Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182
6948891480
Δευτέρα 12 Σεπτεμβρίου 2016
Functional Foods : Did you know that certain foods or food components may provide health and wellness benefits? These foods, also known as “functional foods,” are thought to provide benefits beyond basic nutrition and may play a role in reducing or minimizing the risk of certain diseases and other health conditions. Examples of these foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fortified foods and beverages and some dietary supplements. Functional characteristics of many traditional foods are being discovered and studied, while new food products are being developed to include beneficial components. By knowing which foods can provide specific health benefits,you can make food and beverage choices that allow you to take greater control of your health. http://www.foodinsight.org/Content/3842/Final%20Functional%20Foods%20Backgrounder.pdf
EmboTrap II Clot Retriever for Acute Ischemic Stroke Cleared in Europe
Based on the original EmboTrap that came to market in Europe last year, the new device is intended to treat a greater range of clot lengths via a .021″ microcatheter.
"The EmboTrap platform has been a great addition to my clinical practice. In my first nine cases using the device, I was able to get TICI 2b-3 reperfusion in one pass. Now with the EmboTrap II, I've had comparably good results when treating longer occlusions," said Christian Taschner, M.D., professor of Radiology, University of Freiburg, Germany, in a press release. "In fact, in early evaluations of the EmboTrap II 5×33 at six centers, 16 of 17 cases resulted in TICI 2b-3 flow. The open design of the device helps trap clot inside and also makes it quite flexible, which is important when removing clot from the arteries of the brain."
Product page: emboTrap II…
Press release: Neuravi…
This post EmboTrap II Clot Retriever for Acute Ischemic Stroke Cleared in Europe appeared first on Medgadget.
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Baseline morning cortisol level as a predictor of pituitary-adrenal reserve: A comparison across three assays
Abstract
Context
The short ACTH stimulation test (250μg) is the dynamic test most frequently used to assess adrenal function. It is possible that a single basal cortisol could be used to predict the dynamic response, but research has been hampered by the use of different assays and thresholds.
Objective
To propose a morning baseline cortisol criterion of three of the most commonly-used modern cortisol immunoassays - Advia Centaur (Siemens), Architect (Abbott) and the Roche Modular System (Roche) - that could predict adrenal sufficiency.
Design
Observational, retrospective cross-sectional study at two centres.
Patients and Measurements
Retrospective analysis of the results of 1019 SSTs with the Advia Centaur, 449 SSTs with the Architect, and 2050 SSTs with the Roche Modular System assay. Serum cortisol levels were measured prior to injection of 250μg Synacthen and after 30 minutes. Overall, we were able to collate data from a total of 3518 SSTs in 3571 patients.
Results
Using receiver-operator curve analysis, baseline cortisol levels for predicting passing the SST with 100% specificity were 358 nmol/l for Siemens, 336 nmol/l for Abbott and 506 nmol/l for Roche. Utilising these criteria: 589, 158 and 578 SSTs respectively for Siemens, Abbott and Roche immunoassays could have been avoided.
Conclusions
We have defined assay-specific morning cortisol levels that are able to predict the integrity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. We propose that this represents a valid tool for the initial assessment of adrenal function and has the potential to obviate the need for dynamic testing in a significant number of patients.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Reversal of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in a man with Kallmann syndrome due to SOX10 mutation
Abstract
Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) with either normal olfaction or anosmia (Kallmann syndrome (KS)) is a cause of pubertal failure secondary to pituitary gonadotropin deficiency. It appears during fetal life and persists throughout the postnatal, pre- and post-pubertal periods (1). For many years KS was considered to be a genetic disorder in which CHH persists throughout life, but case series of KS/CHH reported over the past 15 years show that gonadotropin and testicular functions can recover spontaneously, partially or completely (2,3).
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Herpesviral-bacterial co-infection in mandibular third molar pericoronitis
Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess the presence of herpesviruses and periodontopathic bacteria and to establish their potential association with pericoronitis.
Materials and methods
Fifty samples obtained with paper points (30 from pericoronitis and 20 controls) were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. A single-stage and nested PCR assays were used to detect herpesviruses: human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and six periodontopathic anaerobic bacteria: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Parvimonas micra, Treponema denticola, and Tannarella forsythia.
