Objective To review the experience with endoscopic palliative treatment for malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) in 929 patients. Methods 929 patients (598 males and 331 females) underwent 1 215 endoscopic palliative ...Objective To review the experience with endoscopic palliative treatment for malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) in 929 patients. Methods 929 patients (598 males and 331 females) underwent 1 215 endoscopic palliative drainages for MOJ in our hospital. Tumor obstruction occurred in the distal common bile duct (CBD) (263 patients) , the middle CBD (43), and the hilum (909) . The mean biliru-bin level was 284.3umol/L( range 26 - 810) . Of the 1 215 drainages, 599 were performed by stenting with plastic endoprosthesis, 385 by naso-biliary catheterization, 167 by expandable metal stents, 39 by combined drainage method, 19 by tumor sphincterotomy and 6 by endoscopic fistulostomy.Results The successful rate of endoscopic procedure was 94.3 % . The jaundice symptom was improved in 81.8 % of the patients with a significant reduction of serum bilirubin in 64.7% . The complication after treatment occurred in 23 cases (2.6%), including cholangitis (23 cases), pancreatitis (8 cases), and bleeding (one case), and 3 cases were dead (0.2%) . The median survival time of all patients was 14 months and life time analysis showed a life expectancy of 75.9% , 44.0% and 25.2% at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively. Conclusion In the patients with MOJ secondary to pancreatobiliary malignancy, successful endoscopic drainage provides adequate relief of biliary obstruction and is associated with low morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic interventional treatment may be considered as an alternative of palliative biliary operation for the late stage of pancreatic and biliary malignancies.展开更多
AIM: To analyze the outcome of patients with severe drug-induced liver disease (DILD) associated with jaundice classified as hepatocellular, cholestatic or mixed liver injury and to evaluate the validity of Hy’s rule...AIM: To analyze the outcome of patients with severe drug-induced liver disease (DILD) associated with jaundice classified as hepatocellular, cholestatic or mixed liver injury and to evaluate the validity of Hy’s rule and the most important predictors for outcome. METHODS: The Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee was set up in 1997 in our hospital to identify all suspicions of DILD following a structured prospective report form. Liver damage was divided into hepatocellular, cholestatic, and mixed types according to laboratory and histologic criteria when available. Further evaluation of causality assessment was performed. RESULTS: From January 1997 to December 2004, 265 patients were diagnosed with DILD,and 140 (52.8%) of them were female. hepatocellular damage was the most common (72.1%), the incidence of death was 9.9% in patients with hepatocellular damage and 9.5% in patients with cholestatic/mixed damage (P < 0.05). There was no difference in age of dead and recovered patients. The proportion of females and males was similar in recovered and dead patients, no difference was observed in duration of treatment between the two groups. The serum total bilirubin (P < 0.001), direct bilirubin (P < 0.001) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (P = 0.013) values were higher in dead patients than in recovered patients. Chinese herbal medicine was the most frequently prescribed, accounting for 24.2% of the whole series. However, antitubercular drugs (3.4%) were found to be the primary etiological factor for fetal DILD. Factors associated with the development of fulminanthepatic failure were hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 43.66, 95% CI = 8.47-224.95, P < 0.0001), ascite (OR = 28.48, 95% CI = 9.26-87.58, P < 0.0001), jaundice (OR = 11.43, 95% CI = 1.52-85.96, P = 0.003), alcohol abuse (OR = 3.83, 95% CI = 1.26-11.67, P = 0.035) and direct bilirubin (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.25-2.58, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Death occurs in 9.8% of patients with DILD. Chinese herbal medicine stands out as the most common drug for DILD. While antitubercular drugs are found to be the primary etiological factor for fetal DILD, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, jaundice, alcohol abuse and direct bilirubin levels are associated with the death of DILD patients.展开更多
Haematuria was known as a benign hallmark of some glomerular diseases, but over the last decade, new evidences pointed its negative implications on kidneydisease progression. Cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress indu...Haematuria was known as a benign hallmark of some glomerular diseases, but over the last decade, new evidences pointed its negative implications on kidneydisease progression. Cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress induced by hemoglobin, heme, or iron released from red blood cells may account for the tubular injury observed in human biopsy specimens. However, the precise mechanisms responsible for haematuria remain unclear. The presence of red blood cells (RBCs) with irregular contours and shape in the urine indicates RBCs egression from the glomerular capillary into the urinary space. Therefore glomerular haematuria may be a marker of glomerular filtration barrier dysfunction or damage. In this review we describe some key issues regarding epidemiology and pathogenesis of haematuric diseases as well as their renal morphological fndings.展开更多
