Pulmonary Arterial Hemodynamic Assessment by a Novel Index in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Pulmonary Pulse Transit Time

Objectives

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune connective tissue disease that is associated with vascular lesions, and fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. Cardiac complications may occur as a secondary effect of SSc as a result of pulmonary arterial hypertension and interstitial lung disease. The objective of this study was to assess whether the pulmonary pulse transit time (pPTT) could serve as a diagnostic marker for pulmonary arterial alterations in patients with SSc, prior to development of pulmonary hypertension.

Methods

Twenty-five SSc patients as a study group and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers for the control group were recruited to the study. Right ventricle function parameters, such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ePASP), right ventricular dimensions, right ventricle fractional area changes, and myocardial perfusion index (MPI) were measured and calculated. Pulmonary pulse transit time was defined as the time interval between the R-wave peak in the ECG and the corresponding peak late systolic pulmonary vein flow velocity.

Results

Right ventricle myocardial performance index (RVMPI) and eSPAP were significantly higher in the SSc group than the controls (p?=?0.032, p?=?0.012, respectively). Pulmonary pulse transit time and TAPSE was shorter in the patients with SSc (p?=?0.006, p?=?0.015, respectively). In correlation analysis, pPTT was inversely correlated with RVMPI (r?=???0.435, p?=?0.003), eSPAP (r?=???0.434, p?=?0.003), and disease duration (r?=???0.595, p?=?0.003). Conversely, it positively correlated with TAPSE (r?=?0.345, p?=?0.022).

Conclusion

pPTT was found to be shorter in SSc patients. pPTT might serve as a surrogate marker of pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with SSc, even prior to the development of pulmonary hypertension.

     

A comparison of standard PCNL and staged retrograde FURS in pelvis stones over 2 cm in diameter: a prospective randomized study

The aim of the study was to compare percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and staged retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) methods used in the treatment of kidney stones of 2 cm or more in diameter. The study comprised a total of 60 patients with a diagnosis of kidney pelvic stones more than 2 cm in diameter, for whom surgery was planned between January 2013 and January 2014. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups as staged retrograde FURS (Group A) and PCNL (Group B). Comparison of the groups was made with respect to operating time, number of procedures, total treatment time, length of hospital stay, stone-free rates and complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. In Group A, the total operating time of multiple sessions was 114.46 min. In Group B, a single session of PCNL was applied to all patients and the mean operating time was 86.8 min (p = 0.014). Mean total treatment time was 2.01 weeks in Group A and 1 week in Group B (p < 0.01). The mean total hospitalization time was 3.66 days in Group A and 3.13 days in Group B (p = 0.037). At the end of the sessions, clinically insignificant residual fragments were observed in ten patients of Group A and one patient of Group B (p = 0.03). No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of stone-free rates or complications. Although current technology with FURS is effective on large kidney stones, it has no superiority to PCNL due to the need for multiple sessions and long treatment time.     

Prospective randomized trial comparing shock wave lithotripsy and flexible ureterorenoscopy for lower pole stones smaller than 1 cm

In this study, we aimed to compare the success and complications of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) with its advanced technology and the accomplished method of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in the treatment of lower pole stones smaller than 1 cm. One hundred and forty patients were randomized as 70 undergoing SWL (Group 1) and 70 undergoing F-URS (Group 2). Patients were evaluated by plain X-ray and urinary ultrasound 1 week and after 3 months following SWL. The same procedure was done for F-URS patients 1 week after surgery and after 3 months. Success rates were established the day following the procedure and after 3 months. Fragmentation less than 3 mm was considered success. Mean operative time was 44 ± 7.4 min for Group 2 and mean fluoroscopy duration was 51 ± 12 s. In F-URS group, all the patients were stone free after 3 months (100 %). Group 1 had 2.7 ± 0.4 sessions of SWL. Sixty-four patients were stone free in that group after 3 months (91.5 %). The procedure yielded significant success in FURS group, even though patients underwent SWL for 2.7 ± 0.4 sessions and F-URS for 1 session (p < 0.05). With higher success and similar complication rates, fewer sessions per treatment, and advances in technology and experience, we believe F-URS has a potential to be the first treatment option over SWL in the future.     

Comparison of 1- and 2-week pantoprazole-based triple therapies in clarithromycin-sensitive and resistant cases

