Medial tab-type fasciocutaneous flap as an alternative for the management of soft tissue defects of the leg. / Colgajo fasciocutáneo tipo lengüeta medial como alternativa para el manejo de defectos de tejidos blandos en la pierna.

BACKGROUND: Selecting the right technique for lower limb soft tissue reconstruction is a therapeutic challenge. Despite having several reconstruction options, it's important to choose a technique that is effective and with the least possible donor site morbidity. OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of the medial tab flap in soft tissue reconstruction on the leg, compared to conventional flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cohort study matched by age. 64 patients with soft tissue defects were selected and according to the intervention divided in: group 1)medial tab flap, and group 2)conventional flaps (sural, soleus, gastrocnemius) followed up to one year postoperatively. OUTCOME VARIABLES: surgical time in minutes, healing, healing time in days, complications. RESULTS: The patients who underwent surgery with medial tab flap and with conventional flaps healed completely. The healing time was 16.2±11.2 days in the tab flap and 16.1±11.2 days in conventional flaps, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups (P=.89). The surgical time for tab flaps was 225.2±117.8minutes, and 191.3±117.2minutes for the comparison flaps (P=.65), there were no statistically significant differences. There were no complications in the medial tab flaps. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the medial tab flap technique is as effective as the conventional flap technique, with complete flap survival and healing, and without any major complications in this studied group.

Assessment of the marine microalga Chrysochromulina rotalis as bioactive feedstock cultured in an easy-to-deploy light-emitting-diode-based tubular photobioreactor.

Marine microalgae have potential to be low-cost raw materials. This depends on the exploitation of different biomass fractions for high-value products, including unique compounds. Chrysochromulina rotalis, an under-explored haptophyte with promising properties, was the focus of this study. For the first time, C. rotalis was successfully cultivated in an 80 L tubular photobioreactor, illuminated by an easy-to-use light-emitting-diode-based system. C. rotalis grew without certain trace elements and showed adaptability to different phosphorus sources, allowing a significant reduction in the N:P ratio without compromising biomass yield and productivity. The design features of the photobioreactor provided a protective environment that ensured consistent biomass production from this shear-sensitive microalgae. Carotenoid analysis showed fucoxanthin and its derivatives as major components, with essential fatty acids making up a significant proportion of the total. The study emphasizes the tubular photobioreactor's role in sustainable biomass production for biorefineries, with C. rotalis as a valuable bioactive feedstock.

The use of digital escape rooms in nursing education.

Negative attitudes and prejudices towards people with a mental disorder are common across cultures and societies. The stigma associated with mental illness leads to a lower quality of life, given the discrimination and social exclusion suffered by people with this type of disorder. In the field of health, research has shown that doctors and nurses also manifest these types of stigmatizing behaviors and attitudes. The present study aims to create and apply an educational escape room for the purpose of training nursing students in mental health, promoting positive attitudes towards people who have a mental disorder. To do so, a pre-post study was conducted with an experimental group and a control group to determine whether the escape room was effective for the modification of stigmatizing behaviors compared to transmissive lecture class, and a third measurement was made at 6 months only to the experimental group to evaluate whether the changes produced by the escape room were maintained in the long term. The results indicate that the students participating in the study obtained better scores in sensitization and these remain better over time. It is concluded that the escape room used is suitable for the training and sensitization of future nursing professionals in the field of mental health, facilitating the learning of knowledge and positive attitudes towards severe mental disorder.

Dilatación de la aurícula izquierda en deportistas de alta competición y electrofisiología auricular / Left atrial enlargement in competitive athletes and atrial electrophysiology

