The effect of HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent method on inflammatory markers and end-organ damage levels in sepsis: a retrospective single center study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed at evaluating the impact of HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent application on inflammatory markers and end-organ damage markers in patients with sepsis/septic shock. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with sepsis/septic shock and treated with HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent in addition to the standard treatment were included in this retrospective study conducted at Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2021. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in the study. The mean±SD age of the patients was 51.9±17.7 years. 102 patients (68%) were in septic shock. Mean±SD APACHE II scores were 15.3±4.8. The need for mechanical ventilation was noted in 64 patients (42.7%). WBC, neutrophil count, hemoglobin, platelet count, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, CRP and procalcitonin levels were measured before and after the procedure. Overall, 104 patients (69.3%) died median (min-max) 2.5 (1-114) days after the cytokine adsorption, while 46 patients (30.7%) recovered from sepsis and were discharged. The increase in BUN levels and decrease in platelet count after the procedure were statistically significant (p≤0.001, 0.041, respectively) in the overall study population. The laboratory findings in 46 survivors indicated significantly decreased AST and ALT levels after cytokine adsorption compared to baseline pre-treatment levels. WBC, neutrophil count, CRP, procalcitonin, BUN and creatinine values were also decreased after cytokine adsorption in survivors, whereas the change was not statistically significant. There was also a non-significant tendency for an increase in platelet count and hemoglobin levels after cytokine adsorption compared to pre-treatment values in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although no effect of HA330 hemoperfusion application on inflammatory markers and end-organ damage markers was demonstrated in our study, we used the HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent method as a last resort in terminal patients with a mortality rate of approximately 90% and for whom antibiotic treatment did not benefit. Therefore, multicenter, prospective studies are needed to clarify the effect of early HA330 hemoperfusion use in the treatment of sepsis.

COmparisoN of TastES of Available NutriTional integrated or non-integrated formulas for infants older than 1 year of age with cow’s milk allergy: A multicenter, prospective, single blind, cross-sectional observational clinical study (CONTEST Study)

Palatability of the infant formulas lacking cow milk protein formulas is reported by parents to be an important drawback. The purpose of this study is to examine decisions made by mothers of infants having cow milk protein allergy, and physicians concerning the palatability of unflavored extensively hydrolyzed formulas and amino acid-based formulas. We conducted a multi-center, randomized, single-blinded, observational taste study involving 149 pediatri-cians from gastroenterology and allergy subspecialties at 14 tertiary healthcare units from different regions of Turkey and involving 94 mothers of infants with cow milk protein allergy. Blinding was performed for seven formulas available in the market, which were the most commonly prescribed for feeding: four AAFs (Neocate-Numil®, Aptamil Pregomin AS-Numil®, Alfamino-Nestle®, Comidagen-Mamma®), one AAF specifically designed to address the growing nutritional and lifestyle needs of children >1 year (Neocate Junior-Numil®), 2 eHFs (Bebelac Pepti Junior-Numil®, Similac Alimentum-Abott®). Considering all three formula characteris-tics, Neocate junior-Numil® ranked as the number 1 product among seven products by moth-ers (63.8%) and physicians (69.8%). The ratings of mothers were significantly higher than the physicians (8.1 points and 6.1 points, respectively; p < 0.001). No difference was found in terms of taste, smell, and appearance for Neocate junior-Numil® between the mothers’ and physicians’ ratings. Since caregivers have responsibility for careful selection of replacement products for infants with cow milk protein allergy, it is noteworthy that increased awareness and confidence in the palatability characteristics of these products should motivate mothers and physicians to comply with replacement treatment in the long term (AU)

Diagnosis and management of cow's milk protein allergy in Turkey: Region-specific recommendations by an expert-panel

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common type of food-allergy in younger children. Prognosis is usually good, with most children developing tolerance before school age. Children may present with a wide spectrum of symptoms that range from mild to severe; skin reactions such as angioedema and urticaria and gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common presentations of CMPA. Approximately one-third of CMPA patients suffer from multiple food-allergies; severe conditions such as anaphylactic shock (9%), eosinophilic esophagitis (4.7%), and food-protein induced enterocolitis (1%) may also develop in some children. Timely and accurate diagnosis and management is essential for proper growth and development of children with CMPA. In this expert consensus report, we aimed to adapt current understandings in the CMPA field to the specific conditions in Turkey and health system to help physicians with their day-to-day decision making

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Diagnosis and management of cow's milk protein allergy in Turkey: Region-specific recommendations by an expert-panel.

