Techniques to Ameliorate the Impact of Second Warm Ischemic Time on Kidney Transplantation Outcomes.

Anastomosing the renal artery and vein in transplant recipients without a cooling mechanism exposes the kidney to temperatures exceeding the metabolic threshold (15°C to 18°C), at which the protective effects of renal hypothermia are lost. This anastomotic time, or second warm ischemic time, can be deleterious to graft outcomes, especially if it is prolonged. Techniques to ameliorate organ warming prior to reperfusion have been designed, and range from simpler surface cooling techniques, to organ immersion in bags of ice slush, and the application of 'jackets' that incorporate their own internal cooling mechanism. The efficacy of these methods with respect to the minimization of kidney temperature prior to reperfusion and subsequent effects on graft outcomes are discussed using clinical and experimental data, in the setting of open, laparoscopic, and robotic kidney transplantation.

Antiglycation and antioxidant effect of carnosine against glucose degradation products in peritoneal mesothelial cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Toxicity with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is a major problem in uremic patients. Treatment with peritoneal dialysis (PD) exacerbates AGE formation as a result of bioincompatibility of the conventional peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF). The presence of glucose degradation products (GDPs) in PDF is the main cause of its bioincompatibility. Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide with a powerful antiglycation/antioxidant activity. In an attempt to improve PDF biocompatibility, we evaluated the effect of carnosine in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) incubated with PDF or GDPs in vitro. METHODS: HPMC were incubated for short or prolonged time with PDF in the presence or absence of carnosine. Similarly, HPMC were incubated in the same condition but with a combination of GDPs. Following the incubation, cells were tested for their viability, protein carbonyl content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. RESULTS: Results demonstrated a significant protective effect of carnosine to HPMC in both acute and chronic conditions with PDF or GDPs as judged by the enhancement of cell viability, preserved protein from modification and decreased ROS production. CONCLUSION: Carnosine enhanced HPMC viability against the toxic effect of GDPs probably through protection of cellular protein from modification and from ROS-mediated oxidative damage. The salutary effect of carnosine may render it a desirable candidate for improving PDF biocompatibility and reducing AGE complications in PD patients.

Seroepidemiology of selected zoonotic infections in Basra region of Iraq.

A community-based seroepidemiological study was made of 4 common zoonotic infections (brucellosis, hydatidosis, toxoplasmosis and visceral leishmaniasis) in 3 areas (rural, urban and suburban semirural) in Basra governorate, southern Iraq. The prevalence of brucellosis was higher in the suburban semirural area (29.3%) than the rural and urban areas. The prevalence of hydatidosis (19.0%-35.5%) and toxoplasmosis (41.1%-52.1%) were relatively high in all 3 areas. With respect to visceral leishmaniasis, low rates of infection were reported (0.2%-1.9%). The study shows in general that the suburban semirural area is at highest risk of zoonotic infections compared with other areas. The results could form a rational basis for the planning of an integrated comprehensive approach for control of zoonotic infections in the areas surveyed.

Elevated levels of alkanals, alkenals and 4-HO-alkenals in plasma of hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several studies have implicated reactive carbonyl compounds (RCOs), especially those derived from lipid peroxidation, in the development of complications frequently associated with hemodialysis (HD) treatment. However, there is still much unknown regarding the nature and concentration of RCOs in HD patients. This study was designed to evaluate the level of toxic aldehydes in the plasma of HD patients and to determine the extent to which these aldehydes contribute to RCO toxicity among these patients. METHODS: 15 aldehydes of the alkanal, alkenal and 4-HO-alkenal type were measured in the plasma of 17 HD patients and 20 healthy controls. In addition, protein modification markers such as carbonyl content (CO), free thiol (SH) and residual free amino groups, as well as amyloid fibrils were also determined. RESULTS: 11 of the 15 aldehydes were significantly elevated in the HD group when compared with the controls. Correlation studies in the HD group revealed high relationships between total alkenals plus total 4-HO-alkenals versus CO, total alkanals versus NH2, total aldehydes versus SH, and total 4-HO-alkenals versus fibril. CONCLUSION: The increased levels of alkanals, alkenals and 4-HO-alkenals of lipid peroxidation in the plasma of HD patients may greatly contribute to the toxicity of RCOs. The pattern of modification of plasma protein by each group of aldehydes may provide new evidence on the in vivo mechanisms of toxicity triggered by these aldehydes on their target molecules.

Seroepidemiology of selected zoonotic infections in Basra region of Iraq

A community-based seroepidemiological study was made of 4 common zoonotic infections [brucellosis, hydatidosis, toxoplasmosis and visceral leishmaniasis] in 3 areas [rural, urban and suburban semirural] in Basra governorate, southern Iraq. The prevalence of brucellosis was higher in the suburban semirural area [29.3%] than the rural and urban areas. The prevalence of hydatidosis [19.0%-35.5%] and toxoplasmosis [41.1%-52.1%] were relatively high in all 3 areas. With respect to visceral leishmaniasis, low rates of infection were reported [0.2%-1.9%]. The study shows in general that the suburban semirural area is at highest risk of zoonotic infections compared with other areas. The results could form a rational basis for the planning of an integrated comprehensive approach for control of zoonotic infections in the areas surveyed