Interleukin-11 Overexpression and M2 Macrophage Density are Associated with Angiogenic Activity in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the expression of IL-11 and its receptor IL-11Rα and to quantify density of CD163⁺ M2 macrophages in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).     

Application of disaccharides alone and in combination,for the improvement of stability and particle properties of spray-freeze dried IgG

Purpose: Spray-freeze drying (SFD) is a recently applied method to develop pharmaceutical powders. This study aimed to analyze the competence of Trehalose, Mannitol, Lactose, and Sorbitol instability and aerosolization of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) via SFD.

Methods: Induced soluble aggregates were quantified at 0 and 3?months, and 45?°C using size-exclusion chromatography. Conformation and thermogravimetric assessments were done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Laser light scattering was performed to determine the particle sizes. Aerodynamic features were characterized by twin stage impinger and scanning electron microscopy.

Results: Although sugars/polyols preferably stabilized IgG following the process, storage stabilization was achieved in Trehalose, Trehalose-Lactose, Lactose, and Trehalose-Mannitol-based powders with soluble aggregates <5%. The conformation of antibody was preserved with β sheet content from 66.28% to 76.37%. Particle sizes ranged from 5.23 to 8.12?µm. Mannitol exhibited the best aerodynamic behavior, fine particle fraction (FPF: 70%) but high degree of protein aggregation during storage.

Conclusions: SFD could favorably stabilize antibody using Trehalose and its combination with Lactose and Mannitol, and also, Lactose alone. Sorbitol disturbed IgG powder recovery. Incorporation of other types of excipient is required for efficient respiratory delivery of IgG molecules.     

Sarcopenia in cirrhosis: from pathogenesis to interventions

Journal of Gastroenterology - Sarcopenia (severe muscle depletion) is a prevalent muscle abnormality in patients with cirrhosis that confers poor prognosis both pre- and post-liver transplantation....     

Monte Carlo assessment of soil moisture effect on high-energy thermal neutron capture gamma-ray by 14N.

Among many conventional techniques, nuclear techniques have shown to be faster, more reliable, and more effective in detecting explosives. In the present work, neutrons from a 5 Ci Am-Be neutron source being in water tank are captured by elements of soil and landmine (TNT), namely (14)N, H, C, and O. The prompt capture gamma-ray spectrum taken by a NaI (Tl) scintillation detector indicates the characteristic photo peaks of the elements in soil and landmine. In the high-energy region of the gamma-ray spectrum, besides 10.829 MeV of (15)N, single escape (SE) and double escape (DE) peaks are unmistakable photo peaks, which make the detection of concealed explosive possible. The soil has the property of moderating neutrons as well as diffusing the thermal neutron flux. Among many elements in soil, silicon is more abundant and (29)Si emits 10.607 MeV prompt capture gamma-ray, which makes 10.829 MeV detection difficult. The Monte Carlo simulation was used to adjust source-target-detector distances and soil moisture content to yield the best result. Therefore, we applied MCNP4C for configuration very close to reality of a hidden landmine in soil.     

Comparison of the detection of subtle changes in myocardial regional systolic function using qualitative and semi-quantitative techniques.

PURPOSE: To evaluate qualitative wall motion assessment vs. quantitative wall thickening for the assessment of subtle changes in myocardial systolic function using cine MRI. METHODS: Cine MR images were obtained in 5 canines with a significant coronary artery stenosis and in 2 controls on a 1.5T scanner. Qualitative results were obtained using a numerical scoring system; quantitative analysis was performed using a semi-automatic segmentation program. The techniques were matched and compared using Spearman correlations. RESULTS: All correlations in the experimental group revealed significant but weak to moderate relationships between the qualitative and quantitative results (e.g., at-risk tissue rho = 0.363, p < 0.0001; remote tissue rho = 0.275, p = 0.0002), with each identifying changes in regional function that ensued following creation of the stenosis. Intra-observer variability was reasonable in both methods when repeat analysis on a subset of the data was performed, with both techniques showing a significant correlation between the repeated measurements (quantitative - rho = 0.52, p < 0.0001; qualitative - rho = 0.54, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Both methods were able to detect very limited wall motion abnormalities present in the canines with significant stenosis and either method gives comparable results.     

