Graphene Oxide-Assisted Morphology and Structure of Electrodeposited ZnO Nanostructures.

In this paper, ZnO electrodeposition was studied with the presence of graphene oxide (GO) exploited as a possible structure-directing agent. The effect of deposition potential and duration on the morphology and structure of ZnO was analyzed. The morphology and structure of the hybrids was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The Raman results indicate a successful modification of ZnO with GO sheets and a hybridization threshold of 10 mg L-1 by the evolution of the defect related band of ZnO at 580 cm-1. The morphology results show that a low GO content only slightly influences the morphology and orientation of ZnO nanostructures while a high content as 10 mg L-1 changes the morphology in nanoplates and growth orientation to lateral. The results show that while GO participated in the deposition reaction, it has a two-fold role, also by structure-controlling ZnO, indicating that the approach is valid for the use of GO as a structure-directing agent for the fabrication of ZnO nanostructures by electrodeposition with varying morphologies and orientations.

The correlation of genetic markers with anatomoclinical and histopathological forms in Hirschsprung's disease.

Hirschsprung's disease is a birth defect that affects about one out of 5000 newborns. It is one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction at the babies. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the characteristics of Hirschsprung's disease in Dobrogea area, test of genetic markers in families and single cases, estimate the value of the test in the diagnosis and for evolution. We made a case-control study for the period 1995-2006 and analyzed 21 cases of Hirschsprung's disease, which were treated in the Emergency County Hospital, Constanta. The diagnostic methods comprised clinical and paraclinical examination. The chromosomal markers used in the study are represented by four categories of chromosome abnormalities: Trisomy 21, Del 10q, Del 13q, Del 17q. The molecular markers investigated by us are represented by: RET, EDNRB and EDN3. We made the correlation of genetic markers with the anatomopathological and histopathological forms, by measuring the level of association, expressed by the calculated relative risk (OR) and using the correlation index f. Based on data obtained from the group investigated, we found that the indices of association and correlation are consistently higher compared to DNA-markers with chromosomal markers, both for anatomopathological forms as well as histopathological. We noticed that no chromosomes markers were recorded with indices of correlation with negative values, which means that these chromosomal abnormalities are involved with a particular quota to the release of disease.

[Correlation between atrial function and functional capacity in highly trained subjects]. / Corrélation entre fonction atriale et capacité fonctionnelle chez les sportifs de haut niveau.

AIM: The aim of the study is to show the relationship existing between tissular Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters and functional capacity in highly trained subjects. METHODS AND PATIENTS: We therefore studied 46 patients including 22 untrained and 24 trained subjects. Each subject had pulsed TDI recording of systolic (S) and diastolic (E and A) longitudinal myocardial velocities in the basal portion of the RV free wall (RV), the septum (sep) and the LV free wall (LV) from apical 4C view. Athletes underwent the same day a cardiopulmonary test during which we measured peak V(O)2 (ml/kg/min) and anaerobic threshold (AT, ml/kg/min) and calculated VE/V(CO)2 slope. We studied differences between echocardiographic parameters in the two groups using Student test. Coefficients of correlations were calculated using the Spearman method. RESULTS: Differences between two groups concerned Tei index of right (RV) and left ventricle (LV), telediastolic diameter of LV, and A waves on each wall. In athletes RV, sep and LV S waves did not correlate with V(O)2, AT or VE/V(CO)2 RV, sep and LV A waves correlated significantly and negatively with V(O)2, RV and sep A waves negatively with AT, and sep and LV A waves positively with VE/V(CO)2. CONCLUSION: In athletes, atrial function shows a negative relationship with cardiopulmonary exercise parameters: the lower the proportion of LV filling due to atrial contraction, the better the level of functional capacity. This is probably due to myocardial structure, which allows more efficient early filling in hypertrophic athlete's heart.

[Association of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with isolated non-compaction of the left ventricle: a case report]. / Association du syndrome de Wolff-Parkinson-White a une non-compaction isolée du ventricule gauche. A propos d'un cas.

