Stabilization of Graphene Oxide Dispersion in Plasma-like Isotonic Solution Containing Aggregating Concentrations of Bivalent Cations.

Unlabelled: Graphene oxide's (GO) intravascular applications and biocompatibility are not fully explored yet, although it has been proposed as an anticancer drug transporter, antibacterial factor or component of wearable devices. Bivalent cations and the number of particles' atom layers, as well as their structural oxygen content and pH of the dispersion, all affect the GO size, shape, dispersibility and biological effects. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), an important blood plasma protein, is expected to improve GO dispersion stability in physiological concentrations of the precipitating calcium and magnesium cations to enable effective and safe tissue perfusion.

Influence of proliferation signal inhibitors on vascular endothelial growth factor production in heart transplant recipients - preliminary report.

Proliferation signal inhibitors (PSI) are especially beneficial for heart transplant recipients, but are rarely used due to frequent side effects. As they may be caused by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), we performed a prospective cross-sectional pilot study to assess the influence of PSI and/or calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) presence in immunosuppressive protocols of heart transplant recipients on VEGF secretion. All electively screened heart transplant recipients willing to participate were enrolled in the study.

Persistent mild lesions in coronary angiography predict poor long-term survival of heart transplant recipients.

Background: Even though coronary angiography (CAG) underestimates coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) development, especially in the distal parts of arteries, it remains a frame of reference for International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) CAV classification. A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of CAG findings.

Methods: Among 310 orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) recipients with at least 2 CAGs at 2-year intervals, we identified 197 (146 men and 41 women; 55 ± 13 years) without lesions (Group 0), 27 (15 men and 12 women; 58 ± 8 years) in whom mild changes remained in consecutive CAGs (Group 1), 28 (24 men and 4 women; 58 ± 10 years) in whom mild lesions decreased in consecutive CAGs (Group 1REG), and 58 (53 men and 5 women; 56 ± 10 years) in whom the stenosis criteria of ISHLT CAV 2 or 3 were covered (Group 2).