Synthesis and photophysical properties of a bichromophoric system hosting a disaccharide spacer.

The synthesis of an efficient energy donor-acceptor system is reported, together with its photophysical properties. The bichromophoric species has been conceived to show potentialities for biological applications since a biocompatible disaccharide spacer, constituted of d-galactose and d-glucose derivatives, was used in compound 12 to connect two BODIPY units with different absorption/emission properties. The luminescence spectrum in acetonitrile of 12 shows an intense fluorescence band with a maximum at about 770 nm that is almost identical to that of the lowest-energy BODIPY, regardless of the excitation wavelength used. The quantum yield is 0.2 with an excited state lifetime of 2.5 ns. Excitation and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy demonstrates that a very efficient energy transfer takes place in 12 from the highest-energy lying BODIPY subunit to the lowest-energy emissive BODIPY moiety, with a time constant of about 31 ps. Noteworthily, the emission of 12 falls in the near infrared window, suitable for potential biological applications.

Novel atherogenic pathways from the differential transcriptome analysis of diabetic epicardial adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To evaluate the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) transcriptome in comparison to subcutaneous fat (SAT) in coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS AND RESULTS: SAT and EAT samples were obtained from subjects with T2DM and CAD (n = 5) and those without CAD with or without T2DM (=3) undergoing elective cardiac surgery. RNA-sequencing analysis was performed in both EAT and SAT. Gene enrichment analysis was conducted to identify pathways affected by the differentially expressed genes. Changes of top genes were verified by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot, and immunofluorescence. A total of 592 genes were differentially expressed in diabetic EAT, whereas there was no obvious changes in SAT transcriptome between diabetics and non-diabetics. Diabetic EAT was mainly enriched in inflammatory genes, such as Colony Stimulating Factor 3 (CSF3), Interleukin-1b (IL-1b), IL-6. KEGG pathway analysis confirmed that upregulated genes were involved in inflammatory pathways, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) and advanced glycation end-products-receptor advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE). The overexpression of inflammatory genes in diabetic EAT was largely correlated with upregulated transcription factors such as NF-κB and FOS. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic EAT transcriptome is significantly different when compared to diabetic SAT and highly enriched with genes involved in innate immune response and endothelium, like Pentraxin3 (PTX3) and Endothelial lipase G (LIPG). EAT inflammatory genes expression could be induced by upregulated transcription factors, mainly NF-kB and FOSL, primarily activated by the overexpressed AGE-RAGE signaling. This suggests a unique and novel atherogenic pathway in diabetes.

Mastite bovina por Pasteurella multocida: estudo de nove casos / Bovine mastitis by Pasteurella multocida: a study of nine cases

The uncommon occurrence of bovine mastitis by Pasteurella multocida is reported in nine cows. Mammary pasteurellosis was predominantly diagnosed predominantly in clinical cases, in dairy cows milked in the presence of calves. Low interference of immunosuppressive or predispose factors and absence of pulmonary signs were observed in animals. In vitro multiple drug resistance of isolates was observed to three or more conventional antimicrobials, especially with use of tetracycline and gentamicin. Epidemiologic findings, clinical signs, and antimicrobial profile were discussed in nine cases of bovine mastitis caused by P. multocida.

Reduction of postoperative hypothermia with a new warming device: a prospective randomized study in off-pump coronary artery surgery.

Hypothermia has been used for decades in cardiac surgery to limit the ischemic insult to the heart. With the diffusion of off-pump coronary artery surgery, the practice of arresting and cooling the heart has been abandoned. At University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, we tested a new warming device by performing a prospective study in which 50 patients were randomized to either the use of the Kimberly-Clark warming system or to standard methods of control of body temperature. The two groups were compared in terms of core body temperature (CBT), intra- and postoperative blood loss, blood products transfusions, extubation time, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay and incidence of infections. Five patients in the control group and 0 patients in the study group dropped their CBT below 35 degrees C during the operation (P<0.01). Total blood loss, measured in terms of cell-saver and chest tube drainage, was 27 % and 14 % less for the study group (P<0.01). Hospital length of stay was 1.2 day less in the study group (P<0.01). The Kimberly-Clark Patient Warming System allowed for better control of core body temperature during off pump coronary artery bypass surgery compared to traditional techniques. This translated in less intra and postoperative blood loss and shorter hospital length of stay. Other advantages, such as decreased blood-products transfusions, decreased incidence of infections, decreased ICU length of stay and overall reduction of costs might be evident on larger study groups.

Surto de mastite bovina causada por linhagens de Pseudomonas aeruginosa multirresistentes aos antimicrobianos / Outbreak of bovine mastitis caused by multiple drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains

Uncommon outbreak of mastitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in 19 cows was reported.Enrofloxacin (73.7%) and danofloxacin were in vitro effective against those strains. In vitro multipledrug resistance of the isolated bacteria was observed to five or more conventional antimicrobials usedfor mammary therapy, including ampicillin (100.0%), cefalexin (100.0%), cloxacillin (100.0%),gentamicin (100.0%), penicillin/novobiocin (100.0%), cefoperazone (52.6%), tetracycline (100.0%),florfenicol (94.7%), and neomycin (73.7%). Epidemiological findings, clinical signs, in vitrosusceptibility profile, control measures, and public health risks were discussed in cows infected by P. aeruginosa.

