Soluble or soluble/membrane TNF-α inhibitors protect the brain from focal ischemic injury in rats.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an immunomodulatory and proinflammatory cytokine implicated in neuro-inflammation and neuronal damage in response to cerebral ischemia. The present study tested the hypothesis that anti-TNF-α agents may be protective against cerebral infarction. Transient focal ischemia was artificially induced in anesthetized adult male Wistar rats (300-350 g) by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with an intraluminal suture. TNF-α function was interfered with either a chimeric monoclonal antibody against TNF-α (infliximab-7 mg/kg) aiming to TNF-α soluble and membrane-attached form; or a chimeric fusion protein of TNF-α receptor-2 with a fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of IgG1 (etanercept-5 mg/kg) aiming for the TNF-α soluble form. Both agents were administered intraperitoneally 0 or 6 h after inducing ischemia. Infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Cerebral infarct volume was significantly reduced in either etanercept or infliximab-treated group compared with non-treated MCAO rats 24 h after reperfusion. These results suggest that anti-TNF-α agents may reduce focal ischemic injury in rats.

[Transcutaneous bilirubinometry and early hospital discharge in low risk newborns with jaundice]. / Bilirrubinometría transcutánea y egreso hospitalario temprano en neonatos de bajo riesgo con ictericia.

INTRODUCTION: Discharge soon after birth and beginning of therapeutic interventions in jaundiced newborns depends on the assessment of bilirubin serum levels. OBJECTIVE: The comparison between total bilirubin serum levels with transcutaneous bilirubin levels and evaluate utility of a hand held device to measure transcutaneous bilirubin as a diagnostic tool to predict early discharge. METHODOLOGY: Transversal, prolective study. Near simultaneous measurements of serum and transcutaneous bilirubin was undertaken in newborns with birth weight > 2000 grams, gestational age > 36 weeks and extrauterine life under 72 hours. RESULTS: 100 newborns were enrolled, with birth weight 3,135 +/- 499.9 grams, gestational age of 38.85 +/- 1.4 weeks and 45.46 +/- 1.75 hours of life at the time of bilirubin measurement. Correlation coefficient was 0.81 (p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Predischarge quantification of jaundice by transcutaneous bilirubin should be performed in all healthy newborns. Levels under 4.9 mg/dL within first 24 hours of life and values under 7.9 mg/dL between 48 to 72 hours, were considered safely to allow early discharge in newborns studied.

Separation albumin-PEG: transmission of PEG through ultrafiltration membranes.

Transmission of polyethylene glycol (PEG) through ultrafiltration membranes has been studied under various operating conditions of pressure, crossflow, and concentration, using different membranes cut-offs and two module designs with the aim of understanding the separation of PEG from BSA. The influence of protein adsorption and fouling of the choice of a membrane has also been considered. Retention depends in general on the molecule to average pore size ratio, as expected, but also on concentration polarization. Accordingly, all operating and design parameters favoring concentration polarization lead to higher transmission. At high fluxes, flexible macromolecules can pass through the membrane, even if the random coil is larger than the apparent average pore. From a process selectivity point of view, the best way to separate PEG from BSA would be to use a membrane totally retaining BSA and to enhance concentration polarization of PEG. Unfortunately, such conditions also increase fouling and concentration polarization by BSA, which limits flux and thus PEG concentration polarization and transmission. Consequences of such conditions on separation efficiency are discussed.