Are Spanish adolescents who actively commute to and from school more active in other domains? A spatiotemporal investigation.

We examined the association between mode of commuting to/from school (i.e., walking, multimodal, and motorized-vehicle) and movement behaviours in several space-time domains (i.e., total day, home, school, transport, and other locations). Walking to and/or from school was associated with higher MVPA in all space-time domains except home, where no associations were found. After subtracting commuting time to/from school from total day domain, the associations in favour of walking to/from school were maintained compared to those using other commuting modes, and in transport domain these associations dissipated. The study suggests the importance of promoting walking to/from school for increasing MVPA levels.

Months-long seismicity transients preceding the 2023 MW 7.8 Kahramanmaras earthquake, Türkiye.

Short term prediction of earthquake magnitude, time, and location is currently not possible. In some cases, however, documented observations have been retrospectively considered as precursory. Here we present seismicity transients starting approx. 8 months before the 2023 MW 7.8 Kahramanmaras earthquake on the East Anatolian Fault Zone. Seismicity is composed of isolated spatio-temporal clusters within 65 km of future epicentre, displaying non-Poissonian inter-event time statistics, magnitude correlations and low Gutenberg-Richter b-values. Local comparable seismic transients have not been observed, at least since 2014. Close to epicentre and during the weeks prior to its rupture, only scarce seismic activity was observed. The trends of seismic preparatory attributes for this earthquake follow those previously documented in both laboratory stick-slip tests and numerical models of heterogeneous earthquake rupture affecting multiple fault segments. More comprehensive earthquake monitoring together with long-term seismic records may facilitate recognizing earthquake preparation processes from other regional deformation transients.

Correlation between type 2 diabetes, dry eye and Meibomian glands dysfunction / Correlación entre diabetes tipo 2, ojo seco y disfunción de las glándulas de Meibomio

PURPOSE: To assess the Meibomian glands, ocular surface and tear function in patients with type 2 diabetes, and study the correlation between these conditions. METHODS: Prospective study of 76 males, 37 with type 2 diabetes with an average of duration between 7 ± 5 years, and 36 males from control group. After completing an ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, the non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT) and the tear lipid layer pattern was performed using interferometry system and tear meniscus height/TMH. Ocular surface was studied with lissamine green staining and morphology of the glands with evaluation of Marx's line (lid margin abnormalities); meibomian secretion was expressed and was also assessed the quality. The results were analyzed using the statistical Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney, and correlations by Spearman Rho. RESULTS: The mean age was 59 ± 8 years; 71% of participants presented MGD (76% diabetics and 67% controls). OSDI were significantly higher (p = 0.01) in the diabetic group. A positive correlation was found between glycemia and symptoms (p = 0.0005) and strong correlation between Hb1Ac and OSDI in MGD. NIBUT was lower in the control group (2.47 ± 1.2s) than for the diabetic group (2.9 ± 1.2s), with a significant inverse correlation (52.22%) with MG inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: MGD in type 2 diabetic patients is more severe compared with nondiabetic patients. Longer duration of diabetes is associated with major symptoms and changes in MG. Diabetic group showed major changes in lids and tear function, accounting for evaporative dry eye and presenting a high degree of correlation with MG inflammation and obstruction

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las glándulas de Meibomio, la superficie ocular y la función de la lágrima en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2, y estudiar la correlación entre estas situaciones. MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo de 76 varones, 37 de ellos con diabetes tipo 2, con una media de duración de entre 7 ± 5 años, y 36 mujeres como grupo control. Tras completar el cuestionario del índice de enfermedad de la superficie ocular (OSDI), se obtuvieron el tiempo de ruptura lagrimal no invasivo (NIBUT) y el patrón de la capa lipídica de la lágrima utilizando interferometría y altura del menisco lagrimal/AML. Se estudió la superficie ocular con tinción verde de lisamina y la morfología de las glándulas con evaluación de la línea de Marx (anomalías del margen del párpado); se expresó la secreción de las glándulas de Meibomio, así como su calidad. Los resultados se analizaron utilizando la pruebas estadísticas Kruskal-Wallis y Mann-Witney, y las correlaciones con Rho de Spearman. RESULTADOS: La edad media fue de 59 ± 8 años; el 71% de los participantes presentaron DGM (76% diabéticos y 67% controles). OSDI fue significativamente superior (p = 0,01) en el grupo diabético. Se encontró una correlación positiva entre glucemia y síntomas (p = 0,0005), y una fuerte correlación entre Hb1Ac y OSDI en DGM. NIBUT fue inferior en el grupo control (2,47 ± 1,2 s) que en el grupo diabético (2,9 ± 1,2 s), con una correlación inversa significativa (52,22%) con la irregularidad del borde palbebral y queratinización del OM. CONCLUSIONES: DGM en los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 es más grave, en comparación con los pacientes no diabéticos. La mayor duración de la diabetes se asocia a síntomas mayores y cambios en la GM. El grupo diabético reflejó cambios mayores en los párpados y la función de la lágrima, lo cual supone ojo seco evaporativo, y un alto grado de correlación con irregularidad del margen palpebral y obstrucción de la GM

