Simvastatin in an experimental spinal cord injury model: a histopathological and biochemical evidence based study.

AIM: In this study we tried to determine the possible neuroprotective effects of simvastatin in a rat model of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) with the help of biochemical and histopathological tests. METHODS: Rats were divided into 5 groups:1) SCI control, 2) Sham operated, 3) SCI with 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal simvastatin, 4) SCI with 10 mg/kg oral simvastatin, 5) SCI with 10 mg/kg subcutaneous simvastatin. After the treatment period, all rats were sacrificed; their blood and spinal cord samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological assessment. RESULTS: When the groups were compared in terms of oedema and inflammation status, the scores of groups receiving simvastatin were better than the control and sham groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.038 respectively). When the 3 treatment groups (oral, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous simvastatin groups) were compared with each other in terms of inflammation, haemorrhage and oedema, there were no significant differences between groups (p = 0.112, p = 0.797 and p = 0.188, respectively). NSE and S100B levels were significantly lower in the treatment groups compared to the sham group (p = 0.039 and p = 0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION: According to our biochemical and histopathological findings, simvastatin 10 mg/kg has a positive impact in the spinal cord injury model in rats, regardless of route of application (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 26).

The Effects of O6-methyl Guanine DNA-methyl Transferase Promotor Methylation and CpG1, CpG2, CpG3 and CpG4 Methylation on Treatment Response and their Prognostic Significance in Patients with Glioblastoma.

This retrospective study examined the prognostic significance and treatment effect of promoter methylation of O6- methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) and meth-ylation of CpG 1, CpG2, CpG3 and CpG4 in glioblastoma (GB) patients received postoperative radiotherapy (PORT), with or without adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ). One hundred patients with GB who received PORT with concomitant TMZ plus adjuvant TMZ or PORT alone, were included. The MGMT promoter methylation of CpG1, CpG2, CpG3 and CpG4 islands were examined. Overall, MGMT-methylation emerged as a significant prognostic factor for better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) [odds ratio (OR): 0.609, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.395-0.939, p = 0.02; OR: 0.662,95% CI: 0.430-1019, p = 0.5, respectively]. The methylation of each CpG1, CpG2, CpG3 and CpG4 islands was found to have no significant effects on OS and the methylation of each CpGl, CpG2 and CpG4 islands had no significant effect on PFS (p <0.05 for all). On the other hand, the methylation of CpG3 had a positive prognostic effect on PFS (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 0.99-4.67, p = 0.04). In the group that only received radiotherapy (RT), CpG1 and CpC3 methylations were found to have a positive prognostic significance in terms of PFS (OR: 266, 95% CI: 1.05-6.75, p -0.03 for CpG1; OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.01-5.92, p = 0.04 for CpG3). The MGMT promoter methylation represents an important biomarker for predicting response to therapy. Individual islands, particularly CpG3, deserves further investigation as a prognostic marker. Further studies need to be done with larger sample sizes to clarify the results.

Ultrastructural evaluation of urine alkalinization versus hydration on colistin-induced nephrotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: Colistin is a vital antibiotic used in multidrug-resistant infections. Its most important side effect is nephrotoxicity. Colistin is a weak acid. This study aims to evaluate whether urine alkalinization is protective in the nephrotoxicity of colistin. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups. Group I (n = 4) was injected with intramuscular distilled water twice a day for 7 days. Group II (n = 8) was injected with 750,000 IU/kg/day colistin for 7 days. Group III (n = 8) was injected with the same dose of colistin after their urinary pH was ≥7 through the addition of bicarbonate in their drinking water. Group IV (n = 8) was injected with the same dose of colistin after their urine density fell below 1010 through the addition of NaCl molds in their food and 12.6 mg/L NaCl in their drinking water. RESULTS: According to tubular degenerations (scored 0-5), group I scored 0, group II scored 4.25, group III scored 2, and group IV scored 1.5. In groups III and IV, protection was achieved (p = 0.001). The bicarbonate group was not superior to the NaCl group (p = 0.789). In transmission electron microscopy, group III had more microvilli integrity and autophagic vacuoles compared to group IV. Group IV had mitochondrial swelling and cristae lysis. A lower urine density was related to lower tubular scores (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Colistin was highly nephrotoxic without protection. Light microscopy findings revealed that urinary alkalinization and NaCl hydration were similarly protective. Urine alkalinization further prevents ultrastructural changes as revealed by electron microscopy.

