Plasma from septic shock patients induces loss of muscle protein

Introduction  

ICU-acquired muscle weakness commonly occurs in patients with septic shock and is associated with poor outcome. Although atrophy is known to be involved, it is unclear whether ligands in plasma from these patients are responsible for initiating degradation of muscle proteins. The aim of the present study was to investigate if plasma from septic shock patients induces skeletal muscle atrophy and to examine the time course of plasma-induced muscle atrophy during ICU stay.     

Antimicrobial activity of cotton and silk fabric with herbal extract by micro encapsulation

ObjectiveTo explore the antimicrobial activity of microcapsules encapsulated with mixture of herbs like neem, tulsi and turmeric, and its application on cellulosic fabric in the form of microcapsules.MethodsThe microcapsules were prepared from the mixture of herbs by plain diffusion method, a natural encapsulation technique with yeast and applied on cotton and silk fabric by pad-dry-cure method. The microcapsules were fixed on cotton and silk fabric using the binder UF Silpure FBR-5(PA)B at 120 °C. The antimicrobial activities of the finished fabric were assessed by using three types of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas.ResultsThe results of antimicrobial activity from the tests including parallel streak method and disc diffusion method showed that activity of the mixture of herbs was very effective among the three types of bacteria selected, and the antimicrobial activity of prepared microcapsule against Pseudomonas was very good.ConclusionsThe herbal microcapsule treated fabric could be applied in the field of medicine. The scanning electron microscope photographs ensure the fixing of the microcapsules firmly in the yarn structure of plain woven cotton and silk fabric.     

Experimental hemarthrosis in the knee of the mature canine

The knee joints of 14 skeletally mature mongrel dogs were subjected to a continuous hemarthrosis. Minimal morphologic changes of the articular cartilage did not occur until after 16 weeks. As early as 4 weeks, biochemical analyses showed a significant decrease in glycosaminoglycans (GAG) that became progressively more severe with time, whereas total collagen was not significantly altered until after 12 and 16 weeks. Bioengineering measurements of the experimental cartilage surfaces showed that the tissue becomes more deformable as well as less resistive to shear than the control at 8 weeks. These differences increased as the duration of hemarthrosis increased.