Stent implantation in acute myocardial infarction using a heparin-coated stent: a pilot study as a preamble to a randomized trial comparing balloon angioplasty and stenting

Preliminary experience with primary stenting in myocardial infarction has suggested a greater benefit in clinical outcome than has been obtained with direct balloon angioplasty. However, subacute thrombosis (SAT) remains a limitation for this new mode of therapy. In the BENESTENT II Pilot and main trials, the incidence of SAT with the heparin-coated Palmaz-Schatz stent was only 0.15%. Therefore, as a preamble to a large randomized trial, the feasibility and safety of the use of the Heparin-Coated Palmaz-Schatz trade mark Stent in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) was tested in 101 patients enrolled between April and September 1996 in 18 clinical centres. In 101 stent-eligible AMI patients, as dictated by protocol, a heparin-coated stent was implanted. The primary objectives were to determine the in-hospital incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, MI, target lesion revascularization) and bleeding complications, while the secondary objectives were the procedural success rate and the MACE, the restenosis and reocclusion rates at 6.5 months. Stent implantation (n 3 129 stents) was successful in 97 patients of the 101 who were included in this trial. During their hospital stay, two patients died and no patient experienced re-infarction, ischaemia prompting re-PTCA or CABG. Four patients suffered a bleeding complication, three major and one minor, of whom three required surgical repair. At 210 days follow-up, 81% of the patients were event free. At 6.5 months restenosis was documented in 18% of the 88 patients who underwent follow-up angiography, including three total occlusions. The results, both with respect to QCA and the occurrence of MACE, compare favourably with studies using elective stenting in both stable and unstable angina patients. As a result of this pilot study, a large randomized trial comparing direct balloon angioplasty with direct stenting in 900 patients with AMI was initiated in December 1996.     

Genetic conflict outweighs heterogametic incompatibility in the mouse hybrid zone?

Background  

The Mus musculus musculus/M. m. domesticus contact zone in Europe is characterised by sharp frequency discontinuities for sex chromosome markers at the centre of wider clines in allozyme frequencies.     

Cation-induced inhibition of the 515-nm absorption change in chloroplasts: relation to structural changes

Divalent cations were found to inhibit the light-induced 515-nm absorption change in chloroplasts with half-maximal effects occurring between 0.3 and 0.7 mm. Monovalent cations were also effective but higher concentrations (~ 30–40 mm) were required for half-maximal effects. Divalent and monovalent cations also caused absorption changes of chloroplasts in the dark which superficially resemble 515-nm absorption changes. However, they can be correlated with volume changes and represent a combination of turbidity and pigment-absorption changes (flattening) which result from shrinkage. Half-maximal effects occurred at 0.8–1.2 mm for divalent cations and between 15 and 20 mm for monovalent cations. The relationship between salt-induced and osmotic-induced structural changes is also discussed.     

Mass spectrometry of the silver nitrate derivatives of cyclopropenoid compounds

1,2-dihexylcyclopropene, 1,2-diheptylcyclopropene, 1,2-dioctylcyclopropene, methyl malvalate, and methyl sterculate have been reacted with silver nitrate in methanol to form the corresponding methoxy and ketone derivatives. GLC, IR, and MS data are presented. The mass spectra and a possible method for determining the cyclopropene ring position are discussed.     

Depth Profile of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Accumulation over Two Decades in a Prairie Restoration Experiment

Ecosystems - Prairies converted from agriculture are known to accumulate carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and are an important contribution to terrestrial C sequestration. However, estimates of decadal...     

Isomer of antiaggregative pheromone identified from male Douglas-fir beetle: 3-Methylcyclohex-3-en-1-one

A compound previously detected in volatile material released by Dendroctonus pseudotsugae was identified by coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as 3-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-one (3,3-MCH). This is an isomer of 3-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (3,2-MCH, formerly called MCH), a multifunctional pheromone of this species. Not previously reported in natural products, it was collected from live male beetles in larger quantities than 3,2-MCH and frontalin, which were also released.     

Neurotropic viral infections leading to epilepsy: focus on Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus

Neurotropic viruses cause viral encephalitis and are associated with the development of seizures/epilepsy. The first infection-driven animal model for epilepsy, the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced seizure model is described herein. Intracerebral infection of C57BL/6 mice with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus induces acute seizures from which the animals recover. However, once the virus is cleared, a significant portion of the animals that experienced acute seizures later develop epilepsy. Components of the innate immune response to viral infection, including IL-6 and complement component 3, have been implicated in the development of acute seizures. Multiple mechanisms, including neuronal cell destruction and cytokine activation, play a role in the development of acute seizures. Future studies targeting the innate immune response will lead to new therapies for seizures/epilepsy.