Comparison of glomerular filtration rate measurements with the two-plasma sample technique using Tc-99m DTPA and other methods in donor candidates for renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Accurate measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the evaluation of renal functions in potential kidney donors is associated with important outcomes for both the donor and recipient. We intended to determine the efficacy of various methods while estimating GFR in potential living kidney donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three potential kidney donors (31 females, 22 males; mean age: 50.1 years) were included in this study. GFR was estimated simultaneously using the following methods: Gates' method, Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) prediction equations, and the two-plasma sample (TPS) technique. Using TPS as the reference method, the estimations of GFR with the other methods were compared with that of TPS. RESULTS: The mean ± SD GFR was 86.43 ± 11.37 mL min-1 1.73 m-2 with TPS. GFR values calculated using Gates' method and MDRD 1, MDRD 2, reexpressed MDRD, and CG prediction equations were 105.25 ± 16.12 mL min-1 1.73 m-2, 114.63 ± 32.51 mL min-1 1.73 m-2, 113.2 ± 35.23 mL min-1 1.73 m-2, 104.23 ± 23.12 mL min-1 1.73 m-2, and 99.35 ± 20.01 mL min-1 1.73 m-2, respectively. While there was a strong statistically significant correlation between the TPS and Gates' methods, moderate correlation was found between TPS and the MDRD 1, MDRD 2, and reexpressed MDRD prediction equations. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that the performance of Gates' method in total GFR estimation was better than the prediction equations in potential kidney donors.

Evaluation of the effect of isotretinoin on salivary gland function by Tc-99m pertechnetate imaging in acne vulgaris patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Isotretinoin is an effective drug utilized in the management of acne vulgaris and is known to cause dry mouth. In this study, we aimed to evaluate this effect of isotretinoin on the salivary gland function in patients with acne vulgaris using technetium-99m (Tc-99m) pertechnetate imaging of the salivary glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 28 patients with acne vulgaris (6 males and 22 females, mean age 20.2 ± 2.3 years), who were treated with isotretinoin for 6 months. We performed radionuclide imaging of the salivary glands pretreatment and at months 3 and 6 of treatment. After 185 MBq (5 mCi) of Tc-99m pertechnetate was intravenously administered, imaging of the salivary glands was performed over a 25-min period. We measured the following glandular function parameters for the parotid and submandibular salivary glands via time-activity curves: uptake ratio, maximum accumulation, and ejection fraction. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in the values obtained at months 3 and 6 of treatment, compared with the pretreatment values. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that radionuclide imaging of the salivary glands can clearly show the glandular functions that are affected by drugs such as isotretinoin.

Detection of orchitis and sacroiliitis due to brucellosis by 99mTc polyclonal human immunoglobulin scintigraphy.

Here, we report 1 case of Brucella orchitis detected by 99mTc human immunoglobulin scintigraphy and confirmed by testicular ultrasound. A 29-year-old farmer was admitted to our hospital with fever, fatigue, arthralgia, and painful scrotal swelling that had appeared 12 days before admission. Clinically, right sacroiliitis was recorded through the Fabere test Unilateral sacroiliitis and orchitis were detected by 99mTc human immunoglobulin scintigraphy. Hypoechoic left testicular lesions and swelling of the concurrent epididymis were seen on a testicular ultrasound examination. Wright agglutination test and blood specimen culture for Brucella species were positive.

Undescended testis in inguinal canal detected incidentally on fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT imaging.

The differential diagnosis at the inguinal region is very important for hypermetabolic foci because of the possibility of metastasis at this level in cancer patients ongoing PET imaging for detection of metastases. It is important to distinguish this activity from other possible malignant and benign conditions such as lymph node activity, testicular cancer, metastatic disease activity, inflammation and urine skin contamination artefact. A 66-year-old male patient with operated colon cancer and liver metastasis was referred for PET/CT examination for re-staging because of suspicious metastases. Findings of PET/CT imaging with undescended testis detected incidentally was presented.