AIM: To access the association between albuminuria levels and arterial stiffness in non-diabetic patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-2, treated with renin angiotensin blockade agent...AIM: To access the association between albuminuria levels and arterial stiffness in non-diabetic patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-2, treated with renin angiotensin blockade agents plus other hypertensive drugs when needed.METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients [median age 52 years (68% males)] were consequently enrolled in the study. For each patient, we recorded gender, age, body mass index (BMI), peripheral systolic blood pressure (pSBP), peripheral diastolic blood pressure, peripheral pulse pressure, central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), central diastolic blood pressure (cDBP), central pulse pressure (cPP), hematocrit, hemoglobin, hsCRP, total cholesterol triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-C, low-density lipoprotein-C, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, and albumin, as well as 24 h urine albumin excretion. According to 24-h urine albumin collection, patients were then classified as those with moderately increased albuminuria (formerly called macroalbuminuria) (≤ 300 mg/d) and those with severely increased albuminuria (formerly called macroaluminuria (〉 300 mg/d). We considered aortic stiffness (AS) indices [carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) and augmentation index (AIx)] as primary outcomes of the study. We explored potential correlations between severely increased albuminuria and AS indices using a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included in the moderately increased albuminuria group and 57 in the severely increased albuminuria. Blood pressure measurements of the study population were 138 ± 14/82 ± 1.3 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). There were no significant differences in age, sex, and BP measurements between the two groups. Patients with severely increased albuminuria had higher PWV and AIx than patients with moderately increased albuminuria (P 〈 0.02, P 〈 0.004, respectively). In addition these patients exhibited higher BMI (P 〈 0.03), hsCRP (P 〈 0.001), and fibrinogen levels (P 〈 0.02) compared to patients with moderately increased albuminuria. In multivariate linear regression analysis, severely increased albuminuria (β = 1.038, P 〈 0.010) pSBP (β = 0.028, P 〈 0.034) and Ht (β = 0.171, P = 0.001) remained independent determinants of the increased PWVc-f. Similarly, severely increased albuminuria (β = 4.385, P 〈 0.012), cSBP (β = 0.242, P 〈 0.001), cPP (β = 0.147, P 〈 0.01) and Ht levels (β = 0.591, P 〈 0.013) remained independent determinants of increased AIx.CONCLUSION: These fndings demonstrate an independent association between AS indices and severely increased albuminuria in non-diabetic, hypertensive patients with CKD stages 1-2 treated with renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockers.展开更多
AIM: To study the factors that may affect survival of cholangiocarcinoma in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 55 patients diagnosed with cholangio- carcinoma at the American Universi...AIM: To study the factors that may affect survival of cholangiocarcinoma in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 55 patients diagnosed with cholangio- carcinoma at the American University of Beirut between 1990 and 2005 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the impact of surgery, chemotherapy, body mass index, bilirubin level and other factors on survival. RJ^SULTS: The median survival of all patients was 8.57 mo (0.03-105.2). Univariate analysis showed that low bilirubin level (〈 10 mg/dL), radical surgery and chemotherapy administration were significantly associated with better survival (P = 0.012, 0.038 and 0.038, respectively), in subgroup analysis on patients who had no surgery, chemotherapy administration prolonged median survival significantly (17.0 mo vs 3.5 mo, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified only low bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL and chemotherapy administration as independent predictors associated with better survival (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data show that palliative and postoperative chemotherapy as well as a bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL are independent predictors of a significant increase in survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.展开更多
Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a severe multisystem autoimmune disease. Renal involvement occurs in the majority of cSLE patients and is often fatal. Renal biopsy is an important investigatio...Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a severe multisystem autoimmune disease. Renal involvement occurs in the majority of cSLE patients and is often fatal. Renal biopsy is an important investigation in the management of lupus nephritis. Treatment of renal lupus consists of an induction phase and main-tenance phase. Treatment of childhood lupus nephritis using steroids is associated with poor outcome and excess side-effects. The addition of cyclophosphamide to the treatment schedule has improved disease control. In view of treatment failure using these drugs and a tendency for non-adherence, many newer agents such as immune-modulators and monoclonal antibodies are being tried in patients with cSLE. Trials of these novel agents in the pediatric population are still lacking making a consensus in the management protocol of pediatric lupus nephritis diffcult.展开更多
