Protamine avoidance

The exogenous administration of growth factors has been examined for treating wounds and such factors serve as cosmetic agents for skin regeneration. However, the topical application of growth factors is hampered by their limited percutaneous absorption. In this study, we genetically modified basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) using a cell-penetrating peptide to facilitate their permeation into skin and to avoid multiple steps in the chemical or physical modification of biomaterials...

The aim of this study was to compare safety and feasibility of a subcutaneous purse-string suture (PSS) with manual compression (MC) to gain hemostasis in patients after multiple femoral venous punctures undergoing electrophysiological procedures on uninterrupted oral anticoagulation (OAK). A total of 784 patients who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (n = 564) or (a)typical atrial flutter (n = 220) were assessed. Four hundred sixty-two patients received PSS (58.9%) and 322 patients (41...

The need for additional tests to complement basic sperm analysis in clinics is well appreciated. In this regard, a number of tests such as sperm DNA integrity test as a tool in diagnosis and treatment of infertility are suggested. But recent studies have focused on main sperm factors involved in oocyte activation such as phospholipase C-zeta (PLCζ) that initiate intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and embryogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between PLCζ, basic semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and protamine deficiency in men with normal (n=32) and abnormal (n=23) semen parameters...

Anticoagulant therapy-associated bleeding and pathological thrombosis pose serious risks to hospitalized patients. Both complications could be mitigated by developing new therapeutics that safely neutralize anticoagulant activity and inhibit activators of the intrinsic blood clotting pathway, such as polyphosphate (polyP) and extracellular nucleic acids. The latter strategy could reduce the use of anticoagulants, potentially decreasing bleeding events. However, previously described cationic inhibitors of polyP and extracellular nucleic acids exhibit both nonspecific binding and adverse effects on blood clotting that limit their use...

Vesicular-mediated communication between cells appears critical in many biological processes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from healthy and diseased cells are involved in a network of exchange of biologically active molecules. Since EVs present in biological fluids carry the signature of the cell of origin, they are potential biomarkers for ongoing physiological or pathological processes. Despite the knowledge on EV biology accrued in recent years, techniques of EV purification remain a challenge and all the described methods have some advantages and disadvantages...

Low molecular weight heparin, which is generally obtained by chemical and enzymatic depolymerization of unfractionated heparin, has high bioavailability and can be subcutaneously injected. The aim of the present investigation was to fractionate bovine heparin using a physical method (ultrafiltration through a 10kDa cut-off membrane), avoiding structural modifications that can be caused by chemical or enzymatic treatments. Two fractions with different molecular weights were obtained: the first had an intermediate molecular weight (B-IMWH; Mn=9587Da) and the other had a high molecular weight (B-HMWH; 22,396Da)...

In-stent restenosis is one of the most serious modes of failure of cardiovascular stent implant. Although drug-eluting stents have been proven to reduce in-stent restenosis, the nonspecific inhibitory effects of anti-proliferative drugs, such as rapamycin, result in delayed re-endothelialization and fatal late stent thrombosis. Although many studies have focused on promoting rapid re-endothelialization, a feasible method of reducing excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) production and cell proliferation might provide a promising way to efficiently inhibit the restenosis in vivo...

Nanoparticles of poorly water-soluble drugs were prepared in suspension via antisolvent precipitation in order to improve their dissolution behaviour. Insoluble, surface-functionalized, micron-range, clay carrier particles were employed for the dual purpose of stabilizing the nanoparticles in suspended state, and facilitating their unhindered isolation to solid state; often a challenging step in nanoparticle production. The carrier particles, which were functionalized with an optimal level of cationic polymer (protamine), attracted negatively-charged nanoparticles to their surface as a uniform and segregated nanoparticle layer, at drug loadings up to 9% w/w...

PURPOSE: We systematically reviewed preclinical and clinical studies on bladder chemodenervation with onabotulinumtoxin A to highlight current limitations and future drug delivery approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified peer reviewed basic and clinical research studies of onabotulinumtoxin A in the treatment of neurogenic bladder and refractory idiopathic overactive bladder published between March 2000 and March 2016. Paired investigators independently screened 125 English language articles to identify controlled studies on onabotulinumtoxin A administration in the MEDLINE® database and abstracts presented at annual American Urological Association meetings...

