Real-time-guided bone regeneration around standardized critical size calvarial defects using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and collagen membrane with and without using tricalcium phosphate:an in vivo micro-computed tomographic and histologic experiment in rats

The aimof the present real time in vivo micro-computed tomography (mCT) and histologic experiment was to assess the efficacy of guided bone regeneration (GBR) around standardized calvarial critical size defects (CSD) using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and collagen membrane (CM) with and without tricalcium phosphate (TCP) graft material. In the calvaria of nine female Sprague-Dawley rats, full-thickness CSD (diameter 4.6 mm) were created under general anesthesia. Treatment-wise, rats were divided into three groups. In group 1, CSD was covered with a resorbable CM; in group 2, BMSCs were filled in CSD and covered with CM; and in group 3, TCP soaked in BMSCs was placed in CSD and covered with CM. All defects were closed using resorbable sutures. Bone volume and bone mineral density of newly formed bone (NFB) and remaining TCP particles and rate of new bone formation was determined at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks using in vivo mCT. At the 10th week, the rats were killed and calvarial segments were assessed histologically. The results showed that the hardness ofNFBwas similar to that of the native bone in groups 1 and 2 as compared to theNFB in group 3. Likewise, values for the modulus of elasticity were also significantly higher in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. This suggests that TCP when used in combination with BMSCs and without CM was unable to form bone of significant strength that could possibly provide mechanical “lock” between the natural bone and NFB. The use of BMSCs as adjuncts to conventional GBR initiated new bone formation as early as 2 weeks of treatment compared to when GBR is attempted without adjunct BMSC therapy.     

Endovascular treatment of innominate artery pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery is atypical and engenders after blunt chest trauma. One of the uncommon conditions secondary to innominate artery aneurysm is tracheal stenosis, and progressive dyspnoea as the clinical presentation of a pseudoaneurysm is even more unusual. An 18‐year‐old man was referred to Shahid Moddaress Hospital with a cough and progressive respiratory distress that had commenced 9 months earlier. At first, he had exertional dyspenea but gradually turned into orthopnea and dyspnea at rest. He had a history of trauma resulting from being hit with a vehicle as a pedestrian, and a long period of intubation and tracheostomy 2 years earlier. Although tracheal stenosis is quite uncommon, it is a condition that should be considered for patients with a history of blunt chest trauma, which could result in aneurysms of the great vessels.     

Analysis of the antiepileptic,ethosuximide impacts on neurogenesis of rat forebrain stem cells

Specific GABAergic interneurons in the hilus are lost in animal models with temporal‐lobe epilepsy (TLE). Some preclinical evidence has indicated that GABAergic cells may provide relief from seizures in these models. This study was aimed to examine the ability of ethosuximide, an anticonvulsant drug, to promote neurogenesis in 3‐day‐old rat forebrain cortex stem cells. Most of the cells were found to be nestin‐positive undifferentiated neural stem cells prior to their exposure to ethosuximide. It was noted that the number and percentage of tubulin β‐III immunopositive neurons were increased after 6 days treatment with ethosuximide. Upon bFGF withdrawal, exposure to ethosuximide differentiated the stem cells to MAP2 positive neural cells (7.18 ± 0.43, 21.766 ± 0.55 and 41.57 ± 0.5 for control, 0.1 and 1 μm, respectively). GABA immunofluorescence images illustrated that ethosuximide increased GABAergic neurons (7.19 ± 0.32, 23.23 ± 0.55, and 46.30 ± 0.44 for control, 0.1 and 1 μm, respectively). Additionally, BrdU immunofluorescence assay showed that ethosuximide‐enhanced nucleus proliferation in the neuronal stem cells. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that ethosuximide may compensate damage caused by seizure attacks and possibly other neuronal loss disorders.     

