Intramyocardial sustained delivery of placental growth factor using nanoparticles as a vehicle for delivery in the rat infarct model

Acute myocardial ischemia results in scar formation with ventricular dilatation and eventually heart failure. Placental growth factor (PlGF) is reported to stimulate angiogenesis and improve cardiac function. In this study, it was hypothesized that intramyocardial injection of PlGF contained in nanoparticles can be released at the site of action for an extended time period as a sustained slow-release protective mechanism that accelerates myocardial recovery in a rat model of ischemic cardiomyopathy

Study of Charge-Dependent Transport and Toxicity of Peptide-Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles Using Zebrafish Embryos and Single Nanoparticle Plasmonic Spectroscopy

Nanomaterials possess unusually high surface area-to-volume ratios and surface-determined physicochemical properties. It is essential to understand their surface-dependent toxicity in order to rationally design biocompatible nanomaterials for a wide variety of applications. In this study, we have functionalized the surfaces of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs, 11.7 ±+2.7 nm in diameter) with three biocompatible peptides (CALNNK, CALNNS, CALNNE) to prepare positively (Ag-CALNNK NPs+ζ), negatively (Ag-CALNNS NPs−2ζ), and more negatively charged NPs (Ag-CALNNE NPs−4ζ), respectively. Each peptide differs in a single amino acid at its C-terminus, which minimizes the effects of peptide sequences and serves as a model molecule to create positive, neutral, and negative charges on the surface of the NPs at pH 4-10. We have studied their charge-dependent transport into early developing (cleavage-stage) zebrafish embryos and their effects on embryonic development using dark-field optical microscopy and spectroscopy (DFOMS). We found that all three Ag-peptide NPs passively diffused into the embryos via their chorionic pore canals, and stayed inside the embryos throughout their entire development (120 h), showing charge-independent diffusion modes and charge-dependent diffusion coefficients. Notably, the NPs create chargedependent toxic effects on embryonic development, showing that the Ag-CALNNK NPs+ζ (positively charged) are the most biocompatible while the Ag-CALNNE NPs−4ζ (more negatively charged) are the most toxic. By comparing with our previous studies of the same sized citrated Ag and Au NPs, the Ag-peptide NPs are much more biocompatible than the citrated Ag NPs, and nearly as biocompatible as the Au NPs, showing the dependence of nanotoxicity upon the surface charges, surface functional groups, and chemical compositions of the NPs. This study also demonstrates powerful applications of single NP plasmonic spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of single NPs in vivo and in tissues, and reveals the possibility of rational design of biocompatible NPs

Sjuksköterskestudenters syn på kvinnlig könsstympning i Tanzania

Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been illegal in Tanzania since 1998; nonetheless this procedure is still being performed in some regions of the country. Since the prohibition of this practice it has become harder to detect the practitioners. Nurses are one of the professions who can identify the women who have been exposed to FGM, which creates an opportunity to provide care for these women and educate them about the practice. The aim of this study is to describe Tanzanian nursing students’ views on FGM. Data was collected with focus group interviews with second and third year students at a nursing school in northwest Tanzania. Data was analysed inductively by content analysis. The results, the students’ views on FGM, were categorised into four themes; ‘FGM creates suffering’, ‘the right to sexual integrity’, ‘the role of nurses’ and ‘educating the patient and the community’. The findings clearly demonstrate that the students’ negative attitudes toward the practice are based on their knowledge of its harmful implications on health. For further research, it may be of interest to study nursing students’ views of the practice in more FGM-prevalent regions of Tanzania.Röda Korsets sjuksköterskeförening stipendium 2017</p

Surgical Intervention in Children with an Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery

Abstract Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the pediatric population is alarming, rare, and tragic. Sudden cardiac death is defined as death occurring within an hour of onset of symptoms, arising from an underlying cardiac disease. This clinical review article focuses on the presentation, diagnosis, work-up, and treatment of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) from the inappropriate sinus of Valsalva. Objectives: To understand the anatomy of an anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery, the clinical presentation and work-up for the diagnosis, risk stratification of sudden cardiac death in patients with an anomalous coronary artery, and surgical interventions that are available for treatment. Methods: We performed a systematic review of articles identifying the risk of sudden cardiac death in the pediatric population due to an AAOCA, the diagnosis and management of patients with AAOCA, and the current guidelines for surgical intervention in patients with AAOCA Conclusions: Patients with an anomalous aortic origin of a right or left coronary artery who are symptomatic or have an anomalous left coronary artery and high-risk anatomy defined as a coronary artery with origin from the inappropriate sinus of Valsalva with an interarterial course with or without an intramural course should undergo surgical intervention to decrease his or her risk of SCD. In patients who are asymptomatic or at a lower calculated risk of sudden cardiac death, surgical intervention remains controversial. Abstract word count: 23