Abnormal Myocardial Blood Flow Reserve Observed in Cardiac Amyloidosis

We performed real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography on a patient with cardiac amyloidosis and previous normal coronary angiography presenting with atypical chest pain to assess myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR). Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed and flash microbubble destruction and replenishment analysis was used to calculate myocardial blood flow. Dipyridamole was used to achieve hyperemia. MBFR was derived from the ratio of peak myocardial blood flow at hyperemia and rest. The results show a marked reduction in MBFR in our patient. Previous reports of luminal obstruction of intramyocardial rather than epicardial vessels by amyloid deposition may be causing microvascular dysfunction

Ranking of Universities in the United Arab Emirates: Exploring a web-based technique

This study investigated university rankings in the UAE within the context of the challenges facing higher education globally in the 21st century, by using the Webometric ranking methodology. Data was collected and analysed on the top 20 UAE universities. It was apparent that the UAE universities do not perform as well as expected in the Webometrics ranking, when compared with peer countries. The ratings are slightly below that which is expected, especially when one considers measures such as research publications. Strategies to improve performance using the Webometrics indicators could have a positive impact on the UAE universities. Improvements in communicating research and their web presence is likely to move the UAE universities up the Webometrics rankings, and their academic reputation in the country

Die generasie-interval, van die Suid-Afrikaanse vleismerino

The average generation interval of 3,53 years in S.A. Mutton Merino stud flocks in l96ll62 is the result of an average ram-age of 3,57 year sa nd an ewe-agco f 3,49 year s .I n 1971/72 the averagc 'agoef rams and ewesw as 3,86 and 4.13 year sr espec t i vel yw i th an averageg enerat ion interval of ' 4,00 years"T he e>l tendingo f the generat ioni nterval is mainly a resul to f an mcreaseo f 0,64 yearsi n the average age of ewes. The niost important factors leading to thc iatter are a smallcr annual replacement of ewes and the first mating of young ewes at a later age. The generation interval of difierent strata of thc breeding structure could not show a clear relationship between generation interval end the relative imporlanr-e of the flock.Die gemiddelde generasie- intervavia n 3,53 Jaar van S.A. .V leismer inostoetkuddesin l96l /62 is die resul taatv an'n genuddelde ramouderdorn van 3,57 jaar en"n ooioud,;rdonr van -r,49 jaar. In l97 ll72 was die gemiddelde ouderdom van ramme en ooie 3,86 e'n 4,13 jaar onderskeidel ikm et 'n gemiddeldeg cnerasre- intervavla n 4.00 jaar . Dic ver lengingv an die generasie- intervaisl hoofsaakl ikd ie gevolg van 'n toename van 0,64 Jaar rn die gcnriddelde ouderd()m van ooie. Die belangrikste faktore wat hiertoe gelei het is'n kleiner jaarlikse ooiverplasing en die eerstc paring van jong i,roic op 'ir lrrter ouderdom. Diegenerasie-interval van verskillende strata in die teeltstruktuurkon nie 'n duidelike verband tusren senerasie-interval en relatiewe belansrikheid van die kudde aandui nie

Cytomegalovirus-associated supraglottic mass in a patient on immunosuppressive therapy

A 33-year-old woman on chronic immunosuppressive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis with a history of inhaled methamphetamine use presented with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation for a prolonged period. After being given plasma exchange, pulses of methylprednisolone and a dose of cyclosporine for suspected ANCA (anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic autoantibodies) vasculitis, she developed an obstructive supraglottic laryngeal mass that required a tracheostomy to bypass. Biopsy findings revealed the mass to be an inflammatory pseudomass secondary to cytomegalovirus (CMV). The mass resolved after several weeks of intravenous ganciclovir therapy. This is an extremely unusual presentation of localised CMV disease, with only two or three similar cases having been reported worldwide

Inteelttoename by die S.A vleismerino en die verband met kuddegrootte

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Study demands, study resources and the role of personality characteristics in predicting the engagement of fist-year university students

The main objectives of the present study were to 1) determine significant demands and resources associated with student engagement; and 2) establish the incremental contribution of personality in predicting the engagement of first-year university students. A stratified sample of 512 first-year university students was used. The results showed that pace and amount of work, and cognitive demands had a significant and negative correlation with engagement. However, only cognitive demands was found to be a significant predictor of engagement in the second and third step of the regression analysis and became insignificant in the fourth and final step of the analysis when personality characteristics were added. All the resources had significant and positive correlations with engagement, but only support from lecturers and opportunities for growth and development were found significant predictors of engagement. In the fourth and final step of the regression analysis, the only significant resource was opportunities for growth and development. All the personality dimensions showed a significant relationship with engagement. However, in the final step of the regression analysis, only achievement orientation (a facet of conscientiousness) turned out to be a significant predictor of student engagement. The model in which personality characteristics were entered added an additional 11% of the variance explained in engagement, which indicates the incremental contribution to student engagement

A 1/29 chromosome translocation in Southern African Nguni cattle. The identification, occurrence and origin of the translocation

International audienc

Pasteur\u27s legacy featured at UM shows, lecture

AIMS: Left atrial (LA) volume is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular disease. Left atrial strain is a feasible technique for assessing LA function. The EchoNoRMAL study recently highlighted the possibility that ethnic-based differences may exist in LA size. There is a paucity of data regarding LA parameters in an African population. We sought to establish normative values for LA volumetric and strain parameters in a black population. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study comprised 120 individuals between 18 and 70 years of age. Left atrial volumes were measured by biplane Simpson\u27s method, and strain parameters were measured using Philips QLAB 9 (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) speckle-tracking software. The mean age was 38.7 ± 12.8 years (50% male). Maximum LA volume indexed (LAVi), pre-atrial LAVi, and minimum LAVi were 19.7 ± 5.9, 12.2 ± 4.4, and 7.7 ± 3.2 mL/m(2), respectively. Females had a higher LAVi compared with males (20.9 ± 6.3 vs. 18.6 ± 5.3 mL/m(2), P = 0.04). Peak global longitudinal strain in the reservoir phase (ɛR) was 39.0 ± 8.3%, and the peak LA strain in the contractile phase (ɛCT) was -2.7 ± 2.5%. No gender differences were noted in ɛR. Body surface area, age, and weight were the main determinants of ɛR on multivariate linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The data reported in this study establish the normal reference values for phasic LA volumes and strain in a normal black population and serve as a platform for future studies