Iloprost downregulates expression of adhesion molecules and reduces renal injury induced by abdominal aortic ischemia-reperfusion

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of iloprost in renal injury induced by abdominal aortic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and how it can modulate the expression of adhesion molecules during this effect. Twenty-four Wistar-Albino rats were randomized into three groups (n=8) as follows: control (sham laparotomy), aortic IR (120 min ischemia and 120 min reperfusion), and aortic IR + iloprost (0.45 microg/kg/hr intravenous infusion during 120 min reperfusion). Blood and renal tissue samples were obtained for biochemical analysis. A histological evaluation with both hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunostaining was also done. Biochemical analyses showed that aortic IR significantly increased (p<0.05 vs. control) whereas iloprost significantly decreased (p<0.05 vs. aortic IR) plasma levels of malondialdehyde, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-I), and tissue levels of malondialdehyde and catalase. Histological evaluation with immunostaining showed that aortic IR significantly increased (p<0.05 vs. control) whereas iloprost significantly decreased (p<0.05 vs. aortic IR) the immunoreactivity of P-selectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, CD11b, CD18, and ICAM-1. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that iloprost also attenuated the morphological changes associated with aortic IR. The results of this study show that iloprost reduces renal injury induced by aortic IR in rats and downregulates expression of adhesion molecules at both the local and systemic levels after aortic IR during this protective effect.     

Removal of clival chordoma in an adolescent thorough combned pterional transsylvian and anterior temporal approach

Extensive and aggressive surgical removal is treatment of choice for patients who have chordomas of the cranial base. Well-developed microsurgical techniques, as well as good surgical judgment learned from experience are essential to avoid major morbidity. A 14-year-old female presented with progressive headaches and diplopia for three months. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well-circumscribed mass in the clival region. The mass was totally excised via right combined pterional transsylvian and anterior temporal approach (+ orbitozygomatic osteotomy). The tumor was located extradurally. The resected tumor had the typical histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of chordoma. No radiation therapy or chemotherapy was administered.     

Statistical shape analysis of the rat hippocampus in epilepsy

In this study, we aimed to (1) propose landmarks for the hippocampus in a rat brain using an experimental study and (2) investigate hippocampus shape changes in a rat brain with epilepsy using the statistical shape analysis method. We have used the statistical shape analysis method to illustrate hippocampal shape deformation due to epilepsy. Statistical shape analysis is of increasing interest to the neuroimaging community because of its potential for locating morphological changes. Nineteen rat brains (ten healthy and nine epileptic) with hematoxylin and eosin images of the hippocampus were used. The results strongly indicated that the normalized hippocampal shape of the epileptic group was different from the nonepileptic group; deformation was seen most significantly in the medial regions of the cornu ammonis (CA1 and CA3) of the hippocampus. In conclusion, our landmark-based methodology detected regional differences in the hippocampus in epilepsy. This study may serve as an initial reference for future studies on shape alteration of the hippocampus associated with certain medical conditions.     

99mTc-d-penicillamine-glucuronide: synthesis, radiolabeling, in vitro and in vivo evaluation

The current study was aimed at synthesizing a glucuronide derivative of D-penicillamine (D-PA) to be used for imaging purposes. First of all, D-PA-glucuronide (D-PA-Glu) was synthesized by experimental treatments starting with uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase enzyme rich microsome preparate. Then, the synthesized compound was labeled with technetium ((99m)Tc) by using a reduction method with stannous chloride. Quality controls were performed by using high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer radio chromatography (TLRC). Radiolabeling yield of (99m)Tc-D-PA-Glu was more than 98% according to TLRC results. In vitro evaluations of radiolabeled complexes were investigated on PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. (99m)Tc-D-PA-Glu exhibited more accumulation on PC-3 cells versus (99m)Tc-D-PA at 240 minutes. In order to determine its radiopharmaceutical potential, biodistribution studies were carried out in male Albino Wistar rats. The biodistribution results of (99m)Tc-D-PA-Glu, showed the highest uptake in prostate at 120 minutes postinjection with the main excretion route being through kidneys and bladder. (99m)Tc-D-PA-Glu and (99m)Tc-D-PA have exhibited different biodistribution results.     

Verrucous hemangioma of the glans penis

Verrucous hemangioma (VH) is a hyperkeratotic lesion usually presenting in infancy, occurring primarily on the extremities. We report a 5-year-old boy with VH in the glans penis and discuss briefly the hyperkeratotic vascular stains, which constitute a heterogenous group. During a 7-year follow-up, the patient received various local treatments, but the lesion regrew to its original size after each treatment until the second deep excision after which no more recurrences have been observed for 3 years now. VH in this location has never been reported.     

ADMA levels correlate with proteinuria, secondary amyloidosis, and endothelial dysfunction

Asymmetric dimethyl-arginine (ADMA), a residue of the proteolysis of arginine-methylated proteins, is a potent inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis. The increased protein turnover that accompanies proteinuric secondary amyloidosis may increase circulating levels of ADMA, and this may contribute to endothelial dysfunction. We performed a cross-sectional study of 121 nondiabetic proteinuric patients with normal GFR (including 39 patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria and secondary amyloidosis) and 50 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls. The proteinuric patients had higher levels of serum ADMA, symmetric dimethyl-arginine (SDMA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment index) than controls. Compared with controls, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), serum L-Arginine, and the L-Arginine/ADMA ratio were significantly lower among proteinuric patients, suggesting greater endothelial dysfunction. When patients with secondary amyloidosis were compared with patients with glomerulonephritis who had similar levels of proteinuria, those with amyloidosis had higher ADMA and SDMA levels and lower L-Arginine/ADMA ratios and FMD measurements (P < 0.001 for all). Finally, even after adjusting for confounders, ADMA level correlated with both proteinuria and the presence of secondary amyloidosis, and was an independent predictor of FMD. We propose that ADMA synthesis may be increased in chronic kidney disease, especially in secondary amyloidosis, and this may explain part of the mechanism by which proteinuria increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.