Long-term outcomes of transobturator tension-free vaginal tapes as secondary continence procedures

Acknowledgements We thank Dr. Karmakar (Research Fellow— University of Aberdeen) for sending out the questionnaires and collating the responses. We thank Lindsey Grant for performing the independent data entry cross-check. A special gratitude goes to all the participants whose excellent cooperation over the years made this study successful. Funding The initial phase of this study (up to 3-year follow-up) was funded by the Henry Smith Charity. Dr. Karmakar was funded by IUGA Clinical Fellowship Grant 2014.Peer reviewedPostprin

The Induction of Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis by a Ferric Carboxymaltose Copy Compared to Iron Sucrose in a Non-Clinical Model

Introduction: Ferric carboxymaltose is a next-generation polynuclear iron(III)-hydroxide carbohydrate complex for intravenous iron therapy belonging to the class of so-called non-biological complex drugs. The product characteristics and therapeutic performance of non-biological complex drugs are largely defined by the manufacturing process. A follow-on product, termed herein as ferric carboxymaltose similar, is available in India. Given that non-biological complex drugs may display differences in diverse product properties not characterisable by physico-chemical methods alone. Aim: The aim is to assess the effects of this ferric carboxymaltose similar in our non-clinical model in non-anaemic healthy rats. Materials and Methods: Non-anaemic rats were treated with intravenous ferric carboxymaltose similar or iron sucrose both at (40 mg iron/kg body weight), or with saline solution (control) for four weeks, after which the animals were sacrificed. Parameters for tissue iron distribution, oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, inflammation and apoptosis were assessed by immunohistomorphometry. Results: Ferric carboxymaltose similar resulted in deranged iron distribution versus iron sucrose originator as indicated by increased serum iron, transferrin saturation and tissue iron(III) deposits as well as decreased ferritin deposits in the liver, heart and kidneys versus iron sucrose originator. Ferric carboxymaltose similar also increased significantly oxidative/nitrosative stress, pro-inflammatory, and apoptosis markers in the liver, heart and kidneys versus iron sucrose originator. Conclusion: In our rat model, ferric carboxymaltose similar had a less favourable safety profile than iron sucrose originator, adversely affecting iron deposition, oxidative and nitrosative stress, inflammatory responses, with impaired liver and kidney function.Fil: Toblli, Jorge Eduardo. Hospital Alemán; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cao, Gabriel Fernando. Hospital Alemán; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Angerosa, Margarita. Hospital Alemán; Argentin

Ambipolar Graphene Field Effect Transistors by Local Metal Side Gates

We demonstrate ambipolar graphene field effect transistors individually controlled by local metal side gates. The side gated field effect can have on/off ratio comparable with that of the global back gate, and can be tuned in a large range by the back gate and/or a second side gate. We also find that the side gated field effect is significantly stronger by electrically floating the back gate compared to grounding the back gate, consistent with the finding from electrostatic simulation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Pancreatoblastoma in a paediatric patient: anatomo-pathological aspects of a case with multiple hepatic metastases

Pancreatoblastoma is a rare paediatric malignant neoplasm. The treatment of choice is complete surgical resection. However, it is often unresectable due to its large size, local infiltration or distant metastasis. Since the condition is rare, there is currently no standard treatment regimen. We outline the case of a 4-year-old child who presented with abdominal pain and distention, together with an enlarged liver and elevated serum α-fetoprotein levels. Imaging studies showed the presence of an abnormal pancreatic tumour and multiple nodular lesions in the liver, the biopsies from which led to a diagnosis of pancreatoblastoma. In this case, the patient received cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, combining cisplatin and doxorubicin. The patient subsequently underwent scheduled surgery in which the primary pancreatic lesion was resected, obtaining a circumscribed and nodular specimen measuring 7 × 6 cm and weighing 150 g. Given the extent of the metastasis, the child is currently awaiting a liver transplant.Fil: Cao, Gabriel Fernando. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños Pedro Elizalde (ex Casa Cuna); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mendez, Julián. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños Pedro Elizalde (ex Casa Cuna); ArgentinaFil: Navacchia, Daniel. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños Pedro Elizalde (ex Casa Cuna); Argentin

Comparison of early gastrointestinal tract and liver toxicity of the originator iron polymaltose complex (IPC) and an IPC similar preparation in non-anemic rats

