Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Persistent Epithelial Defects and Ulceration due to Pseudomonas Keratitis in a Rabbit Model.

PURPOSE: The use of amniotic membrane has been suggested in the treatment of infectious keratitis for its intrinsic anti-infective properties probably mediated by its anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) along with ciprofloxacin to cure the primary stages of Pseudomonas keratitis. METHODS: In total, 28 rabbits were selected and divided in four groups as follows: group 1 as control, group 2 with amniotic membrane, group 3 with ciprofloxacin, and group 4 with amniotic membrane combined with ciprofloxacin. About 0.05 cc suspension of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 27853 ATCC was injected into corneal stroma. RESULTS: The results showed groups of AMT, AMT + ciprofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin had 0% perforation while the control group had 85.6%. Average infiltration of 5.5 mm was observed in ciprofloxacin group, 5 mm in AMT + ciprofloxacin group, 24 mm in AMT group, and finally 23.75 mm for control. Amniotic membrane showed to be effective in prevention of cornea perforation as well as remission of Pseudomonas keratitis. There was no significant difference between ciprofloxacin groups in comparison with ciprofloxacin + AMT group. However, regarding the anti-inflammatory effect, the process of improvement of inflammation in ciprofloxacin + AMT group was faster. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of amniotic membrane in the primary stages of Pseudomonas keratitis treatment remarkably prevents the disease and it can be used to control its process.

Characterization of Lung Fibroblasts More than Two Decades after Mustard Gas Exposure.

PURPOSE: In patients with short-term exposure to the sulfur mustard gas, the delayed cellular effects on lungs have not been well understood yet. The lung pathology shows a dominant feature consistent with obliterative bronchiolitis, in which fibroblasts play a central role. This study aims to characterize alterations to lung fibroblasts, at the cellular level, in patients with delayed respiratory complications after short-term exposure to the sulfur mustard gas. METHODS: Fibroblasts were isolated from the transbronchial biopsies of patients with documented history of exposure to single high-dose sulfur mustard during 1985-7 and compared with the fibroblasts of control subjects. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients' fibroblasts were thinner and shorter, and showed a higher population doubling level, migration capacity and number of filopodia. Sulfur mustard decreased the in vitro viability of fibroblasts and increased their sensitivity to induction of apoptosis, but did not change the rate of spontaneous apoptosis. In addition, higher expression of alpha smooth muscle actin showed that the lung's microenvironment in these patients is permissive for myofibroblastic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in patients under the study, the delayed pulmonary complications of sulfur mustard should be considered as a unique pathology, which might need a specific management by manipulation of cellular components.

Efficacy of decontamination protocol by antimicrobial treatment in Iranian Tissue Bank (ITB).

Iranian Tissue Bank established in 1994 provides soft tissues for implantation in Iran. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of decontamination process of cardiac and soft tissues in Iranian Tissue Bank. In this bank after initial assessments, the tissues were incubated in a 5-antibiotic cocktail at room temperature for 24 h and then at 4 °C for 14 days. Contamination status was compared before and after antibiotic cocktail incubation. Of 3,315 assessed tissues, 1,057 were pericardia, 1,051 were fascia and 1,207 were other soft tissues including tibialis and aorta. The initial contamination rate was 36.86%. Pericardia showed the highest contamination rate. Klebsiella species was the most prevalent organism causing contamination. Decontamination rate after antibiotic incubation was 86.91% with the highest successful decontamination rate for fascia tissue. Klebsiella species was the major source of contamination in tissues that remained contaminated after antibiotic incubation. This may be due to resistance of this organism to applied antibiotics in the decontamination cocktail possibly due to a negative drug interaction between aminoglycoside and penicillin derivatives in this antibiotic cocktail. In conclusion collected data shows comparable efficacy of the decontamination process that is used in ITB compared with homograft banks of other countries.

Treatment of chronic thoracic spinal cord injury patients with autologous Schwann cell transplantation: an interim report on safety considerations and possible outcomes.

Several experimental studies have introduced Schwann cell transplantation as a means of recovery in animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI). The reported promising results together with the availability of autologous sources for Schwann cells indicate Schwann cell transplantation as a possible treatment for SCI. To address the safety and feasibility concerns we report 1-year follow-up of four patients aged between 22 and 43 years who had stable chronic (28-80 months) spinal cord injury at mid-thoracic level and treated with autologous Schwann cell transplantation. Purified Schwann cells used for transplantation were acquired from autologous sural nerve and cultured without the use of any specific mitogenic or growth factors. The patients were evaluated by means of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) criteria, sphincter, sexual function and Magnetic Resonance Imaging assessments for 1 year after transplantation. None of the patients were found to have any adverse effects indicating transfer of infection, neurological deterioration or other related clinical problems. Of the four patients, only one patient with incomplete SCI showed motor and sensory improvement 1 year after transplantation with extensive and continuous rehabilitation. All the four patients experienced transient paresthesia or increased muscle spasm after transplantation. Magnetic Resonance (MR) images of the patients did not show any visible changes or pathological findings after 1 year. This preliminary report shows that autologous Schwann cell transplantation is generally safe for the selected number of SCI patients but it does not prove beneficial effects. Further safety and outcome studies are recommended.