Demonstration of the protective effect of propofol in rat model of cisplatin-induced neuropathy.

Cisplatin is commonly used in the treatment of lung, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal cancers. Peripheral neuropathy is the most important side effect, leading to a decrease in the dose of cisplatin or its complete cessation in the early period. 16 rats were given cisplatin at a dose of 2.5 mg/ kg/day twice a week for 4 weeks to induce neuropathy model. The rats taking Cisplatin were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 rats (n = 8) were given 1 ml/kg/day 0.9 % NaCl intraperitoneally, and Group 2 rats were given 10 mg/kg/day Propofol intraperitoneally daily for 4 weeks. The remaining 8 rats served as the control group. At the end of the study, all animals were tested for motor functions. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of plasma lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), glutathione (GSH), IL-6 and HSP-70 levels. Electromyography findings revealed that compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude was significantly higher in the cisplatin-Propofol group than in the cisplatin-saline group. Also, cisplatin-Propofol treated group showed significantly lower TNF-α, MDA and IL-6 levels and higher GSH and HSP-70 levels than cispalatin-Saline group (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). In addition, while the CMAP latency was decreased in the propofol group, the CMAP amplitude was increased, and a significant improvement was observed in the Inclined test scores. Besides, histological examinations showed an increase in axon diameter and NGF expression with Propofol treatment. This study demonstrated that Propofol exerts protective activity against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity by increasing endogenous antioxidants and reducing lipid peroxidation and inflammation (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 30). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: cisplatin, neuropathy, propofol, oxidative damage, inflammation.

A New Approach in the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury: The Effects of Levosimendan on Necrosis, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an essential and common health problem worldwide. Levosimendan is an inotropic and vasodilator drug used to treat heart failure. Moreover, it exerts pleiotropic effects and, thus, protective effects on many organs. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of levosimendan on necrosis, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species in rats with TBI. METHODS: The study included 28 female Wistar-Albino rats weighing 200-250 g. The rats were divided into 4 groups with 7 rats each as follows: Group 1: No trauma group (Control), Group 2: Traumatized, untreated group (T), Group 3: Levosimendan was administered at a dose of 12 µg/kg intraperitoneally 1 hour after the trauma (L1), Group 4: Levosimendan was administered at a dose of 12 µg/kg intraperitoneally 2 hours after the concussion (L2). After the experiment, the rats were decapitated, and the brain tissue was removed. Necrosis was assessed with Cresyl violet staining, apoptosis was assessed with immunohistochemical analysis, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were measured with the spectrophotometric method, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. RESULTS: The number of necrotic cells in the L1 and L2 groups was significantly lower than in the K and T groups (P = 0.015 and P = 0.03, respectively). Although the active caspase-3 level was signified considerably in the T, L1, and L2 groups compared to the K group, no significant difference was found among these 3 groups (P > 0.05). The results of superoxide dismutase levels were similar to those of active caspase-3. catalase level was significantly higher in the K group than in the T and L2 groups (P = 0.045). Malondialdehyde activity was considerably higher in the L1 and L2 groups compared to the K group (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that levosimendan may exert a neuroprotective effect by reducing necrosis in TBI and that levosimendan does not affect apoptosis and antioxidant levels in TBI. Comprehensive studies are needed to elucidate the effect of levosimendan on TBI fully.

Use of ultrasound guided single shot costotransverse block (intertransverse process) in breast cancer surgery: a prospective, randomized, assessor blinded, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guided costotransverse block (CTB) is a relatively new "peri-paravertebral" block that has been described recently. It has been previously reported that CTB, administered with a single high-volume injection, provides effective analgesia in breast conserving surgery. In this study we evaluated the effect of CTB when used in breast cancer surgery. METHODS: Seventy patients due to undergo breast cancer surgery were included in this blinded, prospective, randomized, efficiency study. Patients were randomized into two equal groups (CTB group and control group) using the closed envelope technique. All patients underwent general anesthesia. In addition to standard analgesia methods, patients in group CTB also received CTB block while the remaining (control group) did not. Numeric rating (pain) scores and opioid consumption was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Opioid consumption in all time frames and pain scores at 1st and 3rd hours only were found to be significantly lower in Group CTB when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guided CTB improves analgesia quality in breast cancer surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials Registration ID: NCT04197206 , Registration Date: 13/12/2019.