AIM: To clarify the incidence and nature of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia in patients after modern extracorporeal circulation, to analyze possible perioperative risk factors, and to elucidate the clinical signific...AIM: To clarify the incidence and nature of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia in patients after modern extracorporeal circulation, to analyze possible perioperative risk factors, and to elucidate the clinical significance of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia associated mortality and morbidity. METHODS: Between March 2005 and May 2006, three hundred and eighty six consecutive patients undergoing extracorporeal circulation surgery due to a variety of cardiac lesions were investigated prospectively. The incidence of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia was defined as a serum total bilirubin concentration of more than 51 μmol/L. Several perioperative parameters were compared by logistic regression between hyperbilirubinemia and non-hyperbilirubinemia patients to determine possible risk factors contributing to postoperative hyperbilirubinemia and mortality. RESULTS: Overall incidence of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia was 25.3% (98/386). In patients with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia, 56.2% reached peak total bilirubin concentration on the first postoperative day, 33.5% on the second day, and 10.3% on the seventh day. Eighty percent of the increase of total bilirubin resulted from an increase of both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin. Development of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia was associated with a higher mortality (P 〈 0.01), longer duration of mechanical ventilation (P 〈 0.05) and longer ICU stay time (P 〈 0.05). Preoperative total bilirubin concentration, preoperative right atrium pressure, numbers of valves replaced and of blood transfusion requirement were identified as important predictors for postoperative hyperbUirubinemia. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative hyperbilirubinemia after modern extracorporeal circulation is mainly caused by an increase in both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin, and is associated with a high mortality. Important contributing factors are the preoperative total bilirubin concentration, preoperative severity of right atrial pressure, numbers of valve replacement procedures, and the amount of blood transfusion requirement during and shortly after surgery. We suggest that postoperative hyperbilirubinemia is a multifactorial process, which is caused by,both the impaired liver function of bilirubin transport and the increased production of bilirubin from haemolysis.展开更多
This work traces the historical development and impact of political Islam on international relations (IR) from the last century to date. In this article the author asserts that understanding the rise of political Is...This work traces the historical development and impact of political Islam on international relations (IR) from the last century to date. In this article the author asserts that understanding the rise of political Islam at the world's stage and IR generally can be genealogically traced to two interrelated developments: the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Egypt since 1928 as a social and political movement against the growing Western influence in the Islamic World after the collapse of the ottoman empire; and the development of the post-World War II IR theories, and practices which provided the basis of the political, military, and security doctrines of the United States and its allies which proved its lack of reliability and validity, particularly as related to the Muslim World, and the role of religion within the Muslim states and place of religion in global politics.展开更多
The aim of this work was to increase the efficacy of erythromycin ethyl succinate by encapsulation in beeswax lipid matrix using Myrj 52 as emulsifier. Different batches of SLM's (solid-lipid microparticles) were f...The aim of this work was to increase the efficacy of erythromycin ethyl succinate by encapsulation in beeswax lipid matrix using Myrj 52 as emulsifier. Different batches of SLM's (solid-lipid microparticles) were formulated and stable ones were selected. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacities were calculated. The batch with the highest loading capacity was used for further assays. The particle size was determined by light microscopy. The sensitivity of different clinical bacterial isolates to erythromycin was tested using in vitro cultures and E. coli was selected for efficacy tests. The activity of the formulated drug was tested in the in vitro culture and compared to that of the unformulated drug. White albino mice were infected with E. coli and left for one day to develop significant bacteremia. They were then divided into 4 groups (n = 4) and treated with the formulation and unformulated drug at a dose of 7.14 mg/kg 8 hourly for 56 hours. A third group was given SLM's that do not contain drug, while another group was left untreated. The selected batch has an encapsulation efficiency of 94.83% with a loading capacity of 3.88%. The particle size was 17 ± 4 μm. At the end of the three day period of treatment, the group treated with unformulated erythromycin had much stooling anti weakness in the mice, and some deaths were recorded, while that treated with the formulation had 33.8% bacteremia and the clinical signs had largely subsided. The other two groups recorded deaths the following day after bacteremia induction. The results show marked improvement in efficacy of erythromycin ethyl succinate by formulation in SLMs with beeswax and lecithin as lipid matrix.展开更多
