Predisposing risk factors for isolated bile leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM: Isolated bile leakage (IBL) from hepaticojejunostomy, following pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a serious complication that increases morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess the frequency of IBL development after pancreaticoduodenectomy and its underlying factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic diseases between January 2005 and January 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were dichotomized according to those with and without postoperative IBL. RESULTS: In the 111 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy during our study period, 8 patients (7.2%; 5 men/3 women) developed IBL. Risk of IBL development was significantly elevated among male patients, those with preoperative serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL, and those with previous cholangitis (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Male sex, preoperatively low levels of serum albumin, and preoperative history of cholangitis can be listed as risk factors for IBL development. Physicians should pay attention to the risk of postoperative IBL development in such patients. KEY WORDS: Isolated bile leakage, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, Morbidity.

Is laparoscopic surgery safe and feasible in acute adhesive ileus?

Although the classical surgical treatment of adhesive ileus is performed using the open method, laparoscopic surgery has recently been performed in some centers. This study aimed to discuss the feasibility and role of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of adhesive small bowel obstruction. In this retrospective study, the data of 830 patients who were operated for ileus in Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Hospital, Department of General Surgery between January 2011 and September 2022 were analyzed. Missing data and intraabdominal cancer-related ileus were accepted as exclusion criteria and 648 patients were excluded from the study. The development of adhesion-related ileus and completeness of the data were accepted as inclusion criteria. Data were compared between the 2 groups [open group (OG; 152 cases) and laparoscopic group (LG; 30 cases]). When the patient characteristics were evaluated, it was found that the history of previous abdominal surgery (P < .001) and the number of previous abdominal surgery (P < .001) were statistically significantly higher in OG. Operation time was significantly longer in the LG (P = .022). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of intraoperative bowel injury (P = .216), bowel resection (P = .284), and stoma creation (P = .331). OG had a significantly higher rate of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 serious complications (P < .001) and mortality rate (P = .045). The first gas out occurred significantly earlier in the LG (P = .014). Oral intake was initiated earlier in the LG (P = .004). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LG (P < .001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative ileus, readmission, and reoperation. Laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed for the treatment of selected patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction. In addition, it is advantageous in terms of postoperative recovery.

Expression of FGF-23 and FGFR1 is increased in uremic rat skin.

PURPOSE: Alterations in skin structure and function are very common in uremic patients, but still there is no unifying hypothesis for uremic skin disorders. Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) deficiency has been linked to skin disorders in non-uremic animals. We aimed to study alterations in FGF-23 and fibroblast growth factor-23 receptor 1 (FGFR1) expression in uremic rat skins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups: sham group (SG, n = 8) and uremic group (UG, n = 8). Uremia was induced by reduction of the total kidney mass in the UG. Animals were sacrificed after 14 weeks of the follow-up. RESULTS: Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in the UG increased significantly, compared to the SG, at the end of the experiment (0.69 ± 0.08 vs. 0.3 ± 0.04 Mann-Whitney U test (MWU), p = 0,003 and 55.2 ± 8.9 vs. 29.6 ± 6.8 MWU, p = 0.002, respectively). Serum FGF-23 level in the UG was increased non-significantly, compared to the SG (53.5 ± 20.9 vs. 37.2 ± 9.7 MWU, p = 0.072), whereas serum 1,25(OH)2D3 level was significantly lower in the UG (149.4 ± 33.5 vs. 213.8 ± 43.8 MWU, p < 0.05). Expression of FGF-23 in UG skins, assessed by western blot, was significantly higher than that in the SG (186.3 ± 16.8 vs. 148.9 ± 25.9, MWU, p < 0.01). FGFR1 expression was increased in almost all parts of the uremic skin. Receptor expression was most dense at the epidermis and hair follicles. Normal skin appendages and cells either expressed no receptor, or expressed it very weakly. CONCLUSION: This study shows increased FGF-23 levels and FGFR1 expression in uremic rat skins. It deserves further study to fully place this finding in the pathophysiology and clinical picture of uremic skin diseases.

