Cryobiopsy versus forceps biopsy in endobronchial lesions, diagnostic yield and safety

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and diagnostic yield of CB in comparison to forceps biopsy in endobronchial lesions. Material and methods: Patients with suspected endobronchial lesions were enrolled. Two forceps biopsies and one cryobiopsy were done in the same patient with randomized sequence. The largest diameter of the samples was measured in mm by electronic caliper. Diagnostic yield of each technique and postbronchoscopy bleeding were evaluated. Results: Samples obtained by CB was significantly larger than that of the forceps biopsy (5.9 ± 2.3 vs 2.5 ± 0.8), (p = 0.001). Diagnostic yield of CB was significantly higher than forceps biopsy 74.5% versus 51.1% (p = 0.001). Mild and moderate bleeding grades were reported in both techniques with no significant difference (p = 0.063) (p = 0.5) respectively. Severe bleeding was not recorded in both techniques. Conclusions: CB represents a safe and effective tool to obtain a larger tissue samples of a good quality with higher diagnostic yield in comparison to standard forceps samples. On the other hand, bleeding occurred more frequently after CB than forceps biopsy. However, without severe adverse effects

Wound Surface Area and Colony Count of Various Modes of Phototherapy

Background: The degree of tissue damage caused by related inflammatory and immunological sequelae poses a major therapeutic treatment problem in burn wounds. Chronic wounds frequently have a significant bioburden and pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics. This review article discusses present research on phototherapy, which is believed to be useful in managing wound bioburden and promoting healing.Objective: To evaluate the wound healing efficacy of polarized light therapy (BLT) against low-level laser therapy (GaAs laser) in order to determine which is more efficient and successful at speeding burn healing.Subject and methods: The current study enrolled thirty patients having partial thickness thermal burn on the forearm (dermal burn). They were selected from Burn Unit at Legislation Association Hospital for Burns & Oncology. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups: Group (A) that included fifteen patients who received the BLT with mean age of 28.8 ± 2.51 years old and group (B) that enrolled fifteen patients who received LLLT with mean age of 29.6 ± 2.79 years old. Both groups also received traditional physical therapy and conservative treatment for the burn site three times weekly for four weeks.Results: Group A and B showed a significant reduction in colony count and wound surface area after treatment in comparison to that before treatment (p > 0.001). In group A, the colony count and wound surface area decreased by 38.63% and 55.1% respectively, but in group B, by 15.6% and 37.92% respectively.Conclusion: Both polarized light therapy and low-level laser therapy had a therapeutic efficiency on wound healing, but BLT is more efficient and more successful in the acceleration of the burned wounds healing

Preparation and characterization of a zinc oxide nanopowder supported onto inorganic clay.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles are obtained by a wet chemical method using zinc sulphate as a raw material. Doping sepiolite, micro-fibrous inorganic clay, with ZnO after precipitation under basic conditions and subsequent thermal treatment is investigated as both materials are abundant. They are used for the development of humidity and gas sensors of great environmental importance. The particle size distribution, the morphology and the composition of the powder samples are characterized by X-Ray diffraction accompanied by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques. The data obtained confirm the formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles of a size of 10 nm on the modified sepiolite grains

Design, synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of 2-amino-4- aryl-6-substituted pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile derivatives

Purpose: To synthesize novel pyridine derivatives and evaluate their efficiency as potent inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) enzyme for cancer therapy.Methods: Pyridine scaffold were synthesized using one-pot multicomponent condensation reaction of arylidine with different primary amines. The cytotoxic potential of the new compounds was assessed using various cell lines. Furthermore, molecular docking studies based on the crystal structure of CDK2 was carried out to determine the possible binding modes that influence the anticancer activities.Results: The results indicate that one-pot multicomponent reaction generated a series of functionalized pyridines with good yield. In vitro cytotoxicity study revealed superior cytotoxicity of the designed compounds against prostate and cervical cancer cell lines compared to 5-fluorouracil (standard anticancer compound) with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.1 – 0.85 and 1.2 –74.1 μM, respectively. Finally, molecular modeling simulation of the newly synthesized compounds showed that they fit well and are stabilized into CDK2 active site via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions.Conclusion: The results indicate that the newly synthesized pyridine can exert potent anticancer activity presumably via inhibition of CDK2. However, this will need to be confirmed in in vivo studies

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Phytogenic Substances for Optimizing Gut Health in Poultry