The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) may be associated with a number of cardiac pathologies, especially congenital disease, in 7.5 to 17% of cases. The authors report a rare association of the WPW syndrome with two Kent bundles, right and left septal, with non-compaction of the left ventricle in a 52 year old man. This was a chance finding during systematic echocardiography after ablation, and confirmed by cardiac MRI. The patient was asymptomatic.

[Collapsing glomerulopathy and cytomegalovirus, what are the links?]. / Glomérulopathie avec collapsus du floculus et cytomégalovirus, quels liens?

BACKGROUND: Collapsing glomerulopathy is a form of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis which occurs preferentially in black people. It causes severe nephrotic syndrome and quickly progresses towards end-stage renal failure. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 16-year-old black girl from Guadeloupe who was admitted for tetanus and edema in 1996. She had hypoparathyroidism, renal failure and a nephrotic syndrome as well as cytomegalovirus infection. Renal biopsy showed collapsing glomerulopathy. The renal function improved on glucocorticoid and ganciclovir therapy and her serum creatinine stabilized around 250 mumol/l for two years. DISCUSSION: Collapsing nephropathy is the cellular type of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. The main etiology is the human immunodeficiency virus. A viral infection may be involved in its pathogenesis. Other viruses could be linked with this nephropathy. This case report relates a case associated with a cytomegalovirus viruria. The clinical course might be related with the antiviral treatment.

[Renal osteodystrophy (1): invasive and non-invasive diagnosis of its pathologic varieties]. / Ostéodystrophie rénale (1); Diagnostic invasif et non invasif des variétés histopathologiques.

1. Renal osteodystrophy is a general term encompassing all the disturbances of the phosphocalcic metabolism and their associated bone and soft tissue abnormalities, which progressively occur in chronic renal failure. In this article we detail their main histopathological and etiopathogenic aspects as well as their invasive and non invasive diagnostic approach. 2. Osteitis fibrosa is characterized by extensive medullary fibrosis and osteoclastic hyperresorption linked to PTH hypersecretion. 3. Adynamic bone disease is mainly related to iatrogenic oversuppression of PTH secretion. It is favored by aluminum overload which directly inhibits the osteoblasts. It is characterized by a low bone formation rate without primary mineralization defect so that the osteoid seam thickness is normal or low, in contrast to osteomalacia in which by definition osteoid thickness is increased. 4. Osteomalacia is mainly due to aluminum intoxication, vitamin D insufficiency, hypocalcemia, acidosis and exceptionally to hypophosphatemia. 5. The differential diagnosis between the histopathological entities may be oriented on clinical, radiological and biochemical means. Only the bone biopsy can make the diagnosis with certainty. This latter is however necessary for appropriate treatment only in the patients who have been exposed to aluminum and who are symptomatic or hypercalcemic in order to distinguish severe osteitis fibrosa from aluminic bone disease, and more particularly from mixed osteopathy. Indeed surgical parathyroidectomy in patients with mixed osteopathy associating bone hyperremodeling and mineralization defect with inappropriately thick osteoid seam may induce fracturing low turn over aluminic bone disease.

