Predictors of weight reduction in a Nigerian family practice setting

Objectives: This study identified the predictors of weight reduction among adult obese patients in a Family Practice Setting and developed a statistical model to predict weight reduction. Design: A prospective cohort design. Setting: The Family Practice Clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria Participants and study tools: Obese adults were recruited into a three-month weight reduction program. Patient Information Leaflets were used for counselling, while questionnaires were administered to obtain socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Potential predictors were assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Zung Depression Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, Garner's Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), 24-hour dietary recall and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure and Fasting Lipid Profile were assessed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis with a significance set at α0.05. Results: Most 99(76.2%) of the 130 participants achieved weight reduction and had a median weight change of -2.3kg (IQR-4, -0.5), with 66 (66.7%) out of 99 attaining the weight reduction target of 10%. The regression model showed predictors of weight reduction to be Total Cholesterol [TC] (p=0.01) and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [LDLC] (p=0.03). The statistical model derived for Weight reduction = 0.0028 (LDL-C) -0.029 (TC)-0.053 (EAT-26) +0.041(High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol). The proportion of variance of the model tested was R 2 = 0.3928 (adjusted R2 = 0.2106). Conclusion: Predictors of weight reduction among patients were eating attitude score, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipid and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol levels. A statistical model was developed for managing obesity among patients

Mechanical Properties of Calcification from Human Aortic Valve / 医用生物力学

Objective To measure mechanical properties of calcified tissues from human aortic valve by nanoindentation test. Methods Leaflets from 5 patients with aortic stenosis were collected. Elastic modulus and hardness of the calcified leaflets were obtained by nanoindentationtest. Results The elastic modulus and hardness of the calcified leaflets were (15.69±3.89) GPa and (0.59±0.15) GPa, respectively. Conclusions The elastic modulus and hardness of the calcified valve tissues can be obtained by nanoindentationtest, which provides experimental data for biomechanical research of the valve.

Perioperative protection for right heart in patients with apical displacement of tricuspid valve leaflets / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#The apical displacement of tricuspid valve leaflets complicated with significantly enlarged, thin and fibrotic wall of the right ventricle is prone to dysfunction of right heart. Therefore, the myocardial protection for the right ventricle is important. Based on the pathological changes, an algorithm of perioperative myocardial protection strategy is summarized. Firstly, we should clearly know that the right ventricular myocardium with severe lesions is much different from the unimpaired myocardium, because it is now on the margin of failure; secondly, right heart protection should be regarded as a systematic project, which runs through preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods, and requires close collaboration among surgeons, perfusionists, anesthesiologists and ICU physicians. In this article, we try to introduce the systematic project of the right heart protection, in order to improve the outcome of this population.

Validation of a new tool for evaluating subjects' satisfaction with medicine package leaflets: a cross-sectional descriptive study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Package leaflets of medicines need to be intelligible, but tools for their evaluation are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To validate a new tool for assessing subjects' satisfaction with medicine package leaflets (LiS-RPL). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in two regions of Portugal (Lisbon and Centre). METHODS: 503 participants (53.1% male) were selected according to convenience and homogenously distributed into three groups: 1 to 6; 7 to 12; and > 12 years of schooling. LiS-RPL was developed based on international regulation guidelines and was initially composed of 14 items. Twelve package leaflets were tested. Dimensionality calculations included: exploratory factor analysis and minimum rank factor analysis; Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index and Bartlett's sphericity test to assess matrix adequacy for exploratory factor analysis; exploratory bifactor analysis with Schmid-Leiman solution to detect possible existence of a broad second-order factor; and Bentler's Simplicity Index and Loading Simplicity Index to assess factor simplicity. Diverse coefficients were calculated to assess reliability. RESULTS: Minimum rank factor analysis detected a two-factor or single-factor structure. Exploratory factor analysis with 12 items showed a two-factor structure, explaining 69.11% of the variance. These items were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.80). Schmid-Leiman: all items seemed to represent the general factor (loadings above 0.50), which was 76.4% of the extracted variance. Simplicity indices were good (percentile 99): Bentler's Simplicity Index of 0.99 and Loading Simplicity Index of 0.48. Internal consistency indexes indicated good reliability. LiS-RPL was shown to be homogenous. CONCLUSION: LiS-RPL is a validated tool for evaluating subjects' satisfaction with medicine package leaflets.

