Whole-Genome Characterization of Bacillus cereus Associated with Specific Disease Manifestations.

Bacillus cereus remains an important cause of infections, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. While typically associated with enteric infections, disease manifestations can be quite diverse and include skin infections, bacteremia, pneumonia, and meningitis. Whether there are any genetic correlates of bacterial strains with particular clinical manifestations remains unknown. To address this gap in understanding, we undertook whole-genome analysis of B. cereus strains isolated from patients with a range of disease manifestations, including noninvasive colonizing disease, superficial skin infections, and invasive bacteremia. Interestingly, strains involved in skin infection tended to form a distinct genetic cluster compared to isolates associated with invasive disease. Other disease manifestations, despite not being exclusively clustered, nonetheless had unique genetic features. The unique features associated with the specific types of infections ranged from traditional virulence determinants to metabolic pathways and gene regulators. These data represent the largest genetic analysis to date of pathogenic B. cereus isolates with associated clinical parameters.

Medroxyprogesterone interferes with ovarian steroid protection against coronary vasospasm.

Cardiovascular disease, the major cause of death in post-menopausal women, can be reduced by replacement of ovarian steroid hormones. To compare medroxyprogesterone with progesterone as the progestin in hormone replacement therapy from the standpoint of coronary artery vasospasm, we treated ovariectomized rhesus monkeys with physiological levels of estradiol-17 beta in combination with medroxyprogesterone or progesterone for four weeks. Coronary vasospasm in response to pathophysiological stimulation without injury showed that progesterone plus estradiol protected but medroxyprogesterone plus estradiol failed to protect, allowing vasospasm. We conclude that medroxyprogesterone in contrast to progesterone increases the risk of coronary vasospasm.

Comparison of Intracranial Aneurysms Treated by 2-D Versus 3-D Coils: A Matched-Pairs Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge on the influence of 2D and 3D coils to occlude intracranial aneurysms is poor. Therefore, aim of our analysis was to evaluate whether the use of 3-D versus 2-D coils alone may improve the efficacy of endovascular aneurysm treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a matched pair analysis comparing aneurysms treated by 3-D coils as initial "framing" coils to aneurysms treated exclusively by 2-D coils. Number of coils, implanted coil length/volume, and associated packing density were calculated. Aneurysmal occlusion was assessed and monitored 6 months (DSA; magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)) and 18 months (MRA) after embolization. Periprocedural complications and retreatment rate of each group were analyzed. RESULTS: Our retrospective analysis revealed 50 pairs. Concerning the 3-D group, number of coils (353 in total, median 7; p = 0.002), implanted coil length (55.69 ± 48.4 cm), implanted coil length per volume (5.92 mm/mm3), and packing density (30 %; p = 0.017) was higher than in the 2-D group (259 in total, median 5 coils; 38.52 ± 43.13 cm; 4.54 mm/mm3; 23 %). Occlusion was not significantly different immediately after treatment but at 6 and 18 months follow-up in favor of 3-D coils. Retreatment was performed in 2 cases of the 3-D group and in 3 cases of the 2-D group and therefore in a similar range (p = 0.564). CONCLUSION: Initial use of 3-D coils revealed a higher packing density and a higher long-term occlusion. Therefore, we recommend initial use of 3-D coils.

