Effect of short-term fasting on urinary excretion of primary lipid peroxidation products and on markers of oxidative DNA damage in healthy women

The goal of this study was to determine whether short-term fasting changes in urinary biomarkers related to oxidative stress: malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-isoprostaglandin F2alpha (8-isoPGF), 8-hydroxydeoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG) and 1,N6-ethenodeoxyadenosine (epsilondA) among female volunteers participating in the short-term fasting program in South Korea. The study subjects were 52 healthy women (mean age 28, range 15-48 years old) who provided urine samples both before and after the fasting program (average 7.2, range: 3-11 days). Urinary MDA was measured by HPLC-UV and epsilondA levels were measured by immuno-affinity purification followed by HPLC-fluorescence detection. Urinary 8-OHdG and 8-isoPGF concentrations were determined by ELISA. Plasma leptin levels were also measured by radioimmunoassay. Information on demographic characteristics, personal habits (smoking and alcohol consumption) and previous medical history were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Percent loss of body weight (average 6.3%, 4.28 +/- 0.25 kg) was significantly correlated with fasting duration (r = 0.70, n = 52, P < 0.01). The plasma leptin levels after fasting (5.89 +/- 1.10 ng/ml) were significantly lower than before fasting (6.91 +/- 1.13 ng/ml) (n = 27, P = 0.05). Urinary MDA levels after fasting (0.18 +/- 1.10 mg/g creatinine) were significantly lower than before fasting (0.37 +/- 1.11) (n = 51, P < 0.01). Urinary 8-isoPGF also were significantly reduced after fasting (n = 47, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in 8-OHdG or epsilondA. There was a statistically significant correlation between % change of urinary MDA level with % change of 8-isoPGF level (partial correlation coefficient r = 0.57, n = 46, P = 0.01). The correlations between % change of 8-OHdG and plasma leptin was also significant (partial correlation coefficient r = 0.51, n = 27, P = 0.02). Our results demonstrate that the short-term fasting reduces lipid peroxidation products but does not affect oxidative stress-induced DNA damage.     

Prevention of degenerative diseases; clues from studies investigating oxidative stress,Brussels, 13 November 2002

The European Commission held a major conference from 11 to 13 November 2002 in the Palais du Heysel in Brussels to mark the launch of the European Union's Sixth Framework Programme (FP-6) for research, which covers the period 2002-2006.     

Safety of cerebral angiography and neuroendovascular therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease

Purpose

Contrast-induced nephropathy is a common clinical concern in patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures, especially in those with pre-existent kidney disease. We aimed to define the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in these high-risk patients in our practice.

Methods

We analyzed data retrospectively from patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures at two academic medical centers over a 4-year period. Contrast-induced nephropathy was determined by an absolute increase in serum creatinine of 0.5 mg/dL or a rise from its baseline value by ≥?25%, at 48–72 h after exposure to contrast agent after excluding other causes of renal impairment. High-risk patients were identified as those with pre-procedural estimated glomerular filtration rate <?60 mL/min irrespective of creatinine level, corresponding to stages 3–5 of chronic kidney disease.

Results

One hundred eighty-five high-risk patients undergoing conventional cerebral angiography and neuroendovascular interventions were identified. Only 1 out of 184 (0.54%) high-risk patients developed contrast-induced nephropathy. That one patient had stage 5 chronic kidney disease and multiple other risk factors.

Conclusion

We have observed a very low rate of renal injury in patients with chronic kidney disease, traditionally considered high risk for neuroendovascular procedures. Multiple factors may be responsible in the risk reduction of contrast-induced nephropathy in this patient population.

     

Laparoscopically assisted retrieval of lost IUCD/foreign bodies: a novel locating technique with fluoroscopic image intensifier

Migration of therapeutically implanted intrauterine contraceptive devices and foreign bodies pose challenges in accurate localization and removal through the least invasive method. Laparoscopic removal is the desired method of treatment due to the lessened surgical and anesthetic morbidity and accurate and rapid localization of the devices are imperative in aiding an endoscopic removal. Difficulties in locating the device leads to prolonged intraoperative times and at times culminate in a laparotomy with its attendant increased morbidity. We present a case series where rapid and accurate localization of the devices was achieved by intraoperative usage of the fluoroscopic image intensifier. The image intensifier can view images in real time and can be used intraoperatively, increasing the diagnostic accuracy. We propose that intraoperative imaging by the fluoroscopic image intensifier is a cost effective, rapid, and accurate method of localizing a migrated contraceptive device, thus enabling optimal endoscopic treatment.     

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and keloid disease

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative diseases of unknown aetiology. They occur as a result of derangement of the normal wound healing process in susceptible individuals. Although several factors have been postulated in the aetiopathogenesis of this condition, there has been growing evidence to suggest a role for Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFbeta) family members in its pathogenesis. TGFbeta has also been found to be associated with fibrotic diseases affecting different organs of the body including liver, kidney, lung as well as skin. In this review article, we will discuss the morphology and mechanism of action of TGFbeta and its isoforms and present the most up to date literature discussing the role of TGFbeta isoforms, their receptors, and intracellular signalling pathways (the SMAD pathway) in the pathogenesis of keloid disease. Understanding the role of TGFbeta in keloid disease could lead to the development of clinically useful therapeutic modalities for treatment of this condition.     

Characterization of responses and comparison of calibration factor for commercial MOSFET detectors

A commercial metal oxide silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeter of model TN502-RD has been characterized for its linearity, reproducibility, field size dependency, dose rate dependency, and angular dependency for Cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co), 6-MV, and 15-MV beam energies. The performance of the MOSFET clearly shows that it is highly reproducible, independent of field size and dose rate. Furthermore, MOSFET has a very high degree of linearity, with r-value > 0.9 for all 3 energies. The calibration factor for 2 similar MOSFET detectors of model TN502-RD were also estimated and compared for all 3 energies. The calibration factor between the 2 similar MOSFET detectors shows a variation of about 1.8% for ⁶⁰Co and 15 MV, and for 6 MV it shows variation of about 2.5%, indicating that calibration should be done whenever a new MOSFET is used. However, the detector shows considerable angular dependency of about 8.8% variation. This may be due to the variation in radiation sensitivity between flat and bubble sides of the MOSFET, and indicates that positional care must be taken while using MOSFET for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy dosimetric applications.