Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity assays of amino acids functionalized magnetite nanoparticles: Hyperthermia and flow cytometry applications.

We report the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) and their functionalization with glycine (MNPGly), β-alanine (MNPAla), L-phenylalanine (MNPPhAla), D-(-)-α-phenylglycine (MNPPhGly) amino acids. The functionalized nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), magnetic hyperthermia (MH), dynamic light scattering and zeta potential. The functionalized nanoparticles had isoelectric points (IEP) at pH ≃ 4.

Synthesis and colloidal characterization of folic acid-modified PEG-b-PCL Micelles for methotrexate delivery.

Hydrophobic drugs, such as methotrexate, are not easily delivered into the human body. Therefore, the use of amphiphilic nanoplatforms to the transport of these drugs through the bloodstream is a challenge. While the hydrophobic region interacts with the drug, the hydrophilic outer layer enhances its bioavailability and circulation time.

Soluble CD14 Subtype-A New Biomarker in Predicting the Outcome of Critically Ill Septic Patients.

Background: We evaluated the role of presepsin (soluble CD14 subtype, sCD14-ST) in predicting the outcome of critically ill septic patients in parallel with procalcitonin and C-reactive protein.

Methods: This study was an observational, prospective study that enrolled 58 surgical and medical intensive care unit patients with suspected sepsis. All studied subjects were retrospectively stratified into survivors and nonsurvivors based on 28 days survival and according to microbiological results in blood culture positive and negative groups.

Levosimendan for Hemodynamic Support after Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Acute left ventricular dysfunction is a major complication of cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality. Meta-analyses of small trials suggest that levosimendan may result in a higher rate of survival among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving patients in whom perioperative hemodynamic support was indicated after cardiac surgery, according to prespecified criteria.

A randomized controlled trial of levosimendan to reduce mortality in high-risk cardiac surgery patients (CHEETAH): Rationale and design.

Objective: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk of perioperative low cardiac output syndrome due to postoperative myocardial dysfunction. Myocardial dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is a potential indication for the use of levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer with 3 beneficial cardiovascular effects (inotropic, vasodilatory, and anti-inflammatory), which appears effective in improving clinically relevant outcomes.

Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter randomized trial.

Skin grafting for the treatment of chronic leg ulcers - a systematic review in evidence-based medicine.

Skin grafting is one of the most common surgical procedures in the area of non-healing wounds by which skin or a skin substitute is placed over a wound to replace and regenerate the damaged skin. Chronic leg ulcers are an important problem and a major source of expense for Western countries and for which many different forms of treatment have been used. Skin grafting is a method of treatment that decreases the area of chronic leg ulcers or heals them completely, thus improving a patient's quality of life.

Effect of fenoldopam on use of renal replacement therapy among patients with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: No effective pharmaceutical agents have yet been identified to treat acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.

Objective: To determine whether fenoldopam reduces the need for renal replacement therapy in critically ill cardiac surgery patients with acute kidney injury.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study from March 2008 to April 2013 in 19 cardiovascular intensive care units in Italy.

Albumin administration prevents the onset of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients.

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common problem in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) and they account for more than 70% of patients with low serum albumin at admission. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of intravenous administration of albumin in patients with low serum albumin < 3·3 g/dl. In a 1-year period, a total of 73 patients were admitted to the ICU (males 45, 61·64% and females 28, 38·36%); of these, 21 patients were admitted with hypoalbuminaemia (serum albumin < 3·3 g/dl) and randomised into two groups: 11 patients were treated with 25 g intravenous albumin for the first 3 days within the first week of ICU stay (group A) and 10 patients did not receive albumin (group B).

Low serum albumin level as an independent risk factor for the onset of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients.

Critically ill patients are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers (PUs) and patients who develop PUs remain significantly longer in the intensive care unit (ICU) with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of patients at truly increased risk is important. The aim of this study was to examine the association of low serum albumin present at admission in ICU patients with the onset of PUs.

[Obesity and outcomes in the ICU: an observational study].

