Electronic Cigarette Smoke Impairs Normal Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are promoted as low-risk alternatives to combustible cigarettes. However, the effects of chronic inhalation of potential toxicants emitted by ecigarettes remain largely unexamined. It is conceivable that smoking-induced chronic diseases result in cellular injury, in the absence of effective repair by stem cells. This study evaluates the effect of cigarette and e-cigarette aerosol extracts on the survival and differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSC growth and osteogenic differentiation were examined after exposure to smoke extracts. Data revealed detrimental effects of both cigarette and e-cigarette extracts on MSC morphology and growth. Levels and activity of alkaline phosphatase, an osteogenic marker, decreased and induction of osteoblastic differentiation was impaired. Both smoke extracts prevented osteogenic differentiation from progressing, evident by decreased expression of terminal osteogenic markers and mineralization. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected in cells exposed to smoke extracts. Moreover, decreased differentiation potential was concomitant with severe down-regulation of Connexin 43 expression, leading to the loss of gap junction-mediated communication, which together with elevated ROS levels, could explain decreased proliferation and loss of differentiation potential. Hence, e-cigarettes present similar risk as combustible cigarettes with respect to tissue repair impairment.

Modulation of Beta2 and Beta3 integrins in experimental colitis induced by iodoacetamide and enteropathogenic E. coli.

Integrins can modulate the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the secretion of various inflammatory mediators, essential players in the pathogenesis of colitis. This study explores the role of beta2 and beta3 integrin signaling and their possible role in experimental colitis. A total of 160 adult male Sprague-Dawly rats were divided into 4 equal groups: methylcellulose, bacteria, iodoacetamide and iodoacetamide plus bacteria. Clinical symptoms and signs of colitis were checked daily and colonic tissues were biopsied on days 3, 14, 28, and 56 post induction. Histological studies along with histochemical analysis and polymerase chain reaction of beta2, beta3 and alphavbeta3 were performed according to standard procedures. The symptoms and signs were consistent with previously reported data on active colitis. The highest expression of beta3 integrin was in the combined treatment mostly on platelets, endothelial and inflammatory cells. In the same group, the expression of alphavbeta3 integrin complex reached the highest score after 56 days in all colonic layers. Beta2 integrin expression showed a 3-4-fold increase in the combined treatment group at all time points and kept increasing till day 56. It was mostly expressed in the mucosa and submucosa. In addition, the expression of both αvβ3 and αiiβ3 integrins was also elevated 2- to 10-fold, respectively, in the same colitis groups throughout the duration of the experiment. In conclusion, the combined treatment of IA and Enteropathogenic E. coli led to a significant upregulation of all the tested integrins throughout the experimental duration. Such upregulation of integrins could have contributed to the increase and chronicity of inflammation.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis spoligotypes circulating in the Lebanese population: a retrospective study.

Genotyping Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Lebanon on the national level may be beneficial for assessing patients and monitoring the therapeutic response to DOTS. This study aimed to characterize the spoligotypes of clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis patients collected between April 2004 and October 2005 from all Lebanese provinces. Isolates (n = 60) were cultured and identified by their biochemical characteristics. DNA extracts of these samples were amplified by PCR and genotyped by spoligotyping. Thirteen (13) patterns of M. tuberculosis complex family strains were identified: 41.6% of the strains belonged to the T 1 family, 25.0% to LAM 9, 10.0% to Haarlem 3, 3.3% to each of CAS, LAM 8, BCG and Family 36 and 1.7% to each of Haarlem 1, LAM 10, S, M. africanum, X 1 and T 3 families. The noticeable absence of Beijing and East African Indian families was not consistent with the patterns reported in neighbouring countries. A more inclusive study of the Lebanese population is necessary to accurately identify most of the prevailing families in the country.

Cytology and clinical spectrum of sexually transmitted infections in Lebanese women as revealed by Pap smear: a cross-sectional study from 2002-2006.

To study the cytology profile of cervical smears and the respective prevalence and incidence of certain cervico-vaginal infections detectable by routine Pap smear cytology in Lebanese women from 2002 to 2006. Pap smear cytology results were compiled from the archives of the Institut National de Pathologie for the period extending from 2002 until 2006. This study covered 118,230 cervical specimens obtained from Lebanese women attending clinics and hospitals in all the five districts of Lebanon; prevalence and incidence rates for infections detectable by routine Pap smear examination were determined. A rise in prevalence of these infections by 2.1 percent (2,555) from 2002 to 2006 was revealed. A doubling of Pap smears showing HPV-associated changes was detected (1.4 percent in 2002 to 2.9 percent in 2006), and a simultaneous almost 7-fold increase of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) cytology was detected during this period; the rise in ASCUS cytology was age-dependent. Moreover, a 60 percent increase in prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (2.3 percent in 2002 to 3.7 percent in 2006) and a more than 3-fold decline in Trichomonas vaginalis infection (1 percent in 2002 to 0.3 percent in 2006) were also noted in this population during this period. An increase in the prevalence and incidence of cervico-vaginal infections detectable by Pap smear cytology in Lebanese women was revealed from 2002 to 2006. Such changes could point to recent modifications of sexual and health behaviours in the Lebanese community.