Does heated erythrocyte suspension transfusion with medical devices containing phthalates increase DEHP and MEHP levels?

AIMS: It is commonly known that stored blood and blood products are heated before transfusion to prevent hypothermia, which leads to increased di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) content leaching into the blood and blood products and thereby causes greater conversion of DEHP to mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). However, there has been no study in the literature reporting on the amount of toxic phthalates in blood following the erythrocyte suspension (ES) transfused via warming. In this study, we aimed to investigate the DEHP and MEHP content in blood following the heated ES transfusions administered by DEHP-containing and DEHP-free infusion sets. METHODS: The study included 30 patients that were randomly divided into two groups with 15 patients each: group I underwent ES transfusion via DEHP-containing infusion sets warmed with blood-fluid warmers, and group II underwent ES transfusion via DEHP-free infusion sets warmed with blood-fluid warmers. DEHP and MEHP levels were measured both before and after transfusion. RESULTS: DEHP-free infusion sets led to no increase in the phthalate content, whereas DEHP-containing infusion sets significantly increased the DEHP and MEHP, where the DEHP level increased almost four times (P = .001). CONCLUSION: DEHP-containing products lead to toxicity. Therefore, using DEHP-free medical devices may prevent toxicity in patients undergoing ES transfusion.

Compliance With the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Bundle: A Multicenter Study From Turkey.

Objectives Sepsis bundle compliance is not clear. We evaluated rates of compliance with sepsis bundle protocols among health care providers in Turkey. Methods Our study was carried out retrospectively. Forty-five intensive care units (ICU) participated in this study between March 2, 2018 and October 1, 2018. Results One hundred thirty-eight ICUs were contacted and 45 ICUs agreed to participate. The time taken for the diagnosis of sepsis was less than six hours in 384 (59.8%) patients, while it was more than six hours in 258 (40.2%) patients. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] times for initial antibiotic administration, culturing, vasopressor initiation, and second lactate measurement were 120.0 (60-300) minutes, 24 (12-240) minutes, 40 (20-60) minutes, and 24 (18-24) hours, respectively. The rate of compliance with tissue and organ perfusion follow-up in the first six hours was 0%. The rates of three- and six-hour sepsis bundle protocol compliance were both 0%. The ICU mortality rates for sepsis and septic shock were 22% and 78%, respectively. The ICU mortality rates for sepsis and septic shock were 22% and 78%, respectively. Conclusions The rate of compliance with sepsis bundle protocols was evaluated in Turkey for the first time and determined to be 0%.

Psychological Well-Being Among Internally Displaced Adolescents and the Effect of Psychopathology on PTSD Scores Depends on Gender.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the post-traumatic symptoms and psychological well-being among internally displaced (ID) adolescents in the early phase of the conflict in the southeast part of Turkey and clarify the effect of psychopathology on PTSD scores depends on gender. With the help of the results of our study, we aimed to enhance our understanding of adolescent mental health. Our study was completed with 102 ID adolescents (42 boys, 60 girls). Our results showed that ID adolescents flee from conflict had significantly higher levels of mental disorders and PTSD. Girls show higher rates of PTSD symptoms than boys and there was no significant interactive effect of gender and emotional, behavioral and peer problems on PTSD. However, boys with ADHD seem to be more prone to develop PTSD than girls. We aimed to highlight the challenges facing adolescents forced to flee from conflict zones who were temporarily relocated. These results may help us to enlighten our understanding of ID adolescents and may suggest more studies to provide beneficial gender-specific intervention program.

Serum Trace Elements and Heavy Metal Levels in Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Otitis Media and Their Association with Surgical Treatment Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), cobalt (Co), and lead (Pb) levels in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) and to evaluate the association of the serum levels of these elements with treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one healthy volunteers and 31 patients with COM were prospectively included in this study. Serum levels of Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg, Cu, Co, and Pb were determined by an atomic absorption UNICAM-929 spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Serum Co, Pb, and Fe levels were significantly increased (p<0.001) and serum Cu, Zn, Mg, and Mn levels were significantly reduced in patients with COM compared with controls (p<0.001). Serum Co and Mn levels were significantly decreased (p<0.001 and p<0.005, respectively) and serum Cu levels were significantly increased after surgery (p<0.005). The other evaluated blood chemicals and heavy metals did not exhibit significant differences (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant alterations in the serum chemical composition of patients with COM were observed. Moreover, with surgical treatment, serum levels of some of these chemicals were significantly altered. Further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the exact association of these alterations in the etiopathogenesis of COM.

