Comparison of laparoscopic and open donor nephrectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Authors from Iran compare various outcomes between laparoscopic and open donor nephrectomy in kidney transplantation; they carried out a large comparative trial, and found that laparoscopic donor nephrectomy gave better donor satisfaction and morbidity, with equivalent graft outcome. OBJECTIVE: To compare the graft survival, donor and recipient outcome, donor satisfaction, and complications of laparoscopic (LDN) and open donor nephrectomy (ODN) in kidney transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 100 cases each of LDN and ODN were compared. We modified the standard LDN procedure to make it less expensive. RESULTS: The mean (sd) operative duration was 152.2 (33.9) min for ODN and 270.8 (58.5) min for LDN, and the mean duration of kidney warm ischaemia was 1.87 min for ODN and 8.7 min for LDN. Only one LDN required conversion to ODN because of bleeding. The mean follow-up in the LDN and ODN groups was not significantly different (406.1 vs 403.8 days). The mean (sd) score for donor satisfaction was 17.3 (3.5) for ODN and 19.6 (1.0) for LDN. The rate of ureteric complications was 2% for ODN and none for LDN. As determined by serum creatinine levels at 3, 21-30, 90, 180 and 365 days after surgery, graft function was not significantly different between ODN and LDN. Long-term graft survival was 93.8% for LDN and 92.7% for ODN. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to ODN, LDN was associated with greater donor satisfaction, less morbidity and equivalent graft outcome.     

Hydrocephalus and racemose cysticercosis: surgical alternative by endoscopic third ventriculostomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hydrocephalus is a frequent and potentially serious complication of neurocysticercosis. Its treatment often requires ventricular shunting. The complication rate is high due to obstruction or material infection, which may justify endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). OBSERVATION: We report a case of obstructive hydrocephalus in a 46-year-old man in the context of racemose cysticercosis, presenting with headaches and transient disorders of consciousness. Imaging showed cystic lesions of the cisterna magna, responsible for hydrocephalus which was treated effectively by ETV. Treatment with albendazole decreased the volume of the cisterna magna cysts. RESULTS: The patient was followed for 6 years after ETV with no recurrence of hydrocephalus despite two more symptomatic episodes of the disease with extension of the cysts into the lumen of the fourth ventricle and into the perispinal subarachnoid spaces, effectively treated by albendazole each time. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to cerebral racemose cysticercosis by ETV seems to be an effective and safety technique. The role of ETV should be evaluated in this indication.     

Evolution of tuberculosis control and prospects for reducing tuberculosis incidence, prevalence, and deaths globally

Christopher Dye, DPhil; Catherine J. Watt, DPhil; Daniel M. Bleed, MD; S. Mehran Hosseini, MD; Mario C. Raviglione, MD

JAMA. 2005;293:2767-2775.

Context  The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are stimulating more rigorous evaluations of the impact of DOTS (the WHO-recommended approach to tuberculosis control based on 5 essential elements) and other possible strategies for tuberculosis (TB) control.

Objective  To evaluate the prospects for detecting 70% of new sputum smear–positive cases and successfully treating 85% of these by the end of 2005, for reducing TB incidence, and for halving TB prevalence and deaths globally between 1990 and 2015, as specified by the MDGs.

Data Sources  TB case notifications (1980-2003) from DOTS and non-DOTS programs and cohort treatment outcomes (1994-2002) reported annually to the World Health Organization (WHO) by up to 200 countries, TB death registrations, and prevalence surveys of infection and disease.

Study Selection  Case notification series that reflect trends in incidence, treatment outcomes from DOTS cohorts, death statistics from countries with WHO-validated vital registration systems, and national prevalence surveys of infection and disease.

Data Extraction  Case reports, treatment outcomes, prevalence surveys, and death registrations from WHO's global TB database covering 1990-2003 to estimate TB incidence, prevalence, and death rates through 2015 for 9 epidemiologically different world regions.

Data Synthesis  TB incidence increased globally in 2003, but incidence, prevalence, and death rates were approximately stable or decreased in 7 of 9 regions. The exceptions were regions of Africa with low (<4% in adults 15-49 years) and high rates (4%) of HIV infection. The global detection rate of new smear-positive cases by DOTS programs increased from 11% in 1995 to 45% in 2003 (with the lowest case-detection rates in Eastern Europe and the highest rates in the Western Pacific) and could reach 60% by 2005. More than 17 million patients were treated in DOTS programs between 1994 and 2003, with overall treatment success rates more than 80% since 1998. In 2003, overall reported treatment success was 82%, with much variation among regions. The highest rates were reported in the Western Pacific region (89%) and lowest rates in African countries with high and low HIV infection rates (71% and 74%, respectively), in established market economies (77%), and in Eastern Europe (75%). To halve the prevalence rate by 2015, TB control programs must reach global targets for detection (70%) and treatment success (85%) and also reduce the incidence rate by at least 2% annually. To halve the death rate, incidence must decrease more steeply, by at least 5% to 6% annually.

Conclusion  Reduction of TB incidence, prevalence, and deaths by 2015 could be achieved in most of the world, but the challenge will be greatest in Africa and Eastern Europe.

