A new aspect of in vitro antimicrobial leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma activity based on flow cytometry assessment

The current literature suggests that the antibacterial effect of leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) is directly related to platelet and leukocyte concentrations. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of L-PRP against selected bacterial strains in vitro, and second, to correlate this effect with leukocyte and platelet content in the final concentration. Blood was collected from 20 healthy males, and L-PRP, acellular plasma (AP), and autologous thrombin were consecutively prepared. Flow cytometry analysis of the blood, L-PRP, and AP was performed. The L-PRP gel, liquid L-PRP, and thrombin samples were tested in vitro for their antibacterial properties against seven selected bacterial strains using the Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion method. There was notable antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial strains. No statistically significant correlations between antimicrobial activities and the platelet concentration in L-PRP were observed. Statistically significant positive correlations between selected leukocyte subtypes and antimicrobial activity were noted. A negative correlation was found between elevated monocyte count and antimicrobial activity of L-PRP against one bacterial strain studied. L-PRP possesses antimicrobial activity and can be potentially useful in the fight against certain postoperative infections. The bactericidal effect of L-PRP is caused by leukocytes, and there exists a relationship among selected leukocyte subtypes and L-PRP antimicrobial activity.     

Radiation dose reduction during hysterosalpingography: an application of scanning-beam digital radiography

Hysterosalpingography was performed in 31 patients by means of a low-dose scanning-beam digital radiographic system. The technique permits adequate evaluation of gynecologic abnormalities while allowing significant reduction in radiation: 2.4-mR (6.1 X 10(-7) C/kg) exposure to the skin and 0.7-mrad (7 X 10(-6) Gy) mean dose to the ovaries per image obtained. Sixteen patients demonstrated readily recognizable and documented abnormalities, corroborated by laparoscopy, laparotomy, or other supportive evidence.     

Outcome treatment of pseudoarthrosis of long bones with decortication method depends on osteosynthesis]

Purpose of work was estimation of the results of treatment of pseudoarthrosis of the long bone with the method of decortication, with use of autogenic bone depends on kind of pseudoarthrosis and kind of osteosynthesis. In the years 1995-2005 56 patients were treated because of pseudoarthrosis of long bone in our Clinic. Pseudoarthrosis is classified according to Weber-Cech classification. In the methodology of clinical estimation and subjective estimation of the patient Stewart and Hundley and Anderson classification were used. Union was achieved in 51 cases. Time of bone union achievement was 5 months. The results of treatment are depends on morfology of pseudoartrosis and are independs of kind of osteosynthesis.     

Influence of complement on sperm motility

Isolated sperm from normo-, oligo- and astheno-spermic men were incubated for 20 h in medium supplemented with 8% heat-inactivated or untreated human serum, and in medium with heated or untreated serum deficient in complement factor C3. Before and after incubation, sperm motility was assessed by means of a computer-assisted semen analyser. The results did not show significant differences between the motility of sperm incubated in heated or untreated serum. It is concluded that heating of homologous serum is not necessary for preserving sperm motility and in some cases may even be disadvantageous.     

Orale Zytologie

Zusammenfassung Die orale Zytologie erf?hrt eine Renaissance, die durch die Einführung der Bürste als Entnahmetr?ger und durch die Anwendung zus?tzlicher moderner Verfahren bedingt ist. Die Bürste kann tiefe Schichten der oralen Mukosa erfassen, in denen die squam?se intraepitheliale Neoplasie (SIN) beginnt. Zus?tzliche Verfahren zur Bewertung der biologischen Potenz der gewonnenen oralen Epithelzellen sind: die computerunterstützte Bildanalyse (OralCDx^?), die DNA-Zytometrie, die Immunzytochemie, die Dünnschichtzytologie und molekularbiologische Analysen. Alle genannten Verfahren sind geeignet, die Sensitivit?t (bis zu 100%) und Spezifit?t (bis zu 100%) der oralen Zytologie zu erh?hen. Dennoch gibt es Berichte über orale Plattenepithelkarzinome, die mithilfe der Bürstenbiopsie nicht erkannt wurden. Die Wertigkeit der einzelnen Verfahren kann aktuell aufgrund fehlender vergleichender Studien nicht abschlie?end beurteilt werden. Die Immunzytochemie mit kommerziellen Antik?rpern gegen Laminin 5 ist allseits verfügbar und methodisch einfach. Das nichtinvasive diagnostische Verfahren der methodisch unterstützten oralen Bürstenbiopsie kann einen Beitrag zur frühen Erkennung ausgew?hlter Mundschleimhautl?sionen leisten. Ein positiver Befund oder eine Progression der L?sion bei negativem Befund sind Indikationen zur überweisung des Patienten an Fachkliniken und zur dort durchgeführten Skalpellbiopsie mit histopathologischer Untersuchung. Die histopathologische Begutachtung bleibt der Goldstandard in der definitiven Diagnostik maligner oraler L?sionen.      

