The effect of maternal and infant factors on cord blood yield

Umbilical cord blood (CB) can be used as an alternative hematopoietic stem cell source for transplantation in hematological malignancy and blood disorders. The success of transplantation is highly related to the levels of total nucleated cell and CD34⁺ cell counts. The evaluation of optimal conditions can decrease the rate of graft rejection due to low cell count and increases the quality of CB units (CBUs) in the blood bank and the success rate of engraftment. To this end, we review the maternal and infant parameters affecting the quality and quantity of CBUs.     

Fish Mouth and Parachute Surgical Technique for Hirschsprung’s Disease

Purpose  This study examined the long-term therapeutic effect of fish mouth and parachute technique anastomosis for Hirschsprung’s disease. Methods  From March 1992 to October 2002, we performed one-stage fish mouth and parachute technique anastomosis for 293 patients with Hirschsprung’s disease. Two hundred and fifty-four patients (79 percent) were followed up for three to five years. The operative outcome and postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. Results  Two hundred ninety-three patients were included in the study, the majority of patients were male (n = 205, 70 percent) and ages ranged between 8 months and five years. Early complications were low (n = 7, 2.3 percent) and included urine retention (n = 2), enteritis (n = 2), and intestinal obstruction (n = 3). No infection of the abdominal cavity or wound, anastomotic leakage, or death occurred in any patients. Late complications were present in 10 cases (3.4 percent). Conclusions  The fish mouth and parachute surgical technique procedure showed some practical benefits and fewer complications than traditional surgical techniques for the treatment of Hirschsprung’ s disease. Presented at the 12th Council Meeting of the World Federation of Association of Pediatric Surgeons (WOFAPS). Zagreb, Croatia, June 22 to 27, 2004.     

Malignant melanoma of parotid glands from a neglected lesion: A case report

Observing a metastatic malignant melanoma and its primary lesion at the same time is rare. The histopathological detection of any unusual pigmented lesion is critical.     

Indications for implant removal in healed proximal femoral fractures

Summary   Background: Reviewing patients operatively stabilized following proximal femoral fractures we found several factors that lead to significant complications. We conducted this survey of proximal femoral fractures stabilized with the implants which were used most frequently. Purpose was to work out causes and indications to remove implants which were solely employed to stabilize proximal femoral fractures. Methods: The indication for using a Dynamic Hip Screw? (DHS) were fractures AO-Class. 31-B or 31-Al. A Gamma Locking Nail? (GN) was applied in unstable or comminuted trochanteric fractures. We retrospectively analysed 2553 patients who received either a DHS or a GN within seven years. Results: Removal of the implants was indicated in 3.2 % mostly due to complications. Most frequent “modes of complication” that lead to the removal of one of the implants were avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head (24 %), patients request (20 %) and ipsilateral shaft fractures (17 %). Conclusions: Referring to the results absolute indications to remove an implant are AVN, deep chronic infections, shaft fractures and when “cutting out” appears.      

Cytologic features of “dry-type” cutaneous leishmaniasis

Exfoliative cytology smears from the lesions of 179 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica were studied with specific reference to cellular reactions and their effect on the parasite. Aggregates of the parasite (so-called Leishman Donovan bodies) were present within macrophages and in some fibroblasts. The nature of the inflammatory reaction to the disease was studied by performing differential counts of the inflammatory cells present in the smears. These were correlated with the number of Leishman Donovan bodies. There was an inverse relationship between the number of Leishman Donovan bodies and the percentage of small lymphocytes, neutrophils, and type I macrophages. It is postulated that aggregates of activated macrophages (designated types II and III) and the Leishmanian milieu (sticky matrix) protect the amastigote Leishmania parasites from being eradicated by the inflammatory and immune reaction. The cytoplasmic blebbing of the parasitophorous vacuoles and cell to cell connection of the activated histiocytes could be shown by the CD-68 immunostaining of the tissue biopsy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;19:182–185. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fabrication of a novel magnetic metal–organic framework functionalized with 2-aminothiophenol for preconcentration of trace silver amounts in water and wastewater

Herein, a novel magnetic metal–organic framework functionalized (MMOF) with 2-aminothiophenol (2-ATP) was fabricated and employed for separation/preconcentration of trace silver amounts. At first magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were synthesized and then coated with SiO₂. Thereafter, the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles were modified with 2-ATP. Finally, the functionalized MMOF was prepared by the fabrication of MIL-101(Cr) in the presence of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@2-ATP NPs. MIL-101(Cr)/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@2-ATP nanocomposite was characterized with FT-IR, SEM, elemental analysis, XRD and VSM and then utilized in the separation/determination of silver ions in various real samples. The effects of diverse experimental variables such as pH, uptake time, adsorbent amount, desorption time, eluent concentration and volume were studied comprehensively employing experimental design methodology. After optimization, LOD and linearity were 0.05 ng mL⁻¹ and 0.2–200 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. Repeatability of the new method was determined based on RSD value for 5, 50, 150 ng mL⁻¹ (n = 5) concentrations which was 9.3%, 6.8% and 4.5%, respectively. Ultimately, the outlined method was utilized in the separation/determination of silver ions in various water and wastewater samples satisfactorily.