Morphological And Morphometric Study Of Mitral Valve With Reference To Anatomical Variability In South Indian Subjects

Background:The mitral valve (MV) is a complex structure that is altered in various disease status. Mitral valveclosure prevents systolic backflow of blood from the left ventricle into atrium, which depends on the co-ordinatedaction of left atrium, mitral valve leaflets, annulus, chordae, papillary muscles and the left ventricular wall.Alteration in the structure and function of any of these elements lead to mitral valve incompetence.Purpose of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the morphological and the morphometric variationsof mitral valve. The present study has classified mitral valve based on the number of mitral valve leaflets/cuspsand also measured the size and area of mitral orifice and mitral annulus circumference.Methods:Present study included 50 human hearts from the cadavers in the department of Anatomy at PondicherryInstitute of Medical Sciences. Circumference, annular diameter, area of the valve, height of the anterior leafletand height of the posterior leaflet was measured.Results:In this study annular circumference ranged between 6.8 to11.5 cm and 64% of the circumference rangedbetween 8.1 to 10 cm. Annular diameter ranged between 2 to 3.6 cm and 58% of diameter ranged between 2.6 to3 cm.Height of the anterior leaflet ranged between 1 to 2.5 cm and 54% ranged between 1.6 to 2 cm. Height of theposterior leaflet ranged between 0.5 to 1.5 cm and 70% ranged between0.5to 1cm.Conclusion:Although the most commonly described mitral valve is bicuspid, in the present study 3 cusps werefound in 4% of the specimens. Improper cusp approximation may cause cardio vascular problems. Morphometricmeasurements of the mitral valve will help in finding the correct size of the prosthesis for the valve replacementwhich will accurately fix in the valve orifice.

A Study Of The Dimensions Of The Human Tricuspid Valve

Background: With the advent of the prosthetic valves, which are being used by the cardiac surgeons to replacediseased or damaged valves, an accurate knowledge of the dimensions and size of the tricuspid valve will be ofimmense help. Surgical correction on the heart valves has given a new lease of life to patients. This study, so farhas been done mostly on the American and European races. Studies in the Indians, particularly South Indianshas been rare. Hence the present study.Materials and Methods: 96 hearts were studied which were collected from cadavers allotted to undergraduatestudents for dissection, over a period of time. Hearts were removed by dissection method. The circumference ofthe tricuspid valve was measured & the diameters of the tricuspid valve are measured in two separate dimensionsin two separate perpendicularly oriented planes at the maximally separated points which is described undermaterials & methods.Results: The results of the study are as follows: The dimensions of the tricuspid valve annulus range from 5.7 cm– 14.8 cm. No accessory leaflets were foundConclusions: The study of the dimensions of the tricuspid valve annulus dimensions is important for variouscardiac procedures. The knowledge of the annulus of the tricuspid valve is important for the cardiac surgeon intricuspid valve diseases like stenosis and regurgitation as it will help him plan palliative or corrective surgeryin the congenital or acquired heart diseases.

The application of minimally invasive tricuspid valvuloplasty technique with patch augmentation in reoperative cardiac surgery / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of beating-heart minimally invasive approach and leaflets augmentation technique treating severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after cardiac surgery. Methods    From January 2015 to August 2017, patients undergoing reoperative tricuspid valve repair (TVP) with minimally invasive approach and leaflets augmentation were enrolled. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established via femoral vessels and the procedures were performed on beating heart with normothermic CPB. A bovine pericardial patch was sutured to leaflets to augment the native anterior and posterior leaflets. Other repair techniques, such as ring implantation and leaflet mobilization, were also applied as needed. Results    A total of 28 patients (mean age 55.6±10.1 years, 5 males, 23 females) were enrolled. One patient was converted to median sternotomy due to pleural cavity adhesion. Twenty-seven patients underwent totally endoscopic TVP with leaflets augmentation. No patients was transferred to tricuspid valve replacement. Two patients died in hospital. All patients were followed up for 7.4±5.0 months and there was no late death and reoperation. Regurgitation area was converted from 20.7±10.1 cm2 to 3.3±3.3 cm2 after TVP according to the latest echocardiography (P<0.001). Conclusion    Minimally TVP with leaflets augmentation is effective in treating severe isolated TR after primary cardiac surgery. It can significantly increase success rate of tricuspid valvuloplasty and decrease the surgical trauma.

