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Background: Therapeutic apheresis (TA) is already used to treat various diseases in the field of nephrology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and types of complications that occur during TA in children with kidney disease. Methods: Records of children (≤ 18 years) who underwent TA between 2007 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Children with missing data and those with a diagnosis of nonnephrological disease were excluded. Results: A total of 1214 TA sessions, including 1147 therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) sessions and 67 immunoadsorption (IA) sessions, were performed on the 108 patients enrolled in the study. Forty-seven percent of the patients were male, and the mean age was 12.22 ± 4.47 years. Posttransplant antibody-mediated rejection (64.8%) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (14.8%) were the most common diagnoses indicating TA. Overall, 17 different complications occurred in 58 sessions (4.8%), and 53 sessions (4.6%) were not completed because of these complications. The distribution of complications among the patients was as follows: 41.4% had technical complications, 25.9% had allergic complications, and 32.7% had others. The most common technical complication was insufficient flow (37.5%). The incidence of complications was greater in patients aged 3–6 years than in patients in the other age groups (p = 0.031). The primary disease, type of vascular access, and rate of fresh frozen plasma/albumin use were similar between patients with and without complications (p values of 0.359 and 0.125 and 0.118, respectively). Conclusions: Our study showed that complications occurred in only 4.8% of TA sessions. The most common complication was technical problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Pediatric Infection / Çocuk Enfeksiyon Dergisi is the property of Journal of Pediatric Infection / Cocuk Enfeksiyon Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a complement-mediated disease. Although genetic studies are not required for diagnosis, they are valuable for treatment planning and prognosis prediction. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical phenotypes, kidney survival, and response to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment in pediatric C3G patients with and without mutations in complement-related genes. Methods: Sixty pediatric C3G patients were included, divided into two groups based on complement-related gene mutations. Demographic and clinical-pathological findings, treatment modalities, and outcome data were compared, and Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed for kidney survival. Results: Out of the 60 patients, 17 had mutations. The most common mutation was in the CFH gene (47%). The mean age at diagnosis was higher in the group with mutation (12.9 ± 3.6 vs. 11.2 ± 4.1 years, p = 0.039). While the patients without mutation most frequently presented with nephritic syndrome (44.2%), the mutation group was most likely to have asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (47.1%, p = 0.043). Serum parameters and histopathological characteristics were similar, but hypoalbuminemia was more common in patients without mutation. During 45-month follow-up,10 patients progressed to chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5), with 4 having genetic mutation. The time to develop CKD5 was longer in the mutation group but not significant. MMF treatment had no effect on progression in either group. Conclusions: This study is the largest pediatric C3G study examining the relationship between genotype and phenotype. We showed that the mutation group often presented with asymptomatic urinary abnormalities, was diagnosed relatively late but was not different from the without mutation group in terms of MMF treatment response and kidney survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver hydatid cyst ruptures entering the biliary tree can lead to life-threatening conditions. This study investigates the frequency of biliary rupture and the most common magnetic resonance imaging findings. Methods: Patients with hydatid cyst within the last 5 years were screened. Demographic data, the hepatic segment location, number of lesions, lesion size, and type of cyst were recorded, and biliary communication was evaluated. In patients with biliary rupture, the presence of dilation bile ducts, the presence of structures consistent with cyst contents in the bile ducts, the presence of fistulous connections, and the frequency rates of these findings were evaluated. Results: Fifty-five cyst hydatid lesions from 50 patients (30 male and 20 female) were included. 4 (8%) patients had biliary rupture. Among them 4 (100%) patients had dilation in the intrahepatic and common bile ducts, 3 (75%) had deformation of cyst, 2 (50%) had structures consistent with cyst contents in the even ducts, and 1 (25%) had a fistulous connection shown by magnetic resonance imaging. Age and gender did not differ between patients with and without biliary rupture (P > .05). Patients with biliary rupture had larger cysts than those without (P < .05), and type 3 hydatid cysts were the most common. Conclusion: In conclusion, the frequency of intrabiliary rupture in our study was found to be 8%, and significant imaging findings can be obtained with magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of intrabiliary rupture. Bile duct dilation, cyst deformation, cyst contents in the bile ducts, and fistulous connection are the most common magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with intrabiliary rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Ürünleri Dergisi is the property of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Urunleri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Aquatica Turcica is the property of Isparta Uygulamali Bilimler Universitesi, Egirdir Su Uruleri Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents answers to a clinical quiz about severe anemia and massive proteinuria in a boy with diabetes mellitus.

