Effect of Pretransplant Infections on Clinical Outcomes in Live-Donor Liver Transplant Recipients

Owing to impaired immune function, surgical procedures, and multiple hospitalizations, patients with end-stage liver disease are at risk for numerous infectious complications while waiting for transplantation. Infection in transplant recipients remains the main cause of mortality and morbidity, despite advances in surgical techniques and the development of new repressive agents. The purpose of this study is to examine the infections that develop during the pretransplantion period in live donor liver transplant recipients and their effect on post-transplant clinical outcomes.The retrospective analysis of adult live donor liver transplant recipients in the last 4 years was conducted at Ankara University Hospital, a 1900-bed tertiary-care university hospital, in Ankara, Turkey. Demographic characteristics, preoperative infections, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they had developed an infection before transplantation. The diagnoses were based on clinical, laboratory, and microbiological findings. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 9.0 (StataCorp, College Station, Tex., United States), and P < .05 were considered statistically significant.In univariate analyses, having diabetes mellitus or a pretransplant infection, the number of pretransplant infection attacks, the need for a reoperation, and developing a post-transplant infection were the statistically significant factors associated with 1-year mortality (P < .001, χ² test). In multivariate analyses, diabetes mellitus (Odds ratio [OR] = 7.44, 95% confidence interval [CI], .03–45.79; P = .013), reoperation (OR = .33, 95% CI, .25–2.20; P < .001), having a pretransplantation infection (OR = 12.47, 95% CI, .011–87.67; P = .013), and the number of pretransplantation infection attacks (OR = .028, 95% CI, .013–.47; P < .001) were found to be statistically significant risk factors for 1-year mortality.Our study showed the effect of pretransplantation infections on post-transplant morbidity but not on rejection or mortality. According to the situation of patients, manageable pretransplantation infection is not an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation. Awareness of the increased risk for post-transplant infections and fast-acting antimicrobial coverage are the most important facts for patient survival.     

Vesiculobullous eruption of the right arm after intravenous clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. In clinical trials, adverse drug reactions of clarithromycin are usually mild and transient. Only 1% of the adverse reactions are severe. Herein, we present a case with vesiculobullous skin reaction and vein thrombosis caused by administration of intravenous clarithromycin.     

Changes in intraocular pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in intraocular pressures (IOP) in patients who underwent pulsatile and non-pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods

A total of 42 patients operated for elective coronary bypass surgery (CABG) on CPB were randomly allocated to pulsatile (Group P) and non-pulsatile (Group N) groups. Pulsatile flow was applied to Group P patients during crops-clamp period. The IOP measurements were made before and after the induction of anesthesia, before the onset of CPB, on the 5th, 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th min of CPB, after CPB and at the end of the operation. The results of repetitive measurements were analyzed at different intervals and in two groups.

Results

The second IOP measurements of right and left eyes displayed statistically significant decreases from the baseline level [11.9 ± 2.9 (p = 0.0001) and 12.5 ± 3.2 (p = 0.0001), respectively]. The significant decrease in the IOP values persisted in the repeated measurements except for the 5th min of CPB values [17.0 ± 3.5 (p = 0.346) and 16.7 ± 3.6 (p = 0.399)]. Comparison of two groups demonstrated significant differences at pre-CPB (right 12.8 ± 2.3 vs. 10.8 ± 2.4; p = 0.013 and left 13.3 ± 2.4 vs. 11.5 ± 2.5; p = 0.023), and 5th min of CPB measurements (right 18.5 ± 3.1 vs. 15.9 ± 3.4; p = 0.015; left 18.2 ± 3.0 vs. 15.7 ± 3.6; p = 0.019).

Conclusion

We noted a steady decrease in repeated IOP measurements except for the transient increase in CPB values on 5th min. The IOP values were higher in pulsatile CPB group in pre-CPB and 5th min of CPB measurements; however, the difference was not significant in the repeated measurements.

     

Multiple repeat caesarean deliveries: do they increase maternal and neonatal morbidity?

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of the increased number of caesarean deliveries (CDs) in cases of multiple repeat caesarean deliveries (MRCDs) on maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Methods: MRCDs admitted to our hospital between January 2013 and September 2014 were analysed retrospectively. A total number of 1133 women were included in the study and were divided into 4 groups. Group 1: second CDs (n?=?329); Group 2: third CDs (n?=?225); Group 3: fourth CDs (n?=?447); Group 4: fifth CDs (n?=?132). The clinical, demographic, intraoperative and postoperative data of the patients were registered upon the review of patient files.

