Is bacteriostatic saline superior to normal saline as an echocardiographic contrast agent?

Objective data on the performance characteristics and physical properties of commercially available saline formulations [normal saline (NS) vs. bacteriostatic normal saline (bNS)] are sparse. This study sought to compare the in vitro physical properties and in vivo characteristics of two commonly employed echocardiographic saline contrast agents in an attempt to assess superiority. Nineteen patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiograms were each administered agitated regular NS and bNS injections in random order and in a blinded manner according to a standardized protocol. Video time-intensity (TI) curves were constructed from a representative region of interest, placed paraseptally within the right atrium, in the bicaval view. TI curves were analyzed for maximal plateau acoustic intensity (Vmax, dB) and dwell time (DT, s), defined as time duration between onset of Vmax and decay of video intensity below clinically useful levels, reflecting the duration of homogenous opacification of the right atrium. To further characterize the physical properties of the bubbles in vitro, fixed aliquots of similarly agitated saline were injected into a glass well slide-cover slip assembly and examined using an optical microscope to determine bubble diameter in microns (µm) and concentration [bubble count/high power field (hpf)]. A higher acoustic intensity (a less negative dB level), higher bubble concentration and longer DT were considered properties of a superior contrast agent. For statistical analysis, a paired t test was conducted to evaluate the differences in means of Vmax and DT. Compared to NS, bNS administration was associated with superior opacification (video intensity ?8.69 ± 4.7 vs. ?10.46 ± 4.1 dB, P = 0.002), longer DT (17.3 ± 6.1 vs. 10.2 ± 3.7 s) in vivo and smaller mean bubble size (43.4 vs. 58.6 μm) and higher bubble concentration (1,002 vs. 298 bubble/hpf) in vitro. bNS provides higher intensity and more sustained opacification of the right atrium compared to NS. Higher bubble concentration and stability appear to be additional desirable rheological characteristics favoring bNS as a contrast agent.     

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus,Greece

Seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is high in some regions of Greece, but only 1 case of disease has been reported. We used 4 methods to test 118 serum samples that were positive for CCHFV IgG by commercial ELISA and confirmed the positive results. A nonpathogenic or low-pathogenicity strain may be circulating.     

Omentopexy for the repair of diaphragmatic defect and adhesion assessment of viscera to propylene mesh- an experimental study in rabbits

Background  

The use of synthetic mesh for the repair of major congenital diaphragmatic hernia may cause visceral adhesion to the prosthesis and ongoing complications. In the present study, the use of propylene mesh for the repair of diaphragmatic hernia and the role of omentopexy in elimination of visceral adhesion to repair site has been evaluated.     

Construction and Preparation of Three Recombinant Adenoviruses Expressing Truncated NS3 and Core Genes of Hepatitis C Virus for Vaccine Purposes

Background

In spite of dozens of clinical trials to establish effective therapeutic and/or preventive vaccine to resolve HCV infection, no real vaccine has been proved to date. Genetic vaccines based on replication-defective adenoviruses have proved to elicit strong and long lasting T-cell responses against a number of viral antigens and are even currently being used for vaccine trials in humans. According to the controversy in the immune modulatory effects of both core and NS3 full length genes, it seemed more practical to employ some parts of these HCV proteins for vaccine design.

Objectives

To generate recombinant Adenoviral vectors containing new overlapping-truncated region of NS3 gene or both the N- and C-terminal deleted parts of core gene, as well as a fusion fragment derived from both of them.

Materials and Methods

The corresponding transfer vectors expressing truncated fragments of core, NS3 or a fusion fragment of both genes were prepared. The integrity and sequence of the transfer vectors were confirmed, and followed by experiments involving homologous recombination between them and the adenovirus backbone plasmid in the bacterial host. Recombinant Ad-pNS3, Ad-pCore and Ad-pNS3pCore viruses were prepared by transfection of these new recombined constructs into 293 packaging cell lines. The virus titer was then calculated by an immunohistochemistry based method. The RT-PCR, Real-Time PCR and western blotting were used to evaluate gene expression by all recombinant constructs. The production of complete virion particles was evaluated by detailed electron microscopy in addition to the appearance of typical cytopathic effects (CPE) and GFP expression patterns in 293 cells. The RT-PCR and GFP detection were employed to monitor the integrity as well as infectivity potency of the viral particles in Hep-G2 cells.