Micromorfología de los foliolos de pejibaye Bactris gasipaes (Arecaceae) var. Diamantes-10 / Micromorphology of pejibaye leaflets Bactris gasipaes (Arecaceae) var. diamonds-10

ResumenBactris gasipaes se cultiva ampliamente para el aprovechamiento del palmito y el consumo de los frutos En este trabajo se realizó una descripción de las características micro morfológicas de los foliolos de plantas adultas de la variedad sin espinas Diamantes-10 de B. gasipaes, recolectadas en la Estación Experimental Diamantes en Guápiles, Costa Rica. Se utilizó microscopía de luz, electrónica de barrido y de transmisión. Para el estudio se recolectaron 25 foliolos y se evidenció abundante cera epicuticular en la superficie adaxial y abaxial. La epidermis está compuesta de células isodiamétricas y las células de la hipodermis tienen forma rectangular y son de mayor tamaño que las de la epidermis, también se observaron células buliformes. Los foliolos son anfiestomáticos en las áreas intercostales y alternan con bandas de células epidérmicas. El mayor número de estomas se encuentra en la superficie abaxial. Estos foliolos presentan tres tipos de tricomas. El parénquima presenta varios estratos no muy bien definidos con presencia de astroesclereidas. También se observan haces de fibras entre el parénquima que forman grupos de células muy compactas. La vena central presenta varios haces vasculares, algunos dispuestos de forma continua y todos ellos se encuentran rodeados de una vaina de tejido esclerotizado, algunas de estas fibras presentaron protoplastos vivos. Todas las venas menores presentan la misma anatomía de los haces vasculares de la vena central. Los vasos del protoxilema y metaxilema tienen paredes laterales con ornamentaciones escalariformes. El floema se ubica hacia la superficie adaxial de la vena y en el corte se observaron las células cribosas y células compañeras rodeadas de células de parénquima y fibras. Las células compañeras presentaron plasmodesmatas ramificados unidos a un elemento criboso y en ellos se evidenció cuerpos de proteína, llamada proteína-P. La diferencia principal en la anatomía de los foliolos de la var. Diamantes-10 radica en la ausencia de espinas, pero en el resto de la morfología no parece presentar cambios morfológicos con el resto de las variedades de B. gasipaes K.

Abstract:Bactris gasipaes is widely cultivated for the consumption of palm hearts and fruits. The present work describes the micro morphological characteristics of leaflets from adult plants of B. gasipaes, thornless variety Diamantes-10, collected in the Diamantes Experimental Station in Guápiles, Costa Rica. We collected 25 leaflets and analyses were performed with a combination of microscopy techniques: light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to study their structure. Our results showed that leaflets have abundant epicuticular wax on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Analyses from the epidermis indicated that it is composed of isodiametric cells, and it is also evident that hypodermis cells have rectangular shape and are larger than the other epidermal cells. We observed stomata on both surfaces, but they were more abundant in the abaxial surface. On the other hand, the epidermis showed the presence of trichomes with three different morphologies. In the parenchyma, cells are large and not well defined, and we observed the presence of astroesclereids, and compact groups of fiber bundles between parenchyma cells. The central vein has several vascular bundles, arranged in a continuous manner, and they are surrounded by sclerotic tissue; some of these fibers presented live protoplasts. All minor veins showed the same anatomy as the central vein. In these veins, the vessel elements of protoxylem and metaxylem showed scalariform ornaments on their walls. Phloem is located towards the adaxial surface of the vein and we observed sieve and companion cells surrounded by fibers and parenchyma cells. The companion cells presented branched plasmodesmata attached to a sieve element, and in these elements we found protein bodies called P-protein. The main anatomical difference in the leaflets of the var. Diamantes-10, compared to the other varieties of B. gasipaes K, is the lack of thorns; the other morphological features seem to be conserved. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1273-1285. Epub 2016 September 01.

