Effects of retinol on proliferation, cell adherence and extracellular matrix synthesis in a liver myofibroblast or lipocyte cell line (GRX).

We have studied the effect of retinol on an established murine cell line (GRX), representative of liver connective tissue cells. This cell line has myofibroblast characteristics; under retinol treatment it is induced into the lipocyte (Ito-cell) phenotype. Retinol decreased the proliferation rate in the entire cell population. It increased cell adherence to the substrate, which was correlated with the increased secretion of fibronectin. Collagen secretion was specifically decreased, whilst the total protein secretion remained stable. Heparan sulphate was decreased in the pericellular compartment, but other glycosaminoglycans were not affected by retinol treatment. Modulations of pericellular components induced by retinol may alter the relations among liver mesenchymal cells, and may be related to vitamin-A-induced modifications of the homoeostasis of hepatic connective tissue and hepatic fibrosis.     

Prophylactic antibiotherapy in urological surgery

The aim of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in urological surgery is the prevention of local or systemic infections. The authors treated 100 patients prophylactically; 62 were treated with amikacin and 38 with cefotaxime. Of the 62 patients treated with amikacin, 18 had infectious complications. Of the 38 patients treated with cefotaxime, ten had infectious complications. We conclude that in the Hospital do Desterro the incidence of infectious complications is high, despite antibiotic prophylaxis.Das Ziel der Antibiotikaprophylaxe bei urologischen Operationen ist die Verhinderung von lokalen und systemischen Infektionen. Die Autoren führten bei 100 Patienten eine Prophylaxe durch; 62 Patienten wurden mit Amikacin und 38 Patienten mit Cefotaxim behandelt. Von den 62 mit Amikacin behandelten Patienten hatten 18 und von den 38 mit Cefotaxim behandelten Patienten hatten zehn Patienten infektiöse Komplikationen. Daraus ergibt sich, daß trotz Antibiotikaprophylaxe das Auftreten infektiöser Komplikationen im Hospital do Desterro hoch ist.

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Dr.Calais da Silva's discussion could not be presented during the meeting because of an unforeseen event, but the kindly provided us with this discussion.     

Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after liver transplantation.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent cause of infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Colonization with MRSA is associated with a higher risk of infection. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of MRSA colonization among OLT candidates. However, the risk of colonization with MRSA after OLT is still unclear. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence and the factors associated with colonization with MRSA after OLT. This was a prospective cohort study including patients submitted to OLT between the years 2000 and 2002. Surveillance cultures of nasal swab specimens were performed within the 1st 72 hours of hospital admission and, subsequently, on weeks 2, 6, 13, and 26. Patients whose baseline cultures revealed nasal carriage of MRSA were excluded. A total of 60 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up was 72 days. A total of 9 patients (15%) became colonized. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the use of a urinary catheter for > or =5 days (P = .006), postoperative bleeding at the surgical site (P = .009), and preoperative use of fluoroquinolones (P = .08) were associated with a higher risk of colonization. Patients without any of these risk factors did not become colonized. In conclusion, nasal carriage of MRSA is frequently acquired after OLT. Periodic postoperative screening for MRSA carriage should be an integral component in programs designed to reduce nosocomial MRSA transmission in these patients. Further studies are needed to set up and validate a predictive model that could allow targeting postoperative screening to high-risk OLT recipients.