4D DSA for Dynamic Visualization of Cerebral Vasculature: A Single-Center Experience in 26 Cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 4D DSA allows acquisition of time-resolved 3D reconstructions of cerebral vessels by using C-arm conebeam CT systems. The aim of our study was to evaluate this new method by qualitative and quantitative means. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2D and 4D DSA datasets were acquired in patients presenting with AVMs, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and cerebral aneurysms. 4D DSA was compared with 2D DSA in a consensus reading of qualitative and quantitative parameters of AVMs (eg, location, feeder, associated aneurysms, nidus size, drainage, Martin-Spetzler Score), dural arteriovenous fistulas (eg, fistulous point, main feeder, diameter of the main feeder, drainage), and cerebral aneurysms (location, neck configuration, aneurysmal size). Identifiability of perforators and diameters of the injection vessel (ICA, vertebral artery) were analyzed in 2D and 4D DSA. Correlation coefficients and a paired t test were calculated for quantitative parameters. The effective patient dose of the 4D DSA protocol was evaluated with an anthropomorphic phantom. RESULTS: In 26 patients, datasets were acquired successfully (AVM = 10, cerebral aneurysm = 10, dural arteriovenous fistula = 6). Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of 4D DSA in AVMs (nidus size: r = 0.99, P = .001), dural arteriovenous fistulas (diameter of the main feeder: r = 0.954, P = .03), and cerebral aneurysms (aneurysmal size: r = 1, P = .001) revealed nearly complete accordance with 2D DSA. Perforators were comparably visualized with 4D DSA. Measurement of the diameter of the injection vessel in 4D DSA was equivalent to that in 2D DSA (P = .039). The effective patient dose of 4D DSA was 1.2 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: 4D DSA is feasible for imaging of AVMs, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and cerebral aneurysms. 4D DSA offers reliable visualization of the cerebral vasculature and may improve the understanding and treatment of AVMs and dural arteriovenous fistulas. The number of 2D DSA acquisitions required for an examination may be reduced through 4D DSA.

Reactivity-based coronary vasospasm independent of atherosclerosis in rhesus monkeys.

OBJECTIVES: We studied the hypothesis that in the absence of vascular pathology, coronary artery vasospasm occurs as a result of local regions of vascular muscle hyperreactivity. We aimed to explore the basis for a functional etiology of those vasospasms not explained on a structural basis. BACKGROUND: Ovariectomized rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) without injury or significant vascular disease were stimulated with platelet release products, and angiograms were compared with those from vasospasms induced in human patients. METHODS: We used intracoronary (IC) injections of serotonin, thromboxane A2 (U46619), endothelin 1 or angiotensin II in concentrations 3 to 10 times that which reduced coronary artery diameter by 50%. RESULTS: Although no agent alone caused vasospasm, the combination of pathophysiologic concentrations of serotonin and the stable thromboxane A2 mimetic, U46619, injected through an IC catheter, synergistically caused coronary vasospasm on the second or third challenge in five of seven monkeys. These drug-induced vasospasms were similar to vasospasms induced by mechanical injury followed by serotonin, and to those stimulated in human IC diagnostic tests, as judged by onset, appearance, kinetics and vasodilator reversal. CONCLUSIONS: These studies in ovariectomized monkeys revealed that coronary vasospasm can be stimulated without preexisting vascular pathology, endothelial denudation or injury. Reproducible vasospasm of primate coronary arteries in response to these two endogenous pathophysiologic vasoconstrictors, which are thought to be precipitating stimuli in the etiology of vasospasm, suggests that structure-independent epicardial vasospasm can be an important element in serious cardiac ischemic events, particularly the focal, persistent vasospasms that occur without plaques or injury.

Left main coronary artery spasm. A potential cause for angiographic misdiagnosis of severe coronary artery disease.

Two patients had catheter-induced spasm of the left main coronary artery during diagnostic coronary arteriography. One patient had no coronary artery disease, and the other had minimal disease of the right coronary artery. Spasm was relieved by nitrates; however, in one patient several doses were needed over 35 minutes. Catheter-induced spasm must be considered in the diagnosis of left main coronary artery disease, particularly on a patient with isolated left main coronary artery disease.

Therapeutic renal arterial occlusion for elimination of proteinuria: 'medical nephrectomy'.

A patient with severe nephrotic syndrome who was too debilitated to undergo surgical nephrectomies, underwent therapeutic bilateral renal artery occlusion by the selective injection of isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate into the renal arteries. The therapy resulted in dramatic cessation of urine flow and elimination of proteinuria.

