Management of oxidative stress for cell therapy through combinational approaches of stem cells, antioxidants, and photobiomodulation

Over the recent decades, stem cell-based therapies have been considered as a beneficial approach for the treatment of various diseases. In these types of therapies, the stem cells and their products are used as treating agents. Despite the helpful efficacy of stem cell-based therapies, there may be challenges. Oxidative stress (OS) is one of these challenges that can affect the therapeutic properties of stem cells. Therefore, it seems that employing strategies for the reduction of OS in combination with stem cell therapy can lead to better results of these therapies. Based on the available evidence, antioxidant therapy and photobiomodulation (PBM) are strategies that can regulate the OS in the cells. Antioxidant therapy is a method in which various antioxidants are used in the therapeutic processes. PBM is also the clinical application of light that gained importance in medicine. Antioxidants and PBM can regulate OS by the effect on mitochondria as an important source of OS in the cells. Considering the importance of OS in pathologic pathways and its effect on the treatment outcomes of stem cells, in the present review first the stem cell therapy and effects of OS on this type of therapy are summarized. Then, antioxidant therapy and PBM as approaches for reducing OS with a focus on mitochondrial function are discussed. Also, a novel combination treatment with the hope of achieving better and more stable outcomes in the treatment process of diseases is proposed.

[Relationship Between General Cognitive Abilities and School Achievement: The Mediation Role of Learning Behavior]

BACKGROUND

General cognitive abilities are still considered as the most important predictor of school achievement and success. Whether the high correlation (r=0.50) can be explained by other variables has not yet been studied. Learning behavior can be discussed as one factor that influences the relationship between general cognitive abilities and school achievement.

METHODS

This study examined the relationship between intelligence, school achievement and learning behavior. Mediator analyses were conducted to check whether learning behavior would mediate the relationship between general cognitive abilities and school grades in mathematics and German.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses confirmed that the relationship between general cognitive abilities and school achievement was fully mediated by learning behavior for German, whereas intelligence seemed to be the only predictor for achievement in mathematics. These results could be confirmed by non-parametric bootstrapping procedures.

CONCLUSION

RESULTS indicate that special training of learning behavior may have a positive impact on school success, even for children and adolescents with low IQ.

Das Urothelkarzinom mit trophoblastischer Differenzierung

Urothelium carcinomas with beta HCG positive markers are a rarity in tumour differentiation. Syncytiotrophoblastic and, in a few cases, cytotrophoblastic giant cells are typical for this carcinoma. Such differentiation has an intensified potential for invasiveness and is accompanied by increased angiogenesis. In the present case, the mixture of trophoblastic cells indicates a common stem cell. In comparison with beta HCG negative transitional cell carcinoma, the prognosis is bad for beta HCG positive carcinoma. For this reason, a radical operation should be taken into consideration as early as possible.

Measurement of femoral antetorsion and tibial torsion by magnetic resonance imaging

Several methods for measuring femoral and tibial torsion by CT have been described since 1980. Alternative methods of measurement to CT are needed to avoid irradiating young patients facing derotation osteotomy. In this study, MRI was used to quantify femoral and tibial torsion in normal adult volunteers, firstly with transverse sections analogous to those of CT in order to establish reference values; and secondly, with sections along the axis of the neck of femur to assess the influence of the orientation of the slices on the measured values. The images were acquired using fast T1 weighted gradient echo sequences in 0.2 and 1 T magnets. Average femoral antetorsion (CT-analogous method) was 10.4 degrees (average side difference = 4.6 degrees); average tibial torsion was 41.7 degrees (average side difference = 6.1 degrees). A steeply inclined slice along the axis of the femoral neck gave a mean measurement of the angle of antetorsion that was significantly higher than the mean obtained from either slightly inclined or transverse sections (16.7 degrees vs 12.1 degrees and 11.2 degrees, respectively, p < 0.001). In conclusion, MRI provides an alternative to CT in the measurement of femoral and tibial torsion. MRI enables one to orientate the slice along the axis of the femoral neck, thus obtaining a single cross-section of the entire neck. However, the normal range of measurements will vary according to the plane of image.

[Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate (TULAP). Initial results with 188 patients]

Laser therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is now the most impressive alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate (TULAP) is a new technique that combines non-contact and contact laser treatment of BPH. From November 1992 to August 1994, 188 patients were treated by the TULAP technique. Their median age was 70.3 (58-87) years. The mean prostatic volume determined by transrectal ultrasound, was 49.2 ml. A 6-month follow up was possible for 102 patients. The AUA 7-Symptom Score decreased from 29 points preoperatively to 6 points after 6 months. Residual urine volume decreased from 205 ml to 27 ml after 6 months. Maximum flow rate increased from 7.2 ml/s to 19.3 ml/s after 6 months. No severe complications were observed, and in particular no major bleeding or TUR syndrome. We regard the TULAP procedure as an effective treatment alternative for obstructive symptoms caused by BPH.

