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BACKGROUND In most centres, clinically significant percutaneous paravalvular leak (PVL) closure following valve replacement surgery is reserved for those considered high-risk for surgery. There is a paucity of data regarding the long-term outcomes of these patients. AIMS Our goals were to assess the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous PVL closure. METHODS A total of 100 consecutive transcatheter PVL closure procedures (74 mitral, 26 aortic) were performed in 95 patients between February 2005 and August 2019 at our hospital. Data collected included procedural success rates, indication-specific outcomes and mortality. RESULTS Mean follow-up was 5.6±6.1 years, mean age 62.6±15.2 years, and 45.4% were female. The device was successfully implanted in 88 procedures (88.0%). Patients who presented with heart failure (n=57) had a significant improvement in NYHA classification (29.2% Class III/IV versus 100.0%, p

The paper presents the results of treatment of 57 patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostatic carcinoma (PC) (T3Р4N0M0, T1Р4N1M0, T1Р4N0M1, and T1Р4N1M1) (mean age 64.2±7.1 years) with Russian nonsteroidal antiandrogen Bilumide® at a dose of 50 mg/day for the maximum androgenic block after bilateral orchiectomy. The efficacy and safety of the drug were evaluated by the IPSS and QoL scales, laboratory and ultrasound studies, as well as osteoscintigraphy and uroflowmetry. The open-labeled non-comparative studies indicated the clinical effectiveness and safety of Bilumide that can be recommended for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic PC. Further studies to compare Bilumide® with other antiandrogens commonly used in practice are required.

Amaranth leaves are of high nutritional value, containing various metabolites, monoand disaccharides, photosynthetic pigments, unsaturated acids, phenolcarboxylic acids with high antioxidant activity. Vegetable amaranth is grown in different soil and climatic conditions all over the world. The article describes the results of physicochemical analysis of composition of amaranth plant introduced in southern Dagestan. The results of determining biochemical composition of vitamins, organic acids, antioxidants, betacyanin - amaranthin, chlorophyll, carotenoids and chlorogenic acid in the leaves of the introduced amaranth are presented. It has been shown that amaranth culture can be an important source of vitamins and valuable biologically active substances for both humans and animals. Based on the results obtained on amaranth introduction, it can be noted that cultivation of amaranth has great prospects in Southern Dagestan, as a mass crop.

The methods of extracting viscous oil from oil leg reservoir (oil rims) of the Cenomanian horizon are experimentally investigated (PK layers). It was found that steam contributes to the swelling and dispersion of clay components of the rock, i.e. thermal methods cannot be recommended for use. The effect of oil on the rock properties of PK layers was investigated. It was shown that permeability, wettability and degree of oil displacement by saline water depend on oil saturation, and the rock transition from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity occurs at oil saturation above 75%. Alkaline flooding and the use of non-ionic surfactants are not effective for enhancing the recovery of PK layers. For oil displacement, it is recommended to apply a water-gas mixture or sequentially inject solvent and water (or water-gas mixture).

Background The significance of depression/anxiety among ACHD patients in terms of health care utilization is unknown and data on the association with mortality are scarce. Methods Analyses comprised 8334 ACHD patients, age ≥ 18 years, insured by a large healthcare organization (2007–2011). Depression/anxiety were determined by diagnoses and treatments recorded in the organization database. Adjusted utilization relative rates (RRs) were estimated with negative binomial models and mortality hazard ratios (HRs) with the Cox proportional hazard model. Results ACHD patients with depression/anxiety (N = 2950, 35%) were more likely to be older (mean ± SD: 54 ± 17 vs. 45 ± 18 years), women (61% vs. 45%), and have comorbidities than counterparts without depression/anxiety. Following multivariable adjustment, patients with depression/anxiety had more primary care and cardiology clinic visits, more emergency department visits and more hospitalizations. RRs (95% confidence interval) were: 1.31 (1.27–1.35); 1.07 (1.01–1.13); 1.60 (1.46–1.77); and 1.18 (1.08–1.29) respectively, for diagnosis before the study period, and 1.36 (1.31–1.42); 1.22 (1.14–1.30); 1.43 (1.24–1.60) and 1.47 (1.33–1.64), respectively, for diagnosis during the study. Stratifying by age, the highest adjusted primary care and cardiology visit RRs were found among 18–24 years old patients and the lowest among patients ≥65 years. Between 2007 and 2017, 905 patients died. Depression/anxiety were associated with increased mortality risk with adjusted HRs: 1.10 (95% CI: 0.94–1.29) for past diagnosis and 1.40 (1.17–1.67) for study period depression/anxiety diagnosis. Conclusions Depression/anxiety in ACHD patients is associated with increased health-care utilization and a higher risk of death. The efficacy of addressing patients' psychosocial needs in optimizing health-care utilization and improving prognosis needs further evaluation.

