Cardioprotective activity of placental growth factor in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction: nanoparticle-based delivery versus direct myocardial injection.

Background: To comparatively evaluate the cardioprotective activity of placental growth factor (PGF) delivered through direct injection and a nanoparticle-based system respectively and to study the underlying mechanisms in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-based PGF-carrying nanoparticles (PGF-PLGANPs) were created. The mean size and morphology of particles were analyzed with particle size analyzer and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM).

Simultaneous detection of serum immunoglobulin G antibodies to Cryptosporidium parvum by multiplex microbead immunoassay using 3 recognized specific recombinant C. parvum antigens.

Cryptosporidiosis is a significant diarrheal disease in both humans and other mammals worldwide. In the present study, we established and validated a multiplex microbead immunoassay (MIA) for surveillance of Cryptosporidium parvum infections. In the multiplex MIA, 3 specific recombinant proteins, CP23, SA35, and SA40, were used as the capture antigens simultaneously.

[Establishment of canine models of penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wound].

Objective: To establish a canine model of penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wound.

Method: Gunshot wound was induced in 54 cross-bred dogs using 7.62-mm pistol bullets fired using a pistol from a distance of 30 cm in coronal direction with a tilt of 10 degrees toward the orbit, causing penetrating craniocerebral injury 1 cm posterior and 1.

[Changes of cat cerebral microcirculation and blood-brain barrier in early stage of craniocerebral gunshot wound in the hot and humid environment].

Objective: To study the changes of cat cerebral microcirculation in early stage after craniocerebral gunshot wound in the hot and humid environment to provide laboratory evidence for clinical treatment of such wound.

Methods: Craniocerebral gunshot wound was induced in 24 cats according to the method described by Carey with modifications, and the cats were placed in a cabin with environmental temperature and humidity of 25 degrees Celsius and 50% (group A), and 35 degrees Celsius and 85% (group B), respectively, to observe the changes in all the indices of cerebral microcirculation.

Results: All the cats survived and notable changes occurred in the morphology and permeability of cerebral microvascular along with obvious pathological changes in the brain tissue, and the vital signs, hemorheology and blood-brain barrier were significantly different between groups A and B.

[Pathological changes of cat brain tissues after cranial gunshot wound in hot and humid environment].

Objective: To investigate pathological changes in cat brain tissues after gunshot wound in the head in hot and humid environments.

Methods: Sixteen cats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the normal environment (group 1), gunshot in normal environment (group 2), hot and humid environment (group 3), and gunshot wound in hot and humid environment (group 4) groups. Pathological changes of the cat brain tissues were observed with both optical and electron microscopes.

Bacterial growth characteristics in craniocerebral gunshot wound of cat in a hot and humid environment.

Objective: To investigate the growth behavior of characteristics in craniocerebral gunshot wound of cats in a hot and humid environment.

Methods: Twenty-three cross-bred cats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A, the gunshot wound control group at normal temperature, in which tissue sampling was performed immediately after the wounding; group B, another gunshot wound control group at normal temperature, in which the samples were taken 6 h after the wounding; group C, the gunshot wound group subjected to a hot and humid environment, in which the tissue samples were obtained 6 h after the wounding; group D, the control group without undergoing the wound. The tissues from the wound tract and the surrounding tissues were sampled for bacterial culture and counting.

Early surgical intervention for infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis remains a serious and complex disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Sixty cases of infective endocarditis were retrospectively reviewed, consisting of 41 males and 19 females aged 7 to 50 years (mean, 30 years). Congenital heart disease was diagnosed in 19 of the patients and rheumatic heart disease in 41.