Cyclosporine bone remodeling effect prevents steroid osteopenia after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that prednisone above 7.5 mg/day may induce osteopenia in association with decreased bone formation. In contrast, the effect of cyclosporine on bone remodeling and bone mineral density (BMD) is controversial. Multiple confounding factors explain this controversy, especially after renal transplantation. METHODS: Fifty-two renal transplanted patients never exposed to aluminum while on dialysis were selected because they had no rejection and no hypercalcemia for 24 months while being treated with low dose prednisone/cyclosporine A (daily dose at 10 mg and 4.8 mg/kg, respectively, beyond 3 months). Bone remodeling markers (BRMs; plasma osteocalcin, bone and total alkaline phosphatases for formation, and urinary pyridinolines for resorption) were sequentially measured together with plasma creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25 OH vitamin D and cyclosporine from day 0 to 24 months. BMD was measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months by quantitative computerized tomography (QCT) at the lumbar spine and by double-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at this site, as well as at the femoral neck, radius shaft, and ultradistal (UD) radius. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of creatinine, PTH, and 25 OH vitamin D initially decreased and stabilized beyond three months at 137 micromol/L, 1.5 the upper limit of normal (ULN) and 11 ng/mL, respectively. All BRM increased significantly above the ULN at six months and then decreased. The BMD Z score at three months was low at all sites measured by DEXA and QCT. Follow-up measurements showed stability of absolute value and of Z score at all sites measured by DEXA. A comparison of the lumbar QCT Z score, which was available in 42 patients at 3 and 24 months, showed an increase in 28 and a decrease in 14, so that the increase for the whole group was significant (P < 0.04). Compared with patients with a decreased Z score, those with an increased Z score had significantly higher cyclosporine and lower prednisone dosages and a greater BRM increase at six months, whereas age, sex ratio, and plasma creatinine, PTH and 25 OH vitamin D were comparable and stable from months 3 through 24. The mean trough level of cyclosporine for the first six months was positively correlated to osteocalcin and total alkaline phosphatase increase at six months, and both bone formation and resorption marker increases were significantly correlated to the lumbar QCT Z score increase at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined low-dose prednisone and cyclosporine immunosuppression are associated with a stabilization of BMD measured at all sites with DEXA 3 to 24 months after renal transplantation and with a prevention of age-related loss of vertebral trabecular bone, as shown by the significant increase in lumbar spine QCT Z score. It is suggested that cyclosporine, together with the decrease of prednisone dosage but independent of renal function, PTH, and vitamin D status, contributes to a transient stimulation of bone remodeling at six months, which counterbalances the deleterious effect of prednisone on bone formation and BMD.

[Renal and hypertensive complications of extracorporeal lithotripsy]. / Complications rénales et hypertensives de la lithotritie extracorporelle: les patients à risque.

HISTOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF ESWL: Extracorporeal shock wave litotripsy is now used for the treatment of about 90% of stones. Because of the nonpunctual delivery of energy into the stone, a small volume of renal parenchyma is injured, giving rise to a fibrous scar which can be visualized by morphological techniques such as magnetic nuclear resonance. Isotopic techniques point out a 15% reduction of renal plasma flow on the side of the litotripsy. For a majority of patients, this alteration is transient. HYPERTENSION: In a few cases, abrupt onset of transient hypertension has been reported in clear relation with a compressive perirenal hematoma. The causal effect of ESWL on late occurrence of permanent hypertension is however still uncertain, probably because of the difficulty to show that this occurrence is not related to the older age of the patient alone. The FDA sponsored multicentric study begun in 1993 should solve this issue in the future. PATIENTS AT RISK: Recent articles suggest that altered renal function prior to ESWL would predict late occurrence of hypertension and worsening of renal failure. Furthermore, age and the resistance index of arcuate or interlobular renal arteries (measured by Doppler) could help to screen the patients at risk of developing hypertension. Practical attitude: In practice, renal function and blood pressure should be carefully monitored in patients aged over 60 and/or who have a serum creatinine > 300 mumol/l.

Renal and hypertensive complications of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: who is at risk?

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is now used in the treatment of about 90% of renal and ureteral stones. Because of the non-punctual delivery of energy to the stone, a small volume of renal parenchyma is injured giving place to a fibrous scar which can be shown by highly resolutive imaging techniques like magnetic nuclear resonance. Isotopic clearances point to a reduction of 15% in the renal plasma flow on the side of the lithotripsy, but this alteration appears to be transient in nature. In a few cases an abrupt onset of transient hypertension has been reported in clear relation to a compressive perirenal hematoma. The responsibility of ESWL in the late occurrence of permanent hypertension is, however, still uncertain, probably because of the difficulty in showing that this occurrence is not only related to the older age of the patient. The American Food and Drug Administration-sponsored multicentric study begun in 1992 should solve this issue in the future. Recent articles suggest that altered renal function prior to ESWL would predict the late occurrence of hypertension and worsening of renal failure. Furthermore, age and the resistance index of arcuate or interlobar renal arteries (measured by Doppler) could help to screen patients at risk of developing hypertension. In practice in patients over 60 years of age and/or with a plasma creatinine of >to 300 micromol/l, ESWL should be performed with caution, and renal function and blood pressure should be carefully monitored.