Possible venous air embolism during open eye surgery in a child

PURPOSE: Although venous air embolism is a well recognized complication within most surgical subspecialties, it has only been reported recently during eye surgery in one adult, and never before in a child. We describe the case of a 17-month-old boy who sustained a possible air embolism during repair of an open trauma of his right eye. CLINICAL FEATURES: A vitrectomy through the pars plana with air-fluid exchange of the posterior chamber was performed under general anesthesia to remove a foreign body which had impaled the optic nerve. A few minutes after removal of the foreign body, a notable decrease in end-tidal CO(2), oxygen saturation and arterial blood pressure occurred, requiring administration of a high inspired oxygen fraction and vasopressors. Venous air embolism was strongly suspected after other causes of a decrease of end-tidal CO(2) and hypoxemia had been excluded. An arterial blood gas confirmed hypoxemia and respiratory acidosis. CONCLUSION: Although venous air embolism is a rare complication of eye surgery, it should nevertheless be considered as a possible complication during air-fluid exchange vitrectomy in children.     

Effects of coal-fired thermal power plant discharges on agricultural soil and crop plants

The physicochemical properties of the upstream and downstream waters from the Upper Ganga canal, discharged cooling tower water, machine washings, and scrubber and bottom ash effluents of a 530 MW Kasimpur coal-fired thermal power plant have been determined, and their effects directly on fertile soil and indirectly on pea (Pisum sativam) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) crops have also been studied. The effluents were found to be alkaline in nature. The scrubber and bottom ash effluent was found to contain large amounts of solids and had high biochemical and chemical oxygen demands. All the effluents were found to be responsible for altering the chemical composition of the soil. The soils irrigated with the different effluents exhibited an increase in pH, organic matter, calcium carbonate, water-soluble salts, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, and nitrogen and phosphorus contents while potassium content decreased, probably due to being leached to the lower layers of the soil. The effects of 100, 50, and 0% (tap water control) dilutions of cooling tower, machine washings, and scrubber and bottom ash effluents on the germination and growth of pea and wheat crops were also monitored. Using the undiluted effluents, there was 100% germination for both the crops when the irrigation was done with cooling tower effluent. The germination was restricted to 90% for the two crops when irrigated with machine washings effluent, and to 80 and 70% for pea and wheat, respectively, when irrigated with scrubber and bottom ash effluent. The samples of upstream and downstream canal water were also used for irrigating soils with and without crop plants in order to ascertain the impact of the effluents on the canal water and its subsequent effect on the crops. The soils irrigated with downstream canal water were found to contain slightly more calcium carbonate, phosphorus, and ammonia-nitrogen than those receiving upstream canal water. Though 100% germination was obtained in both the cases, the growth of the plants irrigated with the downstream canal water was found to be slightly reduced.     

Analysis of human T-cell receptor α-chain cDNAs isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells

T-cell receptor α-chain cDNA were generated from unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a DR2,3,52a individual using a modified anchor PCR method. Fifty-six cDNA clones were identified representing 47 distinct T-cell receptor clonotypes and 26 VA loci. This analysis identified a new VA gene family VA30, and aew member of the VA6 gene family.     

Effect of experimental parameters on the formation of alginate-chitosan nanoparticles and evaluation of their potential application as DNA carrier

This study introduces a new procedure to prepare alginate-chitosan nanoparticles and examines several experimental parameters in relation to their formation and characteristics. Using DLS and TEM analysis, nanoparticle formation was shown to be predominantly affected by the ratio of alginate to chitosan, the molecular weight of the biopolymers and the solution pH. We report a method that results in spherical particles with mean diameters ranging from 323 nm to 1.6 microm, depending on the preparation conditions. The smallest particles were formed using lower molecular weight polymers with pH between 5.0 and 5.6 and having an alginate/chitosan weight ratio of 1:1.5. We have shown that DNA can be loaded with 60% association efficiency. Our system demonstrates suitable size, loading and release characteristics for application in drug- and gene-delivery systems.     

Recurrent Bacteremia Caused by a “Flexispira”-Like Organism in a Patient with X-Linked (Bruton’s) Agammaglobulinemia

Helicobacter spp., except for Helicobacter cinaedi, have only rarely been reported in cases of septicemia. A patient with X-linked (Bruton's) agammaglobulinemia was found to have persistent sepsis with a Helicobacter-like organism despite multiple courses of antibiotics. His periods of sepsis were associated with leg swelling thought to be consistent with cellulitis. The organism was fastidious and required a microaerophilic environment containing H(2) for growth. Optimal growth was observed at 35 to 37 degrees C on sheep blood, CDC anaerobe, and Bordet-Gengou agars. Serial subcultures every 4 to 5 days were required to maintain viability. The organism was strongly urease positive and showed highest relatedness to Helicobacter-like organisms with the vernacular name "Flexispira rappini" by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Genomic DNA hybridization studies, however, found 24 to 37% relatedness to "F. rappini" and even less to other Helicobacter spp. Although the organism phenotypically resembles "Flexispira" and Helicobacter, it is thought to represent a new taxon. The patient's infection was eventually cleared with a prolonged (5-month) course of intravenous imipenem and gentamicin.