Number of leaflets on rooting of lychee herbaceous cuttings / Número de folíolos no enraizamento de estacas herbáceas de lichieira

ABSTRACT: Lychee is one of the most popular exotic fruits in Brazil, and has both in natura and industrial potential. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the number of leaflets on lychee herbaceous cuttings treated with the indolebutyric acid (1000mg L-1). The experimental design was completely randomized, with 4 replications and 10 cuttings per experimental plot. Treatments consisted of cuttings with zero (0), one (1), two (2), three (3), and four (4) leaflets. After 180 days, the rooting and survival percentages and the number and length of roots were evaluated. The data were subjected to polynomial regression analysis. The increase in the number of leaflets was advantageus for all studied variables, with an increase in the survival, rooting of cuttings, and number and length of roots. The herbaceous cuttings of lychee tree are viable, provided that at least four leaflets remain in the herbaceous cutting.

RESUMO: A lichia é umas das frutas exóticas mais populares no Brasil e apresenta potencial tanto in natura quanto industrial. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do número de folíolos em estacas herbáceas de lichieira tratadas com ácido indolbutírico (1000mgL-1). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 4 repetições e 10 estacas por parcela experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram em estacas com zero (0), um (1), dois (2), três (3) e quatro (4) folíolos. Após 180 dias, as porcentagens de enraizamento e sobrevivência,bem como o número e comprimento de raízes foram avaliados. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de regressão polinomial. O aumento no número de folíolos foi vantajoso para todas as variáveis avaliadas, com um correspondente aumento na sobrevivência, enraizamento das estacas e número e comprimento das raízes. A estaquia de ramos herbáceos da lichieira é viável, desde que pelo menos quatro folíolos sejam mantidos na estaca.

Readability of Patient Information Leaflets in Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND: Elements of informed consent including capacity, disclosure, understanding, voluntariness, and permission of the participant, are all crucial for clinical trials to be legally and ethically valid. During the informed consent process, the patient information leaflet is an important information source which prospective research subjects can utilize in their decision-making. In the adequate provision of information, KGCP guideline necessitate 20 specific items, as well as the use language that individuals can understand. This study measures the vocabulary level of patient information leaflets in an effort to provide an objective evaluation on the readability of such material. METHODS: The word difficulty of 13 leaflets was quantitatively evaluated using Kim kwang Hae's vocabulary grading framework, which was compared to the difficulty level of words found in the 6th grade Korean textbook. The quantitative outcomes were statistically analyzed using chi-squared tests and linear by linear association for ordinal data. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the vocabulary level and frequency of words in leaflets and the 6th Korean textbook. The leaflets were on average 260 sentences and about roughly 15 pages long, including lay language (easier or equal to language used in primary school) of around 12% less; technical language of around 4.5% more. As the vocabulary grades increase, there was a distinct difference in vocabulary level between Korean textbook and each information leaflet (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patient information leaflets may fail to provide appropriate information for self-determination by clinical trial subject through the difficulty level of its wording. Improvements in the degree of patients' understanding and appropriate use of information leaflets are collaboratively equipped to strengthen patient's autonomy and therefore guaranteeing participant's rights.

Numerical modeling and biomechanical analysis of the human mitral valve / 医用生物力学

Objective To establish a numerical model of human mitral valve and simulate its closing process, so as to analyze stress distributions on the valve apparatuses, study the interaction between leaflets of mitral valve and chordae tendineae, and explore the relationship between the force of chordae tendineae and their thickness. Methods A geometric model of human mitral valve was constructed. On the basis of the geometric model, the finite element model was established by defining the element type, material attributes, contacts, loads and constraints. Parameters such as stress, velocity and displacement were calculated after solving the model. Results The stress distribution on the valve was non-uniform. The clefts between the scallops in the posterior leaflet were always under the highest load. When no chordae tendineae were attached, the leaflets turned over to the side of the atrium. When chordea tendineae were attached, the anterior and posterior leaflet could close up successfully. Different chordae tendineae applied different forces to the valve. The strut chorea tendineae attached to the anterior leaflet applied highest force among all the chordea tendineae. The correlation coefficient between the thickness of chordae tendineae and their force was 0.954. Conclusions The two zones with higher stresses, namely the center of the leaflet and the clefts between the three scallops in the posterior leaflet, are also the positions of mitral valve cleft in clinic. Chordea tendineae can apply the pulling force on the leaflets while the mitral valve is under load, thus the leaflets won’t turn over to the side of atrium and the valve can close up in time. Chordea tendineae with thicker anatomic structure always apply a higher force on the leaflets.