Results
Pericoronitis samples harbored HCMV and EBV at significantly higher rates than the control group (70 vs. 40 % and 46.7 vs. 15 %, P = 0.035, P = 0.021, respectively). P. micra and T. forsythia (66.7 vs. 0 %, and 40 vs. 10 %, P = 0.001, P = 0.021, respectively) were significantly more common in pericoronitis compared to the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of T. forsythia was associated with pericoronitis development (OR 7.3, 95 % CI, 1.2–43.2, P = 0.028).
Conclusion
The occurrence of HCVM and EBV extends our previous knowledge on microbiota in pericoronitis. These PCR-based findings demonstrated that bacterial and viral DNA occurred concomitantly in pericoronitis samples. T. forsythia appeared to be significantly associated with pericoronitis development in the examined sample.
Clinical relevance
Herpesviral-bacterial co-infections might exacerbate the progression of pericoronitis.
http://ift.tt/2cijMld
Herpesviral-bacterial co-infection in mandibular third molar pericoronitis
Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess the presence of herpesviruses and periodontopathic bacteria and to establish their potential association with pericoronitis.
Materials and methods
Fifty samples obtained with paper points (30 from pericoronitis and 20 controls) were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. A single-stage and nested PCR assays were used to detect herpesviruses: human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and six periodontopathic anaerobic bacteria: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Parvimonas micra, Treponema denticola, and Tannarella forsythia.
Results
Pericoronitis samples harbored HCMV and EBV at significantly higher rates than the control group (70 vs. 40 % and 46.7 vs. 15 %, P = 0.035, P = 0.021, respectively). P. micra and T. forsythia (66.7 vs. 0 %, and 40 vs. 10 %, P = 0.001, P = 0.021, respectively) were significantly more common in pericoronitis compared to the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of T. forsythia was associated with pericoronitis development (OR 7.3, 95 % CI, 1.2–43.2, P = 0.028).
Conclusion
The occurrence of HCVM and EBV extends our previous knowledge on microbiota in pericoronitis. These PCR-based findings demonstrated that bacterial and viral DNA occurred concomitantly in pericoronitis samples. T. forsythia appeared to be significantly associated with pericoronitis development in the examined sample.
Clinical relevance
Herpesviral-bacterial co-infections might exacerbate the progression of pericoronitis.
http://ift.tt/2cijMld
Improving and accelerating the differentiation and functional maturation of human stem cell-derived neurons: role of extracellular calcium and GABA
Abstract
Neurons differentiated from pluripotent stem cells using established neural culture conditions often exhibit functional deficits. Recently, we have developed enhanced media which both synchronise the neurogenesis of pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors and accelerate their functional maturation; together these media are termed SynaptoJuice. This pair of media are pro-synaptogenic and generate authentic, mature synaptic networks of connected forebrain neurons from a variety of induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cell lines. Such enhanced rate and extent of synchronised maturation of pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells generates neurons which are characterised by a relatively hyperpolarized resting membrane potential, higher spontaneous and induced action potential activity, enhanced synaptic activity, more complete development of a mature inhibitory GABAA receptor phenotype and faster production of electrical network activity when compared to standard differentiation media. This entire process - from pre-patterned neural progenitor to active neuron - takes 3 weeks or less, making it an ideal platform for drug discovery and disease modelling in the fields of human neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or Schizophrenia.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
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Regenerative potential of human airway stem cells in lung epithelial engineering
Publication date: November 2016
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 108
Author(s): Sarah E. Gilpin, Jonathan M. Charest, Xi Ren, Luis F. Tapias, Tong Wu, Daniele Evangelista-Leite, Douglas J. Mathisen, Harald C. Ott
Bio-engineered organs for transplantation may ultimately provide a personalized solution for end-stage organ failure, without the risk of rejection. Building upon the process of whole organ perfusion decellularization, we aimed to develop novel, translational methods for the recellularization and regeneration of transplantable lung constructs.We first isolated a proliferative KRT5+TP63+ basal epithelial stem cell population from human lung tissue and demonstrated expansion capacity in conventional 2D culture. We then repopulated acellular rat scaffolds in ex vivo whole organ culture and observed continued cell proliferation, in combination with primary pulmonary endothelial cells. To show clinical scalability, and to test the regenerative capacity of the basal cell population in a human context, we then recellularized and cultured isolated human lung scaffolds under biomimetic conditions. Analysis of the regenerated tissue constructs confirmed cell viability and sustained metabolic activity over 7 days of culture. Tissue analysis revealed extensive recellularization with organized tissue architecture and morphology, and preserved basal epithelial cell phenotype. The recellularized lung constructs displayed dynamic compliance and rudimentary gas exchange capacity. Our results underline the regenerative potential of patient-derived human airway stem cells in lung tissue engineering. We anticipate these advances to have clinically relevant implications for whole lung bioengineering and ex vivo organ repair.
