Lipid-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Probes for Screening Cell Wall Disruptors.

Membrane-active molecules are of great importance to drug delivery and antimicrobials applications. While the ability to prototype new membrane-active molecules has improved greatly with the advent of automated chemistries and rapid biomolecule expression techniques, testing methods are still limited by throughput, cost, and modularity. Existing methods suffer from feasibility constraints of working with pathogenic living cells and by intrinsic limitations of model systems. Herein, we demonstrate an abiotic sensor that uses semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as near-infrared fluorescent transducers to report membrane interactions. This sensor is composed of SWCNTs aqueously suspended in lipid, creating a cylindrical, bilayer corona; these SWCNT probes are very sensitive to solvent access (changes in permittivity) and thus report morphological changes to the lipid corona by modulation of fluorescent signals, where binding and disruption are reported as brightening and attenuation, respectively. This mechanism is first demonstrated with chemical and physical membrane-disruptive agents, including ethanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate, and application of electrical pulses. Known cell-penetrating and antimicrobial peptides are then used to demonstrate how the dynamic response of these sensors can be deconvoluted to evaluate different parallel mechanisms of interaction. Last, SWCNTs functionalized in several different bacterial lipopolysaccharides (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli) are used to evaluate a panel of known membrane-disrupting antimicrobials to demonstrate that drug selectivity can be assessed by suspension of SWCNTs with different membrane materials.

Utilization of street-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Phoenix's homeless population.

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious viral illness that has caused the most significant global health crisis in recent human history. Individuals experiencing homelessness represent one of the more vulnerable populations for COVID-19 infection and morbidity. Amongst individuals experiencing homelessness in Phoenix, a student-led interprofessional organization called Street Medicine Phoenix (SMP) sought to both reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and morbidity/mortality related to infection. Through collaborations with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and various community organizations, SMP developed a format for street-based vaccination clinics. SMP deployed these clinics on numerous occasions to the streets directly surrounding the community homeless shelter, allowing SMP to vaccinate individuals directly in their encampments. Through SMP's efforts starting in February 2021, 400 individuals experiencing homelessness have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine. Challenges encountered included low health literacy, lack of established rapport and trust, low vaccine confidence, difficulty verifying patients' vaccination status, difficulty obtaining sufficient information from patients to create a record in the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS), monitoring patients post-vaccination, transporting vaccine supplies from encampment to encampment, and lack of patient awareness of the mobile vaccine clinic services. Despite challenges, SMP's outreach efforts have demonstrated the feasibility and importance of mobile public health services to reach homeless encampments, particularly mobile vaccination clinics in response to disease outbreaks, and the necessity of strategic partnerships with community agencies to effectively meet the needs of underserved populations.

Mpox Case Reports in an Urban Homeless Population and a Proof of Concept for a Street-Based Mobile Mpox Vaccination Clinic.

Mpox is a new public health outbreak that particularly threatens the homeless population. Street Medicine Phoenix (SMP) is a student-led interprofessional volunteer organization that provides medical care and other essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to core services such as wound care; health screenings (blood pressure and blood glucose.); vision screenings; HIV testing; naloxone education and distribution; flu, COVID-19, and Hepatitis A vaccinations; and community resource referrals, SMP began offering mpox education and vaccination at outreach events. During an outreach event shortly after the onset of the mpox outbreak, SMP identified 2 suspected mpox cases. Accordingly, SMP has partnered with the Maricopa County Public Health Department to set up mobile mpox vaccination clinics on the streets outside of Phoenix Arizona's largest homeless shelter. We share the details of these 2 cases along with our early efforts vaccinating individuals experiencing homelessness for mpox via our mobile vaccination clinic. Our experiences demonstrate the importance of community agencies providing direct outreach to underserved populations where they are at, particularly the homeless population, to address public health concerns such as emerging disease outbreaks like mpox. In addition, these cases highlight the potential significant impact that street medicine programs can have on their respective homeless communities in the context of infectious disease mitigation and emphasize the importance of partnerships with local health departments.

Pregestational Exposure to T. gondii Produces Maternal Antibodies That Recognize Fetal Brain Mimotopes and Induces Neurochemical and Behavioral Dysfunction in the Offspring.