Identification Characters of Leaflet Morphological-venation Pattern of Dimocarpus Longan with Its Confused Herb Litchi Chinensis / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to establish an identification method between leaflets of Dimocarpus longan and leaflets of Litchi chinensis. The leaflet morphological-venation pattern (LMVP) and quantitative analysis were reliable identification method for Chinese herbs. The results showed that the main differences of leaflets of Dimocarpus lon-gan were the eucamptodromous camptodromous pinnate venation; the secondary veins gradually changed into little near margin and a few brochidodromous; the type of tertiary vein was percurrent or reticulate. The main differences of leaflets of Litchi chinensis were brochidodromous camptodromous pinnate venation; the course of the secondary veins was sinuous or zigzag, and abruptly curved then linked; the type of tertiary vein was reticulate. With three groups of key differences mentioned above, both plants can be successfully identified from each other. The accuracy of identification results (AC) was from 98.1% to 100%. The agreement rate for observation (ARO) was from 98.5% to 100%. And the Kappa value was from 0.97 to 1.00. It was concluded that the established LMVP is simple, rapid, e-conomic and reliable in the identification between leaflets of Dimoc arp us longan and leaflets of its confused herb Litchi chinensis.

Bulas de medicamentos usados por idosos com hipertensão: adequação da informação à regulamentação sanitária e possíveis implicações para a saúde / Medication leaflets used by elderly with hypertension: adequacy of information for sanitary regulation and possible implications for health

As bulas representam a principal fonte de informação escrita fornecida aos pacientes, especialmente aos idosos. O presente trabalho visou analisar o conteúdo das bulas dos medicamentos frequentemente prescritos para idosos com hipertensão, bem como a sua adequação à regulamentação sanitária e possíveis implicações para a saúde. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo em duas etapas: etapa A, em julho de 2002, e B em julho de 2007. Em cada etapa foram analisadas 34 bulas de sete fármacos anti-hipertensivos que constam na Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais (2006). Entre as 68 bulas analisadas, a maioria não continha todas as informações exigidas pela Portaria n° 110/1997 na etapa A (89,5 por cento) e pela RDC n°140/2003 na B (100 por cento). Alguns itens importantes como via de administração, modo de uso e superdose não constavam em 76 por cento das bulas analisadas. A falta dessas informações é relevante para a segurança dos pacientes. Com base nos dados obtidos, foi possível constatar o não cumprimento da legislação vigente nas duas etapas do estudo. Logo, é necessária maior atuação da Anvisa para assegurar o uso racional dos medicamentos e a redução dos riscos à saúde dos idosos.

The medication leaflets represent the main source of written information supplied to the patients, in special to the elderly. This study aimed to analyze the content of the leaflets of drugs often prescribed for elderly people with hypertension, as well as their adequacy to the sanitary regulations and possible health implications. A descriptive study was conducted in two stages: A, in July 2002, and B, in July 2007. In each stage were analyzed 34 medication leaflets of seven antihypertensive drugs of the National Essential Drugs List (2006). Among the 68 leaflets analyzed, most did not contain all the information required by Portaria nº 110/1997 (89.5 percent) in the stage A and the RDC nº 140/2003 (100 percent) in B. In 100 percent of the leaflets, the legislation had not been fulfilled. Some important topics as way of administration, how to use and overdose had been absent in 76 percent of the leaflets, the lack of this information has an impact in the security of the antihypertensive users. Based on these data, it was possible to evidence inadequate contents of the medication leaflets. So, it is necessary greater surveillance by Anvisa, to ensure the rational use of medicines and the reduction of the risks to the elderly health.