AIM: To examine if the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin after preoperative biliary drainagecan be used as a predicting factor for surgical complications and postoperative recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy in p...AIM: To examine if the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin after preoperative biliary drainagecan be used as a predicting factor for surgical complications and postoperative recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with distal common bile duct cancer.METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 49 consecutive patients who underwent pancrea-ticoduodenectomy for distal common bile duct cancer. Potential risk factors were compared between the complicated and uncomplicated groups. Also, the rates of decrease in serum bilirubin were compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) was performed in 40 patients (81.6%). Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 46.9% (23/49) and 6.1% (3/49), respectively. The presence or absence of PBD was not different between the complicated and uncomplicated groups. In patients with PBD, neither the absolute level nor the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin was significantly different. Patients with rapid decrease preoperatively showed faster decrease during the first postoperative week (5.5 ± 4.4 μmol/L vs -1.7 ± 9.9 μmol/L, P = 0.004).CONCLUSION: PBD does not affect the surgical outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with distal common bile duct cancer. There is a certain group of patients with a compromised hepatic excretory function, which is represented by the slow rate of decrease in serum bilirubin after PBD.展开更多
Clinical observations on 300 cases of hyperplasia of mammary glands (group A) treated by red hot needle plus filiform needle are reported in the present study. "Ashi" points were used as the main acupoints. ...Clinical observations on 300 cases of hyperplasia of mammary glands (group A) treated by red hot needle plus filiform needle are reported in the present study. "Ashi" points were used as the main acupoints. For comparison, other 300 cases (group B) were treated with routine acupuncture method, and Rugen (ST 18) was used as the main acupoint. In addition, other auxiliary acupoints were supplemented in the light of the concrete syndromes in these two groups. The treatment was given once daily, with 10 sessions being a therapeutic course. Of the 300 cases in group A, 240 were clinically cured, amounting to 80%; 58 were effective, amounting to 19.3%; 2 were failed, with a total effective rate of 99.3%. Of the 300 cases in group B, 113 were clinically cured, 165 effective, 22 were failed, with a total effective rate of 92.7%. The therapeutic effect of group A is significantly superior to that of group B (P<0.05).展开更多
The incidence of hyperbilirubinemia is high clinically, which is difficult to cure by medication, surgery or interventional therapies. Non-bioartificial liver is the main alternative in the blood purification for hype...The incidence of hyperbilirubinemia is high clinically, which is difficult to cure by medication, surgery or interventional therapies. Non-bioartificial liver is the main alternative in the blood purification for hyperbilirubinemia, which includes plasma exchange, hemoperfusion, hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system and so on. The research results and clinical experiences in China show that these methods are effective in lowering high levels of bilirubin with fewer side effects. The hyperbilirubinemias of different causes, with different complications or accompanying different diseases can be treated by different methods. Bioartificial liver, hybrid artificial liver support system and adsorbent membrane material have also been studied and their development in reducing hyperbilirubinemias has been achieved. This article gives a brief overview on the actuality and research improvement in blood purification for hyperbilirubinemia in China.展开更多
Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare hematological disorder which is characterized by severe anemia,reticulocytopenia and almost complete absence of erythroid precursors in bone marrow.The pathophysiology of PRCA ma...Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare hematological disorder which is characterized by severe anemia,reticulocytopenia and almost complete absence of erythroid precursors in bone marrow.The pathophysiology of PRCA may be congenital or acquired.To our knowledge,there is only one case report in the English literature of PRCA after pegylated interferon combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C.We report a second case of PRCA after pegylated interferon combination treatment for chronic hepatitis C.The diagnosis of PRCA was confirmed by the typical findings of bone marrow biopsy.The possible etiologies of our case are also discussed in this paper.展开更多
AIM: To assess residual diuresis and diverse variables according to body mass index (BMI).METHODS: Cross-sectional study (n = 57), with 3 groups. Group A: BMI 〈 25, n = 22; Group B: BMI 25-30, n = 15; Grou...AIM: To assess residual diuresis and diverse variables according to body mass index (BMI).METHODS: Cross-sectional study (n = 57), with 3 groups. Group A: BMI 〈 25, n = 22; Group B: BMI 25-30, n = 15; Group C: BMI 〉 30, n = 20. Diuresis, hematocrit, albumin, C-reactive protein, Malnutrition infammatory score, Pro-BNP, Troponin T, leptin and in-sulin levels are expressed as median and ranges (r). RESULTS: Albumin (g/dL): GA vs GC, 3.70 (r2.20-4.90) vs 3.85 (r3.40-4.90), P = 0.02. Diuresis (mL/d): GA 690 (r0-1780); GB 660 (r60-1800); GC 840 (r40-2840). Diuresis GA vs GC, P = 0.01. Leptin (ng/mL): GA vs GC, 3.81 (r0.78-69.60) vs GC, 32.80 (r0.78-124.50), P 〈 0.001. Insulin (μU/mL): GA vs GB, 7 (r2-44) vs 11.50 (r4-38), P = 0.02; GA vs GC, 7 (r2-44) vs 19.5 (r5-155), P = 0.0001. Troponin T and Pro-BNP levels were not different. Significant correlations: GC, Insulin-UF: ρ= 0.53; P = 0.03; TroponinT-diuresis: ρ = -0.48, P 〈 0.05; Pro-BNP-diuresis: ρ = -0.39, P 〈 0.01; Troponin T-ProBNP: ρ = 0.77, P 〈 0.0001; albumin-Troponin T: ρ = -0.66, P 〈 0.0001; albumin-ProBNP: ρ = -0.44, P 〈 0.05.CONCLUSION: High BMI associated positively with higher diuresis and albuminemia, and negatively with TropT and Pro-BNP. High BMI-associated better survival may be explained by better urinary output, lowering cardiovascular stress.展开更多
Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is a poorly understood syndrome, characterized by the signs, symptoms and radiological pattern of a large bowel obstruction without evidence for a mechanical obstruction. We report a c...Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is a poorly understood syndrome, characterized by the signs, symptoms and radiological pattern of a large bowel obstruction without evidence for a mechanical obstruction. We report a case of a 2-year old boy who presented with progressive abdominal distention, vomiting and abdominal pain on postoperative d 3. Plain abdominal X-ray showed markedly dilated large bowel. Mechanical colonic obstruction was ruled out with hypaque enema. Ogilvie's syndrome was suspected. The patient received treatment with oral erythromycin which had an immediate beneficial effect. During the 6 mo follow-up, no recurrences of symptoms were observed. We provide a safe and effective therapy for Ogilvie's syndrome in pediatric individuals.展开更多
文摘Objective To review the experience with endoscopic palliative treatment for malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) in 929 patients. Methods 929 patients (598 males and 331 females) underwent 1 215 endoscopic palliative drainages for MOJ in our hospital. Tumor obstruction occurred in the distal common bile duct (CBD) (263 patients) , the middle CBD (43), and the hilum (909) . The mean biliru-bin level was 284.3umol/L( range 26 - 810) . Of the 1 215 drainages, 599 were performed by stenting with plastic endoprosthesis, 385 by naso-biliary catheterization, 167 by expandable metal stents, 39 by combined drainage method, 19 by tumor sphincterotomy and 6 by endoscopic fistulostomy.Results The successful rate of endoscopic procedure was 94.3 % . The jaundice symptom was improved in 81.8 % of the patients with a significant reduction of serum bilirubin in 64.7% . The complication after treatment occurred in 23 cases (2.6%), including cholangitis (23 cases), pancreatitis (8 cases), and bleeding (one case), and 3 cases were dead (0.2%) . The median survival time of all patients was 14 months and life time analysis showed a life expectancy of 75.9% , 44.0% and 25.2% at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively. Conclusion In the patients with MOJ secondary to pancreatobiliary malignancy, successful endoscopic drainage provides adequate relief of biliary obstruction and is associated with low morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic interventional treatment may be considered as an alternative of palliative biliary operation for the late stage of pancreatic and biliary malignancies.
文摘AIM: To analyze the outcome of patients with severe drug-induced liver disease (DILD) associated with jaundice classified as hepatocellular, cholestatic or mixed liver injury and to evaluate the validity of Hy’s rule and the most important predictors for outcome. METHODS: The Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee was set up in 1997 in our hospital to identify all suspicions of DILD following a structured prospective report form. Liver damage was divided into hepatocellular, cholestatic, and mixed types according to laboratory and histologic criteria when available. Further evaluation of causality assessment was performed. RESULTS: From January 1997 to December 2004, 265 patients were diagnosed with DILD,and 140 (52.8%) of them were female. hepatocellular damage was the most common (72.1%), the incidence of death was 9.9% in patients with hepatocellular damage and 9.5% in patients with cholestatic/mixed damage (P < 0.05). There was no difference in age of dead and recovered patients. The proportion of females and males was similar in recovered and dead patients, no difference was observed in duration of treatment between the two groups. The serum total bilirubin (P < 0.001), direct bilirubin (P < 0.001) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (P = 0.013) values were higher in dead patients than in recovered patients. Chinese herbal medicine was the most frequently prescribed, accounting for 24.2% of the whole series. However, antitubercular drugs (3.4%) were found to be the primary etiological factor for fetal DILD. Factors associated with the development of fulminanthepatic failure were hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 43.66, 95% CI = 8.47-224.95, P < 0.0001), ascite (OR = 28.48, 95% CI = 9.26-87.58, P < 0.0001), jaundice (OR = 11.43, 95% CI = 1.52-85.96, P = 0.003), alcohol abuse (OR = 3.83, 95% CI = 1.26-11.67, P = 0.035) and direct bilirubin (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.25-2.58, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Death occurs in 9.8% of patients with DILD. Chinese herbal medicine stands out as the most common drug for DILD. While antitubercular drugs are found to be the primary etiological factor for fetal DILD, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, jaundice, alcohol abuse and direct bilirubin levels are associated with the death of DILD patients.