Response to dopamine hydrochloride in the hepatorenal syndrome.

Functional renal failure accompanying advanced cirrhosis of the liver carries a grave prognosis. Seven patients with the hepatorenal syndrome and five patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver without renal failure were studied by the xenon Xe 133 washout technique. Mean renal blood flow and its cortical component were decreased in both groups compared to normal transplant donors, but to a significantly greater degree in hepatorenal syndrome. In hepatorenal patients, intra-arterial infusion of subpresor doses of dopamine hydrochloride improved the angiographic appearance of the renal cortical vasculatrue and the cortical blood flow rate. Urine flow rate and glomerular filtration rate did not consistently improve with 12- to 24-hour intravenous infusions, although two patients survived, temporally related to the study. These patients had shown signs of liver function recovery.

Natural history of asymptomatic coronary arteriographic lesions in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease.

Arteriosclerotic heart disease is a major cause of death in insulin-requiring juvenile diabetic patients treated for end-stage renal disease. Eleven consecutive diabetic patients without clinical evidence of coronary artery disease underwent complete cardiac evaluations, including coronary arteriography, as part of transplant recipient work-ups. Seven were women and four were men; their mean age was 32 (21 to 50 years). Angiographically, every patient had multifocal atherosclerotic coronary disease. Four of seven patients tested had positive-stress electrocardiograms. In this group of patients followed for a mean of 19.8 months, eight died. Of these deaths, six were due to coronary heart disease and another due to a stroke. In two patients who became clinically symptomatic, serial angiograms revealed progressive disease of the coronary circulation; in one case, despite normal renal allograft function and serum lipid levels. The mode of end-stage renal disease treatment, serum lipids or blood pressure control could not be linked to mortality. It is concluded that arteriosclerotic heart disease is common in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease even when angina is absent. The natural history in this high risk population is an important consideration in the selection of patients for end-stage renal disease treatment.

Frequency and significance of coronary arterial dominance in isolated aortic stenosis.

Myocardial infarction during aortic valve replacement has previously been reported to result from obstruction of a branch of the left main coronary artery by the perfusion cannula. Patients with a dominant left coronary arterial system may be at greater risk. To assess the frequency and significance of a dominant left coronary arterial system the coronary angiograms of 75 consecutive patients more than 34 years of age with isolated aortic stenosis were studied and compared with those of a control group of 150 patients. Among the patients with aortic stenosis, 19 (25 percent) had left dominance, 9 (12 percent) a balanced circulation and 47 (63 percent) a dominant right coronary arterial system. Among control patients, 14 (9 percent) had left dominance 18 (12 percent) a balanced system and 118 (79 percent) right dominance. The increased prevalence of left dominance in patients with aortic stenosis was significant (P less than 0.005). Among patients with aortic stenosis, the left main coronary artery was shorter (P less than 0.01) in those with left dominance (6.2 +/- 1.3 mm [mean +/- standard error]) than in those with right dominance (9.9 +/- 0.7). Sixty-nine patients with aortic stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement. Perioperative myocardial infarction occurred in 4 of 15 (26.7 percent) of those with left dominance and in 4 of 54 (7.4 percent) of those with right dominance or a balanced circulation (P less than 0.05). Perioperative myocardial infarction occurred in all three patients with left dominance and obstructive coronary artery disease. The increased prevalence of a dominant left coronary arterial system in aortic stenosis suggests that this may be part of a developmental complex. Patients with left dominance have a shorter left main coronary artery than patients with right dominance. They also have an increased risk of perioperative myocardial infarction if there is associated obstructive coronary artery disease. Preoperative information about the coronary arterial anatomy and extent of coronary artery disease may be helpful in planning the use of coronary perfusion and other myocardial preservation techniques during surgery in order to reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction.

Left main coronary artery disease. Risks of angiography, importance of coexisting disease of other coronary arteries and effects of revascularization.