Correlation between type 2 diabetes, dry eye and Meibomian glands dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To assess the Meibomian glands, ocular surface and tear function in patients with type 2 diabetes, and study the correlation between these conditions. METHODS: Prospective study of 76 males, 37 with type 2 diabetes with an average of duration between 7±5 years, and 36 males from control group. After completing an ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, the non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT) and the tear lipid layer pattern was performed using interferometry system and tear meniscus height/TMH. Ocular surface was studied with lissamine green staining and morphology of the glands with evaluation of Marx's line (lid margin abnormalities); meibomian secretion was expressed and was also assessed the quality. The results were analyzed using the statistical Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney, and correlations by Spearman Rho. RESULTS: The mean age was 59±8 years; 71% of participants presented MGD (76% diabetics and 67% controls). OSDI were significantly higher (p=0.01) in the diabetic group. A positive correlation was found between glycemia and symptoms (p=0.0005) and strong correlation between Hb1Ac and OSDI in MGD. NIBUT was lower in the control group (2.47±1.2s) than for the diabetic group (2.9±1.2s), with a significant inverse correlation (52.22%) with MG inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: MGD in type 2 diabetic patients is more severe compared with nondiabetic patients. Longer duration of diabetes is associated with major symptoms and changes in MG. Diabetic group showed major changes in lids and tear function, accounting for evaporative dry eye and presenting a high degree of correlation with MG inflammation and obstruction.

Características cognitivas y oculares en enfermedad de Alzheimer / Cognitive and ocular characteristics in Alzheimer's disease

Resumen La enfermedad de Alzheimer/AD es un trastorno neurodegenerativo progresivo que afecta la memoria y todas las funciones cognitivas con una edad de inicio tardío o precoz, y se presenta con una muy baja frecuencia por causa genética por alteración en el gen de la PPA, PS1 O PS2. El elemento etiológico mayor conocido es genético, con múltiples factores de susceptibilidad en interacción con factores medioambientales. Las guías de diagnóstico para la AD incluyen evaluaciones psicológicas, psiquiátricas y neurológicas con función cerebral, y no incluyen estudios de la función visual como parte del protocolo diagnóstico, siendo fuerte la evidencia de cambios oculares en retina y en algunas funciones visuales que aparecen aun sin el deterioro cognitivo característico de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Describir las características cognitivas y oculares en la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión documental de literatura científica en las bases de datos PubMed, Science Direct, Hinari y Ebsco Ebsco, Proquest, entre otras, con un periodo de búsqueda de los últimos 10 años, mediante los términos mesh "Alzheimer Disease and ocular changes", "visual cognitive alteration in Alzheimer" "retina and alzheimer disease". Resultados: La AD presenta un proceso neurodegenerativo con deterioro cognitivo, que se presenta en todas las regiones de la corteza cerebral, iniciándose en corteza del hipocampo y amígdala cerebral desde donde progresa a la circunvolución para-hipocampal, lóbulos temporales y frontales. Conclusiones: Varios estudios han demostrado que la AD presenta alteraciones en memoria, lenguaje, orientación visoespacial, acompañada por cambios estructurales en cerebro y en la retina al reducir el espesor de las células ganglionares, de las capas de fibras nerviosas y al contener cuerpos de inclusión con proteína beta amiloide (Aβ) y demuestran además que el diagnóstico de alteraciones funcionales por la acumulación de Aβ es un marcador precoz de la AD.