Background Several studies have examined hospitalizations among patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Few investigated other services or utilization patterns. Our aim was to study service utilization patterns and predictors among patients with ACHD. Methods and Results We identified 11 653 patients with ACHD aged ≥18 years (median, 47 years), through electronic records of 2 large Israeli healthcare providers (2007–2011). The association between patient, disease, and sociogeographic characteristics and healthcare resource utilization were modeled as recurrent events accounting for the competing death risk. Patients with ACHD had high healthcare utilization rates compared with the general population. The highest standardized service utilization ratios (SSRs) were found among patients with complex congenital heart disease including primary care visits (SSR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.47–1.58), cardiology outpatient visits (SSR, 5.17; 95% CI, 4.69–5.64), hospitalizations (SSR, 6.68; 95% CI, 5.82–7.54), and days in hospital (SSR, 15.37; 95% CI, 14.61–16.12). Adjusted resource utilization hazard increased with increasing lesion complexity. Hazard ratios (HRs) for complex versus simple disease were: primary care (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.23); cardiology outpatient visits (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.24–1.59); emergency department visits (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02–1.39); and hospitalizations (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.49–2.05). Effects attenuated with age for cardiology outpatient visits and hospitalizations and increased for emergency department visits. Female sex, geographic periphery, and ethnic minority were associated with more primary care visits, and female sex (HR versus men, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.84–0.94]) and periphery (HR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.58–0.90] for very peripheral versus very central) were associated with fewer cardiology visits. Arab minority patients also had high hospitalization rates compared with the majority group of Jewish or other patients. Conclusions Healthcare utilization rates were high among patients with ACHD. Female sex, geographic periphery, and ethnicity were associated with less optimal service utilization patterns. Further research should examine strategies to optimize service utilization in these groups.

Brain plasticity in the somatosensory cortex and tactile performance can be facilitated by brain stimulation. Here, we investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on tactile perception in musicians and non-musicians to elucidate how tDCS-effects might depend on tactile expertise. On three separate days, 17 semi-professional musicians (e.g., piano or violin players) and 16 non-musicians aged 18&ndash, 27 years received 15 min of 1 mA anodal (a-tDCS), cathodal (c-tDCS) or sham tDCS in a pseudorandomized design. Pre and post tDCS, tactile sensitivity (Touch Detection Task, TDT) and discrimination performance (Grating Orientation Task, GOT) were assessed. For further analysis, the weekly hours of instrument-playing and computer-typing were combined into a &ldquo, tactile experience&rdquo, variable. For GOT, but not TDT, a significant group effect at baseline was revealed with musicians performing better than non-musicians. TDT thresholds were significantly reduced after a-tDCS but not c-tDCS or sham stimulation. While both musicians&rsquo, and non-musicians&rsquo, performance improved after anodal stimulation, neither musical nor tactile expertise was directly associated with the magnitude of this improvement. Low performers in TDT with high tactile experience profited most from a-tDCS. We conclude that tactile expertise may facilitate somatosensory cortical plasticity and tactile learning in low performers.

The problem was stated because the study of the behavior and development of ethnic groups in extreme situations had a scientific and practical importance and was poorly known until the present. The article aims to analyze the formation, development and behavior of the ethnic system of Chechens from the point of view of synergetics. The main approaches to the study of this problem were the principles of the modern synergetic concept and theory of ethnogenesis of L.N. Gumilev, which revealed that the elasticity and stability of the ethnic system of the Chechens against external influences were based on the dispersion and youthful stage. The main results of the article include the conclusions that under the influence of external forces during the deportation of the Chechens, the ethnic system was self-organized and united around religious and ethno-cultural values of sub-ethnos in the form of religious communities appeared within it. During the period of military campaigns (1994-2000), the processes of unification caused by external aggression were replaced by the development of the ethnic system of the Chechens in the direction of the socio-cultural crisis. The materials of the article can be useful to philosophers, culturologists, ethnologists, politicians who study the philosophical, historical, psychological and social problems of the development of ethnic systems.