Deficient activation of microglia during optic nerve degeneration

Transection of an optic nerve (ON) is followed by slow removal of myelin. We studied microglia for the expression of molecules that characterize activated myelin phagocytosing macrophages: MAC-1, FcγII/III receptor (FcR), MAC-2, and F4/80. In-vitro, microglia expressed all molecules and phagocytosed myelin. In-vivo, intact ON displayed high levels of MAC-1, little FcR and F4/80, and no MAC-2. The expression of these molecules was upregulated differentially in in-vivo degenerating ON: MAC-1 uniformly, FcR and F4/80 variably, and MAC-2 sporadically. The distribution of MAC-2 expression correlated best with a pattern of sporadic structural degeneration. Thus in-vivo, ON injury is followed by deficient microglia activation, which we suggest contributes significantly to the slow clearance of myelin.     

Phase I trial of the polyelectrolyte carbetimer administered i.v. once every four weeks

Summary Carbetimer, a new synthetic low molecular weight polyelectrolyte with a novel structure displayed antitumor activiy in a number of animal tumor model systems and in vitro investigations. Based on these findings it was brought to a phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced malignant disease after failure of conventional treatment or with no conventional treatment available. Forty-eight patients received 98 courses. The schedule was a one hour i.v. infusion every four weeks. The starting dose was 180 mg/m² and dose escalation was performed according to a modified Fibonacci formula up to 16,690 mg/m². At least three patients were treated at each dose level and each patient was eligible to receive repeat courses at the same dose, until progressive disease or dose-limiting toxicity intervened. No hematological toxicity was encountered. Some adverse effects such as reversible proteinuria, hypercalcaemia, pain at infusion site, nausea and vomiting and fatigue were seen partly in a dose-related manner but did not represent the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The limiting toxicity at the highest dose level of 16,690 mg/m² consisted of ocular symptoms (light flashes) accompanied by a modest decrease of blood pressure and nausea or vomiting during a one hour infusion. 16,690 mg/m²/1 hour was considered the MTD. There were four deaths on study, all considered diseaserelated. Fourteen patients had stable disease for more than two courses, which, however, could also be explained by the natural course of disease. No clear-cut antitumor responses were noted in our study center.The recommended dose for phase II trials derived from our results is 12,550 mg/m²/2 hours. However, with regard to experiences in other phase I studies, the subsequent phase II studies will be performed with a dose of 6,500 mg/m².     

Image-directed percutaneous biopsies with a biopsy gun

Core tissue for histologic study is believed by many pathologists to be more diagnostic than material from needle aspiration. Recently, a biopsy "gun" has been introduced, which simplifies core biopsies. With this device, 182 biopsies of multiple anatomic sites were performed with ultrasonic, computed tomographic, and fluoroscopic guidance and 18-gauge needles. High-quality histopathologic specimens were obtained in 177 of the biopsies, and diagnostic target tissue was obtained in 167. Only three significant complications occurred: one bleeding complication that required transfusion and two cases of pneumothorax that necessitated placement of chest tubes. The biopsy gun eliminated the disjointed movements of conventional "skinny" needle biopsies, and none of the samples demonstrated significant "crush" artifact or obscuring blood, problems that are commonly associated with manual biopsy techniques. Patient discomfort was decreased with this system compared with that of manual biopsies, and the total procedure time was reduced. Because of these distinct advantages, the authors now use the biopsy gun exclusively for all percutaneous biopsies and recommend that other institutions consider the use of this biopsy method.