The endothelium-derived relaxing factormediated acetylcholine response of the arterial perfusion pressure after cold storage of the isolated rabbit kidney

The vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine (ACh) in a rabbit isolated perfused kidney was abolished when the tissue was exposed to cold ischemia for 72 h in Euro-Collins (EC) solution. This vasodilatation is due to the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from renal vasculature as evidenced by the attenuation following methylene blue pretreatment. When kidneys were preserved in EC solution containing UK 38 485, a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, or nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, ACh-induced vasodilatation persisted after 72 h of cold ischemia. These results were taken as evidence of tissue protective activity of UK 38 485 and nicardipine and have promising implications for cadaveric kidney transplantation.This paper was presented at the 35th World Congress of the International Society of Surgery in Hong Kong in August 1993     

Effect of Recombinant Human Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor on the Healing of Colonic Anastomosis in Rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHuGM-CSF) on the wound healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. In total, 40 male Wistar rats were taken into this study. The control group (n = 20) received subcutaneous saline injection. The experiment group (n     

Extraspinal Incidental Findings on Routine MRI of Lumbar Spine: Prevalence and Reporting Rates in 1278 Patients

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and reporting rate of incidental findings (IF) in adult outpatients undergoing lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultsA total of 253 IFs were found in 241 patients (18.8% of 1278). Among these, clinically significant IFs (n = 34) included: 2 renal masses (0.15%), 2 aortic aneurysms (0.15%), 2 cases of hydronephrosis (0.15%), 11 adrenal masses (0.86%), 7 lymphadenopathies (0.55%), 6 cases of endometrial or cervical thickening (0.47%), 1 liver hemangioma (0.08%), 1 pelvic fluid (0.08%) and 2 ovarian dermoid cysts (0.15%). Overall, 28% (71/253) of IFs were included in the clinical reports, while clinically significant findings were reported in 41% (14/34) of cases.ConclusionExtraspinal IFs are commonly detected during a routine lumbar MRI, and many of these findings are not clinically significant. However, IFs including clinically important findings are occasionally omitted from formal radiological reports.     

Energy Drink Use in University Students and Associated Factors

The use of energy drinks is common among adolescents and young age groups. The purpose of this study was to determine energy drink consumption status in students at the Karadeniz Technical University in Turkey and the factors affecting this. The research was performed at the Karadeniz Technical University among a total of 2001 students attending the Administration Department, the Physical Education Department, the Psychological Counseling and Guidance Department and the Faculty of Medicine. The research data were collected using the supervised questionnaire method. The 53.5 % (n = 1070) of students had never tried energy drinks, 22.5 % (n = 450) had tried them once only, 1.5 % (n = 30) had used them for a time and then gave up, 21.1 % (n = 422) consumed occasionally and 1.4 % (n = 29) regularly. The risks of regular energy drink consuming were male gender [2.4 (1.8–3.2)] [OR (95 %CI)], studying at night [1.6 (1.2–2.2)], having friends consuming energy drinks [3.6 (2.6–5.0)], regular physical activity [1.9 (1.4–2.5)], being an alcohol drinker [2.4 (1.7–3.2)]. This study revealed that almost half of university students had experience of energy drinks and that approximately one-fourth still used them. It will be useful for these factors listed above to be borne in mind in the development of policies aimed at protecting young people from the health impacts of energy drinks.     

The effect of pentoxifylline on the healing of intestinal anastomosis in rats with experimental obstructive jaundice

The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the effect of experimental obstructive jaundice on the healing of intestinal anastomosis, and (2) to investigate the effect of pentoxifylline on the healing of intestinal anastomosis in rats with obstructive jaundice. Obstructive jaundice was induced in rats by the ligation and division of the common bile duct. Four days after this operation, either pentoxifylline or isotonic saline solution was administered intraperitoneally to these jaundiced rats and controls, and then intestinal anastomosis was performed. The concentrations of serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and serum triglyceride of jaundiced and nonjaundiced rats were measured, and the quality of healing was evaluated by measuring the bursting preasure and hydroxyproline content of the anastomoses on the fifth and tenth days of anastomotic healing. Obstructive jaundice resulted in an impaired wound healing of the intestinal anastomosis in the rats. The administration of pentoxifylline to the jaundiced rats resulted in better anastomotic wound healing. The beneficial effects of pentoxifylline on anastomotic healing in rats with obstructive jaundice was attributed to its inhibitor effect on the endotoxin-induced TNF-α release from macrophages and monocytes, and the stabilizing effect on the neutrophils. Received: March 29, 1999 / Accepted: March 24, 2000     

