Effect of One Year of Cryopreservation on the Activity of Lysosomal Hydrolases from EBV-Transformed Lymphocytes

Background. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was used as an agent of B lymphocyte proliferation for subsequent diagnosis of lysosomal storage disease. Due to the constant handling of long-preserved samples in our cell bank, we decided to observe the behavior and then compare cultured and frozen samples for at least one year's cryopreservation. Methods. Twenty-five samples from healthy individuals were used to assess the possible changes in activity of enzymes β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, α-iduronidase, α-galactosidase, and α-glucosidase. Transmission electron microscopy was used to confirm cell transformation of B lymphocytes into EBV-infected cells, generating lymphoblastoid cell lines. Results. Transmission electron microscopy findings confirmed previous reports in the literature that is, significant and evident morphological changes in the nucleus occur after day 12 and the consequent cell transformation into EBV-infected cells. After thawing and subsequent treatment with the five enzymes utilized, we observed no significant changes in samples cryopreserved for more than one year, as compared to samples cultured for 12 days

HEPATO-GASTROENTEROLOGY

Background/Aims: Alkaline reflux gastritis (ARG) is a major complication of gastric surgery The symptoms of ARG may be intractable and remedial surgery may be required in this patients. The goal of this study was to present our experience reviewing surgical treatment of reflux gastritis. Methodology: During a 19-year period, we surgically treated 35 patients who had refractory ARG. Previously, gastric surgery was distal gastrectomy-gastrojejunostomy in 20 patients; truncal vagotomy-gastrojejunostomy in 11 and truncal vagotomy-pyloroplasty in 4 patients. Of 20 patients who underwent distal gastrectomy, 13 were treated with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy, six with jejunal segment between the gastric pouch and duodenum (Henley technique) and one with conversion of Billroth II to Billroth I. Of 11 patients who initially underwent vagotomy-gastrojejunostomy, 8 were treated with Billroth II type gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy and 3 with dismantling of a gastrojejunostomy, conversion of pyloroplasty. Four patients who originally underwent vagotomy pyloroplasty were managed with Billroth II type gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. Results: Mortality rate of this series was zero. Long-term follow-up was obtained in 29 (83.0%) patients. According to Visick criteria, twelve patients (41.4%) reported exellent; ten (34.5%) good; three (10.3%) fair and four (13.8%) unsatisfactory results respectively. Conclusions: Remedial gastric surgery can be indicated in patients who had persistent ARG symptoms despite conservative management. Careful patient selection is essential to achieve best results

A novel technique for the repair of complete atrioventricular septal defects: simplified 2-patch technique

Today complete atrioventricular septal defects can be corrected with acceptable mortality and postoperative morbidity. Although opinions still differ regarding the most appropriate method of choice, some surgeons have proposed a new technique that involves the direct suturing of common atrioventricular valve leaflets to the crest of the ventricular septum. However, we believe that this new approach may be associated with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and neomitral valve regurgitation. To avoid these potential complications, we decided to modify our repair technique in 2 patients. In this simplified 2-patch technique, the operation was done by direct suturing of postero-inferior common bridging leaflet to the ventricular crest while the space under the antero-superior bridging leaflet was closed with a small triangular shaped Dacron patch. No echocardiographic evidence of neomitral valve regurgitation and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction were detected in either early or late postoperative examinations of these patients

Implantation of the coronary arteries after reconstruction of the neoaorta by using pericardial or pulmonary hood techniques - A significant impact on the outcome of arterial switch operations

Aim Coronary artery anomaly and techniques used for their transfer are the major risk factors for the arterial switch operation. Although various methods have been described, torsion and stretching of the coronary arteries continue to trouble surgeons. Especially, in cases in which there is a size mismatch between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, the true coronary implantation points can change

Blood S-100 protein concentration in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Objectives: To investigate plasma levels of the pp isomer of S-100 protein and to assess the relationship between post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) levels of this marker and a variety of perioperative and patient factors in children undergoing cardiac surgery

Evaluation of neuromuscular transmission by using monopolar needle electrode

Objective: To evaluate the value of single-fibre electromyography (SFEMG) with monopolar electrode (MNPE) in revealing neuromuscular transmission dysfunction. Material and methods: We examined the extensor digitorum communis muscle by using single-fibre electrode (SFE) and MNPE sequentially, in randomly assigned 20 healthy volunteers and in 17 patients with known myasthenia gravis (MG). The high-pass filter setting was 3 kHz for MNPE. Ten individual jitter values were calculated for each electrode in every muscle. Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test on trapezius muscle was performed on 15 patients. Results: In controls, the mean jitter values were 27 +/- 9 (10-59) mu s with SFE, and 21 +/- 7.2 (9-56) mu s with MNPE (P = 0.001). In the MG group, the mean jitter values were 52.4 +/- 38 (12-221) mu s with SFE, and 51.8 +/- 34.7 (12-179) mu s with MNPE. Both electrodes identified junction dysfunction in 14 patients. RNS revealed decrement in four patients but 11. Conclusion: SFEMG with SFE is still the gold standard; however, SFEMG with MNPE is superior to RNS like SFEMG with SFE