Myocardial cooling with ice-slush provides no cardioprotective effects in aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES: Topical cooling of the heart with ice-slush has been widely used for myocardial protection. No prospective, randomized study has evaluated the effect of ice-slush on acknowledged markers (CK-MB, troponin-T) of myocardial damage during aortic valve replacement (AVR). This was the first aim of the present study. A second aim was to examine whether performing a study per se reduced myocardial damage. DESIGN: Sixty patients undergoing AVR were receiving cold crystalloid antegrade cardioplegia every 20 min. Thirty patients were randomized to achieve additional topical cooling with ice-slush. CK-MB and troponin-T were compared between groups as well as to a group of patients undergoing AVR immediately prior to the study. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in myocardial markers between patients with or without ice-slush. However, we found significantly higher levels of troponin-T and CK-MB in patients undergoing AVR prior to start of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Topical cooling with ice-slush does not provide additional cardioprotective effects. Comparison with an historical cohort indicates that administration of crystalloid cardioplegia following a rigid protocol might reduce myocardial damage.     

Enriched epidermal Langerhans cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for T cells

Human epidermis was separated from dermis by means of a suction blister device and dissociated with trypsin. The epidermal cell (Ec) suspensions contained 2-6% Langerhans cells (Lc). Using a new rosette technique for enrichment of Lc, suspensions were obtained that contained 50-92% viable Lc. Ec, enriched Lc, or peripheral blood monocytes (Mo) were cocultured with or without antigens (Candida albicans, herpes simplex virus) and autologous T lymphocytes from sensitized donors. Strong proliferative T-cell responses were obtained provided Ec, enriched Lc, or Mo were also present. Furthermore, Lc were more effective than similar numbers of Mo in inducing T-cell responses to the antigens tested, and Lc did not require the presence of significant numbers of keratinocytes to exert this function.     

Plasma concentrations of parabens in postmenopausal women and self-reported use of personal care products: the NOWAC postgenome study

Parabens are used extensively in personal care products; however, their estrogenic properties have raised concern over risks to human health. High levels of total parabens, mainly as conjugates, have been reported in human plasma/serum, with limited data on native parabens. Our objective was to assess and link plasma concentrations of native common parabens to self-reported use of personal care products in women from the general population. The information was obtained from an extensive questionnaire on diet and lifestyle previously answered by the women in the NOWAC study. Plasma samples from 332 individuals were extracted and cleaned up by automated solid phase extraction and analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Native methyl paraben dominated and was detected in 63% of the samples, with a median level of 9.4 ng/ml. Ethyl paraben (median < 3 ng/ml) and propyl paraben (median < 2 ng/ml) were detected in 22 and 29%, respectively. Butyl and benzyl parabens were not detected. For the first time, elevated levels of native parabens are reported in women from the general population. The concentrations were significantly associated with the use of skin lotions, indicating that frequent (daily or more) use maintain elevated concentrations despite the parabens short half-lives. These findings clearly emphasize the need to study potential health effects in the general population.