Object The authors describe the use of inside-outside occipital screws in 21 children with occipitocervical instability requiring occipitocervical fusion. Methods The ages of the patients were from 2 to 15 years, and patients presented with a variety of causes of occipitocervical instability, including congenital disorders, posttraumatic instability, idiopathic degeneration, and postoperative instability. Surgeries frequently included foramen magnum decompression, duraplasty, and laminectomy, but all patients required occipitocervical instrumentation and arthrodesis. Postoperative orthosis included the use of either a cervical collar or halo device. In all but one case, patients were followed postoperatively for at least 12 months. Results The mean age of patients was 9.93 years. Inside-outside screws were used in all reported cases. Rib autograft was used in all patients. In addition, demineralized bone matrix was used in 2 cases, and bone morphogenetic protein was used in 2 patients. Two patients required halo placement, and the other 19 were placed in cervical collars. The average time postoperative orthotics were used was 2.82 months. Arthrodesis was determined radiographically and was noted in all patients. No operative complications were noted; however, postoperative complications included 1 wound infection, 2 cases of hardware loosening, and the need for tracheostomy in 2 patients. Conclusions Inside-outside screws were found to be a useful component of occipitocervical instrumentation in pediatric patients ranging from 2 to 15 years of age. Arthrodesis was demonstrated in all cases.

The possibility was determined for covalent binding of amide of maleic acid and polyhexamethyleneguanidine to a silica gel surface previously activated with cyanur chloride. Adsorption of Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), and Co(II) cations from aqueous solution with a modified silica obtained was studied. The possibility of subsequent formation on the surface of mixed ligand complexes

Objective To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) in a large population of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods and results In a retrospective analysis of aggregated European and Canadian databases a total population of 23 153 patients with CHD was followed up to the age of 16-91 years (mean 36.4 years). Among them, 458 patients (2.0%) had one or more CVA, with an estimated event rate of 0.05% per patient-year. Permanent neurological sequelae were noted in 116 patients (25.3%). The prevalence of CVA in selected diagnostic categories was as follows: open atrial septal defect 93/2351 (4.0%); closed atrial or ventricular septal defect 57/4035 (1.4%); corrected tetralogy of Fallot 52/2196 (2.4%); Eisenmenger physiology 24/467 (5.1%); other cyanotic 50/215 (23.3%); mechanical prostheses (29/882 (3.3%). Associated conditions in patients with CVA were absence of sinus rhythm (25%), transvenous pacemakers (7%), endocarditis (2%), cardiac surgery (11%) and catheter intervention (2%), but with the exception of absent sinus rhythm these were not significantly more prevalent in patients with CVA. Conclusion CVA are a major contributor to morbidity in this young population despite absence of classical cardiovascular risk factors. Although the prevalence of CVA in patients with CHD appears low, it is 10-100 times higher than expected in control populations of comparable age. Residua occur in a strong minority of patients. The subjects at highest risk are those patients with CHD with cyanotic lesions, in whom the prevalence is over 10-fold above the average

Study design Case report. Objective To review the management of a neurologically intact patient with complete cervical spondyloptosis with particular attention to the role and timing of closed preoperative cervical traction and subsequent stabilization. Summary of background data Traumatic cervical spondyloptosis is typically associated with complete and irreversible spinal cord injury. In these patients, cervical traction can be implemented to restore anatomic alignment in preparation for stabilization with minimal consequence. When a patient presents neurologically intact, the management becomes more complicated. Preservation of function and restoration of anatomic alignment collectively represent the goals of therapy. The current literature does not clearly define the role of cervical traction in such cases. Methods A patient with traumatic cervical spondyloptosis at the C7-T1 level presented to our institution and was found to be neurologically intact. Computed tomography demonstrated complete spondyloptosis with multiple fractures through the posterior elements. Results The spondyloptosis was reduced with closed cervical traction and underwent anterior and posterior instrumented stabilization. No new deficit occurred in the patient after reduction. Conclusion Fractures of the posterior elements functionally decompress the spinal canal and thereby allow for cervical traction to be safely implemented in patients with spondyloptosis. Safe restoration of anatomic alignment in the neurologically intact spondyloptotic patient is crucial to minimize the extent of surgical stabilization and create a long-term stable construct of the fracture dislocation.

