The effect of alfuzosin on renal resistive index,urinary electrolytes and β2 microglobulin levels and TGF β-1 levels of kidney tissue in rats with unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Background: In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of alfuzosin on experimentally generated unilateral partial ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPO) in rats.

Materials and methods: Thirty Long–Evans rats were randomly allocated into five groups. In control group (C), nothing was performed; in group Sham (S) only laparotomy was done; in Alfuzosin group (A) only alfuzosin was administered for two weeks (10?mg/kg/day p.o.) without any surgery; in UPO group, unilateral UP junction obstruction was produced; and in the Group UPT (ureteropelvic obstruction?+?treatment), alfuzosin was administered for two weeks (10?mg/kg/day p.o.) in addition to UPO production. Renal pelvic anteroposterior diameters were determined with ultrasonography (USG) and renal arterial resistivity indexes by color Doppler USG. Urine was collected both at the beginning and at the end of the experiment for 24?h in all the groups and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained. Blood and urine electrolytes and TGF-β1, urine density, urine β₂ microglobulin levels were determined. Renal tissue samples harvested from all of the rats were histopathologically evaluated. Results were determined using one-way ANOVA t-test; p?<?0.05 was accepted as significant.

Results: Urine density in the UPT group was lower with respect to UPO group and blood electrolytes were preserved as close to normal (p?<?0.05). In the UPT group, urine TGF-β1 and blood TGF-β1, blood β₂ microglobulin levels and histopathologic damage scores were lower compared to the UPO group (p?<?0.05).

Conclusion: It is shown in this experimental unilateral partial UPO model that alfuzosin treatment prevents obstructive renal damage.     

Poor outcomes among elderly patients hospitalized for influenza-like illness

Background and objective: Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network is a worldwide initiative that aims to document the burden of influenza infections among acute admissions and vaccine effectiveness in particular countries. As a partner of this platform, we aimed to determine the frequency of influenza infections among acute admissions with influenza-like illness and the outcomes of enrolled patients during the 2015–2016 influenza season in selected hospitals in Turkey.

Patients and methods: The investigators screened the hospital admission registries, chart review or available records, and screened all patients hospitalized in the previous 24–48?hours or overnight in the predefined wards or emergency room. A total of 1351 patients were screened for enrollment in five tertiary care referral hospitals in Ankara and 774 patients (57.3% of the initial screened population) were eligible for swabbing. All of the eligible patients who consented were swabbed and tested for influenza with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods.

Results: Overall, influenza positivity was detected in 142 patients (18.4%). The predominant influenza strain was A H1N1pdm09. Outcomes were worse among elderly patients, regardless of the presence of the influenza virus. Half of the patients over 65 years of age were admitted to the intensive care unit, while one third required any mode of mechanical ventilation and one fourth died in the hospital in that particular episode.

Conclusion: These findings can guide hospitals to plan and prepare for the influenza season. Effective influenza vaccination strategies, particularly aimed at the elderly and adults with chronic diseases, can provide an opportunity for prevention of deaths due to influenza-like illness.     

Acute kidney injury in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

International Urology and Nephrology - Acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients is associated with poor prognosis. However, the incidence, risk factors and potential outcomes of AKI in...     

Rectum mucinous adenocarcinoma metastasis to bilateral breast in a male patient: A case report

A 47‐year‐old male presented to our clinic with complaints of mass in both breasts. In the patient's history, he had undergone low anterior resection for rectum mucinous adenocarcinoma 2 years ago. The masses in both breasts of the patient were excised. Mucinous adenocarcinoma metastases were reported in the pathologic evaluation of the masses. Metastasis should be considered in patients with bilateral breast mass and previously diagnosed cancer even if the patient is male.