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common type of food-allergy in younger children. Prognosis is usually good, with most children developing tolerance before school age. Children may present with a wide spectrum of symptoms that range from mild to severe; skin reactions such as angioedema and urticaria and gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common presentations of CMPA. Approximately one-third of CMPA patients suffer from multiple food-allergies; severe conditions such as anaphylactic shock (9%), eosinophilic esophagitis (4.7%), and food-protein induced enterocolitis (1%) may also develop in some children. Timely and accurate diagnosis and management is essential for proper growth and development of children with CMPA. In this expert consensus report, we aimed to adapt current understandings in the CMPA field to the specific conditions in Turkey and health system to help physicians with their day-to-day decision making.

Predicting outgrowth of IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy: Diagnostic tests in children under two years of age

Background: Limited studies conducted on children <2 years old and/or involving a skin prick test (SPT) for fresh milk (FM) have examined the predictive value of allergometric tests for outgrowth of cow's milk allergy (CMA). We investigated the optimal decision points for outgrowth (ODPfo) with SPT for commercial cow's milk extract (CE) and FM and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels for milk proteins to predict outgrowing allergy in children < 2 years old. Methods: SPTs for CE and FM, tests for sIgEs (cow's milk, casein, alfa-lactoalbumin, Beta-lactoglobulin) and oral food challenges (OFC) were performed in children referred for evaluation of suspected CMA, and 15 months after diagnosis. Results: Fifty-one children (median age, 7.5 months; range, 2-23 months) were enrolled. Five had a history of anaphylaxis and 26 of 48 children with a positive initial challenge underwent milk elimination. The last OFC was performed in 28 children of whom 13 reacted to milk. The initial SPT responses to CE and FM and milk sIgE levels of the patients with persistent CMA were higher at diagnosis, with ODPfo of 7 mm, 9 mm, and 10.5 kU/L, respectively; these values remained higher with ODPfo of 4 mm, 11 mm, and 10.5 kU/L at the last OFC. Conclusion: Higher initial SPTs for FM and CE and higher initial sIgE levels for cow's milk proteins are associated with a reduced likelihood of outgrowth. Initial milk sIgE level < 10.5 kU/L and initial SPT for fresh milk < 9mm are related to the acquisition of tolerance in the follow-up period

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Effects of Apocynin on Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is associated with various clinical conditions, such as myocardial infarction, shock, and surgery under vascular occlusion. We aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of apocynin (AP) on liver injury induced by IR in an in vivo rat model. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups with n = 8 in each group: sham, IR, AP, and IR + AP. AP (20 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to rats in the AP and IR + AP groups for 30 minutes before 60 minutes of ischemia and followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. All rats were killed on the same day to evaluate tissue levels of oxidants and antioxidants (catalase, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, superoxidedismutase (SOD), and total glutathione). RESULTS: IR decreased SOD levels in IR group when compared with the sham group. AP supplementation to IR group significantly ameliorated SOD levels (P < .05). Also, IR caused elevation of myeloperoxidase production when compared with the sham group, whereas AP treatment prevented these hazardous effects (P < .05). However, plasma total glutathione, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels did not differ between the AP + IR and the IR rats. CONCLUSION: The main finding of the present study was that AP may be protective against liver IR injury. Our results suggested that AP pretreatment suppressed oxidative stress and increased antioxidant levels in an rat model of liver IR.

