Outcomes of Kidney Transplantations From the Same Deceased Donor to Two Different Recipients: A Single-Center Experience

Background

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment method for end-stage renal disease. Technically, left kidney transplantation is easier than right kidney, and the complication rates in the right are higher than the left kidney. We performed 28 kidney transplantations from 14 deceased donors between November 2010 and May 2016. Our aim was to share our outcomes and experiences about these 28 patients.

The relationship between the MEFV genotype, clinical features, and cytokine-inflammatory activities in patients with familial mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by periodic attacks of fever and polyserositis. The effects of the MEFV genotype differences on clinical picture and inflammatory activity have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate levels of conventional inflammation markers, procalcitonin, interleukin levels, TNF-alpha, and C5a levels in patients with FMF who had different MEFV genotypes and compare them with those of healthy subjects. The study consisted of 41 patients with FMF (F/M: 23/18), and 31 healthy subjects (F/M: 18/13). Tests were performed during the attack-free period. White-blood cell count, CRP and IL-8 levels were higher in patients with FMF than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05) and also higher in M680I carriers than in the patients with M694V allele carriers. However, ESR, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, IL-6, C5a, TNF-alpha, and IgD levels were not significantly different between patients and healthy subjects (p > 0.05). Arthralgia or arthritis was significantly higher in M694V carriers than in non-M694V carriers (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the clinical features and inflammatory-cytokine activities were higher in patients with FMF during the attack-free period than in healthy subjects, and the different genotype might be related to different clinical pictures.     

Ideal screw entry point and projection angles for posterior lateral mass fixation of the atlas: an anatomical study

Although various posterior insertion angles for screw insertion have been proposed for C1 lateral mass, substantial conclusions have not been reached regarding ideal angles and average length of the screw yet. We aimed to re-consider the morphometry and the ideal trajections of the C1 screw. Morphometric analysis was performed on 40 Turkish dried atlas vertebrae obtained from the Department of Anatomy at the Medical School of Ankara University. The quantitative anatomy of the screw entry zone, trajectories, and the ideal lengths of the screws were calculated to evaluate the feasibility of posterior screw fixation of the lateral mass of the atlas. The entry point into the lateral mass of the atlas is the intersection of the posterior arch and the C1 lateral mass. The optimum medial angle is 13.5 ± 1.9° and maximal angle of medialization is 29.4 ± 3.0°. The ideal cephalic angle is 15.2 ± 2.6°, and the maximum cephalic angle is 29.6 ± 2.6°. The optimum screw length was found to be 19.59 ± 2.20 mm. With more than 30° of medial trajections and cephalic trajections the screw penetrates into the spinal canal and atlantooccipital joint, respectively. Strikingly, in 52% of our specimens, the height of the inferior articular process was under 3.5 mm, and in 70% was under 4 mm, which increases the importance of the preparation of the screw entry site. For accommodation of screws of 3.5-mm in diameter, the starting point should be taken as the insertion of the posterior arch at the superior end of the inferior articular process with a cephalic trajection. This study may aid many surgeons in their attempts to place C1 lateral mass screws.     

Individualization of the biopsy protocol according to the prostate gland volume for prostate cancer detection

