Appendiceal intussusception presenting as a caecal mass.

INTRODUCTION: The differential diagnosis of caecal mass is broad and the inclusion of appendiceal pathologies is an important element. CASE REPORT: We report a 37-year-old woman with recurrent right iliac fossa pain. Computed tomography scan revealed a caecal mass suggesting complete inversion or intussusception of the appendix, which was confirmed by pathologic microscopic examination. This case report discusses appendiceal intussusception with emphasis on diagnosis and treatment options. DISCUSSION: Appendiceal intussusception is a rare entity and the complete type typically presents as a polypoid lesion located at the appendiceal orifice in the caecum. It is imperative to include this entity in the differential diagnosis of caecal mass, especially during colonoscopy, as the removal of this polypoid lesion can result in a devastating caecal perforation or haemorrhage.

Use of Everolimus After Multivisceral Transplantation: A Report of Two Cases.

Inhibitors of mechanistic target of rapamycin are used in solid organ transplant procedures to avoid calcineurin inhibitor complications, including nephrotoxicity and malignancy. We present 2 cases of multivisceral transplantation for neuroendocrine tumor (NET) for which everolimus was implemented for its potential to prevent NET recurrence as well as preserve renal function. The first case was complicated by NET recurrence in the liver before initiation of everolimus. After initiation of everolimus, the patient developed a ventral hernia and elevated aminotransferase levels with nonspecific biopsy findings. The second case was complicated by cytomegalovirus infection with elevated everolimus trough levels as well as acute cellular rejection. Everolimus was reinitiated in both cases in addition to decreasing the dosage of tacrolimus, and there were no further complications. Everolimus was beneficial in stabilizing renal function in both patients and has the theoretical potential to prevent recurrence of NET.

A Case Report of Acute Cellular Rejection Following Intestinal Transplantation Managed With Adalimumab.

There is a higher incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in small bowel transplantation (SBT) compared with transplantation of other solid organs. Although there are reports on the use of infliximab to successfully treat ACR refractory to other treatments, there are no reports, to our knowledge, regarding the use of adalimumab. We present a case of a female patient with a history of Crohn's disease who underwent an isolated SBT and developed an episode of severe ACR. She was initially treated with methylprednisolone, thymoglobulin, basiliximab, and a dosage adjustment of tacrolimus. Results of repeat endoscopies and biopsies revealed no significant improvement. The patient initiated treatment with adalimumab every 2 weeks for a total of 6 months, in addition to maintenance treatment with prednisone and tacrolimus. Subsequent evaluations showed gradual improvement to normal mucosa and villi without ulceration. A regimen that incorporates adalimumab can thus be used to treat ACR after intestinal transplantation. Larger multicenter studies are needed to show the full efficacy of this therapeutic regimen.

Isolation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from bovine umbilical cord blood.

Currently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used in veterinary clinical applications. Bone marrow and adipose tissue are the most common sources of stem cells derived from adult animals. However, cord blood which is collected non-invasively is an alternative source of stem cells other than bone marrow and adipose tissue. Moreover, high availability and lower immunogenicity of umbilical cord blood (UCB) haematopoietic stem cells compared to other sources of stem cell therapy such as bone marrow have made them a considerable source for cell therapy, but MSCs is not highly available in cord blood and their immunogenicity is poorly understood. In this study, the cells with spindle morphology from 7 of 9 bovine UCB samples were isolated and cultured. These mesenchymal stromal cells were successfully differentiated to osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. In addition, Oct-4 and SH3 were determined by RT-PCR assay. It is the first report of isolation, culture, characterization and differentiation of bovine umbilical stem cells.

Renal disease burden following liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Significant chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs following orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). Since CKD is associated with increased cardiovascular events, mortality, and hepatic allograft dysfunction, early recognition of CKD and implementation of changes may improve the long-term outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the burden of renal disease following OLT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our OLT recipients from 1997 until 2004. We calculated glomerular filtration rates (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (MDRD) method. The GFRs were further subdivided into pre-MELD and post-MELD eras. RESULTS: During the study period, we performed 407 OLTs. We censored data from living donor liver transplants (n = 14), combined liver-kidney transplants (n = 12), and from patients whom we did not have complete data for 6 months after transplant (n = 40). Mean MELD score at the time of transplant was 18 +/- 7 (mean +/- standard deviation). The mean GFR at 6 months following OLT was 63.7 +/- 30.2 mL/min per 1.73 m(2). Only 14% (n = 47) of our patients had normal renal function at 6 months, while 78% (n = 266) of our patients had mild to moderate risk for renal failure. Eight percent (n = 28) had stage 4 or 5 CKD. There were no differences between the pre-MELD and post-MELD GFRs. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of renal disease is significant in our patient population at 6 months posttransplantation. It may be important to introduce CKD management as early as 6 months after transplant to impact the outcomes of OLT recipients.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts for refractory ascites after liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in the management of refractory ascites after liver transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2003, 309 primary adult liver transplants were performed. Refractory ascites was defined as active interventions (salt restriction, diuretic use, repeated paracentesis) needed beyond 30 days after transplantation. These patients were managed with TIPS placement. RESULTS: Eight TIPS were placed in 8 patients at a mean of 11.5 months after transplantation (range, 2-36 months). There were 5 males and 3 females, age 54 +/- 8.2 years. Hepatitis C was the primary diagnosis in 7 patients and primary biliary cirrhosis in 1. Indications for TIPS included refractory ascites (8), associated variceal bleeding (2), and various degrees of hepatic vein outflow stenosis (3). Seven patients had resolution of ascites and associated findings of portal hypertension, and 1 patient with persistent ascites had severe hepatic vein outflow stenosis and associated hepatitis C in the allograft. Two patients required retransplantation for recurrent hepatitis C. There were 3 deaths: liver failure (1), organ failure after retransplantation (1), and lung cancer 5 months after TIPS (1). Currently, 5 patients are alive without clinical evidence of ascites 9, 13, 15, 24, and 70 months after TIPS. CONCLUSIONS: The TIPS device can be used safely and effectively to control refractory ascites after liver transplantation. In the setting of organ dysfunction, these patients should be considered sooner for retransplantation.