Predicting outgrowth of IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy: Diagnostic tests in children under two years of age.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies conducted on children <2 years old and/or involving a skin prick test (SPT) for fresh milk (FM) have examined the predictive value of allergometric tests for outgrowth of cow's milk allergy (CMA). We investigated the optimal decision points for outgrowth (ODPfo) with SPT for commercial cow's milk extract (CE) and FM and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels for milk proteins to predict outgrowing allergy in children <2 years old. METHODS: SPTs for CE and FM, tests for sIgEs (cow's milk, casein, α-lactoalbumin, ß-lactoglobulin) and oral food challenges (OFC) were performed in children referred for evaluation of suspected CMA, and 15 months after diagnosis. RESULTS: Fifty-one children (median age, 7.5 months; range, 2-23 months) were enrolled. Five had a history of anaphylaxis and 26 of 48 children with a positive initial challenge underwent milk elimination. The last OFC was performed in 28 children of whom 13 reacted to milk. The initial SPT responses to CE and FM and milk sIgE levels of the patients with persistent CMA were higher at diagnosis, with ODPfo of 7mm, 9mm, and 10.5kU/L, respectively; these values remained higher with ODPfo of 4mm, 11mm, and 10.5kU/L at the last OFC. CONCLUSION: Higher initial SPTs for FM and CE and higher initial sIgE levels for cow's milk proteins are associated with a reduced likelihood of outgrowth. Initial milk sIgE level <10.5kU/L and initial SPT for fresh milk <9mm are related to the acquisition of tolerance in the follow-up period.

A new radiographic acetabular cup anteversion measurement method in total hip arthroplasty: a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: The acetabular cup positioning is one of the most crucial steps affecting stability and wear rates in total hip arthroplasty. Different methods have been described for determining the anteversion of the acetabular cup in the literature. But there is still not a widely accepted method to assess the acetabular anteversion radiography. The aim of this study is to measure the acetabular anteversion angle on a single pelvis AP radiography with our method which was proven with an experimental study before. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients (8 males, 7 females) who underwent total hip arthroplasty and have had a pelvis computed tomography scans in our outpatient clinic were evaluated retrospectively. The anteversion angle was calculated in all of pelvis CT scans. For radiological measurement, the formula defined by the authors in an experimental model previously was used. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was not determined between radiographic and CT-based measurements (p = 0.207; p > 0.05). A statistically significant agreement was observed at a level of 98.8% between radiographic and CT-based measurements (ICC = 0.988; 95% CI 0.966-0.996; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Assessment of the acetabular cup anteversion is very important to predict the possible complications after total hip arthroplasty. Although many methods have been defined for this purpose, each of these has advantages and disadvantages. In particular, with computed tomography method, the patient is exposed to excessive radiation, whereas we think that our method is a preferred method due to features not requiring additional equipment, low radiation exposure, being simple, cost-effectiveness, easily applicable and almost 100% accurate.

Protective Effect of Dexpanthenol on Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Liver Injury.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of dexpanthenol (DXP) on liver injuries induced by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in an in vivo rat model. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 8 in each group: Sham, IR, DXP, and DXP+IR. DXP (500 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered for 30 min before 60 min of ischemia, followed by 60 min of reperfusion to rats in the DXP and DXP+IR groups. All rats were euthanized on day 10 to evaluate immunohistopathological changes as well as tissue levels of oxidants and antioxidants. RESULTS: IR decreased total glutathione (tGSH) levels in IR group when compared to the Sham group. DXP supplementation to IR group significantly ameliorated tGSH levels (P < .05). IR also elevated myeloperoxidase production compared to the Sham group, whereas DXP treatment prevented these hazardous effects. However, plasma superoxidedismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels did not differ between the DXP+IR than the IR rats. Histologic tissue damage was reduced in the DXP and DXP+IR group. CONCLUSION: Liver IR is an inevitable problem during liver surgery. Our results suggested that DXP pretreatment suppressed oxidative stress and increased antioxidant levels in a rat model of liver IR.

Tolerance to baked and fermented cow's milk in children with IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy in patients under two years of age

Background: IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA) has been shown consistent in milder heated-milk tolerant and severe heated-milk reactant groups in patients older than two years. Little is known whether fermentation of milk gives rise to similar clinical phenotypes. We aimed to determine the influence of extensively heated and fermented cow's milk on the IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMA in children younger than two years. Methods: Subjects followed with the diagnosis of IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMA for at least six months underwent unheated milk challenge. IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated groups were categorised as unheated milk-reactive and tolerant, separately. Unheated milk-reactive groups were further challenged sequentially with fermented milk (yoghurt) and baked milk, 15 days apart. Allergy evaluation with skin tests, prick-to-prick tests and atopy patch tests were performed.Results: Fifty-seven children (median age: 14 months; range: 7-24 months) underwent unheated milk challenge. Eleven of 27 children with IgE-mediated CMA and 14 of 30 children with non-IgE-mediated CMA tolerated unheated milk. Among subjects who reacted to unheated milk; 15 of 16 subjects (93%) with IgE-mediated CMA also reacted to yoghurt, whereas 11 of 16 subjects (68%) with non-IgE-mediated CMA tolerated fermented milk. Thirteen subjects (81%) of the unheated milk-reactive IgE-mediated group tolerated to heated milk. None of 16 subjects of unheated milk-reactive non-IgE-mediated group reacted to baked milk. Conclusion: The majority of children under the age of two years with both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMA tolerated baked-milk products. Yoghurt was tolerated in two thirds of unheated milk reactive patients suffering from non-IgE-mediated CMA (AU)