The article presents answers to a quiz about acute kidney injury (AKI) in an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipient.

A clinical quiz is presented regarding the case of an 11-year 8-month old girl who had an allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a matched unrelated donor due to Fanconi aplastic anemia and had an elevated serum creatinine levels.

A 4-month-old male baby was admitted because his father and uncles had chronic kidney disease. His father was diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis at the age of 5, underwent a kidney transplant at the age of 22, and lost the graft due to recurrence of the disease. In contrast, the young uncle was diagnosed with C3 glomerulopathy and mycophenolate mofetil and eculizumab were initiated early. It was remarkable that our patient had normal kidney function and urine analyses but low serum C3 level (0.56 g/L; N, 0.9–1.8 g/L). In the disease-associated clinical exome analysis, a heterozygous change in the CFH gene was found. The same mutation was found homozygous in the uncle. In genetically inherited diseases, findings may occur sequentially; early screening of at-risk individuals contributes to kidney survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Length-weight relationships (LWRs) are very important to data for accurate estimate of populations in stock menagement. In this study, the length-weight relationships and Fulton's condition factor (K) of some fish in Göynük Stream, Murat River (Bingöl/Turkiye) were examined. The LWRs and condition factor (K) of Cyprinon macrostomus, Garra rufa, Barbus lacerta, and Acanthobrama marmid were analyzed between March 2017-February 2019. LWRs was estimated using the linear regression model. LWRs were obtained as total weight (TW) = 0.013L2.98, 0.057L2.40, 0.016L2.79 and 0.029L2.82 for C. macrostomus, G. rufa, B. lacerta and A.marmid, respectively. The b values acquired in the four fish species ranged from 2.13-2.57 (G. rufa-Male; Female) to 2.77-3.34 (B. lacerta-Female; Male). Only B. lacerta males had a positive allometric growth versus the males and females of all species had a negative allometric growth. The K of the fish species varied from 0.90-0.99 (A. marmid-Male; Female) to 1.27 (G. rufa-All), indicating that most of the fish were in good condition. However, C. macrostomus and G. rufa were better condition than B. lacerta and A. marmid. The study has provided baseline information on the LWR and K of the fish species in Göynük Stream. The data that would be useful to adapt the adequate regulations for sustainable fish stock estimation in the stream for fishery biologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Ürünleri Dergisi is the property of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Urunleri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses some of the issues examined in the case of a child diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome based on the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Topics discussed include information about graft intolerance syndrome, percutaneous renal artery embolization in patients with symptomatic non-functioning kidney allograft, and reactivation of the inflammatory pathways in the graft.

Copyright of Acta Aquatica Turcica is the property of Isparta Uygulamali Bilimler Universitesi, Egirdir Su Uruleri Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is characterized by heterogeneous clinical presentation, outcome, and predominant C3 accumulation in glomeruli without significant IgG. There is scarce outcome data regarding childhood C3G. We describe clinical and pathological features, treatment and outcomes, and risk factors for progression to chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) in the largest pediatric series with biopsy-proven C3G. Methods: Sixty pediatric patients with C3G from 21 referral centers in Turkey were included in this retrospective study. Patients were categorized according to CKD stage at last visit as CKD5 or non-CKD5. Demographic data, clinicopathologic findings, treatment, and outcome data were compared and possible risk factors for CKD5 progression determined using Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 10.6 ± 3.0 years and follow-up time 48.3 ± 36.3 months. Almost half the patients had gross hematuria and hypertension at diagnosis. Nephritic-nephrotic syndrome was the commonest presenting feature (41.6%) and 1/5 of patients presented with nephrotic syndrome. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was the leading injury pattern, while 40 patients had only C3 staining. Patients with DDD had significantly lower baseline serum albumin compared with C3GN. Eighteen patients received eculizumab. Clinical remission was achieved in 68.3%. At last follow-up, 10 patients (16.6%) developed CKD5: they had lower baseline eGFR and albumin and higher frequency of nephrotic syndrome and dialysis requirement than non-CKD5 patients. Lower serum albumin and eGFR at diagnosis were independent predictors for CKD5 development. Conclusions: Children with C3G who have impaired kidney function and hypoalbuminemia at diagnosis should be carefully monitored for risk of progression to CKD5. Graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clinical quiz is presented about the case of a seven-year-old boy with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) for two years and was admitted to the hospital with weakness, pallor, and edema of the hands and feet.