Introducción y objetivos: Existe poca información sobre la dilatación de la aurícula izquierda (AI) y los parámetros electrocardiográficos en deportistas. Métodos: Estudio observacional multicéntrico en deportistas de competición y controles. La dilatación de la AI se definió como un volumen indexado por área de superficie corporal ≥ 34ml/m2. Se estudió su relación con parámetros electrocardiográficos auriculares. Resultados: Se incluyó en total a 356 sujetos: 308 deportistas de competición (media de edad, 36,4±11,6 años) y 48 controles (49,3±16,1 años). Los deportistas de competición tenían un mayor volumen medio indexado de la AI (29,8±8,6 frente a 25,6±8,0ml/m2; p=0,006) y una mayor prevalencia de dilatación de la AI (113 [36,7%] frente a 5 [10,4%]; p <0,001), sin diferencias relevantes en cuanto a la duración de la onda P (106,3±12,5 frente a 108,2±7,7 ms; p=0,31), la prevalencia de bloqueo interauricular (40 [13,0%] frente a 4 [8,3%]; p=0,36) ni la puntuación Morphology-Voltage-P-wave duration (1,8±0,84 frente a 1,5±0,8; p=0,71). El entrenamiento competitivo se asoció de manera independiente con la dilatación de la AI (OR=14,7; IC95%, 4,7-44,0; p < 0,001), pero no con la duración de la onda P (OR=1,02; IC95%, 0,99-1,04), el bloqueo interauricular (OR=1,4; IC95%, 0,7-3,1) o la puntuación Morphology-Voltage-P-wave duration (OR=1,4; IC95%, 0,9-2,2). Conclusiones: La dilatación de la AI es frecuente en deportistas de competición, pero no se acompaña de una modificación relevante en los parámetros electrocardiográficos (AU)

Introduction and objectives: There are scarce data on left atrial (LA) enlargement and electrophysiological features in athletes. Methods: Multicenter observational study in competitive athletes and controls. LA enlargement was defined as LA volume indexed to body surface area ≥ 34mL/m2. We analyzed its relationship with atrial electrocardiography parameters. Results: We included 356 participants, 308 athletes (mean age: 36.4±11.6 years) and 48 controls (mean age: 49.3±16.1 years). Compared with controls, athletes had a higher mean LA volume index (29.8±8.6 vs 25.6±8.0mL/m2, P=.006) and a higher prevalence of LA enlargement (113 [36.7%] vs 5 [10.4%], P <.001), but there were no relevant differences in P-wave duration (106.3±12.5ms vs 108.2±7.7ms; P=.31), the prevalence of interatrial block (40 [13.0%] vs 4 [8.3%]; P=.36), or morphology-voltage-P-wave duration score (1.8±0.84 vs 1.5±0.8; P=.71). Competitive training was independently associated with LA enlargement (OR, 14.7; 95%CI, 4.7-44.0; P <.001) but not with P-wave duration (OR, 1.02; 95%CI, 0.99-1.04), IAB (OR, 1.4; 95%CI, 0.7-3.1), or with morphology-voltage-P-wave duration score (OR, 1.4; 95%CI, 0.9-2.2). Conclusions: LA enlargement is common in adult competitive athletes but is not accompanied by a significant modification in electrocardiographic parameters (AU)

Effect of melatonin administration on the PER1 and BMAL1 clock genes in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Sleep disorders are a widespread condition in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), which has been linked to a deregulation of the circadian cycle and therefore of the clock genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin (MEL) on the PER1 and BMAL1 clock genes in patients with PD. A double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial pilot study was conducted in 26 patients with stage 1-3 PD according to the Hoehn & Yahr scale, who received either 25 mg of MEL or a placebo at noon and 30 min before bedtime for three months. The relative expression of the PER1 and BMAL1 genes was measured, as well as the presence of daytime, nocturnal, and global sleepiness, and the progression of PD. The levels of the PER1 and BMAL1 genes at baseline were 0.9 (0.1-3) vs. 0.56 (0.1-2.5), respectively; while after the intervention with MEL or placebo the BMAL1 levels increased to 2.5 (0-3.70) vs. 2.2 (0.10-3.30), respectively (d = 0.387). Fifty percent (50 %) of patients had daytime sleepiness and sixty-five percent (65 %) had abnormal nighttime sleepiness, yet neither group showed changes after the intervention. Patients with PD exhibited an alteration in the levels of the clock genes: MEL increased the levels of BMAL1, but the PER1 levels remained unchanged.

