Applications of molecularly imprinted polymers to the analysis and removal of personal care products: A review

Personal-care products (PCPs) involve a variety of chemicals whose persistency along with their constant release into the environment raised concern to their potential impact on wildlife and humans health. Regarded as emergent contaminants, PCPs demonstrated estrogenic activity leading to the need of new methodologies to detect and remove those compounds from the environment. Molecular imprinting starts with a complex between a template molecule and a functional monomer, which is then polymerized in the presence of a cross-linker. After template removal, the polymer will contain specific cavities. Based on a good selectivity towards the template, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been investigated as efficient materials for the analysis and extraction of the so called emergent pollutants contaminants. Rather than lowering the limit of detections, the key theoretical advantage of MIP over existing methodologies is the potential to target specific chemicals. This unique feature, sometime named specificity (as synonym to very high selectivity) allows to use cheap, simple and/or rapid quantitative techniques such as fast separation with ultra-violet (UV) detection, sensors or even spectrometric techniques. When a high degree of selectivity is achieved, samples extracted with MIPs can be directly analyzed without the need of a separation step. However, while some papers clearly demonstrated the specificity of their MIP toward the targeted PCP, such prove is often lacking, especially with real matrices, making it difficult to assess the success of the different approaches. This review paper focusses on the latest development of MIPs for the analysis of personal care products in the environment, with particular emphasis on design, preparation and practical applications of MIPs.

Radiomics of Pediatric Low-Grade Gliomas: Toward a Pretherapeutic Differentiation of BRAF-Mutated and BRAF-Fused Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) status has important implications for prognosis and therapy of pediatric low-grade gliomas. Currently, BRAF status classification relies on biopsy. Our aim was to train and validate a radiomics approach to predict BRAF fusion and BRAF V600E mutation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this bi-institutional retrospective study, FLAIR MR imaging datasets of 115 pediatric patients with low-grade gliomas from 2 children's hospitals acquired between January 2009 and January 2016 were included and analyzed. Radiomics features were extracted from tumor segmentations, and the predictive model was tested using independent training and testing datasets, with all available tumor types. The model was selected on the basis of a grid search on the number of trees, opting for the best split for a random forest. We used the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate model performance.

RESULTS

The training cohort consisted of 94 pediatric patients with low-grade gliomas (mean age, 9.4 years; 45 boys), and the external validation cohort comprised 21 pediatric patients with low-grade gliomas (mean age, 8.37 years; 12 boys). A 4-fold cross-validation scheme predicted BRAF status with an area under the curve of 0.75 (SD, 0.12) (95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.89) on the internal validation cohort. By means of the optimal hyperparameters determined by 4-fold cross-validation, the area under the curve for the external validation was 0.85. Age and tumor location were significant predictors of BRAF status (P values = .04 and <.001, respectively). Sex was not a significant predictor (P value = .96).

CONCLUSIONS

Radiomics-based prediction of BRAF status in pediatric low-grade gliomas appears feasible in this bi-institutional exploratory study.

Generation and characterization of a recombinant chimeric protein (rCpLi) consisting of B-cell epitopes of a dermonecrotic protein from Loxosceles intermedia spider venom

A chimeric protein was constructed expressing three epitopes of LiD1, a dermonecrotic toxin from the venom of Loxosceles intermedia spider. This species is responsible for a large number of accidents involving spiders in Brazil. We demonstrated that the chimeric protein (rCpLi) generated is atoxic and that antibodies previously developed in rabbits against synthetic epitopes reactive with rCpLi in ELISA and immunoblot assays. The antibody response in rabbits against the rCpLi was evaluated by ELISA and we have detected an antibody response in all immunized animals. Overlapping peptides covering the amino acid sequence of the rCpLi were synthesized on a cellulose membrane, and their recognition by rabbit anti-rCpLi serum assessed. Three different antigenic regions were identified. The percentage of inhibition of the dermonecrotic, hemorrhagic and edematogenic activities caused by the recombinant protein LiD1r in naïve rabbits was assessed by pre-incubation with anti-rCpLi antibodies. Anti-rCpLi induced good dermonecrotic and hemorrhagic protection. The levels of protection were similar to the antiboides anti-LiD1r. In summary, we have developed a polyepitope recombinant chimeric protein capable of inducing multiple responses of neutralizing antibodies in a rabbit model. This engineered protein may be a promising candidate for therapeutic serum development or vaccination.

