Open Access DOI:10.23937/2377-4630/1009
Platelet Count and INR Profile after Hepatic Resection in Cirrhotic Patients: Implications for Epidural Analgesia
Siniscalchi A, Gamberini L, Carini A, Laici C, Tassinari S and Faenza S
Article Type: Original Article | First Published: October 15, 2014
Introduction: Since cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatic resection are at increased risk of developing postoperative coagulopathy, epidural catheter placement in this group of patients is still debated. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate postoperative course of coagulation parameters after surgical hepatic resection in cirrhotic patients and their relation to extent of resection and perioperative risk factors.
Methods: Perioperative data from 232 hepatic resections performed in cirrho...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-346X/1410001
Reading Performance in Children with Visual Function Anomalies
Carla Costa Lanca, Helena Serra and Joao Prista
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: October 17, 2014
Aims: To compare reading performance in children with and without visual function anomalies and identify the influence of abnormal visual function and other variables in reading ability.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried in 110 children of school age (6-11 years) with Abnormal Visual Function (AVF) and 562 children with Normal Visual Function (NVF). An orthoptic assessment (visual acuity, ocular alignment, near point of convergence and accommodation, stereopsis and vergences) and au...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3648/1410004
Replacing CFTR Sanger Sequencing in the Clinical Lab with a Reliable, Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Assay
Shela Lee, Joy Radecki, Hsiao-Mei Lu, and Aaron M. Elliott
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: October 05, 2014
The clinical implementation of new target enrichment methods and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has rapidly transformed genetic testing. Diagnostic labs can now offer a wide variety of large comprehensive multi-gene panels or even full exome sequencing to help clinicians diagnose and treat patients. The unmatched sensitivity, accuracy and throughput of NGS compared to traditional Sanger sequencing make it an ideal technology not only for panels but also high volume single gene assay...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3648/1410003
Correlation of Killer Immunoglobulin like Receptor Genes with the Rate of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Renal Transplantation Cases
Tejendra Singh Chauhan, Swayam Prakash, Raj Kumar Sharma and Suraksha Agrawal
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: October 04, 2014
Aim: Immune mechanisms of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection suggest a possible relationship between CMV with development of acute graft rejection. Current immune suppression impairs antiviral specifi T-cell immunity in solid organ transplantation. Inhibitory/ activating NK receptor bindings activated by self HLA antigens confront allogeneic cells that lack a ligand for specifi receptor. KIR ligand incompatibility caused due to presence/absence of KIR receptor in recipient and corresponding HLA lig...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3656/1410003
Status of Bilateral Cochlear Implantation in Malaysia
Tan SN and Saim L
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: September 22, 2014
Advantages of bilateral Cochlear Implantation (CI) over unilateral implantation in individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss are well established. In most developed countries, cochlear implant recipients receive full funding for bilateral implantation. In Malaysia, we have been advocating bilateral implantation since 2003.Our objective is to review all cases of unilateral & bilateral implantation that used the Cochlear Nucleus implants (Cochlear Ltd. Australia) and determine...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2377-3634/1410003
Involvement of Regucalcin in Lipid Metabolic Disorder and Diabetes
Masayoshi Yamaguchi
Article Type: Editorial | First Published: October 03, 2014
Obesity and diabetes are currently a major health problem worldwide with growing in prevalence. The incidence of metabolic disease, including type 2 diabetes with obesity, is increased to epidemic levels. Obesity and diabetes induce secondary diseases with various pathophysiologic states, which are important in clinical aspects including cardiovascular disease, neural disturbance, kidney disease, osteoporosis and cancer. Obesity is based on stimulation of adipogenesis. Bone marrow mesenchymal st...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-570X/1410001
Heterogeneity and Diversity of Cancer Stem Cells in Glioblastoma
N. Sumru Bayin and Dimitris G. Placantonakis
Article Type: Editorial | First Published: August 13, 2014
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain malignancy, with an annual incidence of over 10,000 new cases in the US and a median survival of 14-16 months. The current standard of care includes surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy and treatment with the alkylating agent temozolamide. Sadly, prognosis for GBM patients has increased only incrementally and rather marginally over the past half century. The fact that GBM has lagged behind other solid malignancie...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3648/1410002
Association of XmnI (-158 γG) Polymorphism and Response to Hydroxyurea in Omani S/S and S/β Patients
Hassan SM, Al Muslahi M, Al Riyami M, Bakker E, Harteveld CL and Giordano PC
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: September 26, 2014
Objective: To describe the effect of Hydroxyurea (HU) treatment in Omani Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients with different beta-globin gene cluster haplotypes.
Materials and methods: A total of 52 cases treated with HU were enrolled in this study. Response to the drug was compared between patients with and without the XmnI polymorphism in the different betaglobin gene cluster haplotypes. We have classified our cohort into three categories: good responders to HU for those patients who had no cr...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1003
Therapeutic Significance of Frequency of Deep Brain Stimulation in Intractable Epilepsy
Alok Gupta and Harinder Jaseja
Article Type: Letter to Editor | First Published: September 30, 2014
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is emerging as a viable alternative therapy in intractable epilepsy (IE), and although the exact mechanism and electrophysiology of its action remain elusive, some neuroscientists even believe that DBS may in near future become a first line treatment for the patients with IE who are not suitable candidates for epilepsy brain surgery. In addition to the exact placement of electrodes in the target site, the successful outcome of DBS depends largely upon correct choice ...