Possible role of lncRNAs in amelioration of Parkinson's disease symptoms by transplantation of dopaminergic cells.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Since dopaminergic cell transplantation is a clinical method to treat PD, this study investigated the effects of dopaminergic cell therapy on the expression of some lncRNAs and genes related to PD. In this study, Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. The control group (Sal group) received saline injections. The Par group was a PD rat model with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injection in right striatum (ST). PD animals were transplanted by undifferentiated P19 stem cells (Par-E group), and P19-derived dopaminergic cells (Par-N group). Cell transplant effects were evaluated using behavioral tests (cylinder, open field, and rotarod tests), and histological methods (H&E and Nissl staining, and immunohistochemistry). Moreover, the expression of lncRNAs MALAT1, MEG3, and SNHG1, alongside specific neuronal (synaptophysin) and dopaminergic (tyrosine hydroxylase) markers was evaluated by qRT-PCR. Behavioral and histopathological examinations revealed that cell transplantation partially compensated dopaminergic cell degeneration in ST and substantia nigra (SN) of PD rats. The expression of MALAT1, SNHG1, and MEG3 was decreased in the ST of the Par group, while MEG3 and SNHG1 gene expression was increased in PBMC relative to the Sal group. In PBMC of the Par-N group, all three lncRNAs showed a reduction in their expression. Conversely, MALAT1 and SNHG1 expression was increased in ST tissue, while MEG3 gene expression was decreased compared to the Sal group. In conclusion, dopaminergic cell transplantation could change the lncRNAs expression. Furthermore, it partially improves symptoms in PD rats.

Size-dependent molecular interaction of nontraditional 2D antibiotics withStaphylococcus aureus.

The application of nanomaterials for their antibacterial properties is the subject of many studies due to antibiotic resistance of pathogen bacteria and the necessity of omitting them from food and water resources. Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most popular candidates for antibacterial application. However, the optimum condition for such an effect is not yet clear for practical purposes. To shed light on how GO and bacteria interaction depends on size, a wide range of GO flake sizes from hundreds of µm2going down to nano-scale as low as 10 N m2was produced. In anin-vitrosystematic study to inhibitStaphylococcus aureusgrowth, the correlation between GO flake size, thickness, functional group density, and antibacterial activity was investigated. The GO suspension with the average size of 0.05 µm2, in the order of the size of the bacteria itself, had the best bacteriostatic effect onS. aureuswith the minimum inhibitory concentration value of 8 µg ml-1, well within the acceptable range for practical use. The bacteriostatic effect was measured to be a 76.2% reduction of the colony count over 2 h of incubation and the mechanism of action was the wrapping and isolation of cells from the growth environment. Furthermore,in-vivoanimal studies revealed that 16 µg ml-1of the optimum GO has efficient antibacterial performance against the methicillin-resistant strains of the bacteria with an enhanced wound healing rate and tensiometrial parameters which is important for realized targets.

Systemic infection with Candida albicans in breast tumor bearing mice: Cytokines dysregulation and induction of regulatory T cells.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of candidemia on immunologic parameters in breast tumor bearing patients is not well studied. Here, we hypothesised that candidemia in the tumor background may change the outcome of immunologic parameters and tumor condition. METHOD: Mice were divided into four groups, including normal, tumor, Candida infected (only Candidiasis) and tumor/Candidiasis groups. Tumor changes were recorded daily after tumor transplantation and induction of candidemia. Splenocytes of mice were harvested, cultured, and stimulated with PHA; afterwards, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α and TGF-ß cytokines were assessed using ELISA kits. We also evaluated the population of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the tumor infiltrated and splenocytes. RESULTS: The results showed that infection with C. albicans decreased the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in tumor/candidiasis and candidiasis groups versus their non-infected controls. IL-10, TGF-ß and TNF-α levels increased in the candidiasis group. In addition, Candidemia led to an increase in the Treg population in tumor microenvironment and splenocytes of experimental groups compared with non-infected controls. Finally, candidemia increased tumor growth of tumor/Candidiasis group compared with the tumor group. CONCLUSION: It seems that systemic infection with C. albicans could not only induce regulatory T cells but also result in dysregulation of cytokine network and thereby facilitate tumor growth.

