A new highly Selective, sensitive and NIR spectrophotometric probe based on A2B2-Type of unsymmetrical phthalocyanine for hazardous Be2+ recognition.

The aim of this work is to construct a new A2B2-type of unsymmetrical and ratiometric phthalocyanine (Pc) based-probe O-A2B2ZnPc to provide an effective solution to critical inadequacy to be experienced for the detection of hazardous Be2+. O-A2B2ZnPc enabling strong absorption and emission in Near-Infrared region (λabs-λem wavelengths of 694-712 nm) showed excellent selectivity and sensitivity toward Be2+ among competitive metal ions by both spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods. The probe with oligomeric Pc form in THF was degraded with the addition of aqueous Be2+ and arranged to J-aggregation form, resulting in a remarkably diminishing in Q-band at 694 nm as well as a new band formation at 746 nm, and a considerably decreasing in fluorescence emission. The probe has superior features for the determination of Be2+ such as high quantum efficiency and photochemical stability, rapid response (1 s), high selectivity and very low Limit of Detection (0.26 ppb and 1.5 ppb) for UV-Vis and fluorescence, respectively which are quite good values according to the permissible amount of Be2+ (4 ppb) in water as specified by World Health Organization. O-A2B2ZnPc can be shown among the best performing probes with its unique properties according to previous studies in the literature. In addition, the geometrical and spectral features of the O-A2B2ZnPc were analyzed in detail by DFT calculations.

Superior Sensor for Be2+ Ion Recognition via the Unprecedented Octahedral Crystal Structure of a One-Dimensional Coordination Polymer of Crown Fused Zinc Phthalocyanine.

The unprecedented one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymer of crown fused zinc phthalocyanine (P-CfZnPc) with an octahedral crystal structure and with intermolecular packing that has superior multichannel sensor ability for Be2+ ion recognition was prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and a wide range of spectroscopic and voltammetric methods. An exceptional feature of the crystal structure of P-CfZnPc is that each zinc ion in the phthalocyanine (Pc) polymer is coordinated by the four isoindole nitrogen atoms and an outer oxygen atom of the Pc molecule. This structure is the first example of an octahedral arrangement in a 1-D polymeric chain for zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) and zinc porphyrins (ZnPs) reached without the presence of a coordinating solvent, which was confirmed by XRD analysis. Interestingly, this (1-D) coordination polymer preserves its conformation in THF (tetrahydrofuran) solution, thereby effectively preventing aggregation. This result was confirmed by the particle size of the molecule (125 nm) using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra as well as UV-vis spectroscopy. The sensor has long-term stability (more than 3 months in solution), a very low response time (less than 1 s), and nonaggregating ability, facilitating the accurate determination of ultra-trace amounts of Be2+ (lower than 1 ppb), which is extremely important in terms of human health and environmental protection. The sensor can highly selectively and sensitively bind Be2+ among Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Co2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ ions via Be2+-induced J aggregation of Pc molecules. Such a binding leads to not only a significant decrease in Pc absorption (677 nm) as well as the creation of new absorption (720 nm) but also fluorescence emission quenching (690 nm). Furthermore, the sensor displayed highly selective voltammetric recognition for Be2+ following J aggregation/disaggregation in the second reduction process. The binding mechanism of the sensor and Be2+ ion was also explained on the basis of TD-DFT calculations.

An incidental aneurysm of the interventricular membranous septum.

Aneurysm of the interventricular membranous septum is a very rare cardiac anomaly in the absence of ventricular septal defect. We report the case of a 22-year-old man with aneurysm of the interventricular membranous septum incidentally determined during aortic valve surgery. The patient underwent successful aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair. Patients with the aneurysm of the interventricular membranous septum who are asymptomatic must be followed closely in terms of potential cardiac complications.

