Quaternized carbon dot-modified graphene oxide for selective cell labelling--controlled nucleus and cytoplasm imaging.

Cationic quaternized carbon dots (QCDs) and anionic graphene oxide sheets (GO) are combined via non-covalent interactions following a self-assembly pathway to form highly biocompatible and fluorescent hybrid materials. These hybrids act as selective probes with controlled labelling of the cell nucleus or cytoplasm depending on the QCD loading.

Effects of prevention of oxidative and nitro-oxidative stress on experimental rat colon anastomosis using acetylcysteine, Ebselen and 1400w.

UNLABELLED: Oxygen radicals and radicals derived from nitrogen metabolism are important in wound and anostomotic healing. In particular, nitrous oxide, originating from induced nitrous oxide synthetase, retards the wound healing process by producing peroxynitride. Therefore induced nitric oxide synthase (INOS) inhibitors and peroxynitride cleansing agents seem helpful in promoting healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (antioxidant), ebselen (peroxynitride cleansing agent) and 1400w (INOS inhibitor) on experimental colonic anastomotic wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 45 randomized Sprague-Dawley rats received colonic anastomosis, and all animals were treated for four days with drugs specific for each group except for the sham and control groups. All rats were given a relaparatomy on the fifth day of the study and evaluated for study parameters indicating anastomotic healing, burst pressure, tissue malondialdehit (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and hydroxyproline (OH-proline). RESULTS: when compared to the control group, increased (p < 0.01) burst pressure, OH-proline and decreased MDA, and SOD levels were noted in the 1400w group. Furthermore, the GPx levels were higher (p < 0.05) in rats given NAC therapy. CONCLUSIONS: the positive results of selective INOS inhibition using 1400w in this study confirm the adverse effects of the INOS enzyme on anastomotic wound healing. Therefore, we have concluded that 1400w may be helpful in promoting anastomotic healing.

Is removal of the stent at the end of 2 weeks helpful to reduce infectious or urologic complications after renal transplantation?

OBJECTIVE: Ureteral stents are used to reduce urologic complications after renal transplantation. However, they predispose to infection. The optimal time to keep them in the urinary tract has not yet been defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early removal at the end of 2 weeks on urinary tract infections and early urologic complications (within 3 months), such as ureteroneocyctostomy leakage as well as ureteral anastomosis stricture or obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 48 patients who underwent renal transplantation using a ureteral stent. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of stent removal: at the end of 2 weeks (group A; n = 10) versus at a later time (group B; n = 38). RESULTS: The urologic complication rate was 0% in group A and the urinary tract infection rate, 2%. The urologic complication rate was 0% in group B and the urinary tract infection rate, 35%. CONCLUSION: Early removal of the stent at the end of 2 weeks after renal transplantation is decreased the rate of urinary tract infections.

Effect of intraoperative magnesium sulphate infusion on pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to evaluate the analgesic efficiency of perioperative magnesium sulphate infusion in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind trial study, 83 patients were divided into two groups. Group MT received 50 mg/kg i.v. magnesium sulphate in 100 ml of 0.9% normal saline and Group T received the same volume of isotonic saline during the intraoperative period. The cumulative post-operative tramadol consumption was measured to assess the analgesic effect using a patient-controlled analgesia device. Pain intensities at rest and while coughing were evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h post-operatively. RESULTS: The pain scores in Group MT were significantly lower than Group T at 0, 4, and 12 h post-operatively. The average of visual analogue scale at rest and during cough during 24 h post-operatively was found to be statistically significant between groups. The total dose of tramadol the 24-h period in Group MT and Group T was found to be 281.34 +/- 90.82 and 317.46 +/- 129.59, respectively. CONCLUSION: Per-operative 50 mg/kg magnesium sulphate infusion is effective in reducing post-operative pain in patients undergoing LC.

[Effect of radio therapy on the magnitude of iodine radioisotope half-life in the thyroid tissue remnants in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer].

The use of external irradiation in the treatment of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer is still under consideration. The aim of the study was to compare Tef in the thyroid remnants in patients with and without external irradiation prior to radioiodine treatment. 70 patients with thyroid remnants after resection of thyroid and dissection of pathological lymph nodes were treated by I-131. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1--with external irradiation (25-60 Gy)-21 patient, and Group 2--patients who did not received external irradiation prior to radioiodine treatment (49 patients). Activities administered ranged from 1000 to 4500 MBq. I-131 kinetics was followed daily during first 4 days after activity administration on the basis of mathematical analysis of scintigraphy. T(ef) was calculated under the assumption of exponential excretion of 131-I from remnants. It was shown that in Group 1 T(eff) = 3.87 +/- 2.5 days, in Group 2 T(eff) amounted to 2.9 +/- 2.2 days. Thus, external irradiation resulted in slowing down of 131-I excretion in thyroid remnants. The probability of the full remnants ablation after the first course of 131-I treatment (p) has been calculated. It was shown that p is higher in the Group 2 in every activity interval. Teff in sequential courses of 131-I treatment has been measured at the same patients. Thus, external irradiation influences in different way at the previously irradiated and not irradiated cells.