Patterns of lymph node sampling and the impact of lymph node density in favorable histology Wilms tumor: An analysis of the national cancer database.

INTRODUCTION: There is controversy about the role of lymph node (LN) sampling or dissection in the management of favorable histology (FH) Wilms tumor (WT), specifically how it performed and how it may impact survival. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze factors affecting LN sampling patterns and the impact of LN yield and density (number of positive LNs/LNs examined) on overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced-stage favorable histology Wilms tumor (FHWT). METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients with FHWT during 2004-2013. Demographic, clinical and OS data were abstracted for those who underwent surgical resection. Poisson regression was performed to analyze how factors influenced LN yield. Patients with positive LNs had LN density calculated and were further analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2340 patients met criteria, with a median age at diagnosis of 3 years (range 0-78 years). The median number of LNs examined was three (range 0-87). Lymph node yield was affected by age, race, insurance, tumor size, laterality, advanced stage, LN positivity, and institutional volume. A total of 390 (16.6%) patients had LN-positive disease. Median LN density for these LN-positive patients was 0.38 (range 0.02-1) (Summary Figure). Estimated 5-year OS was significantly improved for those with LN density ≤0.38 vs. >0.38 (94% vs. 84.6%, P = 0.012). In this population, on multivariate analysis, age and LN density were significant predictors of OS. DISCUSSION: It is difficult to compile large numbers of cases in rare diseases like WT, and fortunately a large administrative database such as the NCDB can serve as a great resource. However, administrative data come with inherent limitations such as missing data and inability to account for a variety of factors that may influence LN yield and/or OS (specimen designation, pathologist experience, surgeon experience/volume, institutional Children's Oncology Group (COG) association, etc.). In this specific disease, the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging (captured by the NCDB) is different than the COG WT staging system that is used clinically, and the NCDB does not capture oncologic outcomes beyond OS. CONCLUSIONS: In a review of the NCDB, various factors associated with LN yield and observed LN density were identified to be significantly associated with OS in patients with LN-positive FHWT. This reinforces the need for adequate LN sampling at the time of WT surgery, to maximize surgical disease control. It was proposed that LN density as a metric may allow for improved risk-stratification, and possibly allow for therapeutic reduction in a sub-set of patients with low LN density.

Is mucin a determinant of peritoneal dissemination of gastrointestinal cancer? Analysis of mucin depletion in two preclinical models

Background. Mucinous gastrointestinal cancers may indicate a higher propensity for widespread peritoneal seeding than their non-mucinous counterparts. We hypothesized that mucin content of gastrointestinal cancer cells and tumors is an indicator of cell viability and a determinant of the peritoneal tumor burden and tested our hypothesis in relevant experimental models. Methods. MKN45 and LS174T models of human gastrointestinal cancer were treated with known mucin-depleting agents in vitro and in vivo, their mucin production was evaluated with Western blot immunohistochemistry, PAS staining and ELISA, and its correlation with cell viability and peritoneal tumor burden was analyzed. Results. A relationship was found between the viability of cancer cells and their mucin levels in vitro. In agreement, when treated animal models were categorized into low- and high-burden groups (based on the weight and number of the peritoneal nodules), tumoral mucin levels were found to be significantly higher in the latter group. Conclusions. Tumoral mucin is apparently among the factors that dictate the pattern and extent of the peritoneal spread of gastrointestinal cancer, where it allows for enhanced dissemination and redistribution. If further tested and validated, our hypothesis could lay the basis for the development of novel mucin-targeted strategies (AU)

No disponible

Is mucin a determinant of peritoneal dissemination of gastrointestinal cancer? Analysis of mucin depletion in two preclinical models.