Urinary Type III Procollagen Is Associated With Chronic Allograft Dysfunction and Predicts Graft Survival.

BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) is the most important clinical problem in solid organ transplantation. Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy contribute to long-term renal allograft failure. Urinary type III procollagen N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP), has been shown to associate fibrotic processes. METHODS: One hundred sixty patients with CAD who underwent allograft biopsies were evaluated, and 52 patients with chronic or sclerosing allograft nephropathy were enrolled in the study. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the level of urinary PIIINP to creatinine (u-PIIINP-to-Cr): high procollagen group and low procollagen group. The association between u-PIIINP-to-Cr level at the time of biopsy and renal endpoints during 36 months of follow-up was assessed by multivariate Cox analysis. RESULTS: Interstitial fibrosis and proteinuria were higher in the high procollagen group compared with the low urinary procollagen group. Correlation analysis showed that levels of u-PIIINP-to-Cr were positively associated with fibrosis scores. During the follow-up, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased in both study groups; however, GFR declined more in the high procollagen group than in low procollagen group. Cox regression model showed that the u-PIIINP-to-Cr levels, GFR, and proteinuria were independent risk factors associated with graft survival. CONCLUSION: u-PIIINP-to-Cr level is a potentially useful noninvasive marker for graft survival in patients with CAD.

Urologic Disorders in Living Renal Donors and Outcomes of Their Recipients.

BACKGROUND: There is an expanding gap between the number of patients listed for kidney transplantation and the number of kidney transplantations performed annually. The use of sensitive imaging methods results in increased discovery of many urologic asymptomatic problems, such as urolithiases, renal cysts, and solid renal masses. This result has brought the question of whether all donors with these urologic disorders should be rejected for donation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed donor and recipient records of all living kidney transplantations performed from 2004 to 2014. RESULTS: Among 251 living-related donor kidney transplantations, 51 donors (20.3%) had urologic disorders. Mean donor age was significantly higher in donors with urologic disorders than in the standard donor group (50 y vs 41 y). The identified disorders were 32 renal cysts, 8 urolithiases, 3 renal tumors, 6 adrenal adenomas, and 2 microscopic hematurias. After nephrectomy, the graft kidneys with cysts were inspected carefully and all of the cortical-peripheral cysts were decorticated. Renal tumors were excised in 3 renal units. Transplantations had proceeded after the confirmation of low malignancy potentials of the lesions with safe surgical margins. Two out of 8 patients had undergone stone removal with ex vivo ureteroscopy and 1 by means of pyelotomy incision because of calix neck stenosis. None of those donors and recipients developed clinically significant renal stone disease with a mean follow-up of 28 months. Neither donors nor recipients of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria patients developed any problem with a mean 28 months' follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic urologic problems are very common. The significance of these asymptomatic pathologies is unclear. Our results suggest that in a selected group, at least some of these candidates can be accepted for donation.

Spinal intradural abscess caused by hematogenous spread of Prevotella oralis in a 3-year-old child with an asymptomatic congenital spinal abnormality.

STUDY DESIGN: Case Report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of spinal intradural abscess caused by hematogenous spread of Prevotella oralis and discuss the treatment. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. METHOD: We report a 3-year-old child with progressive paraparesis who was diagnosed with an intradural spinal abscess, epidermoid cyst and dermal sinus. The patient was treated surgically followed by antimicrobial treatment. RESULT: Intraoperative abscess culture was positive for Prevotella oralis, which has not been reported before as a single isolate in literature. The patient's neurologic status was significantly improved after surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic antimicrobial therapies should cover the anaerobic bacteria in spinal intradural abscess. Surgical decompression with laminectomy and duraplasty may be warranted to achieve immediate neurologic improvement in such cases.