PURPOSE: In this study we assessed the relative yield of 10 core biopsy, and the whole range of alternative 8 and 6 core biopsy protocols over that of the classic sextant biopsy protocol. We determined the optimum number of cores per biopsy according to prostate volume in patients who experienced prostate biopsy for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 503 men with the indications of abnormal digital rectal examination and/or serum prostate specific antigen greater than 2.5 ng/ml were included in the study. All patients underwent a 10 core biopsy protocol with an additional 1 core from each suspicious area detected by transrectal ultrasound. Prostate volume was divided into quartiles, namely 14.9 to 35, 35.1 to 50, 50.1 to 65 and 65.1 to 150 cc. The optimum number of biopsy cores was determined in patients with different prostate volumes. RESULTS: Median age was 63 years and prostate specific antigen was 7.4 ng/ml in the whole group. Of 503 patients 159 (31.6%) were positive for prostate cancer. Cancer detection rates decreased significantly from 49.6% to 20.8% as prostate volume increased in preset quartiles. Lesion biopsies revealed the lowest unique cancer detection rates for all prostate volume quartiles (0% to 3%). There was an obvious positive trend in cancer detection rates in favor of the 10 core biopsy protocol over sextant biopsies in all patient groups. Classic sextant biopsy protocol proved to be inadequate for all prostate volumes. Among sextant biopsy protocols laterally placed cores including the apex, lateral mid gland and lateral base had the best cancer detection rates (81% to 95%). The 8 core biopsy scheme consisting of the apex, mid gland, lateral mid gland and lateral base resulted in an only 1% lower detection rate (97%) than the 10 core biopsy protocol in the lowest quartile. The yield of the 10 core biopsy protocol in patients with a prostate volume of between 35.1 and 150 cc outscored that of the optimal 8 core biopsy scheme including the apex, base, lateral mid gland and lateral base with 3% to 8% differences in the cancer detection rate. CONCLUSIONS: The 10 core biopsy protocol must be used in all group of patients except patients with a prostate volume of 14.9 to 35 cc. In patients with a prostate volume of 14.9 to 35 cc the 8 core biopsy protocol consisting of the apex, mid gland, lateral mid gland and lateral base can be used since it revealed results similar to those of the 10 core biopsy protocol. The classic sextant biopsy protocol seemed inadequate for all prostate volumes. Patients with a larger prostate had lower cancer detection rates. Transrectal ultrasound directed lesion biopsies may be omitted when using 10 core biopsy protocols since the yield of these biopsies was less than 2%.     

A peripheric neuromodulation technique for curing detrusor overactivity: Stoller afferent neurostimulation

OBJECTIVE: To perform Stoller afferent neurostimulation (SANS) with and without a low-dose anticholinergic (oxybutynin hydrochloride) in patients with detrusor overactivity and compare the results obtained with the two therapeutic approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 43 patients with symptoms of detrusor overactivity (frequency, urgency, urge incontinence) underwent urodynamic studies (UDS). Those in whom UDS revealed phasic detrusor overactivity were evaluated using a quality of life questionnaire and voiding diaries. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group 1 received SANS alone; Group 2 received SANS combined with a low-dose anticholinergic (5 mg of oral oxybutynin hydrochloride). Both groups were re-evaluated following 8 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: There were 21 patients in Group 1 and 22 in Group 2. The treatment response rate was 61.6% and 83.2% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. In both groups, the best symptomatic improvements were obtained in patients with urge incontinence. The percentage decreases in the mean number of symptoms of frequency and urgency were 36.7% and 46.1%, respectively in Group 1 and 44.2% and 61.1%, respectively in Group 2. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the effects on frequency and urgency between the two groups. The anticholinergic drug was well tolerated by all patients in Group 2. One patient reported local tenderness, and a small hematoma developed in another following SANS therapy. CONCLUSION: SANS is an easy and inexpensive therapeutic method with low morbidity in patients with an overactive bladder. Combination with a low-dose anticholinergic increases the success rate without causing any significant side-effects.     

Trace metal levels in lichen samples from roadsides in East Black Sea region, Turkey

Objective To determine the metal contents of lichen species from East Black Sea region of Turkey for investigation of trace metal pollution sourced traffic. Methods The levels of copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, manganese, iron, chromium, nickel, cobalt, palladium in lichen samples collected from East Black Sea region of Turkey were determined by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion method. The accuracy of the method was corrected by standard reference material (NIST SRM IAEA-336 Lichen). Results The contents of investigated trace metals in lichen samples were 7.19-22.4 μg/g for copper, 0.10-0.64 μg/g for cadmium, 4.03-44.6 μg/g for lead, 14.5-41.8 μg/g for zinc, 25.8-208 μg/g for manganese, 331-436 μg/g for iron, 1.20-3.01 μg/g for chromium, 1.48-3.90 μg/g for nickel, 0.20-3.55 μg/g for cobalt, 0.11-0.64 μg/g for palladium. The results were compared with the literature values. Conclusion Some lichen species such as Xanthoparmelia conspersa, Xanthoria calcicola, Peltigera membranacea, and Physcia adscendens are accumulated trace metals at a high ratio.     

