The Osteogenic Role of Biomaterials Combined with HumanDerived Dental Stem Cells in Bone Tissue Regeneration

The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine had great potential for clinical applications. However, cell delivery strategies have critical importance in stimulating the differentiation of stem cells and enhancing their potential to regenerate damaged tissues. Different strategies have been used to investigate the osteogenic potential of dental stem cells in conjunction with biomaterials through in vitro and in vivo studies. Osteogenesis has a broad implication in regenerative medicine, particularly for maxillofacial defects. This review summarizes some of the most recent developments in the field of tissue engineering using dental stem cells.

Safety of autologous intramuscular platelet lysate injections in patients with critical limb ischaemia: A pilot, exploratory study

Background & objectives: Platelet concentrate contains a rich cocktail of growth factors that support growth and proliferation of cells. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the safety of platelet lysate (PL) in patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI) not suitable for standard revascularization. Data on the preliminary efficacy are also presented. Methods: Seven patients (18-70 yr) with CLI classified in the Rutherford grades 3-5, with history of intermittent claudication for more than eight weeks and were not suitable for standard revascularization, underwent autologous intramuscular injections of PL. These patients were examined physically alongside other parameters such as TcPO2, toe pressure, and ankle brachial index, at baseline and were followed up for 12 months. Results: The procedure was well tolerated with no serious adverse or any adverse events reported during follow up. Although not the primary aim of this report, preliminary data showed significant clinical improvement in Rutherford stage, ankle-brachial index and toe pressure which persisted for a year. Interpretation & conclusions: Intramuscular injection of PL was well tolerated with no major adverse events reported in our study participants. With the observed satisfactory safety data, preliminary efficacy data of PL should be further validated.

Incidence, Risk Factors and Prognosis of Acute Kidney Injury Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The burden of acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been explored in Jordanian patients who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, risk factors, and mortality of AKI among patients who underwent HSCT. METHODS: A retrospective pilot study included 70 adult patients who received peripheral HSCT was conducted. Weekly measurement of serum creatinine (SCr) was obtained for 3 months after chemotherapy and HSCT. Then, stages of Risk, Injury, and Failure of Kidney were determined based on the Kidney Disease for Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). RESULTS: The median follow-up was 41 months. Mortality was reported in 16 patients (23%). Out of 60 patients that had SCr values, 19 patients (31.6%) had AKI in 90 days after chemotherapy. Allogeneic HSCT, male donors, high-dose melphalan protocols and values of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly higher among patients with AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Combining many nephrotoxic drugs and dosing adjustments should be considered in uniform protocols. Multidisciplinary care should be utilized to assess early kidney dysfunction that decreases adverse events and improves outcomes.

Primary myelodysplastic syndrome in Jordan: a single-centre experience

Study of the disease patterns and clinical evaluation of myelodysplastic syndrome [MDS]. A retrospective analysis was carried out on 85 patients, with MDS who were followed up over a period of 23 years at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Cases were analyzed according to the French, American and British Classification. Of the 85 patients, 42 [49.4%] were females and 43 [50%] males; mean age was 59 +/- 19 years [range 18-88]. Most subtypes found in patients were refractory anemia [RA] in 27 [31.8%] and RA with excess blasts [RAEB] in 28 [32.9%]. Adverse prognostic indicators were RAEB subtype and requirement for blood transfusion. Our findings showed that MDSs appeared at a younger age and tended to be of the aggressive subtype. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia subtype seemed to appear dominantly in men

Hemophilia in Jordan: study of inhibitors and viral status

This work aims at studying inhibitors to factor VIII:C, factor IX: C in Jordanian patients with Hemophilia A and B and the prevalence of hepatitis B, C, HIV viruses in these patients. A total of99 male patients were included in the study. Of these, 83 [83.8%] are hemophilia A and 16 [16.2%] are hemophilia B. All were investigated for inhibitor development by Bethesda assay. Inhibitors for factor VIII:C were additionally test by an ELISA technique. Each Patient's serum was tested by ELISA for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis A, B, and C viruses as well as against HIV I and II. Those found positive for hepatitis C antibodies were tested by PCR for hepatitis C viral RNA. None of the hemophilia B patients were found to have inhibitors. Eight patients [9.6%] of hemophilia A were found to have inhibitors. The prevalence of antibodies for hepatitis C was 25.25%, for hepatitis B 0% and for HIV 1%. Of those who were HCV antibody positive, 13 [52%] were positive for HCV-RNA by PCR. It is concluded that inhibitor development in Jordanian hemophilia A patients is similar to that described in western countries. Regular monitoring of these inhibitors should be an essential part of the routine care and follow-up of hemophilia A patients. The high prevalence of HCV indicates the need for more rigorous hepatitis C screening in local blood to render it safer than it is

Thrombocytopenia responding to red blood cell transfusion.

Three patients with severe symptomatic iron deficiency anemia and thrombocytopenia had a significant rise in platelet count a few days following packed red blood cell transfusion. Pre-transfusion platelet count of patient one was 17 x 109/L, 22 x 109/L in patient 2 and 29 x 109/L in patient 3. On the 6th day post transfusion, the platelet count rose to 166 x 109/L in patient one, 830 x 109/L in patient 2 and 136 x 109/L in patient 3. The possible mechanisms behind such an unreported observation are discussed