Bacterial Colonisation of Suction Cannulas in Orthopaedic Surgery. / Colonización bacteriana de las cánulas de succión en cirugía ortopédica.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarticular infections represent a major complication in orthopaedic surgery. The aim is to identify the percentage of suction cannulas colonised and to determine the relationship between the time they are used in surgery and the colonisation of these cannulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive and prospective study that analysed 546 suction cannulas used in clean orthopaedic surgery in a trauma centre, between November 2017 and March 2018. The distal end of the cannula was cultured to determine the colonisation rate. RESULTS: 7.3% of the cultured cannulas were positive for pathogens, the most frequent being Staphylococcus epidermidis at 27.5%. In addition, an association was found between colonisation and the length of time the cannula was used. The possibility of colonisation of cannulas used for between 60minutes or more, is greater than those used for less than 60minutes; between 60 and 90minutes the possibility is twice as high OR= 2.2 (CI:95% 1.1 - 4.1) and in cannulas used for more than 90minutes it is 8 times higher OR= 8.49 (CI:95% 1.77 - 40.86). CONCLUSIONS: The colonisation rate of cannulas is lower than reported in the literature. The longer the cannula is used in surgery increases the risk of their colonisation. Follow-up studies are being considered to determine whether suction cannula colonisation is associated with increased postoperative infection.

Renal Doppler ultrasound resistive index vs. renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA as diagnostic test for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children. / Ecografía Doppler renal con medición de índices de resistencia vs. gammagrafía renal con 99mTc-DTPA para el diagnóstico de estenosis ureteropiélica en niños.

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the usefulness of Doppler ultrasound with resistive index (RI) measure compared with renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA in children with unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. METHODS: The study included children under 15 years with a diagnosis of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction, healthy contralateral kidney with or without an antecedent of ureteropyeloplasty. The selected patients were sent to the Nuclear Medicine Department to carry out a renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA and days later were sent to the Radiology Department for the performance of Renal Doppler Ultrasound with RI. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were included in the study, 15 males and 6 females, representing 71.4% and 28.6%, respectively. Mean age was 5.3 years. Only 3 had an antecedent of ureteropyeloplasty in the affected kidney. The scintigraphy reported data of unilateral obstruction in 18 patients, including the 3 patients with previous surgery. The average glomerular filtration rate (GFR) obtained with the scintigraphy was 100.28ml/min. The average GFR in affected kidneys was 43.03ml/min and 57.24ml/min in healthy kidneys (p<.001). Doppler ultrasound with RI reported ectasia in 100% of the affected kidneys and one normal contralateral kidney. The average RI in affected kidneys was 0.69mm/s and 0.50mm/s in healthy kidneys (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: With the results obtained, we can suggest that ultrasound Doppler with measurement of RI can be an alternative tool to renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA in some cases.

Reversal of age-associated frailty by controlled physical exercise: The pre-clinical and clinical evidences.

Demographic aging is one of the most serious challenges facing our society. Although we live longer, we do not live better because it is considered that approximately 16-20% of our life is spent in late-life morbidity. Older people have the greatest risk of developing frailty increasing the risk of presenting various adverse health events such as low quality of life, disability, hospitalization and even death. Frail men and women over 65 years old have lower muscle quality and muscle mass and higher percentage of body fat than non-frail people of the same age. In this review we will address the main physiological changes in the muscular and nervous system associated to aging. More specifically we will review the changes in muscle mass, quality, and strength relating them with the decrease in capillarization and muscular oxidative capacity as well as with the alterations in protein synthesis in the muscle with aging. The last section of the manuscript will be devoted to the animal models of frailty and the indexes developed to measure frailty in these models. We will finally address the importance of exercise training as an intervention to delay or even reverse frailty.

Antitumoral gene-based strategy involving nitric oxide synthase type III overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma develops in cirrhotic liver. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase type III (NOS-3) overexpression induces cell death in hepatoblastoma cells. The study developed gene therapy designed to specifically overexpress NOS-3 in cultured hepatoma cells, and in tumors derived from orthotopically implanted tumor cells in fibrotic livers. Liver fibrosis was induced by CCl4 administration in mice. The first-generation adenoviruses were designed to overexpress NOS-3 or green fluorescent protein, and luciferase complementary DNA under the regulation of murine alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) promoters, respectively. Both adenovirus and Hepa 1-6 cells were used for in vitro and in vivo experiments. Adenoviruses were administered through the tail vein 2 weeks after orthotopic tumor cell implantation. AFP-NOS-3/RSV-luciferase increased oxidative-related DNA damage, p53, CD95/CD95L expression and caspase-8, -9 and -3 activities in cultured Hepa 1-6 cells. The increased expression of CD95/CD95L and caspase-8 activity was abolished by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, p53 and CD95 small interfering RNA. AFP-NOS-3/RSV-luciferase adenovirus increased cell death markers, and reduced cell proliferation of established tumors in fibrotic livers. The increase of oxidative/nitrosative stress induced by NOS-3 overexpression induced DNA damage, p53, CD95/CD95L expression and cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The effectiveness of the gene therapy has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo.

