Infantile scimitar syndrome with severe pulmonary hypertension: successful treatment with coil embolization of the systemic arterial supply to the sequestered lung

Scimitar syndrome is a rare cardiopulmonary malformation. Presentation in infancy is usually associated with pulmonary hypertension and severe symptoms. We discuss treatment of such an infant. Two abnormal systemic vessels supplying the sequestered lower part of the right lung were embolized using catheter-inserted coils. The patent arterial duct was surgically ligated. These procedures resulted in a significant reduction of the shunt and the level of pulmonary hypertension, as well as in an impresssive improvement of symptom

Transcatheter embolization of abnormal intrathoracic vessels using coils in the setting of children with congenital heart disease

Abstract Objective it was the purpose of this retrospective study to assess the efficacy and the rate of complications of transcatheter embolization of abnormal intrathoracic vessels using coils in children with complex congenital heart disease. Patients and methods in 17 children (mean age 9.2±5.9 years) with complex congenital heart disease, occlusion by catheter intervention was attempted in 29 abnormal intrathoracic vessels: 13 aorto-pulmonary collaterals, 12 arterio-pulmonary collaterals, 2 systemic arteries supplying pulmonary sequestrations, one central venous connection and a Blalock-Taussig shunt. The mean diameter of the vessels was 4.7 ± 1.6 mm (range 2-8 mm). Steel coils with a helical diameter of three, five or eight mm were used. After selective catheterization of the vessel, they were delivered through a 5 F endhole catheter. The helical diameter of the coils was chosen in order to exceed the inner diameter of the vessel by 10-30%. Results as assessed by selective angiography performed 10 minutes or more after release of the coil, 27 of the 29 vessels (93%) were successfully occluded. A mean of 2.6 coils (range 1-11) were necessary for successful occlusion. Complications were encountered during 4 attempts of occlusion (14%). Of a total of 76 coils delivered, 4 coils (5%) secondarily migrated after release from the catheter, mostly to branches of the pulmonary arteries. This complication was seen predominantly in those vessels with the largest diameters. Three of the dislocated coils were left in place as they did not significantly obstruct flow of blood. One coil was retrieved by a basket catheter. Conclusion transcatheter embolization of abnormal intrathoracic vessels using coils in children with congenital heart disease is an effective therapy. Potential complications warrant careful evaluation of the indications for these procedure

Optimierung von Saatzeitpunkt und Nährstoffversorgung von Wintermohn

Der optimale Saatzeitpunkt sowie die optimale Stickstoffversorgung von Speisemohn (Papaver somniferum L.) werfen insbesondere im Winteranbau Fragen auf. In einem Feldversuch wurde 2017 die Wintermohnsorte ‘Zeno Morphex’ zu zwei verschiedenen Saatterminen im Herbst ausgesät. Eine Düngung mit Stickstoff erfolgte im Frühjahr in den Stufen 30 kg N ha-1 und 80 kg N ha-1 in Form von Hornmehl und Hornspänen. Der Saatzeitpunkt hatte keinen Einfluss auf den Samenertrag, auch die Anzahl Kapseln je Pflanze variierte kaum. Die Düngung mit 80 kg N ha-1 erhöhte im Vergleich zur Düngehöhe 30 kg N ha-1 den Samenertrag signifikant (Maximalertrag: Ø 1342,24 kg ha-1, Minimalertrag: Ø 806,33 kg ha-1). Ebenso wiesen die mit Hornmehl gedüngten Varianten siginifikant höhere Samenerträge auf als die Varianten, die Hornspäne erhielten

1H NMR study of the interaction of trans-resveratrol with soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomes

Resveratrol (RSV) is a well-known natural derivative with a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Despite of these demonstrated properties, it exhibits low both aqueous solubility and chemical stability and therefore low bioavailability. Consequently, the major concern of the technological research is to exploit delivery systems able to overcome bioavailability problems. In the recent past liposomes have been successfully studied for these purposes. In this paper, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, Nuclear Overhauser Spectroscopy (NOESY) as well as Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancements (PRE) experiments have been carried out to quantitatively investigate the incorporation of resveratrol, at both the liposome preparation stage and by preformed liposomes, also with the aim to characterize resveratrol- soybean phosphatidylcholine (P90G) lipid bilayer interactions. Overall results of 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis suggest that RSV is located nearby the phosphocholine headgroups and also provide quantitative data on the incorporation of RSV (5% w/w), which corresponds to a 150-fold increase with respect to the solubility of RSV in water. Beside, considering that the same level of RSV incorporation was obtained via spontaneous uptake by preformed P90G liposomes, it can be concluded that RSV easily diffuses through the lipid bilayer

Selective Recognition of Neutral Guests in an Aqueous Medium by a Biomimetic Calix[6]cryptamide Receptor

