Beta thalassemia in Melanesia: association with malaria and characterization of a common variant (IVS-1 nt 5 G----C)

Data on the distribution of beta thalassemia among over 6,000 Melanesians reveals a major difference in the carrier rates between populations in the malarious coastal regions of New Guinea and those living in the historically malaria-free Highlands. The island of Maewo in Vanuatu has a particularly high incidence of beta + thalassemia associated with a single restriction enzyme haplotype. Direct cloning into a plasmid vector and sequence analysis demonstrate that the mutation is a G to C transversion at position 5 of intron 1 of the beta- globin gene. Oligonucleotide probe surveys indicate that this variant accounted for all cases of beta thalassemia studied from Maewo. It is also common in coastal Papua New Guinea where haplotype and oligonucleotide probe data suggest that the molecular basis of beta thalassmia is more heterogeneous.     

Delayed presentation of vernix caseosa peritonitis

INTRODUCTION

Vernix caseosa peritonitis (VCP) is a rare and poorly recognised condition resulting from a sustained foreign body reaction to the vernix caseosa of the baby. This case-based review aims to highlight its importance for any medical team managing patients with peritonitis who have undergone a recent Caesarean section.

CASE REPORT

A 31-year-old woman presented 5 weeks after a Caesarean section with symptoms and signs of peritonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparotomy and peritoneal lavage is the mainstay of treatment for VCP. Knowledge of the condition may stop inadvertent resection of normal intra-abdominal organs. Greater awareness of VCP is required to ensure earlier recognition as patients can recover well following timely operative intervention.     

Method of plasty of defects of a hairy part of the head skin after tumor excision

Results of operative treatment of 8 patients with cellular basal cancer of the hairy part of the head are presented. The patients were operated by an original worked out method of plastic reconstruction of skin defects of the head hairy part after tumor excision. The mathematical substantiation of the surgical method was stated. The technique of operative intervention is described. The clinical course and illustration of the long-term results are given.     

Assessment of Electrospun Pellethane-Based Scaffolds for Vascular Tissue Engineering

We examined the physicochemical properties and the biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of electrospun 3D matrices produced using polyurethane Pellethane 2363-80A (Pel-80A) blends Pel-80A with gelatin or/and bivalirudin. Two layers of vascular grafts of 1.8 mm in diameter were manufactured and studied for hemocompatibility ex vivo and functioning in the infrarenal position of Wistar rat abdominal aorta in vivo (n = 18). Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts of similar diameter were implanted as a control (n = 18). Scaffolds produced from Pel-80A with Gel showed high stiffness with a long proportional limit and limited influence of wetting on mechanical characteristics. The electrospun matrices with gelatin have moderate capacity to support cell adhesion and proliferation (~30–47%), whereas vascular grafts with bivalirudin in the inner layer have good hemocompatibility ex vivo. The introduction of bivalirudin into grafts inhibited platelet adhesion and does not lead to a change hemolysis and D-dimers concentration. Study in vivo indicates the advantages of Pel-80A grafts over ePTFE in terms of graft occlusion, calcification level, and blood velocity after 6 months of implantation. The thickness of neointima in Pel-80A–based grafts stabilizes after three months (41.84 ± 20.21 µm) and does not increase until six months, demonstrating potential for long-term functioning without stenosis and as a suitable candidate for subsequent preclinical studies in large animals.     

Ways to improve the results of the treatment of acute obstruction of the aorta and major arteries of the lower extremities in middle-aged and elderly patients

The authors treated acute arterial obstruction in 190 patients. A complex of diagnostic and therapeutic measures, including the establishment of indications for operative treatment, development of tactics, use of ++physico-technical methods (ultrasound study, rheography, electrocardiography, ++roentgeno-contrast angiography, ultra-violet blood irradiation, electromyostimulation) was developed. A positive result of treatment was obtained in 78.9% of patients, incidence of an amputation performance was 13.7% lethality--12.6%.     

The effect of the combined use of hemosorption and plasmapheresis on the blood rheological and hemodynamic indices of hypertension patients]

Basing on the response obtained in 46 patients with stage II essential hypertension, the conclusion is made on a positive action of hemosorption plus plasmapheresis on blood rheology, hemodynamics, clinical course of hypertension. The response persisted for up to 6 months.