The activation of the maternal immune system by a prenatal infection is considered a risk factor for developing psychiatric disorders in the offspring. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the pathogenic infections associated with schizophrenia. Recent studies have shown an association between high levels of IgG anti-T. gondii from mothers and their neonates, with a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The absence of the parasite and the levels of IgGs found in the early stages of life suggest a transplacental transfer of the anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, which could bind fetal brain structures by molecular mimicry and induce alterations in neurodevelopment. This study aimed to determine the maternal pathogenic antibodies formation that led to behavioral impairment on the progeny of rats immunized with T. gondii. Female rats were immunized prior to gestation with T. gondii lysate (3 times/once per week). The anti-T. gondii IgG levels were determined in the serum of pregestational exposed females' previous mating. After this, locomotor activity, cognitive and social tests were performed. Cortical neurotransmitter levels for dopamine and glutamate were evaluated at 60 PND in the progeny of rats immunized before gestation (Pregestational group). The maternal pathogenic antibodies were evidenced by their binding to fetal brain mimotopes in the Pregestational group and the reactivity of the serum containing anti-T. gondii IgG was tested in control fetal brains (non-immunized). These results showed that the Pregestational group presented impairment in short and long-term memory, hypoactivity and alteration in social behavior, which was also associated with a decrease in cortical glutamate and dopamine levels. We also found the IgG antibodies bound to brain mimotopes in fetuses from females immunized with T. gondii, as well as observing a strong reactivity of the serum females immunized for fetal brain structures of fetuses from unimmunized mothers. Our results suggest that the exposure to T. gondii before gestation produced maternal pathogenic antibodies that can recognize fetal brain mimotopes and lead to neurochemical and behavioral alterations in the offspring.

Consensual Ophthalmotonic Reaction Following Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty.

Aim: "Consensual ophthalmotonic reaction" refers to changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) in one eye, which is accompanied by a corresponding change in IOP in the contralateral eye. This study evaluates whether monocular administration of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) leads to a consensual ophthalmotonic reaction and how long this effect lasts. Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients receiving SLT at Kresge Eye Institute in Detroit, MI, from January 2015 to August 2016. Patients were excluded if they had previous history of glaucoma incisional and/or laser procedures; required additional laser trabeculoplasty; had glaucoma medication changes during the follow-up period; experienced no decrease in IOP during the follow-up period; or had a diagnosis of angle closure on gonioscopy. Various demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected. IOP measurements were collected at baseline and postoperatively at 1-3 months, 4-9 months, and 12-15 months. Results: At all follow-up periods, the IOP of the treated eye was decreased from baseline IOP (p ≤ 0.05, paired t-test). For the fellow eye, there was a statistically significantly decrease from baseline up to the 4-9 months follow-up period (p ≤ 0.05, paired t-test). Linear regression analysis of the percent reduction in IOP from baseline in the SLT-treated eye with the fellow eye shows a mild correlation at all-time points: R2 = 0.284 (p < 0.001) at 1-3 months; R2 = 0.348 (p < 0.001) at 4-9 months; R2 = 0.118 (p = 0.054) at 12-15 months. Conclusion: This study showed that monocular administration of SLT results in a consensual ophthalmotonic reaction. The consensual ophthalmotonic reaction appears to last for up to 4-9 months. Clinical significance: Therefore, although SLT does lead to a consensual ophthalmotonic reaction, monocular administration of SLT is not a reliable method of long-term IOP control for the contralateral non-SLT-treated eye. How to cite this article: Nassiri N, Mei F, Tokko H, et al. Consensual Ophthalmotonic Reaction Following Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2022;16(1):36-40.

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Probes for the Characterization of Biofilm-Degrading Enzymes Demonstrated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Extracellular Matrices.

