Palpable purpura: is it associated with vasculitis or not? A single-center experience

Clinical Rheumatology - The most common cutaneous manifestation of small vessel vasculitis is palpable purpura. Etiology includes various causes such as infections, malignancies, drugs, and...     

Graft failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Graft failure is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) defined as either lack of initial engraftment of donor cells (primary graft failure) or loss of donor cells after initial engraftment (secondary graft failure). Successful transplantation depends on the formation of engrafment, in which donor cells are integrated into the recipient’s cell population.In this paper, we distinguish two different entities, graft failure (GF) and poor graft function (PGF), and review the current comprehensions of the interactions between the immune and hematopoietic compartments in these conditions. Factors associated with graft failure include histocompatibility locus antigen (HLA)-mismatched grafts, underlying disease, type of conditioning regimen and stem cell source employed, low stem cell dose, ex vivo T-cell depletion, major ABO incompatibility, female donor grafts for male recipients, disease status at transplantation.Although several approaches have been developed which aimed to prevent graft rejection, establish successful engraftment and treat graft failure, GF remains a major obstacle to the success of allo-HSCT.Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) still remains to be the curative treatment option for various non-malignant and malignant hematopoietic diseases. The outcome of allo-HSCT primarily depends on the engraftment of the graft. Graft failure (GF), is a life-threatening complication which needs the preferential therapeutic manipulation. In this paper, we focused on the definitions of graft failure / poor graft function and also we reviewed the current understanding of the pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment approaches for these entities.     

The relationship between parental involvement and adolescent mental health in six sub-Saharan African countries: findings from Global School-based Health Surveys (GSHS)

Sub-Saharan African (SSA) youth have higher rates of poor mental health compared to their counterparts in other low-and-middle-income countries. Empirical studies have found that family support is a crucial deterrent against the development of mental health problems in adolescence. However, little is known about the link between parental involvement and SSA young people mental health. This study examined the correlation between parental involvement and SSA adolescent mental health. About 15,000 adolescents aged 11–17 from six SSA countries participated in the Global School-Based Health Surveys (2003–2007). Based on the findings, low parental involvement was observed. Binomial regression analysis showed that the strength and direction of the relationship between parental involvement and mental health varied across countries. These findings may indicate the need for more intense mental health intervention efforts including the collaboration of professionals, policy-makers, and parents to guide future child and adolescent mental health services.     

Bioapplications of Polythiophene‐g‐Polyphenylalanine‐Covered Surfaces

The fabrication of electro and bioactive surfaces by electrochemical deposition of the thiophene‐functionalized polyphenylalanine macromonomer (T‐g‐PPhe) is reported. The resulting conducting graft copolymer, polythiophene‐graft‐polyphenylalanine (PT‐g‐PPhe) formed on the indium tin oxide (ITO) glass surface, is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Then, possible uses of PT‐g‐PPhe as matrices in the sensor design for both electrochemical biosensing and cell adhesion studies are investigated. In the first part, PT‐g‐PPhe that is deposited on ITO is further functionalized with the arginylglycylaspartic acid peptide via 1‐Ethyl‐3‐(3 dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide for the selective cell adhesion. Immunofluorescence staining is performed to detect the difference between adherences of “integrin αvβ3” receptor positive (U87‐MG) and negative (HaCaT) cell lines on to the biofunctional surface. In the second part, an electrochemical glucose sensor is constructed by immobilizing glucose oxidase on the surface of PT‐g‐PPhe, which is deposited on a glassy carbon electrode.

     

Evaluation of mineral content of dentin prepared by erbium, chromium:yttrium scandium gallium garnet laser

Laser etching has an effect on the mineral content of dentin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mineral content of dentin prepared at three different power settings with an erbium, chromium:yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser. The enamel of five, lower, wisdom, molar teeth was removed to expose the dentin surface. Four dentin slabs were obtained, then each tooth was randomly divided into four portions (groups 1 W, 2 W, 3 W and control) so that we could evaluate the effect of laser treatment. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser used for the study had a pulse duration of 140 μs, a pulse repetition rate of 20 Hz and a power output range of 0 W to 6 W. Laser energy was delivered through a fiberoptic system to a sapphire tip terminal 6 mm long and 600 μm in diameter, using a non-contact mode. The levels of five elements: magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na), in each slab were measured by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). There were significant differences between the groups (1 W, 2 W, 3 W and control) for Ca, Mg, Na, P and Ca/P ratio (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences for K (P = 0.43). Laser treatment at 1 W significantly affected the mean percentage weight of all element groups except K. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs indicated that the surface irregularities increased with increasing power setting.     

Is there any difference between effects of ipratropium bromide and formoterol on exercise capacity in moderate COPD patients?

