(C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: Our aim was to compare stentless and stented bioprostheses. Clinical outcomes, hemodynamic performance, and postoperative left ventricular mass regression were the principal outcomes assessed.

Methods: Sixty-two patients were recruited for the study. Our protocol was to consider all patients older than 55 years for bioprostheses, and also younger patients were implanted with a bioprosthesis if they wanted to avoid anticoagulation. Patients selected for

bioprostheses were randomly assigned to receive stentless (group A) and stented (group B) bioprostheses, depending Selleck LCZ696 on the treating unit. Patients in groups A and B were further divided into subgroups I and II based on left ventricular ejection fractions of 50% or greater and less than 50%, respectively.

Results: At 18 +/- 3 months postoperatively, the effective orifice area was greater in group A versus group B. Left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index, functional class, and mean gradient were similar in patients of subgroup Selleck S3I-201 I (left ventricular

ejection fraction >50%) from both groups. However, there was a significant difference between all except mean gradient in patients of subgroup II (left ventricular ejection fraction <50%) from both groups. Also, in the patient subgroup implanted with valves of less than 19 mm (group A, 4 patients; group B, 3 patients), there was a significant difference in left ventricular mass index and mean gradient.

Conclusion: In patients with left ventricular impairment or a small aortic annulus, stentless bioprostheses might allow for greater improvement in left ventricular function postoperatively.”
“Lipid rafts are specialized membrane microdomains that serve see more as organizing centers for assembly of signaling molecules. influence membrane fluidity and trafficking of membrane proteins, and regulate different cellular processes such as neurotransmission and receptor trafficking. In this article, we provide an overview of Current methods for Studying lipid rafts and models for how lipid

rafts might form and function. Next, we propose a potential mechanism for regulating lipid rafts in the brain via local control of cholesterol biosynthesis by neurotrophins and their receptors. Finally, we discuss evidence that altered cholesterol metabolism and/or lipid rafts play a critical role in the pathophysiology of multiple CNS disorders, including Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, and Niemann-Pick Type C diseases. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: Percutaneous aortic valve implantation has been performed clinically in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Transfemoral retrograde valve delivery is limited by concomitant peripheral vascular disease and the size of the delivery system. We report on the alternative transapical approach that allows accurate antegrade placement of a catheter-deliverable aortic valve.