Readability of Patient Information on Hypertension in Korea

BACKGINFORMAROUND: Patient education is an important component of family practice. Pamphlets and the websites have been one of the most common resources for patient education. Patient information has been assessed using criteria with marks allocated for its content, design, readability. Up to present there have been studies on content, design but not readability. The WHO identifies readability as an essential tool for people to increase control over their health. Therefore, patient information should be assessed readability. The objective of our study was to assess patient information leaflets and the websites on hypertension to determine the readability of information currently available to patients. METHODS: Ten leaflets were reviewed, five form the internet and five from other sources. A total of ten subjects were assessed for readability using 'grading system of vocabulary' presented by the Academy of Korea Education in 2002. RESULTS: In five leaflets, about 41.3% vocabularies were comprised of 1st and 2nd grade. The portion of vocabularies in higher grade than 4th was 35%. In the five websites, 41.3% vocabularies in 1st and 2nd grade were used. The mean reading level (calculated with weight) was 2.057 for the five leaflets and 2.050 for the five websites. These results indicated that the leaflets were easier to read than websites. But, both of them were not comprehensible to the majority of patients. CONCLUSION: All 10 patient information materials for hypertension were at higher readability level than high school level. As recommended levels of readability were lower than 2nd grade, educational materials need to be modified to meet the information needs for the people with low reading skills.

Readability of Patient Information on Hypertension in Korea

BACKGINFORMAROUND: Patient education is an important component of family practice. Pamphlets and the websites have been one of the most common resources for patient education. Patient information has been assessed using criteria with marks allocated for its content, design, readability. Up to present there have been studies on content, design but not readability. The WHO identifies readability as an essential tool for people to increase control over their health. Therefore, patient information should be assessed readability. The objective of our study was to assess patient information leaflets and the websites on hypertension to determine the readability of information currently available to patients. METHODS: Ten leaflets were reviewed, five form the internet and five from other sources. A total of ten subjects were assessed for readability using 'grading system of vocabulary' presented by the Academy of Korea Education in 2002. RESULTS: In five leaflets, about 41.3% vocabularies were comprised of 1st and 2nd grade. The portion of vocabularies in higher grade than 4th was 35%. In the five websites, 41.3% vocabularies in 1st and 2nd grade were used. The mean reading level (calculated with weight) was 2.057 for the five leaflets and 2.050 for the five websites. These results indicated that the leaflets were easier to read than websites. But, both of them were not comprehensible to the majority of patients. CONCLUSION: All 10 patient information materials for hypertension were at higher readability level than high school level. As recommended levels of readability were lower than 2nd grade, educational materials need to be modified to meet the information needs for the people with low reading skills.

Isolation of Microorganisms and Effectiveness of Sterilization from Aortic Valve Allografts / 대한임상병리학회지

BACKGROUND: All allografted heart valves procured from brain dead multiorgan donors should be considered contaminated. If propriety procurement, disinfection and storage of allografted heart valves are done, it allows significantly better host tissue ingrowth into the implanted leaflets and maintains the viability of the allograft valve over a prolonged period after transplantation. Therefore, it is necessary that any potential contaminants should be eliminated by using adequate antibiotic disinfecting solutions for minimum loss of tissue viability. The author performed this study to evaluate the microorganisms isolated from allografted heart valves and the effectiveness of CLPV (Cefoxitin, Lincomycin, Polymyxin B, Vancomycin) antibiotic solutions for sterilization. METHODS: The samples were procured from 10 pigs. A total of 130 cultures were done from 40 samples of touch swab, 10 samples of saline transport solution and each of 40 samples of nutrient media with antibiotics preserved for 24 hours and 14 days at 4degreesC. Among the total 130 samples, 50 were sampled before antibiotics treatment and another 80 were sampled after antibiotics treatment. Aerobic, anaerobic, mycobacterial and fungal cultures were done using all specimens. RESULTS: A total of 209 microorganisms were isolated from 23 out of 50 samples before antibiotics treatment. Among the 209 microorganisms, aerobes were found in 135 (65%), anaerobes in 57 (27%) and fungi in 17 (8%), respectively. Aerobic isolates were mainly Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli. Anaerobic isolates were Bacteroides fragilis, Porphyromonas intermedia and Clostridium paraputrificum. Fungal isolates were Candida albicans, C. krusei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary that all allografted heart valve for transplantation enter into a sterilization program. In this experiment, pre-treatment cultured organisms were not discovered after antibiotics treatment in all the samples. It was thus concluded that the effectiveness of CLPV solution for sterilization of heart valves was effective. The disadvantage was that the viability of the allograft after sterilization using CLPV solution was reduced. The author, therefore, proves the need for the development of more effective antibiotic mixtures with regard to cellular viability, host ingrowth rate, disinfection efficiency and valve survival rate.