Endothelial dysfunction in renal transplant recipients: role of vitamin D and fibroblast growth factor-23.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction can be detected at early stages of chronic kidney disease. Although endothelial functions improve after successful renal transplantation, renal transplant recipients have still worse endothelial functions compared to healthy subjects. Vitamin D deficiency and high fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels may have a role on endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between endothelial functions, vitamin D, and FGF-23 levels in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: One hundred nine renal transplant recipients (71 male, 38 female) underwent brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), serum 25-OH vitamin D, and FGF-23 level measurements. Vitamin D and FGF-23 levels were compared between patients with normal and abnormal endothelial functions. Correlations between FMD, vitamin D, and FGF-23 were also investigated. RESULTS: Endothelial functions were abnormal in 72.5% of the patients. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 80.7%. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with endothelial dysfunction compared to patients with normal endothelial functions (12.6 ± 6.6 µg/L vs 17.3 ± 10.0 µg/L respectively, P = .02). FGF-23 levels were not different between the two groups. 25-OH vitamin D levels had a significant positive correlation with amount of FMD (r = 0.218 and P = .02) and were an independent predictor of FMD after adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, transplantation duration, body mass index, mean blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, hemoglobin, and FGF-23 in multivariate regression analysis (beta = 0.194, P = .04). FGF-23 levels were not predictive of FMD in this model (beta: -0.125, P = .197) CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with endothelial dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. Further clinical and experimental studies are necessary to define a causal relationship between the parameters, discover the potential mechanisms, and observe the effect of vitamin D replacement on endothelial functions in renal transplant recipients.

Does allograft size really matter in the long-term outcome of living donor kidney transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Increased allograft mass in living donor kidney transplantation has been recognized as a predictor factor of better short-term allograft function. We evaluated whether donor kidney volume adjusted for recipient body weight is associated with long-term allograft function in living donor kidney transplantation. METHODS: We analyzed 67 living donors and their recipients who underwent transplantation between 2003 and 2007. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine levels at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years post-transplantation were recorded for all recipients. Transplanted kidney volumes were measured using 3-D helical computed tomography scanning. A transplant kidney volume-recipient body weight (Vol/Wt) ratio was calculated for each donor-recipient pair. The subjects were divided into tertiles according to Vol/Wt ratios: low (<2.16), medium (2.16-2.88), and high (>2.88). RESULTS: Vol/Wt ratio significantly correlated with recipient eGFR and serum creatinine levels at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years post-transplantation (r = .48, P < .0001; r = .46, P < .0001; r = .47, P < .0001; r = .26, P = .037, respectively, for eGFR; r = -.53, P < .0001; r = -.50, P < .0001; r = -.44, P < .0001; r = -.37, P = .003, respectively, for serum creatinine) but not at 5 years (r = .12, P = .406 for eGFR; r = -.21, P = .110 for serum creatinine). Whereas recipient eGFR increased significantly in a graded fashion among low to high Vol/Wt ratio groups during 1 to 3 years post-transplantation, there was no difference in eGFR values between Vol/Wt ratio groups at 4 and 5 years (P = .21 and .71, respectively). CONCLUSION: Vol/Wt ratio is not associated with long-term allograft function in living donor kidney transplantation.