Objectives: The originator iron polymaltose complex (Maltofer®, IPC, Vifor International, St. Gallen, Switzerland) has been used for over 30 years to treat iron deficiency anemia. Its physico-chemical properties allow for a controlled release of iron, a property which translates into low toxicity and good gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of the drug compared to the commonly used ferrous salts. A variety of different iron polymaltose complex similars are commercially available with varying structures and, thus, different efficacy and toxicity compared to IPC. In this study, the median lethal dose, the GI tract and liver toxicity of an IPC similar (Vitalix®, IPCSVITA, Laboratorios Roemmers, Buenos Aires, Argentina) were compared with those of IPC in healthy rats. Methods: The median lethal dose of IPCSVITA was determined as the dose required to kill 6 out of 12 rats after 24 h from dosing. To compare the GI and liver toxicities, rats received IPCSVITA or IPC (both 280 mg iron/kg body weight) for 28 days. GI toxicity was assessed macroscopically by scoring lesion severities and microscopically by analyzing the villi/crypt ratio, number of eosinophils/villi and number of Goblet cells/villi. Ferritin was assessed in the small intestine villi and in the liver by immunostaining. Iron deposits in the liver were assessed by Prussian blue staining. Results: Serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were significantly higher in the IPCSVITA group vs. the IPC and the control groups. Food consumption, body weight, and bowel movement at Day 29 were significantly lower within the IPCSVITA group vs. the IPC or the control groups. The lesion scores in the stomach and in the lower GI tract of the IPCSVITA group were significantly higher than those of the IPC and control groups. The villi/crypt ratio and the number of Goblet cells/villi in the small intestine were significantly lower in IPCSVITA-treated animals than in IPC-treated or control animals. The number of eosinophils per villi was significantly increased in the IPCSVITA group vs. IPC and control group. In the lower GI tract, microscopic lesions were observed only in the IPCSVITA group. The amount of ferritin in the small intestine and in the liver was higher in IPC-treated animals vs. IPCSVITA- treated or control animals. Conclusions: Higher serum iron and TSAT levels, lesions in the stomach and lower GI tract suggest the presence of weakly bound iron on the surface of the IPCSVITA complex, which has different physico-chemical properties than IPC. The lower levels of iron deposits in the liver suggest that the iron from IPCSVITA is taken up in a less controlled way than from IPC, thus, potentially accumulating in the wrong cellular compartment.Fil: Toblli, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Hospital Alemán. Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Cao, Gabriel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Hospital Alemán. Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Angerosa, Margarita. Hospital Alemán. Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentin

Exercise Ameliorates Endocrine Pancreas Damage Induced by Chronic Cola Drinking in Rats

Purpose: This study evaluates whether the daily practice of an exercise routine might protect from endocrine pancreas damage in cola drinking rats. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups depending on a) beverage consumption ad libitum, water (W) or cola beverage (C), and b) physical activity, sedentary (S) or treadmill running (R). Accordingly, 4 groups were studied: WS (water sedentary), WR (water runner), CS (cola sedentary) and CR (cola runner). Body weight, nutritional data, plasma levels of glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol and cholesterol fractions, and triglycerides (enzymocolorimetry), and systolic blood pressure (plethysmography) were measured. After 6 months, euthanasia was performed (overdose sodium thiopental). Pancreatic tissue was immediately excised and conventionally processed for morphometrical and immunohistochemical determinations. Results: The effects of running and chronic cola drinking on pancreas morphology showed interaction (p<0.001) rather than simple summation. Cola drinking (CS vs WS) reduced median pancreatic islet area (-30%, 1.8 104 μm2 vs 2.58 104 μm2, p<0.0001) and median β-cell mass (-43%, 3.81 mg vs 6.73 mg, p<0.0001), and increased median α/β ratio (+49%, 0.64 vs 0.43, p< 0.001). In water drinking rats (WR vs WS), running reduced median α-cell mass (-48%, 1.48 mg vs 2.82 mg, p<0.001) and α/β ratio (-56%, 0.19 vs 0.43, p<0.0001). Differently, in cola drinking rats (CR vs CS), running partially restored median islet area (+15%, 2.06 104 μm2 vs 1.79 104 μm2, p<0.05), increased median β-cell mass (+47%, 5.59 mg vs 3.81 mg, p <0.0001) and reduced median α/β ratio (-6%, 0.60 vs 0.64, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study is likely the first reporting experimental evidence of the beneficial effect of exercise on pancreatic morphology in cola-drinking rats. Presently, the increase of nearly 50% in β cells mass by running in cola drinking rats is by far the most relevant finding. Moderate running, advisably indicated in cola consumers and patients at risk of diabetes, finds here experimental support.Fil: Otero-Losada, Matilde Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Julian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Muller, Maria Angelica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ottaviano, Graciela Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Cao, Gabriel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Azzato, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ambrosio, Giuseppe. Università di Perugia; ItaliaFil: Milei, Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; Argentin

Comparison of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Different Intravenous Iron Sucrose Similar Preparations in a Rat Model

Iron sucrose originator (ISORIG) has been used to treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia for decades. Iron sucrose similars (ISSs) have recently entered the market. In this non-clinical study of non-anemic rats, five doses (40 mg iron/kg body weight) of six ISSs marketed in Asian countries, ISORIG or saline solution (control) were administered intravenously over four weeks to compare their toxicologic effects. Vasodilatory effects, impaired renal function and hepatic damage were only observed in the ISS groups. Significantly elevated serum iron and transferrin saturation levels were observed in the ISS groups suggesting a higher release of iron resulting in higher amounts of non-transferrin bound (free) iron compared to ISORIG. This might explain the elevated oxidative stress and increased levels of inflammatory markers and antioxidant enzymes in the liver, heart and kidneys of ISS-treated animals. Physico-chemical analyses showed that the molecular structure of most of the ISSs differed greatly from that of the ISORIG. These differences may be responsible for the organ damage and oxidative stress observed in the ISS groups. Significant differences were also found between different lots of a single ISS product. In contrast, polarographic analyses of three different ISORIG lots were identical, indicating that the molecular structure and thus the manufacturing process for ISORIG is highly consistent. Data from this study suggest that ISSs and ISORIG differ significantly. Therefore, before widespread use of these products it would be prudent to evaluate additional non-clinical and/or clinical data proving the safety, therapeutic equivalence and interchangeability of ISSs with ISORIG