Standardized Electric-Field-Resolved Molecular Fingerprinting.

Field-resolved infrared spectroscopy (FRS) of impulsively excited molecular vibrations can surpass the sensitivity of conventional time-integrating spectroscopies, owing to a temporal separation of the molecular signal from the noisy excitation. However, the resonant response carrying the molecular signal of interest depends on both the amplitude and phase of the excitation, which can vary over time and across different instruments. To date, this has compromised the accuracy with which FRS measurements could be compared, which is a crucial factor for practical applications. Here, we utilize a data processing procedure that overcomes this shortcoming while preserving the sensitivity of FRS. We validate the approach for aqueous solutions of molecules. The employed approach is compatible with established processing and evaluation methods for the analysis of infrared spectra and can be applied to existing spectra from databases, facilitating the spread of FRS to new molecular analytical applications.

Viral abundance and a high proportion of lysogens suggest that viruses are important members of the microbial community in the Gulf of Trieste.

Epifluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied to study virioplankton community in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea). The total viral abundance was in a range between 2.5 x 10(9)/L and 2.9 x 10(10)/L and was positively correlated with trophic status of the environment. Viruslike particles were significantly correlated with bacterial abundance in all samples studied. Correlations with other physicochemical or biological parameters were not significant. The data suggest that, because of the substantial fraction of tailed viruses present (26%), bacteriophages are an important component of the virioplankton community in the Gulf of Trieste. The abundance of viruslike particles in the seawater changed at hour intervals in a range from 1.3 x 10(9)/L to 5.1 x 10(9)/L. A significant fraction (71%) of the bacterial isolates was inducible in vitro by mitomycin C, and a high occurrence (51%) of lysogenic isolates with more than one phage morphotype present in the lysate was detected. The presence of lysogenic bacteria in the seawater was confirmed in situ with a mitomycin C induction experiment on the natural bacterial population. Results suggest that virioplankton is an abundant component of the microbial community in the Gulf of Trieste.

Viral abundance and a high proportion of lysogens suggest that viruses are important members of the microbial community in the Gulf of Trieste.

Epifluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied to study virioplankton community in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea). The total viral abundance was in a range between 2.5 x 10(9)/L and 2.9 x 10(10)/L and was positively correlated with trophic status of the environment. Viruslike particles were significantly correlated with bacterial abundance in all samples studied. Correlations with other physicochemical or biological parameters were not significant. The data suggest that, because of the substantial fraction of tailed viruses present (26%), bacteriophages are an important component of the virioplankton community in the Gulf of Trieste. The abundance of viruslike particles in the seawater changed at hour intervals in a range from 1.3 x 10(9)/L to 5.1 x 10(9)/L. A significant fraction (71%) of the bacterial isolates was inducible in vitro by mitomycin C, and a high occurrence (51%) of lysogenic isolates with more than one phage morphotype present in the lysate was detected. The presence of lysogenic bacteria in the seawater was confirmed in situ with a mitomycin C induction experiment on the natural bacterial population. Results suggest that virioplankton is an abundant component of the microbial community in the Gulf of Trieste.

Dominant right ventricular infarction: is angioplasty the optimal therapeutic approach?

Approximately 30% of all acute inferior myocardial infarctions (AIMI) are accompanied by acute right ventricular infarction (ARVI) as a consequence of proximal right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion. Fifty per cent of all patients with ARVI manifest hypotension, jugular venous distension, and dyspnoea with clear lung fields, which is then considered as dominant acute RVI (ARVI). The in hospital mortality rate of patients with ARVI who are treated traditionally is very high. Thrombolytic therapy is relatively ineffective, while primary angioplasty is a more recent approach yet to be established as optimal treatment for patients with ARVI. Thirty-eight patients with dominant ARVI were admitted to our CCU over a period of 24 months. The patients were retrospectively divided into 3 groups according to treatment: Group I (n = 16): traditional treatment; Group II (n = 12): thrombolytic therapy (streptokinase); Group III (n = 10): angioplasty after urgent coronarography. We tested the difference in the number of deaths in all groups by the Fisher exact test. There was a significant difference in the number of deaths between Group I and Group III (P < 0.05). Mortality reduction was also noted between Group II and Group III, which, however, proved to be statistically insignificant.

The value of the QRS scoring system in assessing regional and global left ventricular ejection fraction early after myocardial infarction.

