Nontoxigenic Vibrio cholerae Non-O1/O139 Isolate from a Case of Human Gastroenteritis in the U.S. Gulf Coast

An occurrence of Vibrio cholerae non-O1/O139 gastroenteritis in the U.S. Gulf Coast is reported here. Genomic analysis revealed that the isolate lacked known virulence factors associated with the clinical outcome of a V. cholerae infection but did contain putative genomic islands and other accessory virulence factors. Many of these factors are widespread among environmental strains of V. cholerae, suggesting that there might be additional virulence factors in non-O1/O139 V. cholerae yet to be determined. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to a phyletic lineage of environmental V. cholerae isolates associated with sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in the Western Hemisphere, suggesting a need to monitor non-O1/O139 V. cholerae in the interest of public health.     

Evaluating the Prevalence of PTSD among Children and Adolescents after Earthquakes and Floods: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Psychiatric Quarterly - Our study systematically reviews articles about the prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among children and adolescents, aiming to evaluate its prevalence...     

Fullerene-based low toxic nanocationite particles (porphyrin adducts of cyclohexyl fullerene-C(60)) to treat hypoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in mammalian heart muscle

BACKGROUND: This is the first report on the targeted delivery of fullerene-based low toxic nanocationite particles (porphyrin adducts of cyclohexyl fullerene-C(60)) to treat hypoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in mammalian heart muscle. METHODS: The magnetic isotope effect generated by the release of paramagnetic (25)Mg(2+) from these nanoparticles selectively stimulates the ATP overproduction in the oxygen-depleted cell. RESULTS: Because nanoparticles are membranotropic cationites, they will only release the overactivating paramagnetic cations in response to hypoxia-induced acidic shift. The resulting changes in the heart cell energy metabolism result in approximately 80% recovery of the affected myocardium in <24 h after a single injection (0.03-0.1 LD(50)). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the nanoparticles suggest their suitability for safe and efficient administration in either single or multi-injection (acute or chronic) therapeutic schemes for the prevention and treatment of clinical conditions involving myocardial hypoxia.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new ZIF-67@MgAl2O4 nanocomposite and its adsorption behaviour

Fabricating suitable adsorbents with low-cost and high efficiency extraction for measurement of very small amounts of agricultural pesticides in food and water is playing a vital key role in personal and environmental health. Here, a new composite of zeolitic imidazolate framework-67@magnesium aluminate spinel (ZIF-67@MgAl₂O₄) has been fabricated by a simple method at room temperature with different weight ratios. Several techniques such as FE-SEM, BET, XRD, and TGA have been used to confirm the structural characterization of the obtained materials. The obtained ZIF-67@MgAl₂O₄ was utilized as an adsorbent in the solid phase microextraction technique to extract and preconcentrate the herbicide molinate (as an analyte) in aqueous solution. Corona discharge ionization-ion mobility spectrometry (CD-IMS) was applied for quantification of the analyte molecules. Extraction temperature, extraction time, stirring rate, and sample pH as the main parameters that affected the extraction proficiency were chosen and considered. Under optimal conditions, the linear dynamic range (LDR) of the various concentrations of the molinate and correlation coefficient were 10.0–100.0 μg L⁻¹ and 0.9961, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and method detection limit (MDL) were 10.0 μg L⁻¹ and 3.0 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the ZIF-67@MgAl₂O₄ for extracting the molinate molecules (molinate concentration; 50 μg L⁻¹) was calculated to be 4% and the enrichment factor (EF) was ∼5.

New nanocomposite of zeolitic imidazolate framework-67@magnesium aluminate spinel (ZIF-67@MgAl₂O₄) has been fabricated by a simple method at room temperature with different weight ratios.     

Outcome of coronary artery bypass grafts: comparison between on pump and off pump

The present study was undertaken to compare the in hospital results of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with (on pump) or without (off pump) cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Data were collected on all first-time isolated CABGs with saphenous vein and/or artery grafts at Shahid Madani Hospital in Tabriz-Iran, between 2006 and 2009. Age and clinical profile were marched between on pump and off pump group patients. Patients with concomitant cardiac operations or beating pump technique were excluded from the study. The study included 994 patients; CABG with CPB (ONCABG) was done in 578 (58%) and CABG without CPB (OPCABG) in 416 (42%). For pump and off pump group respectively, mortality rate was 2/3%, and 0.2%, the number of grafts was 2/92 +/- 0.82 and 2/12 +/- 0.73 and the use of intra aortic balloon-pump (IABP) was 1.5% and5.4%. Post operative ejection fraction (EF) was improved in off pump group (47.9 +/- 0.6) versus on pump group (44.53 +/- 1.5) and the latter group had more post operative atrial fibrillation, Stroke, acute renal failure, bleeding rate and blood products transfusion, prolonged intubation time but was not statistically significance. Meanwhile Hospitalization time and use of inotrops was less in comparison with former patients group. Off pump CABG was a safe method in our series. Patients with comparable risk profiles have similar prevalence's of selected complications after ONCABG and OPCABG, though some clinical and hemodynamic results are better with off pump technique.     

Nortriptyline protects testes against germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by testicular ischaemia/reperfusion

We designed this experiment to evaluate the effects of nortriptyline on testicular injury after torsion/detorsion (T/D). Ninety‐six adult Wistar rats were divided into six groups 16 each in control group (Group 1), sham operated (Group 2), T/D + saline (Group 3), and in groups 4–6; were administered 2, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1, i.p. of nortriptyline 30 and 90 min after torsion respectively. Testicular torsion was created by twisting the right testis 720° in clockwise direction for 1 h. In six rats of each group, tissue MDA level and caspase‐3 activity increased and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased in compared with control group 4 h after detorsion (P < 0.001). In six rats of each group 24 h after detorsion, histopathological changes and germ cell apoptosis were significantly deteriorated by measuring mean of seminiferous tubules diameters (MSTD) and TUNEL test. Moreover, 30 days after T/D, sperm concentration and motility were examined in rest of rats. Pre‐ and post‐reperfusion nortriptyline could reduce MDA and caspase‐3 levels and normalise antioxidant enzymes activities, dose dependently. Germ cell apoptosis was significantly decreased, and the MSTD, as well as sperm functions, were significantly improved. Inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore is probably involved in protective effects of nortriptyline against testicular T/D cell damages.     

The porphyrin-fullerene nanoparticles to promote the ATP overproduction in myocardium: 25Mg2+-magnetic isotope effect

This is a first case ever reported on the fullerene-based low toxic nanocationite particles (porphyrin adducts of cyclohexyl fullerene-C(60)) designed for targeted delivery of the paramagnetic magnesium stable isotope to the heart muscle providing a sharp clinical effect close to about 80% recovery of the tissue hypoxia symptoms in less than 24 h after a single injection (0.03-0.1 LD(50)). A whole principle of this therapy is novel: (25)Mg(2+)-magnetic isotope effect selectively stimulates the ATP overproduction in the oxygen-depleted cells due to (25)Mg(2+) released by the nanoparticles. Being membranotropic cationites, these "smart nanoparticles" release the overactivating paramagnetic cations only in response to the metabolic acidic shift. The resulting positive changes in the heart cell energy metabolism may help to prevent and/or treat the local myocardial hypoxic disorders and, hence, protect the heart muscle from a serious damage in a vast variety of the hypoxia-caused clinical situations including both doxorubicin and 1-methylnicotineamide cardiotoxic side effects. Both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug proposed make it suitable for safe and efficient administration in either single or multi-injection (acute or chronic) therapeutic schemes.