Biocompatibility of subcutaneously implanted marine macromolecules cross-linked bio-composite scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering applications

There is an intense interest in developing innovative biomaterials which support the invasion and proliferation of living cells for potential applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Present study demonstrated the in vivo biocompatibility and toxicity of a macromolecules cross-linked biocomposite scaffold composed of hydroxyapatite, alginate, chitosan and fucoidan abbreviated as HACF. The in vivo biocompatibility and toxicity of HACF scaffold were tested by comparing them with those of a biocompatible surgical metal implant (SMI) in a subcutaneous rat model. Following the implantation, animals were sacrificed and the scaffolds were resected at 1st, 4th, and 8th weeks; the surrounding tissue along with the implant was removed to evaluate its biocompatibility. The effects of implanted biomaterial scaffolds on vital organ systems such as liver, kidney, etc., have been studied by hematology and serum biochemistry. The activities of pro-inflammatory marker enzymes such as COX, 5-LOX, 15-LOX, and NOS were normal in rats implanted with HACF scaffold. Hematological parameters, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation status were also found to be normal in implanted rats same as that of control and SMI. The modulatory effect of implanted scaffold over inflammatory and stress signaling cascades were confirmed by the normalized mRNA expressions of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6. The histopathological analysis of liver, kidney and tissue support our results. Taken together, these results demonstrated that HACF biocomposite scaffold signifies its suitability for further research as a scaffold material for cartilage tissue engineering applications.     

Substantial archaeocortical atrophy and neuronal loss in multiple sclerosis

Recent studies have revealed extensive neocortical pathology in multiple sclerosis (MS). The hippocampus is a unique archaeocortical structure understudied in MS. It plays a central role in episodic and anterograde memory—the most frequently impaired cognitive modalities in MS. This histopathological study aimed to investigate inflammatory demyelination and neurodegenerative changes in the MS archaeocortex. A detailed quantitative analysis was performed on hippocampal autopsy tissue from 45 progressive MS cases and seven controls. Forty-one lesions were identified in 28 of the 45 hippocampal MS-blocks examined, with percentage area of demyelination averaging 30.4%. The majority of lesions were chronic and subpially or subependymally located. Compared to controls, neuronal numbers were decreased by 27% in CA1 and 29.7% in CA3-2. Furthermore, the size of neurones was decreased by 17.4% in CA1. There was evidence of gross hippocampal atrophy with a 22.3% reduction in the average cross-sectional area, which correlated with neuronal loss. Our study provides evidence of substantial archaeocortical pathology largely resembling patterns seen in the neocortex and suggests that hippocampal involvement could contribute to memory impairments often seen in MS.     

Patient satisfaction with primary health care services in the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the suitability of a patient satisfaction questionnaire to survey health care consumers of traditional Arabic background. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey using an Arabic language questionnaire that drew upon concepts of patient satisfaction measurement in Western research literature. All participants were interviewed once by experienced interviewers to ascertain their levels of satisfaction with their health care service. SETTING: Patient satisfaction was compared between the only resource-intensive clinic (RIC) in the United Arab Emirates and one resource-thrifty clinic (RTC) located in an adjacent suburb and serving essentially the same population. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of patients attending the RIC and RTC over a 5-day period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Six domains of patient satisfaction were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the RTC (n = 125), the RIC (n = 156) scored significantly higher in continuity (P = 0.001), comprehensiveness (P < 0.001), health education (P = 0.05), effectiveness (P = 0.001), and overall satisfaction (P < 0.001), while accessibility (P = 0.130) and humaneness (P = 0.102) were not significantly different. Humaneness scored the highest and continuity the lowest at both clinics. Older people's satisfaction was higher for comprehensiveness but otherwise the same as those who were younger. More highly educated people's satisfaction was lower for effectiveness, but otherwise the same as those who were less educated. Men and women had equal levels of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly higher patient satisfaction in the RIC compared with the RTC was a strong a priori expectation, suggesting that this satisfaction questionnaire is a useful quality assurance tool in this setting.     

Measurement of pancreatic cystic lesions on magnetic resonance imaging: efficacy of standards in reducing inter-observer variability

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess inter-observer variability in the measurement of pancreatic cystic lesions with MRI and to determine the impact of measurement standards.

Materials and methods

In this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant study with waiver of informed consent, 144 MRI examinations, containing pancreatic cystic lesions measuring between 5 and 35 mm, were reviewed independently by two radiology attendings and two abdominal imaging fellows. Measurements were repeated by the same reviewers 12 weeks later after the introduction of measurement standards. Results were analyzed using within-subject standard deviation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and kappa.

Results

Prior to standardization, the within-subject standard deviation, showing measurement variability in each cyst, was 4.0 mm, which was reduced to 3.3 mm after introduction of measurement standards (p < 0.01). Overall inter-observer agreement, kappa, improved from 0.59 to 0.65 (p = 0.04). The frequency of all four reviewers agreeing on size category increased from 51% to 60%. The intraclass correlation coefficient increased from 0.81 to 0.86.

Conclusions

There is significant and frequent inter-observer variability in the measurement of pancreatic cystic lesions with MRI which could affect clinical management. Implementation of measurement standards reduces measurement variability and aids in preventing erroneous reporting of growth and potentially unwarranted changes in management.

     

Paniculacin,a new coumarin derivative from Murraya paniculata

Paniculacin (1), a new coumarin derivative, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract of Murraya paniculata along with umbelliferone, scopoletin, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, and β-sitosterol. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

The Usage of a Conjunctival Flap to Improve Retention of Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis in Severe Ocular Surface Disease

Purpose: The Boston keratoprostheses type 1 devices (KPro) are utilized in cases unfavorable to penetrating keratoplasty. The prognosis remains guarded in cases of ocular surface disease due to risk of tissue necrosis. We describe a novel surgical approach using a conjunctival flap with a delayed opening to improve retention.

Methods: In three patients with advanced cicatrizing conjunctivitis, a Type 1 keratoprosthesis was stabilized using a full tarsal conjunctival flap. Three months postoperatively, an opening was created in the flap overlying the optical portion of the device.

Results: All patients had no device related complications over a mean follow-up period of 17.7 months (range 15-21 months) and vision remained excellent at better than 20/200 for all patients.

Conclusions: Utilization of a tarsal flap either primarily as part of a two stage modified technique or secondarily in cases of tissue necrosis and impending device extrusion might maximize retention of the type 1 KPro.     

Extraction,Cleanup, and Chromatographic Determination of Imidacloprid Residues in Wheat

This study presents an improved method for quantitative analysis of imidacloprid residues in wheat grain using high performance liquid chromatography. The study used chromatographic response (in terms of peak height) as a quantitative tool for determination instead of peak area. The peak height of imidacloprid showed a very good linear correlation (R² = 0.999) when compared with absolute values at six different concentrations. The limit of detection was found to be 0.01 μg/mL. The recovery of imidacloprid residues in spiked wheat grain at three levels (0.03, 0.05, and 0.1 μg/g) was in the range of 79%–88% with %RSD 5.72 at 0.05 μg/g (w/w) and between 87% and 93% with %RSD 3.55 at 0.1 μg/g (w/w). At 0.03 μg/g (w/w) level, recovery was not within the recommended range of 70%–110%. Therefore, the lowest limit of quantification for this method was found to be 0.05 μg/g.