BACKGROUND: Mucinous gastrointestinal cancers may indicate a higher propensity for widespread peritoneal seeding than their non-mucinous counterparts. We hypothesized that mucin content of gastrointestinal cancer cells and tumors is an indicator of cell viability and a determinant of the peritoneal tumor burden and tested our hypothesis in relevant experimental models. METHODS: MKN45 and LS174T models of human gastrointestinal cancer were treated with known mucin-depleting agents in vitro and in vivo, their mucin production was evaluated with Western blot immunohistochemistry, PAS staining and ELISA, and its correlation with cell viability and peritoneal tumor burden was analyzed. RESULTS: A relationship was found between the viability of cancer cells and their mucin levels in vitro. In agreement, when treated animal models were categorized into low- and high-burden groups (based on the weight and number of the peritoneal nodules), tumoral mucin levels were found to be significantly higher in the latter group. CONCLUSIONS: Tumoral mucin is apparently among the factors that dictate the pattern and extent of the peritoneal spread of gastrointestinal cancer, where it allows for enhanced dissemination and redistribution. If further tested and validated, our hypothesis could lay the basis for the development of novel mucin-targeted strategies.

Improved survival with dose-escalated radiotherapy in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: analysis of the National Cancer Database.

BACKGROUND: Concurrent chemoradiation is the standard of care in non-operable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Data have suggested a benefit of dose escalation; however, results from the randomized dose-escalation trial RTOG 0617 revealed a lower survival rate with high-dose radiation. To evaluate the impact of dose escalation on overall survival (OS) in stage III NSCLC treated with chemoradiotherapy outside the controlled setting of a randomized trial, we carried out an observational, population-based investigation of the National Cancer Database (NCDB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 33 566 patients with stage III NSCLC treated with chemoradiation from 2004 to 2012 and radiation doses between 59.4 and 85 Gy were included. The primary end point was OS, with median survival calculated via Kaplan-Meier. Univariate, multivariable and propensity-score matching analyses were carried out. RESULTS: Patients were stratified by dose with median OS of: 18.8, 19.8 and 21.6 months for cohorts receiving 59.4-60, 61-69 and ≥70 Gy, respectively (P < 0.001). Granular dose analyses were carried out demonstrating increased OS with increasing radiation dose: median survival of 18.8, 21.1, 22.0 and 21.0 months for 59.4-60, 66, 70 and ≥71 Gy, respectively. While 66, 70 and ≥71 Gy resulted in increased OS in comparison with 59.4-60 Gy, no significant difference in OS was observed when comparing 66 with ≥71 Gy (P = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Dose escalation above 60 Gy was associated with improved OS in this cohort of stage III NSCLC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. A plateau of benefit was observed, with no additional improvement in OS with increased dose (≥71 Gy) compared with 66-70 Gy. With evidence suggesting worse OS and quality of life with increased dose, these data support investigation of the role of intermediate-dose radiation, and in the absence of randomized evidence, may be leveraged to justify utilization of intermediate-dose radiation.

Disparities in disease presentation in the four screenable cancers according to health insurance status.

OBJECTIVES: Current guidelines support the use of screening for early detection in breast, prostate, colorectal and cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether insurance status predicts for more advanced disease in these four currently screened cancers. STUDY DESIGN: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for breast, prostate, colorectal and cervix in patients aged 18-64 years. The database was queried from 2007 to 2011, with 425,614 patients with known insurance status included. METHODS: Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate insurance status and cancer presentation. RESULTS: Under multivariate analysis for breast cancer, uninsured patients more often had invasive disease (odds ratio [OR]: 1.55), T- (OR: 2.00), N- (OR: 1.59) stage, and metastatic disease (OR: 3.48), and were more often high-grade (OR: 1.21). For prostate cancer, uninsured patients again presented more commonly with higher T-stage (OR: 1.45), nodal (OR: 2.90) and metastatic (OR: 4.98) disease, in addition to higher prostate-specific antigen (OR: 2.85) and Gleason score (OR: 1.65). Colorectal cancer had similar findings with uninsured individuals presenting with more invasive disease (OR: 1.78), higher T (OR: 1.86), N (OR: 1.22), and M (OR: 1.58) stage, in addition to higher carcinoembryonic antigen levels (OR: 1.66). Similar results were seen for cervical cancer with uninsured having higher T (OR: 2.03), N (OR: 1.21), and M (OR: 1.45) stage. CONCLUSION: In the four cancers detected by screening exams, those without health insurance present with more advanced disease, with higher stage and grade, and more elevated tumour markers.

