The different ABA levels were induced by a mild drought cycle Al

The different ABA levels were induced by a mild drought cycle. Although the angiosperm and conifer GSK1838705A mw species showed similar proportional increases in ABA(f) following drought, conifer stomata remained insensitive to changes in C-a whereas angiosperm stomata showed enhanced sensitivity with increasing ABA(f). The conifers, however, had much higher ABA(f) prior to drought than the angiosperm species, suggesting that non-sensitivity to C-a in these conifers was due to an absent or inactive response/signalling pathway rather than insufficient ABA(f).”
“A series of beta-cyclodextrin-based epoxy resins were synthesized with

different epoxy equivalent weights. Their chemical structures were characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) examination. These epoxy resins were cured using L-arginine as a curing agent, and the degradation behavior of the cured resins was evaluated under different acidic buffer

solutions at 37 degrees C. The degradable behavior of such epoxy resins suggested potential applications as environment friendly materials. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 1675-1683, 2012″
“Cell production is an essential facilitator of fruit growth and development. Cell production during carpel/floral-tube growth, fruit set, and fruit growth, and its regulation by cell cycle genes were investigated in apple (Malusxdomestica Borkh.). Cell production was inhibited during late carpel/floral-tube VX-689 nmr development, resulting in growth arrest before bloom. Fruit set re-activated cell production between 8 d and 11 d after full bloom (DAFB) and triggered fruit growth. The early phase of fruit growth involved rapid cell production followed by exit from cell proliferation at similar to 24 DAFB. Seventy-one cell cycle genes were identified, and expression of 59 genes was investigated

using quantitative RT-PCR. Changes in expression of 19 genes were consistently associated with transitions in cell production during carpel/floral-tube growth, fruit set, and fruit growth. Fourteen genes, including B-type cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and A2-, B1-, and B2-type cyclins, were positively associated with cell production, suggesting that availability of G2/M Trichostatin A order phase regulators of the cell cycle is limiting for cell proliferation. Enhanced expression of five genes including that of the putative CDK inhibitors, MdKRP4 and MdKRP5, was associated with reduced cell production. Exit from cell proliferation at G0/G1 during fruit growth was facilitated by multiple mechanisms including down-regulation of putative regulators of G1/S and G2/M phase progression and up-regulation of KRP genes. Interestingly, two CDKA genes and several CDK-activating factors were up-regulated during this period, suggesting functions for these genes in mediating exit from cell proliferation at G0/G1.


“Purpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determi


“Purpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the strength of the association between gynecologic surgeries, tubal ligation and hysterectomy, Blebbistatin order and ovarian cancer.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for all English-language articles dated between 1969 through March 2011 using the keywords “”ovarian cancer”" and “”tubal ligation”" or “”tubal sterilization”" or “”hysterectomy.”" We identified 30 studies on tubal ligation and 24

studies on hysterectomy that provided relative risks for ovarian cancer and a p-value or 95% confidence interval (CI) to include in the meta-analysis. Summary RRs and 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model.

Results: The summary RR for women with vs. without Selleckchem Tozasertib tubal ligation was 0.70 (95%CI: 0.64, 0.75). Similarly, the summary RR for women with vs. without hysterectomy was 0.74 (95%CI: 0.65, 0.84). Simple hysterectomy and hysterectomy with unilateral oophorectomy were associated with a similar decrease in risk (summery RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.49- 0.79 and 0.60, 95%CI: 0.47-0.78, respectively). In secondary analyses, the association between

tubal ligation and ovarian cancer risk was stronger for endometrioid tumors (summary RR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.61) compared to serous tumors.

Conclusion: Observational epidemiologic evidence strongly supports that tubal ligation and hysterectomy are associated with a decrease

in the risk of ovarian cancer, by approximately 26-30%. Additional research is needed to determine whether the association between tubal ligation and hysterectomy on ovarian cancer risk differs by individual, surgical, and tumor characteristics.”
“Aim: The aim of this study was to survey early preterm (prior to 32 weeks’ gestation) singleton live births in Iwate Prefecture as a provincial model of the medical situation in Japan.

