Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) was surgically performed in murine hearts which were then subjected to repeated imaging to monitor temporal changes in functional parameters of key clinical significance. Two-dimensional movies were acquired at high frame rate (8 kHz) and were utilized to estimate high-quality myocardial strain. Two-dimensional elastograms (strain images), as well as strain profiles, were visualized. Results were powerful in quantitatively assessing IR-induced changes in cardiac events including left-ventricular (LV) contraction, LV relaxation and isovolumetric phases of both pre-IR and post-IR beating hearts in intact mice. In addition, compromised sector-wise wall motion and anatomical deformation in the infarcted myocardium were visualized. The elastograms were uniquely able to provide information on the following parameters in addition to standard physiological indices that are known to be affected by myocardial infarction in the mouse: internal diameters of mitral valve orifice and aorta, effective regurgitant orifice, myocardial strain (circumferential as well as radial), turbulence in blood flow pattern as revealed by the color Doppler movies and velocity profiles, asynchrony in LV sector, and changes in the length and direction of vectors demonstrating slower and asymmetrical wall movement. This work emphasizes on the visual demonstration of how such analyses are performed.

Whole-tree water use in 4- and 8-year-old plantations of Eucalyptus nitens Deane and Maiden (ex Maiden) in the presence and absence of Acacia dealbata Link. weeds was estimated by the heat pulse velocity technique during a six-week summer period. Maximum sap velocities were recorded between 5 and 15 mm under the cambium for both eucalypt and acacia trees, and marked radial and axial variations in sap velocity were observed. The latter source of variation was most pronounced in mixed stands where crowns were asymmetrical. Mean daily sap flux ranged from 1.4 to 103.6 l day(-1) for eucalypts and from < 0.1 to 8.4 l day(-1) for acacias. Stem diameter explained 98% of the variation in sapwood area for E. nitens and 89% for A. dealbata, and was determined to be a suitable parameter for scaling water use from the tree to stand level. Plot transpiration varied from 1.4 to 2.8 mm day(-1) in mixed 8-year-old plots and was 0.85 mm day(-1) in a mixed 4-year-old plot. The degree of A. dealbata infestation was associated with absolute plot water use and regression models predicted that, in the absence of acacia competition, plot water use for the 8-year-old stand would approach 5-6 mm day(-1) during the growing season.

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that produces a narrowing of the aorta and its major branches. Fibrosis and thickening of the arterial wall often occur in later stages, resulting in a cerebrovascular accident. The authors report two young women patients who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and occlusive cerebrovasular disease associated with Takayasu's arteritis. Both patients had sudden headache and hemiparesis. Physical examination showed weak radial pulse, carotid bruit, and asymmetrical blood pressure. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was elevated in both patients. SAH was confirmed by brain computerized tomography (CT) or lumbar puncture. Occlusive cerebrovascular disease was diagnosed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and cerebral angiography. The findings of aortography and cerebral angiography were compatible with Takayasu's arteritis, but intracranial aneurysm was not found in either patient.

The brachioradialis muscle is a common donor in tetraplegia reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine the available excursion of the brachioradialis during graduated release of its insertion sites. Fourteen extremities in 10 patients with cervical spine injuries underwent surgical reconstruction for restoration of hand function using the brachioradialis as a donor for one of the restored movements. At the time of surgery the brachioradialis was exposed along the forearm and a wire was inserted into the muscle followed by excitation with a biphasic, asymmetrical, charge-balanced waveform. A 12-Hz frequency and 20-mA current were used to stimulate the muscle while the pulse duration was varied between 0 and 200 milliseconds to achieve maximum contraction. Average brachioradialis excursion after incision of the radial styloid insertion site was 8 mm and 14 mm after mobilization to the musculotendinous junction. Further release of the fascial connections and mobilization of the muscle belly increased the excursion to an average of 61 mm. The increase in excursion after fascial release and muscle mobilization was significant and should be performed to obtain maximum available excursion.

An elderly patient with demonstrated asymmetrical intraventricular septal hypertrophy and ventriculo-aortic pressure gradient was anaesthetized with nitrous oxide with oxygen, narcotic, and muscle relaxant for abdominal surgery. In addition to the cardiovascular variables customarily monitored, a systolic time interval (STI) measured from the Q wave of the ECG to the foot of the radial pulse (the QF interval) was calculated in milliseconds beat-to-beat by a computer. With anaesthesia, and particularly following the beginning of operation, the QF interval lengthened as an indication of either decreased cardiac inotropy or increased pressure gradient across the aortic outflow tract. When halothane 0.25 per cent was added to the anaesthetic mixture, the QF interval shortened by about 20 milliseconds without an observed change in direct arterial pressure. Since halothane is a cardiac depressant and normally lengthens the STI, it apparently relaxed the muscular stenosis of the ventricular outflow tract and reduced the pressure gradient and, subsequently, the QF interval. By measuring cardiovascular function with this STI, the beneficial action of cardiac depression from low-dose halothane was observed, which would have escaped detection by common monitoring indices.