Search

The endothelin system is reported to play a significant role in glomerular and tubulointerstitial kidney disease. In the kidney, endothelins are produced in mesangial cells and the glomerular basement membrane by the endothelium and podocytes. The endothelin system regulates glomerular function by inducing proliferation, increasing permeability and in effect proteinuria, and stimulating inflammation, tubular fibrosis, and glomerular scarring. Endothelin A receptor antagonists have been proven to delay the progression of chronic kidney disease and play a protective role in immunoglobulin A nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and diabetic nephropathy. There are several ongoing research studies with ETAR antagonists in nondiabetic nephropathy, Alport disease, vasculitis and scleroderma nephropathy, which results are promising. Some reports suggest that the endothelin system might contribute to ischemia–reperfusion injury, acute graft rejection and deterioration of graft function. Endothelin inhibition in renal transplantation and its influence on graft survival is the future direction needing further research. The most frequent side effects associated with ETAR antagonists is fluid retention. Additionally, it should be considered if selective ETAR antagonists therapy needs to be co-administered with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone inhibitors or diuretics and which patients should be recruited to such treatment to minimize the risk of adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is a rare but important complication after endarterectomy (CEA). The impact on voice quality after this procedure is also important. The aim of the study was to assess voice quality and vocal cord function after CEA. Material and Methods: 200 patients were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were indications for CEA and patient consent to the procedure. Endoscopic examination of the larynx was performed before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, on the 2nd day after the procedure, then 3 month and 6 months after the procedure. Voice was assessed by maximum phonation time (MPT), GRBAS scale, Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) questionnaire. Results: In the study group, the results on the GRBAS scale were significantly worse and the average MPT was shorter compared to the control group. In the V-RQOL assessment, patients rated their voice as fair or good, significantly more often noticed that they had difficulty speaking loudly and being heard, and that they felt short of air when speaking. In VHI-30, the total score was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. Voice disorders after the procedure were reported by 68 patients, while a disorder of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was observed immediately after the procedure in 32 patients. Most vocal cord disorders were transient. Ultimately, 3% of patients were diagnosed with vocal cord paralysis. Conclusion: Cranial nerves paralysis, including the recurrent laryngeal nerve, are a common complication after CEA. Majority the paralysis is transient, but requires appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Vocal cord evaluation is a non-invasive and widely available examination and should be performed pre- and postoperatively after all neck surgeries. The incidence of voice disorders after CEA significantly affects the quality of life of patients and requires voice rehabilitation and patient care with psychological support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Kidney transplantation is the best therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease, but the risk of rejection complicates it. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), an enzyme involved in immune response modulation, has been suggested to play a role in transplant immunological injury. The aim of the study was to explore the expression of IDO1 in the interstitial foci of transplanted kidneys and its potential association with rejection episodes. (2) Methods: This retrospective study analysed kidney transplant biopsies from 121 patients, focusing on IDO1 expression in interstitial foci. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect IDO1, and patients were categorised based on IDO1 presence (IDO1-IF positive or negative). The incidence of rejection was compared between these groups. (3) Results: Patients with IDO1 expression in interstitial foci (IDO1-IF(+)) exhibited higher incidences of rejection 46/80 (57.5%) vs. 10/41 (24.34%) patients compared to IDO1-IF(−) patients, which was statistically significant with p = 0.0005. The analysis of antibody-mediated rejection showed that IDO1-IF(+) patients developed AMR at 12/80 (15%), while only 1 IDO1-IF(−) negative patient did (2,44%), with p = 0.035. T-cell-mediated rejection was also more common in IDO1-IF(+) patients 43/80 (53.75%) than in IDO1-IF(−) patients 7/41 (17.07%), with p = 0.0001. (4) Conclusions: IDO1 expression in interstitial foci of renal transplant biopsies is associated with a higher incidence of rejection, suggesting that IDO1 could serve as a potential biomarker for transplant rejection. These findings highlight the importance of IDO1 in immune regulation and its potential utility in improving the management of kidney transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We performed gene therapy for critical limb ischemia in thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) by the intramuscular administration of plasmids of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGF 165) with or without bone marrow-derived stem cells. Methods: The 21 patients were randomly assigned to three groups: A—with dual therapy, cells and plasmid; B—plasmid only; and C—control group, where patients received intramuscular injections of saline. Serum VEGF levels, the ankle–brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), and the rest pain measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) were determined sequentially before treatment, and then 1 and 3 months after treatment. Results: In the treatment groups, serum VEGF levels increased by 4 weeks and returned to baseline values after 3 months. ABI after 12 weeks increased by an average of 0.18 in group A, and 0.09 in group B and group C. TcPO2 increased by an average of 17.3 mmHg in group A, 14.1 mmHg in group B, and 10.7 mmHg in group C. The largest pain decrease was observed in group A and averaged 5.43 less pain intensity. Conclusions: Gene therapy using the VEGF plasmid along with or without bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells administered intramuscularly into an ischemic limb in TAO is a safe and effective therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Operation site infection after carotid endarterectomy is a rare, but potentially fatal complication. The aim of this paper was to present two cases of using CorMatrix ECMR patch for reconstruction of a damaged artery in the course of an operation site infection. Outline of cases. There was an infection and pseudoaneurysm formation in these patients after carotid endarterectomy; one of them ruptured, causing massive hemorrhage. In both cases, carotid artery was reconstructed using CorMatrix ECMR patch resulting in resolution of infection and postoperative wounds healing with maintained complete patency of carotid arteries. Conclusion. The vascular patch of the extracellular matrix CorMatrix ECMR enables successful and safe angioplasty of an artery.

