Minimally invasive childhood and adult circumcision

Using the Gomco circumcision clamp and sealing the wound with tissue adhesive results in a minimally invasive circumcision suitable for all age groups beyond the neonatal period. It is easy to perform and can be performed by generalists with local anaesthetic and standard instruments.     

In vitro anti-myeloma activity of TRAIL-expressing adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Recently, genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been exploited to deliver anti-cancer bio-drugs directly within the tumour mass. Here, we explored whether adipose-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs), engineered to express the pro-apoptotic ligand TRAIL (also known as TNFSF10), kill multiple myeloma (MM) cells and migrate towards MM cells in vitro. Different MM cell lines were assessed for their sensitivity to recombinant human (rh) TRAIL alone and in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, which was shown to enhance the effect of rhTRAIL. TRAIL(+) -AD-MSCs were co-cultured with bortezomib-pretreated MM cells and their killing activity was evaluated in presence or absence of caspase inhibition. AD-MSC migration towards media conditioned by both myeloma cells and myeloma bone fragments was also investigated. Despite moderate MM cell sensitivity to rhTRAIL, TRAIL(+) -AD-MSCs in combination with bortezomib significantly induced myeloma cell death. This effect was associated with caspase-8 activation and abrogated by capsase inhibition. On the other hand, co-culture experiments were performed to evaluate whether unmodified AD-MSCs affect myeloma cell growth in vitro. AD-MSCs appeared ineffective on myeloma cell growth and showed migratory capacity towards MM cells in vitro. These data emphasize the anti-myeloma activity of TRAIL-engineered AD-MSCs and provide support for a future model of a cell-based approach against MM.     

The use of optical fiber in endodontic photodynamic therapy. Is it really relevant?

This study analyzed the necessity of use of an optical fiber/diffusor when performing antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) associated with endodontic therapy. Fifty freshly extracted human single-rooted teeth were used. Conventional endodontic treatment was performed using a sequence of ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer Instruments), the teeth were sterilized, and the canals were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis 3 days’ biofilm. The samples were divided into five groups: group 1—ten roots irradiated with a laser tip (area of 0.04 cm²), group 2—ten roots irradiated with a smaller laser tip (area of 0.028 cm²), and group 3—ten teeth with the crown, irradiate with the laser tip with 0.04 cm² of area. The forth group (G4) followed the same methodology as group 3, but the irradiation was performed with smaller tip (area of 0.028 cm²) and G5 ten teeth with crown were irradiated using a 200-mm-diameter fiber/diffusor coupled to diode laser. Microbiological samples were taken after accessing the canal, after endodontic therapy, and after PDT. Groups 1 and 2 showed a reduction of two logs (99%), groups 3 and 4 of one log (85% and 97%, respectively), and group 5 of four logs (99.99%). Results suggest that the use of PDT added to endodontic treatment in roots canals infected with E. faecalis with the optical fiber/diffusor is better than when the laser light is used directed at the access of cavity.     

Getting Published in an Academic-Community Hospital: The Success of Writing Groups

Expressed barriers to writing for publication include lack of time, competing demands, anxiety about writing and a lack of knowledge about the submission process. These limitations can be magnified for practitioners in non-university environments in which there are fewer incentives or expectations regarding academic publication productivity. However, as members of professional disciplines, practitioners have both the responsibility and, oftentimes, the insights to make valuable contributions to the professional literature. Collaborative writing groups can be a useful intervention to overcome barriers, provide the necessary skills and encouragement as well as produce publications and conference presentations that make worthy additions to the professional body of knowledge. This article discusses the evolution and outcomes of writing groups at Lehigh Valley Health Network and describes how this strategy can be adopted by other academic community hospitals to promote professional development and publication.     

Comparison between sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents for the treatment of older patients affected by coronary artery disease: results from a single-center allcomers registry