The article presents answers to a clinical quiz about an uncommon cause of hypophosphatemic rickets.

A quiz about the case of four-and-half-year-old boy with a diagnosis of hypophosphatemic rickets is presented.

Objective: Preemptive kidney transplantation (PKT) is an effective treatment modality that avoids the complications related to dialysis. However, the effect of PKT on graft survival remains controversial. This study aimed to compare graft survival in pediatric recipients of PKT with that of non-PKT recipients. Materials and Methods: The medical records of pediatric kidney transplant recipients between 2005 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared glomerular filtration rate, graft, and patient survival rates receiving PKT versus non-PKT. Results: A total of 230 pediatric recipients were included in the study. The majority of recipients were boys (60.4%) who received a living donor kidney (70.8%). In the study group, 46.1% of the patients underwent PKT; 27.8% were on peritoneal dialysis and 26.1% on hemodialysis in the pre-transplant period. The rates of antibody-mediated rejection and BK virus nephropathy were similar between recipients with PKT and non-PKT (p=1.000 and 0.643, respectively). The 3-year graft and patient survival rates were similar between patients with PKT and non-PKT (95.2% vs 93.5%; p=0.776 and 98.1% vs 97.5%; p=1.000, respectively). The dialysis duration, rejection within 6 months after transplantation, and antibody-mediated rejection were independent risk factors for graft failure [Odds ratio (OR) 1.013; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.992-1.034; p=0.031, OR 0.068; 95% CI 0.105-0.326; p=0.025, and OR 6.029; 95% CI 2.018-7.106; p<0.001]. Conclusion: Evaluation of graft and patient survival shows that PKT is a safe and effective renal replacement treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents data on the food composition of a breeding population of the Anatolia newt Neurergus strauchii (Steindachner, 1887), from Bingöl, Turkey. A total of 953 prey items were determined in the food contents of 46 individuals (18 males and 28 females) examined in the study. Insecta (63%) and Malacostraca (35%) constitute 97% of the food composition by number. While the most frequently encountered prey groups in the diet are Diptera (87%), Amphipoda (85%), Neurergus eggs (74%), and Coleoptera (37%), the comparison of food composition by volume is Amphipoda (40%), Neurergus eggs (41%), and Diptera (10%) respectively. No significant difference in food niche was observed between the sexes. The species generally fed on aquatic, poor-flying or slow-moving invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Türk Pediatri Arşivi is the property of Aves Yayincilik Ltd. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Although orthostatic proteinuria (OP) is the most common cause of childhood proteinuria, excluding transient proteinuria, data regarding prevalence and long-term prognosis are limited. We aimed to determine prevalence of OP in healthy schoolchildren evaluating relationships with age, gender and body mass index, and determine follow-up. Methods: A total of 1701 healthy children aged 6–15 years were selected using a population-based, stratified, cluster-sampling method; and random urine samples were taken. For proteinuria ≥ 1+ in first urine samples, second and third random samples were taken at least 2 weeks apart to exclude transient proteinuria. For continuing proteinuria after third samples, first morning urine samples were collected. Cases where proteinuria was not detected in first morning urine samples were diagnosed as OP. Results: Sixty-four of 1701 children (3.7%) had proteinuria on first random urine samples. After second and third urine samples, proteinuria persisted in only 16 (0.94%). OP was detected in 11 (0.65%). Prevalence of OP tended to decrease with increasing BMI, though not statistically significant. All 7 cases with OP who were re-evaluated later, had no proteinuria 3 years after diagnosis. Conclusions: Prevalence of OP in our study was lower than the literature. At least three random urine samples should be taken to exclude transient proteinuria in an asymptomatic child/adolescent before making a diagnosis of OP using first morning urine samples. OP is a benign condition and resolves spontaneously in most cases. Underweight children had a tendency for OP compared with overweight and obese children; however, further studies with larger number of patients are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of Mastacembelocleidus heteranchorus (monogenea), Unio pictorum (glochidial larvae) and D. spathaceum (digenetic trematode) on the weight and sex of the host fish (Mastacembelus mastacembelus) by using some data mining algorithms. During this study, the fish weight (g) and length (mm) of 122 fish were measured. In addition, the distribution of M. heteranchorus and U. pictorum in each lamella of the gills and the distribution of D. spathaceum in the right and left eye lenses were evaluated. Two different algorithms (MARS and CHAID) were examined to evaluate the total fish weight, fish size, sex, season, station and recorded ectoparasites variables in host fish. In the study, MARS algorithm was formed to evaluate the effects of M. heteranchorus, U. pictorum recorded in the gills, and D. spathaceum recorded in eyes selected as independent variables. To estimate the MARS algorithm, goodness of fit statistics were examined. In order to determine the most suitable for each individual MARS model, different second, third and fourth-degree interactions were tried. In order to determine the most suitable model, it was taken into consideration that the cross-validity coefficient (GCV), square of error squared mean (RMSE) and Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) statistics were the minimum, the determination coefficient (R2) and Adj R2 values were maximum. In order to estimate the parasitic distribution of the host fish according to the total weight, the two different MARS (Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines) model R2 values respectively; 0.973 and 0.989; Adj. R2 values were 0.967 and 0.985, RMSE values were 20.823 and 13.598, and AIC values 329.777 and 284.570 were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous allograft rupture (SAR) is very rare in the posttransplant period. It is a life-threatening complication that affects the survival of the graft. It is associated with high rates of graft loss. SAR is most commonly associated with immunological processes. Acute rejection is the most common cause of SAR. Here we report the case of a child who had SAR with life-threatening complications and his treatment and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses some of the questions to consider in the case of a child diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome based on the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Highlights include tenderness on the graft in the right pelvic area according to physical examination, absence of leukocytes on microscopic examination of the peritoneal fluid, and the size of the transplanted kidney at the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.

Background and Objectives: The most important determinant of long-term graft survival in renal transplantation is adequate immunosuppression. Inadequate immunosuppression may lead to graft loss due to the presence of anti-HLA antibody. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of variability in tacrolimus blood concentration on anti-HLA antibody development in pediatric recipients of living-donor renal transplants. Methods: Pediatric recipients of living-donor renal transplants were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with a minimum of two years of follow-up who were administered tacrolimus were included in the study. Patients who had pretransplant anti-HLA antibody were excluded. Variability in tacrolimus blood concentration was assessed using the coefficient of variation ("tacrolimus CV") method. Tacrolimus CV was calculated separately for the first 6 months post-transplant, between 6 and 12 months post-transplant, and from the end of the first year post-transplant to the last follow-up. We constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the tacrolimus CV for each group to find the best cutoff value. Results: A total of 67 patients (including 48 males; 72%) with a mean age of 15.16 ± 4.43 years were included in the study. Anti-HLA antibody positivity was detected in 12 patients (18%). More than three HLA mismatches and the presence of acute cellular rejection correlated with the development of anti-HLA antibody (p = 0.056, 0.009). Tacrolimus CVs for the three periods were 0.37 ± 0.11, 0.31 ± 0.18, and 0.35 ± 0.12, respectively. The cutoff value of tacrolimus CV for anti-HLA antibody development was calculated as 0.32 with a sensitivity of 90.91% and specificity of 50.94% [AUC (area under the curve) 0.713, p = 0.023]. During the second 6-month period and after a year post-transplant, the percentage of patients with tacrolimus CV > 0.32 was significantly higher in the anti-HLA antibody positive group than in the antibody negative group (67% vs 31%, p = 0.027; 83% vs 47%, p = 0.033). The eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) was similar for the anti-HLA antibody negative and positive groups (78.72 ± 2.86 vs 77.45 ± 8.08, p > 0.05). Conclusion: High tacrolimus concentration variability appears to be associated with anti-HLA antibody formation in pediatric recipients of living-donor renal transplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Childhood obesity (OB) is an acknowledged global problem with increasing prevalence reported around the world. We conducted this study with the aim of determining the local trend in OB and overweight (OW) prevalence in the last decade and to observe the alteration of OB and OW prevalence by age group. An additional aim was to construct new age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) reference percentile charts for Turkish children living in the city center of Antalya. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1687 school aged children. International Obesity Task Force guidelines were used to determine the OB and OW prevalence. OW was defined as a BMI between 85th and 95th percentile, and OB >95th percentile. The data were compared with a previous study carried out in the same region in 2003. The least mean square method was used to construct the BMI reference percentile charts. Results: The prevalence rates for OB and OW were 9.8% and 23.2%, respectively, with a combined OW/OB rate of 33%. OB prevalence was higher in boys than girls (p<0.05). The prevalence of combined OW/OB was highest at age 9-10 years. The prevalence of OB has increased 2.9 times during twelve years in this location. Conclusion: Comparing the current findings with rates of OW and OB in the previous decade, childhood OB in Antalya has reached alarming levels. Urgent measures integrated into the national education system should be taken to prevent OB. In addition more surveillance studies should be planned to show the future trend of OB prevalence nationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Pediatrics / Türkiye Klinikleri Pediatri Dergisi is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The answers to a clinical quiz about urinary system obstruction in an infant are presented.

