New onset diabetes after kidney transplantation is associated with increased mortality-A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical outcomes in individuals with new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) and the optimal treatment for this complication are poorly characterized. This study was intended to better define these issues. METHODS: Patients who underwent kidney transplantation and did not have diabetes prior to transplantation were included in the study. Clinical outcomes were compared between those who developed NODAT and those who did not. In those who developed NODAT, oral therapy was compared with insulin based therapy. RESULTS: A total of 266 kidney transplant recipients were included, of which 71 (27%) developed NODAT during the time of the follow-up. Using Cox multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender, hazard ratio for overall mortality among patients with NODAT versus those without NODAT was 2.69 (95% CI 1.04-7.01). Among patients who developed NODAT, 29 patients (40%) were treated with an insulin-based regimen. At the end of follow-up, no difference was found in mean HbA1c, and therapy regimen was not associated with greater mortality. CONCLUSIONS: New onset diabetes in kidney transplanted patients is associated with increased mortality compared with kidney transplanted patients without NODAT.

Effect of seed sludge microbial community and activity on the performance of anaerobic reactors during the start-up period.

In this study, two laboratory-scale anaerobic batch reactors started up with different inoculum sludges and fed with the same synthetic wastewater were monitored in terms of performance and microbial community shift by denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting and subsequent cloning, sequencing analysis in order to reveal importance of initial quality of inoculum sludge for operation of anaerobic reactors. For this purpose, two different seed sludge were evaluated. In Reactor1 seeded with a sludge having less diverse microbial community (19 operational taxonomic unit (OTU's) for Bacterial and 8 OTU's for Archaeal community, respectively) and a methanogenic activity of 150 ml CH(4) g TVS(-1) day(-1), a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 78.8 ± 4.17% was obtained at a substrate to microorganism (S/X) ratio of 0.38. On the other hand, Reactor2, seeded with a sludge having a much more diverse microbial community (24 OTU's for Bacterial and 9 OTU's for Archaeal communities, respectively) and a methanogenic activity, 450 ml CH(4) g TVS(-1) day(-1), operated in the same conditions showed a better start-up performance; a COD removal efficiency of over 98% at a S/X ratio of 0.53. Sequence analysis of Seed2 revealed the presence of diverse fermentative and syntrophic bacteria, whereas excised bands of Seed1 related to fermentative and sulfate/metal-reducing bacteria. This study revealed that a higher degree of bacterial diversity, especially the presence of syntrophic bacteria besides the abundance of key species such as methanogenic Archaea may play an important role in the performance of anaerobic reactors during the start-up period.

Coronary artery bypass grafting nine months after pneumonectomy.

We performed coronary artery bypass grafting on a 58-year-old man who only 9 months earlier had undergone right pneumonectomy for bronchial carcinoma. Although his preoperative pulmonary function had been poor, coronary artery bypass surgery was successful, and the patient was discharged on the 9th postoperative day Two years after surgery, he remained in New York Heart Association functional class I. We attribute this success to special management before, during, and after the operation. On the 32nd postoperative month, this patient died of multiple tumor metastases.

QTc prolongation and cardiac lesions following acute organophosphate poisoning in rats.

Sarin and soman induced the following similar effects: prolongation of QT interval duration, cardiac lesions and immediate and statistically significant decrease in body weight. However, animals exposed to soman remained underweight and suffered delayed death. Thus, as sarin produced both cardiac lesions and QT prolongation, without exhibiting late death, it is unlikely that the late death observed in soman-poisoned rats are attributable to QT prolongation and the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias. It is postulated that low body weight may precipitate late mortality in soman-exposed rats. It is well documented that QT prolongation in the rat is explained in terms of blockade of the Ito potassium channels and the Na+/Ca+2 exchanger. Soman and sarin may exert their effect on QT interval duration through non-specific action on these sites. As drug-induced QT prolongation in man is mediated by blockade of Ikr potassium channels, the data presented in this study may not predict late death in humans in cases of organophosphate intoxication.

Effect of teicoplanin and G-CSF on survival in experimental MRSA pneumonia in neutropenic mice.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of Teicoplanin and/or Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) on survival in an experimental model of MRSA pneumonia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seventy five Swiss Albino mice weighing 35 gr (32-43) were used. 50 microl of clinical isolate of MRSA (3 x 10(8) CFU/ml in saline solution) was administered by tracheal puncture to neutropenic mice. Neutropenia was achieved by using Cyclophosphamide 200 mg per kg intraperitoneally. The groups were consisted of tracheal puncture control in neutropenic mice (group 1) (n = 15), pneumonia in neutropenic mice (group II) (n = 15), Teicoplanin therapy for pneumonia in neutropenic mice (group III) (n = 15), G-CSF therapy for pneumonia in neutropenic mice (group IV) (n = 15), Teicoplanin and G-CSF combined therapy for pneumonia in neutropenic mice (group V) (n = 15). Differences in the survival rates within 72 hours among the groups, microbiological analysis of various tissue samples were accomplished and white blood cell counts were obtained. Kaplan-Meier statistics was used for survival analysis. Subgroup comparisons were done by using Breslow statistics. RESULTS: Teicoplanin therapy increased the survival rate (p = 0.0001) whereas G-CSF therapy did not in comparison to other groups. Teicoplanin and G-CSF combination therapy improved survival rate when compared with groups II, III, IV (p = 0.0001, p = 0.003, p = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Teicoplanin and G-CSF combination therapy seems effective in reducing mortality rates in MRSA pneumonia in an experimental setting. Further animal and clinical studies must be done to achieve success in the treatment of nosocomial MRSA pneumonia.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for the management of pleural and pericardial effusion in Behçet's syndrome.