Spontaneous meiotic mutations of winter rye Secale cereale L. (2n = 14) were revealed in inbred F2 progenies, which were obtained by self-pollination of F1 hybrids resulting from crosses of individual plants of cultivar Vyatka or weedy rye with plants of self-fertile inbred lines. The mutations cause partial or complete sterility, and are maintained in heterozygote condition. Six types of mutations were distinguished as the result of cytological analysis of meiosis and genetic analysis. (1) Plants with nonallelic asynaptic mutations sy1 and sy9 lacked bivalents in 96.8 and 67.0% metaphase I cells, respectively, formed only axial elements but not the mature synaptonemal complex (SC), and had defects in telomere clustering in early prophase I. (2) Weak asynaptic mutant sy3 showed incomplete synapsis at the start of SC degradation at diplotene and lower chiasma number; yet only 2% meiocytes lacked bivalents in MI. (3) Mutations sy2, sy6, sy7, sy8, sy10, and sy19 caused nonhomologous synapsis; i.e., a varying number of univalents and occasional multivalents were observed in MI, which was preceded by switches of pairing partners and fold-back synapsis at mid-prophase I. (4) Mutation mei6 led to the formation of protrusions and minor branched structures of the SC lateral elements. (5) Allelic mutations mei8 and mei8-10 caused irregular chromatin condensation along the chromosome length in prophase I, which was accompanied by chromosome sticking and fragmentation in MI. (6) Allelic mutations mei5 and mei10 determined chromosome supercondensation, caused the disturbance of meiotic spindle assembly, arrested meiosis at various stages but did not affect formation of the pollen wall, thus arrested meiocytes got covered with the pollen wall. Analysis of double mutants revealed recessive epistatic interactions for some mutations; the epistatic group was sy9 > sy1 > sy3 > sy19. This reflects the sequence of meiotic events controlled by the corresponding genes. The expression of sy2 and sy19 proved to be modified by additional genes. Most meiotic mutations found in rye have analogs in other plants.

Prolamine proteolysis is assumed to be among numerous adaptability factors in cereals. The patterns of gliadin proteolysis have been studied in 16 cultivars of spring wheat via analysis of electrophoretic spectra. Four proteolytic patterns have been identified. It is hypothesized that the cultivars characterized by early and rapid proteolysis (the first and third types) are the most adaptable. The gliadin genetic formulas of chromosomes of the first homeologous group have been determined. The alleles of gliadin loci (Gli-A1f, Gli-B1e, Gli-D1a, and Gli-D1b) have been found that can be used as markers of adaptability in spring wheat cultivars.

The structure of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) of chromosomes of mouse primary spermatocytes were studied using electron microscopy on days 1, 10, and 36 after the completion of per os administration of drugs belonging to three groups of antibiotics: tetracyclins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones. The antibiotics were administered to mice during ten days. At the substages of early and middle pachytene, heteromorphic SC bivalents and fragments of chromosome-core elements were detected in spermatocytes at all times studied after the administration of the antibiotics of three groups. As cells passed through the period from early to middle pachytene, the number of cells containing heteromorphic SC bivalents and the fragments of axial cores gradually decreased, which could be an indication of selection of cells with chromosomal aberrations. A high level of associations between the X chromosome and autosome bivalents (including heteromorphic ones) also favors this suggestion. A gradual decrease in the number of chromosomal aberrations was detected, as time elapsed from the completion of antibiotics administration. The study of sperm obtained from epididymises of males did not reveal significant differences in both morphology and motility of sperm between males of the control and experimental groups.

