Plasma microRNA levels in childhood IgA vasculitis

Clinical Rheumatology - Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is the most common form of childhood systemic vasculitis. It is mostly self-limiting and characterized by skin, joint, gastrointestinal...     

Isolation and culture of adult and fetal rabbit bladder smooth muscle cells and their interaction with biopolymers

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of isolation and culture of adult and fetal rabbit bladder smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and comparison of their interactions with different types of biodegradable biopolymers in cell culture. Methods: Bladder SMCs isolated from adult and fetus rabbits were identified by immunostaining for smooth muscle [alpha ]-actin and myosin. Growth kinetics of SMCs were estimated using population doubling time (PDT) and thymidine labeling index (TLI). Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide; PLGA) copolymers were synthesized at 85:15 and 75:25 monomer ratios. The porous scaffolds prepared from these polymers were seeded with SMCs. The study compared the effectiveness of adsorbing fibronectin and fetal calf serum (FCS) on these biopolymers. The cells grown on these polymers were quantified using a neutral red uptake assay. Results: Over 90% of the 2 cell populations stained positive for SMC marker proteins. Fetal SMCs were seen to emerge from the tissue after 3 to 4 days, whereas adult SMCs were seen after 5 to 6 days. However, estimated PDT of fetal and adult SMCs was 85.2 and 54.5 hours, respectively, and TLI of adult SMCs was also higher than with fetal SMCs. Proliferation on 75:25 PLGA was better than for 85:15 and for both biopolymers; adsorption of FCS significantly affected cell attachment relative to fibronectin. Conclusions: Although fetal SMCs were shown to emerge from explants early after seeding onto dishes, doubling time and S-phase fraction of adult bladder SMCs were markedly higher than of fetal derived cells. Adsorption of serum proteins significantly enhances the attachment of both fetal and adult SMCs to biopolymers. J Pediatr Surg 38:21-24.     

Cross ectopic multicystic dysplastic kidney with ureterocele in nonectopic site

Crossed renal ectopy (CRE) is the second most common fusion anomaly of the kidney, with an incidence of 1 in 7000 autopsies; it comes in second after horseshoe kidney. Crossed renal ectopy is associated with an ectopic ureter and generally an ectopic kidney fused with a normal kidney. A 7-month-old boy who had left-to-right crossed non-fused renal ectopy and multicystic renal dysplasia with ureterocele in nonectopic kidney was reported in English language literature. In this article, we present the first case of CRE where surgical intervention has been performed.     

The evaluation of genotoxic potential of ornidazole, nitroimidazole, in lymphocyte culture of patients with amebiasis

The genotoxicity study of ornidazole (ONZ) was carried out on human lymphocyte chromosomes, using sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN). Thirty-two patients with Entemoeba histolitica infection who received 1000 mg/day for 10 days were included in this study. SCE and MN were measured before and after therapy. A statistically significant increase was observed in the SCE (P < 0.001) and MN frequencies (P < 0.001) after ornidazole therapy. It was concluded that ONZ has a potential geno- and cytotoxic effect in human peripheral lymphocyte cultures. For this reason, further, detailed studies are needed to elucidate the ONZ mechanism of genotoxicity and its carcinogenic potential.     

Fluoroscopy-guided laparoscopy in the management of intraabdominal foreign body

Appendicitis or perforation as a result of intraluminal foreign body is uncommon. The method of diagnosis and proper approach for an elective appendectomy in an otherwise silent intraluminal foreign body is under dispute. A laparoscopic exploration under intraoperative fluoroscopy guidance was performed in a mentally retarded 9-year-old boy with asymptomatic foreign bodies in the right lower abdominal quadrant. The authors recommend laparoscopic appendectomy, assisted by intraoperative fluoroscopy for patients with pointed foreign bodies in the appendix.     

Genotoxicity of thallium-201 in patients with angina pectoris undergoing myocardial perfusion study

Thallium-201 (201Tl) has been widely used as a nuclear reagent for myocardial blood flow imaging. The purpose of this study was to investigate genotoxic effects of 201Tl in patients with angina pectoris (n = 21), who had undergone myocardial perfusion imaging. Lymphocytes were isolated from each patient before, and 3, 30 and 90 days after 201Tl administration (111 MBq, 3 mCi) and were analyzed for chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, mitotic index and replicative index. There were significant increases in chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges 3 days after 201Tl administration (p < 0.001), although no difference was noted in these values after 30 and 90 days (p > 0.05). Moreover, decreased mitotic index and replicative index were noted after 3 days of 201Tl administration (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the administration of 201Tl for myocardial blood flow imaging may induce genetic damage.     

Thoracoscopic diaphragm plication in children and indications for conversion to open thoracotomy

Thoracoscopic plication of the diaphragm has been recently described as an alternative treatment for eventration. It is considered to be much less traumatic than the conventional method. We attempted thoracoscopic diaphragm plication on three patients. Two patients were treated successfully by the minimally invasive technique and were discharged from hospital on the second postoperative day. In the third case, the presence of a mobile intrathoracic kidney due to previous diaphragmatic hernia repair necessitated conversion to open thoracotomy. This patient was discharged on postoperative day six following an uneventful recovery. All patients are well and asymptomatic on followup. We advocate thoracoscopic diaphragm plication in children as a safe procedure with less morbidity and excellent cosmetic results.     

Minimal access surgical repair of Morgagni hernia: the fate of the unresected hernia sac

Treatment of retrosternal diaphragmatic (Morgagni) hernia is composed of a simple surgical closure of the retrosternal opening either conventionally by open abdominal or thoracic approaches, or more recently, by using minimal access surgery (MAS). Clinical experience using the latter approach is very limited in children. Removal of the hernia sac is a controversial issue, since the sac is said to carry the risk of cyst formation or show spontaneous resolution. This issue represents a 7-year-old boy with Morgagni hernia that was successfully repaired by the MAS approach. The hernia sac was not resected because of adhesion to the adjacent tissues. The patient was readmitted with fluid accumulation within the remaining sac 2 months after the operation. A complete spontaneous resolution was observed within 2 months under conservative follow-up. To our knowledge, the temporary complication described in this paper has not been published in the literature.