The impact of postmastectomy and regional nodal radiation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for clinically lymph node-positive breast cancer: a National Cancer Database (NCDB) analysis.

BACKGROUND: Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), the optimal strategies for postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) are controversial. In this analysis, we evaluate the impact of these radiotherapy (RT) approaches for women with clinically node-positive breast cancer treated with NAC in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with cT1-3 cN1 M0 breast cancer treated with NAC were divided into four cohorts by surgery [Mastectomy (Mast) versus BCS] and post-chemotherapy pathologic nodal status (ypN0 versus ypN+). Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and RT approaches were analyzed using the log-rank test, multivariate Cox models, and propensity score-matched analyses. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2011, 15 315 cases were identified including 3040 Mast-ypN0, 7243 Mast-ypN+, 2070 BCS-ypN0, and 2962 BCS-ypN+ patients. On univariate analysis, PMRT was associated with improved OS for both Mast-ypN0 (P = 0.019) and Mast-ypN+ (P < 0.001) patients. On multivariate analyses adjusted for factors including age, comorbidity score, cT stage, in-breast pathologic complete response, axillary surgery, ypN stage, estrogen receptor status and hormone therapy, PMRT remained independently associated with improved OS among Mast-ypN0 [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.729, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.566-0.939, P = 0.015] and Mast-ypN+ patients (HR = 0.772, 95% CI 0.689-0.866, P < 0.001). No differences in OS were observed with the addition of RNI to breast RT for BCS-ypN0 or BCS-ypN+ patients. Propensity score-matched analyses demonstrated identical patterns of significance. On subset analysis, OS was improved with PMRT in each pathologic nodal subgroup (ypN0, ypN1, and ypN2-3) (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest reported analysis of RT for cN1 patients treated with NAC, PMRT was associated with improved OS for all pathologic nodal subgroups. No OS differences were observed with the addition of RNI to breast RT.

Relationship between ABO blood group and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

UNLABELLED: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) constitute a family of genetically heterogeneous lymphoid neoplasms derived from B- and T-lymphoid progenitors. ALL affects both children and adults. Diagnosis is based on morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic features that allow differentiation from normal progenitors and other hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic neoplasms. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ALL and ABO blood group. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a case-control study that was carried out in Amir Oncology Hospital in Shiraz during 2011 to2013. The case group consisted of 293 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. And compared with 300 subject in control group ( the age in the case group was between 2-5 year, and the age in the control group was between 2-45 year) .Statistical analyzes was done performed by chi -square test. The results was considered significant when p value <0.05. (CI:0.95). RESULTS: The ABO blood group distribution was 82(A), 59 (B), 24 (AB) and 128(O) in patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and the blood group of 300 participants in the control group include, 63% (25) A, 69% (25.6) B, 18 % 06.8) AB and 101% (42.6) O. The ABO blood group distribution showed that there is significant differences between ABO blood group and patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia . CONCLUSION: This study showed significant association between ALL and ABO blood group and showed that blood group AB was associated with a higher risk of All (p value<0.001).

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on mouse sperm.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the abnormalities in sperm after exposure to hydrostatic pressure. BACKGROUND: Hydrostatic pressure acting on the cells is one of the fundamental environmental mechanical forces. Disorders of relationship between the cells and this mechanical force, such as when pressure varies beyond physiological limits, can lead to disease or pathological states. Sperm exposed to different range of hydrostatic pressure within male reproductive system and after entering the female reproductive system. METHODS: Sexually mature male NMRI mice, 8-12 weeks-old were sperm donors. Sperms were separated from the caudal epididymis and maintained in Ham's F-10 culture medium supplemented with 10 % FBS and divided into control and treatments. Sperm suspensions in the treatments were placed within pressure chamber and were subjected to increased hydrostatic pressure of 25, 50 and 100 mmHg (treatment I, II and III) above atmospheric pressure for 2 and 4 h. Sperm viability, motility, morphology, DNA integrity and fertilizing ability were assessed and compared with control. RESULTS: Results showed that hydrostatic pressure dependent on ranges and time manner reduced sperm quality due to adverse effect on viability, motility , morphology, DNA integrity and fertilizing ability in all of treatments, especially after 4h (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data revealed hydrostatic pressure reduces sperm quality as a consequence of adverse effects on sperm parameters and may cause male infertility or subfertility (Tab. 5, Ref. 5).