Hydrolase co-therapies that degrade biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) allow for a better diffusion of antibiotics and more effective treatment; current methods for quantitatively measuring the enzymatic degradation of EPS are not amendable to high-throughput screening. Herein, we present biofilm EPS-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) probes for rapid screening of hydrolytic enzyme selectivity and activity on EPS. The extent of biofilm EPS degradation is quantified by monitoring the quenching of the SWCNT fluorescence. We used this platform to screen 16 hydrolases with varying bond breaking selectivity against a panel of wild-type Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mutants deficient or altered in one or more EPS. Next, we performed concentration-dependent studies of six enzymes on two common strains found in cystic fibrosis (CF) environments and, for each enzyme, extracted three first-order rate constants and their relative contributions by fitting a parallel, multi-site degradation model, with a good model fit (R2 from 0.65 to 0.97). Reaction rates (turnover rates) are dependent on the enzyme concentration and range from 6.67 × 10-11 to 2.80 × 10-3 *s-1 per mg/mL of enzymes. Lastly, we confirmed findings from this new assay using an established crystal-violet staining assay for a subset of hydrolase panels. In summary, our work shows that this modular sensor is amendable to the high-throughput screening of EPS degradation, thereby improving the rate of discovery and development of novel hydrolases.

Predictive Factors for Returning to Work in Burn Adult Patients That Were Working Before Their Injury.

The goal of this study was to identify predictive factors that influence return to work in burn patients treated at the National Center for Burn Care and Research at the National Institute of Rehabilitation (CENIAQ) in México City. This is a retrospective case-control study that included all burn patients of working age (16-91 years old), treated between January 2011 and December 2013. Patients were divided into two groups: unemployed (no work group) and those who returned to work (RTW). The statistical analysis was performed by a logistic regression univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 210 subjects were included in the study. The mean age was 38 ± 15 years and 66.7% of them were male. One hundred sixty-five patients (79.6%) were able to return to work after treatment. Through univariate analysis it was found that the predictive factors for not returning to work after injury were: education lower than elementary school (OR: 3.59; CI 95%: 1.79-7.32); history of epilepsy prior to burn injury (OR: 10.18; CI 95%: 1.9-54.43); total burned surface area (TBSA) ≥20% (OR: 2.87; CI 95%: 1.46-5.64); third-degree burns (OR: 2.64; CI 95%: 1.32-5.29); hospital stay ≥20 days (OR: 2.8; CI 95%: 1.47-5.68); length of stay in the burn intensive care unit (OR: 2.5; CI 95%: 1.25-4.97); secondary infection (OR: 2.24; CI 95%: 1.15-4.38); amputations (one or more regardless of amputation level; OR: 8; CI 95%: 2.52-25.30); burn of the upper extremity (shoulder; OR: 2.21; CI 95%: 0.97-5.03); thigh (OR: 2.41; CI 95%: 1.32-5.14); and knee (OR: 2.81; CI 95%: 1.21-6.55). Some of these factors have never been reported by other authors.

The Influence of Maltodextrin on the Thermal Transitions and State Diagrams of Fruit Juice Model Systems.

The state diagram, which is defined as a stability map of different states and phases of a food as a function of the solid content and temperature, is regarded as fundamental approach in the design and optimization of processes or storage procedures of food in the low-, intermediate-, and high-moisture domains. Therefore, in this study, the effects of maltodextrin addition on the freezing points (Tm', Tm) and glass transition temperatures (Tg', Tg) required for the construction of state diagrams of fruit juice model systems by using differential scanning calorimetry methods was investigated. A D-optimal experimental design was used to prepare a total of 25 anhydrous model food systems at various dry mass fractions of fructose, glucose, sucrose, pectin, citric acid, and maltodextrin, in which this last component varied between 0 and 0.8. It was found that maltodextrin mass fractions higher than 0.4 are required to induce significant increases of Tg', Tm', Tg, and Tm curves. From this perspective, maltodextrin is a good alternative as a cryoprotectant and as a carrier agent in the food industry. Furthermore, solute-composition-based mathematical models were developed to evaluate the influence of the chemical composition on the thermal transitions and to predict the state diagrams of fruit juices at different maltodextrin mass fractions.

Structural heart disease: the year in valvular and complex coronary intervention trials.

The need for treatment strategies targeting complex structural heart and obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) is rapidly growing. The demographics in referral centers has shifted to an older population with greater co-morbidities and higher risk. Indeed, nearly one quarter of patients in tertiary-care settings have moderate or severe valvular heart disease, and despite a decrease in overall CAD burden in the United States over the past two decades the prevalence of myocardial infarction remains high. The 2019 societal scientific sessions included novel research and landmark presentations on less invasive valvular and safer complex coronary interventions in the aforementioned populations, in hopes of improving patient outcomes and expanding treatment indications. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), percutaneous mitral and tricuspid valve therapy, and complex coronary interventions, were the focus of important clinical trials and registry data. Herein, we provide a select and concise review of the most pivotal studies presented.