INTRODUCTION: Standards have a significant role in showing the minimum level of optimal optimum and the expected performance. Since the perfusion technology staffs play an the leading role in providing the quality services to the patients undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass machine, this study aimed to assess the standards on how Iranian perfusion technology staffs evaluate and manage the patients during the cardiopulmonary bypass process and compare their practice with the recommended standards by American Society of Extracorporeal Technology...

Fertilization is a very dynamic period of comprehensive chromatin remodeling, from which two specialized cells result in a totipotent zygote. The formation of a totipotent cell requires extensive epigenetic remodeling that, although independent of modifications in the DNA sequence, still entails a profound cell-fate change, supported by transcriptional profile modifications. As a result of finely tuned interactions between numerous mechanisms, the goal of fertilization is to form a full healthy new individual...

PURPOSE: Widespread consensus exists about the importance of addressing patient safety issues in oncology, yet our understanding of the frequency, spectrum, and preventability of adverse events (AEs) across cancer care is limited. METHODS: We developed a screening tool to detect AEs across cancer care settings through medical record review. Members of the study team reviewed the scientific literature and obtained structured input from an external multidisciplinary panel of clinicians by using a modified Delphi process...

The potential of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics for cancer has received much attention; however, delivery of RNAi effectors, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), remains an obstacle to clinical translation. Non-viral delivery vectors have been used extensively to enhance siRNA delivery. Recently, the potential of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for transporting drugs, proteins and genetic materials has been demonstrated. Previously, our laboratory synthesised positively charged, surfactant-free AuNPs in water by the reduction of gold (III) chloride (AuCl3) using hydroxylamine hydrochloride (NH2OH·HCl) in the presence of L-cysteine methyl ester hydrochloride (HSCH2CH(NH2)COOCH3·HCl) as a capping agent...

BACKGROUND: In open heart surgery, heparinization is commonly neutralized using an empirical heparin:protamine ratio ranging between 1:1 and 1:1.5. However, these ratios may result in protamine overdose that should be avoided for its negative side effects on the coagulation system. This study aimed to indicate the appropriate treatment for prolonged activated clotting time (ACT) after protamine administration following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in pediatric open heart surgery by investigating the underlying reasons for it...

BACKGROUND: Postoperative bleeding after heart operations is still a common finding, leading to allogeneic blood products transfusion. Fibrinogen and coagulation factors deficiency are possible determinants of bleeding. The experimental hypothesis of this study is that a first-line fibrinogen supplementation avoids the need for fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and reduces the need for any kind of transfusions. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study...

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats that appears to be increasing in prevalence. The prognosis for affected cats can be good when the disease is well managed, but clinical management presents challenges, both for the veterinary team and for the owner. These ISFM Guidelines have been developed by an independent, international expert panel of clinicians and academics to provide practical advice on the management of routine (uncomplicated) diabetic cats...

OBJECTIVE: The clinical features of patients with mediastinal and/or neck hematoma after transradial cardiac catheterization were reviewed and analyzed to help the clinicians to recognize this complication, and try their best to avoid the complication and treat the complication properly. METHODS: A total of 8 patients with mediastinal and/or neck hematoma after right transradial cardiac catheterization in Fuwai hospital from January 1, 2005 to the end of 2012 were included in this study...

The development of novel assays for protease sensing plays an important role in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics. Herein, we report a supramolecular platform for label-free protease detection, based on protein/dye self-assembly and enzyme-triggered disassembly. In a typical case, coassembly of protamine sulfate and perylene dye via electrostatic attractions and π-π interactions caused significant colorimetric and fluorescent responses. Subsequent addition of trypsin was found to cleave the amide bonds of protein, triggering the dissociation of protein/dye aggregates and the release of perylene dyes...

Clinical practice guidelines specific to the medical care of frail older adults have yet to be widely disseminated. Because of the complex conditions associated with frailty, guidelines for frail older patients should be based on careful consideration of the characteristics of this population, balanced against the benefits and harms associated with treatment. In response to this need, the Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia (DCPNS) collaborated with the Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH) program to develop and disseminate guidelines for the treatment of frail older adults with type 2 diabetes...

PURPOSE: Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) can mediate effective delivery of their associated drugs and drug carriers intracellularly, however their lack of cell specificity remains a major obstacle for their clinical development. We aimed at improving the cell specificity and therapeutic efficacy of HPMA copolymer-octaarginine (R8) conjugate (P-R8) in cells at the tumor micro-environment. METHODS: To avoid premature cell-penetration, the positively charged R8 moieties were masked via electrostatic complexation with various polyanionic molecules (heparin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, fucoidan and poly-glutamic acid)...