A novel type of aberration in synaptonemal complex (SC) assembly was found in electron micrographs of surface spread midprophase I nuclei from pollen mother cell preparations of rye. The plants with the mutant phenotype were selected from the fifth- to seventh-generation progenies of an inbred line (Ms6) characterised by partially reduced fertility and known to segregate for the desynaptic mutation sy6. The SC abnormality designated mei6 was at first detected in three sibling plants of the fifth generation of the inbred line. The most striking features were (i) the thorn-like protrusions of the lateral elements (LEs), which were often folded over towards the opposite LE, and (ii) peculiar bars inside the central region of the SC, which were either obliquely or perpendicularly positioned between the LEs. The bars and thorns often coincide with discontinuities in the adjacent LEs, giving rise, in a few cases, to minor branched structures. We analysed 424 surface spread pachytene nuclei obtained from 26 plants selected from the three inbred generations. Bars represented 92% of all abnormalities: their number per cell increased significantly with the progress of meiotic prophase, varying from an average of 1.96 ± 0.39 at midzygotene to 5.16 ± 0.52 at late pachytene and 5.14 ± 0.91 at early diplotene. Our observations suggest that bars are caused by modification and (or) erroneous self-assembly of meiosis-specific proteins intercalating with LE proteins at or near the sites of crossover events. It is also probable that the gene(s) involved is inherited independently from the gene for desynapsis.Key words: Secale cereale, synaptic mutant, meiosis, synaptonemal complex.

Objective To analyze the safety and efficacy of neuroendoscopic colloid cyst resection and to assess patient satisfaction. Methods A retrospective analysis of a single surgeon's experience with neuroendoscopic resection of colloid cysts was performed. Surgeries performed in 56 patients were reviewed. Surgeries involved an anterolateral neuroendoscopic technique. Patients were followed postoperatively for an average of 14.9 months. Patients were also interviewed regarding their preoperative symptoms, resolution of symptoms postoperatively, and their degree of satisfaction. Results The median operative time was 82 minutes, and the median duration of hospital stay was 5 days. During surgery, the ventricles were explored for residual cyst wall or cyst content, and none were encountered. On immediate postoperative imaging, cyst recurrence was not noted for any patient, and only 1 patient has had evidence of recurrence on long-term follow-up. Various preoperative symptoms were described by patients; depending on the specific symptoms, 70%–100% resolution of symptoms was shown after surgery. Along with clinical follow-up, patients were interviewed regarding their perception of surgery and recovery. Of the patients contacted, 100% reported satisfaction with the surgery, and 91% noted satisfaction with their recovery. Reported complications included memory loss, infection, deep vein thrombosis, and postoperative hematoma. There were 2 perioperative deaths (3.5%) related to surgery. Conclusions Neuroendoscopic colloid cyst resection can reliably achieve complete lesion removal with short operative times. In addition, there is a high level of reported patient satisfaction. To our knowledge, this is the largest case series of neuroendoscopic colloid cyst resections from a single surgeon.

Transrectal prostate biopsy is considered a relatively safe procedure, with a quite small number of complications. We report a patient with a rectourethral fistula after a repeat transrectal prostate biopsy. To our knowledge, this is the first incident in the published literature.