[Thoracic inestability fixed with bioabsorbable screws and plates]. / Fijación de tórax inestable con placas y tornillos bioabsorbibles. Presentación de serie de casos.

BACKGROUND: Flail chest is managed with mechanical ventilation or inhaloteraphy and analgesia. Little has been published on the use of bioabsorbable material and its evolution in flail chest fixation. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of patients with unstable chest undergoing fixation with bioabsorbable plates and screws in a period from February 2009 to December 2011. RESULTS: We report 18 cases, aged 33-74 years (mean 53), three with bilateral involvement; rib fixation was performed between 1-21 days of the accident (mean 1.5). They started walking the next day in 14 cases; postoperative stay was four days (range 3-14). The heart rate of patients prior to surgery was 90 per minute (range 82-100) and lowered to 84 after fixation (range 82-92), preoperative respiratory rate was 26 per minute (range 22-28) and below 22 per minute (range 20 to 26) in postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bioabsorbable material for osteosynthesis of costal fractures did not show side effects in our period of study.

ANTECEDENTES: El tórax inestable se trata con ventilación mecánica o inhaloterapia y analgesia. Poco se ha publicado sobre el uso de material bioabsorbible y su evolución en la fijación de tórax inestable. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes con tórax inestable sometidos a fijación con placas y tornillos bioabsorbibles en un período comprendido de Febrero de 2009 a Diciembre de 2011. RESULTADOS: Presentamos 18 casos con edades entre 33 y 74 años (media de 53), tres con tórax inestable bilateral; la fijación costal se realizó entre 1 y 21 días del accidente (media de 1.5). Se inició deambulación al día siguiente en 14 casos; la estancia postoperatoria fue de cuatro días (rango de 3 a 14). La frecuencia cardíaca de los pacientes previa a la cirugía era de 90 por minuto (rango 82 a 100) y bajó a 84 después de la fijación (rango 82 a 92); la frecuencia respiratoria preoperatoria era 26 por minuto (rango 22 a 28) y bajó a 22 por minuto (rango 20 a 26) en el postoperatorio. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de material bioabsorbible para osteosíntesis costal no tiene efectos secundarios atribuibles al material en el corto plazo.

Amaranth 7S globulin Langmuir films and its interaction with l-α-dipalmitoilphosphatidilcholine at the air-fluid interface.

Amaranth seeds are one of the more promising food ingredients, due to their high protein content, among which the most important are storage proteins known as globulins. However, little is known about the physicochemical of the globulin proteins. In this work, we study the physicochemical behavior of films made of amaranth 7S globulin and its interaction with a model membrane made of L-α-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (L-α-DPPC) at the air-liquid interface. The study was done by means of Langmuir balance, Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We found that isotherms of pure 7S globulin directly deposited on either water or buffer subphases behave similarly and globulin forms a condensed film made of globular and denature structures, which was confirmed by BAM observations. Good mixtures of the protein with L-α-DPPC are formed at low surface pressure. However, they phase separate from moderate to high surface pressure as observed by BAM. Isotherms detect the presence of the protein in the mixture with L-α-DPPC, but we were unable to detect it through BAM or AFM. We show that fluorescence microscopy is a very good technique to detect the presence of the protein when it is well-mixed within the LE phase of the lipid. AFM images clearly show the formation of protein mono- and multilayers, and in phase mode, we detected domains that are formed by protein and LE lipid phase, which were corroborated by fluorescence microscopy. We have shown that globulin 7S mix well with lipid phases, which could be important in food applications as stabilizers or emulsifiers, but we also show that they can phase separate with a moderate to high surface pressure.

Efficacy of fish oil on serum of TNF α , IL-1 ß , and IL-6 oxidative stress markers in multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1b.

