Comparative Analysis of Apoptotic Resistance of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Human Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue

Aim. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human bone marrow (hBM) and adipose tissue (hAT) are perceived as attractive sources of stem cells for cell therapy. The aim of this study was to compare MSCs from hBM and hAT for their immunocytochemistry staining and resistance to in vitro apoptosis. Methods. In our study, we investigated the antiapoptotic ability of these MSCs toward oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and serum deprivation. Results were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry. All experiments were repeated a minimum of three times. Results. Flow cytometry and MTT analysis revealed that hAT-MSCs exhibited a higher resistance toward H2O2-induced apoptosis (n = 3, hBM-hAT viability H2O2  58.43 ± 1.24–73.02 ± 1.44, P < 0.02) and to serum-deprivation-induced apoptosis at days 1 and 4 than the hBM-MSCs (n = 3, hAT-hBM absorbance, resp., day 1: 0.305 ± 0.027–0.234 ± 0.015, P = 0.029, day 4: 0.355 ± 0.003–0.318 ± 0.007, P = 0.001, and day 7: 0.400 ± 0.017–0.356 ± 0.008, P = 0.672). hAT-MSCs showed superior tolerance to oxidative stress triggered by 2 mmol/L H2O2 and also have superior antiapoptosis capacity toward serum-free culture. Conclusion. In this study we found that hAT-MSCs are more resistant to in vitro apoptosis

New Pulmonary Valvuloplasty Technique by Use of an Hourglass-Shaped Balloon in 3 Adults with Severe Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is the preferred therapy for pulmonary valve stenosis. However, the designs of the cylindrical balloons historically used for valvuloplasty have limitations, especially in patients who have large pulmonary annular diameters. The hourglass-shaped V8 Aortic Valvuloplasty Balloon may prove to be an effective alternative. The balloon has 2 large bulbous segments that are separated by a narrowed waist. The geometric shape is maintained throughout inflation, improving fixation and enabling broader leaflet opening. We present our first experience with the V8 balloon in 3 adults who had severe, symptomatic pulmonary valve stenosis. In addition to describing their cases, we detail our sizing technique for pulmonary valvuloplasty with the V8 balloon. Our successful results suggest that the V8 balloon is efficient and safe for balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in adults with severe pulmonary valve stenosis

Brain natriuretic peptide and tumour markers in the diagnosis of non-malignant pericardial effusion

WOS: 000286460500063PubMed ID: 21190744

The Existence of Obesity Paradox and Effect of Obesity on In-Hospital-Outcomes on Elderly Patients Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Summary: Background: Many studies have been conducted about the existence of obesity paradox in cardiovascular diseases. But, there is limited data on elderly patients. The aim of this study is to explore the existence of the “obesity paradox” and effect of obesity in periprocedural outcomes in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: This study involved elderly patients (≥65 years) who admitted our clinic with AMI and treated for acute STEMI between April 2011 and November 2014. Patients were divided into two groups according to their body mass index (BMI [kg/m2]) and a BMI>30 kg/m2 was accepted as obese. We compared angiographic, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic data and in-hospital mortality between two groups. Results: A total of 127 patients were included in the study and obese (BMI>30 kg/m2) patients comprised 27.3% (47) of all AMI patients. Analysis of the acute coronary angiographic data revealed that the number of significant coronary lesions was higher in non-obese group (p:0.04). The last TIMI-3 rate was higher in the obese group (%91.5 vs %79.2, p:0.05), whilst corrected TIMI frame count was lower (26 ± 13 vs 32 ± 14, p:0.01). In multivariate analysis, the number of lesions was correlated with obesity (OR 0.47, 95%CI 0.37–0.99, p:0.04). Conclusion: In our study, obesity was associated with better coronary flow after percutaneous coronary intervention and the number of lesions was lower in obese patients compared to non-obese elderly patients treated for STEMI. Our results were consistent with the phenomenon of “the obesity paradox”. Keywords: elderly, obesity paradox, myocardial infarctio