Genetic polymorphism of cytomegalovirus strains responsible of congenital infections

OBJECTIVES: Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the main cause of neurological handicap in young children. The objective for studying genetic polymorphism of strains responsible for congenital infection is to identify CMV strains or groups of strains which would be more frequent in this context and/or which would be responsible for more severe congenital infection. METHODS: In this paper, we report and analyze the literature concerning the genetic polymorphism of CMV strains responsible of congenital infection, in the genes coding for the envelop protein B and the non structural UL144 protein and in the CMV short tandem repeats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All UL144 and gB genotypes can be vertically transmitted from mothers to fetuses, none of these studies has shown any link between the genotypes and the severity of congenital disease. Moreover, no link between short tandem repeats polymorphism and severity of congenital disease has been demonstrated. However, short tandem repeats analysis may be a powerful tool to study the epidemiology of CMV congenital infections.     

Prognostic implications of expression of the cellular genes myc, fos, Ha-ras and Ki-ras in colon carcinoma

Messenger RNA levels of the c-fos, c-myc, c-Ha-ras and c-Ki-ras genes were studied in 39 tissue samples obtained from 17 patients undergoing surgery for colon carcinoma and other colon diseases. DNA extracted from the same samples was studied by Southern analysis. The tissues were tumors and grossly normal mucosa from each case and in some instances benign polyps and metastases. Our results indicate: (1) that 50% of cases studied show an increase in expression of at least one of the oncogenes studied; (2) that over-expression is not random, some cases over-expressing several of the genes studied; (3) that the expression pattern of the oncogenes studied varies between primary tumor and metastases; (4) that amplification is a rare event, being limited to one instance in which c-myc was amplified in a metastasis; (5) that cases which exhibit high levels of mRNA in one or more genes studied correlate with biologically aggressive tumors; and (6) that "non-expressors" are at higher risk for local recurrence based on correlations with mucin histochemistry.     

Evaluation of toxic effects following administration of monoclonal antibody MBr1 in patients with breast cancer

Twelve patients with disseminated breast cancer were injected with monoclonal antibody MBr1 at the National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy, from January 1983 to March 1985. The first seven patients had advanced disease and the remaining five operable breast cancer. In the first seven patients the initial dosage of MBr1 was 0.5 mg and was doubled in the next patient up to 16 mg. The last five women received 10 mg of MBr1. No general side effects such as bronchospasm, hypotension, immediate or delayed allergic reactions were observed. Four patients who were injected with 10 mg or more experienced fever, shudder and vague abdominal and articular pain. The following tests were monitored: R.B.C., W.B.C., percentage of lymphocytes, blood glucose, urea nitrogen and creatinine, serum levels of Na+, K+, Cl-, total proteins levels, albumins and globulins, bilirubin, GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, LDH, amylase, gamma GT and CPK. No major modifications were observed: a limited increase of the transaminases, LDH and gamma GT was evident at the last check. An early temporary alteration of CPK was observed in the four patients who had symptoms. Serum levels of MBr1 are detectable immediately after injection starting from 4 mg, and all sera were negative 48 hours later. It is concluded that the scanty toxicity allows to continue clinical investigations to verify the linkage between MBr1 and Ca-MBr1 "in vivo" after a single injection of no more than 16 mg of the MoAb. The increase of this dosage as well as multiple injections do not seem safe at present.     

Correction to: Incidence and characteristics of methicillin‑resistant coagulase‑negative Staphylococcus in peritoneal dialysis‑associated peritonitis in a single center using molecular methods

International Urology and Nephrology - In the original publication, article title was incorrectly published.     

Photobiomodulation therapy on expression of HSP70 protein and tissue repair in experimental acute Achilles tendinitis

Lasers in Medical Science - The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and tissue repair in...     

Effect of photobiomodulation therapy on the proliferation phase and wound healing in rats fed with an experimental hypoproteic diet

Lasers in Medical Science - Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been indicated for enforcement on healing skin wounds. This study evaluated the effects of PBMT on the healing of skin wounds...     

Orofacial evaluation of individuals with temporomandibular disorder after LED therapy associated or not of occlusal splint: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical study

Lasers in Medical Science - This study compared the effects of LED therapy associated with occlusal splint (OS) on the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In this randomized,...     

Quality of life outcomes after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum utilizing a new set of metallic bars and stabilizers

Background/PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the postoperative quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) with a newly designed bar and bar stabilizers.MethodsWe conducted a prospective randomized study in which patients were operated either with standard perpendicular stabilizers (control group) or with the newly designed oblique stabilizers (intervention group). All patients were evaluated 6 months after the operation with the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire (PEEQ).ResultsThere were 16 patients in the control group and 14 in the intervention group. Mean age was 17 (SD: 3.3, range 14–27) years. There were no demographic differences between groups. Two patients in the control group and one in the intervention group were repaired with two bars instead of one. There was one reoperation in each group. There was a significant difference between the pre- and postoperative scores, in both groups, in the patient body image domain (control group: 9.5 to 3; p < 0.01; intervention group 10 to 3; p < 0.01), as well as in the psychosocial domain (control group: 13.5 to 24, p < 0.01; intervention group: 15 to 24, p < 0.01). With regards to the patients' perception of physical difficulties before and after MIRPE, the difference between pre- and postoperative scores was greater in the intervention group (8 to 12, p < 0.01) than in the control group (10 to 11, p = 0.04). The mean length of stay was 4.5 and 5 days in the intervention group and the control group, respectively.ConclusionOur study showed that patients who underwent MIRPE with the newly designed bars and stabilizers had non-inferior outcomes than patients reported in the literature who underwent MIRPE with standard bars and stabilizers. We found slightly better outcomes in patients in the intervention group compared to the control group, but larger studies will be needed to confirm if those differences are statistically significant.Level of evidenceII     

Hematoma subdural intracraneal tras punción dural accidental: caso clínico

Intracranial subdural hematoma is a rare, but potentially lethal complication of neuraxial procedures. Considering the high frequency of neuraxial techniques in the obstetric population, parturients are more susceptible to this fearful complication. The diagnosis is often masked and delayed because it shares similar clinical characteristics with posdural puncture headache, with headache being the most common symptom. This case report describes a timely diagnosis and successful management of an intracranial subdural hematoma, after unintentional dural puncture during labour epidural analgesia. Postpartum headache following epidural analgesia, remains a clinical challenge for the caring team, requiring a close follow-up and awareness for non-benign causes that require prompt management, avoiding devastating consequences.