Introduction. According to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula, a postoperative pancreatic fistula is defined as every case of fluid leak on the third (or later) postoperative day, in which the level of amylase in the collected fluid is at least three times higher than the serum amylase level. Depending on the stage and the designated management, pancreatic fistulas are divided into the following three categories: A (mild), B, and C (severe). Regardless of favorable conditions, exocrine pancreatic secretion is the key factor in fistula formation. The decrease in pancreatic secretion caused by somatostatin and its analogues combined with parenteral nutrition is a well-established treatment method in pancreatic fistula management. Case outline. The case of a 69-year-old patient who had undergone a resection of a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor located directly above the major duodenal papilla is presented. Excessive drainage of amylase-rich fluid was observed in the postoperative period. Treatment comprised continuous infusion of somatostatin and parenteral nutrition. Fistula closure was accomplished on postoperative day 14, confirmed by a radical decrease in the volume of drainage and low amylase levels in the collected fluid. The patient remained in a good clinical state and was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 20. Conclusion. This is an example of the early diagnosis of a postoperative pancreatic fistula, treated conservatively with the use of somatostatin. Post-surgery clinical awareness of the importance of direct contact between the stromal tumor and pancreatic tissues, in connection with routine amylase level assessment, led to a quick diagnosis of pancreatic fistula and the therapy led to an uneventful outcome.

Background/Aim. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein embolizations (PVE) are established methods of treatment of patients with hepatic tumors. The aim of the study was to present our experience in the treatment of liver tumors with embolization as a preliminary treatment for surgery or a part of palliative treatment. Methods. The analysis included 29 patients who had undergone 34 embolizations. Results. TACE was performed in 26 cases with hemangiomas in the unfavorable location, or mass effect and inoperable malignant tumors both primary and metastatic. PVE was performed in 8 cases with primary liver tumors and colon liver metastases.All included patients presented inoperable hepatic tumors. TACE was carried out in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1), metastatic tumor (n = 8), and hemangioma (n = 16), while PVE in the patients with cholangiocarcinoma (n = 2), metastatic tumor (n = 5) and neuroendocrine tumor (n = 1). The embolization was followed by surgery in the 5 PVE patients and 6 TACE patients. The postembolization syndrome was observed in 7 subjects. Death due to cancer progression occurred in the 4 PVE patients and 7 TACE patients. One patient died during TACE due to hemorrhagic shock. Conclusions. Right PVE and selective TACE are efficient for preliminary preparation of patients with healthy hepatic parenchyma for major liver resections, but the patients with liver cirrhosis require careful assessment. In the patients with hemangioma, embolization allows to avoid surgical treatment by reducing the lesion mass, or the extent of hepatic resection. The preliminary results of arterial embolizations with bleomycin, leading to tumor reduction in cases of giant liver hemangiomas are promising.

Introduction. Lymphangiomas, also known as cystic hygromas or cystic lymphangiomas, are cystic abnormalities of the lymph vessels and they are rare benign tumors. Tracheal bronchus (Bronchus suis or “pig bronchus”) is a very rare congenital anomaly. The aim of this work is to present а very rare case of а lymphangioma with tracheal bronchus. Case outline. The article presents the rare case of a 35-year-old otherwise healthy man, who was admitted to our thoracic surgery department with a mediastinal tumor. On performing bronchoscopy a tracheal bronchus was found. A thoracic CT scan revealed a well-circumscribed mass in the superior and anterior mediastinum measuring 37 x 39 x 59 mm. First a Carlens mediastinoscopy, and then a right parasternal Chamberlain mediastinotomy were performed. The final pathological diagnosis of lymphangioma was made. In this case, surgery was not performed because the patient was asymptomatic and the tumor did not grow larger during follow-up. Conclusion. The lymphangioma of the mediastinum in an adult is a rare and benign condition with a good prognosis, but it should be considered in a differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors. We recommend only a minimally invasive diagnostic approach (parasternal mediastinotomy) when the patient is asymptomatic.