Solution-Processed Bismuth Halide Perovskite Thin Films: Influence of Deposition Conditions and A-Site Alloying on Morphology and Optical Properties.

Bismuth-based halide perovskites have been proposed as a potential nontoxic alternative to lead halide perovskites; however, they have not realized suitable performance. Their poor performance has been attributed to substandard film morphologies and too wide of a band gap for many applications. Herein we used a two-step deposition procedure to convert BiI3 thin films into A3Bi2I9 (A = FA+, MA+, Cs+, or Rb+), which resulted in a substantial improvement in film morphology, a larger band gap, and greater compositional tunability compared toresults when using aconventional single-step deposition technique. Additionally, we attempted to reduce the undesirably wide band gap in Rb3Bi2I9 thin films by inducing chemical pressures through cation-size mismatch, with an underlying hypothesis that cation-size mismatch could induce compressive strain within the 2D Rb3Bi2I9 lattice. However, we found that all A xRb3- xBi2I9 compositions with x > 0 adopted the 0D structure, and no changes to the band gap were observed with alloy. These results imply that the band gap of A xRb3- xBi2I9 is insensitive to A-site alloying.

Factors Associated with Conjunctival Erosions after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of conjunctival erosions in a series of patients who underwent Ahmed valve implantation in a tertiary referral center and to study risk factors associated with the conjunctival erosions. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective case-control study of all patients who underwent Ahmed valve implantation between October 2006 and July 2016 at the Kresge Eye Institute in Detroit, Michigan. The series consisted of 306 eyes (277 patients) that underwent Ahmed valve implantation. The rate of conjunctival erosions was determined. Univariate, bivariate, and Cox-proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify factors associated with conjunctival erosions. RESULTS: During the study period, 23 erosions occurred in 306 eyes (7.52%). Aphakia was significantly more common in eyes with erosions (P < 0.05). Aphakia (P = 0.02), uveitic glaucoma (P = 0.03), and longer post-operative use of topical steroids (P < 0.04) significantly increased the risk of erosions based on the Cox model. There were similar rates of erosions with each type of patch graft. No conjunctival erosion was observed after using the modified scleral tunnel method (n = 10). CONCLUSIONS: The overall erosion rate was 7.52% in our series. Uveitic glaucoma, aphakia, and longer post-operative use of topical steroids were significantly associated with conjunctival erosions.

Perioperative management of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: a single-center experience.

The objective was to describe the management and risk factors for complications of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients who underwent a surgical procedure in a single center. We reviewed medical records of all patients with primary or secondary APS who underwent an elective surgery during a 6-year period. Demographical data, management of anticoagulation and complications were recorded. We identified 43 patients, mean age 37.9 ± 8.9 years, who underwent a total of 48 elective surgeries. All patients had history of at least one thrombotic event and were under vitamin K antagonists. Before surgery, all patients received bridging therapy with intravenous infusion of heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Among the LMWH group, 36 had a full anticoagulation regimen and nine prophylactic doses. In 62% of the surgeries, we identified an optimal management of periprocedural anticoagulation according to guidelines. Overall six patients had severe bleeding and three thrombotic complications (full anticoagulation regimen n = 2 and prophylactic dose group n = 1). Patients with optimal management of anticoagulation experienced less thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications (7 vs. 33%; OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02-0.81; p = 0.040) and patients with INR ≤1.5 at surgery had fewer episodes of major bleeding (6 vs. 29%; OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.02-0.98; p = 0.050). All three thrombotic events occurred in patients with INR ≤1.5. Proper management of anticoagulation based on guidelines is associated with less complications in patients with APS. Notwithstanding the proper use of bridging therapy, some patients may develop thrombotic complications.

The correlation between brain near-infrared spectroscopy and cerebral blood flow in piglets with intracranial hypertension.

Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is used as a surrogate for measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) but its determination requires that intracranial pressure be directly measured. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can noninvasively measure tissue oxygenation. We hypothesized that NIRS would correlate well with CBF, with cerebral metabolism of oxygen (CMRO2) and glucose and with lactate production as CPP was reduced. Seven anesthetized piglets were subjected to reductions in CPP to 60, 50, 40, 30, and 20 mmHg by infusing an artificial cerebral spinal fluid into the lateral ventricle of the brain. After a period of equilibration, NIRS over the left temporal cortex and regional CBF (microspheres) were measured at each CPP level as well as arterial and internal jugular PaO2 , glucose, and lactate. CMRO2 and glucose consumption and lactate production were calculated by standard formulae. NIRS correlated very well (P < 0.05) with CBF in the left temporal cortex [mean r (95% CI) = 0.95 (0.91-0.99)] and with left hemispheric CMRO2 [0.94 (0.90-0.98)], glucose consumption [0.87 (0.76-0.97)], and lactate production [0.89 (0.81-0.97)]. The correlation of NIRS with CBF was slightly better (P < 0.05) than that of CPP with CBF [0.89 (0.84-0.94)]. In this model of global cerebral hypertension, NIRS correlated well with CBF and measures of cerebral metabolism, and might be useful as a surrogate for CPP. Further studies are warranted to determine if NIRS is associated with these variables in focal cerebral injury.

Pediatric conjunctival lymphoma associated with oral carbamazepine use.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a pediatric patient diagnosed with conjunctival lymphoma associated with oral carbamazepine use. OBSERVATION: An 11-year-old boy who presented with 5-month history of a small nasal conjunctival mass in the left eye that failed therapy with topical corticosteroids. Upon excision and molecular analysis, diagnosis of Follicular Lymphoma was favored. The patient was healthy and did not have any known risk factors except for a history of epilepsy treated with systemic carbamazepine. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: We report a case of a rare childhood conjunctival lymphoma. Conjunctival lymphomas may masquerade as chronic conjunctivitis, or scleritis that fail therapy with topical corticosteroids. Furthermore, our patient did not have any known risk factors such as old age, systemic lymphoma or immunosuppression. The patient did have a history long-term use of systemic carbamazepine. This is to our knowledge the first case conjunctival lymphoma that may be associated to the use of carbamazepine.

Developing a Family-Centered Care Model for Critical Care After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the family experience of critical care after pediatric traumatic brain injury in order to develop a model of specific factors associated with family-centered care. DESIGN: Qualitative methods with semi-structured interviews were used. SETTING: Two level 1 trauma centers. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen mothers of children who had an acute hospital stay after traumatic brain injury within the last 5 years were interviewed about their experience of critical care and discharge planning. Participants who were primarily English, Spanish, or Cantonese speaking were included. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Content analysis was used to code the transcribed interviews and develop the family-centered care model. Three major themes emerged: 1) thorough, timely, compassionate communication, 2) capacity building for families, providers, and facilities, and 3) coordination of care transitions. Participants reported valuing detailed, frequent communication that set realistic expectations and prepared them for decision making and outcomes. Areas for capacity building included strategies to increase provider cultural humility, parent participation in care, and institutional flexibility. Coordinated care transitions, including continuity of information and maintenance of partnerships with families and care teams, were highlighted. Participants who were not primarily English speaking reported particular difficulty with communication, cultural understanding, and coordinated transitions. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a family-centered traumatic brain injury care model based on family perspectives. In addition to communication and coordination strategies, the model offers methods to address cultural and structural barriers to meeting the needs of non-English-speaking families. Given the stress experienced by families of children with traumatic brain injury, careful consideration of the model themes identified here may assist in improving overall quality of care to families of hospitalized children with traumatic brain injury.