To elucidate the determinants of the poor prognosis of patients with left main coronary artery disease and to assess the efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions the angiographic features and clinical course of 58 patients with left main coronary artery disease studied between September 1967 and June 1974 were analyzed. Eighty-three coronary arteriograms were obtained in these 58 patients using the Judkins technique; there were no immediate complications although one patient died 3 days after study. Previously cited predictors of left main coronary artery, unstable or nonexertional angina and marked S-T segment depression with exercise were found in a minority of patients; thus, the presence of the disease could not reliably be predicted before arteriographic study. Coexisting disease was found in either two or three other coronary arteries in 46 of 58 patients; only 2 patients had isolated left main coronary artery disease. Because the criteria for operability have changed in recent years, current criteria without knowledge of the treatment actually given or its outcome. The condition of 10 of 58 patients was judged inoperable in retrospect because of severe coexisting distal coronary artery disease (8 patients) or ventricular dysfunction (2 patients). Of 19 patients whose condition was judged operable in retrospect but who were treated without surgery, 9 died, 8 within 18 months; 10 have survived 12 to 83 months. Another 27 patients with a condition judged operable in retrospect had received saphenous vein bypass grafts. In this group, there were four operative and three late deaths. The severity of angina decreased in survivors treated surgically but was unchanged in survivors treated without surgery. The improvement in survival rates of surgically treated patients was not statistically significant. The data indicate that coronary arteriography can be performed at low risk with the Judkins technique even though preangiographic prediction of left main coronary artery disease is unreliable. Coexisting disease in oter major coronary arteries is an important determinant of the poor prognosis of patients with left main coronary artery disease and precludes surgery in 13 percent. Isolated left main coronary artery disease is uncommon. Surgical therapy relieves symptoms more effectively than nonsurgical therapy.

Percutaneous interventional catheter therapy for lesions of the chest and lungs.

Percutaneous, nonsurgical interventions using angiographic catheter techniques and radiologic guidance were used in the management of seven cases of various lesions of the chest and lungs. Successful catheter therapy included the embolization of a large, acquired, postinflammatory vascular malformation causing massive hemoptysis and a cavernous hemangioma of the chest wall. Sixteen pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas (one patient), an iatrogenic internal mammary artery-to-innominate vein fistula, and a persistent, postbiopsy bronchopleural fistula were successfully closed. Percutaneous drainage of a pyogenic lung abscess and the nonoperative retrieval of an intravascular foreign body that had embolized to the left pulmonary artery were also successfully achieved. Performed under local anesthesia with minimal morbidity, stress, and risk, interventional catheter therapy is remarkably cost-effective. Primary chest physicians are encouraged to consider this mode of therapy whenever applicable.

Hepatogenic pulmonary angiodysplasia treated with coil-spring embolization.

Coil-spring embolization is a procedure for treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Herein is described a patient with hepatogenic pulmonary angiodysplasia ("pulmonary spiders") managed with this technique.

Ventriculography and coronary arteriography in the acutely III patient. Complications, extent of coronary arterial disease, and abnormalities of left ventricular function.

Of 99 patients who underwent "emergency" diagnostic studies, 82 had "unstable angina" (group A), 15 had recent myocardial infarction (group B), and two had intractable congestive heart failure due to acute mitral regurgitation (group C). Two cardiac and two local complications occurred either during the procedure or during the following 48 hours. There were no deaths or myocardial infarctions. Ten (12 percent) patients of group A had "normal" coronary arteries and normal left ventricular function; 13, 26 and 33 patients had one, two, and three coronary arteries involved, respectively. Those with three-vessel disease had a significantly higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and lower ejection fraction (EF) than those with one- and two-vessel disease. Those with previous myocardial infarction had a significantly higher incidence of reduced EF and of wall motion abnormalities than those without a previous myocardial infarction. All patients in group B had significant coronary arterial disease, and 80 percent (12) had abnormal left ventricular function. Their mean LVEDP and EF were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than those found in group A. In conclusion, acutely ill patients were studied with low risk. Most patients had three- or two-vessel disease. Abnormal left ventricular function was related to three-vessel disease and to recent and old myocardial infarction.

