Determinants of Significant Paravalvular Regurgitation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The aim of this study was to assess prosthesis/annulus discongruence and its impact on the occurrence of significant aortic regurgitation (AR) immediately after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Impact of Degree of Commissural Opening After Percutaneous Mitral Commissurotomy on Long-Term Outcome

We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of the degree of commissural opening (CO) on outcome.

Effect of sodium, amine and stannous fluoride at the same concentration and different pH on in vitro erosion

This study aimed to compare the effects 0.5% and 1% sodium, amine and stannous fluoride at different pH on enamel erosion in vitro.

Comparing thyroid palpation techniques

Feline herpesvirus 1 and feline calicivirus infections in a heterogeneous cat population of a rescue shelter

Feline herpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), associated with upper respiratory tract disease, are highly prevalent in cats worldwide. With the aim to investigate the importance of feline respiratory viruses in a heterogeneous population of cats, samples were taken in a rescue shelter in Liège, Belgium, between March 2005 and August 2006. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to diagnose FCV and FeHV-1 infection in the sampled cats. The prevalence rate (33.1%) was higher for FCV than for FeHV-1 (20.1%) whereas prevalence rate of co-infection with both viruses was 10%. Gingivitis was more common in FCV infections (odds ratio (OR)=2.83) whereas respiratory signs were more often observed with FeHV-1 infections. The average age was significantly higher in FCV positive cats (38 months) than in FeHV-1 positive cats (29.9 months). The second and the fourth quarters of the year and the two first quarters were significantly more at risk than the others in the case of FeHV-1 and FCV infection, respectively. Age was found to be a confounding factor. High prevalence of both infections strengthens the importance of applying hygienic and preventive measures in rescue shelters where cats with an unknown status of vaccination are introduced.

Comparison of plasma clearance of exogenous creatinine, exo-iohexol, and endo-iohexol over a range of glomerular filtration rates expected in cats

The study investigated plasma clearance of exogenous creatinine (PECCT), exo-iohexol (PexICT) and endo-iohexol (PenICT) in six healthy cats, four cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and six hyperthyroid (HT) cats to assess potential differences in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement over a wide range of GFR values. The PECCT, PexICT and PenICT were performed in a combined protocol. There was a significant difference between PexICT and PenICT and PECCT in healthy cats. Differences between clearance techniques are suggested to be correlated to range in GFRs and should be taken into account when GFR is measured.

Water sorption and glass transition temperature of spray dried açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) juice

Emerging role of hepatocellular carcinoma among liver-related causes of deaths in HIV-infected patients: The French national Mortalité 2005 study

Longer exposure to hepatitis C (HCV) or B virus (HBV) and the increased use of hepatitis treatment might have an impact on liver-related deaths in patients co-infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). We describe the proportion of liver-related deaths among HIV-infected patients in 2005 compared with 2000.

Professor Jean-Pierre Benhamou

Endothelin-receptor antagonist/N-acetylcysteine combination in type 1 hepatorenal syndrome