AIM To retrospectively evaluate the safety and feasibility of surgical specimen extraction via a prophylactic ileostomy procedure in patient with rectal cancer. METHODS We systematically reviewed 331 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer and prophylactic ileostomy in our institution from June 2010 to October 2016, including 155 patients who under...

Background and Aims: Influenza virus is a major pathogen involved in respiratory illnesses during winter seasons. A variety of diagnostic methods have been developed to identify influenza viruses in clinical specimen. Methods: Nasal and pharyngeal samples taken from patients were inoculated into Madin-Darby canine kidney (MOCK) cells and embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs). The culture media was a...

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful tool for the investigation of the microstructure of materials, providing crystallographic information and composition at the nanometer scale. For such studies, samples should be transparent to the electron beam. In this review, TEM sample preparation techniques for different classes of materials, such as metals and alloys, multilayered coatin...

Dr Fahmy showed a specimen of carcinoma of the body of the uterus removed from a woman, aged 58, who had one child thirty years ago and whose menopause occurred at the age of 40. The patient was well till three years ago when she noticed the onset of a whitish leucorrhoeal discharge which gradually became more marked. Twelve months ago there was very slight bleeding at irregular intervals for a...