Characteristics and clinical evolution of patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia in northeast Mexico: an eight-year experience at a university hospital.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. We documented the characteristics and results of treatment of patients with AML at a single reference center. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AML between June 2003 and July 2011 at a university hospital in northeast Mexico were studied. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were determined, and risk factors were analyzed with respect to their influence on prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 132 AML patients were included. Median age was 32 years. Complete remission (CR) was achieved by 55% of patients. CR was achieved by 65.1% of patients <60 years (n = 109), compared to 8.7% of those >60 years (n = 23; p < 0.001). In all, 39% of patients >60 years suffered an early death, compared to 14.7% of those <60 years (p < 0.001). OS for patients with AML was 35%, whereas EFS was 32%. On multivariate analysis, patients >60 years had a lower OS and EFS (p < 0.001). A total of 28% of patients received a transplant, and they had high er OS and EFS. Conclusions: Our patients were considerably younger and had remarkably lower survival rates than reported for other populations; those >60 years had a higher early death rate, and fewer of these patients achieved CR.

Production of glucose oxidase and catalase by Aspergillus niger free and immobilized in alginate-polyvinyl alcohol beads.

The production of glucose oxidase (GOX) and catalase (CAT) by submerged fermentation of the free and immobilized xerophytic fungus Aspergillus niger under equal conditions was compared. To immobilize fungal spores, entrapment in PVA/alginate beads treated with NaNO3/CaCl2 was performed. The yield of immobilization in the beads with a diameter less than 1mm was equal to 100%. Fungus growth and substrate consumption were evaluated in both fermentation systems, demonstrating the lag-period presence in the case of the first cycle of immobilized fungus use. The enzyme production by immobilized fungus reuse was carried out. In these cases, greater enzymatic GOX activity was detected, while CAT activity decreased. SEM micrographs for the beads with immobilized fungus applied in the first and second fermentation cycles were obtained, presenting fungus spreading inside the sphere, spore presence and branching hyphae. Immobilization of A. niger on PVA/alginate beads is effective for GOX and CAT production at least on 2-3 repeated fermentative cycles. Thus, immobilization enables repeated use of microbial cells.

Obesity is associated with higher overall survival in patients undergoing an outpatient reduced-intensity conditioning hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

BACKGROUND: The impact of obesity on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) outcome remains controversial and has been considered a relative contraindication for the procedure. We investigated the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI) on the clinical course of adults undergoing an ambulatory HSCT after a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen. METHODS: Adults with hematologic diseases undergoing an autologous or allogeneic HSCT after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and supported exclusively with enteral nutrition (EN) were studied. BMI and body fat were sequentially determined. Patients were divided into three BMI subgroups: underweight; normal, and overweight/obese. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients with a median follow-up of 21months were evaluated. Fourteen (18.2%) were underweight, 21 (27.3%) had a normal weight, and 42 (54.5%) were overweight/obese. A significant weight loss was observed among all three weight groups after HSCT (P=0.014). No correlation was found between time to engraftment and BMI (P=0.91), serum albumin (P=0.387), and fasting glucose (P=0.64), nor between BMI and acute (P=0.456) or chronic (P=0.209) graft versus host disease (GVHD). On multivariate analysis a higher overall survival (OS) was documented for obese patients (P=0.037). DISCUSSION: A BMI >30/kg/m(2) was independently associated with a higher survival rate after HSCT. Obese patients should not be excluded as transplant candidates based only on this parameter.

Xanthine oxidase does not contribute to apoptosis after brain hypoxia-ischemia in immature rabbits.

Background. The mechanisms involving the initiation of apoptosis after brain hypoxia-ischemia through caspase activation are not fully defined. Oxygen free radicals may be an important mediator of caspase initiation with reactive oxygen species generated by xanthine oxidase (XO) being one potential source. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of XO in apoptosis after global cerebral injury. Methods. Immature rabbits were subjected to 8 minutes hypoxia and 8 minutes ischemia and then 4 hours of reperfusion. In one group (n = 5), the XO substrate xanthine was infused to generate more oxygen free radicals to promote apoptosis while in another (n = 5), the XO inhibitor allopurinol was given to reduce apoptosis by preventing free radical production (n = 5). Control animals (n = 4) received the vehicles. Caspase 3, 8, and 9 enzyme activities were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, thalamus, and caudate. Results. Administration of xanthine increased (P < 0.05) caspase 3 activity but only in the hippocampus, and pretreatment with allopurinol did not reduce it. No differences (P > 0.05) were found in any other region nor were there any changes in caspases 8 or 9 activities. Conclusion. We conclude that XO is not a major factor in inducing apoptosis after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.