Glycocalyx damage biomarkers in healthy controls,abdominal surgery,and sepsis: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective

Despite wide interest in glycocalyx biomarkers, their values in healthy individuals, patients after abdominal surgery, and septic patients have been poorly understood.     

Bioactive peptides derived from the Limulus anti-lipopolysaccharide factor: structure-activity relationships and formation of mixed peptide/lipid complexes.

The design of peptides that would interact and neutralise bacterial endotoxins or LPS could have benefited from the analysis of comparative structure-activity relationships among close-related analogues. Here, we present a comparative structural characterisation of selected peptides derived from the LALF obtained by single-amino-acid replacement, which differ in biological activity. The peptides were characterised in solution using nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies. Membrane mimetic peptide interactions were studied using fluorescence resonance energy transfer with the aid of extrinsic fluorescent probes that allowed the identification of mixed peptide/lipid complexes. Copyright (c) 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Is a foetus developing in a sterile environment?

Novel findings in microbiology question the long‐standing paradigm that a healthy pregnancy implies a sterile uterus. It now seems that the placenta is frequently colonized with bacteria, and a placental microbiome has been identified. Recent literature findings are summarized here, and an attempt is made to separate pathological bacterial presence from a naturally occurring microbiome.     

Un-LINQed: Spontaneous extrusion of newer generation implantable loop recorders

BackgroundInsertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are often used for long-term monitoring of cardiac rhythm. The Medtronic’s LINQ Reveal ™ is a new generation wireless, automated, and patient responsive subcutaneous ECG monitoring device. Despite several advantages to its small size we have noted an unusually high incidence of extrusion at our center.Methods& Results: We conducted a retrospective case analysis to review Reveal LINQs implanted at our center. All devices were inserted using the provided insertion tools. Patients with extruded devices were identified and details regarding the site and technique of insertion, incision closure, use of peri-operative antibiotics, and follow-up details were collected. 81 patients underwent 85 Reveal LINQ implants at a tertiary care University Hospital referral center. The most common reason for implant was suspected arrhythmia with or without structural heart disease or unexplained syncope. There were 4 spontaneous extrusions occurring within 7–24 days after insertion with an incidence rate of 4.7%. One extruded device was anchored to subcutaneous tissue, and no pocket/device infections or hematomas were noted.ConclusionsDevice migration and erosion through skin are important potential adverse events for the Reveal LINQ implantable loop recorder. This study reports an unexpectedly high rate of extrusion without infection. The authors suggest that the depth of the incision is the main factor impacting extrusions. Larger studies are recommended, however, and a proposed measure to avoid spontaneous extrusion is the design of a longer manufacturer’s blade in order to increase the depth of the incision and insertion.     

脓毒症大鼠心肌腺苷酸环化酶活性的变化及其机理探讨

本研究证明，脓毒症（结扎盲肠及穿刺，ＣＰＬ）大鼠心肌肌膜腺苷酸环化酶（ＡＣ）的活性及其部分纯化的ＡＣ最大活性，在早期脓毒症（ＥＳ，ＣＬＰ后９ｇ（时明显增高，在晚期脓毒症（ＬＳ，ＣＬＰ后１８ｈ）时明显降低。其心肌肌膜蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）的活性亦呈现类似变化。ＥＳ和ＬＳ大鼠心肌肌膜ＡＣ的增敏和失敏与ＰＫＣ的激活和抑制有关。上述ＡＣ和ＰＫＣ的双相变化不是肾上腺能β－受体和α１－受体系统依赖的。ＥＳ大鼠心     

Feasibility of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in pediatric hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Phase I study

BACKGROUNDHypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of death and long-term neurological impairment in the pediatric population. Despite a limited number of treatments to cure HIE, stem cell therapies appear to be a potential treatment option for brain injury resulting from HIE.AIMTo investigate the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based therapies in pediatric patients with HIE.METHODSThe study inclusion criteria were determined as the presence of substantial deficit and disability caused by HIE. Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were intrathecally (IT), intramuscularly (IM), and intravenously administered to participants at a dose of 1 × 10⁶/kg for each administration route twice monthly for 2 mo. In different follow-up durations, the effect of WJ-MSCs administration on HIE, the quality of life, prognosis of patients, and side effects were investigated, and patients were evaluated for neurological, cognitive functions, and spasticity using the Wee Functional Independence Measure (Wee FIM) Scale and Modified Ashworth (MA) Scale. RESULTSFor all participants (n = 6), the mean duration of exposure to hypoxia was 39.17 + 18.82 min, the mean time interval after HIE was 21.83 ± 26.60 mo, the mean baseline Wee FIM scale score was 13.5 ± 0.55, and the mean baseline MA scale score was 35 ± 9.08. Three patients developed only early complications such as low-grade fever, mild headache associated with IT injection, and muscle pain associated with IM injection, all of which were transient and disappeared within 24 h. The treatment was evaluated to be safe and effective as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging examinations, electroencephalographies, laboratory tests, and neurological and functional scores of patients. Patients exhibited significant improvements in all neurological functions through a 12-mo follow-up. The mean Wee FIM scale score of participants increased from 13.5 ± 0.55 to 15.17 ± 1.6 points (mean ± SD) at 1 mo (z = - 1.826, P = 0.068) and to 23.5 ± 3.39 points at 12 mo (z = -2.207, P = 0.027) post-treatment. The percentage of patients who achieved an excellent functional improvement (Wee FIM scale total score = 126) increased from 10.71% (at baseline) to 12.03% at 1 mo and to 18.65% at 12 mo post-treatment. CONCLUSIONBoth the triple-route and multiple WJ-MSC implantations were safe and effective in pediatric patients with HIE with significant neurological and functional improvements. The results of this study support conducting further randomized, placebo-controlled studies on this treatment in the pediatric population.