Objectives: We examined the relationships among Body Mass Index (BMI) with or without Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), ICU length of stay (ICU-LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality among ICU patients.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study included all patients hospitalized in a 10-bed polyvalent ICU over a period of one year and seven months. We divided the studied population into 4 groups by BMI values: group A: between 18.

Coupled plasma filtration adsorption reduces serum bilirubine in a case of acute hypoxic hepatitis secondary to cardiogenic shock.

Hypoxic hepatitis (HH) is a severe complication of postoperative low output syndrome, associated with high mortality rates despite appropriate drug therapy. Recently several extracorporeal supportive techniques have become available. We describe the case of a 70-year-old woman who developed HH secondary to cardiogenic shock after cardiac surgery.

Postoperative pain treatment SIAARTI Recommendations 2010. Short version.

The aim of these recommendations is the revision of data published in 2002 in the "SIAARTI Recommendations for acute postoperative pain treatment". In this version, the SIAARTI Study Group for acute and chronic pain decided to grade evidence based on the "modified Delphi" method with 5 levels of recommendation strength. Analgesia is a fundamental right of the patient.

Intensive versus conventional insulinotherapy after elective and on-pump myocardial revascularization: a prospective and randomized study.

Objectives: Strict glycemic control is increasingly recognized as an important goal in a broad spectrum of critically ill patients. We analyzed the inflammatory and clinical response of patients submitted to intensive or conventional insulinotherapy in a specific clinical context.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed a prospective and randomized collected database of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a University Hospital.

Impact of clonidine administration on delirium and related respiratory weaning after surgical correction of acute type-A aortic dissection: results of a pilot study.

Delirium and transient neurologic dysfunctions (TND) often complicate the postoperative course after surgery for acute type-A aortic dissection (AAD). We evaluated the role of clonidine on neurological outcome and respiratory function in 30 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for AAD. Patients were prospectively randomized to receive either clonidine (0.

Inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized comparison between conventional hemofiltration and steroids.

Aim: Recent reports have shown anti-inflammatory effects with conventional hemofiltration (CUF) in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunological and the hemodynamic response to CUF or metilprednisolone in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: Twenty-four consecutive patients were prospectively randomized to receive CUF (12 patients, Group A) or metilprednisolone (12 patients, Group B).

Inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass with enoximone or steroids in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization: a preliminary report study.

Objective: Recent reports have showed an antiinflammatory effect of phosphodiesterase III inhibitors (PDEi) in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We sought to evaluate the immunological and hemodynamic response to enoximone and methylprednisolone in patients undergoing CABG.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Weaning from mechanical ventilation: an open issue.

Weaning from mechanical ventilation represents one of the main challenges facing ICU physicians. Difficult weaning affects about 25% of critical patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Its duration correlates on one hand with pathophysiological aspects of the underlying disease and, on the other hand, with other factors such as the development of neuromyopathy of the critically ill patient, prolonged use of sedative-hypnotic drugs and, most of all, physicians' reluctance to identify the correct timing of therapeutic steps for weaning and subsequent extubation.

A case of acute quadriplegia complicating Mediterranean spotted fever.

Mediterranean spotted fever is a rickettsiosis caused by Rickettsia conorii. Mediterranean spotted fever is considered to be a benign disease, however, approximately 10% of patients present with a severe systemic manifestation in which neurologic involvement occurs. We present a case of an 80-year-old man with a R.

Troponin I and lactate from coronary sinus predict cardiac complications after myocardial revascularization.

Background: Postoperative troponin I and lactate elevation are related to cardiac complications after myocardial revascularization. We sought to evaluate earlier predictive value for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and myocardial damage of troponin I and lactate after myocardial revascularization.

Methods: In all, 183 consecutive isolated myocardial revascularizations were prospectively enrolled in the study.

Hemodynamic effects of levosimendan in patients with low-output heart failure after cardiac surgery.

Following cardiac surgery, low-output syndrome is relatively common. Since this condition can lead to serious consequences, this postsurgical, low-output state should be reversed whenever possible. Patients with low-output syndrome need drug and fluid management aimed at enhancing cardiac contractility and at facilitating optimal myocardial loading.