30 Vasovagal syncope is a disorder that has been known for years since its clinical characteristics were masterfully described by Sir Thomas Lewis at the beginning of the 20th century.1 Traditionally, the criteria used to establish the diagnosis of a vasovagal origin in patients with syncopal episodes was based only on the presence of triggering circumstances and typical prodromic symptoms. In ...

Levels in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia To the Editor High levels of osteopontin (OPN) mRNA and proteins were reported in atherosclerotic plaques.1,2 OPN-transgenic mice developed marked atherosclerosis.3 We reported plasma OPN levels to be high in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to correlate with the severity of CAD.4 We also reported high plasma levels of OPN in patients ...

To the Editor: Prehospital use of CPAP reduces the mortality and intubation rate for patients with acute respiratory failure especially due to acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.1 Although it is considered in guidelines, the need for additional trained health workers, special equipment, and clinical evidence for effectiveness and cost-effectiveness limits widespread use.1,2 The Boussignac CPAP f...

I have recently noticed that the Saudi Medical Journal adopted “ask first” protocol to recruit referees. “Asking first” by query potential reviewers before sending manuscriptsis an alternative protocol to “just send” where reviewers are allowed to opt out. Actually, that motivated me to search for the studies, which have evaluated interventions that try to improve peer review. Smith1 stated tha...

Cardiac risk stratification for noncardiac surgery has evolved through medical technologic and economic revolutions over the past 22 years. Prior to 1977, physicians had only the anesthesia classes 1 to 5 to advise their patients and families of the risks of anesthesia and surgery. This clinical index was subjective and did not predict cardiac morbidity well.1 Goldman et al2 developed the first...

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has emerged as a promising curative intervention for atrial fibrillation, with anticipated impact on both symptoms relief1 and cardioembolic risk. However, information about time course of sinus rhythm maintenance after successful PVI1 is limited, and safety of radio-frequency (RF) application to cardiac tissue and energy propagation toward vicinal organs has not ...

cidae) are the main vectors of Brugian filariasis in India and other Southeast Asian countries. Cherthala in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India is highly endemic to Brugia malayi infection for several decades1. Application of insecticides as primary strategy for controlling mosquitoes over the years has led to resistance and environmental problems2. As a consequence, several alternative vector c...

It is shown that kinematic atomic scattering is the predominant mechanism for the elastic backward . scattering of electrons from the ferromagnetic glass Fe40Ni40B20 as opposed to the resonance model recently suggested by R. K. Nesbet. The spin dependence of this scattering was determined theoretically (in the energy range below 300 eV) using various spin polarized potentials for Fe and Ni. Bel...

We read with interest the article by Hikari et al (March 2004)1 comparing the markers of tuberculosis in pleural effusions. We wish to express our disagreement with their statement that interferon (IFN)should be measured routinely in all suspected cases of pleural tuberculosis. They have based their conclusion on the basis of a perfect area under the curve of 1.000 on receiver operator characte...

About 75% of patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated initially with imatinib achieve complete cytogenetic remission (CCyR),1 and imatinib also induces Ph negativity, though less often, in patients treated in advanced phases of CML. Patients in CCyR may however still have as many as 1010 leukemia cells in their body,2 and in CML the quantity of suc...