Graphical abstract
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Bamboo (Acidosasa edulis) shoot shell biochar: Its potential isolation and mechanism to perrhenate as a chemical surrogate for pertechnetate
Publication date: December 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 165
Author(s): Hui Hu, Bangqiang Jiang, Huixiong Wu, Jubin Zhang, Xiaohui Chen
In this work, a biochar was prepared from bamboo (Acidosasa edulis) shoot shell through slow pyrolysis (under 300–700 °C). Characterization with various tools showed that the biochar surface was highly hydrophobic and also had more basic functional groups. Batch sorption experiments showed that the biochar had strong sorption ability to perrhenate (a chemical surrogate for pertechnetate) with maximum sorption capacity of 46.46 mg/g, which was significantly higher than commercial coconut shell activated carbon and some adsorbents reported previously. Desorption experiments showed that more than 94% of total perrhenate adsorbed could be recovered using 0.1 mol/L KOH as a desorption medium. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the recovery of perrhenate by the biochars was mainly through surface adsorption mechanisms involving both high hydrophobicity and high basic sites of biochar surface.
Graphical abstract
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Chemical fractionation of radium-226 in NORM contaminated soil from oilfields
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 165
Author(s): Jamal Al Abdullah, Mohammad Said Al-Masri, Yusr Amin, Ibrahim Awad, Zuhair Sheaib
Contamination of soil with 226Ra is a common problem in the oilfields, leading to costly remediation and disposal programmes. The present study focuses on the chemical fractionation and mobility of 226Ra in contaminated soils collected from an oilfield using a three-step sequential extraction procedure (BCR). The total activity concentrations of 226Ra in contaminated soils were measured and found to be in the range from 1030 ± 90 to 7780 ± 530 Bq kg−1, with a mean activity concentration of 2840 ± 1840 Bq kg−1. The correlation between the total concentration of 226Ra and soil properties, mainly pH, LOI, Corg, clay and Ca, was investigated using the principal component analysis method (PCA). The chemical fractionation of 226Ra was studied using the sequential extraction method (BCR). The highest fraction of 226Ra (27–65%) was found to be in the acid-reducible fraction, which suggests that 226Ra is mainly bound to FeMn oxides. The BCR method showed that high percentages of 226Ra were found to be in mobile soil phases (between 45 and 99%). Consequently, groundwater contamination could occur due to the remobilization of 226Ra from soils under normal environmental conditions. However, the obtained results could be useful to reduce the volume of NORM wastes generated from the oilfields and decision-making process for final treatment and disposal of NORM-contaminated soil.
http://ift.tt/2coHR9C
Studying factors affecting the indoor gamma radiation dose using the MCNP5 simulation software
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 165
Author(s): M. Orabi
Different factors and parameters affecting the indoor gamma radiation dose are considered and investigated. The change of the dose with different positions inside the room is discussed. The relative doses are also calculated for different changes; with different room dimensions, different wall thicknesses, and different building material densities. Some other factors are also discussed. The study is carried out by executing some models designed by the MCNP version 5 simulation software. The calculations of the dose rates are performed by adopting a simple and convenient calculation model which is based on the obtained relative changes of the dose rates with the different factors.
