Beneficial effects of aminoguanidine on radiotherapy-induced kidney and testis injury.

This experimental study was designed to investigate both protective and therapeutic effects of aminoguanidine (AG), on radiotherapy (RT)-induced oxidative stress in kidney and testis. Forty rats were divided into five groups equally as follows: (i) control, (ii) RT, (iii) AG, (iv) AG+RT and (v) RT+AG group. Histopathological findings and biochemical evaluations, including tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione (GSH), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress index (OSI), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr) and testosterone levels, were determined. MDA, TOS and OSI were significantly higher in RT-treated groups, whereas SOD, CAT, GPX and GSH were significantly lower in these groups when compared with the control rats in the kidney and testis tissue. AG treatment significantly decreased MDA, TOS and OSI levels and increased SOD, CAT, GPX and GSH levels, when compared to the RT-treated groups in both kidney and testis tissue. BUN and Cr levels did not change among the groups, whereas testosterone levels were found as reduced in the RT-treated rats. AG treatment significantly augmented these hazardous effects of RT on testis tissue. According to our results, AG has beneficial effects against RT-induced kidney and testis injury.

Desensitization of darbepoetin-α: a case report.

Human recombinant erythropoietins (EPO) and darbepoetins are widely used for anemias associated with chronic kidney disease.  Allergic reactions to erythropoetins and darbepoetins have only occasionally been reported. These skin reactions include pruritus, wheals at the injection site, orofacial anaphylaxis and anjioedema. In this article, we report an 11 year-old female who experienced generalized   erithematous skin eruption and desquamation after both erythropoietin and darbepoetin treatments.  We successfully used darbepoetin with the support of premedication and desensitization.

Embolization of postbiopsy and postnephrostomy complications in transplanted kidney: a case report.

Complications such as arteriovenous, arteriocalyceal fistula, pseudoaneurysm, or perinephric hematoma occur in allografted and native kidneys after interventional procedures. When these complications are not detected and treated immediately, they might be associated with a poor allograft prognosis. Reoperation may produce parenchymal injuries, therefore, endovascular embolization may be a preferred treatment modality. Herein we report an arteriocalyceal fistula and an arteriovenous fistula in a transplant kidney that were detected after biopsy and nephrostomy, respectively, they were treated with endovascular coil embolization. Percutaneous treatment is a safe and effective method for arteriocalyceal fistula and arteriovenous fistula following interventional procedures in renal allografts.

Effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol on activity, anxiety, motor coordination, and memory in young adult Wistar rats.

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol on motor performance, emotionality, learning and memory in young-adult, male Wistar rats. Alcohol was delivered to the pregnant dams intragastrically, throughout gestation days (GD) 7-20, at the dose of 6 g/kg/day resulting in the peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 350 mg/dl as assessed on GD 20. Isocaloric intubation and untreated control groups were included. Alcohol exposed rats were not impaired in the rotarod/accelerod tests. Their behavior in the open field and plus maze suggested increased neophobia. Hyperactivity was not observed. In the spatial-navigation task in the water maze, by the middle of the training, fetal alcohol rats showed a tendency towards a slower place acquisition compared to controls, but statistical analysis of the data did not yield between-group differences significant. Towards the end of the training, all rats reached a similar performance level. No detectable between-group differences were noted either in memory retention after a delay, in reversal learning, or in working memory task. Our findings demonstrate that the adverse behavioral effects of a binge-like alcohol administration during half of the first and throughout the second trimester equivalent are difficult to be disclosed in young-adult male Wistar rats. The possible reasons of the lack of significant behavioral deficits in the fetal-alcohol rats observed in the present study are discussed.

Macular retinitis as a first sign of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: the importance of early diagnosis.

PURPOSE: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a subacute inflammatory and neurodegenerative encephalitis related to the measles (rubeola) virus and usually affecting children and young adults. The overwhelming majority of cases follow a progressive downhill course leading to death, although there have been a few case reports of patients who have apparently gone into remission. Ocular changes occur in up to 50% of SSPE cases. Visual complaints, if present, generally antedate the onset of neurological symptoms by a few weeks or months. Here, we report two cases of SSPE presenting with ocular findings and their prognoses. METHODS: Case reports. In the first case, a 17-year-old male presenting with macular retinitis, the macular findings were mistaken for a heredodegenerative disorder and diagnosis was postponed until neurological findings took place. He died six months after the appearance of his first ophthalmic symptoms despite intravenous immune globulin and isoprinosine therapy. The second case was a 14-year-old male, who presented with only ophthalmological complaints. His diagnosis was based on both ophthalmological findings and high doses of measles IgG in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); isoprinosine and intramuscular beta-interferon therapy was started before the onset of neurological findings and in the follow-up time of about 18 months, neurological findings consistent with SSPE did not develop. RESULTS: The characteristic finding of macular retinitis in SSPE patients is rapid recovery in about one month without therapy. After improvement, neurological findings take place. Once suspected, the diagnosis of SSPE is easily established by the demonstration of high levels of measles antibody in the serum and CSF. Early diagnosis can be made with typical ocular findings and high IgG titers for rubeola in CSF. CONCLUSION: We suppose that ophthalmic manifestations, especially macular retinitis, may be useful in the diagnosis and management of SSPE cases with elevated IgG titers for rubeola in CSF. The typical clinical findings must be familiar to every ophthalmologist so that diagnostic pitfalls can be prevented and early therapy started. It may be discussed if early diagnosis and therapy will be possible before neurological signs appear, the prognosis of this relentless disease may show a more favorable course.