Pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, vascular stiffness and outcomes in chronic hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: In this observational study we addressed accelerated arteriosclerosis (AS) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on hemodialysis (HD) by measuring vascular stiffness (VS) parameters and attempted to relate them to pro-inflammatory and protective factors. PATIENTS: 96 consecutive patients receiving regular HD were included. 20 adult patients without major renal, cardiovascular or metabolic morbidities served as controls. METHODS: AS parameters (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity - PWV, aortic augmentation index - Aix) were measured by using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor, AtCor Medical, Sidney). In addition to routine laboratory tests 25(OH) vitamin D3 (vitamin D3) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were quantified by immunometric assay; whereas fetuin-A, α-Klotho, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Pro-inflammatory biomarkers (hsCRP, TNF-α and TGF-ß1) were markedly elevated (P < 0.01), while anti-inflammatory factors (fetuin-A: P < 0.05, α-Klotho: P < 0.01, vitamin D3: P < 0.01) significantly depressed in HD patients when compared to controls. PWV was significantly affected only by total cholesterol, fetuin-A and dialysis time. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that several clinical and laboratory parameters were associated with pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers rather than VS. The impact of baseline clinical and biochemical variables on outcome measures were also analyzed after three-year follow-up, and it was demonstrated that low levels of vitamin D, α-Klotho protein and fetuin-A were related to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, whereas all-cause mortality was associated with elevated hsCRP and depressed vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide additional information on the pathomechanism of accelerated AS in patients with CRF, and documented direct influence of pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers on major outcome measures.

Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts from actinomycetes against mastitis pathogens.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has necessitated the development of new antimicrobial products. Crude extracts produced by actinomycetes contain antimicrobial metabolites that can inhibit bacterial growth. The objective of our study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts (Caat1-54 and CaatP5-8) produced by actinomycetes against isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis, which were obtained from the milk of cows affected by mastitis in 23 dairy herds. Twenty isolates of each bacterial species were used to define minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of both crude extracts and ceftiofur (positive control). The MIC50 and MIC90 were defined at the concentration required to inhibit the growth of 50 and 90% of bacterial isolates tested, respectively. The MIC results were evaluated by survival analysis. Staphylococcus aureus isolates presented MIC90 of Caat 1-54 ≥6.25 µg/mL, ceftiofur ≥12.5 µg/mL, and Caat P5-8 ≥100 µg/mL. Streptococcus uberis presented MIC90 of ceftiofur ≥0.39 µg/mL, Caat 1-54 ≥50 µg/mL, and Caat P5-8 ≥100 µg/mL. Staphylococcus chromogenes isolated from subclinical mastitis presented MIC90 of Caat 1-54 ≥0.78 µg/mL and ceftiofur and Caat P5-8 of ≥6.25 and ≥100 µg/mL, respectively. Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolated from clinical mastitis presented similar MIC90 values between antimicrobials tested (ceftiofur, Caat 1-54, and Caat P-58), but these values (≥100 µg/mL) were higher than the values obtained from other pathogens evaluated in the present study. Our results indicate that Caat 1-54 and Caat P5-8 crude extracts present in vitro antimicrobial activity against isolates of Staph. aureus, Staph. chromogenes, Strep. dysgalactiae, and Strep. uberis isolated from clinical and subclinical mastitis.

Relationship of adipokines and non-esterified fatty acid to the insulin resistance in non-diabetic individuals.