The treatment of elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is challenging because this population is complex and greatly expanding. Drug-eluting stents (DES) generally improve the outcome in high-risk cases. We evaluated the clinical impact of different first-generation DES, i.e., sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), in this context. A prospective, nonrandomized, single-center, allcomers registry consecutively enrolling all patients aged ≥75 years eligible for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES was carried out. Only one type of DES was implanted per protocol for each patient. Two groups were identified according to the type of implanted stent, i.e., SES and PES. The primary end point encompassed major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary end point encompassed the rate of definite/probable stent thrombosis and target vessel revascularization (TVR). From June 2004 to May 2008, 151 patients were enrolled. Among them, 112 (74.2%) received SES and 39 (25.8%) received PES. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar, while few angiographic features (ostial location, stent diameter, proximal reference vessel diameter) showed minor differences. At the median follow-up of 22.6 months, primary and secondary end points did not significantly differ in terms of MACE (SES 12.5% vs PES 20.5%, P = 0.3), death (SES 5.4% vs PES 7.7%, P = 0.7), myocardial infarction (SES 4.5% vs PES 10.3%, P = 0.2), TLR (SES 2.7% vs PES 2.6%, P = 1.0), stent thrombosis (SES 1.8% vs PES 5.1%, P = 0.3), and TVR (SES 1.8% vs PES 0%, P = 0.6). In this real-world population of elderly patients treated by DES–PCI for CAD, the overall efficacy and safety have been excellent in both DES, and the choice between SES and PES did not influence the clinical outcome.     

Chlamydia trachomatis infection among HIV-infected women attending an AIDS clinic in the city of Manaus,Brazil

This was a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of and to identify risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women attending the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) clinic in the city of Manaus, Brazil, in 2009-2010. Participants answered a questionnaire containing demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. A genital specimen was collected during examination to detect CT-DNA by hybrid capture, and blood samples were taken to determine CD4⁺T and HIV viral load. There were 329 women included in the study. Median age was 32 years (IQR = 27-38) and median schooling was nine years (IQR = 4-11). The prevalence of CT was 4.3% (95%CI: 2.1-6.5). Logistic regression analysis showed that age between 18-29 years [OR = 4.1(95%CI: 1.2-13.4)] and complaint of pelvic pain [OR = 3.7 (95%CI: 1.2-12.8)] were independently associated with CT. The use of condom was inversely associated with CT [OR = 0.39 (95%CI: 0.1-0.9)]. The results showed that younger women who did not use condoms are at a higher risk for CT. Screening for sexually transmitted infections must be done routinely and safe sexual practices should be promoted among this population.     

Fungal burden exposure assessment in podiatry clinics from Ireland

Fungi are amongst the bioaerosols of most importance, as indicated by the growing interest in this field of research. The aim was to characterize the exposure to fungal burden in podiatry clinics using culture-based and molecular methods. Methods: Airborne fungi were collected using an impaction air sampler and surface samples were also performed. Fourteen air samples were collected for direct detection of fungal DNA from filamentous fungi and dermatophytes. Overall, 63.6 % of the evening samples and 46 % of the morning samples surpassed the threshold values (150 CFU/m³). Molecular detection, by real time PCR, of the target fungal species/strains (Aspergillus and Stachybotrys species) was negative for all samples collected. Trichophyton rubrum was detected by PCR analysis in one DNA sample collected on day six. Results suggest the use of both culture-based and molecular methodologies are desirable for a complete evaluation of fungal burden in this particular health care setting.     

Effect of a single IV administration of L-propionylcarnitine on myocardial microcirculation assessed by coronary flow velocity reserve measurement in patients with systemic sclerosis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Scleroderma-related cardiac involvement primarily affects coronary microvascular structures and function. The microvasculature disorder is responsible for impairment of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), which has been reported in studies of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). L-propionylcarnitine (L-PC) is a metabolic substance that is associated with a beneficial effect on both microcirculation and myocyte function. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether or not CFVR was acutely improved or restored in patients with SSc after a single administration of IV L-PC. METHODS: In this pilot study, we screened volunteers with SSc who had no clinical evidence of ischemic heart disease. CFVR was determined by a blinded investigator by evaluating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) by transthoracic echocardiography during adenosine infusion (140 microg/kg x min(-1) for 5 minutes), 30 minutes before and 15 minutes after administration of L-PC (300 mg IV in 5-minute bolus). RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were screened for this study. Fourteen patients (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [11.2] years; mean [SD] weight, 63.8 [14.5] kg; mean [SD] height, 156.3 [8.7] cm) with SSc and no evidence of coronary heart disease were included in the study; 13 women and 1 man (4 with the diffuse cutaneous form of SSc and 10 with the limited cutaneous form). After administration of L-PC to patients with SSc, median CFVR was significantly increased from 2.60 to 3.23 (P < 0.001), whereas peak diastolic velocity in the LADCA decreased significantly at the basal evaluation (30.0 vs 26.0, P = 0.009) and significantly increased (80.0 vs 87.5, P = 0.005) during adenosine infusion. No adverse events occurred before, during, or after L-PC infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Acute administration of L-PC was associated with a short-term beneficial effect on CFVR in this pilot study of patients with SSc. These results suggest that further, randomized, controlled, double-blind evaluation of longer-term administration to patients with SSc should be considered.