Welcome and Invitation to IFSO 2011 to Hamburg and Germany

Introduction

Welcome and Invitation to IFSO 2011 to Hamburg and Germany     

Introduction to nanotechnology and its applications to medicine

Nanotechnology can be defined as the science and engineering involved in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of materials and devices whose smallest functional organization in at least one dimension is on the nanometer scale or one billionth of a meter. At these scales, consideration of individual molecules and interacting groups of molecules in relation to the bulk macroscopic properties of the material or device becomes important, since it is control over the fundamental molecular structure that allows control over the macroscopic chemical and physical properties. Applications to medicine and physiology imply materials and devices designed to interact with the body at subcellular (i.e., molecular) scales with a high degree of specificity. This can potentially translate into targeted cellular and tissue-specific clinical applications designed to achieve maximal therapeutic affects with minimal side effects. In this review the main scientific and technical aspects of nanotechnology are introduced and some of its potential clinical applications are discussed.     

Anaphylaxis to Haemaccel and cross reactivity to Gelofusin

A recent change from Haemaccel to Gelofusin as the preferred colloid for resuscitation in our region caused us to review patients who were known to be allergic to Haemaccel. As Gelofusin and Haemaccel are both modified gelatine, it seemed likely that cross reactivity could occur. Two patients who had been diagnosed previously as having had anaphylactic reactions to Haemaccel were tested intradermally with dilutions of 1/100 of Haemaccel and Gelofusin. Both patients showed similar positive reactions to each agent. It appears that patients who are known to be allergic to Haemaccel are probably allergic also to Gelofusin. Both patients have been given new Medic Alert bracelets stating "Allergic to Haemaccel and Gelofusin".     

When to biopsy and when to stop biopsying

With the widespread use of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the prostate in men with suspected prostate cancer, physicians are faced with the dilemma of treating a patient with a high index of suspicion of prostate cancer but with an initial set of negative biopsies. For the initial biopsy, the optimal number of biopsy cores for detecting prostate cancer in prostate biopsy remains controversial; it is also often unclear who should undergo a repeat prostatebiopsy and when to stop biopsying.     

卵巢对促性腺激素的反应性与内膜对胚胎容受性

胚胎的种植是一个复杂的程序化过程,需要胚胎与子宫内膜发育协调一致才能够顺利完成.超排卵方案在体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)中的应用增加了获卵数目,便于获得优质胚胎,以保证临床妊娠率.但仅有优质胚胎是不够的,要达成临床妊娠,另一个关键的制约因素是子宫内膜的容受性.     

Analytical approaches to metabolomics and applications to systems biology

Phenotypic expression of renal diseases encompasses a complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and local tissue factors. The level of complexity requires integrated understanding of perturbations in the network of genes, proteins, and metabolites. Metabolomics attempts to systematically identify and quantitate metabolites from biological samples. The small molecules represent the end result of complexity of biological processes in a given cell, tissue, or organ, and thus form attractive candidates to understand disease phenotypes. Metabolites represent a diverse group of low-molecular-weight structures including lipids, amino acids, peptides, nucleic acids, and organic acids, which makes comprehensive analysis a difficult analytical challenge. The recent rapid development of a variety of analytical platforms based on mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance have enabled separation, characterization, detection, and quantification of such chemically diverse structures. Continued development of bioinformatics and analytical strategies will accelerate widespread use and integration of metabolomics into systems biology. Here, we will discuss analytical and bioinformatic techniques and highlight recent studies that use metabolomics in understanding pathophysiology of disease processes.     

Challenges to Research and Innovation to Optimize Deceased Donor Organ Quality and Quantity

Solid organ transplantation is encumbered by an increasing number of waitlisted patients unrequited by the current organ supply. Preclinical models suggest that advances in deceased donor management and treatment can increase the quantity and quality of organs available for transplantation. However, the science of donor intervention and the execution of high quality, prospective, multi‐center, randomized‐controlled trials are restricted by a myriad of logistical challenges mired in regulatory and ethical ambiguity. By highlighting the obstacles to conducting research in deceased donors, this report endeavors to stimulate the creation of a multi‐disciplinary framework to facilitate the design, implementation and supervision of innovative trials that increase the quantity and/or quality of deceased donor organs.     

Osteoporosis Treatment: When to Discontinue and When to Re-start

A number of effective therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis have become available in recent years. However, uncertainty exists regarding their long-term use and effectiveness. Bisphosphonate treatment, unlike hormone replacement, denosumab or teriparatide, is associated with benefits extended even after treatment discontinuation. The extended benefits are most apparent for alendronate (ALN) and zoledronate (ZOL). A drug holiday might be considered in patients at low-moderate risk and who have been fully compliant with treatment, and who have had a response to treatment. In patients at low-moderate risk of fractures the decision to consider a drug holiday should be balanced also with the safety profile of each treatment.