Abstract Alzheimer's disease / AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory and all cognitive functions with a late or early onset age, and occurs with a very low frequency due to genetic causes due to alteration in the PPA gene.,PS1 or PS2. The largest known etiological element is genetic, with multiple susceptibility factors in interaction with environmental factors. Diagnostic guidelines for AD include psychological, psychiatric and neurological evaluations with brain function, and do not include studies of visual function as part of the diagnostic protocol, with strong evidence of ocular changes in the retina and in some visual functions that appear even without the cognitive deterioration characteristic of this disease. Objective: To describe the cognitive and ocular characteristics in Alzheimer's disease. Methodology: A documentary review of scientific literature was made in the databases PubMed, Science Direct, Hinari and Ebsco Ebsco, Proquest, among others, with a search period of the last 10 years, through the terms mesh "Alzheimer Disease and ocular changes "," visual cognitive alteration in Alzheimer "" retina and alzheimer disease". Results: AD presents a neurodegenerative process with cognitive deterioration, which occurs in all regions of the cerebral cortex, beginning in the cortex of the hippocampus and cerebral tonsil where it progresses to the para-hippocampal gyrus, temporal and frontal lobes. Conclusions: Several studies have shown that AD presents alterations in memory, language, visuospatial orientation, accompanied by structural changes in brain and retina by reducing the thickness of ganglion cells, the layers of nerve fibers and containing inclusion bodies with protein beta amyloid (Aβ) and further demonstrate that the diagnosis of functional alterations due to the accumulation of Aβ is an early marker of AD.

[Childhood absence epilepsy: An update]. / Épilepsie absence de l'enfant : actualités diagnostiques et thérapeutiques.

Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is a common pediatric epilepsy syndrome accounting for 10% of all pediatric epilepsies. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of this epilepsy syndrome to pediatricians. Most of the patients can be initially managed in private practice or in general pediatric settings. Absence seizures are the only seizure type observed at the time of diagnosis in these patients. An electroencephalogram recording and a clinical evaluation lead to the diagnosis. The underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. CAE is considered a self-limited epilepsy syndrome since most of the patients will become seizure free. Only a few patients (5-10%) have resistant CAE. However, CAE, as well as any pediatric epilepsy syndrome, should not be considered a "benign" epilepsy. Attention deficit is observed in about one third of the patients. There is also an increased risk of academic difficulties related to specific cognitive disorders. Therefore, the early detection of children at risk of developing neuropsychological problems can be helpful for preventing school underachievement and poor psychosocial outcome. Recently, several studies including a large randomized controlled trial indicated that ethosuximide should be considered as a first-line treatment and valproate as a second-line treatment. Cognitive side effects should be an important factor in the selection of the antiepileptic drug and should be specifically assessed during the follow-up. This review concludes by discussing the criteria that might lead to referring the patient to a specialist.

Outcomes and utilization of kidneys from deceased donors with acute kidney injury.

Utilization and long-term outcomes of kidneys from donors with elevated terminal serum creatinine (sCr) levels have not been reported. Using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from 1995 to 2007, recipient outcomes of kidneys from adult donors were evaluated stratified by standard criteria (SCD; n = 82 262) and expanded criteria (ECD; n = 16 978) donor type and by sCr 2.0 mg/dL. Discard rates for SCDs were ascertained. The relative risk of graft loss was similar for recipients of SCD kidneys with sCr of 1.6-2.0 and >2.0 mg/dL, compared to 2.0 mg/dL (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5-7.6) and 1.6-2.0 mg/dL (AOR 2.7; CI 2.5-2.9) relative to sCr

Occurrence of Citrus leprosis virus in Llanos Orientales, Colombia.