基金Supported by Grants from FIS (Programa Miguel Servet:CP10/00479,PI13/00802 and PI14/00883)Spanish Society of Nephrology to Moreno JAInstitute of Research Queen Sophia,FRIAT and ISCIII fund PI10/00072 to Egido J.
文摘Haematuria was known as a benign hallmark of some glomerular diseases, but over the last decade, new evidences pointed its negative implications on kidneydisease progression. Cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress induced by hemoglobin, heme, or iron released from red blood cells may account for the tubular injury observed in human biopsy specimens. However, the precise mechanisms responsible for haematuria remain unclear. The presence of red blood cells (RBCs) with irregular contours and shape in the urine indicates RBCs egression from the glomerular capillary into the urinary space. Therefore glomerular haematuria may be a marker of glomerular filtration barrier dysfunction or damage. In this review we describe some key issues regarding epidemiology and pathogenesis of haematuric diseases as well as their renal morphological fndings.
文摘AIM: To access the association between albuminuria levels and arterial stiffness in non-diabetic patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-2, treated with renin angiotensin blockade agents plus other hypertensive drugs when needed.METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients [median age 52 years (68% males)] were consequently enrolled in the study. For each patient, we recorded gender, age, body mass index (BMI), peripheral systolic blood pressure (pSBP), peripheral diastolic blood pressure, peripheral pulse pressure, central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), central diastolic blood pressure (cDBP), central pulse pressure (cPP), hematocrit, hemoglobin, hsCRP, total cholesterol triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-C, low-density lipoprotein-C, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, and albumin, as well as 24 h urine albumin excretion. According to 24-h urine albumin collection, patients were then classified as those with moderately increased albuminuria (formerly called macroalbuminuria) (≤ 300 mg/d) and those with severely increased albuminuria (formerly called macroaluminuria (〉 300 mg/d). We considered aortic stiffness (AS) indices [carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) and augmentation index (AIx)] as primary outcomes of the study. We explored potential correlations between severely increased albuminuria and AS indices using a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included in the moderately increased albuminuria group and 57 in the severely increased albuminuria. Blood pressure measurements of the study population were 138 ± 14/82 ± 1.3 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). There were no significant differences in age, sex, and BP measurements between the two groups. Patients with severely increased albuminuria had higher PWV and AIx than patients with moderately increased albuminuria (P 〈 0.02, P 〈 0.004, respectively). In addition these patients exhibited higher BMI (P 〈 0.03), hsCRP (P 〈 0.001), and fibrinogen levels (P 〈 0.02) compared to patients with moderately increased albuminuria. In multivariate linear regression analysis, severely increased albuminuria (β = 1.038, P 〈 0.010) pSBP (β = 0.028, P 〈 0.034) and Ht (β = 0.171, P = 0.001) remained independent determinants of the increased PWVc-f. Similarly, severely increased albuminuria (β = 4.385, P 〈 0.012), cSBP (β = 0.242, P 〈 0.001), cPP (β = 0.147, P 〈 0.01) and Ht levels (β = 0.591, P 〈 0.013) remained independent determinants of increased AIx.CONCLUSION: These fndings demonstrate an independent association between AS indices and severely increased albuminuria in non-diabetic, hypertensive patients with CKD stages 1-2 treated with renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockers.
文摘AIM: To study the factors that may affect survival of cholangiocarcinoma in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 55 patients diagnosed with cholangio- carcinoma at the American University of Beirut between 1990 and 2005 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the impact of surgery, chemotherapy, body mass index, bilirubin level and other factors on survival. RJ^SULTS: The median survival of all patients was 8.57 mo (0.03-105.2). Univariate analysis showed that low bilirubin level (〈 10 mg/dL), radical surgery and chemotherapy administration were significantly associated with better survival (P = 0.012, 0.038 and 0.038, respectively), in subgroup analysis on patients who had no surgery, chemotherapy administration prolonged median survival significantly (17.0 mo vs 3.5 mo, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified only low bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL and chemotherapy administration as independent predictors associated with better survival (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data show that palliative and postoperative chemotherapy as well as a bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL are independent predictors of a significant increase in survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.
文摘Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a severe multisystem autoimmune disease. Renal involvement occurs in the majority of cSLE patients and is often fatal. Renal biopsy is an important investigation in the management of lupus nephritis. Treatment of renal lupus consists of an induction phase and main-tenance phase. Treatment of childhood lupus nephritis using steroids is associated with poor outcome and excess side-effects. The addition of cyclophosphamide to the treatment schedule has improved disease control. In view of treatment failure using these drugs and a tendency for non-adherence, many newer agents such as immune-modulators and monoclonal antibodies are being tried in patients with cSLE. Trials of these novel agents in the pediatric population are still lacking making a consensus in the management protocol of pediatric lupus nephritis diffcult.