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this prospective study were: (i) to compare the efficacy of 1-week with 2-week pantoprazole-based triple therapy and (ii) to evaluate the impact of clarithromycin resistance on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication rates. METHODS: Eighty dyspeptic patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The first group (PAC-1, n=40) received pantoprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for one week, and the second group (PAC-2, n=40) received the same regimen for two weeks. Endoscopy was repeated one month after the end of the treatment. RESULTS: DNA extraction for clarithromycin resistance could not be performed in seven cases. Five cases were lost to follow-up. Clarithromycin resistance was found to be 44.1% (15/34) in the PAC-1 group and 58.8% (20/34) in the PAC-2 group (p>0.05). Eradication was achieved in 16 (PP: 47.1%, ITT: 44.4%) and 25 (PP:73.5%, ITT: 67.6%) patients in the PAC-1 and PAC-2 groups, respectively (p>0.05). H. pylori was eradicated in 4 of 15 (PP: 26.7%, ITT: 26.7%) clarithromycin-resistant patients in the PAC-1 group and in 12 of 20 (PP: 60%, ITT: 60%) clarithromycin-resistant patients in the PAC-2 group (p>0.05). Among the clarithromycin-sensitive ones, eradication was achieved in 12 of 19 (PP: 63.2%, ITT: 57.1%) patients in the PAC-1 group and in 13 of 14 (PP: 92.8%, ITT: 76.5%) patients in the PAC-2 group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the 2-week regimen of pantoprazole-based triple therapy was effective for H. pylori eradication in clarithromycin-sensitive cases, highly effective H. pylori eradication protocols are needed for clarithromycin-resistant ones.     

Effect of air bubble on inflammation after cataract surgery in rabbit eyes

Purpose:

Intense inflammation after cataract surgery can cause cystoid macular edema, posterior synechia and posterior capsule opacification. This experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of air bubble on inflammation when given to anterior chamber of rabbit eyes after cataract surgery.

Materials and Methods:

30 eyes of 15 rabbits were enrolled in the study. One of the two eyes was in the study group and the other eye was in the control group. After surgery air bubble was given to the anterior chamber of the study group eye and balanced salt solution (BSS; Alcon) was left in the anterior chamber of control eye.

Results:

On the first, second, fourth and fifth days, anterior chamber inflammations of the eyes were examined by biomicroscopy. On the sixth day anterior chamber fluid samples were taken for evaluation of nitric oxide levels as an inflammation marker. When the two groups were compared, in the air bubble group there was statistically less inflammation was seen. (1, 2, 4. days P = 0,001, and 5. day P = 0,009).

Conclusions:

These results have shown that when air bubble is left in anterior chamber of rabbits’ eyes after cataract surgery, it reduced inflammation. We believe that, air bubble in the anterior chamber may be more beneficial in the cataract surgery of especially pediatric age group, uveitis patients and diabetics where we see higher inflammation. However, greater and long termed experimental and clinical studies are necessary for more accurate findings.     

Cornea plana associated with open-angle glaucoma: a case report

Cornea plana is a rare disease in which the cornea is flattened with a low refractive power. In addition to these features, hypermetropia, deep central corneal opacities, hazy corneal limbus, peripheral scleralization of the cornea and early arcus senilis can also be seen. Closed-angle glaucoma may occur as a result of shallow anterior chamber and narrow angle; however, open-angle glaucoma has also been reported in these patients. Measuring the real intraocular pressure (IOP) value of such eyes is difficult since tonometers are affected by corneal curvature. Therefore, the diagnosis of glaucoma may be delayed for a long time. In this case report we aimed to present a case of cornea plana with early open-angle glaucoma and to investigate which tonometer was appropriate for measuring the correct IOP value in such eyes.     

Prosthetic solution for unfavorably inclined maxillary implants: a case report

Misaligned implants may affect the esthetic, phonetic, and functional results and challenge the restorative dentist. Proper attachment selection is important considering the patient-related circumstances. This article presents a case where a change in prosthetic attachments was required because implant inclination diminished overdenture retention and stability. The treatment involved an alternative implant and soft-tissue impression technique.     

Evaluation of thiol-disulphide homeostasis in radiation workers

Purpose: To evaluate thiol-disulphide homeostasis – a novel, easily calculated, readily available, and relatively cheap oxidative stress marker – in radiation workers and compare the results with healthy controls.

Materials and methods: A total of 108 participants were enrolled in the study including 63 hospital workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in the units of interventional radiology, interventional cardiology and nuclear medicine. A control group consisted of 45 individuals staff in the same hospital. Serum thiol-disulphide homeostasis measurement was investigated via the spectrophotometric method newly described by Erel and Ne?elio?lu.

Results: The mean serum native thiol levels of radiation workers (528.96?±?86.42?μmol/l) was significantly lower than control subjects (561.05?±?104.83?μmol/l) (p?=?.045). The mean serum total thiol levels of radiation workers (547.70?±?91.50?μmol/l) was lower than control subjects (580.36?±?112.24?μmol/l). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between total thiol of exposed workers and controls.

Conclusions: The results show that long-term low dose ionizing radiation may lead to oxidative stress and have side-effects in antioxidant thiol groups. We may suggest supporting radiation workers by safe antioxidant nutritional formulations and following up via both physical dosimetry and biodosimetric methods.     

Optical coherence tomography in posterior microphthalmos with papillomacular fold and high hyperopia in two siblings

Third-generation optical coherence tomography (StratusOCT) images of 2 female siblings with hypermetropia, microphthalmos, and papillomacular retinal fold are described. These cases suggest the possibility of genetic transmission or predisposition and show that the resulting StratusOCT images can be nearly identical.