     

Eine vereinfachte Methode zur Therapie der Quadrizepssehnenruptur mittels transpatellarer PDS-Kordel

Quadriceps tendon ruptures are relatively unusual injuries caused by direct or more frequently indirect trauma. Since complete ruptures lead to loss of active extension of the knee joint, operative treatment is usually indicated. Several techniques are described in the literature. However, relatively little is known about the functional outcome after operative treatment of acute quadriceps tendon ruptures. We present a new operative technique using a 1.3-mm PDS cord passed through a transverse drill hole in the proximal pole of the patella. We operated ten consecutive cases of complete quadriceps tendon ruptures with the technique described between January 2000 and June 2003. Eight of ten patients were evaluated after a mean follow-up time of 38 months by physical examination, IKDC Subjective score, Lysholm and Tegner score as well as an isokinetic test of the quadriceps strength. No complications were noted in this period. The average postoperative scores were 87 (IKDC), 98 (Lysholm), and 4.5 (Tegner). Isokinetic testing showed an average of 25% quadriceps strength deficit. The operative treatment of complete quadriceps tendon ruptures using a PDS cord through a drill hole in the patella is a safe and effective technique permitting functional postoperative treatment.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of Iranian tomato yellow leaf curl virus isolate: further evidence for natural recombination amongst begomoviruses

Summary. Complete nucleotide sequence of the Iranian strain of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV-IR) was determined and compared with some begomoviruses. The complete sequence of TYLCV-IR clustered together with TYLCV and TYLCV-MId from Israel. A similar relationship holds when the deduced amino acid sequences of V1, V2, C2 and C3 and nucleotide sequences of IR, and RIR were compared. In contrast, phylogenetic analyses of amino acid sequences of C4, C1, and nucleotide sequences of LIR revealed that TYLCV-IR clustered with TLCIRV and two Indian species: ToLCBV- [Ban4], and ToLCKV. The phylogenetic analyses, Recombination Detection Program analyses, and sequence alignment survey provided evidence of the occurrence of recombination between an Israeli TYLCV-MId, as major parent, and TLCIRV, as minor parent. In this recombination event, a region (from nt 2149 to 2766) of TYLCV-MId genome were replaced with corresponding genome sequences of TLCIRV (RDP P-value = 5.976 × 10^–72), which include LIR, C4, and N-terminal of C1. Infectivity of the cloned TYLCV-IR genome was demonstrated by successful agroinoculation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and other plant species. The disease was transmitted by the natural vector Bemisia tabaci from agroinoculated plants to test plants, reproducing in this way the full biological cycle and proving that the genome of TYLCV-IR consists of only one circular single-stranded DNA molecule.     

Identification of Helicobacter pylori DNA in Iranian patients with gallstones

In order to identify Helicobacter in gallstones of Iranian patients with biliary disease, gallstone and bile samples from 33 patients were subjected to rapid urease test, culture and Multiplex PCR using primers based on 16s rRNA and isocitrate dehydrogenase genes for the identification of Helicobacter genus and H. pylori respectively. This PCR was also done on bile samples from 40 autopsied gallbladders with normal pathology (control group). In 18.1% of stone and 12.1% of bile samples, H. pylori DNA was detected using PCR. Rapid urease and culture tests were negative for all samples. The PCR was negative in the control group. In conclusion, H. pylori DNA was detected in stone samples of Iranian patients with gallstones but we are not sure of their viability. To clarify the clinical role of Helicobacter in gallbladder diseases, studies using accurate tests on larger patient and control groups are needed to ascertain whether this microorganism is an innocent bystander or active participant in gallstone formation.     

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis in a family with early-onset dystonia and optic atrophy.

The combination of optic atrophy and dystonia has been etiologically associated with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. We report here on the complete mtDNA sequence from the proband of a consanguineous family exhibiting "mitochondrial-like" optic atrophy and dystonia. A candidate tRNA(Gly) mutation was identified that was unique to the family. However, the mutation was homoplasmic in both affected and unaffected family members and we were unable to demonstrate a biochemical defect in patient mitochondria. Hence, it is unlikely that a mtDNA mutation accounts for the phenotype in this family.     

Biochemical and ultrastructural evidences for toxicity of lead through free radicals in rat brain

Studies suggest that some lead-induced toxic effects may occur through free radical production and oxidative stress. This study examined the relationship between brain histopathological alterations and oxidative stress in subchronic lead exposure. Male Albino rats received lead acetate at 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.1% w/v in their drinking water for 30 days. Animals given sodium acetate (0.1% w/v) served as control in the same period. At the end of exposure, blood-lead levels, blood catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content (in blood and brain) were measured. The brain tissue samples were prepared and analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that, the blood-lead levels in treated animals were higher in comparison with control. CAT and SOD activities in animals treated with 0.01% and 0.05% w/v did not increase in comparison with control (P > 0.05) but these values were higher in animals treated with 0.1% w/v lead acetate (P < 0.01). MDA content in blood and brain of animals treated with lead acetate 0.1% w/v, increased significantly (P <0.01), but these values were not significantly increased in other treated animals. No major histopathological alterations were detected in the brains of animals treated with lead acetate at 0.01% and 0.05% w/v. In animals treated with lead acetate 0.1% w/v, demyelinization and collagenous scar formation with neuronal atrophy in hippocampus region was observed. It is concluded that lead acetate induce oxidative stress which has an important role in brain damage in rats.