Background: Traditionally, endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is performed using 2-dimensional (2D) endoscopes, which lack depth of field and contribute to image distortion. Recently, a new generation of 3D endoscopes has been introduced for improved endoscopic depth perception. Little data exist comparing surgical outcomes with 2D vs 3D endoscopic systems. This study examines perioperative and postoperative factors in patients undergoing pituitary surgery using 2D vs 3D endoscopes. The objective of this work was to determine the differences in perioperative and postoperative factors in patients undergoing pituitary surgery using 2D vs 3D endoscopy. Methods: Retrospective chart review at a tertiary academic referral center. Statistical comparison was undertaken for perioperative (estimated blood loss, operative time) and postoperative factors (length of stay, complications, and readmission rate). Results: A total of 58 patients underwent endoscopic pituitary surgery during the 24-month study period (22 functional, 36 nonfunctional lesions). The 2D endoscopic system was used for pituitary tumor resection in 32 patients (55%), and the 3D endoscopic system in 26 patients (45%). No significant difference existed between 2D and 3D endoscopic systems for operative time (p = 0.275) or estimated blood loss (p = 0.312). Additionally, no difference was found between groups for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rate (p = 0.581), postoperative endocrine complications (p = 0.081), length of hospital stay (p = 0.934), or hospital readmission rate (p = 1.0). Conclusion: 3D endoscopy affords the surgeon improved depth of field and stereoscopic vision. Our data demonstrate that 3D endoscopy does not result in significantly different perioperative or postoperative outcomes vs 2D endoscopic surgery. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Introduction: Two-dimensional (2D) endoscopes are limited by poor depth perception, lack of stereoscopic vision, and image distortion. Recently, a new three-dimensional (3D) endoscopic system that provides improved stereoscopic vision has been developed. No data exist comparing the results and outcomes of 2D versus 3D endoscopy in treatment of a large cohort of pituitary adenoma patients. We compared the results of transnasal endoscopic pituitary surgery using the 2D and 3D endoscopy systems. Methods: A total of 115 patients underwent endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy at Emory University Hospital. In all cases, pituitary tumor resection was performed by a single neurosurgeon (NO). The endoscopic transnasal approach and closure were performed by the otolaryngology service. The 3D endoscopic system was used for pituitary adenomectomy in 72 patients (63%), and the 2D system was used in 43 patients (37%) over a 2-year period. A retrospective analysis included preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative metrics. The statistical comparison was completed using the t test and the chi-square test. Results: The preoperative data for the two groups (3D vs. 2D) is presented: the average age 49.5 versus 45.9, tumor size (all tumors) 6.9 versus 5.8 cm3, and tumor size (macroadenomas) (94/115) 8.3 versus 7.1 cm3 with Knosp cavernous sinus invasion grade of 1.8 versus 1.4. The perioperative data (3D vs. 2D) includes: median operative time of 145 versus 168 minutes, EBL 200 versus 200 mL, LD placement 35/72 (49%) versus 21/43 (49%). The postoperative data (3D versus 2D) includes: hospital stay 5 days versus 5 days, endocrine complications 7/72 (10%) versus 5/43 (12%), CSF leak rate 5/72 (7%) versus 4/43 (9%), remission for functioning tumors was 20/30 (67%) versus 12/21 (57%), readmission rate was 15/72 (21%) versus 10/43 (23%), reoperation rate was 4/72 (6%) versus 8/43 (19%), and transsphenoidal CSF leak repair 0/72 (0%) versus 3/43 (7%). The reoperation rate and the CSF leak repair rate were statistically different (P

ObjectiveWe sought to examine the frequency of early postoperative complications and preoperative predictors of prolonged hospitalization in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot undergoing pulmonary valve replacement.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgical intervention between 1995 and 2006. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of prolonged hospitalization.ResultsOne hundred sixteen patients (mean age, 36 ± 11 years) underwent 118 pulmonary valve replacements. Most (95%) operations included additional procedures, such as pulmonary artery/outflow tract reconstruction or tricuspid valve annuloplasty. The early postoperative mortality (

The efficacy and toxicity of once-daily (od) versus twice-daily (bd) dosing of vancomycin was compared in 121 hospitalized patients. Eighteen patients were then withdrawn from the study. Clinical and bacteriological responses were evaluated in all patients (n = 103). Nephrotoxicity was assessed in patients who did not receive nephrotoxic agents (n = 76). Ototoxicity was assessed in patients who completed two audiograms and were not receiving ototoxic agents (n = 63). No significant difference was found between the two groups for favourable clinical response: 47/51 (92.1%) and 49/52 (94.2%) in the od and bd groups, respectively. In 34 patients vancomycin was the only effective antibiotic. Fifteen of 18 (83.3%) evaluated episodes in the od and 12/16 (75.0%) evaluated episodes in the bd group showed a favourable bacteriological response. There were no significant differences between the od and bd groups for all adverse events. Nephrotoxicity developed in 4/37 (10.8%) and 3/39 (7.7%) patients, respectively. Hearing loss developed in 1/31 (3.2%) and 5/32 (15.6%). Phlebitis occurred in 7/51 (13.7%) and 12/52 (23.0%). Red man syndrome occurred in 7/51 (13.7%) and 5/52 (9.6%) in od and bd groups, respectively. The efficacy and safety profile of od administration of vancomycin is similar to that of the customary, but less convenient, bd administration.

Lens performance parameters have been traditionally described using terms such as resolution, astigmatism, field curvature, proximity effects, and distortion. However, with decreasing geometries, decreasing exposure wavelengths and tighter bandwidths (such as 248 nm excimer laser lithography), lens characterization in terms of depth of focus (DOF) and exposure latitudes for the entire lens becomes more critical. The challenge is to define a focus and exposure setting that allows one to operate in the `common corridor.' `Common corridor' is defined as the resulting focus-exposure process window for the entire field of the lens encompassing all geometries of a specific line size. A modification to the MONO-LITH software package allows this calculation to be done quickly and easily.