[Could angiotensin II type I receptor antagonists have a superior beneficial effect than that of angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibitors with respect to the risk of cerebrovascular accident?]. / Les antagonistes des récepteurs de type 1 de l'angiotensine II peuvent-ils avoir un effet bénéfique supérieur à celui des inhibiteurs de l'enzyme de conversion vis-à-vis du risque d'accident vasculaire cérébral?

In contrast with the expected results, the Captopril Prevention Project study has found that the relative risk of stroke was greater by 25% in patients treated with ACEI than in patients receiving the conventional diuretics +/- betablockers regimen (Hanson et al. ISH Amsterdam, June 98). This difference persisted after adjustment for the initial differences of blood pressure levels between the groups after randomisation. This does not mean that ACEI would worsen the risk of stroke when compared to a placebo, since a potent protective effect of diuretics and betablockers on the relative risk of stroke has long been demonstrated. Nonetheless, these results suggest that for a similar blood pressure lowering effect, conventional therapy is more effective than ACEI to prevent stroke. This finding, in discrepancy with the current prevailing opinion that ACEI have emerged as the most effective preventive treatment to reduce cardiovascular morbidity, is regarded as surprising by the investigators. However, a number of animal experimental data may help to envisage the complete inhibition of angiotensin II formation as a two-edged sword, because of the multiplicity of its receptors mediating different, and even opposite effects. In a series of experimental studies in mammals, the group of Fernandez has provided a bundle of observations suggesting that angiotensin II contributes to early reperfusion following acute ischemia by enabling the recruitment of pre-existing collateral vascularisation, an effect mediated via the stimulation of non-AT1 receptors (possibly AT2). Indeed, the worsening of stroke in the gerbil after incomplete ligation of the carotid by pre-treatment with ACEI had been demonstrated by these authors (J Cerebral Blood Flow Metab, 1988; 24:937), and they further show that pre-administration of losartan significantly reduced the ischemic brain damage and the mortality induced by the abrupt ligation of one carotid, but that this preventive effect of losartan was abolished if enalapril was co-administrated (J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1994; 24:937). The first available clinical data on stroke risk with ACEI reported in the CPP study, showing a less effective prevention of stroke with ACEI than diuretics supports the hypothesis that similar mechanism may also prevail in humans, and lead us to propose to discuss the rationale for a large multicentric trial aiming to compare the protective effect of ARAT1 and ACEI on the risk of recurrence of stroke.

Risk factors of renal failure progression two years prior to dialysis.

AIM: The respective contribution of sex, type of nephropathy, degree of proteinuria, blood pressure, protein and sodium daily intakes, blood lipid profile, protidemia, hemoglobinemia, acidosis and CaPO4 product on the rate of renal failure progression is debated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The link between these parameters and the decrease of creatinine clearance, deltaCcr (according to Cockroft) was assessed in uni- and multivariate analysis in a population of 49 patients (26 women; age 60+/-15 years, weight 79+/-15 kg) selected out of 173 presently treated hemodialysis patients on the basis of availability of a quarterly follow-up for 2 years before starting dialysis. The patients were advised a moderate protein and salt restriction which could be retrospectively assessed (on urinary excretion of urea and sodium) at, respectively, 0.82 g/kg/day and 6.5 g/day. RESULTS: The 2-year deltaCcr was 14+/-14 ml/min. It was not different in men and women. This decrease in Ccr was neither significantly different in gomerular disease (17+/-8, n = 14), diabetic nephropathy (12+/-6, n = 7), nephroangiosclerosis (15+/-8, n = 5), interstitial nephritis (12+/-10, n = 14), and PKD (11 +/-12, n = 9). Patients with antihypertensive drugs (n = 42) had a faster progression than those without drugs (n = 7): deltaCcr = 15+/-14 vs 7+/-7 ml/min (p < 0.05) in spite of comparable blood pressure but with higher proteinuria. Linear regression of deltaCcr with the initial and 2-year averaged values of the quantitative parameters showed a significant positive link for both values with cholesterol, hemoglobine and proteinuria and a negative one with protidemia. A positive link was observed with the initial value of bicarbonate and the 2-year mean of diastolic and mean blood pressures. No link at all was observed with urea and Na excretion, CaPO4 product and triglycerides. Multiple regression disclosed a significant link only for protidemia (negative with both initial and 2-year averaged value), diastolic BP (only for the 2-year averaged value and hemoglobinemia (for the initial value). When the patients were classified according to a threshold value of their protidemia, DBP, hemoglobinemia, and cholesterolemia those with the combination of 2 risk factors of progression (protidemia > or = 66 g/l, DBP > or = 90 mmHg, hemoglobinemia > 11 g/dl, proteinuria > or = 3 g/d, CT > 5 mmol/l) had a significantly greater decrease of Ccr than those with the 3 other combinations at the exception of the association of low protidemia with DBP. CONCLUSION: Diastolic hypertension and low protidemia are the 2 most important factors predicting progression of renal failure. A predictive synergy was furthermore pointed out between low protidemia or diastolic hypertension with proteinuria and cholesterol. On the contrary anemia attenuates progression linked to low protidemia, diastolic hypertension, proteinuria and high cholesterol.

