OBJECTIVE: We evaluated bacterial endotoxin adhesion, superficial micromorphology and mechanical properties of latex and non-latex intermaxillary orthodontic elastics.
METHODS: To quantify the adhered bacterial endotoxin, elastics were divided into 5 groups: experimental (n = 12) latex and non-latex elastics, previously contaminated by an endotoxin solution, negative control (n = 6) latex and non-latex elastics without contamination, and positive control (n = 6) stainless steel specimens (metallic replicas), contaminated by an endotoxin solution. In parallel, the structural micromorphology (n = 6) and surface roughness of latex and non-latex intermaxillary orthodontic elastics were assessed using confocal laser microscopy. Force degradation (g) and deformation of the internal diameter change (mm) were also evaluated. Structural micromorphology, surface roughness (µm), force degradation (g) and internal diameter (mm) change were evaluated at time 0 and after 24 and 72 h in a deformation test. Data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn, ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (α = 5%).
RESULTS: Endotoxin adhered similarly to both types of elastics with scores of 3 (> 1.0 EU/mL). The surface microstructure of both types of elastics showed irregularities and porosities at all times. Initially, the latex elastics had a higher surface roughness (p < 0.001) than the non-latex ones. After 24 h loading, surface roughness of the latex elastics was significantly reduced (p < 0.001), while after 72 h, the values were similar for both types (p > 0.05). The non-latex elastics had significantly higher force generation values (p < 0.05) at 0, 24 and 72 h compared with the latex elastics, although there was a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in force over time for both elastics. Despite similar initial values, non-latex elastics had a significantly larger internal diameter (p < 0.001) after the loading periods of 24 and 72 h compared with the latex elastics.
CONCLUSIONS: Both elastics showed high affinity with endotoxin and microstructural irregularities of their surface. The non-latex elastics generated higher force values but demonstrated greater deformation of the internal diameter after loading.
UNASSIGNED: ZIELSETZUNG: Wir untersuchten die bakterielle Endotoxinadhäsion, die oberflächliche Mikromorphologie und die mechanischen Eigenschaften von latexhaltigen und nicht-latexhaltigen intermaxillären kieferorthopädischen Elastics.
METHODS: Zur Quantifizierung des anhaftenden bakteriellen Endotoxins wurden die Elastics in 5 Gruppen eingeteilt: experimentelle (n = 12) Latex- und Nicht-Latex-Elastics, die zuvor mit einer Endotoxinlösung kontaminiert worden waren, Negativkontrolle (n = 6) Latex- und Nicht-Latex-Elastics ohne Kontamination und Positivkontrolle (n = 6) Edelstahlproben (metallische Nachbildungen), die mit einer Endotoxinlösung kontaminiert waren. Parallel dazu wurden die strukturelle Mikromorphologie (n =6 ) und die Oberflächenrauheit von intermaxillären Elastics aus Latex und aus Nicht-Latex mittels konfokaler Lasermikroskopie untersucht. Ebenfalls bewertet wurden der Kraftabbau (g) und die Verformung des Innendurchmessers (mm). Die strukturelle Mikromorphologie, die Oberflächenrauheit (µm), der Kraftabbau (g) und die Änderung des Innendurchmessers (mm) wurden zum Zeitpunkt 0 sowie nach 24 und 72 h in einem Verformungstest bewertet. Die Daten wurden mit den Tests Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn, ANOVA und Bonferroni (α = 5%) analysiert.
UNASSIGNED: Das Endotoxin haftete an beiden Arten von Elastics in ähnlicher Weise mit Scores von 3 (> 1,0 EU/ml). Die Oberflächenmikrostruktur beider Arten von Elastics zeigte zu jedem Zeitpunkt Unregelmäßigkeiten und Porositäten. Zu Beginn wiesen die Latex-Elastics eine höhere Oberflächenrauheit auf (p < 0,001) als die Nicht-Latex-Elastics. Nach 24 h Belastung war die Oberflächenrauheit der Latex-Elastics deutlich geringer (p < 0,001), während nach 72 h die Werte für beide Typen ähnlich waren (p < 0,05). Die Nicht-Latex-Elastics wiesen nach 0, 24 und 72 h signifikant höhere Werte für die Krafterzeugung auf (p < 0,05) als die Latex-Elastics, auch wenn die Kraft bei beiden Elastics im Laufe der Zeit signifikant abnahm (p < 0,001). Trotz ähnlicher Ausgangswerte wiesen die Nicht-Latex-Elastics nach den Belastungszeiten von 24 und 72 h einen signifikant größeren Innendurchmesser (p < 0,001) auf als die Latex-Elastics.
UNASSIGNED: Beide Elastics zeigten eine hohe Affinität zu Endotoxin und mikrostrukturelle Unregelmäßigkeiten auf ihrer Oberfläche. Die latexfreien Elastics erzeugten höhere Kraftwerte, wiesen aber nach der Belastung eine größere Verformung des Innendurchmessers auf.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain normal ranges for the inner diameters of the carotid arteries.