Oxygen-tension controlled matrices for enhanced osteogenic cell survival and performance.

The success of a clinically-applicable bone tissue engineering construct for large area bone defects depends on its ability to allow for homogeneous bone regeneration throughout the construct. Insufficient vascularization, and consequently inadequate oxygen tension, throughout constructs has been largely cited as the most significant obstacle facing successful bone regeneration in large area defects. The development of constructs that support bone and vessel-forming cell growth and function throughout the scaffold structure are desired for large-area bone defect repair. Here, we developed oxygen tension-controlled matrices that support more homogenous oxygen levels throughout the constructs. Specifically, we examined polylactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds with optimized pore distribution and the percent pore volumes, and demonstrated significantly decreased oxygen and pH gradient from the exterior of the construct to the interior after long-term cell culture in vitro. We confirmed the ability of these optimized constructs to support the cellular survival via live/dead assay. In addition, we examined their ability to support the maintenance of two clinically relevant progenitor cell populations for bone tissue engineering and vascularization, namely mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and confirmed the expression of key bone and vascular markers via immunofluorescence.

Identification of ɛ-caprolactam, melamine and urea in polyvinylpyrrolidone powders by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

A sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar electrokinetic chromatography (SDS-MEKC) method for the simultaneous separation and identification of ɛ-caprolactam, melamine and urea deliberately added to polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone) products has been developed. All samples to be analyzed contained paracetamol as an internal marker (IM). The optimized separations were performed in 50mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 2% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in fused silica capillaries with UV absorption detection at 200nm. The method was validated with respect to repeatability and intermediate precision, selectivity and robustness with satisfactory results. The relative migration times (RMT) were found to be between 0.03% and 0.13% for intra-day precision and between 0.50% and 0.60% for inter-day precision in four days. The detection limits were determined to be 1.3 (11.5µM), 0.4 (3.5µM) and 41µg/ml (0.4mM) for ɛ-caprolactam, melamine and urea, respectively.

Clinical significance of mild inferolateral wall ischemia of the left ventricle on 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

INTRODUCTION: Mild ischemia in the inferolateral wall on myocardial perfusion imaging is seen frequently in practice. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of the above issue on myocardial perfusion SPECT with coronary angiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients enrolled in this study exhibited mild ischemia of the inferolateral wall on myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 99mTc-MIBI, using the 20 left ventricular segments model. Each patient completed a questionnaire, including type of chest pain, risk factors, and previous examinations, and all cases were followed up for one year. Luminal stenosis of >50% was classified as significant stenosis on coronary angiography. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: During investigation, 105 cases had mild ischemia on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) of which 36 subjects (22 male and 14 female) underwent coronary angiography. The mean age was 56.62±10.23 years old (age range: 36-73 years). The inferolateral wall was compared to the left circumflex (LCX) territory. Nineteen out of 36 (52.7%) cases had stenosis in the LCX. Twenty-three of 105 (21.90%) underwent revascularization during the one year follow up. In multiple logistic regressions, with LCX stenosis on angiography as the dependent variable, only abnormal MPI was independently associated significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study may indicate that even a mild perfusion defect in the inferolateral wall should be carefully managed, especially in high-risk subjects for coronary artery disease.

Noninvasive 3D pressure calculation from PC-MRI via non-iterative harmonics-based orthogonal projection: constant flow experiment.

Use of phase-contrast (PC) MRI in assessment of hemodynamics has significant clinical importance. In this paper we develop a novel approach to determination of hemodynamic pressures. 3D gradients of pressure obtained from Navier-Stokes equation are expanded into a series of orthogonal basis functions, and are subsequently projected onto an integrable subspace. Before the projection step however, a scheme is devised to eliminate the discontinuity at the vessel and image boundaries. In terms of the computation time, the proposed approach significantly improves on previous iterative methods for pressure calculations. The method has been validated using computational fluid dynamic simulations and in-vitro MRI studies of stenotic flows.

The effect of parental ABO blood group on fetal surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Several factors may cause infertility and fetal loss. Blood groups antigens seem to be implied in the mechanisms of infertility and fetal loss. Maternal natural antibody can react against father's blood group antigens on spermatozoa. The effects of parental blood group system on infertility and fetal surveillance perceived by its manifestation in prezygotic (caused infertility) and postzygotic (caused fetal loss) stages. Objective of the present study is to determine the effect of parental ABO blood group on fetal surveillance and men infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross sectional study. Our study was carried out in fertility and infertility center of Yazd city. Blood group of 118males (group1:100 males with infertility and group 2: 18 males with abortion history in female partners) that referred to this center was evaluated based on medical document's patients. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16 software using chi-square test. The results were considered significant when P-value was <0.05, CI: 0.95. RESULTS: Results indicated that overall distribution of blood groups in group 1 was:50%, 25%, 16% and 9% and in group 2: 56%,27%,11%,6% for blood groups O, A, B and AB respectively. There is a significant relationship between male infertility and blood group O (P value = 0.01). There is also a significant relationship between parental blood group O and fetal loss in group 2 (P value =0.03). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that there is a significant relationship between father's blood group O and fetal loss, so that appropriate intervention strategies can be followed.

Complete improvement in a patient with multiple irreversible defects of the left ventricle on 99m technetium-sestamibi SPECT after percutaneous coronary intervention.

99mTc-sestamibi has been investigated as a potential viability marker; initial studies have shown good concordance between 201Tl and 99mTc-sestamibi activities in both viable and nonviable myocardium. However, assessment of myocardial viability by 99mTc-sestamibi remains controversial for tissue recovery after revascularization. Here, we present a patient with several regions of severely diminished and irreversible (defect persisting in both early and delay images of each set scanning) defects on initial scan which were dissolved completely on the follow up scan after an intervention. In a 75 year-old Asian woman with acute myocardial infarction who received thrombolytic therapy and subjected to percutaneous coronary angiography (PCI) on day 28 after acute myocardial infarction(MI), resting 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT was applied on day 4 (initial scan) and 138 (follow up scan) after acute MI at 30 and 180 min after injection of tracer (740 MBq); Two-dimensional echocardiography was carried out at the same time. On the initial image set, there was irreversible defects in the apex, anteroapical, inferoapical, anteroseptal, septal and also anterior walls, while the follow up image was normal in all regions.The angiography intervention showed just significant stenosis on left anterior descending (LAD) vessel (95%). This may highlight the failure of 99mTc-sestamibi as a marker of myocardial viability and also mandate further validating of the procedure with follow up scan or other modalities for myocardial viability investigation.

Dilute solution properties of Balangu (Lallemantia royleana) seed gum: effect of temperature, salt, and sugar.

The interaction between hydrocolloids and solvent/cosolutes are the predominant factors determining their functional properties in food systems. In this research, the influence of different temperatures, salts and sugars were investigated on some molecular parameters of Balangu seed gum (BSG) as a new potential source of hydrocolloid. The results revealed that BSG has a high molecular weight (3.65 × 10(6)g/mole) and intrinsic viscosity (7236.18 ml/g), rather flexible chain with a chain flexibility parameter of 1156.53, low stiffness parameter (0.346 for Na(+) and 0.507 for Ca(2+)) and hydrogel content (46%). It was observed that except for water, the solutions of different salts (NaCl and CaCl(2)) and sugars (sucrose and lactose) are poor solvents for BSG as indicated by a monotonous decrease in intrinsic viscosity, swollen specific volume, shape function, hydration parameter, and coil dimensions. The parameters representing the interactions of BSG molecules with different cosolutes, i.e. hydrogel content and Huggins constant, were observed to increase significantly as the ionic strength and sugar concentrations increased from 0.005 to 0.05 M and 2.5 to 40% w/v, respectively. In addition, the elevated temperatures (20-50 °C) induced a clear contraction in BSG dimensional and shape parameters along with a decrease in solvent quality and the extent of associated water molecules through hydrogen bonds and/or physical entrainment. These results may be of high significance when considering the influence of major additives generally used in food products, such as various salts and sugars, and/or frequent processing parameters like temperature on rheological and functional points of view.