Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Rat Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stem cell technology offers a new hope for many chronic disorders patients. The types of stem cells are different with many differences existing between each type. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent one type of adult stem cells that can be easily isolated, then re-transplanted to the patients. This offers potential for their future application in treating many disorders without fear of rejection possibility. MSCs can be isolated from different sources e.g. bone marrow (BMSCs) and adipose tissue (ADSCs). In the present study we compared BMSCs and ADSCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: For this comparison, immunophenotyping, the analysis of growth rates, proliferation by colony forming unit-fibroblast assay, population doubling time, and trilineage differentiation assays were performed for both BMSCs and ADSCs. The findings revealed that despite no difference in immunphenotypic character between BMSC and ADSC, a better proliferative capacity was observed for ADSCs which would advocate their better use in regenerative applications. On the other hand, BMSCs showed more potential for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that, despite many similarities between both types of cells, there are differences existing which can offer assistance on choosing type of cell to be used in specific diseases. Although ADSCs seem more promising for regenerative application generally, BMSCs may represent a better choice for treating bone disorders.

use of single versus double dose of intra-vaginal prostaglandin E[2] "misoprostol" prior to abdominal myomectomy: a randomized controlled clinical trial

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a single versus double dose of prostaglandin E[2] "misoprostol, 400 microgram" prior to myomectomy for multiple uterine fibroids. This was a prospective randomized controlled trial comprised of 69 patients with multiple myomas undergoing myomectomy. Patients received either an intra-vaginal single dose of 400 microgram misoprostol 1 hr pre-operatively [group A, 34 cases] or 2 doses, 3 and 1 hr prior to surgery [group B, 35 cases]. Operation time, intra and post-operative blood loss, hemoglobin concentration, blood pressure and body's temperature were estimated and compared in both groups. The data were statistically analyzed using chi-square test. The p<0.05 was considered significant. In group B, the mean operative time was significantly [p<0.001] shorter than in group A [25.8 +/- 4.14 vs. 35.4 +/- 5.6 min respectively]. The mean value for operative blood loss was significantly [p<0.001] smaller in group B [101.4 +/- 25.5 vs. 200.16 +/- 18.8 ml]. There was a significant [p<0.01] rise of the body temperature in group B [38.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 37.18 +/- 0.84°C]. There were no differences between the two groups regarding hemoglobin levels, post-operative febrile morbidity or length of hospital stay. In this study, two doses of pre-operative intra-vaginal misoprostol were more effective than one dose in reducing intra and post-operative blood loss and shortening of operation time during abdominal myomectomy

Strategies for pituitary down-regulation to optimize IVF/ICSI outcome in poor ovarian responders

The ovarian stimulation of poor responders still remains a challenging task for clinicians. There are numerous strategies that have been suggested to improve the outcome in poor responders but there is still no one pituitary down-regulation protocol that best suits all women with such condition. Traditional GnRH agonist flare and long luteal phase protocols do not appear to be advantageous. Reduction of GnRH agonist doses, "stop" protocols, and microdose GnRH agonist flare regimes all appear to improve outcomes, although the proportional benefit of one approach over another has not been convincingly established. GnRH antagonists improve outcomes in this patient population, although, in general, pregnancy rates appear to be lower in comparison to microdose GnRH agonist flare regimes

Prediction and diagnosis of poor ovarian response: the dilemma

Failure to respond adequately to standard protocols and to recruit adequate follicles is called 'poor response'. This results in decreased oocyte production, cycle cancellation and, overall, is associated with a significantly diminished probability of pregnancy. It has been shown that ovarian reserve tests, such as basal FSH, antimullarian hormone [AMH], inhibin B, basal estradiol, antral follicular count [AFC], ovarian volume, ovarian vascular ?ow, ovarian biopsy and multivariate prediction models, have little clinical value in the prediction of a poor response. Although recent evidence points that AMH and AFC may be better than other testsbut they still continue to be used and form the basis for the exclusion of women from fertility treatments. Despite the rigorous efforts made in this regard, a test that could reliably predict poor ovarian response in all clients that undergo IVF is currently lacking

Voice dysfunction following thyroidectomy

Voice dysfunction after thyroidectomy is not rare, and is generally reported in terms of recurrent laryngeal nerve [RLN] or superior laryngeal nerve [SLN] injuries. However, voice dysfunction can occur without laryngeal nerves injuries. Prompt recognition of causes of dysphonia is essential so that relevant therapeutic decision allows early management. The aim is to analyze voice change after thyroidectomy for patients with normal pre-operative voice. The study included 30 patients who had developed voice change within 6 months after thyroidectomy. They were subjected to voice evaluation, indirect laryngoscopy, videostroboscopy and electromyography [EMG]. It was found that dysphonia after thyroid surgery was caused by neurogenic causes [RLN and SLN injuries] in 23 patients [76.7%], non-neurogenic causes in 5 patients [16.7%] and combined causes in 2 patients [6.6%]. EMG studies revealed complete denervation in 6 patients [20] and incomplete denervation [paresis] in 19 patients [63.3%]. Post-thyroidectomy dysphonias are not rare. Injuries of the RLN constitute the main cause. Non-neurogenic injury is another contributing factor. Diagnosis is essential for early management through videostroboscopy and EMG which is specific to differentiate between neurogenic and traumatic injuries and to detect complete or incomplete denervation

Comparative study of M.R.I. and arthroscopic findings of the injured knee joint

The knee problems are very common disorders specially menescal tears Osteoathritis, and ligamentous injurye the M.R.I and arthroscope are the most accurate recent diagnostic tools. We examined 26 patients, 18 males and 8 females with age ranged from 20-60 years. all patients are carefully examined clinically, routine laboratory investigation and plain x-rays of the knee were done M.R.I was performed to all patients before; performing diagnostic arthroscopy diagnostic arthroscopy was done in the theatere under general or spinal anesthesia through the lateral approach of the knee with the leg free at the edge of the table in 90 flexion the patients usually discharged from the hospital in the same or in the 2nd day surgery. The aim of this work is to evaluate the diagnostic value of the M.R.I of the knee joint with correlation of the arthroscopic findings and the results of the M.R.I. Our study reveal that: M.R.I can detect complete ACL and PCL tears with high sensitivity [100%] but this sensitivity decrease very much for partial ACL tear and can't detect ACL laxity and the sensitivity to diagnose meniscal injury is about 80%. The arthroscope is can't diagnose collateral ligaments injury because these structures are extra articular