The effects of anticholinergic agents or long acting beta(2)-agonists on exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves various out come measures but there is not enough double-blind study which included comparison of different medications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of ipratropium bromide and formoterol on exercise capacity and also to determine the relationship between this improvement in functional parameters and exercise capacity for each treatment in patients with COPD. This study was performed as randomized, double blind and two period crossover design. Ten volunteer stable COPD patients were recruited from outpatient COPD clinic. At the initial visit medical data were recorded. One week later baseline measurements; pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed, afterwards, patients received ipratropium bromide 40 microg four times a day or formoterol 12 microg two times a day for two weeks. After a washout period, medications were crossed for another two weeks. After each of treatment period, all tests were performed. Nine subjects were male and mean age was 51.1 +/- 5.45 years, all of them were heavy smokers, level of COPD was mild to moderate (FEV(1)= 69%, FEV(1)/FVC= 68%). While formoterol significantly improved FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC %, ipratropium significantly improved FEV(1), FEF(25-75), peak oxygen uptake and minute ventilation. Moreover, both of the medications increased exercise time. There were no differences between effects of ipratropium bromide and formoterol on exercise capacity and functional parameters. We observed that ipratropium bromide and formoterol have similar improvement in exercise capacity in COPD patients. The improvement in exercise capacity also correlated with increase in FEV(1).     

Synthesizing and evaluating the photodynamic efficacy of asymmetric heteroleptic A7B type novel lanthanide bis-phthalocyanine complexes

In this study heteroleptic A₇B type novel Lu(iii) and Eu(iii) lanthanide phthalocyanines (LnPc(Pox)[Pc′(AB₃SH)]) with high extinction coefficients have been synthesized as candidate photosensitizers with reaction yields higher than 33%. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of LuPc(Pox)[Pc′(AB₃SH)] and EuPc(Pox)[Pc′(AB₃SH)], respectively, were measured 17% and 1.4% by the direct method in THF. The singlet oxygen quantum yield of LuPc(Pox)[Pc′(AB₃SH)] in THF is the highest among lutetium(iii) bis-phthalocyanine complexes to date. The photodynamic efficacy of the heteroleptic lanthanide phthalocyanines was evaluated by measuring cell viabilities of A549 and BEAS-2B lung cells, selected to representing in vitro models for testing cancer and normal cells against potential drugs. The cell viabilities demonstrated concentration dependent behavior and were varied by the type of phthalocyanines complexes. Irradiation of the cells for 30 minutes with LED array at 660 nm producing flux of 0.036 J cm⁻² s⁻¹ increased cell death for LuPcPox-OAc, LuPc(Pox)[Pc′(AB₃SH)] and ZnPc. The IC₅₀ concentrations of LuPc(Pox)[Pc′(AB₃SH)] and ZnPc were determined to be below 10 nM for both cell lines, agreeing very well with the singlet oxygen quantum yield measurements. These findings suggest that LuPc(Pox)[Pc′(AB₃SH)] and particularly LuPcPox-OAc are promising drug candidates enabling lowered dose and shorter irradiation time for photodynamic therapy.

Novel bis-lanthanide Lu(iii) and Eu(iii) phthalocyanine complexes have been designed/synthesized and tested their photodynamic efficacy for A549 and BEAS-2B cells in vitro conditions as candidate photosensitizers in PDT.     

Is oral indomethacin effective in treatment of preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus?

Twenty-one preterm infants (with a mean gestational age and birth weight of 29.3 weeks and 1288.6 g) and nine pretem infants (with a mean gestational age and birth weight of 29.6 weeks and 1153.1 g) were treated with an enteral preparation of indomethacin and with intravenous indomethacin, respectively, for the closure of hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus. The patients received three doses of either oral indomethacin capsule (Endol, Deva, Turkey) or intravenous indomethacin (Confortid, Dumex GmBH, Germany) in a dose of 0.2 mg/kg at 12-hour intervals. The ductus was closed in 17 (81%) and 7 (77%) of the babies in the orally and intravenously treated groups, respectively (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels or thrombocyte counts in either group before and after treatment with indomethacin (p > 0.05). No side effect was reported in the oral indomethacin group. Oral indomethacin may be an alternative to the intravenous preparation in developing countries if the intravenous form is not available or not affordable.     

Implant-assisted dental rehabilitation of a patient with maxillary rhabdomyosarcoma

ABSTRACT: Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant, soft tissue neoplasm consisting of cells derived from the primitive mesenchyme that exhibit a profound tendency to undergo myogenesis. Multimodality therapy for tumors in the head and neck regions has a significant effect on maxillofacial skeletal growth, dental development, and the whole ecologic system of the oral cavity.Here we aimed to discuss the influence of head-neck cancer therapy in pediatric patients with long-term follow-up and present a case with implant-assisted dental rehabilitation and also functional and aesthetic outcomes.