Effects of antidepressant treatment and of gender on serum leptin levels in patients with major depression

Leptin is a product of the obese gene and plays an important role in the regulation of body weight and food intake. Weight and appetite are frequently altered in depression. So far, inconsistent results have been reported in terms of leptin levels in depression. Therefore, the authors investigated serum leptin levels in patients with depression and in healthy controls, and whether there was any alteration throughout antidepressant treatment. Female patients showed significantly higher leptin levels than those of the control females both before and after the response to antidepressant treatment, whereas no difference was found between the male patients and the male controls. The improvement from depression with antidepressant treatment caused a further elevation on the leptin levels, in both female and male patients. These findings confirm an increase in leptin levels in depressive patients and presence of a sexual dimorphism. Moreover, clinical response to antidepressant treatment seems to have an additional increasing effect on leptin levels.     

Memokath Metallic Stent in the Treatment of Transplant Kidney Ureter Stenosis or Occlusion

Purpose To determine the efficacy of the Memokath 051 stent (Engineers & Doctors, Hornbaek, Denmark) in the treatment of recurrent ureteral stenosis or occlusion in transplant kidneys.Methods From October 1985 through January 2004, 1,131 renal transplantations were performed at our center. Four patients who developed recurrent renal transplant ureter obstruction had nephrostomy catheters placed. Antegrade pyelography showed ureteral stenosis in three cases and complete occlusion in one patient. In each case, a Memokath 051 stent was inserted via an antegrade approach. Mean follow-up was 20 months (range 18–21 months). Creatinine levels were measured and ultrasonography was performed during follow-up.Results All stent procedures were technically successful. During follow-up, one stent migrated within 10 days after stent insertion and was removed cystoscopically. Another stent had to be removed in the 14th month due to resistant infection, and was replaced with a new Memokath 051 stent which remained patent for another 8 months. The other two stents were fully patent at the 18th and 21st month of follow-up, respectively.Conclusion Placement of a Memokath 051 stent appears to be a promising treatment alternative to balloon dilation, double-J stents and open surgical intervention for ureteral stenosis or occlusion in kidney transplant recipients. Further study of larger series is necessary.     

Significance of antithrombin III, protein C and protein S in acute mesenteric ischemia patients

It is well established that a condition of hypercoagulation due to deficiencies of antithrombin III, protein C and protein S may result in thrombo-embolism. To evaluate the possibility of hypercoagulation in acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI); clinical features, ECG changes, drug history, the length of intestine remaining after the resection and mortality of 15 consecutive patients were recorded and plasma levels of antithrombin III, Protein C and protein S were measured. Antihypertensive, antidiabetic and digitalis were the main drugs used by the patients. Atrial fibrillation was the main ECG finding (60%). AMI was attributed to thrombo-embolic phenomena because of atrial fibrillation in these patients. Levels of antithrombin III and protein S were lower in patients without atrial fibrillation compared to those with the condition (mean values 16.18 vs. 18.04 and 87.33 vs. 94.22 respectively) but the difference was not statistically significant. Levels of Protein C were lower and the length of intestine remaining after resection was shorter in patients without, compared to those with, atrial fibrillation (mean values 77.00 vs. 88.66, and 52.5 cm vs. 86.11 cm respectively). The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Postoperative mortality rate was 33.3% (5 patients) and the length of intestine remaining after resection was the main determining factor in the prognosis of the patients. We conclude that a condition of hypercoagulation due to a deficiency of protein C has a significant role in the pathogenesis of AMI especially in patients without atrial fibrillation.     

Cardiac reoperation by Carpentier bicaval femoral venous cannula: GATA experience

BACKGROUND: Division of the sternum is primarily a blind procedure in reoperation and carries an increased risk of injury for major cardiac structures in the presence of adhesions between the posterior table and the heart. METHODS: Two hundred patients were randomly divided into two groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established through the femoral artery and vein in group 1 (n = 100) patients before sternal reentry. Carpentier dual-stage femoral venous return cannula was used in all group 1 patients. Cardiopulmonary bypass was performed after sternal reentry in group 2 (n = 100) patients. RESULTS: Six severe cardiac injuries developed in group 2. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 93 +/- 9 minutes in group 1 and 71 +/- 11 minutes in group 2 (p = 0.011), and the operation time was 155 +/- 23 minutes in group 1 and 185 +/- 32 minutes in group 2 (p = 0.024). Inotropic therapy was required in 52 patients in group 1 and 76 patients in group 2 (p = 0.032). Average chest drainage was 450 +/- 135 mL in group 1 and 850 +/- 250 mL in group 2 (p < 0.001). Average fresh whole blood transfusion was 3.3 +/- 1.2 U in group 1 and 5.8 +/- 0.9 U in group 2 (p = 0.033). Average intensive care unit stay was 2.2 +/- 1.3 days in group 1 and 4.5 +/- 2.3 days in group 2 (p = 0.025). Average hospital stay was 7.3 +/- 2.4 days in group 1 and 9.1 +/- 3.1 days for group 2 (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass by bicaval Carpentier femoral venous cannula before resternotomy not only allows adequate cardiopulmonary bypass flow but also significantly reduces the risk of cardiac injury and catastrophic hemorrhage and allows safe reopening. Although this procedure increases cardiopulmonary bypass time, the operation time, bleeding, and blood transfusion requirement are significantly reduced.     