High prevalence of chronic hepatitis D virus infection in Eastern Turkey: urbanization of the disease.

INTRODUCTION: Both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection play an increasingly important role in liver diseases. The main objective of this study was to investigate the socio-epidemiological, laboratory and radiological aspects of both HBV and HDV infection near the Iranian border of Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 3352 patients with HBV and HDV infection. Socioepidemiological, laboratory and radiological aspects of the study subjects were retrospectively examined. Comorbid metabolic diseases were not assessed due to the retrospective design of the study. RESULTS: Most of the study subjects were HBe antigen negative. No significant difference in terms of HBV-DNA levels or HBe antigen seropositivity was detected between the city centre and rural areas (p > 0.005). The mean HBV-DNA level in the anti-HDV-positive group was significantly lower than in the anti-HDV-negative group (p < 0.001). The rate of HDV-RNA positivity in women was higher than in their male counterparts (p = 0.017). Anti-HDV-IgG was detected in 18.4% of tested subjects who came from an urban area. In contrast, 12.5% of subjects of the rural group had a positive result for anti-HDV-IgG. Among 134 ultrasonographically evaluated delta hepatitis patients, 37.3% had liver cirrhosis. On the other hand, in 1244 patients with hepatitis B monoinfection, there were 90 patients with liver cirrhosis. Radiologically, the rate of hepatic steatosis in delta hepatitis patients was lower than in those with HBV monoinfection. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis D virus infection was particularly prevalent among the urban population as well as in female subjects. More broadly, the current observations are the first to suggest an inverse correlation between delta hepatitis and ultrasonography-proven hepatic steatosis.

Idiopathic Thoracic Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma.

A 33-year-old male patient experienced temporary sensory loss and weakness in the right lower extremity one month prior to admission. The patient was admitted to a private clinic with a three-day history of acute onset of sensory loss and weakness in both lower extremities and was treated and followed up with a prediagnosis of transverse myelitis and the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). The patient was subsequently transferred to our clinic and the neurologic examination revealed paraplegia in both lower extremities, positive bilateral Babinski signs, and hypesthesia below the T10 dermatome with saddle anesthesia. The patient had urinary incontinence and thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an image of a mass compressing the medulla.

Brucellosis-related acute pancreatitis: A rare complication of a universal disease.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and determinants of acute pancreatitis in patients with acute brucellosis. METHODS: Adult patients with brucellosis were retrospectively recruited. Brucellosis and acute pancreatitis were diagnosed according to standard criteria. Laboratory analyses included Wright agglutination titre, serum biochemical parameters and blood count. RESULTS: Patients with acute pancreatitis (n = 21) had significantly higher Wright agglutination titres, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, amylase, lipase and serum glucose concentrations, and significantly lower haemoglobin concentrations and haematocrit than patients with brucellosis alone (n = 326). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycaemia, anaemia, and liver transaminase and cholestatic enzyme concentrations may represent new approaches for assessing disease severity in patients with brucellosis and acute pancreatitis.

Delta hepatitis-related thyroid disease: a unique phenomenon.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is a serious health problem worldwide. Thyroid disturbances represent a major limitation to the efficacy of interferon treatment targeting chronic HDV (C-HDV) infection. Moreover, pre-treatment thyroid diseases may be influenced by interferon therapy. Despite this, the characteristic features of the thyroid diseases in C-HDV patients remain poorly characterised. AIM: To determine the prevalence of thyroid diseases and evaluate the impact of delta hepatitis on thyroid function tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 127 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-negative adults, treatment-naive outpatients with C-HDV, between July 2013 and July 2014. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid antibodies (TAbs) including anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), liver transaminases, and other routine laboratory tests were conducted during the study period. RESULTS: A total of 127 C-HDV patients (female 52.9%, mean age 54.5 ±8.01 years) were enrolled. The rate of hypothyroidism, defined as a TSH level above 10 IU/l, was 4.7%. No patient had hyperthyroidism. Both elevated levels of liver transaminases and HDV ribonucleic acid (HDV-RNA) were positively correlated with high levels of thyroid autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of hypothyroidism is higher than the rate of hyperthyroidism at baseline. Most remarkably, for the first time we discovered a correlation between disturbed thyroid autoantibodies and elevated liver transaminases as well as high HDV-RNA levels even in euthyroid delta hepatitis patients. But in order to have an adequate understanding of such correlations, further studies are needed.

