Leucine aminopeptidase enzymuria: Quantification of renal tubular damage following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

To evaluate the extent of renal parenchymal injury following high energy shock wave (HESW) application we measured the urine levels of two renal tubular brush border enzymes: leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) the day before, 24 hours and 7 days after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in 23 patients. All patients had caliceal stones and were treated with a Dornier MPL 9000 lithotriptor under sedoanalgesia. Creatinine concentration of each sample together with total shock wave effect (TSWE) values were also assessed and comparatively evaluated with enzymuria levels. Our results indicated a statistically significant rise in urinary excretion of both enzymes after 24 hours following lithotripsy (p<0.05). All these values returned to normal limits within 7 days after ESWL (p>0.05). Transient tubular damage due to HESW was found to be related to TSWE values assessed in our group.     

Hematoprotective effect of seleno-L-methionine on cyclophosphamide toxicity in rats

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used antineoplastic drug that causes toxicity in the normal cell due to its metabolites. The major drawback of this drug is an undesirable myelosuppression. Selenium (Se) is a potent nutritional antioxidant that carries out biological effects by its incorporation into selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The possible protective effects of seleno-l-methionine (SLM) against CP-related toxicity of blood cells and bone marrow of rats were investigated in this study. Intraperitoneal (i.p) administration of 50, 100, or 150?mg/kg of CP caused, in a dose-dependent manner, reductions in the number of leukocytes (78, 89, and 92%, respectively), thrombocytes (22, 33, and 52%, respectively), and bone marrow–nucleated cells (72, 90, and 94%, respectively). The groups that had CP treatment alone were killed 3 days after the CP injection. For the groups having CP+SLM, SLM (0.4 or 0.8?mg/kg i.p) administration was started 3 days earlier than the CP administration and continued to the end of the experiment (6 days). On day 4, the animals were weighed again, relative doses of CP were estimated, and CP+SLM was administered together. On day 7, blood samples were collected and bone marrow of animals were resected under anesthesia. The results indicated that treatment of rats within a select dose range of SLM could reduce CP-induced toxicity on blood cells and bone marrow.     

Growth in children from the Wosera subdistrict, Papua New Guinea, in relation to energy and protein intakes and zinc status.

In a cross-sectional study of 123 children aged 24-120 mo from the Wosera subdistrict of Papua New Guinea, height, weight, hematocrit, hemoglobin, hair zinc, and presence of malaria were measured. Two 24-h recalls were undertaken in 67 of the children aged 72-120 mo; 52%, 73%, and 76% had energy, protein, and zinc intakes, respectively, less than two-thirds of the FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations. Stunting was prevalent (29%); 16% were moderately wasted. The prevalence of stunting and hair zinc concentrations less than 1.68 mumol/g was gender related; 38% of males vs 20% of females had Z scores for height-for-age (HAZ scores) less than -2 (P = 0.04); 26% of males vs 11% of females had hair zinc less than 1.68 mumol/g (P less than 0.05). Analysis of variance showed that age, sex, hemoglobin, and log hair zinc influenced HAZ scores, depending on the age group; both sex and the log of the hair zinc values were significant factors in the older children. Stunting in Worsera children was related to chronic deficits in energy and protein and was excerbated in the older male children by suboptimal zinc status.     

Color stability of restorative resins

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the color stability of selected indirect composite resins. Twenty-six specimens each of Dentacolor, VisioGem, Brilliant D. I., and Concept were fabricated and immersed in chlorhexidine, coffee, and tea. The modifying effect of saliva on staining was also studied. Coffee and tea both stained the tested materials, but tea stained more than coffee. The addition of chlorhexidine and saliva increased staining when used with tea. Most staining was superficial and could be removed with regular oral hygiene; however, residual staining, which might become cumulative, was recorded. Brilliant D. I. samples exhibited the most discoloration and Concept samples the least.     

Comparison of three epoxy die materials

Sixty MOD inlay and 60 complete crown castings were fabricated on three epoxy die materials. The castings were evaluated with a specific criteria for fit, retention, and margin adaptation. Of the three materials tested, the castings fabricated on the Unitek die material had consistently higher ratings on the master die with the exception of unacceptable ratings in retention for the MOD inlay.     

Reply to the article "Oral ibandronate is as active as intravenous zoledronic acid for reducing bone turnover markers in women with breast cancer and bone metastases" by J.-J. Body et al. (Ann Oncol 2007; 18: 1165-1171)

We read with great interest the paper by Body et al. [1] aboutthe effects of oral ibondronate and i.v. zoledronic acid onbone turnover markers. The study population included patientsreceiving aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen and cytotoxic therapy.Levels of serum cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type     

Clinical outcome of rhabdomyosarcoma in adolescent and adult patients: single center experience from Turkey

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is rare disease in adults (age >or= 16 years). The data from randomized prospective trials are scarce; the clinical outcome of these patients seems poor with the currently available treatment strategies. In this study, we report a single institution's experience in the treatment of adult RMS. We reviewed the medical records of patients with RMS who were >or= 16 years and have been treated in our institution between 1988 and 2003 retrospectively. We analyzed the survival outcome of these patients and the prognostic impact of clinical/pathological factors on their survival. In total, 23 patients with RMS were identified. Median age was 26 years (range, 16-72 years). Majority of patients were male (n: 17, 73.9%), and had large tumors (>or= 5 cm, n: 13, 56.5%), localized disease (N0, M0, n: 12, 52.2%), and embryonal histology (n: 10, 43.5%). Median overall survival was 31.3 months, and the 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 19.9% and 34.94%, respectively. Patients with smaller tumors (< 5 cm) (p < 0.04), local disease (p < 0.01), and normal lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level (p < 0.01) at the time of diagnosis were found to have better survival outcome. The tumor size, serum LDH level, and metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis are potential predictors of outcome in patients with adult RMS. Adult RMS is an aggressive disease with poor survival despite treatment. The data from prospective, randomized multicenter trials are necessary in order to improve the clinical outcome of adult RMS patients.