A scheme for the synthesis of MIL-101/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@2-ATP nanocomposite.     

Memory rehabilitation for the working memory of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)

Objective: The main cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS) affect the working memory, processing speed, and performances that are in close interaction with one another. Cognitive problems in MS are influenced to a lesser degree by disease recovery medications or treatments,but cognitive rehabilitation is considered one of the promising methods for cure. There is evidence regarding the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for MS patients in various stages of the disease. Since the impairment in working memory is one of the main MS deficits, a particular training that affects this cognitive domain can be of a great value. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of memory rehabilitation on the working memory performance of MS patients.

Method: Sixty MS patients with cognitive impairment and similar in terms of demographic characteristics, duration of disease, neurological problems, and mental health were randomly assigned to three groups: namely, experimental, placebo, and control. Patients’ cognitive evaluation incorporated baseline assessments immediately post-intervention and 5 weeks post-intervention. The experimental group received a cognitive rehabilitation program in one-hour sessions on a weekly basis for 8 weeks. The placebo group received relaxation techniques on a weekly basis; the control group received no intervention.

Results: The results of this study showed that the cognitive rehabilitation program had a positive effect on the working memory performance of patients with MS in the experimental group. These results were achieved in immediate evaluation (post-test) and follow-up 5 weeks after intervention. There was no significant difference in working memory performance between the placebo group and the control group.

Conclusions: According to the study, there is evidence for the effectiveness of a memory rehabilitation program for the working memory of patients with MS. Cognitive rehabilitation can improve working memory disorders and have a positive effect on the working memory performance of these patients.     

Fluoroscopic Anatomy of Right-Sided Heart Structures for Transcatheter Interventions

Performing transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions requires a thorough knowledge of right-heart imaging. Integration of chamber views across the spectrum of imaging modalities (i.e., multislice computed tomography, fluoroscopy, and echocardiography) can facilitate transcatheter interventions on the right heart. Optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles for guiding interventional procedures can be obtained using pre-procedural multislice computed tomography scans. The present paper describes fluoroscopic viewing angles necessary to appreciate right-heart chamber anatomy and their relationship to echocardiography using multislice computed tomography.     

Designing and Expression of Recombinant Chimeric Protein Containing CtxB and OmpW from Vibrio Cholerae and Evaluation of Its Immunogenicity

Background: Cholera disease caused by Vibrio cholerae remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Various strategies with different proteins as immunogens have been tried for vaccine development, none of which have been sufficiently effective to preclude cholera. Chimeric proteins, with their ability to present multiple antigens at the same time, can play important roles in immunization. Objective: To evaluate the immunogenicity of a chimeric construct, comprised of OmpW and CtxB as immunogenic proteins of Vibrio cholera, in BALB/c mice. Methods: The construct was designed after bioinformatics assessments and then expressed in E.coli. Chimeric protein, OmpW, and CtxB were purified with Ni-NTA chromatography and confirmed by Western blotting. Mice were immunized with purified recombinant proteins. The antibody titers and specificity of the immune sera were then analyzed by ELISA and challenged on the pups of immunized mice with 1, 5 and 10 LD50. Mice ileal loop assay was also performed. Results: Significant differences were observed in antibody titers in immunized mice compared to the control groups. Infant mouse challenge was performed so as to compare the protective efficacies of the selected immunogen regimens. Of the Pups from dams immunized with chimeric protein which received 1 LD50, 75% survived. Pups belonging to PBS-immunized dams, experienced 100% mortality. The serum raised toward immunogenic construct, inhibited cholera toxin activity in ileal loop test up to 68%. Conclusion: Chimeric construct is able to induce the immune system and provide up to 75% inhibition of toxin activity against 1 LD50 of Vibrio cholerae.     

A clinical study of efficacy of garlic extract versus cryotherapy in the treatment of male genital wart

Background/Objective

Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and usually have no promising cure. Garlic (Allium sativum) belongs to Liliaceae family, which has a long history of medicinal use. The garlic extract had antiviral and anticarcinogenic effects and can be effective on complete resolution of cutaneous wart. The aim of this clinical study was to compare the garlic extract effect with cryotherapy in the treatment of male genital wart.