Does Body Position Affect Ultrasound Measurements of Bladder-Wall Elasticity?

Ultrasound bladder vibrometry (UBV) parameters have been shown in previous studies to strongly correlate with measurements from urodynamic studies. Just like urodynamic studies, UBV can be performed in supine and sitting positions. The objective of this study is to compare UBV parameters obtained in the two different positions using statistical methods. We recruited eight volunteers with healthy bladders for this purpose. The elasticity, group velocity squared and thickness of the bladder were the UBV parameters of interest, and their values were recorded at different bladder volumes for each volunteer. The results presented indicate that the measurements made in the two positions are in agreement using the Bland–Altman method and a parameter q which compares the values at each bladder volume for each volunteer. UBV parameters were also repeatable for measurements recorded in the supine and sitting positions.     

Transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) in a rabbit model of spina bifida

Purpose

Transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) with select mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to induce partial or complete skin coverage of spina bifida in rodents. Clinical translation of this emerging therapy hinges on its efficacy in larger animal models. We sought to study TRASCET in a model requiring intra-amniotic injections 60 times larger than those performed in the rat.

Donor mesenchymal stem cell linetics after transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) for experimental spina bifida

Purpose

We sought to examine donor mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) kinetics after transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) in experimental spina bifida.

An in vitro study on the effect of vinca alkaloid,vinorelbine, on chromatin histone,HMGB proteins and induction of apoptosis in mice non-adherent bone marrow cells

Context: Vinoreline is a vinca alkaloid anticancer drug widely used in cancer therapy. Drugs are not target specific, therefore might affect normal tissues/cells, in which bone marrow is the important one. Objective: To elucidate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of vinca alkaloid anti cancer drug, vinorelbine, on mice non-adherent bone marrow cells in vitro. Materials and methods: Non-adherent bone marrow cells were isolated and exposed to various concentrations (0–160?µg/ml) for 4?h at 23?°C. The chromatin proteins were analyzed by SDS PAGE and western blot. Fluorescent dye staining of the cells, anion superoxide and DNA fragmentations assays were also employed. Result: The results from MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays represented reduction of the cells viability. Extractability of histones and HMG proteins contrasted with difficulty as their content was decreased on SDS-gel upon increasing drug concentration as western blots confirmed it. The amount of degradation form of PARP (89?KD) increased significantly in a dose dependent manner. Increase in anion superoxide production and DNA fragmentation together with cytological detection of chromatin condensation and cellular damage upon exposure of the cells to vinorelbine were indicative of apoptosis induction in these normal cells. Conclusion: Vinorelbine is genotoxic in non-adherent bone marrow cells as affects chromatin components, DNA, histone and HMGB1 proteins and induces apoptosis.     

Mycobacterium-Specific γ9δ2 T Cells Mediate Both Pathogen-Inhibitory and CD40 Ligand-Dependent Antigen Presentation Effects Important for Tuberculosis Immunity

Numerous pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can activate human γ₉δ₂ T cells to proliferate and express effector mechanisms. γ₉δ₂ T cells can directly inhibit the growth of intracellular mycobacteria and may also act as antigen-presenting cells (APC). Despite evidence for γδ T cells having the capacity to function as APC, the mechanisms involved and importance of these effects on overall tuberculosis (TB) immunity are unknown. We prepared M. tuberculosis-specific γ₉δ₂ T cell lines to study their direct protective effects and APC functions for M. tuberculosis-specific αβ T cells. The direct inhibitory effects on intracellular mycobacteria were measured, and the enhancing effects on proliferative and effector responses of αβ T cells assessed. Furthermore, the importance of cell-to-cell contact and soluble products for γ₉δ₂ T cell effector responses and APC functions were investigated. We demonstrate, in addition to direct inhibitory effects on intracellular mycobacteria, the following: (i) γ₉δ₂ T cells enhance the expansion of M. tuberculosis-specific αβ T cells and increase the ability of αβ T cells to inhibit intracellular mycobacteria; (ii) although soluble mediators are critical for the direct inhibitory effects of γ₉δ₂ T cells, their APC functions do not require soluble mediators; (iii) the APC functions of γ₉δ₂ T cells involve cell-to-cell contact that is dependent on CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interactions; and (iv) fully activated CD4⁺ αβ T cells and γ₉δ₂ T cells provide similar immune enhancing/APC functions for M. tuberculosis-specific T cells. These effector and helper effects of γ₉δ₂ T cells further indicate that these T cells should be considered important new targets for new TB vaccines.     

Bilateral microphthalmos with colobomatous orbital cyst and de-novo balanced translocation t(3;5)

A term Caucasian male infant, born to a healthy non-related couple, was noted at birth to have bilateral edema and bluish discoloration of the lower eyelids. On physical examination, the eye globes were not visualized and hypertelorism was noted. Radiological imaging revealed large bilateral orbital cysts, microphthalmos, and severe optic nerve hypoplasia. Histological study of the excised orbital masses showed cysts lined by primitive, immature retinal tissue which contained neuroglial elements and scattered dysplastic rosettes. Chromosome analysis revealed an apparent balanced reciprocal translocation between the long arm of chromosome 3 and 5, i.e. 46, XY, t (3; 5) (q27; q11.2).Chromosome studies in parents were normal. To our knowledge, the association of this balanced translocation and microphthalmos with cyst has not been previously described in the English literature.     

Isolation,Identification and Distribution of Culturable Bacteria in Manasbal Lake,Kashmir Himalaya

Bacteria comprise an important part of the aquatic microbial flora and perform myriad of ecological roles in aquatic ecosystems. Yet the bacteriological studies on aquatic ecosystems are scarce, especially in the Himalayan context. The main objective of present study was to assess the bacteriological composition of Manasbal lake, the deepest freshwater lake of Kashmir Himalayas, in relation to anthropogenic pressures. The authors measured abundance of the culturable bacteria in lake waters from March to December 2011 using culture based approaches. A total of 1391 different colonies of the identified bacterial strains were obtained from the lake waters with significant site specific variability. The data indicated that the colony number was highest for site II (surrounded by residential hamlets) followed by site I (an irrigational stream) and III (Central site) and lowest for site IV (Outlet). The strains were identified using the gram’s staining, motility test and biochemical tests. Data revealed a highest percentage occurrence of 14.67 % for Proteus II and lowest of 0.21 % for Shigella I. This study indicated the need for development of a feasible system with regular assessment of microbial population for ascertaining the proper microbial load in order to effectively combat the multiple dangers of anthropogenic pollution of the lake.     

An Evaluation of the Effect of Hypnosis on Postoperative Analgesia following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Little attention has been paid to the effectiveness of hypnosis in improving the results of surgery in Iran. One hundred and twenty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into either control (standard care) or experimental (hypnosis) groups. Prior to surgery and again after surgery, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were assessed. The results suggest that hypnosis could effectively reduce pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and significantly reduce hospitalization time.