Heparin as a risk factor for perigraft seroma complicating the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with the occurrence of perigraft seromas complicating systemic-to-pulmonary polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. METHODS: Clinical and perioperative variables were reexamined, blinded for the outcome variable perigraft seroma, in 60 patients undergoing 67 consecutive graft procedures in a 3.5-year period. RESULTS: Eight cases of perigraft seroma were diagnosed in six patients. Univariate analysis revealed age (p = 0.02), a diagnosis of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and systemic-pulmonary collaterals (p = 0.001), reimplantation of collaterals during the procedure (p < 0.001), and intravenous heparin administered after operation (p < 0.0001) as risk factors for symptomatic perigraft seroma. Multivariable analysis defined heparin as the only significant factor associated with symptomatic perigraft seroma. Consolidation of the upper lobe on chest radiograph, ipsilateral to the shunt, directly after operation (p = 0.01), but especially 8 to 10 days after operation (p < 0.0001), or the need for prolonged drainage of pleural fluid (p < 0.0001) were correlated with the occurrence of perigraft seroma. Perigraft seroma led to four early rethoracotomies in three patients and to accelerated corrective surgery in three cases. Consolidation and absent perfusion of lung segments persisted in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the use of heparin leads to an increased risk of perigraft seroma, complicating systemic-pulmonary polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Prolonged pleural drainage and/or postoperative consolidation of the upper lobe indicate the development of symptomatic perigraft seroma. Treatment is controversial and results are unpredictable. Expectative management seems to be justified so long as permitted by the clinical condition

NMR structure of the channel-former zervamicin IIB in isotropic solvents

AbstractSpatial structure of the membrane channel-forming hexadecapeptide, zervamicin IIB, was studied by NMR spectroscopy in mixed solvents of different polarity ranging from CDCl3/CD3OH (9:1, v/v) to CD3OH/H2O (1:1, v/v). The results show that in all solvents used the peptide has a very similar structure that is a bent amphiphilic helix with a mean backbone root mean square deviation (rmsd) value of ca. 0.3 Å. Side chains of Trp1, Ile2, Gln3, Ile5 and Thr6 are mobile. The results are discussed in relation to the validity of the obtained structure to serve as a building block of zervamicin IIB ion channels

One-pot synthesis, crystallization and deracemization of isoindolinones from achiral reactants

The synthesis, crystallization, and complete solid-state deracemization of isoindolinones was realized in one pot simply by grinding achiral reaction components in a suitable solvent with an achiral catalyst. Previously, this concept was applied to a reversible reaction, but herein we showed that it could also be used in combination with reactions in which product formation is irreversible. A controlled final configuration of the product was obtained by using small amounts of chiral additives or seed crystals of the product

Magic-angle spinning 13C NMR with atomic resolution of a photosynthetic reaction center enriched in [4'-13]tyrosine

Bio-organic Synthesi

Analysis of the structure, configuration, and sizing of Cu and Cu oxide nanoparticles generated by fs laser ablation of solid target in liquids

We report on the analysis of structure, configuration, and sizing of Cu and Cu oxide nanoparticles (Nps) produced by femtosecond (fs) laser ablation of solid copper target in liquids. Laser pulse energy ranged between 500 µJ and 50 µJ. Water and acetone were used to produce the colloidal suspensions. The study was performed through optical extinction spectroscopy using Mie theory to fit the full experimental spectra, considering free and bound electrons size dependent contributions to the metal dielectric function. Raman spectroscopy and AFM technique were also used to characterize the sample. Considering the possible oxidation of copper during the fabrication process, two species (Cu and Cu2O) arranged in two structures (bare core or core-shell) and in two configuration types (Cu-Cu2O or Cu2O-Cu) were considered for the fitting depending on the laser pulse energy and the surrounding media. For water at high energy, it can be observed that a Cu-Cu2O configuration fits the experimental spectra of the colloidal suspension, while for decreasingenergy and below a certain threshold, a Cu2O-Cu configuration needs to be included for theoptimum fit. Both species coexist for energies below 170 µJ for water. On the other hand, for acetone at high energy, optimum fit of the full spectrum suggests the presence a bimodal Cu-Cu2O core-shell Nps distribution while for decreasing energy and below a 70 µJ threshold energy value, Cu2O-Cu core-shell Nps must be included, together with the former configuration, for the fit of the full spectrum. We discuss possible reasons for the changes in the structural configuration of the core-shell Nps.Fil: Schinca, Daniel Carlos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.exactas. Instituto de Fisica de la Plata; ArgentinaFil: Videla, Fabian Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Opticas (i); ArgentinaFil: Fernández van Raap, Marcela Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ingenieria; ArgentinaFil: Scaffardi, Lucia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Opticas (i); ArgentinaFil: Santillán, Jesica María José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Opticas (i); Argentin

