Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminants in black-lip (pearl) oyster Pinctada margaritifera from Kish Island (Persian Gulf)

Twenty-four Black-lip Oysters (Pinctada margaritifera ) were collected in summer (July) 2004 from six coastal locations in Kish Island (Persian Gulf) and were analyzed at the analytical laboratory of Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor according to the chemical analysis procedures which has been accredited by the Canadian Association for Environmental Analysis Laboratories (CAEAL). In order to obtain information on bioavailability of sixteen EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), concentration of 2 to 6-ring PAHs was determined for all samples with application of a gas chromatograph with a mass selective detector. Oysters from Big Coral site exhibited a wide range of total PAH concentration (1.07 to 77.66 ng/g wet weight). The lowest value (oysters from Foreigner’s Pelage) and highest values were 0.7 and 36.33 ng/g wet weight respectively. Comparison of the PAH concentrations in oysters with sediments collected from the same locations showed that the overall bioaccumulation has been performed through the movement of water-soluble lower molecular weight (LMW) PAHs to the oysters in the studied area

A large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in Behçet's disease: a case report

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease is a collagen-vascular disease most commonly seen in Asia and Mediterranean area. Different organs and systems including cardiovascular system could be involved. Pseudoaneurysm is the most common form of arterial involvement in Behçet's disease; however, cardiac pseudoaneurysm is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A rare case of 13 years old boy with a 4-year history of Behçet's disease with development of a huge left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is reported who had been admitted because of cough, chills, fever, and chest pain. Findings obtained on echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, chest computed tomography and coronary angiography confirmed a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. There was no complication for next 24 months follow up period after surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Considering its fatality and nonspecific manifestations, one should consider cardiac pseudoaneurysms as a potential risk in any patient with Behçet's disease

Evaluation of lysosomal stability and red blood cell membrane fragility in mudskipper (Boleophthalmus dussumieri) as a biomarker of poly aromatic hydrocarbons

This research was carried out to study some physiological responses of mudskipper (i.e., Boleophthalmus dussumieri) as a biomarker Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Fish specimens were obtained 5 stations (Arvand, Jafari, Zangi, Samayeli, Bahrakan) along north western coast of the Persian Gulf (Khuzestan Coast). PAHs concentration was measured by HPLC method. Lysosomal membrane change was measured by NRR time method and stability of red blood cell membrane was evaluated by EOF test. Total PAH concentrations in the sediments and the liver tissue ranged between 113.50-3384.34 ng g-1dw, 3.99-46.64ng g-1 dw, respectively. Highest PAHs pollution was found at Jafari while the lowest was detected at Bahrakan, with significant between these 2 stations. Values of mean RT of the dye ranged from 34 (for the blood samples of mudskipper collected from Jafari site) to 78 minutes (for the blood samples of mudskipper collected from Bahrakan). Preliminary results showed a significant difference among stations except between Arvand and Zangi. Osmotic fragility curves indicated that erythrocytes collected from mudskippers at Jafari were the most fragile followed by Zangi> Arvand> Samayeli> and Bahrakan. The results suggest that lysosomal membrane change and red blood cell membrane stability in B. dussumieri could be extended as a biomarker of oil pollution in marine biomonitoring programs

Myocardial perfusion imaging using a technetium-99m Sestamibi in asymptomatic and low risk for coronary artery disease patients with diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate technetium-99m sestamibi single photon emission tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and its association with some clinical and laboratory parameters in an asymptomatic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) population. Materials and Methods : Twenty-one subjects with SLE and no suspected or documented coronary artery disease (CAD) accomplished myocardial perfusion imaging. Some SLE and CAD parameters were also evaluated in association with myocardial SPECT. Results: Twenty-one women with a diagnosis of SLE (mean age 36.9 ± 12.8) entered the study. All patients were in the low-risk category for CAD pretest; however, abnormal myocardial perfusion results were found in eight (38%) patients. Amongst the traditional CAD risk factors, there was a significant association between the presence of dyslipidemia and myocardial perfusion abnormalities (P= 0.047). However, we found no significant association between other traditional and SLE-specific risk factors. Conclusion: This study's significant finding was that asymptomatic CAD is common in SLE patients, even in those thought to be low risk for CAD and in the absence of cardiac symptoms. © The Author(s) 2010

Effect of milrinone on short-term outcome of patients with myocardial dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass graft: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Myocardial dysfunction needing inotropic support is a typical complication after on-pump cardiac surgery. In this study, we evaluate the effect of milrinone on patients with ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Methods: Seventy patients with impaired left ventricular function [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%] undergoing on-pump CABG were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either an intraoperative bolus of milrinone (50 &#956;g/kg) or saline as placebo followed by a 24-hour infusion of each agent (0.5 &#956;g/kg/min). Hemodynamic parameters and transthoracic echocardiographic measurement of systolic and diastolic functions were the variables evaluated. Results: Serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), occurrence of myocardial ischemia or infarction, and mean duration of using inotropic agents were significantly lower in the milrinone group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the development of ventricular arrhythmia, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, intra-aortic balloon pump and inotropic support requirement, duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of intensive care unit stay and mortality rate. Although mean pre-operative LVEF was significantly lower in the milrinone group, there was no significant difference between post-operative LVEFs. Conclusions: We suggest that perioperative administration of milrinone in patients undergoing on-pump CABG, especially those with low LVEF, is beneficial. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 1: 73-78