Evaluation of the parenchymal distribution of renal steatosis in chronic kidney disease using chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Renal steatosis is an abnormal accumulation of fat in the kidney and may cause chronic kidney disease (CKD) or CKD progression. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the quantitative measurability of the parenchymal distribution of lipid deposition in the renal cortex and medulla using chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and investigate its relationship with clinical stages in CKD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study groups included CKD patients with diabetes (CKD-d) (n = 42), CKD patients without diabetes (CKD-nd) (n = 31) and control subjects (n = 15), all of whom underwent a 1.5T MRI of the abdomen using the Dixon two-point method. The fat fraction (FF) values in the renal cortex and medulla were calculated from measurements made on Dixon sequences, and then compared between the groups. RESULTS: The cortical FF value was higher than the medullary FF value in control (0.057 (0.053-0.064) compared to 0.045 (0.039-0.052)), CKD-nd (0.066 (0.059-0.071) compared to 0.063 (0.054-0.071)), and CKD-d (0.081 (0.071-0.091) compared to 0.069 (0.061-0.077)) groups (all p < 0.001). The CKD-d group cortical FF values were higher than those of the CKD-nd group (p < 0.001). The FF values began increasing at CKD stages 2 and 3, and reached statistical significance at stages 4 and 5 in CKD patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Renal parenchymal lipid deposition can be quantified separately in the cortex and medulla using chemical shift MRI. Fat accumulation occurred in cortical and medullary parenchyma in CKD patients, though predominantly in the cortex. This accumulation increased proportionally with the disease stage.

A novel approach to distinguish complicated and non-complicated acute cholecystitis: Decision tree method.

It is difficult to differentiate between non-complicated acute cholecystitis (NCAC) and complicated acute cholecystitis (CAC) preoperatively, which are two separate pathologies with different management. The aim of this study was to create an algorithm that distinguishes between CAC and NCAC using the decision tree method, which includes simple examinations. In this retrospective study, the patients were divided into 2 groups: CAC (149 patients) and NCAC (885 patients). Parameters such as patient demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Tokyo grade, comorbidity findings, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, albumin level, CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), and gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) were evaluated. In this algorithm, the CRP value became a very important parameter in the distinction between NCAC and CAC. Age was an important predictive factor in patients with CRP levels >57 mg/L, and the critical value for age was 42. After the age factor, the important parameters in the decision tree were WBC and GBWT. In patients with a CRP value of ≤57 mg/L, GBWT is decisive and the critical value is 4.85 mm. Age, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and WBC count were among the other important factors after GBWT. Sex, ASA score, Tokyo grade, comorbidity, CAR, and albumin value did not have an effect on the distinction between NCAC and CAC. In statistical analysis, significant differences were found groups in terms of gender (34.8% vs 51.7% male), ASA score (P < .001), Tokyo grade (P < .001), comorbidity (P < .001), albumin (4 vs 3.4 g/dL), and CAR (2.4 vs 38.4). By means of this algorithm, which includes low-cost examinations, NCAC and CAC distinction can be made easily and quickly within limited possibilities. Preoperative prediction of pathologies that are difficult to manage, such as CAC, can minimize patient morbidity and mortality.

Quantitative Evaluation of late Gadolinium Enhancement to the Differential Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer and Prostatitis in mpMRI.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the late gadolinium enhancement ratio (LGER) quantitatively in late post-contrast images in multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) for the differential diagnosis of chronic prostatitis and prostate cancer (PCa). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Radiology, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey, from January 2018 to October 2021. METHODOLOGY: The data of 111 patients with a diagnosis of PCa and chronic prostatitis, were retrospectively analysed who underwent mpMRI of the prostate were retrospectively analysed. Histopathological verification was available in 57 of 57 prostate carcinoma patients and 20 of 54 chronic prostatitis cases. The detection of lesions from the images and the correlation of the detected lesions with their histopathological diagnoses were made by the joint decision of two radiologists. The LGER measurements were made independently by both radiologists. Signal intensity (SI) values of the lesions were obtained by placing a hand-drawn ROI on pre-contrast and late post-contrast images. Late enhancement ratio was calculated from the ratio of the difference between the pre- and post-contrast SI values to the pre-contrast SI values. The LGER values obtained were statistically compared between the pathologically proven PCa and chronic prostatitis patient groups. RESULTS: The prostatitis LGER values (103.40 ± 31.54%) were significantly higher than the PCa values (79.71±27.39, p<0.001). The LGER values of lesions with a Gleason score <7 were lower than those of lesions scoring ≥7 (p = 0.004). The LGER values of PI-RADS-3 PCa lesions were lower than those of PI-RADS-4 and PI-RADS-5 (p = 0.002). In the late post-contrast phase, low signal measurements in PI-RADS-3 lesions excluded the presence of prostatitis. CONCLUSION: Late contrast enhancement quantitative SI measurements performed in the late contrast phase of mpMRI may enable the differential diagnosis of PCa/prostatitis and a more accurate evaluation of PI-RADS scores in terms of malignancy. KEY WORDS: Prostate cancer, Prostatitis, Gadolinium, Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Association between iron metabolism and SARS-COV-2 infection, determined by ferritin, hephaestin and hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha levels in COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Due to the growing evidence of the importance of iron status in immune responses, the biomarkers of iron metabolism are of interest in novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present prospective study was carried out to compare iron status indicated by levels of ferritin with the levels of two novel biomarkers related to iron homeostasis, hephaestin and hypoxia-inducible factors-1 (HIF-1α) in the serum of patients with COVID-19 in comparison with a control group. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood samples from 34 COVID-19 patients and from 43 healthy volunteers were collected and the levels of HEPH and HIF-1α were measured by ELISA and compared with levels of serum ferritin. COVID-19 patients had higher serum levels of ferritin than those levels in control group (P < 0.0001). Conversely levels of HIF-1α and HEPH in the COVID-19 group were significantly lower than those of control group (P < 0.0001 for both). An inverse correlation between hephaestin and ferritin as well as between HIF-1α and ferritin was found among all subjects (P < 0.0001), and among COVID-19 patients, but not to statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Levels of hephaestin and HIF-1α were found to be inversely related levels of ferritin across all participants in the study, and to our knowledge this is the first report of hephaestin and HIF-1α as potential markers of iron status. Further studies are needed to corroborate the findings, utilizing a broader range of markers to monitor inflammatory as well as iron status.

The Relationship between Zonulin and Metabolic Syndrome in Renal Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND: Levels of zonulin, a surrogate marker of intestinal permeability, are elevated in various disorders including insulin resistance, obesity, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to elucidate the association of zonulin levels and metabolic syndrome (MS) in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Seventy-nine renal transplant recipients were enrolled. Diagnosis of MS was established employing the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria. Serum zonulin level was determined using the double antibody sandwich ELISA method. RESULTS: MS was encountered in 37 (41.6%) of the 79 patients. Serum zonulin level was significantly higher in patients with MS compared to those without MS (p < 0.001). Serum zonulin level correlated with presence of MS (r: 739, p < 0.001), abdominal obesity (r: 514, p < 0.001), fasting glucose level (r: 361, p: 0.001), presence of fasting glucose/diabetes criterion of MS (r: 316, p: 0.005), presence of low HDL criterion of MS (r: 266, p: 0.018), and BMI (r: 527, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A Zonulin-mediated increase in intestinal permeability may play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. We propose that zonulin may be a suitable surrogate marker of MS in renal transplant recipients.

Glutamine-Driven Metabolic Adaptation to COVID-19 Infection.

Background: COVID-19 is known to be transmitted by direct contact, droplets or feces/orally. There are many factors which determines the clinical progression of the disease. Aminoacid disturbance in viral disease is shown in many studies. In this study we aimed to evaluate the change of aminoacid metabolism especially the aspartate, glutamine and glycine levels which have been associated with an immune defence effect in viral disease. Methods: Blood samples from 35 volunteer patients with COVID-19, concretized diagnosis was made by oropharyngeal from nazofaringeal swab specimens and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and 35 control group were analyzed. The amino acid levels were measured with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology. Two groups were compared by Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis, Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U. The square test was used to evaluate the tests obtained by counting, and the error level was taken as 0.05. Results: The average age of the patient and control group were 48.5 ± 14.9 and 48.8 ± 14.6 years respectively. The decrease in aspartate (p = 5.5 × 10-9) and glutamine levels (p = 9.0 × 10-17) were significiantly in COVID group, whereas Glycine (p = 0.243) increase was not significiant. Conclusions: Metabolic pathways, are affected in rapidly dividing cells in viral diseases which are important for immun defence. We determined that aspartate, glutamine and glycine levels in Covid 19 patients were affected by the warburg effect, malate aspartate shuttle, glutaminolysis and pentose phosphate pathway. Enteral or parenteral administration of these plasma amino acid levels will correct the duration and pathophysiology of the patients' stay in hospital and intensive care.

Effect of Ozone Added to University of Wisconsin Solution on Preservation Damage in Perfused Liver.

OBJECTIVES: Ischemia is defined as the inability of the tissue to provide oxygen and other metabolites by the circulation and the removal of residual products. The University of Wisconsin solution is widely used to preserve ischemia and to preserve organs for transplant. Ozone is used in various areas of ischemia damage due to its antioxidant properties. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of ozone added to University of Wisconsin solution on perfused liver preservation injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 24 Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 300 to 350 g. Animals were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (Ringer lactate), group 2 (Ringer lactate + ozone), group 3 (University of Wisconsin solution), and group 4 (University of Wisconsin + ozone). Solutions were perfused from the liver portal vein and aorta. After perfusion, rats were killed and liver biopsies were taken at 0, 6, and 12 hours of storage for pathological examination. For biochemical analysis, samples were collected from liver specimen storage solutions at 0, 6, and 12 hours. RESULTS: Mean alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels in group 3 were 77/82 U/L at hour 0, 680/461 U/L at hour 6, and 1027/682 U/L at hour 12. In group 4, these levels were 35/31 U/L at hour 0, 415/295 U/L at hour 6, and 546/372 U/L at hour 12. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of liver function values, we observed favorable result with University of Wisconsin solution with added ozone. Therefore, we suggest that the addition of ozone to the University of Wisconsin solution may be effective in preventing liver preservation damage.

Spousal and living related kidney transplantation: our center experience.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the most preferred type of renal displacement therapy for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. More patients developed ESRD. The most important source is the donations from unrelated spouses. In this study, we aimed to compare the transplantation data obtained from the spouses of the patients with the transplantation data obtained from other relatives. METHODS: The data including 167 living kidney transplantations performed between January 2006 and December 2019 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into two groups; spousal donor group (n: 53) and living-related donor group (n: 114). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in delayed graft function in both groups. There were no patients with acute rejection proven by biopsy or considered biochemically in the spousal donor group. With regard to 3-year results in the living-related donor group the patient survival rate was 100%, while it was 98.2% in terms of graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, similar patient and graft survival rates between spousal donor kidney transplantation and living-related kidney transplantation has made spousal donor kidney transplantation, with possible problems in terms of tissue compatibility, an acceptable alternative to donor supply.

Glutamine depletion in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral disease. There is not enough knowledge about plasma amino acid levels in CCHF. Therefore, we investigated plasma amino acid levels in patients with CCHF and the association between the levels of these amino acids and disease severity. The plasma amino acid levels (including glutamate [Glu], aspartate [Asp], glutamine [Gln], asparagine [Asn] and gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]) in CCHF patients and controls were measured by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plasma levels of Gln were lower while Asp, Glu, and GABA levels were higher in patients. In fatal CCHF patients, we found the plasma level of Asn was increased whereas the plasma level of GABA was decreased. This study is the first in the literature to evaluate the plasma Gln, Glu, Asn, Asp, and GABA levels in CCHF patients. We found that the plasma Gln levels were significantly lower in CCHF patients while Asp, Glu, and GABA levels were elevated. Considering that these amino acids are important for immune cells, the plasma amino acid levels of CCHF patients may contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of disease and it can be important for supportive treatment of CCHF.

Comparison of caspase-8, granzyme B and cytochrome C apoptosis biomarker levels in orthopedic trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether or not apoptosis is induced following bone fracture, and if so, to investigate whether the extrinsic or intrinsic pathway of cell death is stimulated. METHODS: A total of 30 patients who presented at our clinic and were diagnosed with bone fracture following trauma were included in the study group. A control group was formed of 37 age and gender-matched volunteers. On the day after the fracture, blood samples taken from the patients were examined for cytochrome C, granzyme B and caspase-8 with the ELISA method. RESULTS: A total of 67 individuals were evaluated (fracture group: 30, control group: 37) in this study. Caspase-8 was found to be statistically significantly high in the patient group (0.37±0.06 ng/mL, p=0.002). No significant difference was determined between the groups in respect to cytochrome C values (p=0.173). The granzyme B values were determined to be significantly high in the patient group (52.56±8.51 pg/mL, p=0.007). CONCLUSION: These results obtained from patients with a long bone fracture demonstrated that serum caspase-8 and granzyme B levels were higher in patients than in the control group, thereby showing activation of the extrinsic pathway. However, no significant difference was determined between the groups concerning serum cytochrome C levels. This study may guide future studies designed for better understanding of the molecular pathways that govern the events during a fracture, which will be important for the future advancement of fracture treatment.