffer not only from its development but also from its under-development". Rephrasing Marx, this paper points out that developing countries suffer not only from the under-development of capitalism but also from its development.

A tentative theoretical explanation of modern nutritional vulnerability is derived from an original study of agricultural science as part of the social process in societies distinguished by the extent to which their form of production (specifically reproduction of labor) falls within or outside the world of commodities. The selected case studies--the United States, Israel, Brazil, and Cuba--are characterized also by advanced agricultural research, remarkable agricultural productivity, and, with the exception of Brazil, a satisfactory state of public nutrition. This particular selection thus lays the basis for a holistic investigation of malnutrition which considers the mode of production as the appropriate unit of analysis. As a theoretical, not statistical, account of nutritional status variations in a variety of social environments, the study employs a two-dimensional comparison of agricultural research orientation and impact, on the one side, and of predominant modes of reproduction of labor, on the other. It is proposed that, independently of agricultural productivity effects of research, structural nutritional vulnerability prevails where the strictly capitalist commodity--labor power--is sold below its value, and because, in the framework of capitalist production, science is biased against subsistence food crops that are used restrictively in reproduction of labor. This bias is rooted not in the nature of such crops, but in their role in determining the value of labor power, which as expressed by wage, stands in inverse proportion to profit.

A new case of late bacterial endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis is reported. The infection developed on an aortic valve prosthesis and responded favourably to medical treatment. The main characteristics of the micro-organism and of the oslerian graft are reviewed in the light of published data. The problem of endocarditis with negative blood cultures is discussed since C. hominis is reputed difficult to cultivate, although this was not the case in our patient.