Materials and Methods: Data from 177 early preterm singleton live births, and 31 445 total live births (January 2005-December 2007) in Iwate Prefecture Japan were used to analyze the incidence of early preterm singleton live birth in each medical service area.

Results: The incidence of spontaneous early preterm singleton find more live birth did not differ between the coastal and inland medical service areas (3.35 vs 3.57 per 1000 live births). In the Morioka medical service area (radius about 40 km), the incidence of spontaneous early preterm singleton live birth in municipalities without obstetric care facilities was significantly higher than that in municipalities with obstetric care facilities (6.62 vs 2.65 per 1000 live births, P < 0.005). The incidence of early preterm singleton live birth due to pregnancy-induced hypertension in the coastal medical service areas was higher than that in the inland areas (1.67 vs 0.71 per 1000 live births, P < 0.05).

In this study, the binding modes of a-conotoxin ImI to the alpha

In this study, the binding modes of a-conotoxin ImI to the alpha 7-nAChR, currently the best-studied system experimentally, were investigated using comparative modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. The structures of more than 30 single point mutants of either the conotoxin or the receptor were modeled and analyzed. The models were used to explain qualitatively the change of affinities measured experimentally, including some Apoptosis Compound Library nAChR positions located outside the binding site. Mutational energies were calculated using different methods that combine a conformational refinement procedure (minimization with a distance dependent

dielectric constant or explicit water, or molecular dynamics using five restraint

strategies) and a binding energy function (MM-GB/SA or MM-PB/SA). The protocol using explicit water energy minimization and MM-GB/SA gave the best correlations with experimental binding affinities, with an R 2 value of 0.74. The van der Waals and non-polar desolvation components were found to be the main driving force for binding of the conotoxin to the nAChR. The electrostatic component was responsible for the selectivity of the various ImI mutants. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the binding mechanism of alpha-conotoxins to nAChRs and the methodological developments reported here open avenues for computational scanning studies of a rapidly expanding range of wild-type and GSK1904529A purchase chemically modified aconotoxins.”
“Low-dose aspirin (325 mg or less) alone and in combination with other antiplatelet agents is widely used for the management of cardiovascular disease. Although the risk with low-dose aspirin alone is less than Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), given widespread use, aspirin related toxicity has become a substantial health care problem due to acute and chronic GI bleeding. SCH 900776 solubility dmso A variety of strategies are currently available to minimize the risk of developing upper GI side effects

of aspirin. Agents that have efficacy include oral prostaglandin analogues. H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors. PPIs appear to be the most effective strategy, with the least side effects and the convenience of once daily dosing. The substitution of another antiplatelet agent such as clopidogrel for aspirin alone does not appear to provide a safer alternative to low-dose aspirin for patients at GI risk. Small bowel injury can occur with aspirin and can be assessed with capsule endoscopy; however, no strategy is known to reduce this potential toxicity in clinical practice. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction and objectives: Drug-eluting stents are useful for preventing restenosis, but the patho-physiological processes involved in the proliferative response after implantation are still not known in detail.

CFA results confirmed that anxiety and depressive symptoms are se

CFA results confirmed that anxiety and depressive symptoms are separate constructs and indicative of negative affect. Items with local dependence and DIF were removed resulting in 15 anxiety and 14 depressive symptoms items. The psychometric differences between short forms and simulated computer adaptive tests are presented.

PROMIS pediatric item banks were developed to provide efficient assessment of health-related quality of life domains. This sample provides initial calibrations of anxiety and depressive symptoms item banks and creates PROMIS pediatric instruments, version 1.0.”
“Background and aim: Although the

genetic risk factors for familial and sporadic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seem identical, the relative risk for contracting IBD in the familial setting is larger as that seen in the population at large, suggesting this website an important role of epi- and/or c factors in familial IBD. Epidemiological

data indicate a female predominance in IBD, but how this relates to familial IBD has not been assessed.

Methods: Familial IBD patients (N=608) were compared with a cohort of 415 sporadic IBD patients with regards to the patterns of sex and disease type distribution. see more The imprinting pattern in 87 families in which both a parent and a child had IBD was tested using Galton binominal statistics.

