NF‐κB activation mediates LPS‐or zymosan‐induced hypotension and inflammation reversed by BAY61‐3606, a selective Syk inhibitor,in rat models of septic and non‐septic shock

We have previously demonstrated that the activation of the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk)/inhibitory‐κB (IκB)‐α/nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) p65 signalling pathway contributes to hypotension and inflammatory response in a rat models of zymosan (ZYM)‐induced non‐septic shock. The purpose of this study was to further examine the possible mechanism underlying the effect of inhibition of Syk by BAY61‐3606 via NF‐κB activity at the level of nuclear translocation regarding the production of vasodilator and proinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (septic)‐ and ZYM (non‐septic)‐induced shock. Administration of LPS (10 mg/kg, ip) or ZYM (500 mg/kg, ip) to male Wistar rats decreased mean arterial pressure and increased heart rate that was associated with an increase in the activities of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase, tumour necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐8 levels, and NF‐κB activation and nuclear translocation in sera and/or cardiovascular and renal tissues. BAY61‐3606 (3 mg/kg, ip), the selective Syk inhibitor, given 1 hour after LPS‐ or ZYM injection reversed all the above‐mentioned effects. These results suggest that Syk contributes to the LPS‐ or ZYM‐induced hypotension and inflammation associated with transactivation of NF‐κB in septic and non‐septic shock.     

The effect of preoperative anxiety on postoperative analgesia and anesthesia recovery in patients undergoing laparascopic cholecystectomy

Purpose

In patients who are hospitalized for surgery, anxiety disorders are frequently observed. Anxiety affects the patient’s perception of postoperative pain and has a negative impact on recovery from anesthesia. This study attempted to compare the effect of preoperative anxiety on postoperative pain control and recovery from anesthesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

A total of 80 patients were enrolled who were undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Beck’s anxiety ?nventory (BAI) was administered to the patients: patients with anxiety were included in the high-anxious patient group (group H) and patients without anxiety were enrolled in the low-anxious group (group L). Duration of surgery, duration of anesthesia, extubation time, and adverse effects were recorded. During the postoperative period, patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol was used for pain control. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and tramadol consumption of all patients were recorded.

Results

Among all patients, 31 (38.75 %) patients had preoperative anxiety, and significant correlation was found between the days of hospitalization and preoperative score of BAI. In group L, extubation time, the time for the modified Aldrete score to reach 9, was seen as significantly shorter and fewer postoperative side effects were determined. Also in group L, postoperative VAS score and tramadol consumption were significantly lower, and less tenoxicam was needed.

Conclusion

A high preoperative anxiety level negatively affects recovery from anesthesia and control of postoperative pain. In this patient group, the increased need for postoperative analgesia must be adequately met.     

Eculizumab therapy in a patient with dense-deposit disease associated with partial lipodystropy

Background

Dense deposit disease (DDD) (also known as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II) in childhood is a rare glomerulonephritis with frequent progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and a high recurrence after kidney transplantation. The pathophysiologic basis of DDD is associated with the uncontrolled systemic activation of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement cascade.

Case-diagnosis/treatment

A 14-year-old girl presented with edema and nephrotic range proteinuria. Blood tests showed hypoalbuminemia, nephrotic range proteinuria, normal renal function, and a low C3 level. Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of crescentic DDD. Complement analysis revealed strong AP activation (low C3), positive C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF), and a decreased complement factor H (CFH) levels with CFH polymorphisms. Therapy with eculizumab was considered after the failure of corticosteroid and plasmapheresis to modulate the ongoing massive proteinuria and persistence of low serum C3 levels. There was a marked clinical and biochemical response following the administration of eculizumab.

Conclusions

Our case emphasizes the efficacy of eculizumab in the management of crescentic DDD in a patient with a normal renal function, in a short follow-up period. Considering previously reported cases, it appears that eculizumab represents a promising new approach which may prevent progression to ESRD in a subset of patients with DDD.     

Papel dos Níveis de Sódio na Fibrilação Atrial na Insuficiência Cardíaca: Jogador Ativo ou Bystander?