The levels of trace elements and heavy metals in patients with acute migraine headache.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the levels of trace elements and heavy metal in patients with acute migraine and healthy controls. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at Yuzuncu Yil University, Turkey, from May to July 2013, and comprised migraine patients and an equal number of healthy controls. International Headache Society classification was used for diagnosing migraine. Serum copper, zinc, lead, iron, cadmium, cobalt, manganese, and magnesium levels were measured in both groups. Metal concentrations were assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. SPSS 13 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 25 migraine patients with an average age of 36.4±8.9 years and 25 healthy controls with a mean age of 42.4±9.5 years. Cadmium, iron, manganese and lead levels were significantly elevated in the patients compared to the controls (p<0.05 each), while copper, magnesium and zinc were decreased and cobalt demonstrated no change. CONCLUSIONS: Trace elements and heavy metals may have a role in the genesis of considerable oxidative stress in patients with acute migraine headache.

Neurosurgical Injuries Caused by the 2011 Van Earthquake: The Experience at the Van Regional Training and Research Hospital.

BACKGROUND: On October 23, 2011, a devastating earthquake, magnitude 7.2 on the Richter Scale, jolted the province of Van in the east of Turkey and led to hundreds of casualties. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to present our clinical experience in the management of patients with cranial and spinal injuries who were admitted to the Van Regional Training and Research Hospital. METHODS: The retrospective study included 44 (77.2%) patients who were referred to the neurosurgery department after being diagnosed with spinal and cranial injuries due to earthquake at the emergency department between October 23 and 27, 2011. RESULTS: The patients comprised 32 male (72.7%) and 12 (27.3%) female patients with a mean age of 23.5 years. The injuries included scalp injury (n = 16), burst fracture (n=7), compression fracture (n=3), epidural hematoma (n=9), subdural hematoma (n=3), contusion (n=1), traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (n=2), depressed skull fracture (n=3), linear fracture (n=9), cervical fracture (n=2), and pneumocephalus (n=1). Most of the patients (90.9%) had isolated injuries and the others (9.1%) presented with combined cranial and spinal injuries. At discharge, the 3 patients with spinal fractures were paraplegic, and of the 2 patients who were operatively treated due to subdural hematoma, 1 was hemiparesic and the other was hemiplegic. No mortality occurred in our patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that, in the aftermath of a natural disaster, conducting correct triage procedures and performing a prompt intervention with appropriate and qualified equipment play key roles in reducing morbidity and mortality.

Effects of line type blood-liquid warmer on two different infusion sets.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the source of 'bubbles' in infusion sets which were caused by the 'line type' blood-liquid warmers used in operation rooms to prevent hypothermia. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted from August to September 2012 at the Thoracic Surgery Department of Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey, by warming liquids in the operation room experimentally in a setting similar to clinical routine. Initially, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was infused using S-line blood-liquid warmers with Medisetin patients who were placed in Group M). The IPC Group had Intrafix Primeline Confortset at a rate of 350ml/hour in the operating room. The initiation time and level of bubble formation, temperatures of the operation room, infusion liquid, S-line device, line of the device, and the liquid at the outflow were recorded. Data was analysed with SPSS 15. RESULTS: The two groups had 10 subjects each. The temperatures of the working area, the liquid before and after being placed in the warming device, the proximal-middle and distal parts of the line and the set temperature on the screen of the device were similar and the difference between them was not statistically significant (p>0.05). While no bubble formation was observed in Group IPC, bubbles were formed after 9.80±0.78 minutes and the level of bubble formation was close to 3 in Group Mediset (2.80±1.03). The main difference between the two groups was di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate content of Mediset. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion sets containing di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate should not be used with warming devices in order to avoid toxic effects.