FDG Uptake Pattern on PET/CT Imaging in Non-Infectious Graft of a Patient with Operated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

UNLABELLED: Positron emission tomography using fluorodeoxyglucose is a well known diagnostic tool for routine assessment of the patients with carcinoma. Fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, as a marker of glucose metabolism, is increased in malignant conditions as well as infectious and inflammatory processes. In this case report, findings of postoperative changes in the graft on FDG PET/CT were presented in a patient on follow-up for operated renal cell carcinoma and aortic aneurysm graft surgery. The importance of the FDG uptake pattern has been pointed out for differential diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious conditions. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

Bio-sorption of Tl-201 radionuclide on olive pomace.

This work presents an investigation on the bio-sorption of Tl-201 radionuclide used in nuclear medicine on olive pomace. The experimental parameters were chosen as temperature, the initial pH of the solution, stirring speed, bio-sorbent dose and nominal particle size of bio-sorbent. The initial pH of the solution was found to be the most effective parameter. Thermodynamic analysis gave negative values for ΔG and ΔH. The kinetics of the bio-sorption process fitted very well to the pseudo-second order rate model.

Assessment of the regional myocardial deformation changes and viability in anterior acute myocardial infarction patients by strain and strain rate imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the regional myocardial deformation changes and viability in anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients before and after primary coronary intervention (PCI) by strain (S)/strain rate (Sr) imaging. METHODS: Twenty-one patients presented during the first six hours of an anterior AMI and twenty controls were included in this study. Echocardiographic recordings were obtained from the apical/parasternal images just before PCI, one week and one month after PCI. The S/Sr and velocity (V) were measured from the basal mid and apical segments of the walls supplied by the left anterior descending artery. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy was performed in the 1st month after PCI. Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Acute myocardial infarction resulted in the reduction of deformation indices (S/Sr/V) in all segments. Deformation indices were increased after successful PCI. The S/Sr values of the normal and ischemic segments after PCI were higher compared to the baseline (ischemic Sr:-1.3 ± 0.3 vs. -1.1 ± 0.3, p=0.04). No difference was noted in the S/Sr values of the necrotic segments during the first week (Sr:-1.1 ± 0.3 vs. -1.0 ± 0.3, p=0.054). For V measurements, no difference was observed between the viability types at the follow-up measurements (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The remedial effect of PCI on the deformation values was observed in the first week and continued during the first month. In the early reperfusion period, S/Sr indices have the potential to differentiate necrotic tissue from other viability types. Strain/Strain rate imaging can be used for determination of myocardial deformation changes and parameters of viability. However, V values were insufficient.

Parathyroid adenoma presenting as tetraparesia.

OBJECTIVE: Parathyroid adenomas (PA) are benign tumors. We report an unusual case of delayed diagnosis of a PA and concomitant Vitamin D deficiency presenting as tetraparesia. METHODS: A 30-year-woman was admitted to our clinic with an inability to walk. Our examination revealed tetraparesia and common, severe muscular atrophy. RESULTS: Laboratory investigations showed the following: creatinine phosphokinase (CK): 37 IU/L (15-130), calcium (Ca): 11.5 mg/dL (9-11), phosphorus (P): 1.5 mg/dL (2.5-5), parathyroid hormone (PTH): 736.1 pq/mL (15-65), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHvit D): 4 ng/mL (11-43), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP): 1029.5 lU (64-300). Parathyroid scintigraphy revealed PA. A year after Vitamin D replacement, the patient's neurological status and laboratory findings improved. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the physicians always keep in mind the primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and concomitant Vitamin D deficiency in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia when facing atypical neurological symptoms such as tetraparesia.

Salivary gland function in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients by 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the alterations in salivary gland function in patients who receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for chronic renal failure (CRF) using technetium-99m pertechnetate ((99m)Tc-P) salivary gland scintigraphy. The study population consisted of 36 CAPD patients (16 males and 20 females, ranging in age from 19 to 73 years, mean age 44.94+/-15.01 years) and 20 healthy controls (11 males and 9 females, ranging in age from 31 to 51 years, mean age 41.25+/-5.62 years). All patients and healthy controls underwent salivary gland scintigraphy. After the intravenous administration of 185MBq of (99m)Tc-P, dynamic salivary gland scintigraphy was performed for 25min. On the basis of the time-activity curves, the following glandular function parameters were calculated for the parotid and submandibular salivary glands: uptake ratio, maximum accumulation, and ejection fraction. Our results showed: All functional parameters obtained for CAPD patients were significantly lower than for healthy controls (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that salivary gland function, an important determinant of oral health, is impaired among the CRF patients treated with CAPD compared with healthy controls, as evaluated by (99m)Tc-P salivary gland scintigraphy.

