Decreased Vitamin B12 Levels in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis

Objectives. Nocturnal enuresis is a common pediatric problem, the etiology of which is unclear. In the present study, vitamin B12 and folate levels were measured in children with nocturnal enuresis and compared with those in healthy control group children to investigate whether there was any relation with enuresis and neurogenic maturation as a first time in the literature. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we included thirty children (16 girls, 14 boys) who had presented with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) complaints in the study group and 31 children (13 girls, 18 boys) in the control group. Body weight and height measurements were obtained and complete blood counts and vitamin B12 and folate levels were measured in all children. Results. No difference was found in age, height, and weight between study and control groups. Also the mean levels of the hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were not different between the two groups. Significantly lower mean vitamin B12 and folate levels were found in the enuresis group compared with the control group. Conclusions. Further studies are needed to clarify B12 and folate deficiency in larger series so that these tests can be included in routine investigations of enuretic children

Fournier's Gangrene: Conventional Dressings versus Dressings with Dakin's Solution

Purpose. Fournier's gangrene is a fulminant and destructive inflammation of the scrotum, penis, and perineum. The objective of this study was to compare 2 different approaches to wound management after aggressive surgical debridement. Methods. Data from 14 patients with Fournier's gangrene were retrospectively collected (2005–2011). Once the patients were stabilized following surgery, they were treated with either daily antiseptic (povidone iodine) dressings (group I, n = 6) or dressings with dakin's solution (sodium hypochloride) (group II, n = 8). Results. The mean age of the patients was 68.2 ± 7.8 (55–75) years in group I and 66.9 ± 10.2 (51–79) years in group II. Length of hospital stay was 13 ± 3.5 (7–16) days in group I and 8.9 ± 3.0 (4–12) days in group II (P < 0.05). The number and rate of mortality was 1/6 (16.7%) in group I, and 1/8 (12.5%) in group II. Conclusions. The hospitalization time can be reduced with the use of dakin's solution for the dressings in the treatment of FG. Also, dressings with dakin's solution seems to have favorable effects on morbidity and mortality. Consequently dakin's solution may alter the treatment of this disastrous disease by reducing cost, morbidity and mortality

Ozonated autohemotherapy: protection of kidneys from ischemia in rats subjected to unilateral nephrectomy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ozonated autohemotherapy (OA) has been previously successfully used in the treatment of patients affected by peripheral occlusive arterial disease. OA consists of an intrafemoral reinfusion of autologous blood previously exposed to a mixture of oxygen/ozone (O₂/O₃). This study analyzes the effects of OA in protecting rat kidney from ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed OA 30 min before the induction of 60 min renal ischemia or at the induction of 60 min postischemic reperfusion in rats subjected to unilateral nephrectomy. In addition, to evidence the possible protection induced by O₂/O₃on endothelial functions, the present study analyzes the in vitro effects of O₂/O₃on oxygen consumption by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1) OA preserves rat kidney functions and architecture, as demonstrated by the improved levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and by histology; 2) such protection does not correlate with the increase of plasmatic nitric oxide, but is compatible with a focal renal increase of renal βNADPH-diaphorase; 3) treatment of HUVEC with O₂/O₃significantly increases both the rate of oxygen consumption and the mitochondrial activity assessed by confocal microscopy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The preservation of the mitochondrial activity of endothelium could in vivo limit the endothelial dysfunction provoked by the Isc or Isc/R processes.</p

Potentiometric determination of anti–epileptic drugs: A mini review

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease and its treatment requires the use of anti–epileptic drugs. The determination of anti–epileptic drugs in pharmaceutical and biological samples is carried out using various analytical methods. Potentiometric methods, which have a very important place in electroanalytical chemistry, are used extensively in the determination of various drugs in biological and pharmaceutical samples. In this study, we reviewed potentiometry–based sensors developed for the determination of anti–epileptic drug molecules in biological and pharmaceutical samples