In Colombia, citrus is cultivated in mostly small plantings that total 55,000 ha by approximately 25,000 farmers. Production includes 1,200 tons of fresh fruits and 60 tons of juice for domestic consumption, resulting in a net worth of US$650,000 per year. Most of the production comes from areas located between the Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Central mountain ranges (departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Quindio, and Risaralda) near coffee plantations. The departments of Meta and Casanare, located at the east plains (Llanos Orientales), include a zone parallel (4 to 5°N, 72 to 74°W) to the east mountain range and generate approximately 10% of the total Colombian citrus production. Suspected citrus leprosis symptoms on leaves and fruits of sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) were first observed by plant pathologists for CORPOICA (Colombian National Agricultural Research Organization) in citrus orchards in Casanare in 2003, and later in 2004, in Meta. To confirm the visual identification, leaves and fruits from Valencia sweet orange exhibiting typical lesions of leprosis were collected from several locations in the departments of Casanare (Yopal, Aguazul) and Meta (Guamal, Villavicencio, and Cumaral). Samples were fixed in cacodylate-buffered paraformaldehyde/glutaraldehyde solution and subsequently processed for examination in thin sections using electron microscopy. Samples were processed and examined at the Citrus Research and Educational Center (CREC) of the University of Florida, Lake Alfred, and the Agricultural College (ESALQ) of the Universidade de São Paulo at Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Some leaf samples collected in Meta were also dried and used for detection of Citrus leprosis virus, cytoplasmic type (CiLV-C) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the Centro APTA Citros Sylvio Moreira at Cordeirópolis (CAPTACSM). The RT-PCR was performed with primers that specifically amplify a fragment of the viral genome that codes for the putative cell-to-cell movement protein (1). Locations at CREC and ESALQ each observed, using electron microscopy, cell changes characteristic of CiLV-C that include short bacilliform particles in the endoplasmic reticulum and dense, vacuolated, and irregularly shaped viroplasm in the cytoplasm (2) in samples from Casanare and Meta. RT-PCR amplified cDNA fragments of the expected size for samples collected in Meta and one of the amplicons was sequenced (GenBank Accession No. DQ272491). The sequence obtained was found to have 98% nucleotide sequence identity to the Brazilian CiLV-C isolate (GenBank Accession No. AY289190.1). Mites collected from affected plants from the department of Meta were identified at ESALQ as Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), a known principal vector of CiLV-C (2). These several lines of evidence confirmed that the symptoms observed in sweet oranges at Meta and Casanare are due to the infection by CiLV-C. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this virus in Colombia. References:(1) E. C. Locali et al. Plant Dis. 87:1317, 2003, (2) J. C. V. Rodrigues et al. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 30:161, 2003.

Un programa de intervención nutricional y actividad física de seis meses produce efectos positivos sobre la composición corporal de adolescentes escolarizados / A six-month program of nutritional intervention and physical activity produces positive effects on the body composition os school adolescent

Introducción. La prevalencia de obesidad y sobrepeso infantil está mostrando un importante aumento a nivel mundial, particularmente en los países desarrollados. Se precisan actuaciones educativas inmediatas para frenar esta situación. Objetivo. Evaluar los efectos de un programa educativo de intervención nutricional y de actividad física sobre el porcentaje graso y distribución de grasa corporal en adolescentes escolarizados. Método. Se aplicó durante 6 meses un programa de intervención nutricional y de actividad física sobre un grupo de 24 adolescentes (12 mujeres y 12 varones), grupo experimental (GE). El grupo control (GC) estuvo compuesto por 13 mujeres y 9 varones. Se evaluaron diversas variables antropométricas antes y después de la intervención: peso, talla, índice de masa corporal (IMC), por ciento de masa grasa, masa libre de grasa, perímetro de cintura y ratio cintura/cadera. Resultados. El por ciento de masa grasa disminuyó significativamente en los niños del GE y aumentó en las niñas del GC tras la intervención. La ratio cintura/cadera disminuyó significativamente en los niños de ambos grupos y sólo en las niñas del GE. Se observó un incremento de la masa libre de grasa en los varones pertenecientes al GE. Conclusiones. La aplicación de un programa educativo de intervención nutricional y de actividad física aplicado desde el área de educación física en un grupo de adolescentes durante seis meses parece haber tenido un efecto positivo sobre la composición corporal, disminuyendo el porcentaje graso en los niños y evitando su aumento en las niñas (AU)

Utilización de prótesis de quitosana y silicona en la regeneración del nervio ciático axotomizado de ratas / Quitosan and silicon protesis of the axiotomized cyatic nerve in rats