BACKGROUND: Altered secretion of adipokines and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) seems to play a pivotal role in the abdominal obesity-related insulin resistance (IR). AIM: To determine semi-quantitatively the impact of serum NEFA, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels on IR measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). MATERIAL/SUBJECTS: Seventy-four Caucasian subjects forming 3 age-, and sex-matched groups were included into the study [Group 1 and 2: non-diabetic obese patients, no.= 25, body mass index (BMI): 28-39.9 kg/m(2), no.=25, BMI≥40 kg/m(2), respectively, and Group 3: 24 healthy, normal weight control subjects]. METHODS: Serum levels of NEFA and adipokines as well as other metabolic variables including HOMA-IR were measured. RESULTS: HOMA-IR was associated positively with BMI, waist circumference, serum NEFA, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, negatively with adiponectin, with no significant relation to resistin. In multiple regression analyses, of these factors leptin was a strong, IL-6 and adiponectin were weak independent predictors of HOMA-IR, while the others were not significant determinants of HOMA-IR. However, even together, they explained only 35-36% of variance of HOMAIR. CONCLUSIONS: Although IR has associations with many of the investigated parameters, of these, only serum level of leptin, and in lesser degree IL-6 and adiponectin are independent determinants of the severity of IR. Moreover, even together they explain only a minority of variance IR.

Validated spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods for determination of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine in nanocarriers.

UV-VIS-Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods have been developed and validated allowing the quantification of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (CIAIPc) in nanocarriers. In order to validate the methods, the linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, and selectivity were examined according to USP 30 and ICH guidelines. Linearities range were found between 0.50-3.00 microg x mL(-1) (Y = 0.3829 X [CIAIPc, microg x mL(-1)] + 0.0126; r = 0.9992) for spectrophotometry, and 0.05-1.00 microg x mL(-1) (Y = 2.24 x 10(6) X [CIAIPc, microg x mL(-1)] + 9.74 x 10(4); r = 0.9978) for spectrofluorimetry. In addition, ANOVA and Lack-of-fit tests demonstrated that the regression equations were statistically significant (p<0.05), and the resulting linear model is fully adequate for both analytical methods. The LOD values were 0.09 and 0.01 microg x mL(-1), while the LOQ were 0.27 and 0.04 microg x mL(-1) for spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods, respectively. Repeatability and intermediate precision for proposed methods showed relative standard deviation (RSD) between 0.58% to 4.80%. The percent recovery ranged from 98.9% to 102.7% for spectrophotometric analyses and from 94.2% to 101.2% for spectrofluorimetry. No interferences from common excipients were detected and both methods were considered specific. Therefore, the methods are accurate, precise, specific, and reproducible and hence can be applied for quantification of CIAIPc in nanoemulsions (NE) and nanocapsules (NC).

Relationship of serum resistin level to traits of metabolic syndrome and serum paraoxonase 1 activity in a population with a broad range of body mass index.

UNLABELLED: The relationship between resistin, one of the adipokines, and metabolic syndrome is not fully elucidated. Altered activity of the HDL-associated antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase 1 (PON1) that participates in the antioxidant defense mechanisms of HDL may have an important role in the obesity-related accelerated atherosclerosis. Inverse associations of PON1 with obesity and serum levels of leptin have been demonstrated. Our aim was to investigate the association of serum levels of resistin with (i) PON1 activity, and (ii) parameters of metabolic syndrome, including some that are additional for research. A total of 74 Caucasian subjects were recruited into the study and divided into 3 age and sex-matched groups. Group 1, 25 non-diabetic overweight/obese subjects with BMI of 28-39.9 kg/m (2); group 2, 25 non-diabetic obese patients with BMI >or=40 kg/m (2); and the control group 3, 24 healthy, normal-weight control subjects. Serum levels of resistin were correlated negatively with BMI (r=-0.27, P<0.05), waist circumference (r=-0.28, P<0.05), serum levels of leptin (r=-0.28, P<0.05), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) (r=-0.23, P<0.05), and HbA (1C) (r=-0.26, P<0.05), systolic BP (r=-0.28, P<0.05), and lipid peroxidation (measured by TBARS) (r=-0.40, P<0.01), and correlated positively with PON1 (r=0.24, P<0.05). No association was detected between the serum concentrations of resistin and the following investigated parameters: diastolic BP, levels of uric acid, glucose, insulin, or insulin resistance (measured by homeostasis model assessment, HOMA-IR), triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C. During multiple regression analyses BMI and TBARS were independent predictors of PON1, while age, gender, blood pressure, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, HDL-C, and resistin were not. CONCLUSIONS: Among the study subjects, serum levels of resistin showed a positive, although not independent correlation with serum PON1, and a negative correlation with numerous parameters of the metabolic syndrome (i.e. adiposity, blood pressure, levels of leptin, free fatty acid, glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid peroxidation). BMI and TBARS are independent predictors of PON1 activity.