Association between urinary angiotensinogen, hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant women with preeclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia is a life-threatening disorder of pregnancy. The pathogenic mechanisms of preeclampsia remain uncertain. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) levels, an indicator of local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity in the kidney, and blood pressure and urinary protein excretion in preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 90 women aged between 20-39 years were recruited. Spot urine samples were collected to measure urinary angiotensinogen/creatinine ratio (UAGT/UCre). Log(UAGT/UCre) was compared in pregnancies with and without preeclampsia and non-pregnant controls. Factors affecting log(UAGT/UCre) in pregnancies were also investigated. RESULTS: In all pregnancies log(UAGT/UCre) levels were significantly higher than in non-pregnant controls (0.58±0.19 vs. 0.33±0.14, respectively, p=0.002). However, log(UAGT/UCre) levels in pregnancies with preeclampsia were slightly lower than in normal pregnancies (0.52±0.18 vs. 0.64±0.19, respectively, p=0.012). Log(UAGT/UCre) levels were correlated positively with blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancies with preeclampsia. However, log(UAGT/UCre) levels were not correlated with age, height, body weight, gestational age, body mass index, and serum creatinine. CONCLUSION: This study showed that elevated local RAS activity in kidney was correlated with high blood pressure and proteinuria in preeclampsia. Local RAS activation in the kidneys may be one of the contributing factors in the development of preeclampsia.

Living donor kidney volume as a predictor of graft function: is there a role for proteinuria?

BACKGROUND: The proposed mechanism by which nephron underdosing contributes to graft failure is hyperfiltration damage leading to proteinuria and nephron loss. We evaluated whether proteinuria had an impact on the relationship between graft size and outcome in living donor kidney transplantation. METHODS: We analyzed 69 living donors and their recipients who underwent transplantation between 2003 and 2007. Transplanted kidney volumes were measured by 3-D helical computed tomography scanning. A transplant kidney volume-recipient body weight (Vol/Wt) ratio was calculated for each donor-recipient pair. The subjects were divided into tertiles according to Vol/Wt ratios: low (<2.0), medium (2.0-2.7) and high (>2.7). RESULTS: Recipient glomerular filtration rate (GFR) positively correlated with Vol/Wt ratio at 6, 12, and 24 months posttransplantation (r = .49, P < .001; r = .47, P < .001; r = .42, P < .001, respectively). Mean GFR increased significantly in graded fashion from low to high Vol/Wt ratio groups at 6, 12, and 24 months posttransplantation. Proteinuria did not differ between the three groups during 24 months after transplantation. Upon multivariate analysis, donor age, recipient age, and Vol/Wt ratio showed significant impacts on graft function. CONCLUSION: Vol/Wt ratio displayed a significant independent effect on graft function in living donor kidney transplantation. This close association did not appear to be related to the degree of proteinuria during 24 months.

Dietary salt intake is related to inflammation and albuminuria in primary hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we hypothesized that dietary salt intake may be related with inflammation and albuminuria independently from blood pressure (BP) in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 224 patients with primary hypertension were included in the study. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, 24-h urine sodium and albumin excretion were measured in all patients. The subjects were divided into tertiles according to the level of 24-h urinary sodium excretion: low-salt-intake group (n = 76, mean urine sodium: 111.7 ± 29.1 mmol/24 h), medium-salt-intake group (n = 77, mean urine sodium: 166.1 ± 16.3 mmol/24 h) and high-salt-intake group (n = 71, mean urine sodium: 263.6 ± 68.3 mmol/24 h). RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic BP measurements of patients were similar in the three salt-intake groups. CRP and urinary albumin levels were significantly higher in high-salt-intake group compared with medium- and low-salt-intake groups (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.001, respectively). CRP was positively correlated with 24-h urinary sodium excretion (r = 0.28, P = 0.0008) and albuminuria, whereas albuminuria was positively correlated with 24-h urinary sodium excretion (r = 0.21, P = 0.0002). Multiple regression analysis revealed that urinary sodium excretion was an independent predictor of both CRP and albuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that high salt intake is associated with enhanced inflammation and target organ damage reflected by increased albuminuria in treated hypertensive patients independent of any BP effect.

Utility of the Doppler ultrasound parameter, resistive index, in renal transplant histopathology.

