Addiction and rehabilitation processes according to the youth with substance history and members of profession-A phenomenological analysis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the substance-use history of young people in a rehabilitation center in Berlin with a therapeutic community structure, their thoughts about the rehabilitation process, and the evaluations of the center's employees. METHODS: The study used interviews with the young people in the rehabilitation process and the professionals working in the institution as well as observation studies over a period of three-months. A total of 23 people participated in the study, including 13 young people in the rehabilitation process with a history of substance use and 10 professionals working at the institution. The researchers used a qualitative research method along with a three-month observation study. RESULTS: After the interviews, 4 main themes and 5 sub-themes were identified among the young people with a substance-use history, and 4 main themes and 4 sub-themes were identified for the employees. CONCLUSION: It was determined that a well-structured rehabilitation center has positive psychological, social, cognitive, and behavioral effects on young people with a history of substance use.

Influence of demographic factors on perceived social support among adult cancer patients in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Social support, acknowledged as a protective factor against diseases, produces positive results in the prognosis of cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: There is no relevant studies on perceived social support and factors related to Turkish cancer patients. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the demographic characteristics that affect the perceived social support in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample included 423 adult cancer patients who admitted to the Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit of three hospitals in Turkey between March 2014 and August 2014. The data were collected through Demographic Characteristics Form and Cancer-Specific Social Support Scale (CPSSS). RESULTS: Patients were between 19 and 85 years of age with a mean 51.75 years. Almost half of them (40.7%) were primary school graduates, 53.2% were female, 84.6% were married and 85.8% had children. It was found that the patients generally received a high score (127.86 ± 17.44) from the CPSSS scale. The highest scores were obtained on the Confidence Support sub dimension. It was revealed that women and married patients needed more confidence support and general social support (P < 0.05). Social support perceived by primary school graduates was statistically significant to a great extent (P < 0.05). In spite of the difference between the patients with metastasis and their perceived social support grade averages (P > 0.05), it was seen that patients with multiple children utilized more confidence support and general social support in social support reception (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study showed that study participants received a high amount of social support. Age, gender, marital status, number of children, and educational status were determined to affect perceived social support. It is recommended to support the patients who do not receive sufficient social.

Henoch-Schönlein nephritis: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the presentation, clinical and pathological manifestations and outcome of the Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) nephritis in children. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data of 443 children with HSP nephritis aged between 3 and 16 years from 16 pediatric nephrology reference centers were analyzed retrospectively. The biopsy findings were graded according to the classification developed by the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC). RESULTS: Renal biopsy was performed in 179 of the patients with HSP nephritis. The most common presenting clinical finding in patients who were biopsied was nephrotic range proteinuria (25%) which was followed by nephritic-nephrotic syndrome (23.5%). The biopsy findings according to the ISKDC were as follows: class I: 8.3%; II: 44.1%; III: 36.3%; IV: 6.7%; V: 3.3%; VI: 1.1%. All of the patients who developed end-stage renal disease had nephritic-nephrotic syndrome at presentation. Of 443 patients, 87.2% had a favorable outcome and 12.8% had an unfavorable outcome. The overall percentage of children who developed end-stage renal disease at follow-up was 1.1%. Logistic regression analysis did not show any association of initial symptoms and histology with outcome. CONCLUSION: In the presented cohort, the presence of crescents in the first biopsy or presenting clinical findings did not seem to predict the outcome of HSP nephritis in children. We conclude that children with HSP nephritis even with isolated microscopic hematuria and/or mild proteinuria should be followed closely.

Familial Mediterranean fever and IgA nephropathy: case report and review of the literature.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common form of autoinflammatory syndromes and is characterized by recurrent inflammatory attacks of fever and serositis. Amyloidosis is the most common renal complication of FMF. In addition to amyloidosis, many renal lesions have been anecdotally reported in patients with FMF and other hereditary periodic fevers. We report a Turkish child with FMF presenting with hematuria during attacks, in whom kidney biopsy documented the presence of mesangial IgA deposits and the absence of amyloidosis. Kidney biopsy should be performed in patients showing microscopic or gross hematuria during attacks of familial Mediterranean fever in order to gain additional epidemiological data about specific features of renal involvement and to allow adequate treatment.

A new modification of dismembered pyeloplasty for primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

AIM: To present the results of a new modification of dismembered pyeloplasty performed to prevent the occurrence of secondary obstruction. METHODS: Modified dismembered pyeloplasty was performed in 35 children (age range 3 months to 16 years) who had unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In postoperative follow-up, presence of hydronephrosis on ultrasonography, differential renal function (DRF) and renal drainage half-time on technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) renography were recorded and compared with preoperative data. RESULTS: Mean anteroposterior renal pelvic diameter, mean preoperative DRF and radioisotope clearance half-time on DTPA renography of the affected kidneys were 61.4 mm, 38.6% and 34.3 min in children with prenatal hydronephrosis, and 67.5 mm, 37.6% and 39.4 min in children that presented with symptoms, respectively. After surgery, mean anteroposterior renal pelvic diameter, mean DRF and radioisotope clearance half-time on DTPA renography of the affected kidneys were 10.9 mm, 45.9% and 11.9 min in children with prenatal hydronephrosis, and 20 mm, 41.9% and 15.2 min in children that presented with symptoms, respectively. No failure was observed in any patient at an average follow-up of 26 months (range 1-5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Open dismembered pyeloplasty is the treatment of choice for intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The modification of dismembered pyeloplasty that we performed is an alternative for the prevention of secondary obstruction.

Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia and renal involvement.

Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia is recognized as a rare cause of infantile hypercalcemia. Its renal consequences include nephrocalcinosis with distal tubular dysfunction, nephrolithiasis, and finally renal failure. Herein we report the case of a two-month-old infant presenting with idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia complicated with distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and nephrocalcinosis. Despite correction of acidosis and dehydration, the persistant hypercalcemia could only be ameliorated with calcitonin treatment. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is life-saving in such cases.

Familial renal glucosuria: SLC5A2 mutation analysis and evidence of salt-wasting.

Familial renal glucosuria (FRG) is an inherited renal tubular disorder characterized by persistent isolated glucosuria in the absence of hyperglycemia. Mutations in the sodium/glucose co-transporter SGLT2 coding gene, SLC5A2, were recently found to be responsible for the disorder. Here, we report the molecular and phenotype study of five unrelated FRG families. Five patients were identified and their family members screened for glucosuria. SLC5A2 coding region of index cases was polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced. Five different mutations are reported, including four novel alleles. The IVS12+1G>A and p.A102V alleles were identified in homozygosity in index patients of two unrelated families. A proband from another family was compound heterozygous for the p.R132H and p.A219T mutations, and the heterozygous p.Q167fsX186 frameshift allele was the only mutation detected in the affected individual from an additional pedigree. For the remaining family no mutations were detected. The patient homozygous for the p.A102V mutation had glucosuria of 65.6 g/1.73 m(2)/24 h, evidence of renal sodium wasting, mild volume depletion, and raised basal plasma renin and serum aldosterone levels. Our findings confirm previous observations that in FRG, transmitted as a codominant trait with incomplete penetrance, most mutations are private. In the only patient with massive glucosuria in our cohort there was evidence evocative of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system activation by extracellular volume depletion induced by natriuresis. Definite proof of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system activation in FGR should rely on evaluation of additional patients with massive glucosuria.

Stem-like cells traffic from heart ex vivo, expand in vitro, and can be transplanted in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Cells with stem cell surface markers have been identified in heart tissue. Early indications suggest that these are cardiac progenitor cells that could contribute to cardiac repair/regeneration. Clinically relevant therapeutic strategies based on these cells will require improved methods for their isolation and characterization of determinants of their mobilization, proliferation and differentiation. METHODS: An ex vivo culture system was developed that promotes trafficking of progenitor-like cells from mouse ventricles to a culture surface. Cells that "trafficked" from cardiac tissue were phenotyped by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Morphologically distinct cells spontaneously trafficked from mouse ventricular tissue, adhered in culture, and proliferated for up to 4 weeks in Dulbecco's minimal essential media supplemented with fetal calf serum. After 4 weeks in culture, cell number declined. Co-culture with unfractionated bone marrow restored the proliferation of these trafficked cells. A significant population of the trafficked cells expressed a phenotype consistent with that of a myogenic progenitor such as: c-kit+, Sca-1+, CD45-, CD34-, CD90.2-, MyoD1-, desmin-, muscle-specific actin-, and, infrequently, myogenin+. An expanded population of trafficked cells from ventricles of mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP+) and containing cardiac-derived progenitor cells were injected into the pericardial space of GFP- mice. GFP+ cells trafficked throughout the heart but retained a primitive undifferentiated morphology. However, when injected into the pericardial space of Apo-E-deficient mice with coronary vasculopathy, progenitor-like cells trafficked into myocardium, and GFP+ cells differentiated into vessel-lining endothelial cells and, rarely, smooth muscle and cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Progenitor-like cells in the heart can be mobilized by tissue injury to spontaneously traffic from cardiac tissue and can expand in culture by co-culture with bone marrow. When re-infused by pericardiocentesis, these primitive cells traffic into heart, retain immature morphology, but are capable of undergoing injury-induced differentiation. The novel method described herein permits further characterization of cardiac-derived progenitor cells, which are a candidate for cardiac regeneration strategies.

Hepatitis B complicated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

After the initial report of membranous glomerulopathy due to hepatitis B virus infection by Combes et al, other glomerular diseases - but rarely focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) association with HBV infection - have been reported. Herein we present an 8-year-old boy with chronic HBV infection complicated FSGS. The patient was initially regarded as idiopathic FSGS and started on an immunosuppressive schedule. The elevation of liver transaminases in the course of the therapy revealed the immunotolerated perinatal HBV infection. It was considered that immunosuppressive agents have induced viral replication. The treatment was changed to lamivudine alone. The nephrotic syndrome has already been improved with the seroconversion of anti-HBeAg and reduced liver functional tests by the tenth month of the treatment. This case is peculiar for the seldom association of FSGS with chronic HBV infection and treatment modality particularly for the countries where this viral infection is endemic.

