ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Transplanted cells, especially islet cells, are likely to become apoptotic due to local hypoxia leading to graft dysfunction. Isolated pancreatic islet cells depend on the diffusion of oxygen from the surrounding tissue; therefore, access to sufficient oxygen supply is beneficial, particularly when microcapsules are used for immunoisolation in xenotransplantation. The aim of this study was to create a prevascularized site for cell transplantation in rats and test its effectiveness with microencapsulated HEK293 cells. METHODS: The combination of implantation of a foam dressing, vacuum-assisted wound closure (foam+VAC) and hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) was used in 40 Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood flow and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were determined. Sodium cellulose sulphate (SCS)-microencapsulated HEK293 cells were xenotransplanted into the foam dressing in rats pre-treated with HBO, and angiogenesis and apoptosis were assessed. RESULTS: Vessel ingrowth and VEGF levels increased depending on the duration of HBO treatment. The area containing the foam was perfused significantly better in the experimental groups when compared to controls. Only a small amount of apoptosis occurs in SCS-microencapsulated HEK293 cells after xenotransplantation. CONCLUSION: As ischemia-damaged cells are likely to undergo cell death or loose functionality due to hypoxia, therefore leading to graft dysfunction, the combination foam+VAC and HBO might be a promising method to create a prevascularized site to achieve better results in xenogeneic cell transplantation.
Subject(s)
Cell Transplantation/methods , Implants, Experimental , Neovascularization, Physiologic , Transplantation, Heterologous/methods , Animals , Drug Compounding/methods , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolismABSTRACT
Carnobacterium species have been isolated from the environment and are not regarded as human pathogens, although they are known to cause disease in fish. Only two reports describing isolation of Carnobacterium species from human pus were found in the literature. We report what we believe to be the first isolation of Carnobacterium sp. from a human blood culture.
Subject(s)
Bacteremia/microbiology , Carnobacterium/isolation & purification , Adult , Carnobacterium/drug effects , Humans , Male , Microbial Sensitivity TestsABSTRACT
A 21-year-old female with chronic membranoproliferative nephritis was admitted for suspected esophageal disruption and asthma after severe, prolonged vomiting. At the time of admission she presented with dyspnea, tachypnea, arterial hypotension and tachycardia. Physical examination showed discrete signs of ectopic air at the neck and distended cervical veins. CT-scan of the chest showed severe mediastinal emphysema with compression of the right atrium. After cervical mediastinotomy the cardiorespiratory parameters normalized immediately. Esophagoscopy showed multiple longitudinal mucosal tears between 25 and 45 cm; fluoroscopically, there was no leakage of contrast medium. Following conservative treatment the patient recovered completely and was discharged on day 8.
Subject(s)
Esophagus/injuries , Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative/complications , Mediastinal Emphysema/etiology , Vomiting/complications , Acute Disease , Adult , Esophagus/diagnostic imaging , Female , Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Mediastinal Emphysema/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Vomiting/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
With the appearance of defect-targeted therapies, the definition of tumour protein expression profiles has gained increasing importance. Two lung carcinoma tissue microarrays, one including 75 primary adenocarcinomas (ACs) and the other comprising 67 primary squamous cell carcinomas (SQCCs), were generated in the present study. On both arrays, each tumour was represented by an average of five cores. In addition, one punch of normal lung parenchyma adjacent to each tumour was included in the array. Immunohistochemical expression of 86 proteins was evaluated and the results were analysed by non-parametric tests, hierarchical clustering, and principal component analysis. In both tumour entities, parenchyma and tumours were clearly separated by hierarchical clustering. By the same statistical approach, it was possible to distinguish ACs from SQCCs with 98% accuracy and to distinguish parenchyma adjacent to ACs from that adjacent to SQCCs with 96% accuracy. It was also possible to separate ACs into three groups that significantly differed in survival. Cathepsin E and hsp105 were identified as previously unknown predictors of survival in lung AC. In summary, this study has shown that protein profiles are feasible tools for anticipating biological behaviour.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Adult , Aged , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary , Cathepsin E/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression Profiling , HSP110 Heat-Shock Proteins , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Principal Component Analysis , Protein Array AnalysisABSTRACT
We propose the use of a pulsatile high-speed irrigation device during video-assisted thoracoscopy for retained, in part coagulated hemothorax. Blood clots and membranes adhering to intrathoracic structures are easily removed by the water jet without damaging underlying structures. The efficient dilution of the sticky retained blood and the fragmented coagula enable their quick removal over a suction catheter.