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Tolerance to baked and fermented cow's milk in children with IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy in patients under two years of age.

BACKGROUND: IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA) has been shown consistent in milder heated-milk tolerant and severe heated-milk reactant groups in patients older than two years. Little is known whether fermentation of milk gives rise to similar clinical phenotypes. We aimed to determine the influence of extensively heated and fermented cow's milk on the IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMA in children younger than two years. METHODS: Subjects followed with the diagnosis of IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMA for at least six months underwent unheated milk challenge. IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated groups were categorised as unheated milk-reactive and tolerant, separately. Unheated milk-reactive groups were further challenged sequentially with fermented milk (yoghurt) and baked milk, 15 days apart. Allergy evaluation with skin tests, prick-to-prick tests and atopy patch tests were performed. RESULTS: Fifty-seven children (median age: 14 months; range: 7-24 months) underwent unheated milk challenge. Eleven of 27 children with IgE-mediated CMA and 14 of 30 children with non-IgE-mediated CMA tolerated unheated milk. Among subjects who reacted to unheated milk; 15 of 16 subjects (93%) with IgE-mediated CMA also reacted to yoghurt, whereas 11 of 16 subjects (68%) with non-IgE-mediated CMA tolerated fermented milk. Thirteen subjects (81%) of the unheated milk-reactive IgE-mediated group tolerated to heated milk. None of 16 subjects of unheated milk-reactive non-IgE-mediated group reacted to baked milk. CONCLUSION: The majority of children under the age of two years with both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMA tolerated baked-milk products. Yoghurt was tolerated in two thirds of unheated milk reactive patients suffering from non-IgE-mediated CMA.

The predictive factors for remission of chronic spontaneous urticaria in childhood: Outcome from a prospective study

BACKGROUND: There are few studies in children on the natural course of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) because of its relative infrequency in childhood. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the rate of remission and evaluate the prognostic factors in children with CSU. METHOD: A total of 52 children with CSU were prospectively followed over a period of three years. RESULTS: The remission rates at 12 months and 36 months were 32.7% and 48.1%. The mean duration of disease at the first visit in the non-remission group was higher than in the remission group at the end of the study (P=0.016). The remission rate of the patients who had been treated by standard dose antihistamine was higher than that of the patients who had been treated with the high-dose antihistamine and combination medications (P=0.004, P<0.001). The treatment steps were independent prognostic factors for remission by logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that urticaria controlled by a standard dose of antihistamine can predict a good prognosis independently from disease duration at first visit

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The predictive factors for remission of chronic spontaneous urticaria in childhood: Outcome from a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies in children on the natural course of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) because of its relative infrequency in childhood. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the rate of remission and evaluate the prognostic factors in children with CSU. METHOD: A total of 52 children with CSU were prospectively followed over a period of three years. RESULTS: The remission rates at 12 months and 36 months were 32.7% and 48.1%. The mean duration of disease at the first visit in the non-remission group was higher than in the remission group at the end of the study (P=0.016). The remission rate of the patients who had been treated by standard dose antihistamine was higher than that of the patients who had been treated with the high-dose antihistamine and combination medications (P=0.004, P<0.001). The treatment steps were independent prognostic factors for remission by logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that urticaria controlled by a standard dose of antihistamine can predict a good prognosis independently from disease duration at first visit.

