Long-term leucine supplementation reduces fat mass gain without changing body protein status of aging rats

ObjectiveAging is characterized by alterations in body composition such as an increase in body fat and decreases in muscle mass (sarcopenia) and bone density (osteopenia). Leucine supplementation has been shown to acutely stimulate protein synthesis and to decrease body fat. However, the long-term effect of consistent leucine supplementation is not well defined. This study investigated the effect of leucine supplementation during aging.MethodsSix-month-old rats were divided into three groups: an adult group (n = 10) euthanized at 6 mo of age, a leucine group (n = 16) that received a diet supplemented with 4% leucine for 40 wk, and a control group (n = 19) that received the control diet for 40 wk. The following parameters were evaluated: body weight, food intake, chemical carcass composition, indicators of acquired chronic diseases, and indicators of protein nutritional status.ResultsBody weight and fat were lower in the leucine group after 40 wk of supplementation compared with the control group but still higher than in the adult group. The lipid and glycemic profiles were equally altered in the control and leucine groups because of aging. In addition, leucine supplementation did not affect the changes in protein status parameters associated with aging, such as decreases in body and muscle protein and total serum protein.ConclusionThe results indicate that leucine supplementation attenuates body fat gain during aging but does not affect risk indicators of acquired chronic diseases. Furthermore, supplemented animals did not show signs of a prevention of the decrease in lean mass associated with aging.     

Magnetresonanzurographie in der Kinderurologie

Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) provides high resolution imaging of the urogenital system and the use of paramagnetic contrast agents enables a functional depiction. This review summarizes existing data concerning this diagnostic procedure in pediatric urology. A systematic search and assessment of the literature was performed. A total of 12 studies were reviewed in detail. In mostly small study populations a great heterogeneity concerning methodology, use of comparative examinations and standards of reference was noted. Besides the quality of anatomical imaging, the functional study of renal excretory function and differential renal function was also assessed. Only a few studies performed statistical analyses. The authors?? rating of MRU was mostly positive. Due to methodical weaknesses, lack of independent standards of reference and statistical analyses the overall level of evidence was low. Further high quality studies will be necessary to assess the value of MRU for the diagnostic workup in pediatric urology.     

Einlage einer perkutanen Nephrostomie im offenen Magnetresonanztomographen

Background

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) tube placement under combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance is a standard procedure in urology. The use of a 1 Tesla open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner enables PCN placement under real-time guidance.

Method

In the present series 51 patients underwent a total of 79 MRI-guided procedures between 2008 and 2012 and 52 interventions were performed after failure of conventional urological manipulation. Of the procedures 55 involved only a minor urine transport disorder (UTD) or none at all.

Results

Puncture and subsequent PCN tube placement were successful in all patients. Extravasation was found in four patients and renal pelvic clots in three. All complications healed without sequelae or further interventions.

Conclusion

The MRI-guided PCN tube placement is an optimal alternative, particularly in cases of limited conventional imaging.     

Irreversible Elektroporation

Background

Local ablation techniques are a major focus of current developments in oncology. The primary aim is to retain organs and preserve organ functions without compromising the oncological outcome.

Method

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel ablation technique that involves the application of high-voltage pulses to induce cell apoptosis without causing thermal damage to the target tissue or adjacent structures.

Aim

First published in 2005 IRE is currently undergoing preclinical and clinical trials in several areas of oncology and the initial results have been promising. The IRE technique could be a significant development in ablation treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but decisive proof of its effectiveness for local RCC has not yet been provided. This study presents the results of preclinical and initial clinical trials which are discussed and compared with those of other ablation techniques in order to demonstrate the current value of IRE.     

Langzeitergebnisse zur subkutanen Detour ?-Harnleiterprothese bei Ureterobstruktion

Background

We present the long-term results of implementation of the Detour? prosthesis as an alternative to established methods of surgical, percutaneous or internal urinary diversion.

Patients and methods

Between 2004 and 2012 a total of 40 prostheses were implanted in 31 patients (mean age 65 years) with ureteral strictures of various origins. In the follow-up the patients underwent examinations and completed questionnaires.

Results

The average follow-up was 23 months (range 1-92 months). Sonographic examinations showed no urinary retention in 38 out of 40 implanted systems. The retention values were stable in 19 patients, improved in 7 and worse in 3. The quality of life (QoL) was high (EORTC QLQ-C30 90%). Intraoperative complications were 2 intestinal lesions and 3 bleeding of the renal-pelvic system. Postoperative urinary tract infections and wound complications were encountered. In the long-term course three infected hydronephroses occurred which were treated and cured with antibiotics and temporary nephrostomy and 4 systems were explanted, including 2 exchanges.

Conclusions

The system may be considered for patients with ureteral strictures with palliative and curative intent. There were no significant disadvantages in comparison with established methods. There were fewer risks in implantation and complications were manageable. The quality of life was significantly improved.     

