Effect of autologous serum after amniotic membrane transplantation for persistent corneal ulcers.

Aim: To investigate the effect of adding autologous serum eye drops to the postoperative regime after amniotic membrane transplantation for severe persistent corneal ulcers.

Methods: Forty eyes of 40 patients with persistent corneal ulcers were randomly assigned to artificial tears (sodium hyaluronate 0.2%, ATs group, =20) or autologous serum eye drops (ASEDs, =20) following treatment with amniotic membrane transplantation.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) as a Possible Bioindicator in an Agricultural Environment in Bulgaria.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the residues of heavy metals as an indicator of environmental pollution in internal organs of golden jackal (Canis aureus) from an agricultural region in Bulgaria. It was demonstrated that the golden jackal has high potential for specific accumulation of heavy metals, thus implying that this species may serve as a biological indicator of their presence in the agricultural regions, which it inhabits. The concentrations of the targeted elements (mean [mg/kg of dried tissue] ± SD) were respectively: Cu-57.

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) as biological indicator for environmental pollution in Hungary.

Our aim were to establish the metal (Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Cd, and Pb) levels of red fox liver and the kidney samples (n = 10) deriving from central part of Hungary and compare the results with other countries' data. According to our results the concentrations of residues of the targeted elements (mg/kg dry weight) in liver and kidney samples were, respectively in liver: Cu: 21.418, Zn: 156.

[Some contemporary aspects in the prevention of the surgical site infection].

Surgical Site Infection (SSI) continues to be the most common complication following surgical procedures. These infections are the biological summation of several factors: the implantation of bacteria introduced into the wound during the procedure, the unique virulence of contaminants, the microenvironment of each wound, and the integrity of the patient's host defense mechanisms. Prevention of SSI can be achieved by several methods.

Necrotizing Fasciitis and Myonecrosis Due to Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila infection has been described as the cause of necrotizing fasciitis in patients with suppressed immune systems, burns, and trauma in an aquatic setting. The following presents a case in which severe necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis of the lower extremity, as well as toxic shock, developed as a result of wound infection from direct contact with brackish water. Mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including Aeromonas hydrophila, were isolated from the wound culture.

Molecular phylogeny of the Cricetinae subfamily based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S rRNA genes and the nuclear vWF gene.

Despite some popularity of hamsters as pets and laboratory animals there is no reliable phylogeny of the subfamily Cricetinae available so far. Contradicting views exist not only about the actual number of species but also concerning the validity of several genera. We used partial DNA sequences of two mitochondrial (cytochrome b, 12S rRNA) and one partial nuclear gene (von Willebrand Factor exon 28) to provide a first gene tree of the Cricetinae based on 15 taxa comprising six genera.

[Synchronous tumors of the colon].

The synchronous tumors in the colorectal area are cases of particular interest. They are not rarely met and can be omitted, which is a mistake in the process of treatment and diagnostics. Three cases of successfully treated synchronous tumors are presented and conclusions are drawn regarding the diagnostics and behaviour with this type of pathology.