Synthesis and characterization of Co3O4 ultra-nanosheets and Co3O4 ultra-nanosheet-Ni(OH)2 as non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors for glucose detection.

The present study examines the synthesis of Co3O4 ultra-nanosheets (Co3O4 UNSs) and Co3O4 ultra-nanosheet-Ni(OH)2 (Co3O4 UNS-Ni(OH)2) via solvothermal process and their application as non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors for glucose detection. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the Co3O4 UNS deposition on Ni(OH)2 surface. The presence of Co3O4 UNSs on Ni (OH) 2 surface improved the sensitivity of glucose detection, from the increase of glucose oxidation peak current at the Co3O4 UNS-Ni(OH)2/glassy carbon electrode (current density: 2000µA·cm(-2)), compared to the Co3O4 UNSs. These results confirmed that Ni(OH)2 on glassy carbon electrode is a sensitive material for glucose detection, moreover the Co3O4 UNSs can increase the interaction and detection of glucose due to their high surface area. The estimated limit of detection (S/N=3) and limit of quantification (S/N=10) of the linear segment (5-40µM) are 1.08µM and 3.60µM respectively. The reproducibility experiments confirmed the feasibility of Co3O4 UNS-Ni(OH)2 for the quantitative detection of certain concentration ranges of glucose.

Endoscopy findings affect subjective smell rehabilitation in post-laryngectomy patients using the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of post-laryngectomy patients, including nasal endoscopy findings, that affect subjective smell improvement in the post-surgical period. METHODS: Thirty patients who had undergone total laryngectomy participated in at least three sessions of a smell rehabilitation programme involving the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre, under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist. Patient characteristics and nasal endoscopy findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Participants experienced a mean improvement in sense of smell of 61 per cent (p < 0.001) and a significant improvement in appetite (p = 0.002). Male patients and patients with a nasal discharge had a significantly better outcome. CONCLUSION: The nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre is an effective method for improving smell perception and appetite in laryngectomy patients. There was no relationship between nasal endoscopy findings and outcome of the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre rehabilitation programme in our case series.

Specific PCR Assay for Rapid and Direct Detection of Neisseria meningitidis in Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria meninigitidis is one of the most frequently encountered microorganisms associated with central nervous system infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate a PCR-based assay for specific and rapid detection of N. meninigitidis in CSF specimens. METHODS: Since April 2002 to July 2006, 130 CSF specimens were collected from patients suspected of having bacterial meningitis. Bacterial isolation and identification was carried out according to the standard bacteriological methods. The PCR was used to amplify a 101bp fragment of capsular transport gene A (ctrA) of N. meningitidis. RESULTS: PCR yielded an amplified product with the expected size of 101 base pair fragment. Sensitivity test proved 500 ng of N. meningitidis DNA as the final detection limit and specificity test revealed no cross-reaction for a wide range of respiratory pathogenic organisms. CONCLUSION: The PCR assay was more sensitive than the bacterial culturing. It might be possible to apply this procedure for rapid diagnosis of meningococci in clinical samples.

Histopathological findings in cardiac transplant recipients: an assessment after 10 years' experience in Iran.

BACKGROUND: For many patients with end-stage heart failure, cardiac transplantation remains the definitive therapeutic option. The first Iranian heart transplantation was successfully performed on July 8, 1993, at Dr Shariati Hospital, Tehran. This article reports the pathology of heart transplants performed in one decade at Dr. Shariati Hospital. METHODS: All individuals who underwent heart transplantation between July 1993 and July 2003 were studied for the pathology reports of endomyocardial biopsies of heart transplant recipients. One-month, 1-year, and 5-year survival rates are also presented. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (14 females and 31 males) aged 29.6 +/- 12 years underwent heart transplantation. One-month, 1-year, and 5-year survival rates were 80%, 59.5%, and 50%, respectively. The grades of rejection were: 0 in 31 biopsies (24.2%); 1A in 27 (21.1%); 1B in one (0.8%); 2 in 21 (16.4%); 3A in 34 (26.6%); 3B in 9 (7%); 4 in four specimens (3.1%), and one biopsy was inadequate (0.8%). A Quilty B effect was observed in one specimen (0.8%), but a Quilty A effect, cytomegalovirus or toxoplasmic myocarditis, or previous biopsy sites were not observed. CONCLUSION: Survival rates of heart transplant recipients were lower compared with the international statistics. The incidence and severity of rejection episodes were higher among our patients. These findings may be due in part to the noncompliance of heart transplant recipients with the follow-up biopsy schedules, leading to late detection of rejection episodes.

Connexins regulate calcium signaling by controlling ATP release.

Forced expression of gap junction proteins, connexins, enables gap junction-deficient cell lines to propagate intercellular calcium waves. Here, we show that ATP secretion from the poorly coupled cell lines, C6 glioma, HeLa, and U373 glioblastoma, is potentiated 5- to 15-fold by connexin expression. ATP release required purinergic receptor-activated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and was inhibited by Cl- channel blockers. Calcium wave propagation also was reduced by purinergic receptor antagonists and by Cl- channel blockers but insensitive to gap junction inhibitors. These observations suggest that cell-to-cell signaling associated with connexin expression results from enhanced ATP release and not, as previously believed, from an increase in intercellular coupling.

Microbiological and epidemiological study of streptococcal sore throat at a children's clinic: a one-year study.

From October 1973 to September 1974, throat cultures were taken from 578 patients who referred to the Children's Clinic with upper respiratory tract infection. One hundred fifty-one (26%) of the sick children yielded beta-hemolytic streptococci and 427 (74%) of the pharyngitis cases were considered as viral. The most susceptible ages for streptococcal and viral pharyngitis were 5-8 and 2-6 years respectively. The peak seasonal incidence for streptococcal sore throat was from late autumn to early spring. There was a positive correlation between the incidence of upper respiratory infection and streptococcal isolation. From 100 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated and tested, 86 were group "A", 4 group "C", 2 group "G" and 8 non-groupable. From 86 group "A" strains. 71 (82%) were typable by agglutination ("T"-typing), but only 49 (57%) by precipitation ("M"-typing). The most prevalent "M" types were types 1 and 12. There was 95% correlation between serological and bacitracin disk method for grouping of hemolytic streptococci. All strains isolated were sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol, but 11 strains were resistant to tetracyclin.

[The improtance of endogenous amino acid losses in diarrhea in infants]. / Die Bedeutung endogener Aminosäurenverluste bei Diarrhö im Säuglingsalter

Protein depletion is introduced as a unitary concept in the progression of acute infantile diarrheas into a protracted or intractable stage. It has been shown that in acute infantile diarrhea significant amounts of endogenous nitrogen are lost through the stool. Accumulated loss beyond a week or so may interfere with regeneration of intestinal mucosa and the synthesis of digestive enzymes. The success of total parenteral alimentation in the management of intractable diarrhea supports this theory. As a relatively simple preventive measure, the administration of amino acid solution by peripheral vein, concomitantly with glucose, is suggested in the management of the early stages of infantile diarrhea.