BACKGROUND: Doppler ultrasonography is routinely used by many clinicians during long-term follow-up to identify high-risk patients without diagnosing the exact cause of graft dysfunction. Despite a number of studies showing a correlation between intrarenal resistive index (RI) and renal function in patients with kidney diseases, correlations between RI and renal histopathologic characteristics have not been sufficiently evaluated in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to examine this relationship in grafted kidneys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The intrarenal RI was retrospectively compared with biopsy findings in 28 kidney recipients. All renal biopsy specimens were reviewed by light microscopy and immunofluorescence staining. For glomerulosclerosis, we considered the percentage of glomeruli showing this change; for interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy and interstitial infiltration, we graded abnormalities according to the methods of Kliem et al (Kidney Int 49:666, 1996). RESULTS: The percentage of globally sclerosed glomeruli was significantly greater among patients with RI values higher than 0.75 than below this level (23% vs 47%; P = .022). Patients with grade 1 interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (n = 14) showed lower RI values (0.68 +/- 0.03 vs 0.74 +/- 0.06; P = .047) than those with grade 3 fibrosis (n = 12). Similarly, lower RI values (0.66 +/- 0.02 vs 0.73 +/- 0.05; P = .014) were observed among patients with grade 1 (n = 13) compared with grade 3 interstitial infiltration (n = 13). CONCLUSION: RI seemed to provide a prognostic marker for the graft rather than yielding an exact diagnosis of renal graft dysfunction.

Anterior sacral meningocele. A case report.

A case of anterior sacral meningocele in a 6-year-old girl is reported. The laminotomies of L5, S1, and S2 vertebrae were performed through a median posterior approach. The communication between the subarachnoid space and the meningocele was closed using dural fibrin patch, which has not yet been described in the literature. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Gingival health status in renal transplant recipients: relationship between systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Systemic and periodontal inflammation has been suggested to have a possible role in the development of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between gingival health status, inflammation and atherosclerosis in RTRs. Eighty-three RTR (50 male, 33 female) were enrolled in the study. Routine biochemical analyses, serum lipoproteins, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, homocystein, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and cyclosporin A (CsA) trough levels were studied. All patients had 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and B-mode ultrasound of the common carotid arteries. Gingival status was evaluated by the Löe and Silness gingival index (GI). Mean GI value was 2.3 +/- 0.5. Fifty patients (60.3%) had GI value >or= 2.1 (severe gingivitis; group A). Thirty-three patients (39.7%) had GI value < 2.1 (no or moderate gingivitis; group B). Age, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and mean time on dialysis before transplantation were significantly higher in group A than in B. Systemic inflammation markers were not different between group A and group B. Mean CIMT was positively correlated with GI (r = 0.425; p = 0.001) and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.256; p = 0.023). After the correction for confounding variables, mean CIMT was still significantly correlated with GI (r = 0.376, p = 0.02). In RTR, gingival inflammation seems to be associated with CIMT in the absence of systemic inflammation. Thus, gingivitis may, in part, play a role in the development of systemic atherosclerosis without causing any aggravation in systemic inflammatory response.