Results: The percentage of females in familial IBD population was significantly higher (61%; female/male ratio 1.5) compared with sporadic IBD (54%; female/male ratio 1.2; p=0.011). The analysis of offspring sex distribution pattern revealed significantly higher female to female transmission compared with female to male transmission

rate (36 vs. 18, respectively; p=0.02). A significantly higher number of mother to child transmissions (55 vs. 32 of father to child transmissions) was observed (p=0.018). The female imprinting was specifically related to Crohn’s disease (31 vs. 14 mother vs. father to child transmissions, respectively; p=0.016).

Conclusion: We propose that a female sex-specific epigenetic learn more inheritance pattern for Crohn’s disease is a major contributing factor in the family-specific risk in Crohn’s disease. Sex-specific manifestation of familial Crohn’s disease can partly explain the epidemiologically observed increased relative risk for females for contracting IBD. (C) 2012 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Patients with Crohn’s disease have an increased frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis. This randomized, controlled, double-blind study assessed the efficacy of risedronate versus placebo in treating low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with Crohn’s disease.

Methods: 88 Crohn’s disease outpatients with BMD T-score <-1.0 by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups for the two year study duration: one group received risedronate 35 mg weekly while another received placebo.

Setting: Baltimore

Methods: Adult

Setting: Baltimore.

Methods: Adult selleck products female Long-Evans rats underwent unilateral impact trauma to the spinal cord at C7, which produced ipsilateral but not contralateral primary

hemorrhage. In series 1 (six control rats and six administered glibenclamide), hemorrhagic lesion expansion was characterized using MRI at 1 and 24 h after trauma. In series 2, hemorrhagic lesion size was characterized on coronal tissue sections at 15 min (eight rats) and at 24 h after trauma (eight control rats and eight administered glibenclamide).

Results: MRI (T2 hypodensity) showed that lesions expanded 2.3 +/- 0.33-fold (P<0.001) during the first 24 h in control rats, but only 1.2 +/- 0.07-fold (P>0.05) in glibenclamide-treated rats. Measuring the areas of hemorrhagic contusion on tissue sections at the epicenter showed that lesions expanded 2.2 +/- 0.12-fold (P<0.001) during the first 24 h in control rats, but only 1.1 +/- 0.05-fold (P>0.05) in glibenclamide-treated rats. Glibenclamide treatment was associated with significantly better neurological function (unilateral BBB scores) at 24 h in both the ipsilateral (median scores, 9 vs 0; P<0.001) and contralateral (median scores, 12 vs 2; P<0.001) hindlimbs.

Conclusion: MRI is an accurate non-invasive imaging biomarker of lesion expansion and is a sensitive measure of the

ability GSK923295 purchase of glibenclamide to reduce lesion find more expansion.”
“Background: Stroke survivors may be dependent and need additional attention. We aimed to determine factors that related to quality of life of stroke survivors. Methods: A hospital-based analytical study was performed between January 1 and March 31, 2008

at Srinagarind Hospital in the Khon Kaen province of Thailand. Factors related to quality of life using the Thai 36-item Short Form (SF-36) rating scale were studied. Results: There were 237 stroke survivors in the study. The age range of participants was between 20 and 91 years of age (mean = 63.7 +/- 12.8, median = 65.0). For physical health summary scale, factor related with better scale were male gender (P<.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.3-21.9), aged under 50 (P<.001; 95% CI 6.3-21.9), educational level higher than bachelor degree (P<.001; 95% CI 8.1-22.3), and unemployed status (P<.001; 95% CI 6.4-19.8). For mental health summary scale, the education level (P<.001; 95% CI 7.3-20.1), employment status (P=.007; 95% CI 2.3-14.5), household income (P<.001), and disease severity (P<.001; 95% CI 15.5-27.7) had statistically significant difference. Overall, the age, level of education, employment status, monthly household income and the modified Rankin scale score related to the quality of life. Conclusions: The factors related to quality of life were age, educational level, occupation, monthly household income, and modified Rankin scale score.

