Necrotizing enterocolitis in the full term newborn

In a two-year period, 12 cases of full term neonates that developed necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC] were diagnosed. The history was positive for enteral feeding in nine of the twelve patients. An underlying risk factor was determined in all cases with hypoxic ischemia and respiratory distress being the most common. Postoperative NEC was found in two of the patients. All cases were diagnosed by radiological exploration and laboratory investigations with delay in the diagnosis in the postoperative group only. In those, tumor necrosis factor [TNF] seemed to be an early reliable indicator of the occurrence of the disease in front of misleading clinical and laboratory evidences. Nine of the patients required surgical interference with six survivors. Out of the three patients that were not operated upon, two expired from severe sepsis

Inhibition of herpesvirus ribonucleotide reductase by new synthetic peptides

The prospect of total chemical synthesis of large biologically active peptides up to the protein size has always represented a powerful tool in bioorganic chemistry. The advances made in the chemical synthesis of peptides would not have been possible without the availability of solid phase peptide synthesis [SPPS] introduced by Merrifield[1]. Since the conception of [SPPS], the chemistry developed for its application has remained fairly standardized. Like all ingenious ideas, [SPPS] also has its short-comings, for example the repetitive acidolysis required for the deprotection of [Boc] group, which may affect the acid sensitive peptide bonds and also catalyze some undesirable side reactions result in failure sequences. This initiated the development of different N-alpha-aminoblocking groups. However, the most successful one was the base labile 9-fluorenyl methoxycarbonyl Fmoc group, which is considered one of the best choices for protecting the alpha-amino-group not only because of its cleavage in weak alkaline medium [e.g. piperidine in DMF] and can therefore be used in conjunction with acid labile linker, acid sensitive amino acids and side chain protecting groups, but also because it enables- as UV active group- continuous spectroscopic monitoring during all steps of synthesis cycle[2]

Indications and results of the MAGPI Technique in minor forms of hypospadias

This study included 22 infants and children with a minor form of hypospadias. After clinical examination and appropriate preoperative investigations a MAGPI procedure was used to correct the malformation. The cosmetic and functional results were favorable in 86.3% of the cases with 3 complications. The comparison of the results to the original position of the meatus and anatomical state of the penis allows to redefine the indications of the MAGPI

Impact of electron microscopy on timing of excision of congenital chordae

30 male patients with clinically evident chordee were included in this study. Orthoplasty of the penis was performed under general anesthesia and controlled by artificial erection tests. In 60% of cases, skin degloving was sufficient, while in 40% fibrous tissue had to be excised to achieve penile straightening. It is evident that when fibrous chordee exist, they are an active process in the young patients and their excision should be complete to avoid recurrences