Comparison of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration in Porcine Kidneys Removed From Living Donors After Cardiac and Brain Death

The aim of this paper was to describe the differences in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in porcine kidneys removed from living donors (group I), donors after prior induction of brain death by brain herniation (group II), and donors after cardiopulmonary arrest (group III). The groups consisted of 6 animals which underwent dual renal removal procedures; kidneys were rinsed, stored for 24 hours at 4°C and rinsed again. Renal specimens (4g) were collected before and after perfusion (time 0 and 1), after 12 hours (time 2), and after reperfusion (time 3). A Western blot was used to evaluate VEGF concentration in collected tissues homogenates. Additionally, the levels of VEGF, interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Directly after the removal procedure, no significant differences in VEGF levels (IOD) were observed depending on the donor (moderate levels were observed in all groups: 1.51 in group I, 1.48 in group II, and 1.35 in group III). As a consequence of perfusion and 12 hours of storage, a stable concentration in groups I and III was observed with a gradual increase of VEGF levels in group II (1.23, 2.08, and 1.67 in the respective groups at time 1; 1.49, 2.12, and 1.63 in the respective groups at time 2). After the following 12 hours, a statistically significant (P < .05) higher level of VEGF was observed in group II (2.34) in comparison to groups I and III (1.58 and 1.81, respectively). In group I, a correlation between VEGF concentration and IL-1β was observed, while in group II there was correlation between VEGF and eNOS levels.     

The DC-SIGNR 7/5 Genotype is Associated with High Dendritic Cell Counts and Their Subsets in Patients Infected with HIV-1

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess peripheral blood dendritic cell (DC) frequencies and Dendritic Cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecule 3 grabbing non-integrin related (DC-SIGNR) genotyping in healthy individuals, injecting drug users and HIV-1 infected individuals and correlate with different clinical parameters from north India.

Methods

Blood from 30 seronegative healthy individuals, 30 injecting drug users, and 30 patients infected with HIV-1 from North India were collected. Peripheral blood DC frequencies were determined by flow cytometry and repeat region polymorphism in DC-SIGNR was performed by PCR.

Results

There was a significantly lower number of DCs and their subsets in patients infected with HIV-1 compared to injecting drug users and healthy individuals. A significant positive correlation of DCs and their subsets with CD4⁺ T cells and negative correlation with HIV-1 viral load was found. A salient finding of this study was the association of the heterozygous 7/5 DC-SIGNR genotypes with higher percentage of DCs and their subsets and higher CD4⁺ T cell counts and lower viral load compared to the homozygous 7/7 DC-SIGNR genotypes in patients infected with HIV-1.

Conclusions

This is the first study to assess the DC subsets and its association with DC-SIGNR polymorphism in injecting drug users and HIV-1 infected patients and suggests the protective role of 7/5 DC-SIGNR genotypes in HIV-1 infection.     

Oxidised regenerated cellulose: an effective emergency haemostatic in burns surgery

A 26-year-old man with 40% full-thickness burns was treated by excision and split-skin grafting on the 7th post-burn day. He developed bleeding 1 hour post-operatively which persisted despite the use of pressure dressings, elevation of the limbs, the administration of fresh frozen plasma, platelet-rich plasma, calcium, whole blood and cryoprecipitate respectively over a period of 11 hours. The bleeding was finally controlled under general anaesthesia by clot removal, bipolar electro-coagulation of miniscule oozing points, replacement of the meshed skin graft and the application of a layer of oxidised regenerated cellulose over the grafted area. The properties and uses of oxidised regenerated cellulose are outlined.     

Single stage Delto-pectoral flap cover for large defects following extensive neck dissection

Bulky neck nodal disease with involvement of the overlying skin develops large post resection defects with skin loss following extensive neck dissection, that may not be suitable for primary closure. We describe a simple and easy to do procedure for cover of such large post surgical resection neck defects by using the Delto-pectoral flap as a single staged procedure.     

Neuropsychological catamnesis in cases of intracranial aneurysm

The authors analyzed the results of neuropsychological examinations in 30 cases in which a single intracranial aneurysm had been excluded from circulation. The neuropsychological assessment of the higher mental functions was carried out using a set of tests of A. R. Luria in all cases and repeated thrice, comparing the results with those of neurological examination and EEG. The condition of the patients was evaluated using a three-grade scale. In the group of cases with aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery a divergence was observed between the results of neuropsychological examination and neurological examination. The patients achieved not infrequently, very good and good Grades in neurological examination and unsatisfactory in neuropsychological examination and unsatisfactory in neuropsychological examination. A similar divergence was observed also when the aneurysm was situated in other cerebral arteries. On the other hand, considerable similarities were found between the neuropsychological assessment and the result of EEG (with regard to the location, of disturbances and their intensity). Neuropsychological examination made possible detection and determination of the dynamic development of defects in the functions of higher psychic activities inaccessible for routine neurological examination, but having a very important effect on the everyday functions of the patient.     

Risk factors of leukemic infiltration in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia]

On the basis of clinical neuropathological evaluation of 48 patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemias the authors analyse the risk factors of leukemic infiltrations developing in the brain. The investigations revealed that the distinct dissemination of leukemic cells in blood is the most important risk factor of such infiltrations. The risk increases significantly in older patients. Survival time and maintenance of high leukocytosis do not intensify the risk of leukemic infiltrations in the brain.