A national study of burnout among American transplant surgeons.

This study examines burnout in a national sample of transplant surgeons. Data analyses were conducted on a sample of 209 actively practicing transplant surgeons. Measures included the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a demographic survey, and the Surgeon Coping Inventory. Burnout was reflected in 38% of surgeons scoring high on the Emotional Exhaustion dimension, whereas 27% showed high levels of Depersonalization, and 16% had low levels of Personal Accomplishment. Several significant predictors of emotional exhaustion were identified and included questioning one's career choice, giving up activities, and perceiving oneself as having limited control over the delivery of medical services (R2= 0.43). Those who perceived themselves as having a higher ability to control delivery of medical services and who felt more appreciated by patients had lower levels of depersonalization and were less likely to question their career choice (R2= 0.16). Surgeons with high personal accomplishment experienced greater professional growth opportunities, perceived their institution as supportive, felt more appreciated by patients, and were less likely to question their career (R2= 0.24). The prioritization of goals to reflect both professional and personal values accounted for a significant amount of the variance in predicting both emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment in separate regression equations. Recommendations to decrease burnout would include greater institutional support, increased opportunities for professional growth, and greater surgeon control over important services to facilitate efficient work. Coping strategies to moderate stress and burnout are also beneficial and should include prioritizing goals to reflect both professional and personal values.

The Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in Cervical Cancer in Iran.

Background: The human papiloma virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted, and most commonly causes genital warts, has been linked to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive carcinoma. Of ninety plus types of HPV, HPV-16 is the most prevalent in cervical cancer, followed by HPV-18, and HPV-33. As HPV's implication has not been assessed in the Middle East the main focus of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of HPV -16,18, and 33 in cases of cervical cancer from Iran. Material and Methods: This retrospective study covered 100 patients with uterine cervical carcinomas who were referred to two referral centers for cancer in Tehran-Iran. Pathological blocks were collected for these cases and initial review of the blocks showed poor specimens in 18 cases, which left 82 cases for the study. These samples were histologically examined to verify the presence and the type of carcinoma. The next step was in situ hybridzation for the detection of HPV common DNA. In Situ hybridization was preformed on all samples. Finally, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was preformed for the HPV types 16, 18, and 33. PCR amplification of exon 5 of the p53 gene was used as an internal control for the integrity of DNA. Takara PCR Human papilloma Detection method was used which includes primer for HPV 16, 18, and 33. Three primers were used alone, or in combination, in order to increase the sensitivity of the detection. Results: The majority of tumors were squamous cell carcinomas (87%). The rest were adenosquamous carcinoma and adenocarcinomas. None of the 82 different cervical carcinoma tissue samples were found to be positive by in situ hybridization. In the PCR samples, amplification of DNA was observed for 69 tumor specimens. In the remainning13 cases, the DNA in fixed tissue was degraded, as verified by the absence of an internal control band (p53). Out of the total 69 tumors (85.5%) with adequate DNA contained HPV band on PCR. The majority (73.9%) of HPV positive tumors contained HPV-16; the rest (11.6%) demonstrated type 18 and 33. There was no correlation between the histology of carcinoma and presence of types of HPV. Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV in carcinomas of uterine cervix in Iran is similar to those reported in other regions of the world. Similarly, it appears that HPV-16 is the most common type associated with cervical cancer in Iran. Further studies on larger samples of patients, particularly in those with pre-invasive forms of the disease, are needed to elucidate the carcinogenic role of HPV types in cervical cancer in Iranian women.

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a preliminary study.

According to the divergent geographical distribution of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the fact that the virus possesses six major genotypes and more than 90 subtypes, we decided to determine the prevalence of the major HCV genotypes in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Serum samples from 21 HCV infected individuals were tested primarily by second generation of enzyme immunosorbent assay and the two-stage PCR method. For determining the five most common variants, second generation methods for genotype specification were used. The prevalence of specific genotypes in 15 samples is as follows: Type I/1a in seven cases, Type II/1b in three cases and Type V/3a in four patients. One sample disclosed Type 4.

Construction of a post and core to fit a completed restoration.

A simple technique to fabricate a post and core to fit a completed restoration is described. This technique saves the time and effort of remaking the restoration when endodontic treatment and reinforcement of the tooth are required after construction of the restoration.