METHODS: This retrospective analysis included consecutive patients with disease-free carotid arteries who had undergone 3D-DSA at two hospitals in Nanning, Guangxi, between March 2013 and March 2018. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS), were extracted from the medical records. The 3D-DSA data were used to calculate the inner diameters of the carotid arteries.
RESULTS: The analysis included 1182 patients (837 males) aged 58.81 ± 11.02 years. The inner diameters of the proximal carotid sinus (CS), CS bulge, distal CS, and common carotid artery (CCA) were larger on the right than on the left (P < 0.05). The inner diameters of the proximal CS, CS bulge, distal CS, and CCA on both sides were larger for males than females (P < 0.05). The inner diameters of the proximal CS, CS bulge, and distal CS on both sides were smaller for patients aged > 65 years than for patients aged ≤ 55 years (P < 0.05). Right CCA inner diameter did not vary with age, whereas left CCA inner diameter was larger for patients aged > 55 years than for patients aged ≤ 45 years (P < 0.05). The inner diameters of the proximal CS, CS bulge, and distal CS on both sides were smaller for patients with ESRS ≥ 3 than those with ESRS < 3 (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides reference values for the internal diameters of normal carotid arteries. Carotid artery diameters varied with side, sex, and age.

BACKGROUND: Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) device is known to be an effective method for acute and chronic pain control and the administration route for PCA pump is various. The representative routes are intravenous and epidural space. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of catheter diameter on flow rate.
METHODS: IV extension tube or epidural catheter connected to Mechanical- or balloon-type PCA devices were examined (100 ml, 2 ml/hr). There were four groups each of 5 experiments: Group I: Mechanical-type pump + IV extension tube, Group II: Mechanical-type pump + epidural catheter, Group III: Balloon-type pump + IV extension tube, Group IV: Balloon-type pump + epidural catheter. The flow rate was indirectly measured by the weight change of collecting infusate bottle. Infusion fluid was distilled water. Experiment was carried out in a laboratory room with a constant room temperature of 20-22degrees C.
RESULTS: Infusion rate differed significantly among the groups, exhibiting flow rates within +/-15% of their expected rate for 28% (group IV) to 100% (group I) of their infusion duration. The mean Infusion rate in group I was significantly more rapid than that in other groups. The mean flow rate in group III was higher than that in group IV (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the use of an epidural catheter with a small internal diameter could decrease the flow rate of PCA device.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis (Ps) is a common, relapsing, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disorder of unknown etiology. Ps is not single organ disease confined to the skin but it is systematic inflammatory condition analogous to other inflammatory immune disorders which are known to have increased risk of heart disease. On other hand, inflammation plays also an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. So, there is striking similarity between molecular and inflammatory pathway in Ps and atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: Was to assess the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with Ps by using carotid ultrasonography.
METHODS: 60 patients with Ps were enrolled in this study after exclusion of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In addition, 20 age and gender matched healthy persons served as controls. Patients were classified according to Ps area and severity index (PASI) score into group I (20 mild patients), group II (20 moderate) and group III (20 severe). The average common carotid artery (CCA) intima media thickness (IMT), internal diameter (ID) and arterial wall mass index (AWMI) were measured using high resolution B- mode ultrasound.
RESULTS: Psoriatic patients showed statistically significant increase in CCA-IMT (P value 0.001), AWMI (P value 0.010) and significant decrease in ID (P value 0.001), as compared to controls.
CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis patients could be suggested as a group with an increased atherosclerotic risk especially in older ages with longer duration of Ps. The carotid IMT, ID and AWMI can identify patients with subclinical atherosclerosis who need special follow up to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether nursing staff can successfully use the I-gel and the intubating laryngeal mask Fastrach (ILMA) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
BACKGROUND: Although tracheal intubation is considered to be the optimal method for securing the airway during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, laryngoscopy requires a high level of skill.
METHODS: Forty five nurses inserted the I-gel and the ILMA in a manikin, with continuous and without chest compressions.
RESULTS: Mean intubation times for the ILMA and I-gel without chest compressions were 20.60 ± 3.27 and 18.40 ± 3.26 s, respectively (p < 0.0005). ILMA proved more successful than the I-gel regardless of compressions. Continuation of compressions caused a prolongation in intubation times for both the I-gel (p < 0.0005) and the ILMA (p < 0.0005).
CONCLUSIONS: In this mannequin study, nursing staff can successfully intubate using the I-gel and the ILMA as conduits with comparable success rates, regardless of whether chest compressions are interrupted or not.

Animal venoms are important sources for finding new pharmaceutical lead molecules. We used an analytical platform for initial rapid screening and identification of bioactive compounds from these venoms followed by fast and straightforward LC-MS only guided purification to obtain bioactives for further chemical and biological studies. The analytical platform consists of a nano-LC separation coupled post-column to high-resolution mass spectrometry and parallel on-line bioaffinity profiling for the acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP) in a chip based fluorescent enhancement based bioassay. AChBP is a stable structural homologue of the extracellular ligand binding domain of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR). This receptor is an extensively studied medicinal target, previously associated with epilepsy, Alzheimer\'s, schizophrenia and anxiety. The workflow is demonstrated with the venom of the Naja mossambica mossambica. Two medium affinity AChBP ligands were found. After subsequent LC-MS guided purification of the respective venom peptides, the purified peptides were sequenced and confirmed as Cytotoxin 1 and 2. These peptides were not reported before to have affinity for the AChBP. The purified peptides can be used for further biological studies.