Antiannexin V autoantibody in thrombophilic Behçet's disease.

We propose that thrombosis in Behçet's syndrome may be due to disruption of the annexin V shield by antiphospholipid antibodies. Measurement of antiannexin V antibodies may be of value in confirming diagnosis and evaluating the risk of venous and arterial thrombosis in patients with Behçet's syndrome. To evaluate the efficiency of antiannexin V antibody in the formation of thrombosis, 53 male patients with Behçet's disease according to international study group criteria were involved in this study. The age range was 20-28 years (mean 23+/-3.4). All of these patients had been taking colchicum. Those taking medications that interfere with antiannexin V autoantibody levels were excluded, and serum samples were taken during the active period. Group I included 26 Behçet's patients with well-documented thrombosis, group II included 27 Behçet's patients without thrombosis, and group III was comprised of 27 healthy controls. There were no statistical differences between the mean concentrations of IgG and IgM antiannexin V autoantibodies in the three groups. The results indicate that these antibodies may not be associated with the pathogenesis of thrombotic events in patients with Behçet's syndrome.

Effects of fludarabine treatment on murine lupus nephritis.

BXSB mice, a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), were treated with two different doses of fludarabine for a four-week period and examined two weeks after the final dose. Control mice were treated with saline or cyclophosphamide. Mice treated with fludarabine had a significant reduction in renal pathology compared to control mice. Fludarabine-treated mice also had an almost 10-fold increase in percentile of CD8+CD25+ T cells in the spleen and a smaller but significant increase in CD4+CD25+ cells. Mice treated with cyclophosphamide had a greater leucopenia compared to the other groups and a significant reduction in percentile of B220+ cells in peripheral blood and spleen. Serum autoantibody levels to dsDNA did not differ significantly among the groups, but were higher in 4/10 mice treated with fludarabine. Although few trials of fludarabine for human SLE have been conducted, additional studies may be warranted.

Pulmonary haemorrhage in a 6-year-old boy with Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis in children. It is a multisystemic disease but pulmonary haemorrhage is extremely rare. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, pulmonary haemorrhage and severe renal involvement. The patient responded to a combination of intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. A review of the literature revealed that young age may be a good prognostic sign and that immunosuppressive drugs and supportive management are essential in the treatment. Renal biopsy is helpful in the differential diagnosis of HSP-mimicking pulmonary vasculitic syndromes. Combining cyclophosphamide with glucocorticoids may improve the outcome in severe HSP cases with pulmonary haemorrhage.

Comparative study of cefixime alone versus intramuscular ceftizoxime followed by cefixime in the treatment of urinary tract infections in children.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) can cause acute morbidity and may result in severe problems, including hypertension and reduced renal function. Diagnosis of UTI is extremely important since prompt treatment may prevent damage. In the present study we compared the efficacy of oral cefixime to initial intramuscular ceftizoxime followed by cefixime for the treatment of UTI in children. Fifty-four children were studied. They were randomized to receive either oral cefixime 8 mg/kg/day for 10 days or initial intramuscular ceftizoxime (Cefizox) 50 mg/kg twice a day for 2 days followed by oral cefixime for 8 days. Treatment groups were comparable regarding age, sex, clinical, and laboratory findings. Escherichia coli was isolated from 80% of patients. Repeat urine cultures were sterile within 24 hours in all children. Cure rates were comparable in both groups (92% vs 86% at the end of treatment). No serious adverse effects were observed. We concluded that oral cefixime is a safe and effective alternative treatment.

Reversible nephrotoxicity after overdose of colloidal bismuth subcitrate.

Although toxicity due to acute and chronic use of bismuth salts is well known, nephrotoxicity after ingestion of colloidal bismuth has been reported in few cases so far. Here we report the first case of acute renal failure (ARF) due to colloidal bismuth subcitrate overdosage in childhood. A 2-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital 6 h after ingestion of 28 De-Nol tablets (colloidal bismuth subcitrate 8.4 g). On admission, physical examination was unremarkable and he showed no signs of encephalopathy. Initially gastric lavage was performed then appropriate fluid therapy was started. ARF associated with uremia and oliguria developed on day 2 and peritoneal dialysis therapy was prescribed on day 4 for 10 days. Blood and urine bismuth levels were 739 micrograms/l and 693 micrograms/l, respectively, 10 days after the pills had been taken. His urine volume gradually increased and plasma BUN and creatinine levels decreased during peritoneal dialysis. On day 20 post-admission, plasma BUN and creatinine were 14 mg/dl and 0.7 mg/dl, respectively. Blood bismuth levels were 96 micrograms/l on day 60 and 12 micrograms/l on day 105. Now the patient is well and has no problem. This case suggests that ARF may develop in children following colloidal bismuth subcitrate overdosage; the prognosis is good, and peritoneal dialysis may be useful in these cases.

IgA deficiency associated with growth hormone deficiency in a boy with short arm deletion of chromosome 18 (46,XY,18p-).

The authors report a 10-year-old boy with the short arm deletion of chromosome 18 extending to centromere with no evidence of mosaicism. Associated were growth hormone and IgA deficiencies. It seems to be the second example appeared in medical literature.