Most frequent serotypes were 23F, 6B, 19F, and 14 Resistance to

Most frequent serotypes were 23F, 6B, 19F, and 14. Resistance to penicillin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 83%, 18%, 62%, and 66%, respectively. 67% isolates were multidrug resistant. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines covered 80% to 93% of multidrug resistant isolates.”
“The geometrical structures

and vibrational spectra of both the (4,4) single-walled silver nanotube and the stretched one-lattice-parameter-wide fcc Ag nanowire, found in a recent experiment [Nature Nanotechnology 4, 149 (2009)], have been investigated by the density-functional theory calculations within the generalized gradient approximation. It is found that there exist main differences between their vibrational spectra and corresponding Raman- and IR-active spectra. For example, PRIMA-1MET in vitro 1) the Raman modes of the Ag tube span a wider frequency range than the Ag wire, and there AC220 manufacturer is its characteristic radial breathing mode at 120 cm(-1), in contrast to

that of the Ag wire at 129 cm(-1), showing also specifically different 1(st)-order resonant Raman spectra for both of them, which may be used for identifying accurately the Ag tube from the Ag wire in future experiment. 2) The IR modes of the (4,4) Ag tube span a narrower frequency range than the Ag wire, and its highest frequency IR mode lies at 168 cm(-1), which is less than that of the stretched Ag wire, lying at about Nutlin-3 clinical trial 182 cm(-1). (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3608113]“
“The objective of the present study was to examine the role of SOS pathway in salinity stress tolerance in Brassica spp. An experiment was conducted in pot culture with 4 Brassica genotypes, i.e., CS 52 and CS 54, Varuna and T 9 subjected to two levels of salinity treatments along with a control, viz., 1.65 (S-0), 4.50 (S-1) and 6.76 (S-2) dS

m(-1). Salinity treatment significantly decreased relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and chlorophyll (Chl) content in leaves and potassium (K) content in leaf, stem and root of all the genotypes. The decline in RWC, MSI, Chl and K content was significantly less in CS 52 and CS 54 as compared to Varuna and T 9. In contrast, the sodium (Na) content increased under salinity stress in all the plant parts in all the genotypes, however, the increase was less in CS 52 and CS 54, which also showed higher K/Na ratio, and thus more favourable cellular environment. Gene expression studies revealed the existence of a more efficient salt overly sensitive pathway composed of SOS1, SOS2, SOS3 and vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter in CS 52 and CS 54 compared to Varuna and T 9. Sequence analyses of partial cDNAs showed the conserved nature of these genes, and their intra and intergenic relatedness.

The hydrogel containing PVP/CMC ratio of 20 : 80 appeared to be t

The hydrogel containing PVP/CMC ratio of 20 : 80 appeared to be the best hydrogel from rheological and water absorbent points of view. These properties and low cost of the materials utilized in this work suggest that this hydrogel is a viable alternative product for dressing

materials. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 1703-1710, 2010″
“The nonlinear optical properties of 20 nm thick Ag films are investigated by time-resolved white-light continuum pump-probe experiments in both transmission and reflection mode. The dynamics of changes in permittivity As are measured at wavelengths between 500 to 700 nm. The data is fitted to a modified Drude model in the frequency domain and to a two-temperature model in AC220 the time domain. Nutlin-3 research buy Changes in the individual Drude parameters are calculated as a function of time. A single, coherent model is proposed based on these fittings that describes the dynamics of the nonlinear optical properties of Ag, which could be used to model the nonlinear responses of multilayer structures containing thin films of Ag. The physical origins of the observed responses are discussed. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3429118]“
“Ichthyoses are genetically determined Mendelian disorders of cornification (MEDOC) that are characterized by

universal scaling. Today we distinguish between non-syndromic and syndromic forms. Ichthyosis vulgaris is the most frequent type (prevalence 1: 100) and is caused by autosomal semi-dominant filaggrin mutations. It is associated with a higher risk for the development of atopic diseases, such as atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis. Recessive X-linked ichthyosis (RXLI) occurs almost exclusively in boys; in Germany it has a prevalence of around 1:4,000. It is caused by steroid sulfatase deficiency and is often associated Rigosertib cost with further clinical problems, such as cryptorchidism (similar to 20 %) or social communication deficits,