The effect of interferon beta 1B on bone mineral density in multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a secondary problem in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. There have been only a few reports about the effect of interferon beta (IFNB) 1b on bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to determine bone mass in patients using IFNB 1b. METHODS: We enrolled 17 patients taking IFNB 1b (group I), 15 patients not taking IFNB (group II). We measured the BMD and T scores values and the patients were distinguished as normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. RESULTS: In the lumbar spine, there was no difference between groups I and II (p=0.3). In the left femur, no significant difference was detected between groups I and II (p=1). There was an inverse correlation between the BMD at the both regions and the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (r= -0.39, p=0.03; r=-0.52, p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: IFNB 1b may be used safely in MS patients, even in those undergoing pulse steroid therapies, because IFNB 1b has no effect on BMD.

The effects of chemical and radioactive properties of Tl-201 on human erythrocyte glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity.

AIM: The inhibitory effects of thallium-201 ((201)Tl) solution on human erythrocyte glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity were investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, erythrocyte G6PD was initially purified 835-fold at a yield of 41.7% using 2',5'-Adenosine diphosphate sepharose 4B affinity gel chromatography. The purification was monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which showed a single band for the final enzyme preparation. The in vitro and in vivo effects of the (201)Tl solution including Tl(+), Fe(+3) and Cu(+2) metals and the in vitro effects of the radiation effect of the (201)Tl solution and non-radioactive Tl(+), Fe(+3) and Cu(+2) metals on human erythrocyte G6PD enzyme were studied. Enzyme activity was determined with the Beutler method at 340 nm using a spectrophotometer. All purification procedures were carried out at +4 degrees C. RESULTS: (201)Tl solution and radiation exposure had inhibitory effects on the enzyme activity. IC(50) value of (201)Tl solution was 36.86 microl ([Tl(+)]: 0.0036 microM, [Cu(+2)]: 0.0116 microM, [Fe(+3)]: 0.0132 microM), of human erythrocytes G6PD. Seven human patients were also used for in vivo studies of (201)Tl solution. Furthermore, non-radioactive Tl(+), Fe(+3) and Cu(+2) were found not to have influenced the enzyme in vitro. CONCLUSION: Human erythrocyte G6PD activity was inhibited by exposure for up to 10 minutes to 0.057 mCi/kg (201)Tl solution. It was detected in in vitro and in vivo studies that the human erythrocyte G6PD enzyme is inhibited due to the radiation effect of (201)Tl solution.

Biosorption of Ga-67 radionuclides from aqueous solutions onto waste pomace of an olive oil factory.

The aim of this research was to test the removal of Ga-67 radionuclides from aqueous solutions by biosorption onto waste pomace of an olive oil factory (WPOOF). Batch adsorption studies were performed in order to investigate the temperature, the initial pH of the solution, the stirring speed, the biosorbent dose, and the nominal particle size of the biosorbent in the experimental work. The most effective parameter was found to be the initial pH. A high biosorption yield of 98 was obtained. The equilibrium values were fitted to the isotherm models. The values of DeltaG and DeltaH were calculated to be negative. The adsorption kinetics calculations showed that the kinetics of the biosorption process fitted well to the pseudo-second order rate model.