Effects of different positive end-expiratory pressure values on liver function and indocyanine green clearance test in liver transplantation donors: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was demonstrate the influence of different positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) values on blood flow of the liver by indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test in donor patients. METHODS: ICG clearance tests were conducted concurrently using a noninvasive monitor that tracks the plasma disappearance rate of ICG (PDR-ICG%/min) and 15-minute retention rate after administration of ICG (ICG-R15%). This study was performed in 40 patients who underwent right hepatectomy. RESULTS: The positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 0 cm H20 in the first (control) group (group K) and 10 mm Hg in the second study group (group P). ICG clearance test values before general anesthesia (T0), after induction of general anesthesia (T1), after transection (T2), 24 hours postoperative (T3), and 72 hours postoperative (T4) were recorded. Simultaneously, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), platelet count, plasma levels of prothrombin (PT), International Normalized Ratio (INR), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase values were analyzed. In terms of the plasma disappearance rate and retention rate of ICG 15 minutes after administration, significant difference was not observed between groups. PT and INR values were different within comparisons groups (P < .05). There were significant differences in Hgb and Hct values compared with the baseline values (T0) within group (T1, T2, T3, T4) measurements and between group comparisons at T0 and T4 (P < .05). Systemic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, and central venous pressure were significantly different between the groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Given the small magnitude and limited clinical significance of these changes, we conclude that PEEP values between 0 and 10 cm H2O have no effect on global liver function and liver-related liabilities tests in patients undergoing elective liver donor surgery.

Effects of two different techniques of postoperative analgesia management in liver transplant donors: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

The aim of this study was the compare the donor patients who received intravenous (IV) morphine with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) or epidural morphine during the early postoperative period who underwent liver transplantation. Forty patients were included in the study and randomly divided into 2 groups in a double-blinded manner. They were given IV morphine 5 mg (Group C), or epidural anesthesia adding morphine (2 mg; Group E) by epidural anesthesia technique starting 15 minutes before the estimated time of completion of surgery. All of the patients received PCA with IV morphine (Group C; PCA device was set to deliver 1 mg morphine with a lockout of 15 minutes and a 4-hour limit of 20 mg, and no continuous infusion) or epidural morphine (Group E; patient-controlled epidural analgesia [PCEA] device was set to deliver 0.5 mg morphine with a lockout of 30 minutes and a 4-hour limit of 10 mg, and no continuous infusion) and were followed up for 24 hours, and pain scores were evaluated by study nurses who were blinded to the study protocol. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and at movement and morphine consumption at 12 and 24 hours after operation evaluation time points were significantly higher in Group E than those in Group C (P < .05). Furthermore, total morphine consumption in Group C was significantly higher than that in Group E (P < .05). Epidural morphine via PCEA was associated with decreased postoperative VAS scores and morphine consumption. These findings may be beneficial for managing postoperative analgesia protocols in liver transplant donor patients.

Effects of Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia on Liver Blood Flow and Indocyanine Green Clearance Test in Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

BACKGROUND: Donors are volunteers without any health problems. Therefore, the anesthetic management of donor safety is an important issue. Our aim in this study was to compare thoracic epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia effects on liver blood flow by means of liver function tests and indocyanine green and compared with living-donor liver transplantation. METHODS: Subjects were divided into 2 equal groups: the control group (group I) and the epidural block group (group II, closed envelope method). In group II patients, the epidural catheter was inserted at the T6-8 level. In all patients, anesthesia was standardized with the use of lidocaine, fentanyl, and thiopental. Indocyanine green clearance test values before general anesthesia (T0), after induction of general anesthesia (T1), after transection (T2), and at postoperative 24 and 72 hours were recorded. Simultaneously, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase values were analyzed. RESULTS: Plasma disappearance rate (PDR) and retention at 15 minutes (R15) of indocyanine green were not statistically significant difference between groups (P > .05). Intragroup comparison of PDR and R15 values at times T1, T2, T3, and T4 showed that the values at T0 were statistically significant (P < .05). PT and INR values were significantly different for all times within each group (P < .05). It was concluded that the use of thoracic epidural anesthesia has no effect on global liver function and liver-related liability tests in patients undergoing elective liver donor surgery.

