LIF-immobilized nonwoven polyester fabrics for cultivation of murine embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have a great interest for tissue engineering because of their pluripotent nature and proliferative capacity. The objective of this study is to constitute a synthetic microenvironment to support the in vitro propagation of murine ES cells in an undifferentiated state. That is why we used a three-dimensional matrix, nonwoven polyester fabric (NWPF), which was formed from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers. NWPF discs were partially hydrolyzed, and then the carboxyl groups were coupled with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the presence of water-soluble carbodiimide. The effectiveness of immobilization process was checked with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, fluorimetry, and cell culture studies. ES cell colony morphology, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1) immunoreactivity, and SEM analysis following a 72 - 96-h culture period upon hydrolyzed and LIF-immobilized surfaces were assessed to determine the pluripotent status of ES cells. Results revealed that LIF was active in immobilized form; undifferentiated colonies had not only a significant AP and SSEA-1 immunoreactivity, but also a higher undifferentiated colony ratio on LIF-immobilized surfaces than that of hydrolyzed surfaces. The immobilized LIF protein might be a good model to provide a feeder-free system, but the physical properties of the scaffold is more convenient for differentiation studies.     

Effects of plasma nitric oxide levels on platelet activation in single donor apheresis and random donor concentrates.

P-selectin is an useful marker to determine platelet activation and nitric oxide inhibits platelet activation, secretion, adhesion and aggregation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nitric oxide and P-selectin values in both single donor apheresis and random donor platelet concentrates. According to the results of this study, we found that the best platelet concentrate is freshly prepared single donor apheresis concentrate and it is important to prevent activation at the beginning of the donation. Nitric oxide, which is synthesized from platelets during the storage period, is not sufficient to prevent platelet activation.     

Proteolytic Mediators in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Gingivitis

Background: This study evaluates levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8, MMP‐9, and tissue inhibitor of MP‐1 (TIMP‐1) in biofluids of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and systemically healthy counterparts with different statuses of periodontal health. Methods: Seventy‐one women with GDM and gingivitis (Gg), 30 women with GDM and healthy periodontium (Gh), 28 systemically and periodontally healthy women (Hh), and 37 systemically healthy women with gingivitis (Hg) were evaluated. MMP‐8, MMP‐9, and TIMP‐1 levels were determined in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and serum by immunofluorometric and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Full‐mouth clinical periodontal parameters were recorded. Results: GCF and serum MMP‐8 concentrations, serum MMP‐9 concentrations, and serum MMP‐8/MMP‐1 and MMP‐9/MMP‐1 molar ratios were significantly higher in Gg compared with Hg group (P <0.05). Serum MMP‐8 levels and salivary TIMP‐1 levels were higher in Gh compared with Hg group (P <0.05) whereas salivary MMP‐8/TIMP‐1 molar ratio was lower in Gh compared with Hg group (P <0.05). Elevated concentrations of GCF MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 were found in Gg compared with Gh group (P <0.05). Significant correlations were found between local levels of biomarkers and clinical periodontal parameters in only GDM group. Conclusion: GDM may modulate both local and circulating levels of MMP‐8 especially when associated with gingivitis.     

Quality Improvement of Tuberculosis Screening in Foreign-Born Patients

In the United States, a disproportionate percentage of tuberculosis (TB) cases occur in foreign-born persons. We implemented a performance improvement project to improve rates of screening for latent tuberculosis infection in a medical clinic. A questionnaire was developed to identify patients for tuberculosis screening, which was performed as a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). Patients with positive skin tests underwent further testing. One hundred and sixty-five patients were screened, with 58 TSTs ordered and 36 placed. Twenty-seven patients returned to have the TST read with 12 positive. Eleven of these patients had chest X-rays, 2 revealing findings suggestive of active TB. This project identifies the importance of a standardized TB screening process for high-risk patients and identifies barriers to such a process.     

Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity increased in patients with coronary artery ectasia

BACKGROUND: Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity, an enzyme responsible for the extracellular catabolism of antioxidant glutathione, may directly take part in atherogenesis and evolve as a potential biochemical risk indicator of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. An important characteristic of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is the fact that in 85% of the cases, atherosclerotic coronary disease accompanies it. The relation between CAE and serum GGT activity has not been studied so far. Hence, we decided to investigate the serum GGT level in patients with CAE. METHODS: We measured serum GGT activity in 88 consecutive patients (48 males) with isolated CAE and 86 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 84 controls. CAE was defined as being without any stenotic lesions with a visual assessment of the coronary arteries showing a luminal dilatation 1.5-fold or more of the adjacent normal coronary segments. Four subgroups were created in accordance with the CAE extension in coronary arteries. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in serum GGT activity among CAE and CAD groups. Serum GGT activity was found significantly increased in patients in both CAE and CAD groups, compared with those in control group (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). According to the CAE severity, there were no statistically significant differences in CAE among these subgroups. CONCLUSION: We have shown for the first time that patients with CAE have higher serum GGT activity compared with controls with normal coronary angiograms. Hence, serum GGT activity can be used as a follow-up marker in patients with CAE.     

Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: surgical intervention and risk factors influencing hospital mortality

Postinfarction rupture of the interventricular septum is usually fatal without surgical intervention and requires urgent closure. Between 1989 and 2003 twenty consecutive patients (15 male, 5 female), underwent postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) repair. Mean age of the patients was 62.05 +/- 7.51 years. Fifteen patients were operated within 48 hours after myocardial infarction. Patch reconstruction was performed in all patients. Infarct locations were anterior in 65%, posterior in 35%. Coronary artery surgery was performed in 14 patients (70%). Hospital mortality was 30% (6 patients). Four patients were presented for surgical therapy with frank cardiogenic shock or low cardiac output syndrome. A residual shunt was detected in 4 patients and three of these patients were reoperated. One of them, who has been reoperated on the first day of the postoperative period, did not survive. The statistical analysis of the patients' records demonstrated that time period between MI and surgery, applied additional CABG procedure, the sex of the patients and the site of the rupture are significant factors influencing in-hospital mortality. Preoperative condition, age of the patients and the number of the affected coronary vessels do not have an important effect on the mortality. Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture is a fatal complication of the myocardial infarction and must be treated surgically. The time interval between septal rupture independent from the preoperative haemodynamic condition, the location of the defect and additional myocardial revascularization procedure are the factors influencing the early outcome.     

Bone mineral content and density in asymptomatic children with coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis is a complication of coeliac disease. A gluten-free diet improves but does not normalize bone mineral density in adult patients. Only limited data are available regarding the influence of the disease and diet on bone mineralization in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radial bone mineral content and density in children and adolescents who are asymptomatic on a gluten-free diet. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) values of the non-dominant radius midshaft in 91 children (53 girls, 38 boys, mean age 11.7 years, mean duration of disease 8.7 years) were determined by single-photon absorptiometry. At the diagnosis and at least three years after commencement of a gluten-free diet, serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin concentrations and alkaline phosphatase activities were measured in all patients, and intact parathormone concentrations in 16 patients. RESULTS: The mean BMC Z-score value in the female adolescent group only was significantly lower than normal (mean Z-score -1.04, P < 0.01). In contrast, the mean BMD Z-score was significantly higher compared to a healthy population both in girls (mean Z-score +1.36, P < 0.001) and in boys (mean Z-score +0.53, P < 0.02), as well as in the total patient group (mean Z-score +1.01, P < 0.001). The radial diameter was significantly smaller than normal in both pre-pubertal and adolescent groups. Serum laboratory parameters of asymptomatic patients were in the normal range. The parathormone mean value was significantly lower after at least three years of gluten-free diet than at diagnosis (mean +/- SD 3.77 +/- 1.07 versus 7.89 +/- 2.54 pmol/l, P < 0.01), but significantly higher compared to controls (2.89 +/- 0.90 pmol/l, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that treated, asymptomatic coeliac children and adolescents have normal or even higher radius mineral density values than controls, but the bone size remains reduced. Although there is no direct evidence of calcium malabsorption in this cohort of coeliac patients, the slightly higher parathormone levels, together with some other factors, particularly delayed puberty, may result in reduced bone size.