The design of artificial receptors that can efficiently work in water is a challenging research area. A possible biomimetic approach for the elaboration of such receptors consists of associating a hydrophobic cavity with a polar polyfunctional binding site. On this basis, a hydrophilic calix[6]cryptamide decorated with oligo(ethylene glycol) units (i.e.) was synthesized through an efficient [1 + 1] macrocyclization reaction as the key-step. The complexation of neutral molecules was evaluated by NMR spectroscopy through competition experiments either in apolar or aqueous media. In both media, host can bind neutral species that display H-bonding acceptor and donor groups such as amides or ureas. Interestingly, the most polar and acidic molecule is the best guest in chloroform and the worst one in an aqueous medium, highlighting the importance of the environment. As shown by NMR and X-ray diffraction data, the mode of recognition involves a complementary DAAAD-ADDDA quintuple H-bonding array between the binding partners as well as multiple CH-π interactions. A comparison of this calix[6]arene-based host-guest system with the binding site of biotin-binding proteins shows strong similarities. Besides, the acid-base control of the binding properties of receptor in aqueous media is highly reminiscent of allosteric processes encountered in natural systems.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Determination of agronomic parameters in the biological cultivation of the low morphine poppy variety ’Zeno Morphex’

Im ökologischen Anbau von Speisemohn, insbesondere im Winteranbau, gibt es in Deutschland kaum Anbauerfahrung. Der Bedarf nach Grundlagenforschung zu Fragen der Ertragssicherheit, Unkrautbekämpfung und Nährstoffversorgung ist hoch, weshalb in einem Feldversuch die Faktoren Saatzeitpunkt sowie Stickstoffversorgung in ihrer Wirkung auf die Pflanzenentwicklung und den Ertrag untersucht wurden. Als Dünger wurden Hornmehl (0-1 mm) und Hornspäne (4-7 mm) zu 30 kg N ha-1 und 80 kg N ha-1 ausgebracht. Die größten Pflanzenhöhen erreichte innerhalb des ersten Saatzeitpunkts (S1) die Variante, die mit 80 kg N ha-1 Hornmehl gedüngt wurde (Endhöhe am 22.06.18: 123,2 cm, p<0.05). Zum zweiten Saattermin (S2) war kein durchgängig signifikanter Einfluss des N-Düngers messbar. Diese Tendenzen sind auch bei Trockenmasse und Blattflächenindex nachzuverfolgen. Bis Mitte April unterschieden sich die Pflanzenhöhen aufgrund des Saattermins zugunsten der früh gesäten Varianten über alle Düngevarianten hinweg signifikant. Anschließend glichen sich die Höhen, mit Ausnahme der mit 80 kg N ha-1 gedüngten Varianten, an. Der Saattermin beeinflusste auch die Trockenmasse, die bis Mitte April häufig signifikant über denen des zweiten Saattermins lag (Variante 80 kg N ha-1: 7,22 g m-² (S1) & 2,08 g m-² (S2) am 28.03.2018). In Bezug auf die Parameter des Pflanzenwachstums zeigt sich somit eine tendenzielle bis signifikante Überlegenheit der höheren N-Düngung in Form von Hornmehl. Mit Hilfe von Ertragsdaten lassen sich womöglich weitere Effekte abbilden.Experience in the biological cultivation of poppy in Germany, especially when sown in autumn, is small. That is why research is needed concerning yield stability, weed management and nutrition and is the reason for this study that deals with different seeding dates and varying nitrogen nutrition and their effects on plant development and yield. The chosen fertilizer was horn meal in small (0-1 mm) and coarse grained (4-7 mm) particle sizes. Both were applied either with 30 kg N ha-1 or 80 kg ha-1. Plant height of the first seeding date (S1) was highest for the variety that received 80 kg N ha-1 small grained horn meal (Final heigt on 22.06.18: 123,2 cm, p<0.05). No continuously significant influence of the N-fertilization was determined for plants sown on the second seeding date (S2). These tendencies are also shown in the data of dry matter and leaf area index. Until midth of May significant differences in plant height due to seeding date could be seen in all fertilization varieties. In the following months height converged to similar levels, an exception made the varieties fertilized with 80 kg ha-1 of horn meal. Seeding date also had an influence on dry matter that was significantly higher for the early sown plants until the midth of April (Variety 80 kg N ha-1: 7,22 g m-² (S1) & 2,08 g m-² (S2) on March 28th 2018). Concerning the agronomic parameters of plant development tendencies are shown towards an advantage of high N-fertilization in the form of horn meal. Including yield data will probably reveal further effects

Mesoporous matrices for the delivery of the broad spectrum bacteriocin, Nisin A

peer-reviewedMesoporous matrices of different pore size and chemical composition were explored as potential delivery matrices for the broad spectrum bacteriocin, nisin A. The adsorption of nisin A onto two mesoporous silicates (MPS - SBA-15, MCM-41) and two periodic mesoporous organosilanes (PMO - MSE, PMO-PA) was examined. It was found that hydrophobic interactions dominated in the adsorption of this peptide to the matrices, lending the highest adsorption to MCM-41 with a small pore size of 2.8 nm. The hydrophobic ethylene-bridged MSE (6 nm pore) improved the loading and protection of nisin A from degradation by a non-specific protease pepsin, over un-functionalised SBA-15 which had a slightly larger pore size and less hydrophobic moieties. Nisin A did not adsorb onto an amine-functionalised PMO. Upon suspension in modified fasted state simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.6), the highest release of nisin A was observed from MCM-41, with a lower release from SBA-15 and MSE, with release following Higuchi release kinetics. No release was detected into modified fasted state simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.5) but despite this, the suspended matrices loaded with nisin A remained active against Staphylococcus aureus