[New ways of correcting metabolic acidosis in experimental periodontitis]. / Novi mozhlivosti korektsii metabolichnogo atsidozu za umov eksperimental'nogo parodontitu.

Established prevention of atrophy of osseous cloth alveolar rats jaws sprouts and correction of metabolic acidosis of mineral concentrate "VITA" attached to modeling parodontit by dint of creation in them of fortune compensated metabolic acidosis. Mineral concentrate realizes normalization redoksfortune, thiol-disulphid system, lowering of relations SH/SS-group, multiplies maintenance oxidized and lowers maintenance restored of nicotinamid copherments, normalize relation HA[symbol: see text]/HA[symbol: see text]H in osseous jaws cloth of experimental rats attached to modeling in them metabolic acidosis and parodontit in distinction from fortune of alkalosis. Mineral complex will normalize in rats maintenance of regulators and orientation of exchange processes in cloths attached to parodontit, whereat indicates lowering of activity key gluconeogenesis processes enzyme fructosodiphosphatasa of liver cloths, mucous gum and alveolar sprouts of jaws.

[The effect of a photo-developing solution on respiratory and cardiac activities in rats when orally administered]. / Efectul solutiei revelator foto asupra activitatii respiratorii si cardiace la sobolani în cazul administrarii orale.

The development of cinema art brought about the increase in the number of laboratories which prepare photosensitive materials. In case of laboratories not complying with rules regarding the preparation and handling of the solutions for processing photos, these solutions can penetrate in the organism trough the skin and be accidentally digested. The goal of the experiment is to study the effects of developing solution for white/black Azomures photographic paper on respiratory and cardiac activity of the Wistar rat (weight = 180-200 g) through oral administration. Three experimental groups (lots) of animals were formed (8 animals/group). The control group was given 1 ml of distilled water; the first (I) group was given 1 ml of 1/10 diluted photo-processing solution and the second (II) group was given 1 ml of the same solution, but 1/4 diluted. The administration of it was made in a single dose with a gastric drill. The respiratory and cardiac (ECG) frequencies were monitored during a 4 hours period, from the onset of administration. When 1/10 diluted developing solution was administrated a decrease in the respiratory frequency was recorded after one hour, but the effect vanished at the end of the experiment (4 hours). Fifteen minutes after 1/4 diluted solution was administered, a decrease in respiratory frequency per minute was determined, this result also disappeared at the end of 4 hours. However, these differences failed to reach significance (p = 0, 54). The effect of developing solution on cardiac activity shows a decrease of cardiac frequency in both experimental (I, II) groups. However, there is a difference in the effect of the diluted solution on the rats. The 1/10 diluted solution decrease the cardiac frequency over an approximate period of 1 hour and a half, but the 1/4 diluted solution showed a decrease in cardiac frequency up until the end of the ECG reading.

[Surgical treatment of paroxysmal cardiac arrhythmias with extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermic protection]. / Khirurgicheskoe lechenie proksizmal'nykh narushenii ritma serdtsa v usloviiakh iskusstvennogo krovoobrashcheniia i uglublennoi gipotermicheskoi zashchity.

The paper analyzes the results of surgical management of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in 29 patients. Evidence is provided that it is not necessary to perform an intracardiac electrophysiological study in all patients in the preoperative period. A method for pacing mapping is proposed, which is advisable to be used in conduction block by the accessory pathway during an operation. Surgical policy is also discussed in the paper in relation to the site of accessory pathway. The paper provides the results of surgical management of cardiac fibrillation in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in deep hypothermic protection.