The effect of azathioprine (Imuran) on the kinetics of monocytes and macrophages during the normal steady state and an acute inflammatory reaction

The effect of azathioprine on the kinetics of peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages was studied in normal mice and in mice in which an inflammatory reaction was provoked. Two dosage levels were used: a high dose of 200mg/kg which is the maximum tolerated daily dose in mice, and low dose of 3 mg/kg which is about equivalent to a nontoxic, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory dose in man. The number of peripheral blood monocytes decreases gradually during azathioprine treatment of normal mice, the extent and duration being dependent on the dose and duration of administered over a period of 9 days gives an almost complete reduction, and a low dose (3 mg/kg) given for the same period results in a reduction of about 50%. This effect seems to be reversible, because when treatment is stopped the number of monocytes starts to increase 24-48 hr later. The number of peritoneal macrophages is only affected when a high dose (200 mg/kg) is given over a long period; a low dose has virtually no effect. In mice in which an inflammatory reaction was prevoked in the peritoneal cavity, the normally occurring increase in the numbers of both peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages was suppressed, the extent being dependent on the dose of azathioprine administered. Labeling studies with 3H-thymidine indicated that the reduction of peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages in the inflammatory exudate is due to a diminished monocyte production.     

Effect of VIPS fabrication parameters on the removal of acetic acid by supported liquid membrane using a PES–graphene membrane support

In this study, the removal of acetic acid by supported liquid membrane (SLM) using hybrid polyethersulfone (PES)–graphene membrane prepared by vapor induced phase separation (VIPS) was investigated. The effects of graphene loading, coagulation bath temperature, air exposure time, and air humidity on the morphology, mechanical strength, porosity, and contact angle of the membrane were analyzed. The performance and stability of the hybrid membrane as a SLM support for acetic acid removal were studied. The best PES–graphene membrane support was produced at a coagulation bath temperature of 50 °C, an air exposure time of 30 s and air humidity of 80%. The fabricated membrane has a symmetrical micropore cellular structure, high porosity and high contact angle. Under specific SLM conditions, almost 95% of acetic acid was successfully removed from 10 g L⁻¹ aqueous acetic acid solution. The hybrid membrane remains stable for more than 116 h without suffering any membrane breakage during the continuous SLM process.

In this study, the removal of acetic acid by supported liquid membrane (SLM) using hybrid polyethersulfone (PES)–graphene membrane prepared by vapor induced phase separation (VIPS) was investigated.     

Neuroprotective effect of green and roasted coffee bean extracts on cerebral ischemia-induced injury in rats

Metabolic Brain Disease - Stroke is a lethal event with a high incidence in Egypt. Quick early intervention can be lifesaving. Transient global ischemia (TGI), a type of ischemic stroke, is mainly...     

Characteristics and management of cleft mitral valve

OBJECTIVES: We sought to highlight the clinical, morphologic, and pathogenetic features in patients with a cleft mitral valve (MV). BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed the morphologic features of cleft MV and the outcome of these patients. The pathogenetic features, including the developmental relation to an atrioventricular (AV) septal defect, remain unclear. METHODS: We reviewed the patients with cleft MV that were diagnosed by echocardiography since 1980. Patients with an AV canal, ventriculo-arterial discordance, and hypoplastic ventricles were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were identified at a median age of 0.5 years (range 0 to 10.6). In three patients, no chordal attachments of the cleft to the ventricular septum were seen. Ten patients had significant mitral regurgitation (MR), and three had subaortic obstruction by the cleft. Associated cardiac lesions and extracardiac features were present in 13 and 10 patients, respectively. During the median follow-up period of 1.5 years (range 0 to 11.8), two patients died of extracardiac causes, and one neonate died of severe subaortic obstruction. Surgical repair was performed in 10 patients at a median age of 5.2 years (range 1.3 to 10.6). Multivariate analysis showed no predictors for MV surgery. One patient was re-operated for mitral stenosis associated with aortic valve stenosis. Follow-up echocardiography demonstrated moderate MR in two unoperated patients and moderate MV stenosis in two operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: A cleft of the MV comprises a wide spectrum. Important morphologic differences exist with an AV septal defect, although the two lesions may be pathogenetically related. Surgical repair always seems possible. Long-term echocardiographic follow-up is warranted.