Validation of the Maltese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

This paper reports the validation of the Maltese translated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale against Diagnostic Criteria for Research (DCR-10) diagnosis for severe, moderate and mild depression during pregnancy (antenatally) and at 8 weeks postnatally. A random sample of 239 pregnant women were interviewed at booking and at 8 weeks postnatally using a detailed sociodemographic history, the Revised Version of the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) and Maltese translation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The Maltese translated EPDS had good face validity and had satisfactory sensitivity and specificity for identifying depression both antenatally and postnatally. Cut-off scores of 13/14 antenatally and 11/12 postnatally are recommended when using the Maltese EPDS. Controversial issues surrounds the use of the EPDS in clinical practice. However, introducing the EPDS in pregnancy will help to identify women who are at high risk of depression so as to treat appropriately and early in the antenatal period.

Prevalence of Candida spp. in hospitalized patients and their risk factors.

A total of 133 Candida spp. strains originating from a group of 100 patients from Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, between March 1995 and December 1996, were first identified and classified into six different species: Candida albicans (51%), C. tropicalis (33%), C. parapsilosis (8%), C. glabrata (5%), C. krusei (2%) and C. guilliermondii (1%). All C. albicans strains were serotyped and 55% of these were found to belong to serotype A and 45% belonging to serotype B. The medical records of each patient were examined to characterise and survey the main risk factors associated with them. Most of the patients were between 60- and 80-years-old, 53% were males and 47% were females. Most patients were from the intensive care unit (ICU). Only 10 patients were not exposed to antimicrobial agents and 72 patients were not prescribed antifungal agents. Forty patients showed no other clinical condition and all showed some underlying disease that justified hospitalization. Eighty-seven patients had undergone some invasive procedure and 31 patients had been submitted to two different procedures simultaneously.

Cistoadenoma seroso microquisto del pancreas aspectos clinicopatologicos y quirurgicos / Microcystic serous cystadenoma of pancreas. Clinicopathological and surgical features

The microcystic serous cystadenoma of pancreas or glycogen "rich"cystadenoma is a rare entity. Whe studiet five case of this cystadenoma in adult patients ages 47-68 (58 was the mean), four of wich were women (80 percent). The clinical presentation was varied. There was a prevalence of expansive manifestations with epigastric pain in three patients, and extrahepatic bile duct obstruction in other two. A distal tumour was revealed by the diagnostic methodology used (ultrasound and TAC) in three patients, and cephalic tumour in two, with a mean size of 8.8 cm. in diameter. A distal pancreatectomy was performed in two patients, a cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in one in relation with the presence of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, and the other two were treated with a partial cephalic pancreatectomy (enucleation). The nosological diagnose was post-surgical in all case of study. a prognosis for every case was dependat of the associated pathology.

[Microcystic serous cystadenoma of pancreas. Clinicopathological and surgical features]. / Cistoadenoma seroso microquístico del páncreas. Aspectos clinicopatológicos y quirúrgicos.

The microcystic serous cystadenoma of pancreas or glycogen "rich" cystadenoma is a rare entity. We studied five case of this cystadenoma in adult patients ages 47-68 (58 was the mean), four of which were women (80%). The clinical presentation was varied. There was a prevalence of expansive manifestations with epigastric pain in three patients, and extrahepatic bile duct obstruction in other two. A distal tumour was revealed by the diagnostic methodology used (ultrasound and TAC) in three patients, and cephalic tumour in two, with a mean size of 8.8 cm. in diameter. A distal pancreatectomy was performed in two patients, a cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in one in relation with the presence of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, and the other two were treated with a partial cephalic pancreatectomy (enucleation). The nosological diagnose was post-surgical in all case of study. A prognosis for every case was dependent of the associated pathology.

[Clinical evaluation and pH control in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with ranitidine]. / Evaluación clínica y control pH-métrico de pacientes con úlcera duodenal tratados con ranitidina.

In 31 duodenal ulcer patients treated with ranitidine at regular doses, during four weeks we could prove: a) by endoscopy, the ulcer "epithelization" in 13 patients (41.93%) and a positive response in the other cases; b) a high increase in the intragastric pH after the treatment, with an increase rate of pH 3.288 over the initial medium levels. The clinical-endoscopical response as well as an important increase in the intragastric pH, show the effectiveness of the ranitidine in the treatment of the duodenal ulcer.

Reintervenciones en las vias biliares por litiasis. Nuestra tactica de eleccion para el abordaje del hepatocoledoco via antro piloro duodenal. / Reoperations on the bile ducts for lithiasis.Elective method of approach to the hepatocholedochus by duodenal piloric antrum way

Los autores proponen en las reintervenciones quirurgicas por una litiasis de la via biliar principal un abordaje desde el sector izquierdo de la cara inferior del higado. Basados en conceptos anatomopatologicos senalan que la region subhepatica derecha, es mas conflictiva por el bloqueo adherencial, por lo cual preconizan una via de despegamiento antropiloroduodenal, de izquierda a derecha.Destacan que en las reintervenciones biliares todas las vias se complementan, y por ello los autores no excluyen otros enfoques

[Diagnostic value of esophagoscopy and biopsy in 200 cases of carcinoma of the esophagus]. / Valor diagnóstico de la esofagoscopía y biopsia en 200 casos de carcinoma de esófago.

Two hundred cases of cancer of the esophagus are reviewed. Radiological and endoscopic finding were comparatively evaluated: There were 84% of positive radiological diagnosis, 12,5% highly suspicious and 3,5% negative; the latter were seven cases with the following diagnosis: three megaesophagus, one segmental spasm, esophagitis and hernia, extrinsic compression and normal esophagus, respectively. There were 94,5% of positive; 3,5% doubtful and 2% negative endoscopic diagnosis. There were 94% of positive biopsies and 6% negative. It is emphasized: 1o.) the high percentage of positive histological diagnosis and 2o.) in 3,5% of patients, cancer was found by routine endoscopic examinations.