Ex vivo expansion of stem cells: defining optimum conditions using various cytokines.

With the increasing information on the number, quality, and characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in umbilical cord and placental blood, this material has been found to be efficacious as an alternative source of HSC for transplantation in children. In this study, we sought to define the optimal conditions for ex vivo expansion of cord blood (CB) stem cells. These conditions include: the combinations and concentrations of hematopoietic growth factors (stem cell factor [SCF], granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], interleukin [IL]-3, thrombopoietin [Tpo], IL-6 and Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand [Flt-3L]), the duration of culture, and the effect of serum supplementation. In this study, 2 protocols were applied for ex vivo expansion of CB stem cells. In protocol I, 20 CB samples were expanded in a static, serum-added, liquid culture for 7 and 11 days using 5 cytokine cocktails. In protocol II, 10 CB samples were expanded for 7 days using cytokines of cocktail 1, with and without IL-6 and Flt-3L, in serum-added and serum-free culture media. This protocol was intended to verify the effect of IL-6, Flt-3L, and the role of serum supplementation in short-term liquid culture. From the present study, it can be concluded that cocktail 1 is the cocktail of choice for ex vivo expansion of CB stem cells in serum-free, liquid culture expanded for 7 days. We can also conclude that culture expanded for 7 days is better than 11 days, as the fold expansion of CD34+ cells was not significantly increased or even decreased in some of the cocktails used. Moreover, the percent of CD95+ cells (apoptotic cells) was significantly increased on day 11 compared to day 7 in the cocktails tested.

Nonoxynol 9 as an additive therapy in metronidazole-resistant cases of vaginal trichomoniasis.

The present study was conducted on 30 female patients with metronidazole resistant vaginal trichomoniasis to investigate the efficacy of nonoxynol 9 (N-9), a non hormonal contraceptive with spermicidal effect, as an additive therapy to metronidazole (MNZ). Study population were randomly divided into 3 groups according to treatment regimen: G.I: patients received high dose MNZ (2 g daily for 7 days) n = 10; G. II: patients received (100 mg N-9 vaginal suppository daily for 7 days) n = 10; G. III: patients receiving conventional MNZ dose (1 g daily for 7 days) plus (a 100 mg N-9 suppository for 7 days) n = 10. Clinical and parasitological evaluation of cure was performed at return visits 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks post treatment. Negative T. vaginalis vaginal smears were ensured by direct microscopic visualization and In Pouch TV culture technique. Most of the patients were in the 30-39 years age group (60%) and burning was the most frequent symptom (96.67%). The cure rates were 70%, 40% and 90% for Gs I, II & III respectively, while adverse effects of treatment were recorded most frequently by patients of G.I. So, MNZ resistant trichomoniasis incidence seems to be on the rise. Topical therapy alone has a low cure rate while combined oral conventional doses of MNZ and intravaginal nonoxynol 9 treatment appears to be a good clinical trial with fairly good cure rate thus, avoiding the adverse side effects of high doses MNZ therapy and T. vaginalis health hazards potentiality.