Effects of red blood cell transfusion on neonatal cerebral hemodynamics: a TD-NIRS and DCS study

Anemia is a common problem in preterm neonates, and red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) is used to improve oxygen delivery. In order to limit the risk of possible complications new strategies to minimize the need for RBCTs are needed, as assessment of hemoglobin concentration in blood ([Hb]) alone appears to be an inadequate biomarker. In this study, we search for hemodynamic and metabolic thresholds to help define the need of RBCT in anemic newborns. The effect of RBCTs on cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) and blood flow (measured as Blood Flow Index, BFI) was estimated using a non-invasive hybrid diffuse optical device that combines Time Domain NIRS (TD-NIRS) and Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) techniques (BabyLux device). We enrolled 18 clinically stable neonates receiving RBCT at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan. Tissue oxygen extraction (TOE) and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption index (CMRO2I) were computed, the Wilkinson signed rank test for paired data was performed to compare data before and after RBCT. Preliminary results are in accordance with previous publications as regards cerebral oxygenation: a significant increase in StO2 (from 56.62 ± 5.20% to 63.85 ± 4.95%, p<0.05) and reduction in TOE (from 41.35 ± 5.9 % to 31.04 ±5.41%, p<0.05) were observed. The response in cerebral blood flow was smaller (only 10%) but also more variable, so conclusions regarding the effect of transfusion on cerebral oxygen metabolism are still uncertain

Quantification of genetic relationships among A genomes of wheats

The genetic relationships of A genomes of Triticum urartu (Au) and Triticum monococcum (Am) in polyploid wheats are explored and quantified by AFLP fingerprinting. Forty-one accessions of A-genome diploid wheats, 3 of AG-genome wheats, 19 of AB-genome wheats, 15 of ABD-genome wheats, and 1 of the D-genome donor Ae. tauschii have been analysed. Based on 7 AFLP primer combinations, 423 bands were identified as potentially A genome specific. The bands were reduced to 239 by eliminating those present in autoradiograms of Ae. tauschii, bands interpreted as common to all wheat genomes. Neighbour-joining analysis separates T. urartu from T. monococcum. Triticum urartu has the closest relationship to polyploid wheats. Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum and T. turgidum subsp. durum lines are included in tightly linked clusters. The hexaploid spelts occupy positions in the phylogenetic tree intermediate between bread wheats and T. turgidum. The AG-genome accessions cluster in a position quite distant from both diploid and other polyploid wheats. The estimates of similarity between A genomes of diploid and polyploid wheats indicate that, compared with Am, Au has around 20% higher similarity to the genomes of polyploid wheats. Triticum timopheevii AG genome is molecularly equidistant from those of Au and Am wheats

Unrecognised diaphragmatic hernia in a refugee child: An incidental diagnosis

A 4-year-old boy from Syria was evaluated at the emergency department because of an upper airway viral illness. His physical examination showed a significant intensity reduction of all heart sounds in the absence of any other pathological signs. As the child was affected with Down's syndrome and had suffered thoracic and abdominal trauma because of bombardments, a diaphragmatic hernia was immediately suspected and was confirmed through a simple chest X-ray. A careful clinical examination is crucial in refugee children and adolescents, as several medical and surgical disorders could have escaped previously

Quantification of genetic relationships among A genomes of wheats

PubMedID: 16699549The genetic relationships of A genomes of Triticum urartu (Au) and Triticum monococcum (Am) in polyploid wheats are explored and quantified by AFLP fingerprinting. Forty-one accessions of A-genome diploid wheats, 3 of AG-genome wheats, 19 of AB-genome wheats, 15 of ABD-genome wheats, and 1 of the D-genome donor Ae. tauschii have been analysed. Based on 7 AFLP primer combinations, 423 bands were identified as potentially A genome specific. The bands were reduced to 239 by eliminating those present in autoradiograms of Ae. tauschii, bands interpreted as common to all wheat genomes. Neighbour-joining analysis separates T. urartu from T. monococcum. Triticum urartu has the closest relationship to polyploid wheats. Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum and T. turgidum subsp. durum lines are included in tightly linked clusters. The hexaploid spelts occupy positions in the phylogenetic tree intermediate between bread wheats and T. turgidum. The AG-genome accessions cluster in a position quite distant from both diploid and other polyploid wheats. The estimates of similarity between A genomes of diploid and polyploid wheats indicate that, compared with Am, Au has around 20% higher similarity to the genomes of polyploid wheats. Triticum timopheevii AG genome is molecularly equidistant from those of Au and Am wheats. © 2006 NRC

Electrophoretic and DSC studies on different wheat starches with various amylose contents

Granule-bound starch synthase and the structural and thermodynamic properties of the isolated starches were compared using amylopectin (2.1% amylose content), normal (20.5-25.1% amylose content) and high amylose ( 6539.5% amylose) wheat cultivars of Japanese, Italian and Russian selections. Amylopectin (2.1% amylose content), normal (20.5-25.1% amylose content) and high amylose (amylose rich containing 6539.5% amylose) wheat cultivars were investigated using an electrophoretic technique to examine starch-granule bound synthase. High-sensitivity differential scanning microcalorimetry was used to examine the structural and thermodynamic properties of extracted wheat starches. Wx-B1 protein was not present in normal and even in high amylose cultivars except for the normal amylose cultivar 'Bilancia.' An increase in amylose content in starches is generally accompanied by a decrease both in the melting enthalpy and the melting temperatures of crystalline lamella, whilst the polymorphous structure of starches remains invariable (A-type). The melting cooperative unit, the thickness and the surface free energy, enthalpy and entropy of crystalline lamella were also determined. Classification of wheat starches with different amylose contents is offered

Effect of durum wheat genotype and environment on the heat-damage of dried pasta

The influence of the environment and genotype on the concentration of some semolina components involved in the Maillard Reaction (MR) during high temperature (HT) drying of pasta was determined in six varieties of durum wheat grown at two contrasting locations for two consecutive years. The extent of MR in HT dried pasta as determined by furosine level was found to be significantly related (r = 0.68; p < 0.05) with the amount of reducing sugars. Moreover, the susceptibility to MR appeared to be strictly dependent on \u3b1-amylase activity in both kernel (r = 0.70; p < 0.01) and semolina (r = 0.62; p < 0.01). The extent of MR showed a high heritability value, suggesting that genetic manipulation can be used to reduce the susceptibility to MR and preserve the nutritional value of wheat in HT dried pasta