Biological Equivalence of GGTA-1 Glycosyltransferase Knockout and Standard Porcine Pericardial Tissue Using 90-Day Mitral Valve Implantation in Adolescent Sheep

Objective There is growing interest in the application of genetically engineered reduced antigenicity animal tissue for manufacture of bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) to reduce antibody induced tissue calcification and accelerated structural valve degeneration (SVD). This study tested biological equivalence of valves made from Gal-knockout (GalKO) and standard porcine pericardium after 90-day mitral valve implantation in sheep. Methods GalKO (n = 5) and standard (n = 5) porcine pericardial BHVs were implanted in a randomized and blind fashion into sheep for 90-days. Valve haemodynamic function was measured at 30-day intervals. After explantation, valves were examined for pannus, vegetation, inflammation, thrombus, and tissue calcification. Results Nine of 10 recipients completed the study. There was no difference between study groups for haemodynamic performance and no adverse valve-related events. Explanted BHVs showed mild pannus integration and minimal thrombus, with no difference between the groups. Limited focal mineral deposits were detected by x-ray. Atomic spectroscopy analysis detected tissue calcium levels of 1.0 µg/mg ± 0.2 for GalKO BHVs and 1.9 µg/mg ± 0.9 for standard tissue BHVs (p = 0.4), considered to be both low and equivalent. Conclusions This is the first demonstration of biological equivalence between GalKO and standard pig pericardium. The GalKO mutation causes neither intrinsic detrimental biological nor functional impact on BHV performance. Commercial adaptation of GalKO tissue for surgical or transcatheter BHVs would remove the clinical disparity between patients producing anti-Gal antibody and BHVs containing the Gal antigen. GalKO BHVs may reduce accelerated tissue calcification and SVD, enhancing patient choices, especially for younger patients. Graphical Abstract

Correlation of phosphorus level with macro- and microelements in the bristles of Landrace pigs

The presented results expand the understanding of the normal chemical composition of the body. The study was carried out on the basis of a pig-breeding farm in the Altai Territory in 2016-2020 on clinically healthy 6-month-old pigs of the Landrace breed. Chemical analysis of pig bristles was performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The data were processed using Statistica 8 software (StatSoft Inc., USA). A study of the correlations between phosphorus in bristles and other macro-, microelements, as well as chemical elements associated with phosphorus, has been carried out. Only positive connections of different strengths have been established between phosphorus and elements involved in the formation of bone tissue (calcium, magnesium, manganese), copper, iron and strontium. There are two groups of direct interactions of different strengths between the chemical elements associated with phosphorus. Explained supposedly the essence of the connections, which is consistent in the bristle, as the final site of exchange, with organs and tissues of mammals.

Carotid Plaque Morphology is Similar in Patients with Reduced and Normal Renal Function

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events such as stroke. However, it is still unclear if decreased kidney function is associated with a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque phenotype. To explore if renal function was associated with carotid plaque vulnerability we analyzed carotid plaques obtained at surgery from the Carotid Plaque Imaging Project (CPIP). Methods: Patients were enrolled through the CPIP cohort. The indication for surgery was plaques with stenosis >70%, associated with ipsilateral symptoms or plaques with stenosis >80% not associated with symptoms. Transversal sections from the most stenotic plaque region were analyzed for connective tissue, calcium, lipids, macrophages, intraplaque hemorrhage, and smooth muscle cells. Homogenates were analyzed for collagen and elastin. Results: Carotid endarterectomy specimens from 379 patients were obtained. The median GFR was 73 ml/min/1.73 m2. Plaque characteristics showed no significant association with eGFR, neither when eGFR was divided in CKD groups nor when eGFR was handled as a continuous variable and adjusting for other known risk factors (ie, age, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking). Conclusions: The higher risk of cardiovascular disease such as stroke in CKD is not associated with increased plaque vulnerability and other factors have to be sought.

Prevention of calcium deficiency in children

One of the urgent problems of modern pediatrics is to assess the value of adequate calcium intake to ensure the skeleton strength and the formation of tooth resistance to caries in children and adolescents. This article is aimed at providing generalized data on the prevention of calcium deficiency in children and adolescents. The physiology of calcium metabolism and vitamin D regulatory role are discussed. The article describes non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods for the prevention and correction of calcium deficiency in children and adolescents. It also indicates the use of calcium salts in insufficient calcium content in the diet, somatic pathology, as well as with an increase in the need for minerals during periods of intensive growth. The article discusses the differences between organic (citrate, lactate, and calcium gluconate) and inorganic calcium salts (calcium phosphate and carbonate), as well as between liquid and solid forms. The benefits of liquid forms should be considered a uniform particle distribution of the active substance, an increase in the surface area of absorption and absorption degree, as well as the possibility of use in children with difficulties in swallowing solid forms. The use of calcium and vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of adverse events in children.KEYWORDS: calcium and phosphorus metabolism, bone tissue, calcium, children, adolescents, calcium deficiency, vitamin K, vitamin D.FOR CITATION: Taranushenko T.E., Kiseleva N.G. Prevention of calcium deficiency in children. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2020;4(8):511–517. DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2020-4-8-511-517.

Neurodynamic Influence of Hydrocortisone on Rhinencephalic and Telencephalic Brain Areas

The neurodynamic effect of graded hydrocortisone treatment on rhinencephalic and telencephalic brain regions was studied in an experimental animal design that sampled isolated hippocampal, basal nucleic and frontal cortical brain regions of male wistar rats. Four test groups, ii to v were administered 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg and 10 mg respectively. The study period lasted for 6 weeks. Results were statistically analyzed and considered significantly different at a confidence interval of 95%. There was a progressive decline in olfactory response as dose of hydrocortisone treatment was increased. There was a significant dose-dependent decrease in assayed frontal cortical acetylcholine and hippocampal glutamate in brain tissue homogenates. Similar change was observed in brain tissue calcium, magnesium and sodium. For the behavioral, histological and biochemical tests conducted in this study, 6 weeks hydrocortisone treatment showed adverse manifestations from 5 mg, which was more obvious from 7.5 mg. The outcome of this study revealed a possible dose-dependent adverse effect of hydrocortisone on specific brain regions responsible for learning, memory, olfaction and psychosocial behavior.

Role of madhuli modaka in the management of asthisoushirya with special reference to osteoporosis: ¬a case study

Geriatric is the branch of medicine concern with the old age care and treatment. This age group where catabolic, degenerative phenomenons get accelerted due to dominate of vat dosha.The asthikshaya occurs due to vataprakop. Because Vatadosh and Asthi dhatu are related to each other. Therefore in Asthi dhatu, there is formation of Aakashyitva (Space) and soushirya (porocity). It results into osteoporosis. In Modern science, Osteoporosis is most common bone disease in Geriatric population. It is characterised by reduced bone mineral density (BMD), micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, calcium and phosphorus and increased risk of facture. The prevalence of Osteoporosis and Osteoporosis related facture increases markedly with age, reflecting in the related decline in the bone mass and increased risk of Osteoporosis in the Geriatric population. Madhuli (Eleusine coracona) contain more amount of calcium and phosphorus. So this dravy is usefull in Osteoporosis. So Madhuli modaka showed symptomatically good result in Osteoporosis.