The gut microbiota has been designated as a hidden metabolic ‘organ’ because of its enormous impact on host metabolism, physiology, nutrition, and immune function. The connection between the intestinal microbiota and their respective host animals is dynamic and, in general, mutually beneficial. This complicated interaction is seen as a determinant of health and disease; thus, intestinal dysbiosis is linked with several metabolic diseases. Therefore, tractable strategies targeting the regulation of intestinal microbiota can control several diseases that are closely related to inflammatory and metabolic disorders. As a result, animal health and performance are improved. One of these strategies is related to dietary supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, and phytogenic substances. These supplements exert their effects indirectly through manipulation of gut microbiota quality and improvement in intestinal epithelial barrier. Several phytogenic substances, such as berberine, resveratrol, curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, isoflavones and hydrolyzed fibers, have been identified as potential supplements that may also act as welcome means to reduce the usage of antibiotics in feedstock, including poultry farming, through manipulation of the gut microbiome. In addition, these compounds may improve the integrity of tight junctions by controlling tight junction-related proteins and inflammatory signaling pathways in the host animals. In this review, we discuss the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytogenic substances in optimizing gut function in poultry

Valvulogenesis of a living, innervated pulmonary root induced by an acellular scaffold

Heart valve disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide with no effective medical therapy and no ideal valve substitute emulating the extremely sophisticated functions of a living heart valve. These functions influence survival and quality of life. This has stimulated extensive attempts at tissue engineering “living” heart valves. These attempts utilised combinations of allogeneic/ autologous cells and biological scaffolds with practical, regulatory, and ethical issues. In situ regeneration depends on scaffolds that attract, house and instruct cells and promote connective tissue formation. We describe a surgical, tissue-engineered, anatomically precise, novel off-the-shelf, acellular, synthetic scaffold inducing a rapid process of morphogenesis involving relevant cell types, extracellular matrix, regulatory elements including nerves and humoral components. This process relies on specific material characteristics, design and “morphodynamism”.</p

Biliary fistula and late recurrence of liver hydatid cyst: Role of cysto-biliary communication: A prospective multicenter study

Background: Hydatid cyst disease (HCD) is common in certain locations. Surgery is associated with postoperative biliary fistula (POBF) and recurrence. The primary aim of this study was to identify whether occult cysto-biliary communication (CBC) can predict recurrent HCD. The secondary aim was to assess the role of cystic fluid bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in predicting POBF and recurrent HCD. Aim: To identify whether occult CBC can predict recurrent HCD. The secondary aim was to assess the role of cystic fluid bilirubin and ALP levels in predicting POBF and recurrent HCD. Methods: From September 2010 to September 2016, a prospective multicenter study was undertaken involving 244 patients with solitary primary superficial stage cystic echinococcosis 2 and cystic echinococcosis 3b HCD who underwent laparoscopic partial cystectomy with omentoplasty. Univariable logistic regression analysis assessed independent factors determining biliary complications and recurrence. Results: There was a highly statistically significant association (P ≤ 0.001) between cystic fluid biochemical indices and the development of biliary complications (of 16 patients with POBF, 15 patients had high cyst fluid bilirubin and ALP levels), where patients with high bilirubin-ALP levels were 3405 times more likely to have biliary complications. There was a highly statistically significant association (P ≤ 0.001) between biliary complications, biochemical indices, and the occurrence of recurrent HCD (of 30 patients with recurrent HCD, 15 patients had high cyst fluid bilirubin and ALP; all 16 patients who had POBF later developed recurrent HCD), where patients who developed biliary complications and high bilirubin-ALP were 244.6 and 214 times more likely to have recurrent hydatid cysts, respectively. Conclusion: Occult CBC can predict recurrent HCD. Elevated cyst fluid bilirubin and ALP levels predicted POBF and recurrent HCD

Intraoperative endomanometric laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication improves postoperative outcomes in large sliding hiatus hernia with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. A retrospective cohort study

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) is the gold standard surgical intervention for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). LNF can be followed by recurrent symptoms or complications affecting patient satisfaction. The aim of this study is to assess the value of the intraoperative endomanometric evaluation of esophagogastric competence and pressure combined with LNF in patients with large sliding hiatus hernia (&gt; 5&nbsp;cm) with severe GERD (DeMeester score &gt;100). Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study. Baseline characteristics, postoperative dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome, recurrent symptoms, and satisfaction were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Outcomes analyzed included recurrent reflux symptoms, postoperative side effects, and satisfaction with surgery. Results: 360 patients were stratified into endomanometric LNF (180 patients, LNF+) and LNF alone (180 patients, LNF). Recurrent heartburn (3.9% vs. 8.3%) and recurrent regurgitation (2.2% vs. 5%) showed a lower incidence in the LNF+ group (P=0.012). Postoperative score III recurrent heartburn and score III regurgitations occurred in 0% vs. 3.3% and 0% vs. 2.8% cases in the LNF+ and LNF groups, respectively (P=0.005). Postoperative persistent dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome occurred in 1.75% vs. 5.6% and 0% vs. 3.9% of patients (P=0.001). Score III postoperative persistent dysphagia was 0% vs. 2.8% in the two groups (P=0.007). There was no redo surgery for dysphagia after LNF+. Patient satisfaction at the end of the study was 93.3% vs. 86.7% in both cohorts, respectively (P=0.05). Conclusions: Intraoperative high-resolution manometry (HRM) and endoscopic were feasible in all patients, and the outcomes were favorable from an effectiveness and safety standpoint