Validation of an automated assay for the measurement of cupric reducing antioxidant capacity in serum of dogs

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to optimize and validate an automated method to assess the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum of dogs using the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methodology (TAC(c)) with bathocuproinedisulfonic acid disodium salt as chelating agent, evaluating also possible variations due to the use of two different automated analyzers. The method is based on the reduction of Cu(2+) into Cu(1+) by the action of the non-enzymatic antioxidants that are present in the sample. RESULTS: Imprecision was low in both apparatus utilized, and the results were linear across serial Trolox and canine serum samples dilutions. Lipids did not interfere with the assay; however, hemolysis increased the TAC(c) concentrations. When TAC(c) concentrations were determined in ten healthy (control) dogs and in twelve dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), dogs with IBD had lower TAC(c) concentrations when compared with the healthy dogs. CONCLUSIONS: The method validated in this paper is precise, simple, and fast and can be easily adapted to automated analyzers

A comprehensive overview of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology

The concept of radioguided surgery, which was first developed some 60 years ago, involves the use of a radiation detection probe system for the intraoperative detection of radionuclides. The use of gamma detection probe technology in radioguided surgery has tremendously expanded and has evolved into what is now considered an established discipline within the practice of surgery, revolutionizing the surgical management of many malignancies, including breast cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer, as well as the surgical management of parathyroid disease. The impact of radioguided surgery on the surgical management of cancer patients includes providing vital and real-time information to the surgeon regarding the location and extent of disease, as well as regarding the assessment of surgical resection margins. Additionally, it has allowed the surgeon to minimize the surgical invasiveness of many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, while still maintaining maximum benefit to the cancer patient. In the current review, we have attempted to comprehensively evaluate the history, technical aspects, and clinical applications of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology

Molecular Aspects of Capacitation

Male and female gamets are derived from the primordial germ cells, which migrate from the wall of the yolk sac toward the developing gonads. Following a series of mitotic divisions these cells increase in number at the gonads. The primordial germ cells differentiate into spermatogonia and take the form of mature spermatozoa after spermotogensis and spermotogenesis at puberty. Capacitation is the reaction, which includes all of the molecular and physiological events of mature sperm to gain the ability of fertilizing oocytes at metaphase 2 in the female genital tract. Some molecular events significant in the initiation of capacitation have been identified as cholesterol efflux from the sperm plasma membrane, increased membrane fluidity, modulation of intracellular ion concentration, hyperpolarization of the sperm plasma membrane and increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation. During capacitation, the spermatozoa acquires the ability to penetrate the corona radiata and to bind to the zona pellucida. This binding triggers acrosome reaction which occurs by the development of multiple fenestrations between the outer acrosomal membrane and the plasma membrane of the spermatozoon. After the fusion of oocyte and sperm plasma membranes, sperm and oocyt pronuclei are joined together to compose the zygote. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2010; 19(1.000): 12-24

Evaluation of risk factors for mortality in perforated peptic ulcer in Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Objective: To assess the risk factor that influence mortality from perforated peptic ulcer. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Ankara Numune Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Subjects: A total of 342 patients with perforated peptic ulcer disease were identified from April 1997 to January 2004. Data for the patients were extracted from the hospital records, operative notes and clinic charts. Main outcome measures: Age, sex, coexisting medical illness, use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) or steroids, preoperative shock, delay in treatment location of ulcer size, type of operation time, albumin concentration postoperative complications, postoperative hospitals stay and mortality results for all patients were obtained. Results: Patients were aged from 17 to 80 years (mean 63 years, median 68 years) there were 210 males and 132 females. The mortality rate was 8.8% (30/342), and 62 patients had postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis showed that co-existing medical illness, preoperative shock, delay in treatment and low albumin concentrations were independent risk factors that significantly contributed to mortality. Conclusion: This study confirms co-existing medical illness, preoperative shock, delay in treatment and low albumin concentration as significant risk factors that increase mortality in patients with perforated peptic ulcers. These factors could serve as a guide to opine the risk and to improve the outcome in patients with perforated peptic ulcer. Mortality could be reduced by preventing delay in diagnosis and treatment for any co-existing medical illness and providing appropriate nutrition support. East African Medical Journal Vol.81(12) 2004: 634-63