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Background The ongoing supply-demand gap with respect to donor kidneys for transplantation necessitates the increased use of higher kidney donor profile index and/or donation after circulatory death (DCD) kidneys. Machine perfusion (MP) preservation has become increasingly popular as a means to preserve such organs. Human data regarding normothermic kidney MP (NMP) is in its infancy, and such a system has not been established in the Australasian clinical setting. Methods Modified cardio-pulmonary bypass technology was utilized to develop a viable NMP kidney perfusion system using a porcine DCD model. System development and optimization occurred in two stages, with system components added in each experiment to identify optimal perfusion conditions. Results Device functionality was demonstrated by the successful perfusion of and urine production by, eight porcine kidneys. Urine production diminished in the presence of colloid in the perfusate. Pressure-controlled (compared with flow-controlled) perfusion is preferable as a safe perfusion pressure range can be maintained. More physiologic perfusion conditions are achieved if oxygenation is provided by an oxygen/carbon dioxide mixture compared to 100% oxygen. Conclusion A viable and reproducible NMP system was established and tested in porcine kidneys, which was able to simulate graft function extra-corporeally. Further work is required to identify the most optimal perfusion conditions. Prior to its utilization in clinical transplantation, the system should be tested in non-transplanted human kidneys.

The prognosis for children diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains sub-optimal, and more potent and less toxic treatments are urgently needed. We investigated the efficacy of a novel nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase inhibitor, OT-82, against a panel of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) established from high-risk and poor outcome pediatric ALL cases. OT-82 was well-tolerated and demonstrated impressive single agent in vivo efficacy, achieving significant leukemia growth delay in 95% (20/21) and disease regression in 86% (18/21) of PDXs. In addition, OT-82 enhanced the efficacy of the established drugs cytarabine and dasatinib and, as a single agent, showed similar efficacy as an induction-type regimen combining three drugs used to treat pediatric ALL. OT-82 exerted its anti-leukemic action by depleting NAD(+) and ATP, inhibiting the NAD(+)-requiring DNA damage repair enzyme PARP-1, increasing mitochondrial ROS levels and inducing DNA damage, culminating in apoptosis induction. OT-82 sensitivity was associated with the occurrence of mutations in major DNA damage response genes, while OT-82 resistance was characterized by high expression levels of CD38. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that OT-82, as a single agent, and in combination with established drugs, is a promising new therapeutic strategy for a broad spectrum of high-risk pediatric ALL for which improved therapies are urgently needed.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease KFD is a rare and benign cause of cervical lymphadenopathy. It is an anatomoclinical entity of unknown etiology. The confirmation of the diagnosis is always provided by histological lymph node study. The clinical picture sometimes evokes lymphoma or tuberculosis. The evolution is generally favorable with spontaneous healing after a few weeks. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who had consulted for cervical lymphadenopathy associated with fever. The cervical lymph node biopsy concluded to Kikuch-Fujimoto's disease. The evolution was marked by rapid regression of lymphadenopathy under corticosteroid treatment.

Summary: The purpose of this study is to reduce the search area of the marginal mandibular branch, this scarecrow nerve of the upper cervical surgery. Materials and methods: MMB dissection was applied to 25 anatomical subjects, who described an ABC Triangle where the MMB is still inside the cervical surgical position: A mandibular angle, B intersection of the MMB with the lower border of the mandible (LBM), C the position of the furthest MMB below the LBM. Results: This nerve is still depth of the superficial cervical fascia, and its division is constantly after the intersection with the facial vein (FV). The position of the MMB furthest from the LBM is found between 2 and 2.2 cm below the LBM and at 2/3 of the distance AX from the angle of the mandible angle to the intersection of the FV with the LBM. This distance AX represents the 2/3 of the distance AB from the angle of the mandible to the intersection of the MMB with the LBM and whose measurement is between 4 and 4.5 cm. Conclusion: This triangle ABC landmark of MMB provides reliable and constant anatomical markers allowing the surgeon locating or avoidance of MMB.

Kartagener syndrome is an autosomal recessive genetic ciliary disorder comprising of a classic triad of sinusitis, situs inversus and bronchiectasis. It's the one of primary ciliary dyskinesia disorders with manifestations present from childhood. Most patients of PCD have situs inversus. We present a case of 18 year-old women with recurrent lower and upper respiratory tracts infections, and rhinolalia clausa.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 23