Comparison of tablet and disk diffusion methods for fluconazole and voriconazole in vitro activity testing against clinical yeast isolates

We have compared a commercially available tablet diffusion method for the in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of fluconazole (FCZ) and voriconazole (VCZ) with the disk diffusion method M44 (CLSI) with 282 clinical yeast isolates. The superior stability of antifungal agents in tablets can explain the differences for each category of susceptibility by both methods.Neo-Sensitabs tablets antifungal susceptibility testing showed an excellent correlation (0.98 for FCZ and 0.98 for VCZ at 24h and 0.96 for FCZ and 0.94 for VCZ at 48 h ), a reduced percentage of disagreements (4.6% and 8.2% for FCZ at 24h and 48 h respectively; 1.1% and 2.1% for VCZ at 24h and 48 h respectively) and the absence of statistically significant difference in comparison with the reference protocol for performing antifungal susceptibility testing with the agar diffusion method.     

Optimal time duration for low-pressure controlled reperfusion to efficiently protect ischemic rat heart

Previous studies have shown the capacity of low-pressure (LP) reperfusion to protect the ischemic heart. The present study sought to determine the optimal time for the application of LP reperfusion. Isolated rat hearts (n = 30) were exposed to 40 minutes of global warm ischemia followed by 70 minutes of reperfusion. Reperfusion was performed under LP (LP = 70 cm H(2)O) for 0 (control group), 5 (group LP-5), 10 (group LP-10), 30 (group LP-30), or 60 (group LP-60) minutes. Following the LP period the hearts were reperfused with normal pressure (100 cm H(2)O) until the end of reperfusion. Cardiac function was assessed during reperfusion using the Langendorff model. Myocardial necrosis was assessed by measuring LDH leakage in the coronary effluents. Functional recovery was reduced among the control and LP-5 groups with rate-pressure products (RPP) averaging 3788 +/- 499 and 5333 +/- 892 mm Hg/min, respectively. RPP was significantly improved in other groups with RPP averaging 7363 +/- 1159, 7441 +/- 863, and 7269 +/- 692 mm Hg/min in LP-10, LP-30, and LP-60 (P < .01). Similarly, necrosis measured by LDH leakage was significantly reduced in LP-10, LP-30, and LP-60 hearts (P < .01). This study demonstrated that LP reperfusion improves postischemic contractile dysfunction and attenuates necrosis when applied for at least 10 minutes.     

Subcutaneous pancreatic islet transplantation using fibrin glue as a carrier

Background

Pancreatic islet grafts are difficult to manipulate and implant in the recipient site mainly because they are formed by a group of cells suspended in a solution. This physical property determines various characteristics that are unique for pancreatic islet transplantation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of fibrin glue as a delivery method for islet transplantation.

Methods

C3H mouse islets were syngeneically transplanted into streptozotocin-diabetic recipients using fibrin glue in a subcutaneous pocket (Group 1) and using liquid islets injected under the kidney capsule (Group 2). Blood glucose levels were measured during 4 weeks of follow-up and compared against normal (Group 3) and diabetic levels (Group 4).

Results

No statistical differences were observed between the normal, kidney capsule, and fibrin glue groups. Only the diabetic group had a statistical difference when compared with the normal control group (P < .01). At the beginning, levels in Group 1 (fibrin glue) were higher than in Group 2 (kidney capsule), but turned into similar values after time and no statistical differences were observed between them during follow-up.

Conclusions

Islet/fibrin glue grafts placed in a subcutaneous pocket obtained the same results as liquid grafts placed under the kidney capsule, proving to be an adequate delivery method for islet transplantation and solving some of the engraftment problems we find with liquid grafts.