A 28-year-old man, who presented with pleural and pericardial chylous effusion secondary to superior vena cava syndrome, was diagnosed with Behcet's syndrome. A pericardial window was created by video-assisted thoracic surgery to relieve cardiac tamponade, and this technique also enabled lung biopsy, pleural abrasion, and drainage of the pleural effusion. We report this case because of its rarity. To the best of our knowledge, the literature contains no other report of the use of video-assisted thoracic surgery for creating a pericardial window for the treatment of cardiac tamponade in a case of Behcet's syndrome.

Primary vascular echinococcosis: an uncommon cause of chronic iliofemoral arterial occlusion.

We report the case of a 33-year-old woman who was admitted to our clinic with the diagnosis of chronic arterial occlusion of the right lower extremity. Preoperative angiography suggested an iliofemoral atherosclerotic occlusion. During surgery multiple hydatid cysts causing iliofemoral occlusion were found and excised. Arterial reconstruction was performed using an iliofemoral bypass technique with a polytetrafluoroethylene vascular graft. This case emphasizes that, in sheep-raising countries or in patients from such countries, primary vascular echinococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic arterial occlusion.

AF150(S): a new functionally selective M1 agonist improves cognitive performance in rats.

This study was aimed at evaluating the ability of a new functionally selective partial M1 agonist, AF150(S), to reverse cognitive impairments in rats. A memory deficits-induced animal model was used that involved AF64A (3 nmol/2 microliters/side) bilaterally injected ICV. AF150(S) was administered PO. The pharmacodynamic profile of the compound was established and its general toxicity was evaluated. Animals were tested on three behavioral tasks: step-through passive avoidance, Morris water maze reference memory paradigm, and radial arm maze working memory paradigm. The sign-free dose of AF150(S) was > 40 mg/kg whereas the LD50 was > 500 mg/kg. In comparison, the effective dose in reversing performance impairments on the various tasks was much lower (0.5-5 mg/kg). The data suggest that AF150(S) possesses potential cognitive enhancement abilities, probably due to a specific increase of cholinergic function.

Interactions between peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligands and an activator of voltage-operated calcium channels.

The effects of the peripheral-type benzodiapine receptor (PBR) ligands Ro 5-4864 and PK 11195 were studied in the spontaneously beating guinea pig atrium and in a model for myocardial ischemia in the rat. In the former, Bay K 8644 produced positive chronotropic and inotropic responses; intracarotid administration of this agonist (5 or 10 micrograms kg-1) to anesthetized rats elicited a transient increase in mean arterial blood pressure accompanied by alterations in the ECG pattern. Ro 5-4864 and PK 11195 (10 microM) completely blocked the positive chronotropic effect of Bay K 8644 in the atrium, PK 11209, a structural analog of PK 11195 with a low affinity for PBR, was inactive, and the central benzodiazepine receptor ligand clonazepam had a marginal effect. Ro 5-4864 potentiated whereas PK 11195 inhibited the myocardial ischemia produced by Bay K 8644 in the rat. Furthermore, PK 11195 blocked the combined response to Bay K 8644 and Ro 5-4864. Addition of Ro 5-4864 (10 microM) to the organ bath potentiated the inotropic effect of Bay K 8644 in the atria; PK 11195 at the same concentration inhibited this effect. Clonazepam and PK 11209 were both inactive in this regard. Nifedipine, a potent calcium channel antagonist, completely blocked the inotropic and chronotropic responses to Bay K 8644. PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864 did not affect this action. These findings strongly suggest that there is a functional association between PBR and voltage-operated calcium channels in the guinea pig atrium and rat cardiovascular system.

Bay K 8644-induced changes in the ECG pattern of the rat and their inhibition by antianginal drugs.

1. The effects of intracarotid administration of Bay K 8644 on the ECG pattern along with their reversal by antianginal drugs were investigated in anaesthetized rats. 2. Intracarotid injections of Bay K 8644 (0.5-50.0 micrograms kg-1) produced a dose-related transient increase in systemic blood pressure. 3. The pressor response was accompanied by ST segment elevation (0.5-10.0 micrograms kg-1), ST segment depression concomitant with the occurrence of arrhythmias (20.0 micrograms kg-1), or A-V block (50.0 micrograms kg-1). 4. ST segment elevation reached its maximal value within 15 s and could be observed for 30-240 s. 5. The increase in blood pressure was immediate (within 5 s) and short lasting (30-120 s). After the initial increase it returned to control levels (0.5-20.0 micrograms kg-1) or dropped below (50.0 micrograms kg-1). 6. The ST segment elevation caused by 5.0 micrograms kg-1 Bay K 8644 (submaximal dose) was blocked by antianginal drugs (e.g. nitroglycerin, nifedipine and diltiazem) and by the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor antagonist PK 11195. However, the pressor response was not blocked by any of the drugs used. 7. ST segment elevation (or depression) induced by intracarotid administration of Bay K 8644 provides a useful tool for the evaluation of potential antianginal drugs.

Distribution of 3H-soman in mice.

3H-soman (specific activity 10 Ci/mMol), a potent irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor, was administered IV to mice in a dose of one LD-50, which corresponds to 0.25 mCi/mouse. Animals were sacrificed at 5 min, 2 h and 24 h, and whole body autoradiography was performed. High levels of radioactivity in lung and skin were observed at all time intervals after injection. The central nervous system showed very low concentrations of radioactivity, which remained so for 24 h post-injection. Considerable accumulation of 3H-soman in the urine and gall-bladder, and in the intestinal lumen, may indicate these as pathways of soman excretion. Quantitative determinations of radioactivity in various tissue samples were consistent with the above-mentioned findings. It is concluded that the nature of the persistent binding of soman to lung and skin is striking, and may indicate the existence of specific sites for soman depots.