The article focuses on the study related to renal stone and chronic kidney failure, with hypouricemia. It mentions that Hypouricemia can be due to increased renal clearance or decreased formation of uric acid. It mentions that the causes of increased uric acid excretion are renal hypouricemia or renal tubular diseases.

The article provides answers to questions concerning proteinuria in a male adolescent with hearing loss.

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of metazoan parasitic infections of Kura barbell (Barbus lacerta) in Murat River in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. A total of 110 host fish were collected, from March 2008 to February 2010. There were 1122 metazoan parasites recorded in collected samples. Four species of Monogenea (701 Dactylogyrus goktschaicus, 2 Dactylogyrus lankorani, 27 Dogielius mokhayeri and 40 Gyrodactylus sp.), one species of Digenea (72 Allocreadium isoporum), two species of Cestoda (5 Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, 3 Caryophylleous laticeps), two species of Nematoda (46 Rhabdochona denudata, 7 Contracaecum sp.) and two species of Copepoda (121 Lemproglena pulchella and 98 Eergasilus sieboldi) observed respectively. According to their prevalence; D. goktschaicus (67.3%), D. lankorani (0.2%), D. mokhayeri (0.4%), Gyrodactylus sp. (12%), A. isoporom (0.7%), B. acheilognathi, (0.5%), C. laticeps (0.2%), R. denudata (15%), Contracaecum sp. (0.2%), L. pulchella (40%) and E. sieboldi (22%) were observed. Among these parasites D. goktschaicus, and D. mokhayeri are the first record on Kura barbell (B. lacerta) and in fish parasite fauna of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains the most common cause of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 43 pediatric patients with CKD were divided into two groups according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): groups 1 and 2 (eGR; 29–75 and 15–29 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). M – mode, conventional pulsed wave Doppler (cPWD) echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed in all patients and 16 healthy controls. Maximal early (Ewave) and late (Awave) diastolic flow velocities were assessed by cPWD. Using TDI, the early (E′) and late (A′) diastolic filling velocities were recorded. Early and late diastoles were evaluated usingE′ values andE/E′ ratios, respectively.Results: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was determined in 19/43 (44.2%) patients. TheE/E′ ratio was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 and controls.E/E′ was found to be positively correlated with left ventricular mass (LVM) index, and negatively with hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Low Hb levels were only independent predictor ofE/E′ (p = 0.001,β: −0.470, 95% CI: −0.764; −0.196).E′ ratio was significantly lower in both patient groups compared to the controls.Conclusions: LVH and diastolic dysfunction are already present in early stages of CKD. Treatment of risk factors, such as anemia, is important to improve the clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To date, over 200 alterations have been reported in Mediterranean fever (MEFV) genes, but it is not clear whether all these alterations are disease-causing mutations. This study aims to evaluate the clinical features of the children with R202Q alteration. The medical records of children with R202Q alteration were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 225 children, with 113 males, were included. Fifty-five patients were heterozygous, 30 patients were homozygous for R202Q, and 140 patients were compound heterozygous. Classical familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) phenotype was present in 113 patients: 2 heterozygous and 7 homozygous R202Q, 46 double homozygous R202Q and M694V, and 58 compound heterozygous. The main clinical characteristics of the patients were abdominal pain in 71.5 %, fever in 37.7 %, arthralgia/myalgia in 30.2 %, arthritis in 10.2 %, chest pain in 14.6 % and erysipelas-like erythema in 13.3 %. The frequency of abdominal pain was significantly lower in patients with homozygous R202Q alteration ( p = 0.021), whereas patients with heterozygous R202Q mutations, though not statistically significant, had a higher frequency of arthralgia/myalgia (40.0 %, p = 0.05). R202Q alteration of the MEFV gene leads to symptoms consistent with FMF in some cases. This alteration may be associated with a mild phenotype and shows phenotypic differences other than the common MEFV mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents answers to a clinical quiz about a rare cause of urolithiasis in an infant who had multiple, bilateral kidney stones which required surgical intervention.

