The effects of vitamin E on colistin-induced nephrotoxicity in treatment of drug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections: A randomized clinical trial

IntroductionNephrotoxicity remains a major long-standing concern for colistin, and it is critical to find agents that can prevent it. The present study aims to investigate the effect of vitamin E on the prevention of colistin-induced nephrotoxicity based on its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.MethodsA randomized clinical trial was designed for 52 patients taking colistin. These patients were categorized into two groups of equal size, receiving colistin or colistin plus vitamin E (α-Tocopherol). Vitamin E with doses of 400 units was administrated daily either orally or by a nasogastric tube if needed. The incidence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and its duration was recorded based on RIFLE criteria.ResultsThe Incidence of AKI based on RIFLE criteria was 42.3% and 46.2% in intervention and control groups, respectively. The analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence of AKI for the two groups (P = 0.78). There was no significant difference in the duration of AKI neither (P = 0.83).ConclusionAlthough vitamin E is a powerful biological antioxidant, the effects of Vitamin E prophylaxis on colistin-induced nephrotoxicity was not taken into consideration in this study.     

Cannabinoids and Tremor Induced by Motor-related Disorders: Friend or Foe?

Tremor arises from an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction/relaxation cycle and is a common disabling symptom of many motor-related diseases such as Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington disease, and forms of ataxia. In the wake of anecdotal, largely uncontrolled, observations claiming the amelioration of some symptoms among cannabis smokers, and the high density of cannabinoid receptors in the areas responsible for motor function, including basal ganglia and cerebellum, many researchers have pursued the question of whether cannabinoid-based compounds could be used therapeutically to alleviate tremor associated with central nervous system diseases. In this review, we focus on possible effects of cannabinoid-based medicines, in particular on Parkinsonian and multiple sclerosis-related tremors and the common probable molecular mechanisms. While, at present, inconclusive results have been obtained, future investigations should extend preclinical studies with different cannabinoids to controlled clinical trials to determine potential benefits in tremor.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0367-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Preparation and Evaluation of 68Ga-ECC as a PET Renal Imaging Agent

Purpose

Development of a gallium-68-labeled renal tracer can be a good substitute for Tc-99m, a known SPECT tracer. In this study, effort was made to develop ⁶⁸Ga-ethylenecysteamine cysteine (⁶⁸Ga-ECC).

Methods

Ga-ECC was prepared using generator-based ⁶⁸GaCl₃ and ethylenecysteamine cysteine (ECC) at optimized conditions. Stability of the complex was checked in human serum followed by partition coefficient determination of the tracer. The biodistribution of the tracer in rats was studied using tissue counting and PET/CT imaging up to 120 min.

Results

Ga-ECC was prepared at optimized conditions in 15 min at 90 °C (radiochemical purity ≈97 ± 0.88 % ITLC, >99 % HPLC, specific activity: 210 ± 5 GBq/mM). ⁶⁸Ga-ECC was a water-soluble complex based on partition coefficient data (log P; −1.378) and was stable in the presence of human serum for 2 h at 37 °C. The biodistribution of the tracer demonstrated high kidney excretion of the tracer in 10–20 min. The SUV_max ratios of the liver to left kidney were 0.38 and 0.39 for 30 and 90 min, respectively, indicating high kidney uptake.

Conclusion

Initial biodistribution results showed significant kidney and urinary excretion of the tracer comparable to that of the homologous ^99mTc compound. The complex could be a possible PET kidney imaging agent with a fast imaging time.     

The association of stem cell factor and soluble c-Kit (s-cKit) receptor serum concentrations with the severity and risk prediction of autism spectrum disorders

Metabolic Brain Disease - S?tem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor (c-kit) signaling play important role in normal brain physiology including neurogenesis, synapse formation and spatial...     

