Semax prevents learning and memory inhibition by heavy metals.

Separate and joint effect of Semax, ascorbic acid, lead diacetate, and ammonium molybdate on avoidance conditioning in rats was studied. It was established that the heavy metal salts inhibited the avoidance response, and the peptide counteracted this inhibition as strongly as ascorbic acid or to a comparable degree. These findings confirm the antioxidant properties of Semax.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) emboli with increased haemostatic effect for correction of haemorrhage of complex origin in endovascular surgery of children.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) embolization particles with enhanced haemostatic properties were prepared by bulk or suspension polymerisation of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) followed by particle soaking in ethamsylate solution. The particles accelerated thrombus formation as evidenced by blood analysis of rabbits with implanted emboli. Usefulness of both spherical and cylindrical PHEMA particles with enhanced haemostatic effect was demonstrated on the embolization of arterial anastomosis, fistulas of the lower extremity and abdominal cavity, haemangioma and arteriovenous malformation of the head of several children.

Poly(HEMA)--based embolic material in endovascular surgery of liver.

Physico-chemical and medico-biological methods, including hematology and cytology, were used in an evaluation of properties of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA))-based embolic material indicated in the occlusion of branches of hepatic artery of patients with focal alterations of the liver. The elastographic method helped in predicting mechanical properties of the hydrogel material. Poly(HEMA) was mechanically stable for endovascular applications, exhibited no significant loss in elasticity and possessed consistency resembling the soft tissue of the organism.

Targeted chemoembolization of tumors with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles.

Thirty-four patients suffering from various kinds of tumors, including metastasis, were treated by selective embolization with both spherical and cylindrical poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(HEMA)] particles and topical chemotherapy. Treatment of a patient with carcinoid metastases in the liver is discussed. Immediately after embolization, 5-fluorouracil, and later, doxorubicin and Lipiodol, were selectively infused into the tumorous tissue for approximately 1 week.

Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles for management of hemorrhage of complicated origin: treatment of hemobilia.

Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) particles of cylindrical and spherical shape were developed as a preparation for tumor treatment or control of hemorrhage by blocking their blood supply. In this report, PHEMA particles were used for the management of hemobilia, that is, bleeding into biliary passages. The origin of hemobilia in 31 patients was localized by selective angiography.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles for preoperative endovascular occlusion of extensive angiodysplasias.

The application of superselective endovascular occlusion in vascular radiology has broadened the scope of possible radical surgery of giant angiodysplasias by reducing considerably the risk of severe haemorrhage during the surgery. Occlusion was performed on 229 patients using spherical and cylindrical particles of porous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The treatment of a patient suffering from angiodysplasia of the pelvis is described as an example.

Haemostatic activity of ethamsylate and aminocaproic acid adsorbed poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles.

A haemostatic material suitable for embolization was prepared by the adsorption of haemostatics--ethamsylate and aminocaproic acid in the spherical particles of porous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)). The degree of purification of ethamsylate-treated particles was tested by an analysis of donor blood in contact with the material. An evaluation of the haemostatic properties of these materials was obtained by the determination of the indicators of blood clotting: activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and prothrombin time.

Hydrogels in endovascular embolization. V. Antitumour agent methotrexate-containing p(HEMA).

The aminohexyl derivative of the copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate (p(HEMA)-Hex) in the form of regular spherical particles was used as a polymeric carrier for chemically sorbed methotrexate (MTX). The effect of the washed p(HEMA)-Hex-MTX carrier on the morphological structure of donor blood, on blood coagulation indicators and on responses of the living tissue surrounding the material which has been in the blood vessel of the rabbit for various periods of time was evaluated. MTX is capable of diffusion for several days from the embolic material.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) beads for the preoperative endovascular occlusion of branches of the hepatic artery in focal alterations of the liver.

Spherical particles of porous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) have been used in the treatment of patients suffering from focal alterations of the liver, namely haemangioma and hypervascular tumour. The treatment consisted of the preoperative endovascular occlusion of branches of the hepatic artery using these spherical particles, and was followed by an operation. The main merit of the preoperative occlusion of blood vessels is that it substantially reduces blood loss during surgery.

Hydrogels in endovascular embolization. III. Radiopaque spherical particles, their preparation and properties.

The synthesis and properties of spherical radiopaque hydrogel particles designed for endovascular occlusion are reported. These particles were prepared by the hydroxyl acylation of low crosslinked poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) beads with a nontoxic radiopaque compound based on triiodobenzoic acid, without affecting their properties which are advantages in medical practice. The effect of the iodine content on the size of dry and swollen particles is discussed.

Hydrogels in endovascular embolization. II. Clinical use of spherical particles.

In this study we report the results of clinical experiments, obtained with spherical particles made from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) used in the embolization of arteriovenous anastomoses, in the suppression of pulmonary haemorrhage and haemoptysis and in the occlusion of some other arteries. So far we have used these particles in the treatment of 187 patients. It must be stressed that the advantage of spherical particles consists in the simplicity of their introduction into the blood vessel through a catheter, while in the blood vessel itself the particle swells in blood still more, when compared with the particle size in saline.

Hydrogels in endovascular embolization. I. Spherical particles of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and their medico-biological properties.

Spherical macroporous particles based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with defined porosity, swelling and morphology have been developed, and are suitable for endovascular occlusion of various organs. Unlike cylindrical particles, spherical particles are specifically suited for transcatheteral introduction. The method chosen for the preparation of such particles was suspension radical polymerization, where the monomers were dissolved in a mixture of higher-boiling alcohols, and the solution dispersed in water.

Effect of infections on the degradation of polyethylene terephthalate implants.

The macrokinetics of degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) protheses removed from patients were investigated. Two types of protheses were analysed in dependance on polymer environment: 15 patients were characterized as normal, with post-operation periods of 1-10 years and 7 patients were operated at different times after implantation having a bacterial environment around the implants. The tensile strengths, surface morphology and molecular mass of these samples were compared.

Polycaproamide degradation in rabbits and in several model media.

The nets of polycaproamide removed from rabbits after implantation for times up to 400 days showed a significant change in mass and in molecular weight. The degradation of polycaproamide filaments takes place both on the surface (change of mass) and in the bulk of the polymer implant (change in the molecular weight). The role of phosphates and the enzymes in the polymer degradation are discussed.

[X-ray diffraction analysis of disintegration of polyglycolic acid suture material both in vivo and in model media].

Examined were the structural variations of polyglycolic acid surgical suture material by X-ray diffraction methods subsequent to sejour in vivo and in several model mediums. After a long stay in vivo, water and buffer at pH 2 the following structural variations in the polymer were observed: diminution of macroperiod, and certain increase of crystallinity. Rather profound, ten times faster destruction of suture material in alkaline medium at pH 12 did not cause the variation of macroperiod and crystallinity.