Acquired C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency: Three case reports and commentary on the syndrome

Acquired C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency is a rare syndrome which usually presents with episodes of angioedema. Most patients have an underlying lymphoproliferative disorder. It is important to gastroenterologists, haematologists, immunologists and dermatologists, as these are the more likely specialties to which the patient will present. Recognition of the syndrome is important not only for diagnostic purposes but for investigating and treating any associated underlying lymphoproliferative disorders. In some instances the angioedema may precede the lymphoma by many years. Optimal patient management requires that both angioedema and the underlying lymphoma be recognized and treated.     

Risk factors for coronary artery disease in Indians

Background: A case control study was carried out to study the emerging risk factors for coronary artery disease in Indians.     

Bacterial indicators of pollution of the Douala lagoon, Cameroon: Public health implications

Background

Indiscriminate disposal of untreated wastes which are often heavily laden with sewage microorganisms some of which are pathogenic to humans into aquatic environments near cities could serve as potential dangers to human health.

Objective

A prospective study was undertaken to investigate the scope of potential bacterial pathogens and to assess the extent of pollution of the Douala lagoon.

Methods

A total of eighty water samples were collected fortnightly from the lagoon at five stations from March to October 2005 and analysed for heterotrophic bacterial densities, coliform counts, faecal coliform and faecal streptococcal counts. Bacteria were isolated and identified using standard microbiology and biochemical techniques.

Results

High heterotrophic bacterial counts (33 × 10⁵ − 161 × 10⁵ CFU/ mL), total coliform counts (1.8 × 10² − 2.4 × 10² CFU/100 mL), faecal coliform counts (2.2 × 10² − 2.4 × 10² CFU/ 100 mL) and faecal streptococcal counts (2.1 × 102 − 2.3 x 10² CFU/100mL were observed in all sampling stations. Eleven species of bacteria: Bacteroides fragilis, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Citrobacter freundii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus mycoides and Serratia marcesens, were frequently isolated.

Conclusion

The presence of potential bacterial agents such as Bacteroides fragilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli in the lagoon may pose a serious threat to the health and well being of users of the Lagoon and calls for urgent intervention.     

自体骨髓来源内皮祖细胞移植对移植静脉桥血管再内皮化及内膜增生的影响

目的:已有实验研究证明,移植骨髓来源内皮祖细胞可以促进球囊损伤后血管内皮的修复及抑制内膜的增生.那么移植骨髓来源内皮祖细胞对自体静脉移植术后静脉血管内皮修复和内膜增生是否起同样的作用?观察自体骨髓来源内皮祖细胞移植对自体静脉移植术后静脉桥血管再内皮化及内膜增生的作用。方法:实验于2007-01/08在北华大学附属医院内科实验室完成。实验室级别:P2级。①实验材料:6～8月龄雄性新西兰大白兔由解放军第二军医大学实验动物中心提供.体质量(2.5±0.5)kg,清洁级,实验过程中对动物处置符合动物伦理学标准。②实验方法:抽取成年兔骨髓分离制备骨髓单个核细胞,体外扩增法培养出骨髓来源内皮祖细胞.在培养第7天通过Ac-Dil-LDL、FITC-BS-1双染色及流式细胞仪检测CD34、CD133、FIK-1表达进行细胞鉴定,应用DAPI荧光染料体外标记培养7 d的骨髓来源内皮祖细胞、将成年新西兰大白兔23只随机分为细胞移植组(n=13)和对照组(n=10)进行自体左颈外静脉、颈总动脉移植术,在建模后第3天将DAPI标记的骨髓来源内皮祖细胞悬液经耳缘静脉植入细胞移植组动物体内,埘照组植入等量的PBS液③实验评估:细胞移植后4周.观察兔静脉移植段血管性及内膜厚度。结果:23只免均进入结果分析,无脱落:①通过体外扩增法培养的骨髓来源内皮组细胞,培养至7 d可见AC-Dil-LDI及FITC-BS-1双染色阳性细胞并表达CD34、CD133及FIK-1。②在呈绿荧光染色的血管内皮中可见有部分不均匀的散发蓝色荧光(DAPI标记细胞的细胞核)。③细胞移植组兔静脉血管内皮有DAPI标记的细胞.且内膜厚度明显低于对照组(P<0.05)结论:自体骨髓来源的内皮祖细胞移植可以促进损伤部位血管内皮的修复.并抑制内膜的过度增生。     

RENAL TRANSPLANTATION – AN EARLY EXPERIENCE

Renal transplant (RT) is now a therapy of choice for end stage renal disease (ESRD). The Nephrology Unit, Asvini started functioning in Dec 90 and to date 1298 sittings of hemodialysis have been given to 45 patients. Of these, 35 were in ESRD and 11 patients underwent renal transplantation at this hospital during the period Jan 91 – Dec 93. One patient expired after 18 months of transplantation due to infection. Early experience in screening patients for RT, use of immunosuppression, management of rejection episodes and protocol are presented with special emphasis on its relevance to the Armed Forces.KEY WORDS: Transplantation, Renal Failure, Immunosuppression, Rejection     

MR imaging of the scrotum: normal anatomy

High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a surface coil was utilized to evaluate the normal scrotum. Scrotal contents, spermatic canal, and inguinal regions were visualized within the same field of view. Differences in signal intensity in the testis, epididymis, tunica albuginea, fluid, fat, and spermatic cord allowed for clear delineation of these structures in detail. The high contrast and spatial resolution of MR imaging, coupled with the wide field of view and absence of ionizing radiation, make MR imaging well suited for evaluation of the scrotum.     

Gerota versus Zuckerkandl: the renal fascia revisited

In the medical literature, Gerota fascia is frequently used as a general term to describe both the anterior and posterior pararenal fascia. However, Zuckerkandl's name is also often used to describe either the anterior or posterior fascia. To resolve this confusion, the authors reviewed the original works by Gerota and Zuckerkandl. In 1883, Zuckerkandl described the posterior renal fascia but did not recognize the presence of the anterior renal fascia. In 1895, Gerota documented the presence of the anterior renal fascia and clearly assigned Zuckerkandl's name to the posterior renal fascia. Thus, the terms Zuckerkandl fascia and posterior renal fascia are synonymous, as are Gerota fascia and anterior renal fascia.