Comparison of the effects of dexmedetomidine administered at two different times on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine on ischemic renal failure in rats. METHODS: In the present study, 26 male adult Wistar albino rats weighting 230-300 g were randomly separated into four groups: sham-operated (n=5), ischemia reperfusion (IR) (IR group, n=7), IR/reperfusion treatment with dexmedetomidine (Dex. R group, n=7) and IR/pre-ischemic treatment with dexmedetomidine (Dex. I group, n=7). In the first group, sham operation was achieved and renal clamps were not applied. For the IR group, renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and veins for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 24h. For the Dex. R and Dex. I groups, the same surgical procedure as in the IR group was performed, and dexmedetomidine (100 mcg/kg intraperitoneal) was administrated at the 5th min after reperfusion and before ischemia. At the end of reperfusion, blood samples were drawn, the rats were sacrificed, and the left kidney was processed for histopathology. RESULTS: The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in groups Dex. R and Dex. I were significantly lower than in the IR group (p=0.015, p=0.043), although urine flow was significantly higher in group Dex. R (p=0.003). The renal histopathological score in the IR group was significantly higher than in the other groups. There was no significant difference between the Dex. R and Dex. I groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results were shown that administration of dexmedetomidine reduced the renal IR injury histomorphologically. Administration of dexmedetomidine in the reperfusion period was considered as more effective due to increase in urinary output and decrease in BUN levels.

Comparison of the effects of dexmedetomidine administered at two different times on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats / Comparação dos efeitos de dexmedetomidina administrada em dois momentos diferentes para lesão de isquemia/reperfusão renal em ratos / Comparación de los efectos de la dexmedetomidina administrada en 2 momentos diferentes para lesión de isquemia-reperfusión renal en ratones

Background and objectives: We investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine on ischemic renal failure in rats. Methods: In the present study, 26 male adult Wistar albino rats weighting 230-300 g were randomly separated into four groups: sham-operated (n = 5), ischemia reperfusion (IR) (IR group, n = 7), IR/reperfusion treatment with dexmedetomidine (Dex. R group, n = 7) and IR/pre-ischemic treatment with dexmedetomidine (Dex. I group, n = 7). In the first group, sham operation was achieved and renal clamps were not applied. For the IR group, renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and veins for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. For the Dex. R and Dex. I groups, the same surgical procedure as in the IR group was performed, and dexmedetomidine (100 mcg/kg intraperitoneal) was administrated at the 5th min after reperfusion and before ischemia. At the end of reperfusion, blood samples were drawn, the rats were sacrificed, and the left kidney was processed for histopathology. Results: The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in groups Dex. R and Dex. I were significantly lower than in the IR group (p = 0.015, p = 0.043), although urine flow was significantly higher in group Dex. R (p = 0.003). The renal histopathological score in the IR group was significantly higher than in the other groups. There was no significant difference between the Dex. R and Dex. I groups. Conclusions: The results were shown that administration of dexmedetomidine reduced the renal IR injury histomorphologically. Administration of dexmedetomidine in the reperfusion period was considered as more effective due to increase in urinary output and decrease in BUN levels. .

Justificativa e objetivos: Investigar os efeitos de dexmedetomidina sobre a insuficiência renal isquêmica em ratos. Métodos: No presente estudo, 26 ratos machos adultos, albinos Wistar, com peso 230-300 g, foram randomicamente divididos em quatro grupos: pseudo-operado (n = 5), isquemia-reperfusão (grupo IR, n = 7), IR/tratamento de reperfusão com dexmedetomidina (grupo Dex-R, n = 7) e IR/tratamento pré-isquemia com dexmedetomidina (grupo Dex-I, n = 7). No primeiro grupo, uma pseudo-operação foi feita e clampeamentos renais não foram aplicados. No grupo IR, isquemia renal foi induzida por oclusão das artérias e veias renais bilaterais durante 60minutos seguida por reperfusão durante 24horas. Nos grupos Dex-R e Dex-I, o mesmo procedimento cirúrgico destinado ao grupo IR foi feito e dexmedetomidina (100mcg/kg intraperitoneal) foi administrada cinco minutos após a reperfusão e antes da isquemia. No fim da reperfusão, amostras de sangue foram coletadas, os ratos foram sacrificados e os rins esquerdos processado para histologia. Resultados: Os níveis de nitrogênio ureico no sangue (BUN) dos grupos Dex-R e Dex-I estavam significativamente mais baixos do que os do grupo IR (p = 0,015, p = 0,043), embora o fluxo urinário tenha sido significativamente maior no grupo Dex-R (p = 0,003). O escore histopatológico renal do grupo IR foi significativamente maior do que os dos outros grupos. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos Dex-R e Dex-I. Conclusões: Os resultados demonstraram que a administração de dexmedetomidina reduziu histomorfologicamente a lesão de IR renal. A administração de dexmedetomidina durante o período de reperfusão foi considerada como mais eficaz por causa do aumento do débito urinário e da diminuição dos níveis de BUN. .