Results

RT-PCR, Real-Time PCR or western blotting confirmed expression of truncated fragment of NS3, core or a fusion fragment of theirs by newly constructed Ad-pNS3, Ad-pCore, Ad- pNS3pCore particles. Electron microscopy, which revealed many adenovirus-like particles and characteristics of CPE in infected cells in addition to GFP detection, confirmed the infectivity, potency and integrity of recombinant adenoviral particles.

Conclusions

These adenoviruses expressing novel fragments of NS3 and core genes may be suitable tools to overcome shortcomings associated with full gene expression in the setting of HCV vaccine therapy.     

Outcomes and long-term quality of life of patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to identify determinants of long-term results after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in group of Iranian patients with systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.     

Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of flixweed (Descurainia sophia) seeds extracts: Ranking extraction systems based on fuzzy logic method

Flixweed (Descurainia sophia) seeds (FS) is a rich source of polyphenols. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various solvents (water, aqueous-methanol and aqueous-ethanol) and techniques (maceration (M), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), ohmic-assisted extraction (OAE), and decoction – infusion (DI)) on extraction yield, pH, total phenolic contents (TPC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity (DRSA)) of flixweed seeds powder (FSP). Extraction systems were ranked by fuzzy-logic (inputs: extraction yield and time, TPC and DRSA). Water as a solvent in extraction process had the maximum yield, TPC and DRSA 6.49%; 141.598 mg GAE/100 mL and 72.91%, respectively. The difference between water and aqueous-ethanol was significant (p < 0.05). Values of pH of aqueous-methanol extract was significantly higher than other solvents. OAE and UAE achieved the highest (10.1%) and lowest (2.3%) extraction yields, respectively. Low temperature maceration showed the highest TPC and DRSA. Fuzzy-logic ranking based on expert's knowledge (30 experts) predicted the OAE with water as solvent to be score the highest rank in terms of overall efficiency. The overall efficiency is determined based on yield, extraction duration, antioxidant activity, and TPC. However, if the ranking are to be based on isolation of bioactive materials at a reasonably short time, the UAE may be the preferred choice. The HPLC analysis of OAE water extract indicates the presence of several phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol.     

Antioxidant Properties and Total Phenolic Contents of Extracts from Three Macroalgae Collected from Chabahar Coasts

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Water, ethanol and ethanol/water extracts from three species of seaweeds (Padina australis, Stoechospermum...     

Identification of a stool long non‐coding RNAs panel as a potential biomarker for early detection of colorectal cancer

BackgroundThe feces of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients contain tumor colonocytes, which constantly shed into the lumen area. Therefore, stool evaluation can be considered as a rapid and low‐risk way to directly determine the colon and rectum status. As long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) alterations are important in cancer cells fate regulation, we aimed to assess the level of a panel of cancer‐related lncRNAs in fecal colonocytes.MethodsThe population study consisted of 150 subjects, including a training set, a validation set, and a group of 30 colon polyps. The expression levels of lncRNAs were evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). The NPInetr and EnrichR tools were used to identify the interactions and functions of lncRNAs.ResultsA total of 10 significantly dysregulated lncRNAs, including CCAT1, CCAT2, H19, HOTAIR, HULC, MALAT1, PCAT1, MEG3, PTENP1, and TUSC7, were chosen for designing a predictive panel. The diagnostic performance of the panel in distinguishing CRCs from the healthy group was AUC: 0.8554 in the training set and 0.8465 in the validation set. The AUC for early CRCs (I‐II TNM stages) was 0.8554 in the training set and 0.8465 in the validation set, and for advanced CRCs (III‐IV TNM stages) were 0.9281 in the training set and 0.9236 in the validation set. The corresponding AUC for CRCs vs polyps were 0.9228 (I‐IV TNM stages), 0.9042 (I‐II TNM stages), and 0.9362 (III‐IV TNM stages).ConclusionsThese data represented the application of analysis of fecal colonocytes lncRNAs in early detection of CRC.