Larrey hernia complicated with colonic obstruction in a 77-year-old woman: a case report.

Congenital Larrey hernia has a rare incidence and is frequently diagnosed in the later decades of life. This case study presents a 77-year-old woman with Larrey hernia and an intestinal obstruction complication, treated with laparatomic surgery.

Status epilepticus as initial manifestation of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

We report 10 cases of status epilepticus (SE) in patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). In all cases, SE brought PRES to medical attention. The majority of the cases had focal-onset complex partial SE. Complete resolution of SE was achieved after combined treatment of PRES and SE in all cases. SE in the setting of PRES carries a favorable prognosis but requires timely recognition and treatment of the course of PRES.

First treatment activity and outcome of radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer patients with metastases in lymph nodes: mathematical correlation and clinical implications.

AIM: The aim of the work was to estimate the strength of influence of the first (131)I activity on the outcome of the first course of radioiodine treatment as compared with other variables such as remnants volume, size and number of metastases in lymph nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 68 adult patients with differentiated thyroid cancer have been treated with radioiodine after thyroidectomy. All patients had metastatic lesions in lymph nodes accumulating (131)I. Activities administered amounted from 1000 to 6000 MBq. From 1 to 4 courses of radioiodine therapy were necessary for total ablation of metastases and remnants. Logistic function has been used to describe the probability of the total ablation of metastases and thyroid remnants after the first course. RESULTS: It was shown that the value of the first activity has the decisive influence on the treatment outcome. In patients included into analysis the outcome of the first course actually does not depend on level of radioiodine accumulation in pathological lymph nodes and effective half-time of (131)I excretion in remnants. CONCLUSION: As a result, in the case of metastatic lesions in lymph nodes accumulating radioiodine the first activity should not be less then 5000 MBq with the aim of minimizing the number of courses. Outcome of the treatment only slightly depends on such factors as histology, the number and the size of metastases in lymph nodes.

Effects of perfusion solutions on kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury in pigs.

During ischemia-reperfusion, free oxygen radicals which directly affect renal cells may cause delayed graft function. We investigated whether there was a difference regarding antioxidant enzyme content between use of Ringer's lactate (RL) versus University of Wisconsin (UW) perfusion solutions in kidney transplantation. Ischemia was achieved by clamping the renal pedicle for 20 minutes followed by perfusion with either solution for 20 minutes and reperfusion for another 20 minutes. A parenchymal biopsy was taken before and after the ischemia, perfusion, and reperfusion (IPR) process. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated in the biopsy specimens. We used paired t tests within groups and t tests for comparisons between groups. The results were expressed as mean values +/- SEM with P < .05 accepted as statistically significant. After IPR, SOD, GPx, and MDA were decreased in all groups: only GPx (P = .001) and MDA (P = .04) for the RL group and SOD (P = .001) and MDA (P = .05) for the UW group were statistically significant. In the control group, we did not observe any difference (P > .05). Comparisons between groups did not reveal differences (P > .05). In our study, no difference was observed between RL and UW regarding their effects on antioxidant enzymes following renal I/R injury in pigs. More investigations are needed to evaluate graft function in this setting.

Muir-Torre syndrome presenting with ileus: a case report.

The Muir-Torre syndrome is characterized by cutaneous neoplasms and visceral malignancies. At least one sebaceous adenoma, epithelioma or carcinoma and at least one internal malignancy are required to make a reliable diagnosis. According to medical literature only two cases of Muir-Torre syndrome with jejunal carcinoma have been reported to date and there is no reported case with intestinal obstruction. Here, we report an unusual case of jejunal carcinoma presenting with ileus.

Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of novel 3-(2,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-4-pyrazolon-5-yl)-4-thiazolidones.

New 3-(2,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-4-pyrazolon-5-yl)-4-thiazolidones were synthesized. The structure of substances was supported by UV- and 1H-NMR spectra. Some compounds were tested in vivo for their antiinflammatory activity. Were confirmed previous results about structure-activity relationships.