Investigating novel bacteriophage endolysins as potential antimicrobial agents.

Unlabelled: As antibiotic resistance has become a major global threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urgently called for alternative strategies for control of bacterial infections. Endolysin, a phage-encoded protein, can degrade bacterial peptidoglycan (PG) and disrupt bacterial growth. According to the WHO, there are only three endolysin products currently in clinical phase development.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of protective effects of Silibinin-loaded polymeric micelles on human hair against UV-B radiation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Silibinin-loaded polymeric micelles from human hair against UV-B radiation.

Methods: Eight formulations with different concentrations of Silibinin, Pluronic F-127, and Labrasol-Labrafil were made by a solvent evaporation method, and the selected formulation was chosen by examining their properties like particle size and loading efficiency. Six groups of human hair, including a group that received the selected formulation, were exposed to UV-B radiation and by calculating its factors such as peak-to-valley roughness, RMS roughness, FTIR, and the amount of protein loss, the protective effect of the selected formulation was judged.

Co-encapsulation of metformin and ginger into the liposomes: characterization and anti-psoriasis evaluation.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory skin disorder consists of hyperkeratosis, abnormal keratinization, acanthosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the dermis. Topical pharmacotherapy with conventional molecules and formulations is associated with toxicity, low efficacy, and poor skin penetration. Lipid-based nanoparticles can be introduced as a new strategy for improving the efficacy of psoriasis treatment by increasing drug localization.

Association of QRS-T angle and Late Gadolinium Enhancement in patients with a Clinical Suspicion of Myocarditis.

To investigate the association of a wide QRS-T angle on the surface ECG and late gadolinium enhancement on contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic (CMR) imaging in patients with clinically suspected myocarditis. Diagnosis and risk stratification in patients with suspected myocarditis is particularly challenging due to a great spectrum of clinical presentations. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) visualizes myocardial necrosis and fibrosis in patients with biopsy-proven myocarditis.

QRS-T angle in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - A comparison with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

We sought to investigate the possible association of a wide QRS-T angle on the surface EKG and myocardial fibrosis on contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic (CMR) imaging in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Risk stratification in HCM patients is challenging. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) visualizes myocardial fibrosis with unique spatial resolution and is a strong and independent prognosticator in these patients.

QRS-T-angle in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) - a Comparison with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

: The QRS-T angle from the surface EKG is a promising prognostic marker in patients with coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) offers high resolution imaging of myocardial damage. We investigated the association of the QRS-T angle and the extent of myocardial damage as assessed by LGE in patients with acute ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) : 169 patients with STEMI obtained a standardized digital 12-lead EKG on admission for the calculation of the QRS-T angle and underwent CMR imaging for analysis of infarct size by LGE within the first week.

Delivery and Anti-Psoriatic Effect of Silibinin-Loaded Polymeric Micelles: An Experimental Study in the Psoriatic Skin Model.

Objective: Psoriasis is an inflamed skin disorder associated with the activation of phosphorylation signals in keratinocytes, which leads to proliferation. Phosphorylation signal inhibitors, such as silibinin can inhibit cell proliferation. Unlike current psoriasis treatment approaches that are associated with dangerous side effects; natural components can introduce new trends in psoriasis treatment.

Detection of Residual Excess Zinc Oxide-Based Cement With Laser Fluorescence (DIAGNOdent): In Vitro Evaluation.

Because of its importance in the development of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, detection of residual excess cement (REC) is often the focus of studies addressing cement-retained implant-supported restorations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) for detecting residual excess zinc oxidebased cement around dental implants. In this in vitro study, 15 tissue-level implants were embedded in acrylic resin.

Stentless Bioprostheses for Aortic Valve Replacement in Octogenarians: The Influence of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: We sought to determine the long-term results of stentless biological heart valve replacement in octogenarians to find out whether coronary artery disease or the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure itself influences survival in these aged patients.

Methods: From 4,012 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a stentless prosthesis (Freestyle, Medtronic) at a single center, 721 patients were older than 80 years. They had a mean age of 83 ±  2 (2,320 patient years), the male/female ratio was 42:58, NYHA (New York Heart Association) class I and II was prevalent in 22.

General self-efficacy and diabetes management self-efficacy of diabetic patients referred to diabetes clinic of Aq Qala, North of Iran.

Background: Self-efficacy is one of the factors involved in successful self-care of diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate general self-efficacy and diabetes management self-efficacy and to determine their association with glycemic control in diabetic individuals, referred to the diabetes clinic of Aq Qala city, North of Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 251 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were enrolled using census method.

A Multicenter, Retrospective Study of the Effectiveness of the Trellis-8 System in the Treatment of Proximal Lower-Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs in up to 600,000 patients in the United States annually and can lead to long-term morbidity because of the post-thrombotic syndrome. The multicenter isolated-pharmacomechanical thrombolysis device (ISOL-8) study was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of the Trellis™-8 peripheral infusion system when used as the primary intervention to achieve DVT thrombolysis in patients with proximal lower-extremity occlusive DVT, and track the incidence and severity of the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) symptoms in patients 2 years after treatment.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 6 centers on patients treated with the Trellis-8 system, an isolated-pharmacomechanical thrombolysis device (IPMTD).

A comparative study of the in vitro permeation characteristic of sulphadiazine across synthetic membranes and eschar tissue.

Infections of burn wounds are the source of significant problems in burn patients. Early excision of eschar tissue is an ideal solution to avoid sepsis. When early excision is not feasible, the application of topical antimicrobial formulations may be used to control burn wound sepsis.

Relationship between dream contents and positive/negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

Objective: The relationship between dreams and schizophrenia has been a subject of discussion for many years ago. Little is known about details of dream contents in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dream contents and positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Treatment with desmopressin acetate in routine coronary artery bypass surgery to improve postoperative hemostasis.

Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) has been shown to decrease blood loss and transfusions in complex cardiac operations with long extracorporeal times. Its use in routine cardiac valve operations has been shown not to be beneficial, but its role in routine coronary artery bypass grafting operations has not been defined. We examined the effect of DDAVP in a prospective study of 60 patients undergoing uncomplicated primary coronary artery bypass grafting operations.

Effect of hypothermia on cellular membrane function during low-flow extracorporeal circulation.

The use of systemic hypothermia is known to allow recovery from potentially lethal states of profound hypoperfusion or total circulatory arrest. While the cellular alterations accompanying states of decreased perfusion in skeletal muscle are well defined, little is known regarding the impact of coexistent hypothermia. To investigate this issue, nine dogs were placed on total cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and perfused in nonpulsatile fashion.

Myosin heavy chain expression in embryonic cardiac cell cultures.

Chick embryonic heart cell isolates and monolayer cultures were prepared from atria and ventricles at selected stages of cardiac development. The cardiac myocytes were assayed for myosin heavy chain (MHC) content using monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) specific in the heart for atrial (B-1), ventricular (ALD-19), or conductive system (ALD-58) isoforms. Using immunofluorescence microscopy or radioimmunoassay, MHC accumulation was measured before plating and at 48 hr or 7 days in culture.

Small bowel obstruction in the elderly.

Hospital records were reviewed for all patients 70 years or older who were treated for small bowel obstruction (SBO) at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center from January 1975 through December 1980. There were 87 patients treated surgically and 20 patients treated nonoperatively. When the clinical evidence of strangulation was evaluated for preoperative reliability, 35 per cent of the patients had none of the accepted criteria for strangulation.