Comparison of the nuclear matrix protein 22 with voided urine cytology in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Several urinary markers for transitional cell carcinoma have been investigated, including urine cytology, bladder tumor antigen, autocrine motility factor receptor and fibrin degradation products. Unfortunately, they have poor overall sensitivity. The United States Food and Drug Administration have recently approved nuclear matrix protein (NMP 22) for the detection of occult or rapidly recurring disease after transurethral resection of bladder tumor. The objective of the current study was to assess the sensitivity of NMP 22 for the detection of bladder carcinoma, as well as to correlate the NMP 22 values with multiplicity of tumor, tumor size, configuration, stage and grade respectively. A total of 78 patients (38 with bladder cancer) provided a urine sample which was divided into appropriate aliquots for each of urine cytology and NMP 22. Comparative results demonstrate a clear superiority of NMP 22 in bladder cancer detection (52.6% vs 31.6% sensitivity), while specificity was in favor of urine cytology (100% vs 82.5%). For superficial tumors, sensitivity was 78.5% for NMP 22 and 41.6% for cytology and for invasive cancers, sensitivity was 90% for NMP 22 and 60% for cytology. Urinary NMP 22 levels were significantly correlated with tumor grade and were significantly higher in large tumors than small tumors. NMP 22 test results showed sufficient sensitivity in comparison with urine cytology for the detection of transitional cell carcinoma. However, we do not think that it is a useful tool as a substitute for endoscopic examination for the detection and surveillance in bladder cancer.     

Delayed traumatic occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery after earthquake: report of two cases

We report on two patients with head and neck injuries, who remained asymptomatic after the earthquake for 1 and 2 years, respectively. They developed late transient ischemic neurological signs and eventually presented with complete occlusion of the internal carotid artery. They made a good recovery with medical treatment. Focal cerebral ischemic symptoms may develop months or even years after the head or neck trauma, and internal carotid artery occlusion should be considered in differential diagnosis as a late complication.     

Iron supplementation in pregnancy

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. Pregnant women are at especially high risk for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. A considerable proportion of pregnant women in both developing and industrialized countries become anemic during pregnancy. The prevalence of anemia in pregnant women has remained unacceptably high worldwide despite the fact that routine iron supplementation during pregnancy has been almost universally recommended to prevent maternal anemia, especially in developing countries over the past 30 years. The major problem with iron supplementation during pregnancy is compliance. Despite many studies, the relationship between maternal anemia and adverse pregnancy outcome is unclear. However, there is now sufficient evidence that iron supplements increase hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels during pregnancy and also improve the maternal iron status in the puerperium, even in women who enter pregnancy with adequate iron stores. Recent information also suggests an association between maternal iron status in pregnancy and the iron status of infants postpartum. The necessity of routine iron supplementation during pregnancy has been debated in industrialized countries and routine supplementation is not universally practiced in all these countries. In view of existing data, however, routine iron supplementation during pregnancy seems to be a safe strategy to prevent maternal anemia in developing countries, where traditional diets provide inadequate iron and where malaria and other infections causing increased losses are endemic.     

Early medical treatment is life saving in acute Budd-Chiari due to polycythemia vera

Here we describe two women with polycythemia vera presented with fulminant hepatic failure due to acute Budd-Chiari syndrome. Both had a history of severe abdominal pain and distention of short duration. Clinical and laboratory findings showed fulminant hepatic failure due to acute Budd-Chiari syndrome. Diagnosis was confirmed with abdominal ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasonography showing ascites, hepatomegaly, portal hypertension and total occlusion of hepatic veins. Complete blood count and other clinical findings were compatible with polycythemia vera in both patients. Patients were treated successfully with early administration of continuous heparin infusion, repeated phlebotomies and hydroxyurea. We emphasize here early diagnosis and effective treatment in such fulminant cases may be life saving.     

The assessment of constipation in monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis

Objective: Nocturnal enuresis and constipation are common pediatric problems. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of constipation in children with or without monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis.Methods: The study included 5350 children, ages 5–19 years, who were surveyed to detect the incidence of nocturnal enuresis. Of those surveyed, 679 (12.7%) had primary nocturnal enuresis. All children were questioned by mail with a standard form that addressed their micturition and defecation habits. The children those who had primary nocturnal enuresis were invited to the Pediatric Urology Section of the University Hospital. Of those 679 children, 125 kept that invitation. All 125 of those children underwent an abdominal ultrasound. Also, these children had serum creatinine levels drawn and plain abdominal films taken.Results: Constipation, defined as less than 3 bowel movements per week, was seen in 48 of 679 children with nocturnal enuresis (7.06%). Of those 4671 children without nocturnal enuresis, only 68 (1.45%) had constipation. The difference in constipation between the two groups was statistically significant (z = –9.251; p = 0.000). Of note, 10 of the 125 children (8%), evaluated at the hospital, had constipation. None of the children had an abnormal neurologic examination. Finally, faecal loading was detected on the plain films of 8 of the 125 children evaluated, 7 of who had constipation. The sensitivity of grading plain films for faecal loading to denote constipation in this population was 87.5%.Conclusions: Children with primary nocturnal enuresis should be thoroughly assessed for coexisting constipation.