The pharmacokinetics of equoral versus neoral in stable renal transplant patients: a multinational multicenter study

We studied the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of the new generic cyclosporine formulation, Equoral capsules, after the switch from original formulation Neoral capsules in stable renal transplant patients. The study was carried out in accordance with the basic principles defined in the US 21 CFR Part 312.20 and the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study included clinically stable first renal transplant patients maintained on cyclosporine with no rejection episode during the past 6 months. Hematology, biochemistry, and urine chemistry were determined on day 7, and day 21. The patients were all switched to Neoral (lot number 416MFD0601) on day 0 when the first sparse sampling PK was performed. On day 14 a 12-hour PK profile included predose, 30 minutes; 1 hour; 1 hour 30 minutes; 2 hours; 3 hours; 4 hours; 5 hours; 6 hours; 8 hours; 10-hours and 12-hour samples. Cyclosporine levels were determined using a CYA kit (Abbott TDx). On day 15 the patients were switched from Neoral capsules to Equoral capsules (lot 5T111014) at an equivalent dosage (mg/mg). The second sparse sampling PK was performed on day 21 and a 12-hour PK was performed on day 28. On the morning of day 29 patients were switched from Equoral capsules to Neoral capsules at an equivalent dosage (mg/mg). Additional concentrations were measured on days -7, 18, and 35. Safety parameters were monitored at each visit. The pharmacokinetics of both formulations were equivalent. The mean AUC for Neoral and Equoral was 2856 and 2892, respectively. The ratios of LSM and the 90% confidence intervals for the in-transformed parameters (AUC o-t, AUC inf, and Cmax) of Equoral and Neoral SGC were 98% and 95%, respectively, suggesting that Equoral and Neoral SGC are bioequivalent.     

Seroprevalence of antibodies to legionella pneumophila in hemodialysis patients

Patients with chronic renal failure are at increased risk for infections because of impaired cellular immunity. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 to 6 and to evaluate the possible risk factors for Legionnaires' disease in hemodialysis patients. Serum samples to be screened for antibodies against L pneumophila and risk factor data were collected from 252 hemodialysis patients. The overall prevalence of L pneumophila antibodies in hemodialysis patients was found to be 5.16% There was no statistically significant difference between L pneumophila seropositivity and potential risk factors. Further studies are needed to determine possible risk factors for Legionnaires' disease in hemodialysis patients.     

Regional versus general anesthesia for donor nephrectomy: effects on graft function

Various general and regional anesthesia methods are used successfully in living-donor kidney transplantation. This study compared kidney graft function after general versus combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for donor nephrectomy. The study groups included recipients who received grafts from donors who had undergone nephrectomy under general anesthesia (GA group; n=10), and recipients who received grafts from donors who had combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE group, n=10). Standard continuous epidural anesthesia was administered during all transplantations. Graft function was assessed using scintigraphy and Doppler ultrasonography on days 3 and 7. Urine levels of microalbumin, creatinine, and creatinine clearance rate were measured/calculated in 24-hour urine samples collected on postoperative days 3 and 7. There were no differences on either day 3 or day 7 with respect to glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, or creatinine clearance rate (P >.05 for all). There were also no differences between the groups with respect to other scintigraphic findings on day 3 or day 7 (P >.05 for all). Ultrasonography on day 7 showed significantly higher mean peak systolic flow in the main renal artery in the CSE group than in the GA group (P=.035). The results suggest that GA and CSE for donor nephrectomy have similar effects on kidney graft function in recipients.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism significantly affects renal posttransplantation erythrocytosis

Posttransplantation erythrocytosis (PE) is a frequent problem in renal transplant patients. The pathogenesis and mechanisms of both the problem and therapy strategy are unknown. Since ACE and angiotensin 2 receptor inhibitors have been used to successfully manage PE, we speculated a relation between gene polymorphisms and this complication. Ninety-six ( 30 women, 66 men, age 34.4 +/- 11.0 years) renal transplant patients evaluated retrospectively, for gene polymorphisms of ACE, angiotensinogen, angiotensin 1 and 2 receptors (ATR1 and ATR2), as well as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS). They were divided into two groups; patients with versus without PE, which was defined as >15 g/dL hemoglobin levels during the first year after renal transplantation. PE was found to be significantly more prevalent among D/D than I/I gene polymorphism of ACE genes (P <.04). The distribution of D/D, I/D, and I/I polymorphisms were 39.1%, 45.9%, and 7.6%, respectively. There was no difference between D/D and I/D polymorphisms. Comparing the I/D and I/I polymorphisms showed PE to be statistically more prevalent in the I/D polymorphism (P <.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that D/D and I/D polymorphisms were significant risk factors for PE (P <.05, RR = 7.714 and P <.03, RR = 10.199, respectively). While previous studies revealed a relation between angiotensin II and PE, our study discovered the contribution of ACE gene polymorphism.     

Acute pesticide poisoning related deaths in Turkey

This study determined the spectrum of deaths due to acute agrochemical poisoning in Turkey. Data was obtained from all autopsy reports performed between 1997 and 2001, compiled by the Institute of Forensic Medicine (which is a department of the Ministry of Justice), and evaluated retrospectively. There were 3990 deaths by intoxication of one form or another. Acute agrochemical/pesticide poisoning caused 843 deaths. Almost half were under 30 yo; 55% were female and 45% were male. Of 205 deaths whose manner of death was determined, 153 (75%) were suicide; the most common substance used was insecticide followed by sulfur, rodenticides, and herbicides. The pattern appeared consistent from 1997 to 2001 with no decline in the number of cases, despite the government having taken measures to educate the public and reduce pesticide use by offering alternates to control pests and insects.