Viability of Human Arterial Grafts Monitored by Comet Assay.

An analytical method for studying DNA degradation by electrophoresis after cell lysis and visualization of DNA fragments with fluorescent dye, comet assay, was used to evaluate the viability of the endothelial layer of human arterial grafts with the aim of identifying the procedure that will least damage the tissue before cryopreservation. Four groups of samples were studied: cryopreserved arterial grafts that were thawed in two different ways, slowly lasting 2 hours or rapidly for approx. 7 minutes.

Cardiovascular Complications in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Does Phenotype Matter?

Background: Adrenaline-producing tumors are mostly characterized by a sudden release of catecholamines with episodic symptoms. Noradrenergic ones are usually less symptomatic and characterized by a continuous overproduction of catecholamines that are released into the bloodstream. Their effects on the cardiovascular system can thus be different.

A large arteriovenous fistula steals a considerable part of systemic blood flow during veno-arterial extracorporeal circulation support in a porcine model.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is one of the most frequently used mechanical circulatory support devices. Distribution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow depends (similarly as the cardiac output distribution) on regional vascular resistance. Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), used frequently as hemodialysis access, represent a low-resistant circuit which steals part of the systemic perfusion.

Comparing the hemodynamic effect of a large arteriovenous fistula during high and low cardiac output states.

A large arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a low-resistant circuit that affects organ perfusion and systemic hemodynamics even in standard conditions. The extent of its' effect in critical states has not been elucidated yet. We used norepinephrine to create systemic vasoconstriction, dobutamine to create high cardiac output, and rapid right ventricle pacing as a model of acute heart failure in a porcine model of high-flow AVF circulation.

Old Drug, New Delivery Strategy: MMAE Repackaged.

Targeting therapy is a concept that has gained significant importance in recent years, especially in oncology. The severe dose-limiting side effects of chemotherapy necessitate the development of novel, efficient and tolerable therapy approaches. In this regard, the prostate specific membrane antigene (PSMA) has been well established as a molecular target for diagnosis of, as well as therapy for, prostate cancer.

Serum and lymph pharmacokinetics of nilotinib delivered by yeast glucan particles per os.

Nilotinib is a selective tyrosine-kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. It is poorly soluble in aqueous media and has a low oral bioavailability. Nilotinib encapsulation into yeast glucan particles (GPs) was investigated in this work as a means of increasing bioavailability.

Partial resection of native and prosthetic arteriovenous fistula as a treatment of late infections complications - series of case reports.

Introduction: Infection of arteriovenous fistula (AV) used for hemodialysis (HD) is associated with massive bleeding, sepsis development, formation of metastatic infectious foci, and a high risk of AV loss. Urgent management of an infected AV is crucial for successful treatment and AV salvage.

Case Reports: We present the use of partial resection as a successful method of dealing with late AV infection in two cases.

The impact of obesity on the outcome of severe SARS-CoV-2 ARDS in a high volume ECMO centre: ECMO and corticosteroids support the obesity paradox.

Purpose: The aim was to verify the impact of obesity on the long-term outcome of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 ARDS.

Materials And Methods: The retrospective study included patients admitted to the high-volume ECMO centre between March 2020 and March 2022. The impact of body mass index (BMI), co-morbidities and therapeutic measures on the short and 90-day outcomes was analysed.

In Vivo Contrast Imaging of Rat Heart with Carbon Dioxide Foam.

Widely used classical angiography with the use of iodine contrast agents is highly problematic, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiac and pulmonary diseases, or degree III or IV renal insufficiency. Some patients may be susceptible to allergic reaction to the iodine contrast substance. The intravenous injection of a bolus of CO (negative contrast) is an alternative method, which is, however, currently only used for imaging blood vessels of the lower limbs.

DOTA Conjugate of Bisphosphonate and PSMA-Inhibitor: A Promising Combination for Therapy of Prostate Cancer Related Bone Metastases.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancer types worldwide. 90% of men with late stage PCa will develop bone metastases. Since the expression level of PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) in bone metastases can vary significantly, a compound is being searched for which accumulates in bone metastases independently of PSMA level.

New Porcine Model of Arteriovenous Fistula Documents Increased Coronary Blood Flow at the Cost of Brain Perfusion.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) represent a low resistant circuit. It is known that their opening leads to decreased systemic vascular resistance, increased cardiac output and other hemodynamic changes. Possible competition of AVF and perfusion of other organs has been observed before, however the specific impact of AVF has not been elucidated yet.

Squaric Acid Bisphposphonates for Theranostics of Bone Metastasis - the Easy DOTA-Zoledronate.

Bisphosponates are an interesting molecular class and in recent years their application has found its way into radiopharmaceutical research and thus into molecular imaging. In addition to great imaging of bone metastases, bisphospnate-based tracers for imaging also have some significant drawbacks. For example, their synthesis is often difficult.

Wall Shear Stress Alteration: a Local Risk Factor of Atherosclerosis.

Purpose Of Review: Wall shear stress describes the mechanical influence of blood flow on the arterial wall. In this review, we discuss the role of the wall shear stress in the development of atherosclerosis and its complications.

Recent Findings: Areas with chronically low, oscillating wall shear stress are most prone to plaque development and include outer bifurcation walls and inner walls of arches.

