A congenital aneurysm of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva extending into the wall of the left ventricle

We describe a congenital aneurysm of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva which extended into the posterior wall of the left ventricle.

An ambulatory, intermediate term left ventricular assist device

A portable, percutaneous, battery-operated left ventricular assist device intended for intermediate and long-term use is described. The system performed satisfactorily in vitro for periods of up to 9 months and in vivo for periods in excess of 3 months. Long-standing hypertension was observed in a 98 day implant with accompanying renal and visceral vascular changes. No evidence of peripheral thromboembolism was seen. Examination of the textured blood pump surface revealed an established biologic lining, characteristic of that previously seen in calves with some evidence of peripheral calcification.

Temporary mechanical ventricular support: Part 2

Temporary mechanical circulatory support is currently indicated in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and if necessary as a bridge to transplantation where no ventricular recovery is expected. Which mechanical support system to employ as a bridge to transplantation remains debatable. Implantable devices presently used are prototypes of proposed permanent devices for the treatment of severe heart failure in patients for whom transplantation is not suitable or available.

Temporary mechanical ventricular support: Part 1

Temporary mechanical circulatory support is currently indicated in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and if necessary as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. This support is presently required in 1% of adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Cardiac function and quality of life in long-term survivors following hospital discharge has been excellent.

A concealed impalement injury of the chest--an unusual intrathoracic foreign body

Penetrating injuries of the chest in civilian practice are rare. A case is presented of an unusual injury with a large wooden chair fragment which remained concealed for several days until the development of life threatening complications. Aspects of the evaluation of penetrating thoracic injuries are discussed.

Molecular cloning of the cDNA which encodes beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A from Dictyostelium discoideum. Complete amino acid sequence and homology with the human enzyme

beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase A (EC 3.2.1.52), the product of the nag A gene, is a lysosomal enzyme which is developmentally regulated in Dictyostelium discoideum. The enzyme plays a role during the slug stage of development in the maintenance of pseudoplasmodia of normal size. We used a homogeneous preparation of deglycosylated enzyme subunits to generate antibody. The antibody was suitable for screening a lambda gt11 cDNA expression library derived from the mRNA of late log stage axenic cells. We isolated seven positive clones. One of these contains the complete coding sequence of the protein. We also isolated a genomic clone which contains 800 base pairs of 5'-flanking sequence and 728 base pairs of coding sequence. Analysis of the sequences and of primer extension studies indicates an inferred transcript size of 1665 bases which closely matches the 1.8-kilobase mRNA size estimated by Northern blot analysis of poly(A+) mRNA from the organism. The sequence contains an open reading frame which encodes a protein of 59,787 kDa. This equals the apparent molecular weight in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of in vitro translated enzyme. The amino terminus of the purified enzyme appeared to be blocked, but internal peptide sequences were obtained by automated Edman degradation of gel-purified peptides generated by treatment of protein subunits with staphylococcal V-8 protease. These sequences are included in the inferred sequence. In addition to a typical signal sequence, the open reading frame encodes a second candidate transmembrane region, a serine-rich region, and four potential N-glycosylation sites. These are discussed with regard to the localization and processing of the enzyme during its biogenesis. Beginning at amino acid 100 of the Dictyostelium enzyme sequence, 36% of its amino acids are identical to the corresponding sequence of the beta chain, and 33% are identical with those of the alpha chain of human beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase. This is strong evidence that the Dictyostelium enzyme is homologous to the alpha and beta chains of the human enzyme.

A thymus gland behind the brachiocephalic vein in a patient with myasthenia gravis

A patient with myasthenia gravis was found to have the thymus gland behind the brachiocephalic vein. This dictated a transsternal, rather than a suprasternal, operative approach.

The effect of accelerated lactation on fetal maintenance in the rat

Rats mated post partum were permitted to nurse 2 pups until day 9, at which time laparotomy was performed and the number of implantation sites counted. Control animals were left to nurse 2 pups or none, while lactation was then accelerated in 4 other groups by the addition of more pups to totals of 3, 5, 7 or 9. On day 19 the mothers were killed and the fetuses counted, weighed and checked for normality. With increased lactational demand the proportion of fetuses maintained decreased. Total fetal weight was decreased significantly only when 7 or more pups were being nursed. Individual fetal weights and normalcy were not affected by accelerated lactation.