UNLABELLED: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which leads to focal plaques of demyelination and tissue injury in the central nervous system. Oxidative stress is also thought to promote tissue damage in multiple sclerosis. Current research findings suggest that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapenta-enoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contained in fish oil may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the efficacy of fish oil supplementation on serum proinflammatory cytokine levels, oxidative stress markers, and disease progression in MS. 50 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were enrolled. The experimental group received orally 4 g/day of fish oil for 12 months. The primary outcome was serum TNF α levels; secondary outcomes were IL-1 ß 1b, IL-6, nitric oxide catabolites, lipoperoxides, progression on the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), and annualized relapses rate (ARR). Fish oil treatment decreased the serum levels of TNF α , IL-1 ß , IL-6, and nitric oxide metabolites compared with placebo group (P ≤ 0.001). There was no significant difference in serum lipoperoxide levels during the study. No differences in EDSS and ARR were found. CONCLUSION: Fish oil supplementation is highly effective in reducing the levels of cytokines and nitric oxide catabolites in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

Prescription for antiresorptive therapy in Mexican patients with rheumatoid arthritis: is it time to reevaluate the strategies for osteoporosis prevention?

Glucocorticoids are frequently used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to alleviate symptoms of joint inflammation, retard erosions and to treat extra-articular manifestations, although these drugs may increase the risk of bone mineral loss and osteoporotic fractures. To date, in Mexico there are no studies that identify the frequency of patients with RA with corticosteroids, receiving therapy for osteoporosis. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence and factors related to the prescription of antiresorptives in 520 Mexican patients with RA. We used a multivariate model to identify variables associated with antiresorptives prescription. We identified that although 79% of patients were under treatment with glucocorticoids, only 13% received antiresorptive agents as preventive therapy for osteoporosis. The multivariate analysis identified that higher proportions of antiresorptive drugs prescriptions were associated with female patients (OR 11.40, 95% CI: 1.5-84.3, P = 0.02), an age of 40 years or more (OR 3.22, 95% CI: 1.3-8.3, P = 0.02) and to consume a lower number of cointerventions with other drugs (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2, P = 0.03). Corticosteroid treatment was not associated with the prescription of antiresorptives (P = 0.31). In conclusion, a low proportion of Mexicans with RA receive antiresorptive therapy independently regardless of whether they consume or not chronically corticosteroids. Additional strategies should be evaluated to encourage the prevention and early treatment for osteoporosis in patients with RA.

Water stress induces up-regulation of DOF1 and MIF1 transcription factors and down-regulation of proteins involved in secondary metabolism in amaranth roots (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.).

Roots are the primary sites of water stress perception in plants. The aim of this work was to study differential expression of proteins and transcripts in amaranth roots (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) when the plants were grown under drought stress. Changes in protein abundance within the roots were examined using two-dimensional electrophoresis and LC/ESI-MS/MS, and the differential expression of transcripts was evaluated with suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH). Induction of drought stress decreased relative water content in leaves and increased solutes such as proline and total soluble sugars in roots. Differentially expressed proteins such as SOD(Cu-Zn) , heat shock proteins, signalling-related and glycine-rich proteins were identified. Up-regulated transcripts were those related to defence, stress, signalling (Ser, Tyr-kinases and phosphatases) and water transport (aquaporins and nodulins). More noteworthy was identification of the transcription factors DOF1, which has been related to several plant-specific biological processes, and MIF1, whose constitutive expression has been related to root growth reduction and dwarfism. The down-regulated genes/proteins identified were related to cell differentiation (WOX5A) and secondary metabolism (caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, isoflavone reductase-like protein and two different S-adenosylmethionine synthetases). Amaranth root response to drought stress appears to involve a coordinated response of osmolyte accumulation, up-regulation of proteins that control damage from reactive oxygen species, up-regulation of a family of heat shock proteins that stabilise other proteins and up-regulation of transcription factors related to plant growth control.

Tryptic amaranth glutelin digests induce endothelial nitric oxide production through inhibition of ACE: antihypertensive role of amaranth peptides.

Amaranth seed proteins have a better balance of essential amino acids than cereals and legumes. In addition, the tryptic hydrolysis of amaranth proteins generates, among other peptides, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory (ACEi) peptides. ACE converts angiotensin I (Ang I) into Ang II, but is also responsible for the degradation of bradykinin (BK). In contrast to Ang II, BK stimulates vasodilation modulated through endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production. The aim of the present study was to characterize the ACEi activity of amaranth trypsin-digested glutelins (TDGs) and their ability to induce endothelial NO production. An IC(50) value of 200microgml(-1) was measured for TDG inhibition of ACE. TDGs stimulated endothelial NO production in coronary endothelial cells (CEC) by 52% compared to control. The effects of TDGs were comparable to those of BK and Captopril, both used as positive controls of NO production. Consistent with these effects, TDGs induced, in a dose-dependent manner, endothelial NO-dependent vasodilation in isolated rat aortic rings. These results suggest that TDGs induce endothelial NO production and consequent vasodilation through their ACEi activity. Amaranth TDGs have a high potential as a nutraceutical food in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Further molecular, cellular and physiological studies are currently under way and the results may contribute to a better understanding and control of cardiovascular disorders.

