Left Atrial Function Is Improved in Short-Term Follow-Up after Catheter Ablation of Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Complexes

Background: Association of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and efficacy of catheter ablation treatment have been demonstrated in studies. The role of left atrial (LA) mechanics in the etiopathogenesis of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-CMP) as well as changes in LA mechanics with catheter ablation have not been studied before. Methods: A total number of 61 patients (Mean Age 43 ± 3) with idiopathic outflow tract (OT) PVCs undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled. ECG, 24 h Holter, and echocardiographic evaluation with left ventricular (LV) diastolic functions and LA volumetric assessments were performed before and three months after RFCA. Results: Along with a marginal increase in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), improvement in diastolic functions and left atrial mechanics were observed in the study (LVEF 53 ± 7 versus 57 ± 6, p < 0.01) in short-term follow-up. The frequency of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) decreased with catheter ablation (n = 5 to 0, p = 0.02). The overall LA function improved. Left atrium passive and overall emptying fraction (LAEF) increased significantly (0.32 ± 0.04 to 0.41 ± 0.04, p < 0.05 and 0.62 ± 0.04 to 0.65 ± 0.004, p < 0.05, respectively). Active LAEF decreased significantly (0.29 ± 0.005 to 0.24 ± 0.006, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study are indicative of "PVC-induced atriomyopathy" which responds to RFCA in short-term follow-up. Atrial dysfunction might play a role in symptoms and etiopathogenesis of LVSD

Türkiye’de hayvan hakları

Ankara : İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent Üniversitesi İktisadi, İdari ve Sosyal Bilimler Fakültesi, Tarih Bölümü, 2015.This work is a student project of the The Department of History, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University.by Aslan, Mustafa Çağatay

Effects of queen ages on Varroa (Varroa destructor) infestation level in honey bee (Apis mellifera caucasica) colonies and colony performance

WOS: 000247887900002This study was conducted to determine the effects of queen age on varroa population levels in hives and performance of honey bee (A. mellifera caucasica) colonies. Levels of varroa infestation and performances of the colonies which had 0, 1- and 2-year-old queens were compared in mild climate conditions. Varroa numbers on adults and drone brood, number of frames covered with bees and brood areas were determined every month between 10 May and 10 October 2004. Overall average ( S.E.) % infestation levels of varroa were found to be 5.96 +/- 1.42, 11.58 +/- 1.46 and 15.87 +/- 1.39% on adult bees and 21.55 +/- 1.43, 31.96 +/- 1.44 and 37.55 +/- 1.45% in drone brood cells for 0, 1- and 2-year-old queen colonies, respectively. The colonies which had 0, 1- and 2-year-old queens produced 2673.58 +/- 39.69, 2711.75 +/- 39.68, and 1815.08 +/- 39.70 cm(2) overall average (+/- S.E.) sealed brood and 10.35 +/- 0.24, 10.43 +/- 0.26 and 7.51 +/- 0.21 numbers of frame adult bees, respectively. Honey harvested from 0, 1- and 2-year-old queen colonies averaged 21.60 +/- 5.25, 22.20 +/- 6.55, and 14.70 +/- 2.50 kg/colony, respectively. The colonies headed by young queens had a lower level of varroa infestation, a greater brood area, longer worker bee population and greater honey yield in comparison to colonies headed by old queens

Dissociation and alexithymia among men with alcoholism

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia and dissociation among men with alcoholism. Methods: Participants were 176 patients consecutively admitted to the inpatient unit of a addiction treatment center. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Symptom Checklist-Revised, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test were administered to all participants