Evaluation by (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy of the effect of levocetirizine on salivary glands function, in allergic rhinitis patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of levocetirizine (xyzal) on salivary glands function in patients with allergic rhinitis using technetium-99m pertechnetate ((99m)Tc-P) salivary gland scintigraphy. The study population consisted of 67 patients with allergic rhinitis and 31 healthy controls (14 males and 17 females, mean age 30.1+/-6.8 years). The patients were divided into two groups: an untreated patient Group of 32 patients, 17 males and 15 females, mean age 29.9+/-6.5 years and a levocetirizine-treated with 5mg.day(-1) for 4 weeks patient Group, consisted of 35 patients, 16 males and 19 females, mean age 33.5+/-7.8 years. All patients and healthy controls underwent salivary glands scintigraphy. After the intravenous administration of 185 MBq of (99m)Tc-P, dynamic salivary glands scintigraphy was performed for 25 min. By the time-activity curves, the following glandular function parameters were calculated for the parotid and submandibular salivary glands: uptake ratio, maximum accumulation, and ejection fraction. Our results showed: All functional parameters obtained for the untreated patient Group were significantly lower than for the levocetirizine-treated patient Group and healthy controls (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in any functional parameters between the levocetirizine-treated patient Group and healthy controls (P>0.05). In conclusion, results of our study indicate that patients with allergic rhinitis treated with levocetirizine showed a significantly higher salivary glands function compared with untreated patients and healthy controls. Levocetirizine treatment showed no side effects on salivary glands function.

Evaluation of the genotoxic effects of chronic low-dose ionizing radiation exposure on nuclear medicine workers.

INTRODUCTION: Nuclear medicine workers are occupationally exposed to chronic ionizing radiation. It is known that ionizing radiation may have damaging effects on chromosomes. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation on nuclear medicine workers. We used two different indicators of genotoxicity methods: sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN). METHODS: The present research was carried out using 21 nuclear medicine workers (11 females and 10 males) during two periods: during normal working conditions and after a 1-month vacation. The radiation dose varied from 1.20 to 48.56 mSv, which accumulated during the occupational exposure time between two vacations. Peripheral blood samples were taken from each subject for two distinct lymphocyte cultures (SCE and MN) in each period. RESULTS: In nearly all subjects, SCE values increased significantly during radiation exposure compared to the postvacation period (P<.05). Similarly, MN frequencies in most of the subjects increased significantly during radiation exposure compared to the postvacation period (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that both SCE and MN frequencies in most of the subjects were significantly higher during exposure to ionizing radiation than after a 1-month vacation period. However, this genotoxic effect was reversible in most of the subjects.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. and dexpanthenol-bepanthene on blood flow after experimental skin burns in rats using 133Xe clearance technique.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present experimental study was to determine and compare the effect of Hippophae rhamnoides L. extract (HRe-1) and of dexpanthenol on the blood flow of a wound region, in rats using xenon-133 ((133)Xe) clearance technique. METHODS: Burn wounds were made on both thighs of rats and, HRe-1 and dexpanthenol were applied topically on the wound region only in the right thigh for a period of 8 days. The effect of HRe-1 and of dexpanthenol on blood flow of the wound region was assessed before and after their topical application by using the (133)Xe clearance technique. RESULTS: HRe-1 increased significantly blood flow of the wound region (P<0.05). Dexpanthenol showed a smaller increase in blood flow. In conclusion, our results in rats suggest that HRe-1 increases blood flow of the wound area and can be used for the treatment of skin wound healing, preferably than dexpanthenol.

An environmentally friendly process; adsorption of radionuclide Tl-201 on fibrous waste tea.

This work presents an investigation of the adsorption of the radionuclide of Tl-201 from waste water on the fibrous tea factory waste. The experimental parameters were chosen as temperature, pH, stirring speed, adsorbent dose and nominal particle size in the ranges of 10.0-40.0 degrees C, 2.0-10.0, 300-720 rpm, 1.0-15.0 g/L and 0.15-0.71 mm, respectively. The most effective parameter on the adsorption yield was found to be pH of the solution. Fourier transforms infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy studies were performed for the characterisation of the adsorption on tea waste. The experimental data were found to be in good agreement with the isotherm models of Freundlich, Halsey, Handerson and Dubinin-Radushkevich. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the values of Delta G and Delta H are negative. It was obtained that the adsorption rate can be represented very well by second-order pseudo homogeneous kinetic model. All the results proved that fibrous tea plant waste makes an excellent adsorbent for Tl-201 radionuclide.