Evaluation of the microbiota of primary endodontic infections using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition of the microbiota of primary endodontic infections in 111 selected cases of single-rooted teeth with necrotic pulp.

METHODS

Samples were collected from the root canals using #15 Hedströen-type files and two sterile paper points, which were introduced 1 mm short of the apical foramen. The presence, levels, and proportions of 40 different bacterial species in each sample were determined using DNA probes and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization techniques.

RESULTS

The mean number of species per sample was 22. Enterococcus faecalis (89.3%), Campylobacter gracilis (89.3%), Leptotrichia buccalis (89.3%), Neisseria mucosa (87.5%), Prevotella melaninogenica (86.6%), Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. vincentii (85.7%), Eubacterium saburreum (75.9%), Streptococcus anginosus (75%), and Veillonella parvula (74.1%) were the most prevalent species. The species found in highest mean counts (over 10(5)) were F. nucleatum ssp. vincentii (13.14 x 10(5)), E. saburreum (5.67 x 10(5)), E. faecalis (5.38 x 10(5)), N. mucosa (4.19 x 10(5)), V. parvula (3.63 x 10(5)), C. gracilis (3.46 x 10(5)), Treponema socranskii (3.34 x 10(5)), Porphyromonas endodontalis (2.96 x 10(5)), Porphyromonas gingivalis (2.85 x 10(5)), Micromonas micros (2.81 x 10(5)), Prevotella nigrescens (2.68 x 10(5)) and Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. nucleatum (2.64 x 10(5)). Most of these species were also found in high proportions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that several bacterial species considered to be oral pathogens seem to be implicated in the etiology of primary endodontic infections.

Microbiological evaluation of primary endodontic infections in teeth with and without sinus tract

AIM

To examine the microbiological status of primary endodontic infections in teeth with and without a sinus tract.

METHODOLOGY

Samples were collected by means of a size 15 H-type file and two sterile paper points from 30 cases of primary endodontic infections with (n = 15) or without (n = 15) a sinus tract. The presence of 40 bacterial species was determined by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method.

RESULTS

The species found at the highest levels and prevalence were Fusobacterium nucleatum sp. vincentii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Veillonella parvula, Enterococcus faecalis, Campylobacter gracilis and Neisseria mucosa. Total bacterial counts were similar between teeth with (44 x 10(5)) and without (50 x 10(5)) a sinus tract (t-test: P > 0.05). E. faecalis, Streptococcus anginosus, Capnocytophaga sputigena and Capnocytophaga gingivalis had significantly higher counts in the absence of sinus tract (Mann-Whitney test, P < 0.05). Higher levels of P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum sp. nucleatum were observed in cases with a sinus tract. Leptotrichia buccalis (OR = 1.83; CI 95%) and Porphyromonas endodontalis (OR = 2.15; CI 95%) were associated with an increased chance of subjects having a sinus tract.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary endodontic infections were associated with a large variety of bacterial species. Specific differences between the composition of the microbiota of primary root canal infections were observed in cases with or without a sinus tract.

Intranasal immunisation of mice against Streptococcus equi using positively charged nanoparticulate carrier systems

In order to potentiate a strong immune response after mucosal vaccination with a low immunogenic S. equi enzymatic extract, two positively charged particulate delivery systems (liposomes and nanoparticles) were created. Positively surface charged particles were expected to efficiently bind to negatively charged cell membranes and facilitate antigen uptake. Phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol-stearylamine liposomes encapsulating S. equi antigens were prepared and dimensionated to 0.22±0.01μm with a polydispersity index <0.242, zeta potential of +12±4mV and an encapsulation efficiency of 13±3% (w/w). Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation with sodium tripolyphosphate, presenting a particle size of 0.17±0.01μm with polydispersity index <0.362, zeta potential of +23±8mV and an encapsulation efficiency of 53±6% (w/w). Both encapsulation methods were recognised as innocuous once antigens structure remained intact after incorporation as assessed by SDS-PAGE. Intranasal immunisation of mice with both formulations successfully elicited mucosal, humoral and cellular immune responses. Mucosal stimulation was confirmed by increased sIgA levels in the lungs, being the chitosan nanoparticles more successful in this achievement probably due to their different mucoadhesive properties. Both formulations share the ability to induce Th1-mediated immune responses characterised by IFN-γ production and high IgG2a antibody titers as well as a Th2 immune response characterised mainly by IL-4 production and IgG1 antibodies.