http://ift.tt/2c9hRBZ
Toxins, Vol. 8, Pages 267: Bioactivation and Regioselectivity of Pig Cytochrome P450 3A29 towards Aflatoxin B1
Due to unavoidable contaminations in feedstuff, pigs are easily exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and suffer from poisoning, thus the poisoned products potentially affect human health. Heretofore, the metabolic process of AFB1 in pigs remains to be clarified, especially the principal cytochrome P450 oxidases responsible for its activation. In this study, we cloned CYP3A29 from pig liver and expressed it in Escherichia coli, and its activity has been confirmed with the typical P450 CO-reduced spectral characteristic and nifedipine-oxidizing activity. The reconstituted membrane incubation proved that the recombinant CYP3A29 was able to oxidize AFB1 to form AFB1-exo-8,9-epoxide in vitro. The structural basis for the regioselective epoxidation of AFB1 by CYP3A29 was further addressed. The T309A mutation significantly decreased the production of AFBO, whereas F304A exhibited an enhanced activation towards AFB1. In agreement with the mutagenesis study, the molecular docking simulation suggested that Thr309 played a significant role in stabilization of AFB1 binding in the active center through a hydrogen bond. In addition, the bulk phenyl group of Phe304 potentially imposed steric hindrance on the binding of AFB1. Our study demonstrates the bioactivation of pig CYP3A29 towards AFB1 in vitro, and provides the insight for understanding regioselectivity of CYP3A29 to AFB1.
http://ift.tt/2cGnq9f
Are some agents less likely to deposit gadolinium in the brain?
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Alexander Radbruch
In December 2013, a groundbreaking study by Kanda et al. was published showing that the serial injection of gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCAs) is correlated with a signal intensity increase in the dentate nucleus (DN) and the globus pallidus (GP) on unenhanced T1 weighted MR images. Subsequent studies by Kanda et al. and McDonald et al. on brain tissue from deceased patients provided evidence that the reported signal intensity increase in the brain correlates with gadolinium deposits in the brain tissue. In the following, multiple retrospective patient studies and animal studies assessed the potential of the marketed GBCAs to cause hyperintensities or gadolinium deposits in the brain, respectively. This review summarizes the evidence provided by these studies and additionally takes into account data from in vitro studies on the stability of GBCAs. The author concludes that there is a body of evidence suggesting that the potential of a GBCA to cause hyperintensities or gadolinium deposition in the brain corresponds with its stability and is particularly depending on the group of the specific GBCA as either linear or macrocyclic.
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What is the effectiveness of the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in patients treated with open abdomen technique? A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: The open abdomen technique may be used in critically ill patients to manage abdominal injury, reduce the septic complications, and prevent the abdominal compartment syndrome. Many different techniques have been proposed and multiple studies have been conducted, but the best method of temporary abdominal closure has not been determined yet. Recently, new randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials have been published on this topic. We aimed to perform an up-to-date systematic review on the management of open abdomen, including the most recent published randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, to compare negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with no NPWT and define if one technique has better outcomes than the other with regard to primary fascial closure, postoperative 30-day mortality and morbidity, enteroatmospheric fistulae, abdominal abscess, bleeding, and length of stay. METHODS: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, an online literature research (until July 1, 2015) was performed on MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Library databases. The MeSH terms and free words used "vacuum assisted closure" "vac;", "open abdomen", "damage control surgery", and "temporary abdominal closure". No language restriction was made. RESULTS: The initial systematic literature search yielded 452 studies. After a careful assessment of the titles and of the full text was obtained, eight articles fulfilled inclusion criteria. We analyzed 1,225 patients, of whom 723 (59%) underwent NPWT and 502 (41%) did not undergo NPWT, and performed four subgroups: VAC versus Bogota bag technique (two studies, 106 participants), VAC versus mesh-foil laparostomy (two studies, 159 participants), VAC versus laparostomy (adhesive impermeable with midline zip) (one study, 106 participants), and NPWT versus no NPWT techniques (three studies, 854 participants) in which it is not possible to perform an analysis of the different types of treatment. Comparing the NPWT group and the group without NPWT, there was no statistically significant difference in fascial closure (63.5% vs 69.5%; odds ratio [OR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27–2.06; p = 0.57), postoperative 30-day overall morbidity (p = 0.19), postoperative enteroatmospheric fistulae rate (2.1% vs 5.8%; OR, 0.63; 95% CIs, 0.12–3.15; p = 0.57), in the postoperative bleeding rate (5.7% vs 14.9%; OR, 0.58; 95% CIs, 0.05–6.84; p = 0.87), and postoperative abdominal abscess rate (2.4% vs 5.6%; OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.13–1.34; p = 0.14). On the other hand, statistical significance was found between the NPWT group and the group without NPWT in the postoperative mortality rate (28.5% vs 41.4%; OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.23–0.91; p = 0.03) and in the length of stay in the intensive care unit (mean difference, −4.53; 95% CI, −5.46 to 3.60; phttp://ift.tt/2btkCwv
DESIGN AND DOCKING STUDY OF SOME (E)-N'-(SUBSTITUTED-BENZYLIDENE)-2-(2-CHLORO-4-FLUOROPHENYL) ACETOHYDRAZIDE COMPOUNDS FOR ANTI-MICROBIAL ACTIVITY
2016-09-12T01-57-19Z
Source: Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Ajit Kumar Mishra*, Neha Singh, Manju Kumari, Binita Kumari, Birendra Kumar, Divya Mishra.
