Changes in left ventricular dimensions and performance were studied in 43 patients after transcatheter occlusion or surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus. The patients were assigned to 2 groups based on their ductal diameter: >/= 3.1 mm to group A (n = 27) and

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A 14-year-old female with complex congenital heart disease underwent a left-sided classical Blalock Taussig (BT) shunt 15 days after birth. Ten years after the operation her oxygen saturation had decreased significantly. An angiography revealed a severely stenosed BT shunt. Balloon dilation including implantation of a 6 x 13 mm stent was performed successfully. Immediately after intervention, oxygen saturation rose from 55% to 80 84% in room air. Follow-up at a year and a half later showed the classical BT shunt was still patent.

A new time-dependent model of chlorine chemistry in cold and warm TMC-1 and Orion clouds was constructed using results of recent laboratory and theoretical studies on the reaction of chlorine molecules. The chemistry of chlorine was found to be fairly simple in dense interstellar clouds. Only the species Cl and HCl have a significant fractional abundance. Our results for the HCl molecule are in agreement with those obtained from the observation and from theoretical values of Orion cloud.

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Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the cardiovascular diseases, which is caused by a reduced amount of oxygen and blood that goes to the heart. CAD includes stable angina, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. It is a common cause of death in both men and women. The environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of CAD. Multiple gene polymorphisms are risk factors of CAD. Objective To evaluate the association between EL 584C/T polymorphism, CAD risk, and lipid profile in an Egyptian population. Methods This is a case‐control study. The patients were classified into three groups: Group A: Control group, this group included 42 apparently healthy people. Group B: included 42 subjects diagnosed with previous myocardial infarction (MI). Group C: included 42 subjects diagnosed with unstable angina (UA). Results The frequencies of TT and CT genotypes and T allele were higher in control healthy individuals than CAD patients. In addition, the risk of CAD was significantly lower in individuals carrying T allele (P = 0.001). Serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly higher in healthy individuals and CAD patients (MI and UA patients) carrying EL 584 T allele compared with those carrying CC genotype (P ≤  0.001). By multiple logistic regression, we found that the protective effect of T allele remained significant (P = 0.005) and it decreased the risk of CAD independent of plasma HDL levels. Conclusion There was a significant difference between 584C/T polymorphism in the EL gene and CAD and HDL level. T‐allele carriers had a higher HDL level and were protected from CAD. T allele was significantly associated with the decreased risk of CAD independent of plasma HDL levels.

Background: Iron deposition distorts the local magnetic field exerting T2* signal decay. Biopsy, serum ferritin, echocardiography are not reliable to adjust iron chelation therapy. Quantified MRI signal decay can replace biopsy to diagnose iron burden, guide treatment, and follow up. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of T2* in quantification of the liver and heart iron burden in thalassemia major patients. This cross-sectional study included 44 thalassemia patients who were referred to MRI unit, underwent T2* MRI. Results: Twenty-one male (47.7%) and 23 female (52.3%) were included (age range 6-15 years, mean age 10.9 ± 2.9 years). Patients with excess hepatic iron show the following: 11/40 (27.5%) mild, (13/40) 32.5% moderate, and (14/40) 35% severe liver iron overload. High statistical significance regarding association between LIC and liver T2* (p = 0.000) encountered. Cardiac T2* values showed no relationship with age (p = 0.6). Conclusion: T2* is a good method to quantify, monitor hepatic and myocardial iron burden, guiding chelation therapy and prevent iron-induced cardiac complications.