Perfil de sensibilidade e multirresistência em linhagens de Escherichia coli isoladas de infecção do trato urinário, de piometra e de fezes de cães / Sensitivity profile and multiresistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infection, pyometra and feces of dogs

Susceptibility profile and multiple drug resistance in 158 E. coli strains isolated from urinary tract infection (UTI), pyometra, and feces of dogs were studied. Norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin were the most-effective drugs (>60 percent) for E. coli strains. High rates of resistance to antimicrobials were observed in 60 percent or more of the isolated strains using sulfametoxazole/trimetoprim. Multiple drug resistance for three or more antimicrobials was observed in two (47.1 percent) strains isolated from UTI, seven (13.5 percent) from pyometra, and four (7.3 percent) from feces. From these, 17 (33.3 percent), one (1.9 percent), and three (5.5 percent), respectively, showed multiple resistance to five or more drugs.

Peracute bovine mastitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae / Mastite bovina hiperaguda causada por Klebsiella pneumoniae

Relata-se a ocorrência de graves sintomas de mastite hiperaguda em vaca, causada por Klebsiella pneumoniae, na terceira semana de lactação. Descrevem-se aspectos epidemiológicos, sintomas clínicos, procedimentos de diagnóstico microbiológico, conduta terapêutica e medidas de controle.

An unusual gangrenous goat mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli co-infection

Relata-se, pela primeira vez no Brasil, a ocorrência de mastite gangrenosa caprina atípica causada pela co-infecção por Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens e Escherichia coli em uma cabra da raça Boer, na segunda semana de lactação. Descrevem-se os achados clínicos, os procedimentos de diagnóstico microbiológico e a conduta terapêutica.

The role of beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting in the current era: a point of view.

Despite coronary artery revascularization on the beating heart was originally introduced in the 1960's, its further development was halted for several decades by advances in medical technology and by the development of the extracorporeal circulation. It is only in recent years that coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart has gained a secure role in the armamentarium of cardiac surgeons, mainly as a result of the popularization of new techniques of coronary exposure and stabilization. In later years, the expansion of interventional cardiology and the refinement of catheter-based techniques for treating coronary artery disease have corresponded to a substantial decline in the overall number of patients referred for surgery. Additionally, more and more patients have extensive disease and concomitant risk factors. These factors have made the future of coronary artery surgery uncertain. As these trends are likely to persist, and probably become more prominent in the future, it is essential for surgeons to embrace changes that may lead to improved surgical outcomes after coronary revascularization. In this article the authors review some of the aspects that have contributed to the popularization of off-pump coronary artery bypass and speculate on the importance of embracing innovative techniques in the field of coronary artery surgery.

Transmitral endoventricular repair of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm following mitral valve replacement.

Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is a rare but serious complication of mitral valve replacement and is usually the consequence of atrioventricular separation. Although there may be a role for nonoperative treatment in the presence of a small false aneurysm and in the absence of paravalvular leak, the presence of a large false aneurysm usually mandates surgical intervention. This may be hazardous in patients with concomitant LV dysfunction. We report a case of a patient who presented with a large LV pseudoaneurysm following numerous attempts of mitral valve replacements for a variety of reasons, including endocarditis. Some of the technical details of aneurysm repair and aspects of myocardial protection are discussed. In our patient, avoidance of cardioplegic arrest may have contributed to the successful outcome.

"H" graft from the right internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending coronary artery: an alternative strategy in reoperative grafting of the LAD territory.

Reoperative grafting of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery or its diagonal branches can be accomplished through a left anterior small thoracotomy (LAST) on the beating heart using the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) as a conduit. Patients in whom the LIMA has been used previously, however, are generally excluded from this approach unless an alternative technique is utilized. We describe a new technique applicable to these patients that consists of grafting the LAD through a LAST approach and connecting the graft to the right internal mammary artery (RIMA).

Surgical strategy for repair of large pseudoaneurysms of the aortic isthmus.

Resection of unusually large pseudoaneurysms of the aortic isthmus is complex, and involves various strategies of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), cerebral and spinal cord protection. We report on a patient with a giant pseudoaneurysm of the distal arch and proximal descending aorta, in whom cannulation of the femoral artery was unfeasible. Instead, the right axillary artery and the left femoral vein were cannulated. This technique allowed to perform a left anterolateral thoracotomy with the patient already on CPB and hypothermic, and to shorten the duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting with and without cardiopulmonary bypass: determinants of perioperative morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study evaluates perioperative results of reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with and without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: From January 1995 to March 1999 reoperative CABG was performed on 581 patients: 307 (52.84%) patients were operated upon on-CPB and 274 (47.16%) off-CPB. Median sternotomy was used in all patients on-CPB. Median sternotomy or alternative surgical approaches were used in the off-CPB group. Data was retrospectively reviewed. To identify the variables independently related to perioperative mortality and adverse outcome, multivariate analysis was performed in the overall population of 581 patients. RESULTS: Preoperative risk factors were comparable in the two groups. Critical lesions of the right and left circumflex coronary artery were more common in the on-CPB group (p < 0.005). A total of 2.7 grafts/patient was performed in the on-CPB group versus 1.3 grafts/patient in the off-CPB group (p = NS). Freedom from postoperative complications was higher in the off-CPB group (72% versus 90.9%, p < 0.005). Perioperative stroke and respiratory failure rates were more common in the on-CPB group (3.9% versus 0.7% and 5.9% versus 2.2% respectively, p < 0.005). Actual mortality was 5.9% in the on-CPB group and 3.6% in the off-CPB group (p = NS). Risk adjusted mortality was 2.2% and 1.3% in the on-CPB and off-CPB groups respectively. Although CPB was found to be independently related to adverse outcome (odds ratio (OR) = 2.89, p-value < 0.005), no correlation was found between mortality and CPB. CONCLUSIONS: Avoidance of CPB independently reduces adverse outcomes in reoperative CABG without affecting mortality rate.