Postnatal Enalapril to Improve Cardiovascular Function Following Preterm Preeclampsia (PICk-UP): A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Feasibility Trial
HYPERTENSION
Authors: Ormesher, Laura; Higson, Suzanne; Luckie, Matthew; Roberts, Stephen A.; Glossop, Heather; Trafford, Andrew; Cottrell, Elizabeth; Johnstone, Edward D.; Myers, Jenny E.
Abstract
Hypertensive disease in pregnancy is associated with future cardiovascular disease and, therefore, provides an opportunity to identify women who could benefit from targeted interventions aimed at reducing cardiovascular morbidity. This study focused on the highest-risk group, women with preterm preeclampsia, who have an 8-fold risk of death from future cardiovascular disease. We performed a single-center feasibility randomized controlled trial of 6 months' treatment with enalapril to improve postnatal cardiovascular function. Echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements were performed at baseline (<3 days), 6 weeks, and 6 months postdelivery on 60 women. At randomization, 88% of women had diastolic dysfunction, and 68% had concentric remodeling/hypertrophy. No difference was seen in total vascular resistance (P=0.59) or systolic function (global longitudinal strain: P=0.14) between groups at 6 months. However, women treated with enalapril had echocardiographic measurements consistent with improved diastolic function (E/E '[the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity and early mitral annular diastolic velocity]: P=0.04) and left ventricular remodeling (relative wall thickness: P=0.01; left ventricular mass index: P=0.03) at 6 months, compared with placebo. Urinary enalapril was detectable in 85% and 63% of women in the enalapril arm at 6 weeks and 6 months, respectively. All women responded positively to taking enalapril in the future. Our study confirmed acceptability and feasibility of the study protocol with a recruitment to completion rate of 2.2 women per month. Importantly, postnatal enalapril treatment was associated with improved echocardiographic measurements; these early improvements have the potential to reduce long-term cardiovascular disease risk. A definitive, multicenter randomized controlled trial is now required to confirm these findings.
Selective determination of non-organophosphorus insecticide using DNA aptamer-based single-use biosensors
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY
Authors: Kocer, Mustafa Baris; Tig, Gozde Aydogdu; Pekyardimci, Sule
Abstract
In the present study, we developed a disposable aptamer-based biosensor for rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection of acetamiprid (ACE). To improve the sensitivity of the aptasensor, poly-5-amino-2-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole [P(AMT)] and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were progressively electrodeposited on the screen-printed electrode (SPE) surface by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. For the determination of ACE, thiol-modified primary aptamer (Apt1) was selected by using the SELEX method and immobilized on the surface of the P(AMT) and AuNPs-modified SPE (SPE/P(AMT)/AuNPs) via Au-S bonding. Then, the surface-bound aptamer was incubated with ACE for 45 Min. After that, the biotin-labeled aptamer 2 (Apt2) was interacted with the ACE, then the enzyme-labeled step was performed. In this step, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was bound to the surface through the interaction between Apt2 labeled with biotin and streptavidin (strep)-ALP conjugate. The determination of ACE was achieved by measuring the oxidation signal of alpha-naphthol, which is formed on the electrode surface through the interaction of ALP with alpha-naphthyl phosphate. The working range of the developed aptasensor was determined as 5 x 10(-12)-5 x 10(-10 )mol L(-1)with a low limit of detection (1.5 pmol L-1). It was also found that the proposed aptasensor possessed great advantages such as low cost, good selectivity, and good reproducibility.