Iridium 192 implantation of T1 and T2 carcinomas of the mobile tongue

Between 1970 and 1986, 166 patients with T1 or T2 epidermoid carcinomas of the mobile tongue were treated by iridium 192 implantation (70 T1N0, 83 T2N0, 13 T1-2 N1-3). Five-year actuarial survival was 52% for T1N0, 44% for T2aN0, and 8% for or T1-2 N1-3. Cause specific survivals were 90%, 71%, and 46%, respectively. Local control was 87% for both T1N0 and T2N0, and 69% for T1-2 N1-3. Seven of 23 failures were salvaged by surgery, increasing local control to 96% for T1 and 90% for T2. Thirty-six patients developed a minor or moderate necrosis (16% T1, 28% T2). Half of these involved bone but only five required surgical intervention. Both local control (LC) and necrosis (nec) increased with increasing dose but improvement beyond 65 Gy is minimal (less than or equal to 60 Gy: LC = 78% nec = 13%; 65 Gy: LC = 90% nec = 29%; greater than or equal to 70 Gy: LC = 94% nec = 23%). For N0 patients, neck management consisted of surveillance (n = 78), elective neck dissection followed with external irradiation for pathologically positive nodes (n = 72), or irradiation (n = 3). Clinically positive nodes (13 patients) were managed by either neck dissection followed by external irradiation if pathologically positive (n = 10) or irradiation alone (n = 3). Regional control was 79% for N0 patients, improving to 88% after surgical salvage, and was 9/13 for N1-3 patients. We recommend that T1 and T2 carcinomas of the mobile tongue be treated by iridium 192 implantation to deliver 65 Gy. Mandibular necrosis should be reduced by using an intra-oral lead-lined dental mold.     

Absolute determination of molar masses of standard polystyrenes by means of sedimentation-diffusion measurements in cyclohexane

Accurate measurements of the sedimentation coefficients at unit pressure and zero-concentration s, the diffusion coefficients at zero concentration D₀, and the intrinsic viscosities [η] were conducted at theta-conditions (cyclohexane, 34,5°C) on 11 polystryrene standard samples with narrow molar mass distribution. These samples with nominal mass-average molar masses (5 · 10⁴ < M_w < 2 · 10⁶ g · mol^?1), provided by three manufacturers for the use as calibration standards, were the same as in the previous paper of this series summarizing our measurements in toluene. Logarithmic correlations between s, D₀ and [η] are linear with deviations lower than ± 3% and indicate good consistency of all three independent sets of measured quantities. The molar masses M_sD as determined from s and D₀ by means of the Svedberg equation are in very good accordance with those previously determined in toluene, but for most samples the M_sD are lower than the nominal values M_w as given by the manufacturers. For some standards the deviations amount to 15?35% and cannot be explained by experimental errors or by the polydispersity of the samples. On the other hand, two pairs of standards exhibit the same values of s, D₀ and [η] in both solvents, although the nominal molar masses differ by 20%. These results lead to the conclusion that the experimentally determined M_sD values are more reliable characteristics of the standard samples than the nominal M_w values and that the sedimentation-diffusion technique is a powerful, though laborious, tool for an absolute determination of the molar mass.     

Diethyl 2-phenyl-2 tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate: an organotellurium compound with low toxicity

It is well-known that organotellurium compounds can have antioxidant activity in vitro, but in vivo these compounds can be potentially toxic to rodents. Here we investigated the potential in vitro and ex vivo toxicity of a new beta-organochalcogenyl vinylphosphonate, the diethyl 2-phenyl-2 tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate. The in vitro antioxidant activity of this organotellurium compound was also investigated. In vitro, the rate of dithiotreitol (DTT) oxidation was increased and the activity of cerebral, renal and hepatic delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D) was decreased by diethyl 2-phenyl-2-tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate (120-1200 microM), indicating that this compound oxidize-SH groups. The antioxidant activity was also observed in brain, liver and kidney, in very low concentrations (0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10.0 and 40.0 microM), and this capacity was comparable to the antioxidant standard organotellurium compound, diphenyl ditelluride. In vivo, delta-ALA-D activity in liver, kidney and brain of mice treated for 12 days with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as vehicle, 25, 75 or 250 micromol/kg of diethyl 2-phenyl-2-tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate was not affected. Furthermore, only one animal treated with the highest dose died, whereas all animals treated with diphenyl ditteluride died in the fourth day. These results suggest that this novel organotellurium compound interacts with the sulfhydryl groups, however only at higher doses when compared with diphenyl ditelluride. Since diethyl 2-phenyl-2 tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate had low toxicity to mice after sub-chronic exposure, it becomes important to investigate its possible pharmacological properties.     

Henoch-Schönlein purpura and Crohn's disease in a family

A 16-year-old female who underwent an appendicectomy had terminal segmental ileitis, and developed Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) a few days later. Her brother had suffered from post-infection HSP, while her mother has suffered from Crohn's disease. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing in the patient disclosed the DRB1*11 allele, which has been reported to be associated with HSP, but the brother proved negative, suggesting that this allele was irrelevant to the HSP pathogenesis. The patient and the other relatives did not disclose HLA DRB1*01, which is the only class II phenotype reported to be associated with both diseases. While this case report lends support to the idea that the earlier observation of concomitant Crohn's disease and HSP in the same patients is no chance association, it suggests that if the two pathological conditions share a common genetic background, this does not seem to be related to class II HLA phenotypes. Other, as yet unknown genes could be involved.