Predictive factors of a successful testicular biopsy and subsequent clinical pregnancy

Forecast of success with testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) remains unknown, as predictive factors have rarely been studied. We evaluated the association among possible predictive factors and a successful biopsy and clinical pregnancy. A consecutive sample of men submitted to a testicular open biopsy in S. João Hospital was used. Patient's age, medical history, testicular volume, spermogram, genetic testing, endocrinologic results, biopsy results and clinical pregnancy information were collected. From the 113 men included, it was possible to retrieve spermatozoa in 79.6% of the cases, which resulted in 58 fertilisations and 22 clinical pregnancies. Retrieving viable spermatozoa on biopsy was associated with the identification of spermatozoa in the spermogram (100.0% versus 74.4%; P = 0.010), diseases causing obstructive infertility (100.0% versus 79.2%; P = 0.036) and no genetic causes detected (82.4% versus 54.5%; P = 0.030). Successful clinical pregnancy was only associated with lower female partner age (31.7 versus 36.0 year; P = 0.001) but not the quality of the spermatozoa or the time until the reproduction cycle. Identification of spermatozoa in the spermogram, diseases causing obstructive infertility and lack of genetic causes for infertility were associated with higher probability of viable spermatozoa retrieval but the female partner age remained the principal determinant of a successful pregnancy.

Evaluation of the efficacy of oral methotrexate in the prevention of recurrence of superficial bladder tumours

Twenty-four patients with previously untreated T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were treated with oral methotrexate 50 mg weekly for 18 months. Thirteen developed tumour recurrences (recurrence index 11 per 100 patient months at risk) and in one-third of the patients treatment was stopped because of unwanted side effects. These results are no better than our previous experience with intravesical Adriamycin, thiotepa or cisplatin.

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma

A case of mesoblastic nephroma in an infant with a 3-year, disease-free, postoperative survival period is reported. The histological aspects, with emphasis on differential diagnosis from Wilm's tumour are described.

[Tumor of the vitelline sac of the testicle (yolk sac carcinoma)]

The tumour of the yolk sac is a germinal cell neoplasia arising in the prepubertal testicles which was included in the WHO's histological classification of neoplasia of the testicles in 1977. We contribute a case of this histological variety in Stage I, according to the Royal Marsden criteria. The patient was treated with inguinal orchidectomy only and 3 years later remains disease-free.

[Biopsy of the right ventricle endomyocardium. Experience at the Santa Marta Hospital]

OBJECTIVE

To review the experience of Santa Marta Hospital in the right ventricle endomyocardial biopsy technique.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of the results, diagnostic value and complications of the myocardial biopsies performed between April/87 and March/90.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

255 biopsies were performed; 221 on 13 patients submitted to orthotopic heart transplantation (nine male and four female, aged between 21 and 55 years old), and the remaining on 34 patients (22 male and 12 female aged between 15 and 64 years old), mainly on cardiomyopathies.

RESULTS

In 221 biopsies performed in heart transplant recipients, we found: 109 with no rejection, 21 with moderate rejection, 57 with mild rejection and only one case showed severe rejection. In this group six biopsies were considered inconclusive. In the group of patients not submitted to heart transplantation the histological findings were inespecific in the great majority of the cases. In the 255 procedures four complications were detected (1.56%), with no mortality; two hemopericardium with tamponade (0.78%), one pneumothorax and one atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

Endomyocardial biopsy essential for histological diagnosis of acute rejection following heart transplantation has revealed to be a save procedure with a small number of complications.

[The complications associated with the performance of heart catheterizations (diagnostic and therapeutic). The results in the Hemodynamics Laboratory of Hospital de Santa Marta]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the morbidity and mortality with cardiac catheterization (diagnostic and intervention).

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of complications occurring within 24 h of a cardiac catheterization, in three consecutive years (1989-1991).

SETTING

Patients admitted to the Haemodynamic Laboratory of Santa Marta Hospital-Lisbon.

PATIENTS

4014 patients submitted to diagnostic and interventional procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Registry analyze in order to obtain the following data: pathology, age, vascular approach and complications of cardiac catheterization.