MAS NMR structure refinement of uniformly 13C enriched chlorophyll a/water aggregates with 2D dipolar correlation spectroscopy

Solid state NMR/Biophysical Organic Chemistr

Carbon-13 magic angle spinning NMR study of the light-induced and temperature-dependent changes in Rhodbacter sphaeroides R26 reaction centers enriched in [4'-13C]tyrosine

Bio-organic Synthesi

Induction of osteoclast characteristics in cultured avian blood monocytes; modulation by osteoblasts and 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3

It has been established, that the osteoclast is derived from the haemopoietic stem cell, but its exact lineage is still controversial. It is sometimes suggested, that osteoclasts and monocytes/macrophages are related cells. It has also been suggested that osteoclast differentiation is regulated by osteoblasts and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3). In the present paper we addressed the question whether avian monocytes can differentiate into osteoclasts in vitro, using an array of immunocytochemical, enzyme cytochemical and function markers. We have also determined the effects of osteoblasts, osteoblast conditioned medium and 1,25-(OH)2D3 on the expression of osteoclastic features on monocytes during culture. Monocytes developed tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP) enzyme activity and antigens for all anti-osteoclast antibodies tested, during culture. However, they did not acquire the ability to resorb dentine and still showed phagocytosis of latex spheres. This indicates that the monocytes developed into cells resembling osteoclasts but lacking their function while retaining the function of macrophages. Osteoblast conditioned medium stimulated TRAcP enzyme activity and proliferation of monocytes in cultures. Addition of osteoblasts or osteoblast conditioned medium to monocyte cultures on dentine in the presence or absence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 did not result in the generation of genuine osteoclasts, nor in pit formation. 1,25-(OH)2D3 appeared to be cytotoxic to the avian monocytes in concentrations considered optimal for mouse osteoclast formation. These results suggest that avian monocytes do not readily differentiate into osteoclasts under in vitro conditions that stimulate osteoclast differentiation from bone marrow derived haemopoietic cells. Furthermore, labelling with anti-osteoclast antibodies and TRAcP as osteoclast-markers should be used only with great caution in the identification of osteoclasts formed in vitro

IgE autoantibodies in serum and skin of non-bullous and bullous pemphigoid patients

Background Non-bullous pemphigoid (NBP) is a pemphigoid variant which frequently resembles other pruritic skin diseases. In contrast with bullous pemphigoid (BP), blisters are absent. In BP, previous studies showed that IgE autoantibodies may be involved in its pathogenesis. IgE-activated mast cells, basophils and eosinophils may participate in BP by inducing pruritus and possibly blister formation, although the differential role of IgE in NBP compared with BP has not yet been described. Objective To assess IgE in serum and skin of NBP and BP patients. Methods We examined total IgE and pemphigoid-specific IgE in the serum of 68 NBP and 50 BP patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera of 25 pemphigus patients and 25 elderly patients with pruritus were included as controls. Skin biopsies of 14 NBP and 14 BP patients with the highest IgE titres to NC16A were stained for IgE by immunofluorescence techniques. Results Total IgE was elevated in 63% of NBP and 60% of BP patients, and in 20% of pemphigus controls, as well as 60% of elderly controls. IgE ELISAs were more frequently positive in BP than in NBP (NC16A 18% vs. 9%, P = 0.139; BP230 34% vs. 22%, P = 0.149). IgE ELISAs for NC16A and BP230 were positive in 8% and 20% of elderly controls, respectively, while all pemphigus controls were negative. Two of 28 biopsies (7%; one NBP, one BP) showed linear IgE along the basement membrane zone, while in most biopsies (71% NBP; 86% BP) IgE was bound to dermal cells. Conclusion Since IgE was present in the serum and skin of both NBP and BP patients, this supports IgE-dependent mechanisms common to both diseases, such as pruritus. However, it remains to be elucidated whether IgE contributes to blister formation in BP

Photo-CIDNP 13C magic angle spinning NMR on bacterial reaction centres: exploring the electronic structure of the special pair and its surroundings

Solid state NMR/Biophysical Organic ChemistryBiological and Soft Matter Physic