Para la tubulización de nervios lesionados se ha utilizado silicona con buenos resultados en defectos menores de 3 cm. La silicona es considerada como un material inerte, pero tiene como inconveniente que no es absorbible y es necesaria una segunda cirugía para retirarla. Recientemente, se ha centrado el interés en la utilización de compuestos bioactivos, tales como, la quitosana, homopolímero de estructura lineal con enlaces1-4, N acetilglucosamina, obtenida de la desacetilación de la quitina. La quitosana es absorbible, hipoalergénica, inmunoestimulante y puede actuar como vehículo para liberación prolongada de compuestos. En este trabajo, fue usada para tubulizar el nervio ciático de ratas, para ello se compararon los efectos de ambas prótesis (silicona y quitosana), se analizó la supervivencia neuronal en el dominio medular del nervio ciático y la recuperación locomotriz por medio del índice funcional del nervio ciático. En ninguno de los grupos de animales tubulizados con quitosana o silicona se encontraron indicios de degeneración neuronal en el dominio medular correspondiente. Los animales tubulizados con prótesis de quitosana presentaron una mejor recuperación funcional, esto indica que las prótesis de quitosana produjeron efectos similares a los que resultaron con silicona. Una de las ventajas inmediatas por el uso de quitosana fue evitar una segunda cirugía para retirar la prótesis; sin embargo, este biomaterial posee muchas otras cualidades que facilitan la recuperación de nervios seccionados, mismas que deberán estudiarse utilizando otras técnicas.

Results of a routine exercise treadmill testing strategy early after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Some physicians use routine exercise treadmill testing early after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), yet there have been few prospective studies examining the results of such a functional testing strategy. OBJECTIVES: To examine the results of a routine post-PTCA exercise treadmill testing strategy, and to explore the impact of such a strategy on follow-up functional tests and cardiac procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Functional test results were examined from a cohort of 226 patients who underwent PTCA at a single institution in which a routine functional testing strategy is used. Tests were defined as 'routine' if they were performed solely because the patient had a prior PTCA. Tests were defined as 'selective' if they were done for a clinical indication or if there was no functional testing during the six-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 183 patients (81%) underwent at least one functional test during the six-month period after PTCA. Of these patients, 150 (82%) underwent routine functional testing, the majority (73%) of which were exercise treadmill tests. Sixty-seven per cent of patients who had routine functional testing had their first functional test less than seven weeks after their PTCA. Most routine exercise treadmill tests were found to be electrically or clinically indeterminate (46%), but a substantial number were either electrically or clinically positive (28%), or electrically and clinically negative (39%). Of patients who had electrically or clinically positive routine tests, 57% had repeat functional testing and 23% had repeat revascularization. Of patients who had electrically and clinically negative tests, 53% had repeat functional testing and 10% had repeat revascularization. Of the patients who had electrically or clinically indeterminate tests, 53% had repeat functional testing and 14% had repeat revascularization. The rate of clinical events was less than 4%, irrespective of the results of the exercise treadmill tests. CONCLUSIONS: Routine exercise treadmill testing early after PTCA is associated with a low clinical yield. Most routine exercise treadmill testing results in indeterminate and negative tests, which often lead to more functional tests with little difference in clinical outcome. These results call into question the use of a routine post-PTCA functional testing strategy.

Comparison of the mineral content of tap water and bottled waters.

OBJECTIVES: Because of growing concern that constituents of drinking water may have adverse health effects, consumption of tap water in North America has decreased and consumption of bottled water has increased. Our objectives were to 1) determine whether North American tap water contains clinically important levels of calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and sodium (Na+) and 2) determine whether differences in mineral content of tap water and commercially available bottled waters are clinically important. DESIGN: We obtained mineral analysis reports from municipal water authorities of 21 major North American cities. Mineral content of tap water was compared with published data regarding commercially available bottled waters and with dietary reference intakes (DRIs). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mineral levels varied among tap water sources in North America and among bottled waters. European bottled waters generally contained higher mineral levels than North American tap water sources and North American bottled waters. For half of the tap water sources we examined, adults may fulfill between 8% and 16% of their Ca2+ DRI and between 6% and 31% of their Mg2+ DRI by drinking 2 liters per day. One liter of most moderate mineralization European bottled waters contained between 20% and 58% of the Ca2+ DRI and between 16% and 41% of the Mg2+ DRI in adults. High mineralization bottled waters often contained up to half of the maximum recommended daily intake of Na+. CONCLUSION: Drinking water sources available to North Americans may contain high levels of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+ and may provide clinically important portions of the recommended dietary intake of these minerals. Physicians should encourage patients to check the mineral content of their drinking water, whether tap or bottled, and choose water most appropriate for their needs.