Globulin 11S and its mixture with L-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine at the air/liquid interface.

Langmuir films of globulin 11S protein, l-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (L-DPPC), and mixtures of both on water and on buffer subphases were studied. Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) was used to characterize in situ the films morphology along Pi-A isotherms at the air/liquid interface. The L-DPPC monolayer on water behaved as has been reported extensively in the literature but a slight increase on surface pressure and a notable change in domain morphology is observed on buffer. This difference in domain behavior is due to the stabilization interaction of the LE phase by the buffer ions. On the other hand, the protein monolayer was prepared by direct deposit or injection below the surface. Both methods formed mostly a condensed film, with a multilayer formed by globular aggregates in the first method with the two subphases. However, the second method showed different behavior of the protein films depending on the subphase; on water the protein formed a homogeneous film with some globule aggregates, but on buffer a remarkably well-organized monolayer was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mixtures of globulin 11S and L-DPPC were prepared using both methods for the protein film formation at the air/fluid interface. BAM showed that the mixtures formed coexistence regions between two condensed phases, whose domains of both phases behave like liquids. Fingering phenomena were observed at the interface between protein-rich and L-DPPC-rich domains, which indicates that both phases are fluid. AFM images of the mixtures show the formation of protein- or L-DPPC-rich domains. The liquidlike behavior could be explained due to different sizes of the protein and the L-DPPC, the minority compound in each kind of domain produces defects making them behave as liquids. Interestingly enough, as the monolayer is compressed to higher surface pressure, the lipid molecules are squeezed out and complete separation of the protein and L-DPPC is produced. Furthermore, we present evidence that the protein/L-DPPC mixtures produce films with holes, which might indicate its tendency to form hollow aggregates that could have some relevance in water-channel formation for in vivo seed germination.

Dried-plasma transport using a novel matrix and collection system for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus virologic testing.

A novel method for the collection and transportation of dried-blood-plasma samples, SampleTanker (ST), was developed and compared to standard shipping protocols for frozen-plasma specimens containing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Matched frozen and dried 1-ml EDTA-containing plasma samples were collected and analyzed by several molecular-based virologic assays. After addition of 1.175 ml of reconstitution buffer, 1.035 ml of dried plasma was recovered. Mean intra-assay variances were 0.05, 0.05, and 0.06 log(10) copies/ml for the Versant, Amplicor, and NucliSens QT HIV-1 load assays, respectively (P, not significant). However, mean HIV-1 viral load was consistently reduced in dried samples by 0.32 to 0.51 log(10) copies/ml, depending on assay type (P < 0.05). Infectious HIV-1 was not recovered from dried ST plasma. There was no significant difference in HIV-1 viral load results obtained using ST after 8 weeks of storage at ambient temperature. Compared to frozen plasma, HIV-1 genotypic results were >99% concordant at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, as well as for resistance-associated mutations. We further demonstrated successful detection of multiple analytes, including HIV-1 viral load, HIV-1 antiretroviral resistance genotype, and HCV genotype, from a single ST unit. Dried plasma collected with ST yielded comparable results to frozen samples for multiple-analyte clinical testing. As such, ST could be a useful alternative for virologic tests and clinical trials worldwide by significantly diminishing transportation cost and the sample volume restrictions associated with dried-blood-spot technology.

Mobilisation of mesenchymal cells in cardiac patients: is intense exercise necessary?

Circulating mesenchymal cells (cMCs) have a potential for regenerating damaged tissue, e.g., ischaemic myocardium. In patients (age range: 53-76 years) with stable coronary artery disease cMCs were determined before and after dynamic exercise of moderate (< respiratory compensation threshold (RCT)) (n = 9 patients) or high intensity (>RCT) (n = 11). Only high-intensity exercise (i.e., provoking signs of myocardial ischaemia in 3 patients and ventricular extrasystoles in another) induced a significant increase in cMCs (p = 0.009). These results support the hypothesis that intense exercise (near or at the point of myocardial ischaemia) is a potent stimulus for MC mobilisation.