Nanofibrous composites for sodium-ion batteries

[No abstract available

Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf) on remote organs in an experimental model of intestinal ischemic reperfusion injury

Ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) is a dual process with local damage due to hypoxia during ischemia and additional local and systemic injury due to inflammation and oxidative damage during reperfusion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein known to stimulate vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is also accepted to alleviate the effects of IRI as it has antioxidant and vasodilator properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the remote organ effects of VEGF in an experimental model of mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion. After obtaining Animals Ethic Committee approval, 24 male Wistar Albino rats were assigned to 4 groups. All animals underwent a midline laparotomy and dissection of mesenteric artery. Sham group received no further intervention (Gr S, n = 6) and VEGF group received intravascular VEGF (0.8 mu g/kg) via caudal caval vein (Gr V, n = 6). The rest of the groups were subjected to 90 min of ischemia by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery and 4 h of reperfusion. Ischemic reperfusion injury group (Gr I/R, n = 6) received no additional medication while the other group received VEGF (0.8 mu g/kg) via caudal caval vein at the beginning of reperfusion period (Gr I/R+V, n = 6). At the end of reperfusion period, all rats were sacrificed and blood was sampled to evaluate hepatic and renal functions. Also the liver and kidney were harvested in order to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total nitrate/nitrite (NO x) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analysis. The administration of VEGF at the beginning of reperfusion caused decreases in MDA levels and SOD activities and increases in GSH levels and CAT activities for kidney and liver tissues when compared to ischemia reperfusion group. Similarly VEGF at the beginning of reperfusion enhanced renal functions. The remote organ effects of intestinal IRI can be prevented by VEGF as it presents antioxidant effects in addition to its angiogenesis promoter, and vasodilator effects

Application of vascular endothelial growth factor at different phases of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion: What are its effects on oxidative stress, inflammation and telomerase activity?

Background. Intestinal ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a great challenge in clinical practice, with high morbidity and mortality. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a signal protein, contributes to vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Objectives. To evaluate the local effectiveness of VEGF following intestinal IRI and its relation with application time. Material and methods. Thirty Wistar albino rats were allocated to 5 groups and underwent laparotomy. The superior mesenteric arteries (SMA) were dissected in 4 groups, while the control group (Gr C) underwent a resection of small and large intestines. The VEGF group (Gr V) received VEGF following SMA dissection, with no further intervention, and the remaining 3 groups were subjected to ischemia for 90 min through occlusion of SMA and reperfusion for 4 h. Ischemic reperfusion group (Gr I/R) received no additional medication, while the remaining 2 groups received VEGF just before ischemia (Gr V+I/R) and during reperfusion (Gr I/R+V). Results. Both applications of VEGF caused decreases in plasma levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized glutathione, protein carbonyl levels, and increases in intestinal total glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Telomerase activity, which disappeared for Gr I/R, was found to be elevated following both treatment groups. Similarly, the histopathological scores were found better for both treatment groups, but Gr V-I/R represented best outcomes. Conclusions. The findings of our study revealed that VEGF, applied either before ischemia or during reperfusion, is effective on local damage following intestinal IRI. By interpreting the biochemical analysis and histopathological findings, we conclude either treatment option to be considered according to the reason of intestinal IRI

Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of oxidized regenerated cellulose in breast cancer surgery

Purpose: To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery followed by oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) implantation in surgical cavity. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 51 MRI examinations performed between January 2009 and January 2014 in 51 patients who underwent BCS with ORC implantation. Results: In 29/51 (57 %) cases, MRIs showed abnormal findings with three main MRI patterns: (1) complex masses: hyperintense collections on T2-weighted (w) images with internal round hypointense nodules without contrast enhancement (55 %); (2) completely hyperintense collections (17 %); and (3) completely hypointense lesions (28 %). All lesions showed rim enhancement on T1w images obtained in the late phase of the dynamic study with a type 1 curve. Diffusion-weighted imaging was negative in all MRIs and, in particular, 22/29 (76 %) lesions were hyperintense but showing ADC values >1.4 × 10−3mm2/s, while the remaining 7/29 (24 %) lesions were hypointense. In four cases, linear non-mass-like enhancement was detected at the periphery of surgical cavity; these patients were addressed to a short-term follow-up, and the subsequent examinations showed the resolution of these findings. Conclusion: When applied to surgical residual cavity, ORC can lead alterations in surgical scar. This could induce radiologists to misinterpret ultrasonographic and mammographic findings, addressing patients to MRI or biopsy; so knowledge of MRI specific features of ORC, it is essential to avoid misdiagnosis of recurrence