Inhibitory effects of ticlopidine and clopidogrel on the intimal hyperplastic response after arterial injury.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of ticlopidine and clopidogrel on the development of neointimal hyperplasia after experimental arterial injury. METHODS: This experimental, prospective, randomized controlled study was performed on twenty-seven rabbits, which were divided into three groups, each of which contained nine subjects. Following the development of a balloon catheter injury in the iliac artery, no drugs were administered to Group 1 (control). Group 2 was given ticlopidine, while Group 3 was given clopidogrel. At the end of the 21-day experimental period, arterial sections were evaluated histomorphologically and immunohistochemically with staining using antibodies against platelet derived growth factor beta and basic fibroblast growth factor. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-Square, Mann Whitney U and one-way ANOVA tests. RESULTS: At the end of study period, ticlopidine and clopidogrel strongly reduced the development of intimal hyperplasia after arterial injury (54.1%, p<0.001, 53.2%, p<0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed in terms of intimal and medial areas between the drug-treated groups. Expressions of the basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet derived growth factor beta were significantly lower in the intima of drug treated groups with respect to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that ticlopidine and clopidogrel, which are widely used in antiplatelet treatment in clinics, can similarly prevent the development of intimal hyperplasia after experimental arterial injury.

Delayed Presentation of a Giant Ascending Aortic Aneurysm following Aortic Valve Replacement.

Giant ascending aortic aneurysm formation following aortic valve replacement is rare. A 28-year-old man who underwent aortic valve replacement with a prosthetic valve for aortic regurgitation secondary to congenital bicuspid aortic valve about 10 years ago was diagnosed with a giant ascending aortic aneurysm about 16 cm in diameter in follow-up. The aneurysm was resected leaving the functional old mechanical prosthesis in place and implanted a 34-mm Hemashield woven graft, associated with the left and right coronary artery button implantation. Histological findings of the aortic aneurysm wall showed cystic medial necrosis. The postoperative course was uneventful and postoperative examination demonstrated good surgical results.

Giant popliteal aneurysm with deep vein thrombosis, foot drop and arteriomegali.

Popliteal artery aneurysms are the most common peripheral arterial aneurysms and are the second most common aneurysm after abdominal aortic aneurysms. Popliteal artery aneurysm affects mostly elderly men and atherosclerosis plays the major role in the aetiology of the disease. The management of popliteal artery aneurysms requires great care. Popliteal aneurysms are asymptomatic or otherwise present with intermittent claudication, compression symptoms in the popliteal fossa, distal embolisation and, rarely, rupture. We present a patient with a remarkably large popliteal aneurysm of 8×11 cm presenting as a popliteal swelling with foot drop and deep vein thrombosis and limb ischaemia. According to our thorough search of literature printed in English, it is one of the largest reported popliteal aneurysms with arteriomegaly, and its co-existing symptoms are unusual. The diagnostic investigations and treatment are presented.

Sternal closure reinforced with rib heads: a novel technique for prevention and treatment of sternal dehiscence.

BACKGROUND: When a sternotomy cannot be performed at the midline and/or there is infection at the operation site, sternotomy revision can cause problems that increase the mortality and morbidity of the patients. There is no agreement on the best treatment method. In this paper we present a modified wiring technique. METHODS: This technique consisted of wrapping wires twice around each rib head and placing standard circumferential wire sutures, thus providing full stability by decreasing the load on the sternum using only steel wires. The study group included 23 patients with sternal dehiscence because of inappropriate sternotomy (n = 10) and/or mediastinitis (n = 13). Two mediastinal tubes were placed for irrigation in 13 patients with mediastinitis and/or wound infection, and mobilization and interposition of omentum as an axial graft was performed in 2 patients. Irrigation and antibiotherapy were continued for 4 to 6 weeks. RESULTS: Complete wound healing was obtained in all patients. Twenty-two patients treated with this technique survived. One patient died on postoperative 42nd day because of renal insufficiency and multi-organ failure. CONCLUSION: Early and aggressive debridement of infected and necrotic tissue, irrigation, and antibiotics are necessary for successful treatment, but we believe that the most important factor is full stabilization of the sternal tissue with minimal use of foreign stabilization material. Despite the limited number of cases, we suggest that our stabilization technique seems to be successful in achieving full stabilization even in infected and fragile sternal bony tissue in patients with sternal dehiscence and/or inappropriate sternotomy.

Iatrogenic left main and proximal right coronary artery stenoses after aortic valve replacement.

Iatrogenic left main coronary artery stenosis after aortic valve replacement is an infrequent but potentially life-threatening complication. A 44-year-old woman who had normal coronary arteries documented by preoperative coronary angiogram, and who developed severe stenosis of the left main coronary artery and subtotal occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery after aortic and mitral valve replacements is presented. Coronary lesions were clinically manifested 4 months after the first operation. Accurate diagnosis was confirmed by repeat coronary angiography. She underwent successful coronary artery bypass grafting.