The role of proinflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms for development of insulin resistance after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance, a frequent prediabetic metabolic complication after renal transplantation, is generally linked to immunosuppressive drugs including corticosteroids, cyclosporine (CsA) or tacrolimus, as well as to age, cadaveric donors and ethnic factors. Cytokines are known to be inflammation modulatory substances that contribute to metabolic derangements after transplantation. The present study investigated the effects of cytokine gene polymorphisms on insulin resistance in renal transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one renal transplant recipients (37 men, 24 women; mean age: 39.3 +/- 10.8 years) who attended regular clinical visits without a known history of diabetes were enrolled in the study. All patients were on a regimen of steroid, CsA, and mycophenolate mofetil. Venous blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses after an overnight fast at 08:00 pm. CsA trough levels, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were also estimated. Additional 10 mL of blood was withdrawn into an ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-containing tube to determine cytokine genotypes (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] -238 G/A, transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-beta] codon 10 -869 T/C). Insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method using the values of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin levels. Anthropometric indices as well as body height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured simultaneously to calculate body mass index (kg/m2) and waist-to-hip ratio. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was described as an FBG > or = 110 but < 126 mg/dL. RESULTS: IFG was detected in 27.9% of this study group. The HOMA index was significantly higher among patients with IFG compared with normal FBG (NoGT) (6.3 +/- 4.5 vs 3.7 +/- 1.5; P = .01). Neither FBG and insulin nor HOMA values correlated with antrophometric, metabolic, or inflammatory parameters. Cytokine genotype allele frequencies, age, sex, immunosuppressive and antihypertensive drug type and doses, CsA trough levels, and donor source (cadaveric/living) were similar for patients with IFG and NoGT. Mutant allele carrier genotypes (AA + GA) for TNF-alpha -238 G/A showed higher fasting insulin (14.0 +/- 7.9 vs 34.1 +/- 17.7 microIU/mL; P = .04) and HOMA (4.01 +/- 2.01 vs 7.95 +/- 5.44; P = .002) levels than GG homozygote subjects. FBG, HOMA, and other metabolic and anthropometric indices were similar between TGF-beta codon 10 -869 T/C genotypes. The daily dose of steroid (mg/d) and A allele frequency for TNF-alpha -238 G/A genotype were significant predictors of HOMA index in linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that beside the daily dose of steroids, TNF-alpha -238 G/A genotype may contribute to insulin resistance in renal transplant recipients. Further investigations may highlight the effects of cytokine gene heterogenity on insulin resistance in those patients.

Sieving effect of heat-denatured milk proteins during ultrafiltration of skim milk. I. The preliminary approach.

The effect of heat treatment of skim milk on the ultrafiltration process was examined. The change in permeate collection rate was explained as a function of heat-induced modifications of the milk protein system. It is suggested that there was a sieving effect which contributed to the acceleration of permeate flow-down during membrane filtration. It is thought that this resulted from formation of complex structures between heat-denatured whey proteins and casein micelles.

Prediction of renal allograft function with early Doppler ultrasonography.

INTRODUCTION: Doppler ultrasonography (USG) is an useful, noninvasive diagnostic tool for the management and follow-up of the transplanted kidney. However, it is believed that the value of Doppler USG is limited to discrimination of acute rejection episodes. We tested whether early Doppler USG findings were predictive of 1-month and 1-year allograft functions in noncomplicated renal transplant recipients (RTRs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Resistive index (RI) and pulsatile index (PI) values obtained by doppler USG within the first week of transplantation were correlated with allograft function at 1 month and 1 year in 45 (10 women, 35 men, mean age: 27 years) noncomplicated cases. Patients with complications during the first posttransplant year were not included. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between both RI and PI with creatinine clearance values at 1 month and at 1 year posttransplant. There was a significant decline in allograft function among cases with either RI > or = 0.7 or PI > or = 1.1. Patients with impaired allograft function have higher RI and PI values. CONCLUSION: Renal allograft survival is influenced by many factors. However, no reliable simple parameter has been identified to predict long-term outcome. Doppler USG performed during the early transplantation period with calculation of RI and PI may have a predictive value to forecast early and long-term outcomes of noncomplicated kidney transplants.

Pure red cell aplasia preceding malignant lymphoma in a renal transplant patient.

Malignant disorders are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. We present herein a renal transplant recipient with malignant lymphoma which preceded by pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Acquired PRCA is a rare hematologic disorder in renal transplant recipients. It has been associated with a variety of disorders of immunologic dysfunction and neoplasms, exposure to drugs and toxins, infectious diseases, pregnancy and severe nutritional deficiency. This is the first case with PRCA preceding the malign lymphoma in a renal transplant patient. Treatment of lymphoma and lymphoma-related humoral and cellular changes or other undefined effects that may be related to therapy may be responsible of the resolving of PRCA in this patient. In this regard, renal transplant patients with acquired PRCA, must be closely followed for an underlying neoplastic disorder.