Two new species of Lachesilla in species groups riegeli and forcepeta (Psocodea, 'Psocoptera', Lachesillidae), from the state of Bahia, Brazil

Two new species of Lachesilla in species groups riegeli and forcepeta (Psocodea, 'Psocoptera', Lachesillidae), from the state of Bahia, Brazil.Two new species of Lachesilla from the Brazilian state of Bahia are here described and illustrated. Lachesilla cladoclaspers sp. nov., in species group riegeli, was collected in the Chapada Diamantina, Lachesilla nilopecanhensis sp. nov., in species group forcepeta, was collected in Nilo Peçanha, southern Bahia.

10-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial comparing bare-metal stenting with internal mammary artery grafting for proximal, isolated de novo left anterior coronary artery stenosis the SIMA (Stenting versus Internal Mammary Artery grafting) trial

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the long-term clinical outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with intracoronary stenting of patients with isolated proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. BACKGROUND: Although numerous trials have compared coronary angioplasty with bypass surgery, none assessed the clinical evaluation in the long term. METHODS: We evaluated the 10-year clinical outcome in the SIMA (Stent versus Internal Mammary Artery grafting) trial. Patients were randomly assigned to stent implantation versus CABG. RESULTS: Of 123 randomized patients, 59 underwent CABG and 62 received a stent (2 patients were excluded). Follow-up after 10 years was obtained for 98% of the randomized patients. Twenty-six patients (42%) in the percutaneous coronary intervention group and 10 patients (17%) in the CABG group reached an end point (p < 0.001). This difference was due to a higher need for additional revascularization. The incidences of death and myocardial infarction were identical at 10%. Progression of the disease requiring additional revascularization was rare (5%) and was similar for the 2 groups. Stent thrombosis occurred in 2 patients (3%). Angina functional class showed no significant differences between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both stent implantation and CABG are safe and highly effective in relieving symptoms in patients with isolated, proximal left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis. Stenting with bare-metal stents is associated with a higher need for repeat interventions. The long-term prognosis for these patients is excellent with either mode of revascularization.

Detection of moving groups among early type stars

Our procedure to detect moving groups in the solar neighbourhood (Chen et al., 1997) in the four-dimensional space of the stellar velocity components and age has been improved. The method, which takes advantadge of non-parametric estimators of density distribution to avoid any a priori knowledge of the kinematic properties of these stellar groups, now includes the effect of observational errors on the process to select moving group stars, uses a better estimation of the density distribution of the total sample and field stars, and classifies moving group stars using all the available information. It is applied here to an accurately selected sample of early-type stars with known radial velocities and Strömgren photometry. Astrometric data are taken from the HIPPARCOS catalogue (ESA, 1997), which results in an important decrease in the observational errors with respect to ground-based data, and ensures the uniformity of the observed data. Both the improvement of our method and the use of precise astrometric data have allowed us not only to confirm the existence of classical moving groups, but also to detect finer structures that in several cases can be related to kinematic properties of nearby open clusters or associations.

Implications of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) for the management of hospitals.

Although tremendous advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, hospital administrative systems have progressed relatively slowly. The types of information available to managers in industrial sectors are not available in the health sector. For this reason, many phenomena, such as the variations of average costs and lengths of stay between different hospitals, have remained poorly explained.The DRG system defines groups of patients that consume relatively homogeneous quantities of hospital resources. On the basis, it is possible to standardize average lengths of stay and average hospital costs in terms of the differences in case mix treated. Thus DRGs can serve as an explanation of variations in these factors between different hospitals, and also (but not only) for prospective reimbursement schems. As in a number of other European countries, a project has been set up in Switzerland to examine the possibilities of using DRGs in hospital management, planning and financing.

Hepato-atrial anastomosis, the "other Senning operation" for treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

A now 36-year-old woman developed a suprahepatic inferior vena cava stenosis, 9 years after liver transplantation for extensive liver echinococcosis. The lesion was treated by percutaneous angioplasty and stenting. Five years later, recurrence of echinococosis with intrastent stenosis together with clinical symptoms, prompted surgical treatment. Hepato-atrial anastomosis was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass with good result.

Pratiques comptables des hôpitaux et faisabilité d'un calcul de coûts basés sur les Diagnosis Related Groups

Travaux effectués dans le cadre de l'étude "Case Mix" menée par l'Institut universitaire de médecine sociale et préventive de Lausanne et le Service de la santé publique et de la planification sanitaire du canton de Vaud, en collaboration avec les cantons de Berne, Fribourg, Genève, Jura, Neuchâtel, Soleure, Tessin et Valais

