Novel Textile Scaffolds Generated by Flock Technology for Tissue Engineering of Bone and Cartilage

Textile scaffolds can be found in a variety of application areas in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In the present study we used electrostatic flocking—a well-known textile technology—to produce scaffolds for tissue engineering of bone. Flock scaffolds stand out due to their unique structure: parallel arranged fibers that are aligned perpendicularly to a substrate, resulting in mechanically stable structures with a high porosity. In compression tests we demonstrated good mechanical properties of such scaffolds and in cell culture experiments we showed that flock scaffolds allow attachment and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells and support their osteogenic differentiation. These matrices represent promising scaffolds for tissue engineering.     

Ascaridiose biliaire traitée par voie c?lioscopique

Background

Bilio-pancreatic ascariasis is the most frequent extra-intestinal localization of digestive ascariasis. Its diagnosis is generally made with ultrasonography and the therapeutic management is controlled by endoscopy.

Aim of study

We present a 24-year-old woman, with biliary ascariasis, operated by laparoscopy after failure of endoscopic treatment.

Observation

A 24-year-old woman was hospitalized for abdominal pain and fever. Abdominal ultrasound showed a common bile duct (VBP) dilated to 11 mm seat of a mobile serpiginous structure measuring 20 mm suggestive of an ascariasis. After failure of the extraction of the worm by endoscopic, treatment was laparoscopic surgery.

Conclusion

This case illustrates that the diagnosis of biliary ascariasis should be considered even in non-endemic countries. Endoscopic treatment was the reference. Surgery was indicated for failures of endoscopic treatment and association of ascariasis and common bile duct stones.     

The role of bisphosphonate in the treatment of bone metastases from prostate cancer

Bachground: Bone metastasis is very frequent in prostate cancer. It is a turning point that marks the severity of the disease. Before metastasis become symptomatic, treatment preventing bone events should be indicated. Aim: To evaluate the role of bisphosphonate in the treatment of bone metastases from prostate cancer. Methods: A review of literature Results: Bisphosphonates play a very important role to prevent bone mass loss and to reduce bone complication events. Conclusion: Bisphosphonates are recommended as preventive treatment at the time of diagnosis of bone metastatic prostate cancer.     

High levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta in bacterial vaginosis may increase susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was identified recently as a cofactor that promotes sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study was done to determine if interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha could be measured consistently in cervical secretions and if high levels of these cytokines were associated with BV. Secretions were obtained from 209 study subjects; most samples had detectable levels of TNF-alpha (84.2%) and IL-1beta (79.8%). BV was detected in 53 (27.0%) of 196 women. High cytokine levels were significantly associated with BV (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69-10.30), oral contraceptive use (AOR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.04-7.48), and high leukocyte counts on vaginal smear (AOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.03-1.36). Since these cytokines could up-regulate local HIV replication through activation of the long terminal repeat promoter region, the association of BV with high levels of IL-1beta or TNF-alpha may partly explain the mechanism by which this risk factor enhances HIV transmission.     

Genetic analysis of HIV type 2 in monotypic and dual HIV infections

A significant level of genetic variation among HIV-1 and HIV-2 has been described. The interaction of specific HIV-2 subtypes with HIV-1 may serve to identify potential biological properties associated with dual infection. To genetically characterize the HIV-2 strains circulating in Senegal and their relationship to coinfection with HIV-1, we sequenced the HIV-2 envelope C2-C3 region of 12 subjects coinfected with HIV-1 and HIV-2 and 9 subjects singly infected with HIV-2. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all subjects were infected with HIV-2 subtype A, confirming its predominance in West Africa. We did not observe specific sequences or genetic clustering based on coinfection status.     

Ectopic thyroid: two cases

Ectopic thyroid is a rare condition (1/4000 to 1/8000 among patients with hypothyroidism). The underlying etiological pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown. Diagnosis is established on the basis of imaging findings. We report two cases of hypothyroidism in adult females who had ectopic sublingual thyroid glands. The first patient was a 20-Year-old woman who had been treated for hypothyroidism since the age of 13 Years before the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid 7 Years later. In both patients, the thyroid gland was palpable. In the first patient the physical examination revealed an ectopic sublingual gland. Scintigraphy confirmed the diagnosis in both patients. The CT-scan and MRI were positive in the second patient. Hormonal substitution therapy using L-thyroixine was given.