Seroprevalence and trends of transfusion transmissible infections among retrospective blood donors in Western Azerbaijan Regional Blood Transfusion Center,Iran: A ten-years evaluation

Transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) have been a public health challenge for the accessibility, quality and safety of blood transfusion. The present study aimed to consider the prevalence and the trends of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis across the ten years among retrospective blood donors. A retrospective investigation of blood donors’ data covering the period from 22 May 2009 to 22 May 2019 was done. Data was accumulated and analyzed from Blood Transfusion Center records, pertaining to all donors who were screened for various TTIs using respective immunological techniques. Out of the 682,171 screened donors in the 2009–2019 study period, 2470 (0.36 %) were infected with at least one infectious agent. The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV, HTLV-1, HIV and syphilis were 1700 (0.25 %), 184 (0.027 %), 335 (0.05 %), 4 (0.0.05 %) and 247 (0.036 %), respectively. The study showed male dominated donor pool (96.79 %) with higher prevalence (0.34 %) of TTIs compared to female donors (0.02 %) with 3.21 % population. Despite the low prevalence of TTIs in our study, HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV have remained a big threat to safe blood transfusion in Iran. Strict adherence to selection criteria, algorithm of donor screening, use of highly sensitive and specific methods for detection of TTIs, regular consultation and health education programs, prevention and sanitization strategies to reduce the risk of TTIs are recommended to reduce the risk of TTIs and ensure the safety of blood transfusion for recipient.     

Renal Allograft Biopsies with Borderline Changes: Predictive Factors of Clinical Outcome

The clinical outcome and appropriate management for patients showing 'borderline changes' on allograft biopsy after renal transplantation is still controversial. In an attempt to identify predictive factors of clinical outcome of patients with such lesions, we reviewed the clinical course of 91 patients with borderline changes. Multivariate analysis revealed significant and independent effects of histological stage (i + t < or = or > 2) and time to borderline changes (< or = or > 3 months after transplant) on serum creatinine levels at 1 year from borderline changes episodes (respectively, p = 0.04 and p = 0.02) and only a significant effect of time to borderline changes on serum creatinine levels at 2 years (p = 0.005). Renal function at 1 year and 2 years as 5- and 8-year graft survival were not significantly different in the group of patients treated with antirejection therapy (T group, n = 49) compared with the untreated group (UT group, n = 42). This study strongly suggests that borderline changes with histological score (i + t) > 2 and late episodes of borderline changes should be considered to be of poor prognosis.     

15 Years in surgical management of pulmonary hydatidosis.

OBJECTIVES: Echinococcosis remains an endemic surgical problem in countries where sheep and cattle raising is carried out, particularly in many Mediterranean countries. This study aims to evaluate the management of different presentations of pulmonary hydatidosis and their outcome over 15 years. DESIGN: Retrospective study.Setting: Thoracic surgical department, Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait. PATIENTS: Sixty patients operated upon for hydatid disease were evaluated pre- and post- operatively; 35 males, 25 females with a mean age of 28.4 years. Most patients were investigated by laboratory, serological and radiological studies. Different surgical techniques were used to remove the hydatid cyst from the lung. RESULTS: The most common presenting symptoms were cough (41 patients), and 12 patients were asymptomatic. Chest X-ray showed a rounded shadow in 42 patients; 19 cases were of vigorous size >10 cm. Thoracotomy was done in 57 patients; two chest wall cases were managed by minimal skin incision and enucleation, one hydatid cyst of the heart was approached through a median sternotomy. The mean hospital stay was 9 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients; prolonged air leak in 4 patients, pleural effusion in 3, pneumothorax, and wound infection in one patient each. One patient (65 years old) died on the 6th post-operative day most probably from pulmonary embolism. In a follow-up period of 2-15 years, 4 recurrences have been noted. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision of pulmonary hydatidosis with maximum preservation of the lung parenchyma is the main stay of treatment.     

Cough and paradoxical vocal fold motion

OBJECTIVES: The differential diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic cough, paradoxical vocal fold motion, and disordered breathing can be a challenge to most practicing otolaryngologists. Tracheobronchial (ie, asthma, bronchitis, and tracheal stenosis), laryngeal (ie, vocal fold paralysis and neoplasms), and rhinologic (ie, allergies and rhinosinusitis) etiologies are commonly diagnosed and treated effectively. However, occasionally one is faced with patients who are refractory to medical treatment and have no obvious rhinologic, laryngeal or pulmonary cause. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a review of the literature. METHODS: We present a thorough review of the current medical literature exploring the complex neurologic mechanisms involved in the production of cough and the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease, vagal neurapathy, and paradoxical vocal fold motion. RESULTS: The diagnosis and successful treatment of chronic cough can be complex. It requires a thorough understanding of the neurologic mechanisms behind cough excitation and suppression. Successful treatment strategies include aggressive management of the patient's reactive airway disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and, in select cases, paradoxical vocal fold motion. This may involve a well-coordinated effort among pulmonologists, otolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, and speech pathologists. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, vagal neuropathy, and paradoxical vocal fold motion are additional causes of chronic cough and disordered breathing that need to be considered, in the absence of obvious laryngotracheal and/or rhinologic pathology. A high index of suspicion is essential in making the diagnosis and formulating an effective multidisciplinary treatment plan for these patients.     

Characterization of a novel metabolite intermediate of ziprasidone in hepatic cytosolic fractions of rat, dog, and human by ESI-MS/MS, hydrogen/deuterium exchange, and chemical derivatization.

Ziprasidone (Geodone), a novel atypical antipsychotic agent, is recently approved for the treatment of schizophrenia. It undergoes extensive metabolism in preclinical species and humans after oral administration, and only a very small amount of administered dose is excreted as unchanged drug. In vitro studies using human liver microsomes have shown that the oxidative metabolism of ziprasidone is mediated primarily by CYP3A4. However, coadministration of ziprasidone with ketoconazole, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, showed only a modest increase in its exposure. Therefore, in vitro metabolism of ziprasidone was investigated in hepatic cytosolic fractions to further understand its clearance mechanisms in preclinical species and humans. The major metabolite from incubation of ziprasidone in cytosolic fractions of rat, dog, and human was characterized by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and found to be the product of reductive cleavage. Derivatization and hydrogen/deuterium exchange were used to deduce that the addition of two hydrogen atoms had occurred at the benzisothiazole moiety. Further studies to determine the enzyme involved in the formation of this metabolite are currently in progress. The identification of this novel metabolite in cytosol has clarified the clearance mechanism of ziprasidone in humans and preclinical species.     

Endoscopic Reconstruction of Cranial Base Defects following Endonasal Skull Base Surgery.

The expanded endonasal approach provides access to the entire ventral skull base for resection of neoplasms involving the skull base and brain. The creation of large defects of the bone and dura endoscopically presents unique reconstructive challenges. A layered reconstruction of the dura with inlay and onlay fascial grafts covered with fat grafts is an effective technique for repair. An intranasal balloon catheter is used to provide counterpressure in the early phase of healing and a lumbar spinal drain is a useful adjunct in patients at increased risk of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Vascularized flaps may be necessary in some patients receiving radiation therapy. Continued advances in surgical technology and the introduction of new biomaterials will facilitate the reconstruction of skull base defects following endonasal brain surgery.