A method for direct imaging of x-z cross-sections of fluorescent samples.

The x-z cross-sectional profiles of fluorescent objects can be distorted in confocal microscopy, in large part due to mismatch between the refractive index of the immersion medium of typical high numerical aperture objectives and the refractive index of the medium in which the sample is present. Here, we introduce a method to mount fluorescent samples parallel to the optical axis. This mounting allows direct imaging of what would normally be an x-z cross-section of the object, in the x-y plane of the microscope. With this approach, the x-y cross-sections of fluorescent beads were seen to have significantly lower shape-distortions as compared to x-z cross-sections reconstructed from confocal z-stacks. We further tested the method for imaging of nuclear and cellular heights in cultured cells, and found that they are significantly flatter than previously reported. This approach allows improved imaging of the x-z cross-section of fluorescent samples. LAY DESCRIPTION: Optical distortions are common in confocal microscopy. In particular, the mismatch between the refractive index of the immersion medium of the microscope objective and the refractive index of the sample medium distorts the shapes of fluorescent objects in the x-z plane of the microscope. Here, we introduced a method to eliminate the shape-distortion in the x-z cross-sections. This was achieved by mounting fluorescent samples on vertical glass slides such that the cross-sections orthogonal to the glass surface could be imaged in the x-y plane of the microscope. Our method successfully improved the imaging of nuclear and cellular heights in cultured cells and revealed that the heights were significantly flatter than previously reported with conventional approaches.

Ejection phase indexes by invasive and noninvasive methods: an apexcardiographic, echocardiographic and ventriculographic correlative study.

A new noninvasive method of measuring ejection fraction and the mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening from the apexcardiogram and carotid pulse tracing is described and compared with the echocardiographic and angiographic measurement of these values in 35 patients with coronary artery disease. The correlations of the apexcardiographic derived values with the angiographic measurements were excellent (r = 0.89 and 0.96, respectively, P less than 0.001) even though asynergy was present in 14 of the 35 patients. Only 6 percent of the derived ejection fractions and none of the mean velocity measurements were discordant with the angiographic data. In contrast, correlations of the echocardiographic measurements of the ejection phase indexes with the same angiographic data were poorer (r = 0.75 and 0.66, respectively, for ejection fraction and mean velocity, P less than 0.01). Twenty-eight percent of echocardiographic ejection fraction measurements and 20 percent of the echocardiographic mean velocity measurements were discordant with the angiographic data. It is concluded that the apexcardiogram is a dependable bedside test for estimating left ventricular function and is superior to the echocardiogram for measuring ejection phase indexes.

A double-blind comparison of indoramin and propranolol in the treatment of moderate to severe essential hypertension.

In a double-blind study, patients with moderate to severe essential hypertension were treated randomly with either indoramin or propranolol orally. The dose of both drugs was increased as necessary, to a predetermined level, in order to reduce the diastolic (Phase V) blood pressure to 100 mmHg or less. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks. There were 23 patients on propranolol and 27 on indoramin. The blood pressure in 22 patients on propranolol and 25 patients on indoramin was satisfactorily controlled in both the supine and standing positions. Mean supine blood pressure decreased from 181.3 +/- 14.2/116.2 +/- 6.8 mmHg to 140.6 +/- 7.1/95.7 +/- 3.6 mmHg after 12 weeks of treatment in patients receiving propranolol and from 188.3 +/- 18.9/118.4 +/- 8.7 mmHg to 144.7 +/- 7.3/95.7 +/- 2.5 mmHg in those treated with indoramin. There were no significant differences between the effects on supine and standing blood pressures and blood pressure control was maintained throughout the 12-week period in patients receiving indoramin and those receiving propranolol. Propranolol reduced the mean heart rate by approximately 16 beats/min in both the supine and standing positions. The maximum effect was seen 4 weeks after starting treatment and was maintained throughout the study. Sinus bradycardia (heart rate less than 60/min) occurred in 9 (39%) patients receiving propranolol. Indoramin caused a small but significant reduction in mean heart rate of approximately 4 beats/min in both the supine and standing positions. The maximum effect was seen after 2 weeks of treatment and was maintained for the rest of the duration of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prazosin in chronic congestive heart failure due to ischemic heart disease.

Oral prazosin hydrochloride (2-20 mg/day) was administered to 38 patients with chronic congestive heart failure due to ischemic heart disease for 6-18 months. Half (19) of the patients were hypertensive and half (19) nonhypertensive. All were receiving furosemide (80 mg/day, orally) and 19 were receiving digoxin (0.25-0.5 mg/day, orally) in addition to prazosin. Clinical radiological, mechanocardiographic, echocardiographic, and biochemical observations were made initially, at peak response, and at the end of 6 months. Prazosin improved left ventricular function indexes at rest, relieved symptoms and signs of congestion, and remained effective for 6-18 months with little or no increase in dose. There was no reflex tachycardia, tension-time indexes fell in all patients, angina was relieved in 8 patients who complained of it, and dyskinesia of left ventricular wall was corrected in 8 of 13 patients. The New York Heart Association functional class improved in all patients, but to a greater extent in hypertensive patients and in those not receiving concomitant digoxin. Mild, transient side effects occurred in 6 patients.