Terbutaline in diagnosis of interstitial fallopian tube obstruction.

Effectiveness of terbutaline, a potent uterine muscle relaxant, for differentiation of temporary and anatomic interstitial fallopian tube obstruction (IFTO) at hysterosalpingography (HSG) was explored. In 43 IFTO evaluated, HSG after terbutaline showed patency in only one of 16 tubes in which IFTO was caused by spasm or other temporary cause. We conclude that terbutaline is not helpful in differentiating temporary from anatomic tubal obstruction during HSG.

Vasocilators in the canine mesenteric circulation. Evaluation of a potential aid in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Radiodiagnostic potential of intra-arterially injected vasodialting agents was investigated by their effect on total and segmenal resistances (VR) of mesenteric vasculature, blood flow in superior mesenteric artery and its bleeding branch; heart rate and ventricular and systemic blood pressure. Dipyridamole, isoxsuprine, protricular and systemic blood pressure. Dipyridamole, isoxsuprine, prochlorperazine, lidocaine, meglumine diatrizoate and carbon dioxide were poor dilators. Phentolamine produced hypotension; glucagon and serpasil an extremely long dilation. A large and short vasodilation was produced with tolazoline and nylidrin, but both agents increased VR of the postcapillary segment and caused transient hypotension and arrhythmias, nylidrin's side effects were smaller. Oxygen produced large and long vasodilation and minimal systemic effects. It is concluded that oxygen or possibly nylidrin are suitable agents should an intermittently bleeding mesenteric artery be dilated for diagnostic purposes prior to angiography.

Vasopressin and hepatic artery. Effect of selective celiac infusion of vasopressin on the hepatic artery flow.

Electromagnetic flow measurement study was performed in 20 anesthetized dogs to evaluate the effect of selective celiac infusion of vasopressin on the hepatic arterial vasculature. Teh hepatic arterial flow showed a biphasic response with an initial decrease followed by a substantial increase in spite of a continued infusion. The left gastric, splenic, and superior mesentric arteries showed a monophasic response with persistent decrease of flow during the whole infusion. The biphasic response of the hepatic arterial flow is thought to be due to autoregulatory dilative action of the liver to a decrease of the portal flow. The results and previous clinical experience suggest that the selective infusions of vasopressin into arteries supplying the liver can be used for short-term vasoconstrictive therapy of acute gastrointestinal bleeding in patients without liver damage. Further experience is necessary to evaluate the safety of prolonged hepatic infusions in patients with liver damage.

Experimental catheter obstruction of the gastric coronary vein. Possible technique for percutaneous intravascular tamponade of the gastroesophageal varices.

Experimental catheter obstruction of the left gastric (coronary) vein was explored in 10 dogs. Using a transjugular approach, the liver was punctured and the portal vein catheterized. Coaxially introduced catheters were then used to catheterize selectively and produce an intravascular obstruction (tamponade) of the gastric coronary vein. Ballon catheters were used for a temporary occlusion. Injection of a tissue adhesive, isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate, was used for a definitive obliteration. The achieved results show the anatomical feasibility of this approach and give good perspective for development of a clinical method for percutaneous intravascular tamponade of the bleeding gastroesophageal varices in cirrhotics.

Retrograde pancreatic venography after reduction of the arterial visceral flow: an experimental study.

To evaluate techniques for retrograde pancreatic venography similar to epinephrine renal venography, 35 dogs had transjugular portography before and after the infusion of various doses of vasopressin systemically or selectively into the superior mesenteric and celiac arteries, or after occlusion of the distal thoracic aorta. Increased filling of the peripheral portal branches resulted, but none of the techniques provided diagnostically useful enhanced pancreatic visualization.