Is low plasma 25-(OH)vitamin D a major risk factor for hyperparathyroidism and Looser's zones independent of calcitriol?

BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggest that calcitriol might not be the sole active metabolite of vitamin D and that plasma concentrations of 25-(OH)vitamin D (25OHD) are often abnormally low in hemodialysis patients. We have therefore evaluated plasma 25OHD as a risk factor for parathyroid hormone (PTH) hypersecretion and radiological bone disease. We carried out a cross-sectional study during the month of September in an Algerian dialysis center of 113 patients who were not taking supplements of alphacalcidol or calcitriol. METHODS: Plasma 25OHD, calcitriol, PTH, calcium, phosphate, bicarbonate, and aluminum were measured, and x-rays of the hands and pelvis were obtained for evaluation of subperiosteal resorption and Looser's zones. RESULTS: The median plasma 25OHD was 47.5 nmol/liter (range 2.5 to 170.0). Univariate analysis showed that plasma PTH was correlated positively with months on maintenance dialysis and negatively with plasma 25OHD, calcitriol, calcium, bicarbonate and aluminum, but not with that of phosphate. plasma 25OHD was positively correlated with calcium and calcitriol. Using multiple regression analysis, only plasma 25OHD (negative) and the duration on maintenance dialysis (positive) were independently linked to plasma PTH. The prevalence of isolated subperiosteal resorption (ISR) was 34%, and that of the combination of resorption with Looser's zones (CRLZ) was 9%; thus, only 57% of the patients had a normal x-ray appearance. These groups were comparable with regards to age, gender, and duration on dialysis. When the biochemical measurements of the patients with CRLZ were compared with those from patients without radiological lesions, plasma 25OHD was the only parameter to show a statistically significant difference, being significantly lower in the CRLZ group (26 +/- 18 vs. 57 nmol/liter, ANOVA, P < 0.004). Plasma 25OHD was also significantly lower in the ISR group (44, P < 0.05) than in the normal x-ray group, and plasma Ca (P < 0.003) and bicarbonate (P < 0.02) were lower. Logistical analysis showed that the presence of resorption was independently linked only with plasma PTH. Looser's zones and subperiosteal resorption were not seen in patients with plasma 25OHD of more than 40 (Looser's zones) and more than 100 nmol/liter (subperiosteal resorption). The optimal range for intact PTH in hemodialysis patients with mild aluminum overload is 10 to 25 pmol/liter. We found that plasma PTH was inappropriately high only when plasma 25OHD was less than 100 nmol/liter. With a plasma 25OHD of between 100 and 170 nmol/liter, hypercalcemia was present with a plasma PTH of less than 10 pmol/liter in only one case. CONCLUSIONS: This cross sectional study shows that low plasma 25OHD is a major risk factor for hyperparathyroidism and Looser's zones. In dialysis patients, we suggest that the plasma levels of 25OHD are maintained around the upper limit of the reference range of sunny countries.