In 71 patients with a myocardial infarction (MI) (anterior in 27, inferior in 44 patients) global (GEF) and regional (REF) left ventricular ejection fractions were determined by radionuclide ventriculography and estimated from a 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG), using Selvester's QRS score, during the early phase of a MI (15 to 21 days following MI). Global ejection fractions determined by radionuclide ventriculography and from ECG using Palmeri's method were: for all MI 40.8 +/- 12.6% vs 39.6 +/- 11.4%; in the group of anterior MI 32.0 +/- 10.0% vs 30.0 +/- 9.7% and in the group of inferior MI 48.9 +/- 12.0% vs 45.1 +/- 8.2%. A good correlation was found between global ejection fractions determined by radionuclide ventriculography and ECG, as well as between radionuclide GEF and ECG score. A weaker correlation was found between radionuclide GEF and enzymes among all MIs and in the group of anterior MI, while in the group of inferior MI this correlation was insignificant. The analysis of REF determined by radionuclide ventriculography and ECG showed the greatest abnormalities in the infarct region, but in the group of anterior MI, dysfunction was present in the whole left ventricle. The comparison of infarct-related REF derived from radionuclide ventriculography, with the QRS score showed a significantly higher correlation than the comparison with enzymes. ECG estimation of REF from a modified Palmeri's equation showed a better correlation with radionuclide REF than did GEF derived from the standard Palmeri's equation: anterior MI; r = 0.90 vs r = 0.82, inferior MI; r = 0.84 vs r = 0.69, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Global and regional parameters of left ventricular performance in healthy subjects during rest and exercise assessed by radionuclide ventriculography.

The aim of our study was to analyze numerous global and regional parameters of left ventricular (LV) performance during rest and exercise, in the group of 14 healthy subjects, by quantitative gated equilibrium ventriculography in left anterior oblique view (45 degrees). The global LV parameters at rest vs. exercise in our study were: heart rate 68.9 +/- 18.4 vs. 137.5 +/- 38.6; systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 121.8 +/- 18.2 vs. 178.6 +/- 31.2; diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) 82.1 +/- 10.8 vs. 90.7 +/- 12.4; double product 8,368.6 +/- 2,308.8 vs. 24,589.3 +/- 8,357.8; global ejection fraction (%) 61.9 +/- 15.4 vs. 72.8 +/- 12.8, end-diastolic volume index (ml/m2) 82.5 +/- 23.2 vs. 96.9 +/- 27.8; end-systolic volume index (ml/m2) 31.8 +/- 19.8 vs. 26.9 +/- 15.4; stroke volume index (ml/m2) 50.6 +/- 17.6 vs. 70.0 +/- 22.6; peak emptying rate (EDV/s) 3.4 +/- 2.6 vs. 8.3 +/- 3.8 and peak filling rate (EDV/s) 3.6 +/- 2.6 vs. 9.6 +/- 3.8. A significant difference (p < 0.05) between rest and exercise was found for all parameters. The highest values of LV regional ejection fraction were found in anterolateral and posterolateral region, while the lowest values were observed in inferoseptal and inferior regions. During exercise a significant increase of regional ejection fraction was found in all regions. The highest percent of radius shortening during rest was in anterolateral and posterolateral regions, and lowest in inferoseptal and inferior regions. The same sequence was found during exercise, and the difference in percent of radius shortening, between rest and exercise was significant in all regions. The observed normal values of global and regional parameters of LV function during rest may serve as a contribution for referent values. Our results on regional ejection fraction and the percent of radius shortening in rest, and their change during exercise, offer the possibility of additional information in the investigation of cardiac patients by means of radionuclide ventriculography.

Regression of ECG signs of myocardial infarction related to infarct size and left ventricular function.

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of Q waves and QRS scores were performed on 69 patients during the early phase of first myocardial infarction (MI) and 6 months subsequently. The regression of ECG signs of MI were compared with the enzymatically estimated size of MI, the location of MI, and with the changes of global ejection fraction (GEF) assessed by radionuclide ventriculography. Among 57 patients with Q wave MI a complete disappearance of ECG signs of MI was found in 9 (15.7%). Patients with MI of inferior location showed a significantly higher reduction of Q waves (p < 0.001) and QRS scores (p < 0.001) than the anterior MI group. In the group of 12 patients with non Q wave MI, 11 demonstrated complete regression of MI signs. Among all Q wave and non Q wave MIs, the authors found no significant difference in the size of MI between patients with and without complete regression of ECG signs of MI. The median of the percent of change of the QRS score was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in the group of patients with improved GEFs than in the group of patients with decreased or unchanged GEFs 6 months following acute MI. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for improved left ventricular function according to the change of Q waves and ECG scores were 91%, 32%, and 62%; for changes of Q waves, 81%, 40%, and 63%; and for changes of ECG scores, 91%, 36%, and 64%, respectively. In the group of patients with non Q wave MI these values were 100%, 50%, and 91% as a result of ST-T disappearance.