Influence of antlerogenic stem cells on the healing of lesions in the corneal epithelium and corneal stroma in rabbits.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of corneal healing in case of application of stem cells in various forms, in relation to the antibiotic-assisted procedures. Rabbits were divided into 4 groups in the first stage of the experiment. Group 0 (negative control group) was not subjected to any actions, which would cause damage to the cornea. The remaining three groups had their cornea damaged. Group 1 (positive control group) - no drugs were administered during the experiment. Rabbits in group 2 were administered with ointment containing stem cells to the lesion, while group 3 - with ofloxacinum. The stem cells were administered during the first five days, twice a day, onto the corneal surface. The further course of the experiment consisted of observing the rate of healing of the injured cornea and assessment of its transparency, size of lesion, hyperaemia, eyelid spasm and outflow from the conjunctival sac after 5, 10 and 20 days.In the second stage the animals were euthanised after clinical examination on the twentieth day of the experiment, in order to analyse the corneal reparative processes on the same day. The studies revealed that the application of antlerogenic stem cells had a positive effect on the healing process of corneal defects. The application thereof not only shortened the healing time, but also weakened or arrested the development of side effects. The results have demonstrated that the epithelial proliferation in each group was different. The longest was maintained in the group with stem cells, the shortest - in the group with chemotherapeutics. The use of antlerogenic stem cells had a positive effect on the healing process of corneal lesions. The use of stem cells helped to maintain high transparency of the cornea.

Impact of Skin Cancer Awareness on Prophylactic Behavior Among Renal Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) have a risk for skin cancer. The most important risk factor, and the only one that depends on patient behavior, is the exposure to ultraviolet light. The aim of this study was to assess the level of skin cancer awareness and its impact on preventative behavior among RTRs. METHODS: Questionnaires were applied to assess the awareness of increased risk of skin cancer and its influence on preventative behavior among RTRs. RESULTS: Of the RTRs, 51.6% considered themselves as a group of patients with a high risk of skin cancer. Only 11.5% (group A) were able to fully explain the whole reason of the need for sun protection usage. A partial explanation was provided by 40.1% of the patients (group B). The other 48.5% of the patients (group C) provided no explanation. Among the patients, 53.9% of surveyed RTRs never applied any sunscreen. Of RTRs, 22.5% claimed to always avoid direct exposure to sunlight. Most of the patients admitted to having outdoor hobbies (81% of group A, 60.3% of group B, 58% of group C). In addition, 36.2% of RTRs thought that they were more attractive if they were tanned. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of being in a group of increased risk of skin cancer is still poor among RTRs. Skin cancer awareness does not correlate with usage of different forms of sun prevention. There is a great need for active education of Polish RTRs.

Kaposi Sarcoma in the Genital Area in a Kidney Transplant Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer with an incidence in patients after transplantation (Tx) that is 500 times greater than that in the healthy population. The risk of KS increases significantly during therapy, especially when immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A (CsA) is used. Most cases of KS develop during the first 2 years after transplantation. After a KS diagnosis, it is recommended to reduce the doses of immunosuppressive medications. Conversion of immunosuppressive treatment into mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR) inhibitors is strongly suggested. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present the case of a 65-year-old man with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) of unknown etiology, who had kidney transplantation in 2008. Immunosuppressive protocol was based on CsA, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and prednisolone (PRE). In 2011, during the dermatological consultation, on the penis glans a purple stain of uneven surface was noted. Histology study revealed the presence of KS. The treatment was modified. The patient was converted from CsA to everolimus. Before converting, the creatinine concentration was 1.79 mg/dl and proteinuria less than 0.3 g/day. RESULTS: The change in the scheme of immunosuppresion from CsA to everolimus was performed to treat the Kaposi sarcoma. Gradually, within a year, the KS was cured. However, the graft function deteriorated, and the graft was lost in one-years' time. CONCLUSION: We present the first documented case of KS in the genital area of a kidney patient. The reduction in the strength of immunosuppression, and the introduction of an m-TOR inhibitor, may have contributed to the deterioration of kidney function, however it was substantial in the treatment of KS.

Skin Cancers as Contraindication to Organ Transplantation.

The period of preparing patients for organ transplantation is a suitable time for dermatologic screening and examination that guarantee early diagnosis and easier treatment of precancerous states and skin cancers. In most cases, diagnosis of skin cancer in the pretransplantation period is not a contraindication to transplantation. Knowledge of risk factors and etiopathogenesis of skin cancers after transplantation make it easier to point out patients with increased risk of skin carcinogenesis. Patients with skin phototype I-III (Fitzpatrick classification) and with high cumulative doses of ultraviolet radiation have an increased risk of skin cancers. Patients who had skin cancers in the past should be carefully examined, and the skin cancer histopathology should be analyzed in detail. These examinations have to be done from the clinical, surgical, and histopathologic aspects. It helps dermatologists to estimate the risk and predict the patient's health after a possible organ transplantation. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma that are present before transplantation indicate the possibility of similar cancer occurrence after transplantation; however, they are not a contraindication to transplantation after treatment of the primary foci. The waiting period to transplantation in the case of melanoma in situ takes 2 years, but in more serious forms of melanoma this time is prolonged to ≥ 5-10 years. Different skin cancers have a 3-year asymptomatic period to renewed indication for transplantation.

Characteristics of the bacterial flora in the conjunctival sac of cats from Poland.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the bacterial flora of the conjunctival sac in clinically healthy cats and cats with signs of conjunctivitis. METHODS: A total of 324 conjunctival swabs were examined between 2011 and 2012 taken from 60 animals, 30 of which were clinically healthy and 30 with signs of chronic conjunctivitis. The samples were taken three times at 4-week intervals from the clinically healthy cats. The samples from the cats with conjunctivitis were taken before and 4 weeks after cessation of successful therapy. Swabs from both the right and left eye of each cat were subjected to microbiological examination and polymerase chain reaction for the presence of DNA of Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma felis. RESULTS: There was no qualitative difference in the eye microflora between the clinically healthy animals and those with signs of conjunctivitis. Staphylococcus epidermidis (21 · 9%) was the most common microorganism isolated and it was more commonly detected in swabs from cats with conjunctivitis (P < 0 · 0001) as was Staphylococcus aureus (P = 0 · 07). The presence of C. felis was significantly correlated with (P < 0 · 0001) signs of conjunctivitis and was detected in 25% of swabs collected from both conjunctival sacs. No DNA of M. felis was detected in any swab. None of the animals had sterile conjunctival sacs in all consecutive bacteriological tests. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The conjunctival sac in cats was sterile in over 50% of the clinically healthy cats and 25% of the cats with conjunctivitis. The sterility did not persist for longer than 4 weeks. Positive bacterial cultures occur in cats with and without clinical signs of conjunctivitis.

The rabbit brachial plexus as an experimental model--anatomy and surgical approach.

The aim of our study was to analyze the anatomy and surgical approach of the rabbit brachial plexus. The research included 18 rabbits. The rabbit seems to be a good experimental model for spinal nerves injury, especially for the C5 and C6 segments. The anatomical structure of the rabbit's brachial plexus is similar to the human brachial plexus. The structure of the rabbit C5 and C6 segments is analogous to the human structure. The spinal nerves of the C5 and C6 segments in the rabbit are wide and long enough for microsurgical procedures.

General intravenous anesthesia for brachial plexus surgery in the rabbit.

The rabbit is a good experimental model for brachial plexus surgery. The risks of death during anesthesia were significantly greater in rabbits than cats or dogs. This article presents the protocol of injectable anesthesia for a short surgical procedure, safe for the rabbit patient and convenient for the surgeon.