Microaggregate counts in frozen-preserved erythrocytes: effects of washing in three blood processors and filtration

Since microaggregates have been implicated in posttransfusion pulmonary insufficiency, their elimination has become an active concern in blood transfusion. Various types of filters, as well as frozen-preserved erythrocytes, have been used to provide blood relatively low in microaggregates. We have counted particles in frozen-stored blood before deglycerolization, after washing in each of three cell processing systems, and after filtration through a 40-micrometer filter. Washing frozen erythrocytes reduced the total particle counts by an average of 89%. Slight differences were found among the three blood processors with respect to particle removal. Passing washed blood through a 40-micrometer filter did not result in significant further reduction in particle counts. Hence, the use of such filters in a frozen-preserved blood system is not warranted.     

Estimation of stature from upper limb anthropometry in Iranian population

ObjectivePersonal identification is an essential issue when mutilated and amputated limbs or parts of the body are found in mass disasters. Estimation of the stature from the size of different parts of the body is one of the most important items in personal identification. The aim of this study was to estimate the stature from upper limb anthropometry.Materials and methodsHeight, left upper limb, left arm, left forearm, length and breadth of the left hand, and length of the left second to fifth fingers were measured on 100 right-handed Iranian medical students aged between 21 and 26 years from February to may 2010.ResultsAfter analyzing the datas, it was shown that there is a meaningful relation between the stature and upper limb dimensions (p < 0.05), [correlation coefficients ranged from 0.310 to 0.696 in males and 0.299 to 0.735 in females].ConclusionThe regression formula derived in this study can be used for forensic pathologists and Anthropologists.     

The degree of gallbladder wall thickness and its impact on outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold-standard procedure for management of symptomatic gallstone disease. Increased rates of conversion to an open procedure, increased postoperative complications, and longer lengths of stay are seen in thick-walled gallbladders. Previous studies have only evaluated gallbladder walls as being thick or not thick, without looking at the degree of thickness. We hypothesized that, the more severe the wall thickening, the greater the chance of conversions and complications, and the longer the lengths of stay.

Methods

All attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomies in our institution between 2006 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients undergoing cholecystectomy for reasons other than gallstones (e.g., polyps or cancer) and those without preoperative ultrasounds were excluded. Patients were divided into four groups based on the degree of gallbladder wall thickness: normal (1–2?mm), mildly thickened (3–4?mm), moderately thickened (5–6?mm), and severely thickened (7?mm and above). Outcomes were compared amongst the groups.

Results

874 patients were included in the study. There were 68 conversions (7.8?%) and 58 complications (6.6?%). The incidence of conversions was 3.1, 5.1, 14.9, and 16.8?% in the four groups, respectively (p?<?0.001, χ ²), and the incidence of complications was 1.8, 6.7, 9.1, and 13.1?%, respectively (p?=?0.001, χ ²). The mean (±?standard deviation, SD) length of stay in days was 1.09?±?1.42, 1.83?±?3.24, 2.54?±?3.40 and 3.54?±?4.61, respectively [p?<?0.001, analysis of variance (ANOVA)].

Conclusions

A greater degree of gallbladder wall thickness is associated with an increased risk of conversion, increased postoperative complications, and longer lengths of stay. Classifying patients according to degree of gallbladder wall thickness gives more accurate assessment of the risk of surgery, as well as potential outcomes.     

Use of healthcare a long time after severe burn injury; relation to perceived health and personality characteristics

Purpose.?The aim of the study was to evaluate which factors are associated with the use of healthcare a long time after severe burn injury.

Method.?After a review process based on clinical reasoning, 69 former burn patients out of a consecutive group treated at the Uppsala Burn Unit from 1980?–?1995 were visited in their homes and their use of care and support was assessed in a semi-structured interview. Post-burn health was assessed with the Burn-Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) and personality was assessed with the Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP).

Results.?The participants were injured on average eight years previously. Thirty-four had current contact with healthcare due to their burn injury and had significantly lower scores on three BSHS-B-domains: Simple Abilities, Work and Hand function, and significantly higher scores for the SSP-domain Neuroticism and the SSP-scales Stress Susceptibility, Lack of Assertiveness, and lower scores for Social Desirability. There was no relation to age, gender, time since injury, length of stay, or to the surface area burned.

Conclusions.?A routine screening of personality traits as a supplement to long-term follow-ups may help in identifying the patient's need for care.     

薄层扫描法测定熊胆引流物中胆汁酸含量

熊胆向以贵重药材闻名,被称之为稀有药品,为开发熊胆资源,解决熊胆奇缺问题,我校解剖教研室已成功地完成了人工引流熊胆汁技术,可随时进行人工引流获取熊胆汁。为了确定胆汁的质量指标,了解其主要成分,我们进行了引流胆汁与天然熊胆的分析。文献报道,熊胆中主要含熊去氧胆酸(ursodesoxycholic acid,UDCA)、鹅去氧胆酸(cheno desoxycholic acid,CDCA)、胆酸(cholic acid,CA)、去氧胆酸(deoxycholic,acid DCA)等。     

Optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis and human leukocyte antigen: results of a 4-year follow-up study

In the present study the relation between human leukocyte antigen (HLA), optic neuritis (ON) and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been investigated in 56 Iranian patients (46 females and 10 males). HLA-A and -B typing by microlymphocytotoxicity method and HLA-DRB, DQA and DQB by polymerase chain reaction based on sequence specific primers method was performed for the selected patients with ON. The diagnosis of clinically defined MS (CDMS) was confirmed in 15 of them (26.7%) during their follow-up. HLA-A24 was significantly higher in ON patients, whilst A23, A26, and A30 showed a significant decrease in these patients. HLA-A10 and A26 were absent in CDMS patients and A2 and A11 were significantly decreased in ON and CDMS patients. HLA-B5, B51, B38, B27, and B35 were significantly increased in ON patients compared with control subjects. HLA-B44, B16 and B38 alleles were not present in CDMS patients. Regarding DR locus, the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 and DRB1*04 has been increased in CDMS patients, whilst the frequency of HLA-DRB1*07 and *11 was much higher in ON patients. In DQA region, the most frequent allele in the MS patients was DQA1*0102, which was significantly higher than ON patients, and control group. The frequency of DQA1*0103 was significantly increased in both patients group. In DQB1, the frequency of DQB1*0602 increased significantly in the MS patients. In conclusion existence of common genetic basis for early manifestations of MS could be suggested.