Sequential Therapy of Breast Cancer Cell Lines with Vitamin C and Quercetin Improves the Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Objective: Prevention by antioxidant agents including vitamin C (VC) and quercetin (QU), which are nontoxic, cost effective, and physiologically bioavailable, is a promising approach in breast cancer handling. The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of VC+QU on cytotoxicity profile of doxorubicin (DOX) plus paclitaxel (PAC) in breast cancer cells. Methods: The effect of each drug on its own or in combination was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Combination indexes were calculated using the Chou–Talalay method. Apoptosis and cell cycle analysis was investigated by flow cytometric assays. Results: Combination treatment with VC+QU plus drugs diminished IC₅₀ value 2.28–7.7 and 10.5–66.6 fold in comparison with the drugs and PAC treatment alone, respectively, in all breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis at the early stages more than the treatment with the drugs alone (P<0.01). A marked reduction in Go/G1 and S phases was reported after combination therapy in MDA-MB 231 and MDA-MB 468 cells. MCF-7 cells demonstrated lower fractions of cells in S phase with no significant changes in G2/M phase (P < 0.01). The same treatment produced a significant increase in S and G2/M phases in A549 cells (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results emphasized the importance of VC+QU in combination with the drugs to produce a synergistic antitumor effect in breast cancer cells.     

Structural correlates of modern contraceptive use among Ethiopian women

We examined structural determinants of modern contraceptive use among Ethiopian women from the 2011 Ethiopia's Demographic and Health Survey. We selected a representative sample of 7490 non-pregnant and sexually active women between 15 and 49 years of age. Multivariate logistic regressions were fitted and effects of relevant demographic variables controlled. Only one-in-three women were current users of modern contraceptives. Modern contraceptive use enabling and inhibiting (barrier) environments were significant predictors of use. Exposure to family planning information regardless of the delivery method significantly associated with improved use. Women who visited a health clinic in the last 12 months increased their odds of using modern contraceptives by 54%. Distance and transportation constraints were identified as major barriers.     

Preliminary results of an off-the-shelf press-fit stem. The anthropometric total hip femoral component using exact-fit principles

The use of custom-manufactured femoral prostheses as part of routine total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been suggested. However, there are several disadvantages, including possible inaccuracy of fit, inadequate instrumentation, and high cost. A series of 28 THAs (including 18% for revision of failed, cemented THA) using a press-fit prosthesis of contemporary design were investigated. The average follow-up period was 28 months (range, 12-49 months). Clinical results were overall very good, even in revision cases. Roentgenographic changes included rapid femoral remodeling, which may increase component stability. Given the clinical and roentgenographic results obtained in this complex-problem patient population, it is difficult to justify the use of custom femoral components in routine THA.     

Effects of phosphonoformic acid and 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) on distribution of tetracycline in the developing rat molar

Tetracycline was used as a marker to study the effect of phosphonoformic acid and l-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) on the mineralization of the developing dental hard tissues. Groups of young rats were given a single subcutaneous injection of tetracycline and at the same time were injected with a single dose of either phosphonoformic acid or HEBP (10 mg P/kg b.w.). Alternatively, rats were injected with the tetracycline after different time intervals from the phosphonate injection. Rats were sacrificed at intervals ranging from 1 to 4 days. Frozen-sections were obtained at the level of the maxillary first molar and prepared for light and fluorescence microscopy. The results of the present study indicate that the distribution pattern of tetracycline in the developing dental hard tissues is greatly affected by the pathologic changes induced by phosphonoformic acid and HEBP. Both drugs caused similar changes in the pattern of tetracycline uptake in the developing enamel. There seems to be a direct relation between the presence of developmental defects of enamel and the degree of discoloration induced by tetracycline. Aberrations in the mineralization of dentin were caused only by HEBP. As demonstrated by this study, HEBP is capable of inducing a provisional inhibitory effect on dentin mineralization.     

Detection of Aeromonas and microbiological indicators in fish marketed in Israel

This study was conducted to determine the microbial and enteric virus quality of fresh fish sold on the open market in Israel. Three species of fish were studied: bottom feeders carp and tilapia, which tolerate heavy organic loads, and trout growing in high quality fresh water. Samples of liver, spleen, skin and muscle were assayed for Aeromonas, E. coli and F+ coliphages; digestive tract (DT) samples were assayed also for enteric viruses. The highest concentration of microorganisms was found in carp followed by tilapia and trout. Aeromonas was highest in the DT and lowest in muscle. E. coli and F+ coliphages were not detected in trout tissue other than skin. Enteric viruses were detected only in the DT of the carp (15%), indicating the presence of wastewater of human origin in the growth ponds. The results show that the degree of contamination reflected the quality of water in which the fish were grown. Caution in handling and preparing fish is recommended to avoid cross‐contamination of other tissues by the digestive tract.