Use of routine functional testing after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: results from the ROSETTA Registry.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for exercise testing suggest that only selected groups of high-risk patients should undergo routine functional testing after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for the detection of restenosis. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was (1) to document the patterns of use of post-PTCA functional testing and (2) to determine whether the choice of functional testing strategy is related to clinical characteristics of patients or whether physicians use a similar strategy for all their patients. METHODS: The Routine Versus Selective Exercise Treadmill Testing After Angioplasty (ROSETTA) Registry is a prospective study examining the use of functional testing among 788 patients at 13 centers in 5 countries. RESULTS: During the 6-month period after a successful PTCA, 49% of patients underwent functional testing (range among centers 10%-81%). Among patients who underwent functional testing, 39% had a clinical indication and 61% had functional testing as a routine follow-up. The first functional test was performed a median of 7 weeks after PTCA, with 13% of patients having second tests at a median of 14 weeks and 4% having additional tests at a median of 20 weeks. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that the chief determinant of the use of routine functional testing was clinical center. Aside from age (P <.0001), no baseline clinical or procedural characteristics were consistently associated with the use of routine functional testing after PTCA. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians do not appear to be adhering to the ACC/AHA guidelines for exercise testing regarding the routine use of post-PTCA functional testing. None of the clinical characteristics identified by the ACC/AHA guidelines were associated with the routine use of post-PTCA functional testing, and the primary determinant of functional testing was the location of the center at which the patient had the PTCA.

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms during cardiac catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Many authorities advocate routine screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization often have risk factors for AAA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of screening for AAA during cardiac catheterization. METHODS: We prospectively examined the abdominal aorta in 127 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Panning down during left ventriculography was the primary method for imaging the abdominal aorta. However, if there was difficulty advancing the catheter into the abdominal aorta, a formal postero-anterior abdominal aortogram was obtained. Off-line analysis of aortic morphology and diameters was performed. RESULTS: We achieved adequate visualization of the abdominal aorta in 99 of 127 patients. Mean age was 67 years; 75% were male. Risk factors for AAA were common, and included: history of smoking (88%); angina (84%); hypertension (57%); hyperlipidemia (52%); previous myocardial infarction (39%); diabetes mellitus (30%); obesity (21%); congestive heart failure (17%); presence of peripheral vascular disease (14%); and previous peripheral vascular procedures (12%). Panning down during left ventriculography was performed in 89% of cases in the 30 degrees right anterior oblique position. Previously undiagnosed, asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms were found in 8 of 99 patients (8%). The mean intraluminal aneurysmal diameter was 2.8 +/- 1.1 cm and the mean length was 5.4 +/- 1.8 cm. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed in 7 of these cases (1 patient refused), and the mean diameter measured was 3.8 +/- 1.4 cm. Peripheral vascular disease, previous peripheral vascular surgery and difficulty advancing the catheter during the procedure were associated by univariate analysis with the presence of AAA. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that difficulty threading the catheter was the only independent predictor of the presence of AAA (odds ratio = 11.1; 95% confidence interval = 4.6-26.6; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Undiagnosed abdominal aortic aneurysms can be identified during routine examination of the abdominal aorta during cardiac catheterization. Because screening for AAA during cardiac catheterization is inexpensive and easily performed, it should be a routine part of the examination.

Functional testing for the detection of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have examined the ability of functional testing to detect restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). However, a meta-analysis of these studies has not been performed. OBJECTIVES: To pool the results of studies examining the diagnostic abilities of exercise treadmill testing (ETT), stress nuclear imaging and stress echocardiographic imaging at six months to detect post-PTCA restenosis. The secondary objective was to examine, through the use of a theoretical model, the impact of stenting on the yield of post-PTCA functional testing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was conducted to identify studies examining post-PTCA functional testing for the diagnosis of restenosis. The English-language literature was examined for the years 1975 to 2000. Appropriate articles were identified, and their references were examined to identify additional studies. The sensitivities and specificities of these studies were then pooled and Bayes' theorem was used to examine the effect of stenting on the diagnostic abilities of post-PTCA functional testing. RESULTS: A pooled analysis showed that ETT alone has a poor sensitivity (46%, 95% CI 33% to 58%) and a moderate specificity (77%, 95% CI 67% to 86%) for the identification of post-PTCA restenosis. The use of nuclear imaging increases the sensitivity (87%, 95% CI 74% to 100%) and the specificity (78%, 95% CI 74% to 81%). Echocardiographic imaging also increases both sensitivity (63%, 95% CI 15% to 100%) and specificity (87%, 95% CI 72% to 100%). The positive likelihood ratios for ETT alone, nuclear imaging and echocardiographic imaging were calculated to be 1.94, 3.93 and 4.94, respectively. Conversely, the negative likelihood ratios were calculated to be 0.71, 0.16 and 0.43, respectively. As restenosis rates decline from 30% to 10%, the false positive rate of stress imaging increases from 37% to 77%. CONCLUSIONS: ETT alone is poorly diagnostic of post-PTCA restenosis, while stress nuclear and stress echocardiographic imaging perform better. However, the value of routine post-PTCA functional testing to detect restenosis is declining because restenosis rates are decreasing.