Justificación y objetivos: investigar los efectos de la dexmedetomidina sobre la insuficiencia renal isquémica en ratones. Métodos: en el presente estudio, 26 ratones machos adultos, albinos Wistar, con un peso de 230-300 g fueron divididos aleatoriamente en 4 grupos: seudooperado (n = 5), isquemia-reperfusión (grupo IR, n = 7), IR/tratamiento de reperfusión con dexmedetomidina (grupo Dex-R, n = 7) e IR/tratamiento preisquemia con dexmedetomidina (grupo Dex-I, n = 7). En el primer grupo, se realizó una seudooperación y no se aplicaron pinzamientos renales. En el grupo IR, la isquemia renal fue inducida por oclusión de las arterias y venas renales bilaterales durante 60 min seguida por reperfusión durante 24 h. En los grupos Dex-R y Dex-I, se llevó a cabo el mismo procedimiento quirúrgico destinado al grupo IR, y la dexmedetomidina (100 µg /kg intraperitoneal) fue administrada 5 min después de la reperfusión y antes de la isquemia. Al final de la reperfusión, fueron recogidas muestras de sangre, los ratones fueron sacrificados y el riñón izquierdo procesado para histología. Resultados: los niveles de nitrógeno ureico en la sangre (BUN) de los grupos Dex-R y Dex-I eran significativamente más bajos que los del grupo IR (p = 0,015; p = 0,043), aunque el flujo urinario era significativamente mayor en el grupo Dex-R (p = 0,003). La puntuación histopatológica renal del grupo IR fue significativamente mayor que la de los otros grupos. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos Dex-R y Dex-I. Conclusiones: los resultados demostraron que la administración de dexmedetomidina redujo histomorfológicamente la lesión de IR renal. La administración de dexmedetomidina durante el período de reperfusión fue considerada más eficaz debido al aumento de producción de orina y a la disminución ...

Transradial approach in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease: a 2-center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To document the safety, success, and complications of transradial coronary procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of 427 patients who had undergone transradial coronary angiography and/or angioplasty between June 2010 and May 2012. The main outcome measures were the procedural safety, success rate, and complications associated with transradial interventions. RESULTS: Procedural success rate was 93.2% (398/427), with cannulation time of 2.1 ± 1.4 min, diagnostic time of 5.6 ± 2.1 min, fluoroscopy time of 9.5 ± 6.6 min, and total procedure time of 47.1 ± 20.2 min. The main causes for unsuccessful procedures were failed radial puncture (11 patients), serious radial artery spasm (12 patients), and distinct tortuosity (5 patients) and severe proximal stenosis (1 patient) of the right subclavian artery. Of 398 patients, 345 (86.7%) underwent both coronary angiography and angioplasty, while the remaining 53 (13.3%) had coronary angiography only. Major complication was recorded in only 1 patient (transient ischemic attack), whereas minor complications were observed in 76 patients (17 with symptomatic sinus bradycardia, 12 with venous thrombosis, 22 with hematoma, and 25 with radial artery occlusion). CONCLUSION: Our experience revealed that the transradial approach is a safe and feasible method for coronary procedures in patients with various manifestations of coronary disease.

Serum levels of trace elements and heavy metals in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke.

Trace elements are essential components of biological structures, but alternatively, they can be toxic at concentrations beyond those necessary for their biological functions. Changes in the concentration of essential trace elements and heavy metals may affect acute hemorrhagic stroke. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of essential trace elements [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg)] and heavy metals [cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)] in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke. Twenty-six patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke and 29 healthy controls were enrolled. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (UNICAM-929) was used to measure serum Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Mn and Mg concentrations. Serum Cd, Pb and Fe levels were significantly higher in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke than controls (p < 0.001), while serum Cu, Zn, Mg and Mn levels were significantly lower (all p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to serum Co levels (p > 0.05). We first demonstrate increased Cd, Pb, and Fe levels; and decreased Cu, Zn, Mg, and Mn levels in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke. These findings may have diagnostic and prognostic value for acute hemorrhagic stroke. Further studies are required to elucidate the roles of trace elements and heavy metals in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke.