Efficacy and safety of Hyadex for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux: a multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dextranomer/cross-linked hyaluronic acid (Hyadex) in patients with a clinical diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter observational study, Hyadex was used in four different centers for the endoscopic treatment of VUR from 2020 to 2022. The study involved 74 patients (93 renal units) who were diagnosed with VUR according to voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) findings and were considered suitable for subureteric endoscopic treatment. The follow-up time (control VCUG time) was 3 months. RESULTS: In the VCUG evaluation, grade I VUR was found in 13 renal units, grade II in 23 renal units, grade III in 42 renal units, and grade IV in 12 renal units. The success rates of Hyadex treatment according to the degree of VUR were as follows: 84.6% for grade I, 82.6% for grade II, 71.4% for grade III, and 66.0% for grade IV. No major complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic subureteric Hyadex injection had high success rates in appropriately selected patients with VUR and may be used as the first-line treatment for children with VUR.

Use of dual energy CT urography in evaluation of urinary stone and complex cyst.

BACKGROUND: Dual-energy computed tomography scans can provide significant benefits to the urinary system. The aim of this study is to determine the limitations and benefits of using dual energy CT urography in patients with urinary system stones and cysts. METHODS: In the analysis of the images, the virtual noncontrasted images obtained from the combined nephrogenicexcretory phase and the true noncontrasted images were evaluated. The true noncontrast images were accepted as the gold standard for stone detection. RESULTS: Eighty-three different stones were detected in 26 of the 115 patients included in the study. Sensibilities of virtual noncontrast images in detecting urinary system stones were 66.7% and 65.4% according to the first and second radiologists, respectively. In this study, 32 hyperdense cysts were detected. According to iodine map images, there was no enhancement in 26 of 32 cysts; only 5 cysts showed minimal contrast enhancement. One patient could not decide on contrast enhancement. DISCUSSION: As a result, if CT urography is performed with dual energy, it can provide additional information in patients with urinary system disorder.

Mortality after kidney transplantation: 10-year outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: In the past decade, advances in immunological therapy have increased the survival of kidney recipients and their grafts. However, it has not achieved the desired level of improvement. This study aims to reveal the mortality among kidney recipients. METHODS: Medical data of the patients, who had undergone kidney transplantation (KT) between November 2010 and December 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were adult kidney recipients, who had died. Exclusion criteria were pediatric recipients, recipients of en bloc and dual KT, recipients with missing data, and recipients with a primary non-functioning graft. The recipients were grouped according to their donor type; Group 1 (from a living donor) and Group 2 (from a deceased donor). Subgroup analyses were done for mortality by time-period post-transplant and for infectious causes of mortality. RESULTS: Of 314 recipients, 35 (11.14%) died. Twenty-nine recipients were included in the study (Group 1: 17 and Group 2: 12). The most common cause of mortality was infection (58.6%), and the second was cardiovascular disease (CVD) (24.1%). Sepsis developed in 29.4% of infection-related deaths, while COVID-19 constituted 23.5% of infection-related deaths. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment of infectious and CVD are important to improve survival in kidney recipients.

OBJETIVOS: En la última década, los avances en la terapia inmunológica han aumentado la supervivencia de los receptores de riñón y sus injertos. Sin embargo, no se pudo lograr el nivel de mejora deseado. Este estudio tiene como objetivo revelar la mortalidad entre los receptores de riñón. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron retrospectivamente los datos médicos de los pacientes, que se habían sometido a un trasplante de riñón entre Noviembre de 2010 y Diciembre de 2020. Los criterios de inclusión fueron los receptores de riñón adultos, que habían fallecido. Los criterios de exclusión fueron los receptores pediátricos, los receptores de trasplantes de riñón dual y en bloque, los receptores con datos faltantes y los receptores con un injerto primario no funcionante. Los receptores se agruparon según su tipo de donante; Grupo 1 (de un donante vivo) y Grupo 2 (de un donante fallecido). Se realizaron análisis de subgrupos para la mortalidad por período de tiempo posterior al trasplante y para las causas infecciosas de mortalidad. RESULTADOS: De 314 beneficiarios, 35 (11,14%) fallecieron. Se incluyeron 29 receptores en el estudio (Grupo 1:17; Grupo 2:12). La causa más común de mortalidad fue la infección (58,6%) y la segunda fue la enfermedad cardiovascular (24,1%). La sepsis se desarrolló en el 29,4% de las muertes relacionadas con la infección, mientras que el COVID-19 constituyó el 23,5% de las muertes relacionadas con la infección. CONCLUSIÓN: El diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de enfermedades infecciosas y cardiovasculares es importante para mejorar la supervivencia de los receptores de riñón.

Therapeutic and protective effects of montelukast against doxorubicin-induced acute kidney damage in rats.

OBJECTIVES: The current study was designed to investigate the therapeutic and protective effects of montelukast (ML) against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced acute kidney damage in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows: Group I: Control; Group II: Control+ML; Group III: DOX; Group IV: DOX+ML; Group V: ML+DOX. At the end of the experiment, the kidney tissues of rats were collected. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase levels were determined from the kidney tissues. In addition, the kidney tissues were examined histologically. RESULTS: DOX induced a significant increase in the kidney TBARS levels, whereas SOD contents significantly decreased when compared with the control group. On the other hand, ML administration before and after DOX injection caused significant decreases in TBARS production and also increases in SOD levels. Histologically, the most remarkable damage was glomerulosclerosis and tubular changes in the DOX group. Moreover, marked tubular necrosis and swelling in tubular epithelial cells were observed in this group. Contrarily, although glomerulosclerosis was recognized as alleviated also in both DOX+ML and ML+DOX groups, the lesions did not completely ameliorate. However, treatment with ML after DOX injection was more effective than treatment with ML before DOX injection with respect to the protection of tubular structures. CONCLUSION: It was determined that ML treatment after DOX injection caused therapeutic effects against DOX-induced kidney damage. Thence, ML treatment is of some clinical properties for oxidative stress damage in kidney tissues.

Evaluation of reproductive and renal toxicity of varenicline in male rats.

OBJECTIVES: Varenicline is a selective partial agonist for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor a4b2 subtype, which is widely used to treat smoking addiction. However, there is still no data about its potential toxic effects on tissues. In this study, we aimed to determine the varenicline-induced toxicity on reproductive and renal tissues in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into two groups: control (n=10) and varenicline (n=24). Then, rats in each group were sub-divided equally as acute and chronic groups. The control rats were orally given distilled water only. Varenicline was administrated orally as follows: 1st-3rd days 9 µg/kg/day, 4th-7th days 9 µg/kg twice daily, and 8th-90th days 18 µg/kg twice daily. The rats of acute and chronic groups were sacrificed on the 45th and 90th days, respectively. Some tissue markers related to oxidative stress were measured, and sperm characteristics were observed. RESULTS: In the acute group, varenicline led to a significant decrease in SOD activities in both kidney and testis tissues. In the chronic group, varenicline significantly increased MDA and MPO production, and reduced CAT and GPx levels in the kidneys and testes. Also, SOD and GSH levels significantly decreased in the testes. Moreover, sperm characteristics were negatively affected; histopathological deformation was observed in the testes and kidneys in all groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that varenicline could detrimentally affect the kidneys and testes in both acute and chronic term usage. Further studies will provide more insights into the molecular dynamics of this damage.

Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy: a case report and literature review.

Diagnosing cancer during pregnancy is uncommon. Although pregnancies with concomitant malignancies have been reported, urological tumours are possibly the most rarely identified tumours during pregnancy. Renal cell carcinoma appears to be the most common urological malignancy during pregnancy. In this case report, we discuss successful management of a patient who was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma during the antenatal period.

How do vegetable oils (hazelnut and canola) affect the reproductive system in male rats?

OBJECTIVE: Vegetable oils have an important place in our daily diet. This study starts from this point to investigate the effects of canola oil and hazelnut oil in the male reproductive system in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 male rats were used in this 16-week study. The animals were divided into three groups: the animals in group I served as the control group, while the animals in group II and group III were fed with hazelnut and canola oil, respectively. The testes of all rats were excised for histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation with a standard method. Blood samples were obtained for determination of serum hormone levels. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted with respect to behavior or weight among the three groups. Rats in the canola oil group (group III) had higher luteinizing hormone (LH) and higher testosterone levels than rats in the control group. Rats who received hazelnut oil (group II) exhibited similar findings, with these levels being higher than they were in the control group. No statistical differences were shown for histopathology or IHC testosterone antibody levels across all treatment groups. Conclussion: Canola oil was shown to have a greater effect on serum LH and testosterone compared to the control group and the group fed with hazelnut oil. Further investigation is required into how these oils affect serum hormone and sperm activity.

The effect of eggshell thickness on hatchability of quail eggs.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of the successful incubation period is to achieve maximum health chicks in each batch. Therefore, all factors affecting incubation have to be investigated in detail. This study investigated the effect of eggshell thickness on hatchability of quail eggs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1415 eggs were collected from the same flock at the ages of 23 and 41 weeks. Two different incubations were performed at these eggs. Eggshell thicknesses of all eggs were determined with an ultrasonic gauge before incubation. Incubation period was applied as for 18 days. After 15 days of incubation, eggs were transferred to hatching machine. Eggs were classified as thin-, medium-, and thick-shelled according to eggshell thickness values. RESULTS: Eggshell thicknesses were ranged between 0.24 and 0.36 mm, and the differences between the hatching rates of thickness values were not found significant. Hatchability of thin-, medium-, and thick-shelled eggs was found as 69.2%, 69.4%, and 82.4% for Experiment 1. These values were as 87.8%, 89.2%, and 91.9% for Experiment 2, respectively. Similar to eggshell thickness frequencies, the differences between hatching rates of eggshell thickness groups were found insignificant. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that eggshell thickness does not affect hatchability.

Protective effects of hesperidin in experimental testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to determine the protective effects of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid, in a model of testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two pubertal male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into six groups: group 1 - control; group 2 - 50 mg/kg hesperidin (low dose hesperidin) used without torsion (LH group); group 3 - 100 mg/kg hesperidin without torsion (HH group); group 4 - torsion/detorsion group (T/D); group 5 - T/D + 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment group (T/D + LH); and group 6 - T/D + 100 mg/kg hesperidin treatment group (T/D + HH). Hesperidin was given to the treatment groups 30 min before detorsion. After the fourth hour of reperfusion, orchiectomy was performed on the rats under anesthesia. The tissue samples were examined histologically and biochemically. RESULTS: In the T/D group testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased significantly (p < 0.001) whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased compared to the control and other groups. However, hesperidin caused the effect of T/D to become closer to normal biochemical values. In addition, the histological examinations showed that T/D caused damage in the testis but hesperidin reduced this effect. The effects of hesperidin were found to be dose dependent. Thus, applying high doses would generate greater therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat testicular T/D model we observed biochemical and histological damage due to ischemia. However, high and low dose applications of hesperidin were shown to have protective effects against this damage. Therefore, the aforementioned citrus flavonoid may provide positive results in cases of testicular torsion.