Bombesin is a neuropeptide widely studied due to its ability to target various types of cancers. Technetium-99m on the other hand is ideal for diagnostic tumor targeting. The aim of the present study is the investigation of the coupling of the ligand (S)-(2-(2\'-pyridyl)ethyl)-d,l-cysteine with the BN-peptide Gln-Arg-Leu-Gly-Asn-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met(CONH2) through the spacer aminohexanoic acidand the labeling of the resulting derivative MBN with the synthon [M(CO)3(H2O)3](+) (M=(99m)Tc, Re). The peptide was synthesized according to the SPPS method, purified and characterized by ESI-MS. The new (99m)Tc-labeled biomolecule was stable in vitro, showed high affinity for the human GRP receptor expressed in PC3 cells and the rate of internalization was found to be time-dependent tissue distribution of the radiopeptide was evaluated in normal mice and in prostate cancer experimental models and significant radioactivity uptake was observed in the pancreas of normal mice as well as in PC3 tumors. Dynamic studies of the radiopeptide showed satisfactory tumor images.

OBJECTIVE: Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation has emerged as an option, in addition to reoperative surgical aortic valve replacement, to treat failed biologic heart valve substitutes. However, the clinical experience with this approach is still limited. We report the comprehensive experience of transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation in the Nordic countries from May 2008 to January 2012.
METHODS: A total of 45 transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantations were performed during the study period in 11 centers. The mean age of the patients was 80.6 years (range, 61-91), 26 were male and 19 were female, and the mean EuroSCORE, EuroSCORE II, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 35.4, 16.3, and 14.6, respectively. The type of failure was stenosis and combined in 58% (mean and peak aortic valve gradient, 77 and 45 mm Hg, respectively) and regurgitation in 42% of cases. The SAPIEN/XT (Edwards LifeSciences, Irvine, Calif) and CoreValve (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, Minn) system was used in 33 and 12 cases, respectively. The access route was transapical in 25, transfemoral in 17, transaortic in 2, and subclavian in 1 case. The mean follow-up was 14.4 months. The periprocedural and postoperative outcomes were assessed using the Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria.
RESULTS: No intraprocedural mortality occurred. The technical success rate was 95.6% (1 second valve implantation, 1 conversion to open surgery). The all-cause 30-day mortality was 4.4% (1 cardiac-related and 1 aspiration pneumonia). The major complications within 30 days included stroke in 2.2%, periprocedural myocardial infarction in 4.4%, and major vascular complication in 2.2% of patients. At 1 month, all but 1 patient had either no or mild paravalvular leakage, with a mean and peak valve gradient of 17 mm Hg (range, 4-38) and 30 mm Hg (range, 7-68), respectively. The mean gradient was greater than 20 mm Hg in 17% of patients and remained unchanged at 12 months. The 1-year survival was 88.1%.
CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation is widely performed, albeit in small numbers, in most centers in the Nordic countries. The short-term results were excellent in this high-risk patient population, demonstrating a low incidence of device- or procedure-related complications. However, a considerable number of patients were left with suboptimal systolic valve performance with unknown long-term effects, warranting close surveillance after transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an immune system disorder that affects 10-15% of the canine population. Short ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen represents one of the major seasonal sources of allergenic pollen proteins in Europe, particularly in the Pannonian valley of the Balkan region. In Serbia, about 66% of atopic dogs showed a positive intradermal skin test with its pollen extract, which is second to house dust mites. Therefore, characterization of Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen components, in terms of defining major and minor allergens that induce clinically manifested allergic reaction in dogs, is important for valid diagnosis and efficient therapy. This study has, for the first time, characterized and identified major Ambrosia artemisiifolia allergens in CAD, using an immunoproteomic approach. To assess the prevalence of specific IgE in electrophoretically separated ragweed pollen proteins, individual reactivity of sera from dogs with CAD was analyzed and compared to the reactivity of sera from healthy dogs in the non-reducing conditions, which were found optimal for specific canine IgE detection. A specific IgE band (38 kDa) was recognized as the most dominant allergen in CAD, occurring in 81% of positive dog\'s sera. 2-D immunoblotting followed by a mass spectrometry peptide fingerprint analyses with pooled canine and human atopic sera, revealed that 38 kDa major Ambrosia atremisiifolia allergens in CAD were all five isoallergens of the Amb a 1 group (antigen E), including the previously named Amb a 2 (antigen K). In contrast to canine sera, human atopic sera also recognized lower mass allergens such as the β fragment of Amb a 1 and profilins (Amb a 8 variants). The most prominent ragweed proteins in CAD, represent, as in humans, variants of all five isoallergens of the Amb a 1 group (pectate lyase): Amb a 1.0101 and its natural variant E1XUL2, Amb a 1.0202, 1.0304, 1.0402 and the natural variant of Amb a 1.0501, E1XUM0, as well as the α fragment of pollen allergen Amb a 1.0201.