Stimulatory effect of helium-neon laser irradiation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Low-level laser irradiation [LLLI] has been shown to modulate the proliferation of endothelial cells. Helium-neon [He-Ne] laser is the best type of laser for biostimulation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct stimulatory effect of LLLI on the proliferative potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cell line in vitro. This study included five groups: group I [zero time after seeding He-Ne laser irradiation], group II [24 h after seeding He-Ne laser irradiation], group III [48 h after seeding He-Ne laser irradiation], group IV [96 h after seeding He-Ne laser irradiation], and group V [cumulative He-Ne laser irradiation every 48 h for a period of 6 days]. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups: subgroup a [control], subgroup b [1.77 J/cm[2]He-Ne laser irradiation], and subgroup c [3.54 J/cm[2] He-Ne laser irradiation]. A continuous wave He-Ne laser, emitting a wavelength of 632.8 nm with a power output of 5 mW was used for irradiating the cells. A growth curve was constructed for each group to determine the growth parameters. The most efficient cellular response to LLLI was in subgroup Ic depending on the population doublings achieved, followed by subgroup Ib. Therefore, the early the use of He-Ne laser irradiation for the cultured cells, the more the cellular stimulation and proliferation. Meanwhile, their delayed use resulted in less cellular stimulation and proliferation. Moreover, the results showed that 1.77 and 3.54 J/cm[2] of He-Ne laser irradiation were always stimulatory for endothelial cells either significantly or insignificantly. The present study showed that 1.77 and 3.54 J/cm[2] of He-Ne laser irradiation stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell line proliferation

Gastric varices: magnitude, imaging and endoscopic management

This study evaluated the magnitude of gastric varices among patients presented to Kasr El Aini Hospital by variceal bleeding. The value of abdominal ultrasonography in recognition of the gastric varices was discussed. Also this work reports the results of a trial comparing ethanolamine oleate 5% as sclerosant agent and the tissue adhesive bucrylate in the endoscopic management of patients with bleeding gastric varcies. In the present study 65 out of 970 patients with variceal bleeding had primary gastric varices [6.7%]. Gastric varices alone were found in 5 cases [0.5%]. Eleven patients [2.9%] developed secondary gastric varices after complete eradication of the oesophageal varices in 376 patients. Abdominal ultrasonography was done for 50 patients with oesophago - gastric varices [20 patients with oesophageal varices, 10 with oesophgeal varices with gastric extension and 20 patients with primary gastric varices].Twenty five patients were examined before and after sclerotherapy. We found statistical positive relations between gastric varcies and gastro-splenic and coronary collaterals as detected by sonography and also between sclerosis of oesphageal varices and the increase in the diameter of the splenic vein and the development of gastrosplenic collateral. From the ultrasonography and the radiological results a hypothesis of gastric varix formation is postulated. Tissue adhesive bucrylate is the drug of choice if compared with ethanolamine oleate in management of patients with bleeding gastric varices. Initial control of the total bleeding episodes was significantly high in patients in the bucrylate therapy [93.3%] compared to the sclerosis group [52.6%]. Better survival and bleeding free survival in the bucrylate group compared to the sclerosis group [P < 0.05]. Eradication of varcies was significantly high in the bucrylate group [80.9%] compared to 7.1% in the sclerosis group