RESULTS

In three years there were 4014 cardiac procedures. 53.6% were performed in patients with coronary artery disease, 20% with valvular heart disease, 8.1% with congenital heart disease, 16.1% with others pathologies and 2.2% revealed normal vessels in coronary angiography. The incidence of ischemic heart disease was progressively higher in the studied years: 51.9% in 1989, 52.4% in 1990 and 55.2% in 1991. Data from population age showed the same tendency: mean age was 51, 53 and 55 years, respectively. Femoral approach was attempted in 95% of the studies, and the axillary in 2.15%. Complications of diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures occurred in 3% of the patients. Dead occurred in 0.14%; arrhythmia, 0.37%; vascular, 0.14%; vasovagal/pyrogen reactions, 0.73%; myocardial infarction, 0.05%; and others, 1.58%.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization in experienced laboratories are a safe procedure with a reduced incidence of major complications.

Quantification of epicardial fat with cardiac CT and association with cardiovascular risk factors and obstructive coronary disease

Introduction

Recent studies advocate epicardial fat (EF) as a biologically active organ that influence coronary atherosclerosis development through endocrine and paracrine pathways. We aim to study the relations between EF, thoracic adipose tissue (TAT), cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) and obstructive coronary disease (OCD).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients (pts) referred to 64-multislice cardiac computed tomography (CT) in one center. The authors underwent a standardized protocol for quantification of EAT, TAT (subcutaneous and visceral), abdominal visceral fat, coronary calcium score and angiography.

Results

Total of 178 pts: male 99 (56%), mean age 65.9±12.9 years. Indications for performing CT were coronary disease (76%), valvular heart disease (15%), atrial fibrillation (6%) and congenital heart disease (2%). Regarding CRF, EF was only significant higher in patients with diabetes (115±60 vs 95±47, p=0.018), in male gender (114±60 vs 91±42, p=0.04) and was linear correlated with age (p=0.004). The authors also found that EF volume is significant higher in patients with typical angina (p=0.02) and with coronary atherosclerosis: non-obstructive (p=0.0049) and OCD (p=0.001) – Graphic 1. ROC analysis of EF (AUC 0.659, p=0.0039) and EF/TAT relation (AUC 0.704, p=0.003) allowed to estimate that EF&gt;100 ml and EF/TAT &gt;0.06 had a sensibility to predict OCD of 53% and 58%, respectively, and specificity of 66% and 60%. We did not find a correlation between EF, EF/TAT or TAT and coronary calcium score.

Conclusion

EF is higher in patients with diabetes and coronary atherosclerosis. EF and EF/TAT relation had moderate sensibility and specificity to predict OCD, irrespective of calcium score. EF and EF/TAT are promising atherosclerotic markers that could be routinely use in the near future.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Use of stents for small coronary arteries. Results of the Multi-Link 2.5 Portuguese Registry

INTRODUCTION

Stents are being used with increasing frequency in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) but their use in small vessels is still controversial, due to the possibility of excessively high rates of adverse events and restenosis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and clinical efficacy of ACS RX Multi-Link (ML) 2.5 mm stents, in "de novo" coronary stenosis.

DESIGN

Prospective Registry, with 6 months clinical follow-up, involving all Portuguese centers of Interventional Cardiology.

POPULATION

Between April 7 and November 20 1998, 102 patients were enrolled, 82 male and with ages ranging from 30 to 86 years (average 58 +/- 11). Clinical presentation for PTCA was stable angina in 53%, unstable angina in 36% and silent ischemia in 11%. There was a history of previous myocardial infarction in 29% of patients. The main risk factors were hypertension (58%), hyperlipidemia (57%), smoking (25%) and diabetes (20%). Multivessel coronary artery disease was present in 46% of patients and left ventricular function was normal in 89%. Of the 217 existing lesions, 188 (87%) were treated: 35 with balloon angioplasty and 153 with stent implantation, 114 of which were ML 2.5 mm: 79 of 15 mm in length and 35 of 25 mm.

METHODS

Angiographic success with ML stent implantation and major adverse cardiac events (MACE)--myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), new target vessel revascularizations and death--were evaluated during hospital stay, and at 1 and 6 months clinical follow-up.