文摘AIM: To clarify the incidence and nature of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia in patients after modern extracorporeal circulation, to analyze possible perioperative risk factors, and to elucidate the clinical significance of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia associated mortality and morbidity. METHODS: Between March 2005 and May 2006, three hundred and eighty six consecutive patients undergoing extracorporeal circulation surgery due to a variety of cardiac lesions were investigated prospectively. The incidence of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia was defined as a serum total bilirubin concentration of more than 51 μmol/L. Several perioperative parameters were compared by logistic regression between hyperbilirubinemia and non-hyperbilirubinemia patients to determine possible risk factors contributing to postoperative hyperbilirubinemia and mortality. RESULTS: Overall incidence of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia was 25.3% (98/386). In patients with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia, 56.2% reached peak total bilirubin concentration on the first postoperative day, 33.5% on the second day, and 10.3% on the seventh day. Eighty percent of the increase of total bilirubin resulted from an increase of both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin. Development of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia was associated with a higher mortality (P 〈 0.01), longer duration of mechanical ventilation (P 〈 0.05) and longer ICU stay time (P 〈 0.05). Preoperative total bilirubin concentration, preoperative right atrium pressure, numbers of valves replaced and of blood transfusion requirement were identified as important predictors for postoperative hyperbUirubinemia. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative hyperbilirubinemia after modern extracorporeal circulation is mainly caused by an increase in both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin, and is associated with a high mortality. Important contributing factors are the preoperative total bilirubin concentration, preoperative severity of right atrial pressure, numbers of valve replacement procedures, and the amount of blood transfusion requirement during and shortly after surgery. We suggest that postoperative hyperbilirubinemia is a multifactorial process, which is caused by,both the impaired liver function of bilirubin transport and the increased production of bilirubin from haemolysis.
文摘This work traces the historical development and impact of political Islam on international relations (IR) from the last century to date. In this article the author asserts that understanding the rise of political Islam at the world's stage and IR generally can be genealogically traced to two interrelated developments: the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Egypt since 1928 as a social and political movement against the growing Western influence in the Islamic World after the collapse of the ottoman empire; and the development of the post-World War II IR theories, and practices which provided the basis of the political, military, and security doctrines of the United States and its allies which proved its lack of reliability and validity, particularly as related to the Muslim World, and the role of religion within the Muslim states and place of religion in global politics.
文摘The aim of this work was to increase the efficacy of erythromycin ethyl succinate by encapsulation in beeswax lipid matrix using Myrj 52 as emulsifier. Different batches of SLM's (solid-lipid microparticles) were formulated and stable ones were selected. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacities were calculated. The batch with the highest loading capacity was used for further assays. The particle size was determined by light microscopy. The sensitivity of different clinical bacterial isolates to erythromycin was tested using in vitro cultures and E. coli was selected for efficacy tests. The activity of the formulated drug was tested in the in vitro culture and compared to that of the unformulated drug. White albino mice were infected with E. coli and left for one day to develop significant bacteremia. They were then divided into 4 groups (n = 4) and treated with the formulation and unformulated drug at a dose of 7.14 mg/kg 8 hourly for 56 hours. A third group was given SLM's that do not contain drug, while another group was left untreated. The selected batch has an encapsulation efficiency of 94.83% with a loading capacity of 3.88%. The particle size was 17 ± 4 μm. At the end of the three day period of treatment, the group treated with unformulated erythromycin had much stooling anti weakness in the mice, and some deaths were recorded, while that treated with the formulation had 33.8% bacteremia and the clinical signs had largely subsided. The other two groups recorded deaths the following day after bacteremia induction. The results show marked improvement in efficacy of erythromycin ethyl succinate by formulation in SLMs with beeswax and lecithin as lipid matrix.
文摘AIM: To examine if the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin after preoperative biliary drainagecan be used as a predicting factor for surgical complications and postoperative recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with distal common bile duct cancer.METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 49 consecutive patients who underwent pancrea-ticoduodenectomy for distal common bile duct cancer. Potential risk factors were compared between the complicated and uncomplicated groups. Also, the rates of decrease in serum bilirubin were compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) was performed in 40 patients (81.6%). Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 46.9% (23/49) and 6.1% (3/49), respectively. The presence or absence of PBD was not different between the complicated and uncomplicated groups. In patients with PBD, neither the absolute level nor the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin was significantly different. Patients with rapid decrease preoperatively showed faster decrease during the first postoperative week (5.5 ± 4.4 μmol/L vs -1.7 ± 9.9 μmol/L, P = 0.004).CONCLUSION: PBD does not affect the surgical outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with distal common bile duct cancer. There is a certain group of patients with a compromised hepatic excretory function, which is represented by the slow rate of decrease in serum bilirubin after PBD.