The role of surface ECG and transthoracic echocardiography for predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (ECHO) for prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: This study was conducted from 2002-2004 at the Cardiovascular Department of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. Seventy consecutive patients were enrolled in this study that underwent elective CABG. A 12-lead ECG was recorded one day before cardiac surgery and was repeated during the 5 days after CABG. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was defined as the difference between maximum and minimum P-wave duration. Differences in P-wave duration were compared between the pre- and postoperative 12-lead ECG measurements. RESULTS: Postoperative AF developed in 17 (24%) cases of 70 patients. The PWD was found to be significantly higher in patients with AF preoperatively (60+/-19 versus 47+/-13, p=0.003), postoperative first day (56+/-12 versus 44+/-11, p<0.002) and fifth day (51+/-29 versus 41+/-11, p<0.001). Patients with AF were significantly older, the mean age of the AF group was (68+/-7) years and of the sinus rhythm (SR) group was (59+/-10 years) (p<0.001). The AF group had left ventricular systolic dysfunction (56+/-13% versus 56+/-8%, p=0.042, preoperatively; 49+/-8% versus 60+/-10%, p=0.001, postoperatively) and a larger left atrium (46+/-5 versus 39+/-5 mm, p<0.001, preoperatively and 44+/-7 versus 39+/-5 mm, p=0.046, postoperatively) than the SR group. CONCLUSION: This prospective study demonstrated that PWD on surface ECG and additional echocardiographic parameters are simple and reliable indexes to predict the development of AF after CABG.     

Mini-open technique for the achilles tenotomy in correction of idiopathic clubfoot: a report of 25 cases

Achilles tenotomy is performed for the residual equinus deformity in the Ponseti method of clubfoot treatment. In the present article, we describe a mini-open Achilles tenotomy technique to prevent complications that could occur during tenotomy. This technique was performed on 15 patients (25 feet) during a 3-year period in our clinic on patients whose equinus deformities could not have been corrected by manipulations. Clear improvement (mean angle, 30 degrees ) was observed in equinus in our patients, and we have not seen any complication in this method. We conclude that direct visualizing of the tendon with mini-open incision may reduce the risk of neurovascular injury, especially for surgeons who are not experienced.     

Long‐term follow‐up effect of omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria and its association with serum C‐reactive protein levels

This study aims to determine the efficacy of omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti‐immunoglobulin E antibody, in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) refractory to conventional therapy, together with the evaluation of serum CRP levels. All the patients with a diagnosis of CSU who were continuously treated with omalizumab (300 mg/mo) for at least 3 months between June 2016 and July 2019 were included in this study. Urticaria activity score (UAS‐7) was used for assessment of disease activity. Serum CRP levels were also retrospectively analyzed. When UAS‐7 scores before the initiation of therapy were compared to the week 4, 12, 24, and 36 scores after the treatment, each were significantly different from the pretreatment results (P < .01). CRP level prior to treatment was found to be strongly correlated with baseline UAS scores of the patients' (P = .00). At the 12th week of treatment, decline of CRP level was positively and strongly correlated with the decline of UAS (P = .037). In this study, mean UAS decreased, mean rescue medication use declined, and overall therapeutic response improved with omalizumab treatment. Additionally, significant correlation between the decline of CRP levels and treatment response was found.     

Atypical MRI features of intraorbital metastatic melanoma

A 78-year-old man with a history of melanoma presented with a 2-week history of diplopia, pain, and intermittent blurriness in his right eye. Imaging showed a multicystic mass within the right lateral rectus muscle that was biopsy-proven metastatic melanoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of orbital metastasis from melanoma presenting as a multicystic mass intrinsic to the extraocular muscle with layering fluid-fluid levels.