Female fertility following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of distal ureteral calculi

This study was prompted by a spontaneous abortion in a 21-year-old woman following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL ) of a distal ureteral calculus. To our knowledge, it is the first clinical retrospective study on the possible adverse effects of ESWL to the female reproductive tract. We analyzed treatment data and radiation exposure of 84 women in the reproductive period, and surveyed the patients by questionnaire, to which 67 (79.8%) responded. After ESWL 57 women (85.1%) practiced some form of contraception, while 10 childless women attempted to become pregnant. Overall 7 children with no malformations or chromosomal anomalies were born to 6 patients. Miscarriages were noted in 3 patients (4.5%) but they occurred at least 1 year after ESWL. Our data suggest that ESWL of lower ureteral calculi is a safe and effective procedure, and does not affect female fertility or lead to increased teratogenic risk.

[Experience with ultrasound-guided ESWL]

The ESWL treatment of gallstones has led to the development of ultrasound-guided lithotripters. The interdisciplinary use of these new ESWL systems by urologists, general surgeons and gastroenterologists means that different requirements have to be met. As a result of this development, ultrasound in urology is gaining even more significance. While ESWL treatment of renal calculi under ultrasound guidance has quickly become a routine method, the in situ treatment of ureteral calculi is much more problematic. In our study the validity of diagnostic ultrasound for the localization of ureteral stones was investigated. In an unselected preliminary series only 30% of ureteral calculi could be located by ultrasound. The success rates were 39% for distal stones and 16% for proximal calculi. The treatment results of renal calculi are on a par with those previously obtained under fluoroscopic guidance. Once exact localization is obtained by ultrasound, disintegration rates for ureteral calculi are fully comparable to those performed under fluoroscopic guidance. However, 60% of ureteral stones can not be located by ultrasound. Therefore, retrograde manipulation and ureteroscopic stone disintegration gains more importance in interdisciplinary shock wave centers equipped with ultrasound-guided machines. A real alternative to second-generation lithotripters in the treatment of ureteral stones will thus only be obtained if an X-ray device can be added to the locating system if necessary. With this combination device the treatment of most ureteral calculi will thus be possible.

[Experimental results and initial clinical experiences with the alexandrite laser lithotripter]

Although extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has become the standard therapy for urolithiasis, there are still indications for endoscopic stone treatment. Laser lithotripsy in association with flexible or semirigid "miniscopes" has become increasingly important for this form of therapy. So far the Nd: YAG and the pulsed dye laser have been used for laser lithotripsy in clinical applications. Since each system has its specific drawbacks, the new solid state alexandrite laser was developed to combine the advantages of the two existing systems. In order to evaluate the lithotriptic potential of the alexandrite laser, a stone model and eight human calculi were exposed to the laser in an experimental setting. Results with the stone model were comparable to those obtained with a reference Nd: YAG system. Adequate destruction was possible in all the human calculi except for one monohydrate stone. In the second part of the study, bladder and ureteric wall were exposed to the laser in ten female pigs, with different numbers of shock waves at various energy levels. While there was a relatively high incidence of early changes, late histological specimens 4-5 weeks after the exposure did not reveal any significant pathology. There was no stricture-formation in the ureter. Finally 12 patients were treated with ureteroscopical laser lithotripsy, and 8 of these were evaluatable. All were stone free without any additional lithotripsy and did not develop any secondary changes in the ureter. The alexandrite laser can therefore be expected to become a safe, reliable and cost-effective alternative for endoscopic stone treatment.

[Electronic data processing-assisted text processing at the clinic and in general practice]

Word processing is currently the most frequent application for personal computers, and a wide variety of standard software is available. The capabilities of modern word-processing software includes the convenient typing and correction of all routine correspondence, as well as the professional layout of scientific manuscripts. The decision to purchase a certain word-processing programm should be made according to local needs and prerequisities. Three to six months may be necessary to fully adapt the organization of a clinic or private practice to the new technology.

The treatment of gout and disorders of uric acid metabolism with allopurinol

Allopurinol (4-hydroxypyrazolo (3,4-d)-pyrimidine) is a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor which inhibits the oxidation of naturally occurring oxypurines, thus decreasing uric acid formation. The clinical and metabolic effects of this agent were studied in 80 subjects with primary and secondary gout and other disorders of uric acid metabolism. Allopurinol has been universally successful in lowering the serum uric acid concentration and uric acid excretion to normal levels, while not significantly affecting the clearance of urate or other aspects of renal function. Oxypurine excretion increased concomitantly with the fall in urine uric acid. The agent is particularly valuable in the management of problems of gout with azotemia, acute uric acid nephropathy and uric acid urolithiasis. The minor side effects, clinical indications and theoretical complications are discussed.

The Roentgenologic Manifestations and Differential Diagnosis of Carcinoma of the Colon

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