Analysis of myeloperoxidase activity in wound fluids as a marker of infection.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes play a crucial role in the host defence against bacterial and fungal infections. They participate in the inflammatory response through the liberation of peptides and enzymes like myeloperoxidase (MPO). Therefore, MPO has a potential as a marker enzyme for the diagnosis of wound infection. METHODS: Substrate specificities and reaction pathways of MPO were investigated for new MPO substrates: crystal violet, leuco crystal violet, fast blue RR (4-benzoylamino-2,5-dimethoxybenzenediazonium chloride hemi(zinc chloride) salt) and various systematically substituted model substrates based on 2,7-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)naphtalene-3,6-disulphonic acid. In addition, fast blue RR was covalently bound to siloxanes allowing immobilization of the substrate, while cellobiosedehydrogenase was integrated for generation of hydrogen peroxide required by MPO. RESULTS: Elevated concentrations of MPO were found in infected wounds compared with non-infected wounds (92.2 ± 45.0 versus 1.9 ± 1.8 U/mL). Various soluble and immobilized substrates were oxidized by MPO in wound samples and the influence of substrate structure and reaction pathways were elucidated for selected compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Incubation of different MPO substrates with infected wound fluid samples resulted in a clear colour change in the case of elevated MPO concentrations, thus allowing early diagnosis of wound infection.

Ultrasound radiation as a "throwing stones" technique for the production of antibacterial nanocomposite textiles.

Ultrasound irradiation was applied as a "throwing stones" technique for coating cotton bandages with MgO and Al(2)O(3) commercially obtained nanoparticles. The homogeneous distribution of the nanoparticles without any aggregation on the fabrics was demonstrated. The antibacterial activities of the MgO/Al(2)O(3)-fabric nanocomposite were tested against Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) cultures. A significant bactericidal effect, even in a concentration <1% (by weight), was detected.

Review of source images is necessary for the evaluation of gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography for renal artery stenosis.

The purpose of this study was to assess interobserver variability and accuracy in the evaluation of renal artery stenosis (RAS) with gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in patients with hypertension. The authors found that source images are more accurate than maximum intensity projection (MIP) for depicting renal artery stenosis. Two independent radiologists reviewed MRA and DSA from 38 patients with hypertension. Studies were post-processed to display images in MIP and source images. DSA was the standard for comparison in each patient. For each main renal artery, percentage stenosis was estimated for any stenosis detected by the two radiologists. To calculate sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, MRA studies and stenoses were categorized as normal, mild (1-39%), moderate (40-69%) or severe (> or =70%), or occluded. DSA stenosis estimates of 70% or greater were considered hemodynamically significant. Analysis of variance demonstrated that MIP estimates of stenosis were greater than source image estimates for both readers. Differences in estimates for MIP versus DSA reached significance in one reader. The interobserver variance for MIP, source images and DSA was excellent (0.80< kappa< or = 0.90). The specificity of source images was high (97%) but less for MIP (87%); average accuracy was 92% for MIP and 98% for source images. In this study, source images are significantly more accurate than MIP images in one reader with a similar trend was observed in the second reader. The interobserver variability was excellent. When renal artery stenosis is a consideration, high accuracy can only be obtained when source images are examined.