Functional testing after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in Canada and the United States: a survey of practice patterns.

BACKGROUND: Authorities recommend various strategies to identify restenosis in patients who have undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Some authorities recommend a routine functional testing strategy, while others recommend a clinically driven strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine the patterns of use of post-PTCA functional testing, 89 directors of cardiac catheterization laboratories in Canada and the United States were surveyed. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of the Canadian and American respondents were similar, including median age (43 and 45 years, respectively) and median number of PTCAs performed each year (200 each). Canadians were more likely to employ a routine functional testing strategy than Americans (62% versus 38%), while Americans were more likely to employ stress imaging studies than Canadians (49% versus 35%). Overall, close to half (44%) of all the cardiologists employed a routine functional testing strategy. Physicians who employed a routine functional testing strategy performed the first functional test a median of three months after PTCA and the second a median of six months after PTCA. Both Canadian and American cardiologists tended to underestimate the incidence of restenosis after PTCA (33% without a stent and 18% with a stent) and to overestimate the sensitivity of exercise treadmill testing for the detection of restenosis (63%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of functional testing after PTCA varies widely. Canadian cardiologists are more likely to employ a routine functional testing strategy than American cardiologists. Close to half of the cardiologists surveyed employed a routine functional testing strategy. These results indicate that there is little consensus regarding the use of functional testing after PTCA.

Variation in the mineral content of commercially available bottled waters: implications for health and disease.

PURPOSE: Although the annual consumption of bottled water in North America is 12.7 gallons per capita, little is known about the potential health effects of these waters. We reviewed the amounts of major minerals found in commercially available bottled waters, the recommended daily allowances for these minerals, and their beneficial and harmful effects. METHODS: We obtained the mineral content of various commercially available bottled waters in North America and Europe from The Pocket Guide to Bottled Water. We then conducted a Medline search to identify articles examining the beneficial and harmful effects of magnesium, sodium, and calcium. RESULTS: Great variation exists in the mineral content of commercially available bottled waters. Among the bottled waters that we reviewed, the magnesium content ranges from 0 to 126 mg per liter, the sodium content ranges from 0 to 1,200 mg per liter, and the calcium content ranges from 0 to 546 mg per liter. Epidemiologic and clinical studies suggest that magnesium may reduce the frequency of sudden death, that sodium contributes to the occurrence of hypertension, and that calcium may help prevent osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The ideal bottled water should be rich in magnesium and calcium and have a low sodium content. Because there is great variation in the mineral content of commercially available bottled waters, the actual mineral content of bottled water should be considered when selecting one for consumption.

Comparison of cardiology training programs in Canada and the United States.

To compare the composition of cardiology training programs in Canada and the USA, we surveyed the directors of all Canadian and American training programs. We found that Canadian trainees performed significantly fewer procedures than USA trainees and that the chief determinants of numbers of procedures performed are duration of time spent in a rotation and the type of hospital where the program is based.

Anticonvulsant effects of Magnolia grandiflora L. in the rat.

The ethyl ether (EE) and hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Magnolia grandiflora L. (Magnoliaceae) seeds, a popular plant utilized in the Mexican traditional medicine because of its antispasmodic as well as other reported pharmacological effects, were studied in adult male Wistar rats. EE and HE orally administered in a single dose of 250 mg/kg (calculated on lipidic base) and 200 mg/kg, exhibited abolition of the extensor reflex of maximal electric induced-seizure test in 50 and 40% of the experimental animals, respectively. They significantly prolonged the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital and only the ethanol extract induced hypothermia. No neurological deficit was exhibited by either extract according to the gait, stance and righting test. Although ulterior toxicological and pharmacological insight is necessary, these results suggest that the chemical constituents of this plant could have utility in the control of epileptic patients presenting convulsive seizures.