such as attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome (40 %) or autism (25 %). Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is genetically very heterogeneous and 8 different genes have been identified so far. The most frequent cause of ARCI is a transglutaminase 1 deficiency (prevalence 1:200, 000). Mutations in keratin genes are the cause of the keratinopathic ichthyoses, such as epidermolytic ichthyosis. They manifest at birth and often feature episodes of blistering. Most of these types are inherited as autosomal dominant traits, but autosomal recessive forms have also been described on occasion.”
“According to the integrated information theory, the quantity of consciousness is the amount of integrated information generated by a complex of elements, and the quality of experience is specified by the informational relationships it generates.

03) and a pharmacological advantage for prolonged infusion after

03) and a pharmacological advantage for prolonged infusion after week 1.

Conclusion:

It

is important to consider both pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics in optimizing gemcitabine accumulation. This represents a classical interaction between genes and environment and provides support for the consideration of both CDA genotype and infusion duration in development of an individualized dosing strategy.”
“Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is currently the most effective medicine for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Artemisinin has previously been shown to increase the clearance of Plasmodium falciparum in malaria patients with haemoglobin E trait, but it did not increase parasite inhibition click here in an in vitro study using haemoglobin AS erythrocytes. The current study describes the efficacy of artemisinin derivatives on P. falciparum clearance in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), a haemoglobin enzyme deficiency, selleck screening library not yet studied in the same context, but nonetheless is a common in

malaria endemic areas, associated with host protection against uncomplicated and severe malaria. The impact of G6PD deficiency on parasite clearance with ACT treatment was compared between G6PD-deficient patients and G6PD-normal group.

Methods: Blood samples from children and adults participants (1 to 70 years old) with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria residing in Kambila, Mali were analysed. Study participants were randomly assigned to receive either artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem (R)) or artesunate plus mefloquine (Artequin T). A restriction-fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR-amplified DNA samples was used to identify the (A-) allele of the gene mutation responsible for G6PD deficiency (G6PD*A-). 470 blood samples were thus analysed and of these, DNA was extracted from 315 samples using the QIAamp kit for PCR to identify the G6PD* A- gene.

Results: The DNA amplified from 315 samples using PCR

showed that G6PD* A-deficiency was present in 56 participants (17.8%). The distribution of the specific deficiency was 1%, 7% and, 9.8% respectively for homozygous, hemizygous, and heterozygous AZD7762 genotypes. Before treatment, the median parasitaemia and other baseline characteristics (mean haemoglobin, sex and age groups) between G6PD deficiency (hemizygous, heterozygous, and homozygous) and G6PD-normal participants were comparable (p > 0.05). After treatment, parasite clearance did not change significantly whether the participants were G6PD deficient or G6PD normal on day 1 (OR = 1.3; CI = 0.70-2.47; p > 0.05) and on day 2 (OR = 0.859; CI = 0.097-7.61; p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The presence of G6PD deficiency does not appear to significantly influence the clearance of P. falciparum in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria using ACT.

Good candidates are patients with presumed benign renal masses th

Good candidates are patients with presumed benign renal masses that appreciate the cosmetic advantage of the approach.”
“Background: Recent research has indicated that mitochondrial

adenosine triphosphate- sensitive potassium channels play an important role in cerebral protection, which involves in attenuating the calcium of mitochondria. However, the effect of diazoxide on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and the role of spermine, the agonist of mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), remain MK-8776 mouse unknown. Objective: We investigated the effect of MCU opener spermine on diazoxide against focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: Adult maleWistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the Sham group, the I/R group, the Dzx + I/R group, the GPCR Compound Library clinical trial Dzx + Sper + I/R group, and the Sper + I/R group. Rats were exposed to 2-hour ischemia and 24-hour reperfusion. Diazoxide were administrated 30 minutes before ischemia, and spermine were given 10 minutes before reperfusion. Rats in the Sham group did not experience the process of ischemia-reperfusion. After 24-hour reperfusion, ratswere given neurological performance tests, overdosed with general anesthesia, and then their brains were excised for infarct volume, pathological changes, and biochemical evaluation and analysis. Results: Rats in the Dzx