A modular magnetic anastomotic device for minimally invasive digestive anastomosis: proof of concept and preliminary data in the pig model.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of minimally invasive digestive anastomosis using a modular flexible magnetic anastomotic device made up of a set of two flexible chains of magnetic elements. The assembly possesses a non-deployed linear configuration which allows it to be introduced through a dedicated small-sized applicator into the bowel where it takes the deployed form. A centering suture allows the mating between the two parts to be controlled in order to include the viscerotomy between the two magnetic rings and the connected viscera. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Eight pigs were involved in a 2-week survival experimental study. In five colorectal anastomoses, the proximal device was inserted by a percutaneous endoscopic technique, and the colon was divided below the magnet. The distal magnet was delivered transanally to connect with the proximal magnet. In three jejunojejunostomies, the first magnetic chain was injected in its linear configuration through a small enterotomy. Once delivered, the device self-assembled into a ring shape. A second magnet was injected more distally through the same port. The centering sutures were tied together extracorporeally and, using a knot pusher, magnets were connected. Ex vivo strain testing to determine the compression force delivered by the magnetic device, burst pressure of the anastomosis, and histology were performed. RESULTS: Mean operative time including endoscopy was 69.2 ± 21.9 min, and average time to full patency was 5 days for colorectal anastomosis. Operative times for jejunojejunostomies were 125, 80, and 35 min, respectively. The postoperative period was uneventful. Burst pressure of all anastomoses was ≥ 110 mmHg. Mean strain force to detach the devices was 6.1 ± 0.98 and 12.88 ± 1.34 N in colorectal and jejunojejunal connections, respectively. Pathology showed a mild-to-moderate inflammation score. CONCLUSIONS: The modular magnetic system showed enormous potential to create minimally invasive digestive anastomoses, and may represent an alternative to stapled anastomoses, being easy to deliver, effective, and low cost.

Faktorenanalytische Untersuchung und Rehabilitätsbestimmung der statischen und dynamischen Pupillometrie bei Normalpersonen und psychopathologischen Gruppen [Factor analytic study and determination of rehabilitation of static and dynamic pupillometry in normal persons and psychopathologic groups]

Variables measured during static and dynamic pupillometry were factor-analyzed. Following factors were obtained regardless whether investigations were carried out in normals or in psychiatric patients: A static factor, a dynamic factor, a stimulus-specific factor and a restitution-dependent factor. Evaluation of reliability in normals demonstrated a high reliability for the static variables of pupillometry.

ANIBAL, stable isotope-based quantitative proteomics by aniline and benzoic acid labeling of amino and carboxylic groups

Identification and relative quantification of hundreds to thousands of proteins within complex biological samples have become realistic with the emergence of stable isotope labeling in combination with high throughput mass spectrometry. However, all current chemical approaches target a single amino acid functionality (most often lysine or cysteine) despite the fact that addressing two or more amino acid side chains would drastically increase quantifiable information as shown by in silico analysis in this study. Although the combination of existing approaches, e.g. ICAT with isotope-coded protein labeling, is analytically feasible, it implies high costs, and the combined application of two different chemistries (kits) may not be straightforward. Therefore, we describe here the development and validation of a new stable isotope-based quantitative proteomics approach, termed aniline benzoic acid labeling (ANIBAL), using a twin chemistry approach targeting two frequent amino acid functionalities, the carboxylic and amino groups. Two simple and inexpensive reagents, aniline and benzoic acid, in their (12)C and (13)C form with convenient mass peak spacing (6 Da) and without chromatographic discrimination or modification in fragmentation behavior, are used to modify carboxylic and amino groups at the protein level, resulting in an identical peptide bond-linked benzoyl modification for both reactions. The ANIBAL chemistry is simple and straightforward and is the first method that uses a (13)C-reagent for a general stable isotope labeling approach of carboxylic groups. In silico as well as in vitro analyses clearly revealed the increase in available quantifiable information using such a twin approach. ANIBAL was validated by means of model peptides and proteins with regard to the quality of the chemistry as well as the ionization behavior of the derivatized peptides. A milk fraction was used for dynamic range assessment of protein quantification, and a bacterial lysate was used for the evaluation of relative protein quantification in a complex sample in two different biological states

The groups of Poincaré and Galilei in arbitrary dimensional spaces

In arbitrary dimensional spaces the Lie algebra of the Poincaré group is seen to be a subalgebra of the complex Galilei algebra, while the Galilei algebra is a subalgebra of Poincar algebra. The usual contraction of the Poincar to the Galilei group is seen to be equivalent to a certain coordinate transformation.

Mikrovaskulär anastomosierte Transplantate : Verwendung in der Kopf-Hals-Region nach Bestrahlung und Gefäßdepletion [Grafts with microvascular anastomosis : Their use in the head and neck region following radiotherapy and vessel depletion].

Surgical tumor removal is often the treatment of choice in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Depending on the extent of tumor resection, large defects are often produced in the individual head and neck regions, necessitating reconstructive surgery to avoid further functional impairment. In principle, this decision depends on the size and location of the defect, the aesthetic importance of the region and the functional significance of the area to be replaced. Reconstructive free flap procedures in patients who have undergone radiotherapy or exhibit vessel depletion in the neck due to multiple previous surgical interventions are particularly challenging. In order to ensure the best possible outcomes of surgical oncology therapies under difficult circumstances, this paper discusses the important factors and variables that can increase the success rate of microvascular grafts in irradiated or multiply resected patients.