Results: Compared with the secundum atrial septal defect group (n = 90), the inferior sinus venosus defect group (n 45) had worse technical outcome scores (P = .02), a higher rate of reintervention (9% vs

1%, P = .04), longer median total cardiopulmonary bypass (48 vs 39 minutes, P<.001) and crossclamp (29 vs 20 minutes, P<.001) times, and were more likely to stay more than 1 day in the intensive care unit (20% vs 8%, P = .04) and more than 3 days in the hospital (29% vs 13%, P = .03). Only 16 (36%) of the patients with inferior sinus venosus defect had a correct diagnosis preoperatively. Patients with SRT2104 price an incorrect diagnosis had worse technical outcome scores than the secundum atrial septal defect group (P = .003), whereas those with a correct diagnosis had scores similar to those of the secundum atrial septal defect group (P = .55).

Conclusions: Compared with patients with secundum atrial septal defect, patients with inferior sinus venosus defect have more residual defects and longer durations of cardiopulmonary bypass and hospitalization. Rates of misdiagnosis of inferior sinus venosus defect are high and associated with worse technical outcome scores. Accurate preoperative diagnosis of this lesion may lead to improved outcomes. (J

Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 142: 517-22)”
“The cerebellum is important for motor coordination, as well as motor learning and memories. Learning is believed to occur in the cerebellar cortex, in the form of ZD1839 supplier synaptic plasticity. Central to motor learning theory are Purkinje cells (PCs), which are the sole output neurons Dipeptidase of the cerebellar cortex. Motor memories are postulated to be stored in the form of long-term depression (LTD) at parallel fiber synapses with PCs, once thought to be the only plastic synapse in the cerebellar cortex. However, in the past few decades many studies have demonstrated that several other synapses in the cerebellar cortex are indeed plastic, and that LTD or long-term potentiation at these various synapses could

affect the overall output signal of PCs from the cerebellar cortex. Almost all of these forms of synaptic plasticity are dependent on calcium to some extent. In the current review we discuss various types of synaptic plasticity in the cerebellar cortex and the role of calcium in these forms of plasticity. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“This article provides a perspective on the current status of drug therapy for invasive fungal diseases, together with priorities for the future development of novel compounds. Key opportunities for new drugs include production of orally bioavailable agents for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis, invasive candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis and mucosal and urinary Candida infections.