Structural and impedance spectroscopy characteristics of BaCO3/BaSnO3/SnO2 nanocomposite: observation of a non-monotonic relaxation behavior

A BaCO₃/BaSnO₃/SnO₂ nanocomposite has been prepared using a co-precipitation method without adding any additives. The prepared sample was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Raman spectroscopy. Detailed studies on the dielectric and electrical behavior (dielectric constant, complex impedance Z*, ac conductivity, and relaxation mechanisms) of the nanocomposite have been performed using the nondestructive complex impedance spectroscopy technique within the temperature range 150–400 K. The dielectric constant of the sample as a function of temperature showed the typical characteristics of a relaxor. The maximum dielectric constant value was observed to depend on frequency. The non-monotonic relaxation behavior of the prepared nanocomposite was evidenced from the spectra of loss tan, tan(δ). The relaxation kinetics was modeled using a non-Arrhenius model.

A BaCO₃/BaSnO₃/SnO₂ nanocomposite has been prepared using a co-precipitation method without adding any additives.     

The role of follow-up imaging in paediatric blunt abdominal trauma

AIM: To assess the role of follow-up imaging in paediatric blunt abdominal trauma. METHOD: All children who underwent CT scanning of their abdomen at our institution following acute blunt injury between January 1997 and December 2000 were included in the study. Case notes where researched for details regarding mechanism of injury, initial clinical presentation, acute management, complications and follow-up until discharge. Reports of imaging investigations were retrieved from the RIS database. RESULTS: In the study period 75 children underwent CT scanning of their abdomen as a primary investigation for acute blunt abdominal trauma. Of these, 12 were normal, 52 showed evidence of intra-abdominal organ injury and 11 showed findings other than abdominal organ injury. Of the 52 children that sustained intra-abdominal organ injury, 48 (92 percent) were treated conservatively. 4 (8 percent) underwent emergency surgery, 3 for bowel injury and 1 for renal trauma. Of the 48 that were treated conservatively, 9 had a complicated clinical course with 7 showing complications on follow-up imaging. The remaining 39 children had an uneventful clinical course with follow-up imaging by CT or US in 34. None showed complications that required a change in management. CONCLUSION: In our series, follow-up imaging did not contribute to further management in children with an uncomplicated clinical course following blunt abdominal trauma.     

Endovascular treatment for cervical carotid artery stenosis presenting with progressing stroke: three case reports

BACKGROUND: Progressing stroke is said to occur when symptoms and signs worsen in cases of ischemic stroke. Although conservative methods using volume expansion with antithrombotic or anticoagulative agents are widely used for progressing stroke, in some hospitals, emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been performed for carotid stenosis, with mixed results. Here we report three cases with progressing ischemic stroke that were managed by endovascular surgical intervention. CASE DESCRIPTION: We performed endovascular surgery in three patients with cervical carotid artery stenosis presenting with progressing stroke or crescendo transient ischemic attacks. Endovascular treatment was less invasive and feasible for acute phase treatment. While local thrombolysis alone was found to be less effective, stent placement induced complete resolution of stenosis, but may result in hyperperfusion syndrome or hemorrhagic infarction. CONCLUSIONS: In an emergency, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with proper dilatation is preferred, and then CEA or stenting should be considered after the patient's condition stabilizes.     

Cutaneous necrotic lesion: A wonderful delay adverse effect of interferon beta‐1b injection for multiple sclerosis treatment

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and inflammatory autoimmune disease. These patients may manifest severe inflammatory cutaneous reactions after using interferon beta‐1b. This article describes a 55‐year‐old man with severe injection site reactions after 10 years administration of interferon beta‐1b. The biopsy specimens revealed skin and subcutaneous tissue necrosis. Histologic evaluation revealed nonspecific inflammatory reactions with no evidence of vasculitis or granulomatous reactions. Based on clinical and pathological findings, the diagnosis of skin and soft tissue necrosis due to interferon injection was given. The injection of interferon beta‐1b in the affected areas was stopped, and the patient's clinical condition improved by wound care. This report is aimed to increase awareness about severe adverse skin reactions, which may infrequently occur with subcutaneous interferon beta‐1b injection after several years. Early diagnosis of this reaction can help to prevent associated complications.