Wpływ stosowania milrinonu na wczesne wyniki leczenia pacjentów z dysfunkcją mięśnia sercowego poddawanych pomostowaniu aortalno-wieńcowemu: badanie kontrolowane z randomizacją

Wstęp: Dysfunkcja mięśnia sercowego wymagająca stosowania leczenia inotropowego jest częstym powikłaniem zabiegów kardiochirurgicznych z wykorzystaniem krążenia pozaustrojowego. W niniejszym badaniu podjęto próbę oceny wpływu stosowania milrinonu u pacjentów z nieprawidłową czynnością mięśnia sercowego, poddawanych pomostowaniu aortalno-wieńcowemu. Metody: Do badania włączono 70 pacjentów z upośledzoną funkcją lewej komory (frakcja wyrzutowa lewej komory - LVEF < 35%), u których wykonano pomostowanie aortalno-wieńcowe. Zostali oni losowo podzieleni na dwie grupy. Osoby z jednej z nich otrzymywały w trakcie operacji milrinon w bolusie (50 &#956;g/kg mc.), natomiast chorzy z drugiej grupy roztwór soli fizjologicznej jako placebo. Następnie w każdej grupie zastosowano 24-godzinny wlew wcześniej podanej substancji w przepływie 0,5 &#956;g/kg mc./min. Analizie poddano dane hemodynamiczne oraz pomiary skurczowej i rozkurczowej funkcji serca uzyskane podczas echokardiografii przezklatkowej. Wyniki: Osoczowe stężenie kinazy fosfokreatynowej (CPK), izoenzymu MB kinazy kreatynowej (CK-MB), częstość występowania niedokrwienia lub zawału serca oraz średni czas leczenia inotropowego były znacząco niższe w grupie pacjentów otrzymujących milrinon (p < 0,05). Nie stwierdzono istotnych różnic między grupami w występowaniu arytmii komorowych, długości trwania krążenia pozaustrojowego i wentylacji mechanicznej, konieczności stosowania kontrapulsacji wewnątrzaortalnej i leczenia inotropowego, długości pobytu na oddziale intensywnej opieki medycznej oraz śmiertelności. Mimo że średnia LVEF była istotnie niższa u pacjentów otrzymujących milrinon, nie stwierdzono istotnych różnic w średniej LVEF w pooperacyjnej obserwacji badanych grup. Wnioski: Okołooperacyjne stosowanie milrinonu jest korzystne u pacjentów poddawanych pomostowaniu aortalno-wieńcowemu z wykorzystaniem krążenia pozaustrojowego, zwłaszcza u chorych z obniżoną LVEF. (Folia Cardiologica Excerpta 2010; 5, 5: 266-272

A large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in Behçet's disease: a case report

Abstract Background Behçet's disease is a collagen-vascular disease most commonly seen in Asia and Mediterranean area. Different organs and systems including cardiovascular system could be involved. Pseudoaneurysm is the most common form of arterial involvement in Behçet's disease; however, cardiac pseudoaneurysm is rare. Case Presentation A rare case of 13 years old boy with a 4-year history of Behçet's disease with development of a huge left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is reported who had been admitted because of cough, chills, fever, and chest pain. Findings obtained on echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, chest computed tomography and coronary angiography confirmed a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. There was no complication for next 24 months follow up period after surgical treatment. Conclusion Considering its fatality and nonspecific manifestations, one should consider cardiac pseudoaneurysms as a potential risk in any patient with Behçet's disease.</p

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminants in Black-lip (pearl) Oyster Pinctada margaritifera from Kish Island

Twenty-four Black-lip Oysters (Pinctada margaritifera ) were collected in summer (July) 2004 from six coastal locations in Kish Island (Persian Gulf) and were analyzed at the analytical laboratory of Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor according to the chemical analysis procedures which has been accredited by the Canadian Association for Environmental Analysis Laboratories (CAEAL). In order to obtain information on bioavailability of sixteen EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), concentration of 2 to 6-ring PAHs was determined for all samples with application of a gas chromatograph with a mass selective detector. Oysters from Big Coral site exhibited a wide range of total PAH concentration (1.07 to 77.66 ng/g wet weight). The lowest value (oysters from Foreigner\u27s Pelage) and highest values were 0.7 and 36.33 ng/g wet weight respectively. Comparison of the PAH concentrations in oysters with sediments collected from the same locations showed that the overall bioaccumulation has been performed through the movement of water-soluble lower molecular weight (LMW) PAHs to the oysters in the studied area