In this work, we collected the three dimensional structure of Enterotoxin B which plays an important role in staphylococcus pathway. The protein structures were collected from PDB data bank. From the 3D structures of the proteins, the targeted derivatives were designed. Docking studies was performed with designed ligands from the drug. The drug derivatives docked to the protein by hydrogen boding interactions and these interactions play an important role in the binding studies. Docking results showed the best compounds among the derivatives.
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FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FAST MOUTH DISSOLVING CHEWABLE TABLET OF ALBENDAZOLE
2016-09-12T01-57-19Z
Source: Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Dr. O. G. Bhusnure*, Shaikh Faisal Ekbal, Mane Jyoti, Sayyed Sarfaraz Ali, Hucche Bhimashankar, Surkute Ganesh.
Fast dissolving tablet format is designed to allow administration of an oral solid dose form in the absence of water or fluid intake. Such tablets readily dissolve or disintegrate in the saliva. Albendazole is anthalmentic agent which is used in disease like worms. As a vermicidal,albendazole causes degenerative alterations in the intestinal cells of the worm by binding to the colchicine-sensitive site of tubulin, thus inhibiting its polymerization or assembly into microtubules. It is a BCS class II drug. It exhibits poor bioavailability of about
http://ift.tt/2cSAqM6
DEVELOPMENT OF VALIDATED SPECTROFLUORIMETRIC METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF BUCLIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE FROM THE TABLET DOSAGE FORM
2016-09-12T01-57-19Z
Source: Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
A. Suganthi*, A. Fathimunnisa, S. Sumithra and T.K. Ravi.
Buclizine hydrochloride from its tablet dosage form was estimated by developing a novel validated indirect spectrofluorimetric method. Here the Buclizine hydrochloride was derivatized into nitro compound using nitrating mixture with an aid of heat which showed good fluorescence in water at 446 nm after excited at 350 nm. The calibration graph showed linear over the range 200-1000 ng/ml. The assay of buclizine hydrochloride in marketed formulations was found to be 98.96 ± 0.1586. Recovery values were close to 100% with the % RSD values of 0.432% and 0.673% at 50% and 100% level respectively. From the results of validation it was observed that the method was found to be simple, accurate, sensitive and reproducible. Hence the proposed method can be used for routine quality control analysis.
http://ift.tt/2cCKabx
FATTY ACID BINDING PROTEIN-1 (FABP-1) OF ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS- A PROMISING VACCINE CANDIDATE- AN IN SILICO ANALYSIS
2016-09-12T01-57-19Z
Source: Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Varun Chauhan, Gurjeet Kaur, Naveen, Kapil Goyal, Rakesh Sehgal.
E. granulosus responsible for causing Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a highly pathogenic infection, is causing considerable morbidity and mortality in humans. Fatty Acid Binding Proteins have been suggested to be promising vaccine candidates against several parasitic Platyhelminthes. The present study was thus aimed to identify HLA class I (HLA*A-02:01) restricted T cell epitopes, one of the most common occurring HLA Class I allele in human population, and B cell epitopes by screening of FABP-1 protein of E. granulosus using in-silico approach. The most promising predicted T cell epitopes were docked with HLA-*A 02:01 allele in order to ascertain the binding pattern of the identified peptides and HLA allele. The identified B and T cell epitopes were confirmed by visualizing there locations on the 3D model of FABP-1 protein. We believe that the present study will further help the researchers in better understanding the immune responses generated in an intermediate host in response to FABP protein of the parasite and may provide a platform to facilitate subunit vaccine design.
http://ift.tt/2cSyfIu
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Publication date: September 2017 Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 110 Author(s): Lucía Fernández-del-Río, Anish Nag, Elen...
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Abstract Noise pollution is a major factor of environmental complaints in many cities, which has significant impacts on human health. As a...