Results: The differences among the groups were found to be statistically significant in terms of mean maternal age, gravida, APGAR (Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration) scores, hospital stay and operation time. In addition, the difference was also statistically significant for severe adhesion, bladder injury and premature birth. No statistically significant difference was observed among the groups with respect to placenta previa, placenta accreta, caesarean hysterectomy, uterine scar rupture.

Conclusions: According to our findings, MRCDs seem to increasing the maternal and neonatal morbidity even though they are not life-threatening.     

Novel markers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in Behçet’s disease patients with ocular involvement: epicardial fat thickness,carotid intima media thickness,serum ADMA level,and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio

The etiology of Behçet’s disease (BD) has not been fully elucidated. However, immunological and environmental factors, endothelial dysfunction (ED), and genetic susceptibility have been proposed to play a role. In this study, we aimed to evaluate epicardial fat thickness (EFT) together with serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in BD patients with ocular involvement. Thirty-six ocular BD patients (17 active and 19 inactive ocular involvement), and 35 age and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled to this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent examinations with transthoracic echocardiography and carotid Doppler ultrasound. Serum ADMA levels, CIMT, EFT, and NLR were compared between groups, and their association with disease activity was evaluated. Behçet’s disease patients had higher WBC counts, neutrophil counts, NLR, CIMT, EFT values, and serum ADMA levels than do healthy controls. The other biochemical, hematological, and echocardiographic parameters were comparable between the two groups. Behçet’s disease duration was positively correlated with EFT and CIMT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that increased serum ADMA concentration and CIMT are independently associated with BD. Neutrophil counts, NLR, and serum ADMA level were higher, and lymphocyte count was lower in patients with active ocular BD compared to those of inactive ocular BD group. Carotid intima media thickness, serum ADMA level, EFT, and NLR were increased in ocular BD patients compared to healthy subjects. In addition, both serum ADMA level and NLR were associated with disease activity of ocular involvement. Increase in disease duration was associated with increase in CIMT and EFT which suggests that anatomical changes occur in time during the disease course. Increased CIMT, serum ADMA level, EFT, and NLR may provide new clues about the role of ED and inflammation in the etiopathogenesis of BD.     

Effect of a new restoration technique on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth

Abstract –  The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a new fiber-reinforced composite restoration technique on fracture resistance in endodontically treated premolars. Eighty sound extracted human mandibular premolars were assigned to four groups ( n  = 20). Group 1 did not receive any treatment. In groups 2, 3 and 4, the teeth received root canal treatment and a mesio-occluso-distal cavity preparation. Group 2 was kept unrestored. Group 3 was restored with a dentin bonding system and composite resin. In group 4, a piece of polyethylene ribbon fiber was inserted into the groove in a buccal to lingual direction during the restoration of teeth with dentin bonding system and composite resin. After finishing and polishing, the specimens were stored in 100% humidity at 37°C for 24 h and placed at an angle of 45° to the long axis of the tooth and subjected to compressive loading in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm min⁻¹. The load necessary to fracture the samples was recorded in Newton (N) and submitted to Kruskal–Wallis anova and Mann–Whitney U -test. The fracture strength of the teeth reinforced with a combination of polyethylene fiber and composite resin were not significantly different than those that were restored with only composite resin ( P  > 0.05). However, most of the failure modes of the reinforced teeth were limited to the level of the enamel, while the other three groups showed fractures generally at the level of the dentin, cemento-enamel junction or more below ( P  < 0.05). Therefore, polyethylene ribbon fiber-reinforced composite resin restorations seemed a more reliable restorative technique than traditional composite restorations for extensive cavities.     

Restoring function and esthetics in a patient with amelogenesis imperfecta: a case report.

Amelogenesis imperfecta is a hereditary disorder that affects enamel on primary and permanent teeth. It is a rare dental disease but represents a major restorative challenge for the dentist. A 14-year-old boy presented with sensitive, discolored, and mutilated teeth and a decreased vertical dimension of occlusion. The aim of treatment was to reduce dental sensitivity, to restore esthetics, and to correct the vertical dimension of occlusion. To modify the occlusion, and to protect the dentin from chemical and thermal attacks, nickel-chrome onlays were placed on the molars. To improve the esthetics of the incisors and premolars, resin composite restorations were applied. The patient was regularly recalled during the postoperative period. Radiographic and clinical examinations 10 months posttreatment revealed no evidence of disorders associated with the restored teeth or their supporting structures.