Ex vivo expansion of stem cells: defining optimum conditions using various cytokines.

With the increasing information on the number, quality, and characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in umbilical cord and placental blood, this material has been found to be efficacious as an alternative source of HSC for transplantation in children. In this study, we sought to define the optimal conditions for ex vivo expansion of cord blood (CB) stem cells. These conditions include: the combinations and concentrations of hematopoietic growth factors (stem cell factor [SCF], granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], interleukin [IL]-3, thrombopoietin [Tpo], IL-6 and Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand [Flt-3L]), the duration of culture, and the effect of serum supplementation.

Nonoxynol 9 as an additive therapy in metronidazole-resistant cases of vaginal trichomoniasis.

The present study was conducted on 30 female patients with metronidazole resistant vaginal trichomoniasis to investigate the efficacy of nonoxynol 9 (N-9), a non hormonal contraceptive with spermicidal effect, as an additive therapy to metronidazole (MNZ). Study population were randomly divided into 3 groups according to treatment regimen: G.I: patients received high dose MNZ (2 g daily for 7 days) n = 10; G.