Background: We investigated magnesium excretion and rate of hypomagnesemia in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Method: The medical records of 114 pediatric renal transplant recipients were retrospectively evaluated. After exclusion of 23 patients, 91 patients were included in the study. We recorded serum magnesium levels at the time of measurement of urine magnesium wasting. Results: Mean serum magnesium levels were 1.73 ± 0.22 mg/dL and 38 of the patients (41%) had hypomagnesemia. There was a negative correlation between serum magnesium levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum tacrolimus trough level ( r = −0.215, p = 0.040 and r = −0.409, p = 0.000, respectively). Also, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum magnesium levels and transplantation duration ( r = 0.249, p = 0.017). Mean fractional magnesium excretion was 5.9 ± 3.7% and 59 patients (65%) had high magnesium excretion. There was a significant negative correlation between fractional magnesium excretion and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r = −0.432, p = 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between fractional magnesium excretion and serum creatinine ( r = 0.379 p = 0.003). Conclusion: Patients with higher tacrolimus trough blood levels, lower glomerular filtration rate and at early posttransplant period had risk of hypomagnesemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to detect the frequency, time of occurrence, management and outcome of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and related complications in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Methods: Pediatric renal allograft recipients transplanted between August 1994 and December 2011 at our hospital was evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups; Groups 1 and 2 were composed of patients transplanted before and after November 2007, respectively, when plasma EBV DNA levels were periodically measured. Results: The study included 166 children, 89 (53.6%) boys, with a mean age of 12.2 ± 3.8 years. Prior to transplantation, 144 patients (86.7%) were EBV seropositive. Within a median follow-up period of 36 months, 11 of 22 seronegative children (50%) developed primary EBV infection. EBV reactivation was observed in 23 of 144 children (15.9%). Two patients with primary infection developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, one of whom died. Elevated serum creatinine levels or graft loss were not observed in any patient with EBV reactivation. Conclusions: EBV DNA monitoring by PCR in high-risk pediatric renal transplant recipients will provide early diagnosis and treatment of EBV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have recorded 46 species and one subspecies of aquatic Coleoptera (Helophoridae: Hydrophilidae) belonging to 14 genera (Helophorus, Paracy/nus, Anacaena, Berosus, Chaetarthria, Enochrus, Helochares, Hydrobius, Hydrochara, Laccobius, Cymbiodyta, Coelostoma, Cercyon and Cryptopleurum) based on the inventories conducted between 2011-2012 in Elazig province of Turkey. Of these, Cryptopleurum crenatum (Kugelann 1794) has been newly recorded for the Hydrophilidae fauna of Eastern Anatolia region. In addition, all species of Helophoridae and Hydrophilidae (except Berosus spinosus (Steven, 1808)) were new records for the Coleoptera fauna of Elaziğ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and disease activity in children with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients and methods: A total of 16 children (13 girls and 3 boys; mean age 14.47 years; range 5-18) with SLE who were under followup in our clinic were included in this study. The medical records of the children along with the demographic data, disease duration, treatments received, disease activity, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] levels were evaluated. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity (SLEDAI) scores were calculated on the day the serum samples were drawn. Results: The median follow-up period was 30 (range 9 to 55) months. The mean serum vitamin D level was 22.04±16.75 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency (serum vitamin D level of <15 ng/ml) was found in half of the patients. Six of them had significantly lower vitamin D levels (≤10 ng/ml). A significant negative correlation between the serum concentrations of vitamin D and the SLEDAI scores was found (r= -0.711, p=0.002). Conclusion: Our study results show that there is a strong negative association between disease activity and vitamin D deficiency in children with SLE. The vitamin D levels of these patients should be evaluated on a regular basis, and vitamin D supplements should be given, if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increase in the number of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) indicates endothelial damage and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of CEC with various clinical parameters in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Methods: CEC, defined as CD45CD146, were enumerated by flow cytometry from the peripheral blood of 50 pediatric renal transplant recipients and 20 healthy controls. Clinical parameters, including renal function tests, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglyceride, cyclosporine A (CsA) (trough and 2nd-hour) and tacrolimus (tac) trough blood levels and their association with CEC numbers were analyzed. Results: CEC numbers of patients were higher than those of controls (respectively, 128 ± 89 cells/ml (42-468 cells/ml), 82 ± 33 cells/ml (32-137 cells/ml), p = 0.024). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between CEC numbers and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ( r = −0.300, p = 0.012). There was also a statistically positive association between CEC numbers and transplant duration as well as cyclosporine trough level (respectively, r = 0.397, p = 0.004, r = 0.714, p = 0.004). CEC numbers in patients on tac and CsA were similar ( p = 0.716). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that renal transplant recipients with high CsA trough blood level, longer transplant duration, and lower GFR, are at greater risk of developing endothelial damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations of the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene, which encodes pyrin protein, leads to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and a connection between MEFV mutations and rheumatic diseases has been suggested. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency and clinical significance of MEFV mutations in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In this study, children with JIA, who had no typical symptoms of FMF, were screened for the mutations in exons 2 and 10 of the MEFV gene by direct sequencing. A total of 96 children, 56 girls (58.3 %), with a median age of 11 years (2-18 years) were included. Patients were classified according to JIA subgroups as oligoarthritis in 43 (44.8 %), rheumatoid factor-negative polyarthritis in 22 (22.9 %), rheumatoid factor-positive polyarthritis in 2 (2.1 %), systemic arthritis in 12 (12.5 %) patients, enthesitis-related arthritis in 16 (16.7 %), and psoriatic arthritis 1 (1.04 %). A total of 31 children (32.3 %) had MEFV mutations: 25 heterozygous, 2 homozygous, and 4 compound heterozygous. There were 22 (11.4 %) exon 10 mutations (M694V, R761H, K695R, V726A, R653H) and 15 (7.8 %) exon 2 mutations (E148Q, G304R, E148V, T267I). The allele frequencies of MEFV mutations were found to be 19.27 %, which is higher than the general population [ p = 0.03, (odds ratio (OR):1.93, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.09-3.41)]. MEFV mutation carrier rates were significantly higher in antinuclear antibody (ANA) negative than in ANA positive patients [ p = 0.01, (OR: 0.25, 95 % CI: 0.085-0.74)] and in males than in females [ p = 0.001, (OR: 0.197, 95 % CI: 0.078-0.495)]. Also, there was a statistically significant difference between the MEFV mutation carrier rates and the subgroups of JIA ( p = 0.005). Conclusion: These findings suggest that mutations of the MEFV gene may be responsible for rheumatic diseases other than FMF, and patients with JIA especially males, ANA negatives, and ERA subgroups should be screened for MEFV gene mutations in countries where FMF is frequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a description of Paradiplozoon bingolensis sp. n. from the gills of Garra rufa Heckel, 1843 (Cyprinidae) collected from the Göynük Stream, a tributary of the Murat River, Turkey. This is the first diplozoid species to be described from G. rufa. P. bingolensis is distinguished from the other valid species in the genus by the combination of the morphology of the sclerites of its clamps and by the size of the central hooks. Even molecular characterization based on variability of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA region provided additional support of separation of this new species from the valid ones. The sequences were compared with previously published ITS2 sequences of other diplozoid species. Subsequent analysis demonstrated the uniqueness of this new parasite species and revealed uncertainties in the current taxonomic division of the Diplozoidae that are commented in the text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial Mediterranean fever ( FMF) has been reported more frequently in patients presenting with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) than in the general population. But, there is no clear knowledge about MEFV mutations in patients with HSP. We investigated the prevalence of MEFV mutations in children with HSP and without FMF whether these mutations have any effect on the disease course or complications. A total of 76 children with HSP who had no typical symptoms of FMF were screened for the mutations in exon 2 and exon 10 of the MEFV gene. Eleven of 76 patients (14.4 %) were heterozygous (E148Q in 5, M694V in 4, M680I in 1, E148V in 1), 5 (6.6 %) were homozygous (M694V/M694V in 4, V726A/V726A in 1), and 2 (2.6 %) were compound heterozygous (E148Q/M694V mutations in 1 and L110P/E148Q mutations in 1). Altogether, 7 patients carried 2 mutated MEFV alleles (9.2 %), which was higher than that observed in the general Turkish population (1 %). No significant differences in joint, gastrointestinal, renal involvement, or subcutaneous edema, and also acute phase reactants including leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum C-reactive protein concentration were found between the groups. The prevalence of the two allele-MEFV mutations in patients with HSP was found higher than that of the general population. However, it seems that MEFV gene mutations may not have any effect on the clinical presentation of HSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]