RESULTS

Angiographic success was 97.4%. In one patient it was not possible to cross the lesion, in another there was stent migration and in a third distal coronary flow after stenting was TIMI grade 1. Clinical success was 96.1% and there were no cases of death, Q-wave MI or urgent CABG. Two patients had non-Q wave MI and two required urgent repeat angioplasty. Subacute stent thrombosis occurred in 1 patient. There were no additional MACE at 1 month follow-up. At 6-month follow-up (in 97% of patients) MACE had occurred in 14.1%: 2 deaths (one non-cardiac), 3 MI (one non-Q) and 14 new PTCA (one in a non-ML stent). There was no need for CABG in any patient. Six-month survival rate was 97.9%, 94.9% were free of infarction and 84.8% were free of infarction and new revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-Link 2.5 mm stent implantation appears to be safe and efficient with a low incidence of immediate and 6-month adverse events in the range of centers and operators of the Registry.

[Emergency catheterization in a coronary intensive care unit. The diagnostic and therapeutic implications]

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic role of emergency hemodynamic studies, in the coronary intensive care (UCI).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study of--patients (P) submitted to emergency catheterization.

PATIENTS

183 P (152 M and 31 F), mean age 56 +/- 11.5 years, admitted to UCI of Hospital Santa Marta and who had cardiac catheterization performed, between October 88 and November 92.

METHODS

Patient clinical files were reviewed. We considered the reasons for emergency cardiac catheterization; final diagnosis; complications in the first 24 hours; catheterization role in the therapeutic orientation.

RESULTS

Reasons for hemodynamic study were: coronary artery disease (CAD) in 127 P (69%); aortic dissection in 33 P (18%); valvular disease in 19 P (10%) and other in 4 P (3%). Clinical diagnosis was confirmed in 92% and changed in 8% by hemodynamic study results. Left main coronary artery disease was diagnosed in 6.5% of CAD patients. Coronary artery disease was excluded in 5 P with previous CAD diagnosis, in 19 P with aortic dissection and in 11 valvular patients. 32% of P were sent to emergent surgery: 93% ascending aortic dissection and 20% of CAD, 76% of valvular disease. The hemodynamic study was decisive in the therapeutic option of myocardial revascularization in 77% of P with CAD: 39 emergent PTCA (31%), 13 primary (33%) and 14 P oriented to elective PTCA (11%); 26 emergent surgery and 19 P oriented to elective surgery (15%). The emergency cardiac catheterization mortality rate was 0.5%, and the morbidity 2.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution of Hemodynamic Department to UCI was decisive in the diagnostic and therapeutic orientation of critical patients.

[Cardiovascular syphilis. Report of 2 cases]

We present two cases of cardiovascular syphilis being one of them a curious case of chronic pericardial effusion associated with cardiovascular complications of lues. In this article we will make as well a review of cardiovascular syphilis.

[The use of Abciximab in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing direct percutaneous coronary revascularization]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the initial experience, in our Centre, with Abciximab in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

METHODS

Between October 1996 and May 1998, 65 patients (51 males, mean age 56.9 +/- 11 years) underwent direct PTCA for acute myocardial infarction. In thirty-seven patients the myocardial infarction was anterior and 40 had multivessels disease. Mainly to compare the incidence of bleeding complications we considered 2 groups: Group A--17 patients submitted to PTCA without the use of Abciximab, and Group B--48 patients submitted to PTCA and to a bolus followed by a 12 hour infusion of Abciximab. All the patients were treated with aspirin and heparin (5,000 to 15,000 U according to ACT) and ticlopidine in case of stent implantation.

RESULTS

Percutaneous coronary revascularization was successfully achieved in 92.3% of the patients. The total number of bleeding complications was ten cases (20.8%) in Group B and 1 case (5.8%) in Group A. Most of the bleeding complications in the Abciximab Group were minor and related to the femoral vascular access site (9 cases--18.7%) and were easily resolved with local measures (8 cases). There were also 3 cases of hematemesis and one of oral bleeding, all well tolerated. Major bleeding complications were identified in only one patient of the Abciximab Group related to the vascular access site, however there was an absolutely similar case in Group A (2% versus 5.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although bleeding complications were more frequent in patients receiving Abciximab, mostly related to the vascular access site, they were transient and well tolerated.