BackgroundThe coexistence of hyponatremia and atrial fibrillation (AF) increases morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, it is not established whether hyponatremia is related to AF or not.ObjectiveOur study aims to seek a potential association of hyponatremia with AF in patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF).MethodsThis observational cross-sectional single-center study included 280 consecutive outpatients diagnosed with HFrEF with 40% or less. Based on sodium concentrations ≤135 mEq/L or higher, the patients were classified into hyponatremia (n=66) and normonatremia (n=214). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsMean age was 67.6±10.5 years, 202 of them (72.2%) were male, mean blood sodium level was 138±3.6 mEq/L, and mean ejection fraction was 30±4%. Of those, 195 (69.6%) patients were diagnosed with coronary artery disease. AF was detected in 124 (44.3%) patients. AF rate was higher in patients with hyponatremia compared to those with normonatremia (n=39 [59.1%] vs. n=85 [39.7%), p= 0.020). In the logistic regression analysis, hyponatremia was not related to AF (OR=1.022, 95% CI=0.785–1.330, p=0.871). Advanced age (OR=1.046, 95% CI=1.016–1.177, p=0.003), presence of CAD (OR=2.058, 95% CI=1.122–3.777, p=0.020), resting heart rate (OR=1.041, 95% CI=1.023–1.060, p<0.001), and left atrium diameter (OR=1.049, 95% CI=1.011–1.616, p=0.002) were found to be predictors of AF.ConclusionAF was higher in outpatients with HFrEF and hyponatremia. However, there is no association between sodium levels and AF in patients with HFrEF.     

Bishop scoring: Perceived benefits of using in labour induction by Turkish midwives

It is not always possible to achieve a successful induction. Bishop scoring system is an efficient method used in determining whether the induction will be effective or not. The aim of this study was to train midwives on the benefits and use of the Bishop scoring system and to minimize the unnecessary use of induction. This study was conducted as pretest–posttest quasi‐experimental design. This study was conducted in a maternity hospital in Erzurum between 01 February and 31 July 2012. In the study, the midwives received training on the use of the Bishop scoring system, and changes in their knowledge levels and application during practice of induction were then evaluated. While only 20% of midwives were using the Bishop score before the training, 56.7% started to use this tool after the training. Comparing the examinations performed on pregnant women by the midwives in the pre‐induction period before and after the training, the mean of the Bishop score changed from 7.26 to 9.68 after the training. It was determined that the training could increase the knowledge levels of midwives regarding the Bishop scoring system and their attention paid to the Bishop scoring system in the practice of induction.     

Does corticosteroid usage in rhinoplasty cause mood changes?

In this study, the psychological effects of single-dose corticosteroids administered to patients who had undergone rhinoplasty were assessed. A total of 30 rhinoplasty patients were included in the study and were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Preoperatively, patients completed the Bech Rafaelsen Mania Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Dexamethasone 10 mg was given intravenously just before surgery to the first group, but no medication was administered to the second group. On the first postoperative day, patients were seen again, and the Bech Rafaelsen Mania Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were again completed. Periorbital edema and ecchymosis were graded, and psychological well-being was measured on a standard visual analog scale. All patients and physicians were blinded to treatment until the end of the study. Results show that administration of a single-dose of dexamethasone 10 mg caused neither euphoria nor depression. No significant differences were observed between steroid and control groups in terms of patients’ psychological well-being. With single-dose dexamethasone, periorbital edema was significantly reduced on the first 2 postoperative days, and upper eyelid ecchymosis was significantly decreased only on the first postoperative day. However, preoperative steroid administration had no influence on ecchymosis of the lower eyelid. The authors conclude that single-dose dexamethasone 10 mg can be used safely to reduce periorbital edema and ecchymosis in rhinoplasty patients.     

Bronchoscopic approach to COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent condition that has frequent morbidity and mortality, with associated costs of US $ 2.5 billion annually and nearly 14,000 deaths each year. In the most advanced stages it causes debilitating breathlessness which is not improved despite maximal medical therapy including smoking cessation, bronchodilators, steroids and supplemental oxygen. Limitations of medical therapy led to the development of several surgical techniques to improve quality of life. However, surgical techniques still carry substantial morbidity even if the mortality is low at centers with larger experience; hence investigators are vigorously pursuing research into innovative, alternative methods for achieving lung volume reduction (LVR), in recent years. Endoscopic techniques for LVR are proposed, based on two main approaches, either closing of anatomical airway passages into destroyed lobe/segment of the lung to affect a collapse and reduction in volume or opening extra-anatomical airway passages, aimed at improving expiratory collateral flow from hyper-inflated areas bypassing the flow limited segments of the emphysematous airways. This article reviews the available endoscopic devises and the evidence supporting their use in the treatment of COPD.