+ I/R group displayed improved neurological deficits and decreased infarct volume and oxidative stress (evidenced by decreased nitric oxide and malondialdehyde but increased antioxidant enzymes [eg, glutathione peroxide and superoxide dismutase]) caused by ischemiareperfusion. The beneficial effects of diazoxide were significantly attenuated by spermine

treatment. Rats in the Sper + I/R group displayed worse neurological deficits, larger infarct volume and more oxidative stress, LCL161 and less antioxidant enzymes than those in the Dzx + I/R. Conclusions: Our results suggested that diazoxide, which improved neurological deficits and decreased infarct volume and oxidative stress against ischemia-reperfusion injury, is mediated by spermine.”
“The present study investigated the prevalence of infection by JC and BK polyomaviruses (JCVand BKV) in patients with chronic renal disease (CRD), kidney transplant recipients, and a control group of asymptomatic subjects. We tested a total of 295 urine samples. After DNAextraction, polymerase chain reaction assay was used to amplify a fragment of 173 bp of the polyomavirusTantigen, followed by analysis using the BamHI restriction endonuclease. Infection by polyomavirus was detected in 17.6%(52/295 subjects) of the subjects. Whereas 30.5% (18/59) of transplant recipients were infected, the frequency was only 22.4%(30/134) in the control subjects, and 3.9%(4/102) in the CRD group (all JCV). The vast majority of infections (88.

Additionally, the importance of fat accumulation in the pancreas

Additionally, the importance of fat accumulation in the pancreas has been recently highlighted. Therefore, this model could help to elucidate target organ alterations associated with metabolic syndrome.”
“Background

Repair of below-the-knee lower extremity defects after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) that are not amenable to primary closure can be challenging given the high propensity for complications. No criterion standard exists for

management of these wounds, but secondary-intention healing, partial- and full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs), and various flaps are possible options to manage these wounds. Few data exist on the efficacy of FTSG repairs for lower extremity wounds.

Objectives

Assess the efficacy and complications rates of FTSG repairs for lower extremity wounds

after MMS.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 80 FTSG repairs performed after MMS. Data were derived from 45 cases at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical FK228 price Center and 35 cases at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center.

Results

Seventy-two selleck kinase inhibitor of 80 cases (90%) had full graft survival, six (7.5%) had partial failure, and two (2.5%) had complete failure. In the cases where grafts had failed, wounds healed by secondary intention without further complications. Other complications included infections in nine (11%) cases and hematoma formation in two (2.5%).

Conclusion

FTSG is a consistent and safe reconstructive option for the management of lower extremity wounds after

MMS.”
“Question under study: To explore whether early activation of an interventional cardiology team, by prehospital emergency physicians, reduces door-to-balloon time (DTBT) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosed with prehospital ECG.

Methods: Design: before-after comparison. Setting: emergency RG-7388 cost department (ED) of an urban teaching hospital with a catheterisation laboratory open continuously. Study subjects: patients with STEMI diagnosed in the prehospital setting or in the Ell within 12 hours of symptoms. Intervention: a paging system or “”STEMI alarm”", activated by prehospital physicians, which simultaneously notified both the catherisation laboratory and cardiology teams before the patient’s arrival to the ED. Outcome measures: DTBT and the proportion of patients with DTBT <90 minutes.

Results: A total of 196 patients were included; 77 before and 119 after implementation of the “”STEMI alarm”". Between the two periods, median DTBT decreased from 109 to 76 minutes (p<0.001) and the proportion of patients treated within 90 minutes increased from 36% to 66% (p<0.001). During intervention, the STEMI alarm was activated in 67 patients (56%). In these cases the median DTBT was 50 minutes, with 96% within 90 minutes. The alarm was inappropriately activated in 9 cases (11%).

Conclusions: Catheterisation laboratory activation by a prehospital emergency physician markedly reduces DTBT in STEMI patients.