Hybrid Chelator-Based PSMA Radiopharmaceuticals: Translational Approach.

(1) Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been extensively studied in the last decade. It became a promising biological target in the diagnosis and therapy of PSMA-expressing cancer diseases. Although there are several radiolabeled PSMA inhibitors available, the search for new compounds with improved pharmacokinetic properties and simplified synthesis is still ongoing.

Initial dosing of intermittent vancomycin in adults: estimation of dosing interval in relation to dose and renal function.

Objectives: Due to the high interindividual variability in vancomycin pharmacokinetics, optimisation of its dosing is still challenging. This study aimed to explore vancomycin pharmacokinetics in adult patients and to propose an easy applicable dosing nomogram for initial treatment.

Methods: Vancomycin pharmacokinetics was calculated in a two-compartmental model based on therapeutic drug monitoring data.

Validity of cycloheximide chylomicron flow blocking method for the evaluation of lymphatic transport of drugs.

Background And Purpose: Lymphatic transport of drugs after oral administration is an important mechanism for absorption of highly lipophilic compounds. Direct measurement in lymph duct cannulated animals is the gold standard method, but non-invasive cycloheximide chylomicron flow blocking method has gained popularity recently. However, concerns about its reliability have been raised.

Squaric Acid-Based Radiopharmaceuticals for Tumor Imaging and Therapy.

Targeting vectors bound to a chelator represent a significant fraction of radiopharmaceuticals used nowadays for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in nuclear medicine. The use of squaramides as coupling units for chelator and targeting vector helps to circumvent the disadvantages of several common coupling methods. This review gives an overview of the use of squaric acid diesters (SADE) as linking agents.

Vancomycin-Loaded Collagen/Hydroxyapatite Layers Electrospun on 3D Printed Titanium Implants Prevent Bone Destruction Associated with Infection and Enhance Osseointegration.

The aim of the study was to develop an orthopedic implant coating in the form of vancomycin-loaded collagen/hydroxyapatite layers (COLHA+V) that combine the ability to prevent bone infection with the ability to promote enhanced osseointegration. The ability to prevent bone infection was investigated employing a rat model that simulated the clinically relevant implant-related introduction of bacterial contamination to the bone during a surgical procedure using a clinical isolate of . The ability to enhance osseointegration was investigated employing a model of a minipig with terminated growth.

Hemodialysis vascular access affects heart function and outcomes: Tips for choosing the right access for the individual patient.

Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A well-functioning vascular access is associated with improved survival and among the available types of vascular access the arterio-venous (AV) fistula is the one associated with the best outcomes. However, AV access may affect heart function and, in some patients, could worsen the clinical status.

Rifampin-Releasing Triple-Layer Cross-Linked Fresh Water Fish Collagen Sponges as Wound Dressings.

Objectives: Surgical wounds resulting from biofilm-producing microorganisms represent a major healthcare problem that requires new and innovative treatment methods. Rifampin is one of a small number of antibiotics that is able to penetrate such biofilms, and its local administration has the potential to serve as an ideal surgical site infection protection and/or treatment agent. This paper presents two types (homogeneous and sandwich structured) of rifampin-releasing carbodiimide-cross-linked fresh water fish collagen wound dressings.

[Ga]Ga-THP-Pam: A Bisphosphonate PET Tracer with Facile Radiolabeling and Broad Calcium Mineral Affinity.

Calcium minerals such as hydroxyapatite (HAp) can be detected noninvasively using nuclear imaging agents such as [F]NaF (available from cyclotrons), for positron emission tomography (PET) and Tc-radiolabeled bisphosphonates (BP; available from Tc generators for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or scintigraphy). These two types of imaging agents allow detection of bone metastases (based on the presence of HAp) and vascular calcification lesions (that contain HAp and other calcium minerals). With the aim of developing a cyclotron-independent PET radiotracer for these lesions, with broad calcium mineral affinity and simple one-step radiolabeling, we developed [Ga]Ga-THP-Pam.

Lymphatic Transport of Drugs after Intestinal Absorption: Impact of Drug Formulation and Physicochemical Properties.

Purpose: To provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview focusing on the extent of lymphatic transport of drugs following intestinal absorption and to summarize available data on the impact of molecular weight, lipophilicity, formulation and prandial state.

Methods: Literature was searched for in vivo studies quantifying extent of lymphatic transport of drugs after enteral dosing. Pharmacokinetic data were extracted and summarized.

Long-term experience with implantable treprostinil pumps in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objectives: To compare clinical parameters and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) at the time of diagnosis, at the time of LenusPro pump implantation and during intravenous treptostinil treatment.

Methods: Seven patients with severe PAH treated with intravenous treptostinil via implantable LenusPro pumps were evaluated, including NYHA classification, six‑minute walking test, BNP and quality of life assessment using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire before and after pump implantation.

Results: No significant changes were observed in NYHA class and six‑minute walking distance test.

Papillary fibroelastoma on pulmonary valve - Valve-sparing surgery of a cardiac tumor in a rare location.

We present images of a papillary fibroelastoma on a pulmonary valve - echocardiography, intraoperative images, macroscopic and microscopic images of the tumor in this uncommon location.