文摘Clinical observations on 300 cases of hyperplasia of mammary glands (group A) treated by red hot needle plus filiform needle are reported in the present study. "Ashi" points were used as the main acupoints. For comparison, other 300 cases (group B) were treated with routine acupuncture method, and Rugen (ST 18) was used as the main acupoint. In addition, other auxiliary acupoints were supplemented in the light of the concrete syndromes in these two groups. The treatment was given once daily, with 10 sessions being a therapeutic course. Of the 300 cases in group A, 240 were clinically cured, amounting to 80%; 58 were effective, amounting to 19.3%; 2 were failed, with a total effective rate of 99.3%. Of the 300 cases in group B, 113 were clinically cured, 165 effective, 22 were failed, with a total effective rate of 92.7%. The therapeutic effect of group A is significantly superior to that of group B (P<0.05).
文摘The incidence of hyperbilirubinemia is high clinically, which is difficult to cure by medication, surgery or interventional therapies. Non-bioartificial liver is the main alternative in the blood purification for hyperbilirubinemia, which includes plasma exchange, hemoperfusion, hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system and so on. The research results and clinical experiences in China show that these methods are effective in lowering high levels of bilirubin with fewer side effects. The hyperbilirubinemias of different causes, with different complications or accompanying different diseases can be treated by different methods. Bioartificial liver, hybrid artificial liver support system and adsorbent membrane material have also been studied and their development in reducing hyperbilirubinemias has been achieved. This article gives a brief overview on the actuality and research improvement in blood purification for hyperbilirubinemia in China.
文摘Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare hematological disorder which is characterized by severe anemia,reticulocytopenia and almost complete absence of erythroid precursors in bone marrow.The pathophysiology of PRCA may be congenital or acquired.To our knowledge,there is only one case report in the English literature of PRCA after pegylated interferon combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C.We report a second case of PRCA after pegylated interferon combination treatment for chronic hepatitis C.The diagnosis of PRCA was confirmed by the typical findings of bone marrow biopsy.The possible etiologies of our case are also discussed in this paper.
文摘AIM: To assess residual diuresis and diverse variables according to body mass index (BMI).METHODS: Cross-sectional study (n = 57), with 3 groups. Group A: BMI 〈 25, n = 22; Group B: BMI 25-30, n = 15; Group C: BMI 〉 30, n = 20. Diuresis, hematocrit, albumin, C-reactive protein, Malnutrition infammatory score, Pro-BNP, Troponin T, leptin and in-sulin levels are expressed as median and ranges (r). RESULTS: Albumin (g/dL): GA vs GC, 3.70 (r2.20-4.90) vs 3.85 (r3.40-4.90), P = 0.02. Diuresis (mL/d): GA 690 (r0-1780); GB 660 (r60-1800); GC 840 (r40-2840). Diuresis GA vs GC, P = 0.01. Leptin (ng/mL): GA vs GC, 3.81 (r0.78-69.60) vs GC, 32.80 (r0.78-124.50), P 〈 0.001. Insulin (μU/mL): GA vs GB, 7 (r2-44) vs 11.50 (r4-38), P = 0.02; GA vs GC, 7 (r2-44) vs 19.5 (r5-155), P = 0.0001. Troponin T and Pro-BNP levels were not different. Significant correlations: GC, Insulin-UF: ρ= 0.53; P = 0.03; TroponinT-diuresis: ρ = -0.48, P 〈 0.05; Pro-BNP-diuresis: ρ = -0.39, P 〈 0.01; Troponin T-ProBNP: ρ = 0.77, P 〈 0.0001; albumin-Troponin T: ρ = -0.66, P 〈 0.0001; albumin-ProBNP: ρ = -0.44, P 〈 0.05.CONCLUSION: High BMI associated positively with higher diuresis and albuminemia, and negatively with TropT and Pro-BNP. High BMI-associated better survival may be explained by better urinary output, lowering cardiovascular stress.
文摘Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is a poorly understood syndrome, characterized by the signs, symptoms and radiological pattern of a large bowel obstruction without evidence for a mechanical obstruction. We report a case of a 2-year old boy who presented with progressive abdominal distention, vomiting and abdominal pain on postoperative d 3. Plain abdominal X-ray showed markedly dilated large bowel. Mechanical colonic obstruction was ruled out with hypaque enema. Ogilvie's syndrome was suspected. The patient received treatment with oral erythromycin which had an immediate beneficial effect. During the 6 mo follow-up, no recurrences of symptoms were observed. We provide a safe and effective therapy for Ogilvie's syndrome in pediatric individuals.