Comparison of antioxidant effects of isoflurane and propofol in patients undergoing donor hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The safety of healthy volunteer donors is one of the most important issues in living-donor liver transplantation. Use of the Pringle maneuver during donor hepatectomy can result in liver ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of isoflurane and propofol on IR injury caused by the Pringle maneuver during donor hepatectomy. METHODS: A total of 70 American Society of Anesthesiology I-II donors aged 18-65 years who underwent hepatectomy were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: propofol and isoflurane. Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured before surgery (t0) and after surgery (t1). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic features, anesthesia, and times of surgery between the groups (P > .05). Plasma TAC levels at t0 and t1 were significantly lower in the propofol group than in the isoflurane group (P < .05). OSI at t1 was significantly higher in the propofol group than in the isoflurane group (P < .05). MDA levels were significantly higher in the propofol group than in the isoflurane group at t0 (P < .05). MDA levels level were significantly higher in the isoflurane group than in the propofol group at t1 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol may have protective effects against IR injury caused by the Pringle maneuver during donor hepatectomy in living-donor transplantations. However, the effectiveness of propofol for clinical use needs to be investigated further.

Neurocognitive functions in pediatric renal transplant patients.

Neurocognitive dysfunction is one of the major complications of chronic renal failure (CRF). Uremic state during CRF encompasses a wide spectrum of neurobehavioral and neurological disturbances. Recent studies showed that the pathophysiology of neurocognitive dysfunction in CRF is related to plasma levels of uremic solutes. Successful renal transplantation improves renal, metabolic, and endocrine functions and the quality of life. The aim of our study was to determine the state of neurocognitive function in pediatric renal transplant recipients. We prospectively performed a neurological examination and neuropsychological test battery (Bender-Gestalt Test, Cancellation Test, and Visual and Auditory Number Assay Test) in 20 pediatric renal transplant recipients between 6 and 16 years of age. Twenty healthy children and 20 children with CRF were included in the study as the control groups. Mean age of the renal transplant recipients was 13.50 ± 3.40 years old. Mean evaluation time after transplantation was 2.0 ± 0.5 years. Bender-Gestalt Test result was abnormal in 40% of patients. The results of the Cancellation Test and the Visual and Auditory Number Assay Test showed significant decline in pediatric renal transplant patients when compared with the control. We found that neurocognitive dysfunction was frequent in pediatric renal transplantation patients. Awareness of this potential problem may be helpful for early recognition and treatment. Our findings suggest that periodic neurocognitive assessments may be indicated in transplant recipients.

Effect of alkalinisation of lignocaine for propofol injection pain: a prospective, randomised, double-blind study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether pretreatment with alkalinised lignocaine reduced the incidence and severity of pain during propofol injection. This prospective, randomised, double-blind study included 300 adult, American Society of Anesthesiologists physcial status I to II patients undergoing elective surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group L received 0.05 ml/kg of 1% lignocaine (5 ml normal saline + 5 ml 2% lignocaine), Group A received 0.05 ml/kg alkalinised lignocaine (5 ml 2% lignocaine + 1 ml 8.4% NaHCO3 + 4 ml normal saline), and Group S, the control group, was given the same amount of normal saline (NaCl 0.9%). All drugs were given as a bolus over 20 seconds before propofol administration. A blinded researcher assessed the patient's pain level using a four-point scale. The pain score [median (range)] and the incidence of pain in Group A (6%) was significantly lower than in groups L (41%) and S (88%, P <0.001). In addition, the pain score and the incidence of pain were found to be significantly different between Group L and Group S (P <0.001). The incidence of moderate and severe pain were greater in Group S when compared with groups A and L (P <0.001). Intravenous pretreatment with alkalinised lignocaine appears to be effective in reducing the pain during propofol injection.

Effects of preoperative iron deficiency on transfusion requirements in liver transplantation recipients: a prospective observational study.

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of preoperative iron deficiency in adult living donor liver transplantation patients and to investigate its relationship with the need for intraoperative transfusion. Between September 1, 2011, and June 1, 2012, 103 patients scheduled for liver transplantation were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to baseline iron status: an iron-deficient group and a non deficient (normal iron profile) group. Iron deficiency was assessed on the basis of several parameters, including transferrin saturation, levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, C-reactive protein, and peripheral blood smear. Preoperative iron deficiency was diagnosed in 62 patients. Preoperative iron deficiency was associated with low preoperative hemoglobin levels (P = .01) and a high rate of intraoperative transfusion (P < .0001). Preoperative iron deficiency is prognostic factor for predicting intraoperative transfusion requirements. These findings have important implications for transfusion practices for liver transplant recipients.