Vascular variations of the kidney, retrospective analysis of computed tomography images of ninety-one laparoscopic donor nephrectomies, and comparison of computed tomography images with perioperative findings

Background: In this retrospective study, we aimed to determine the variations of kidney arteries and veins in kidney donor patients who underwent preoperative, computed tomography angiography (CTA).Materials and methods: We analysed kidney CTA findings of 91 donor nephrectomy patients operated from July 2016 through December 2017. Demographics, vascular diameters, abnormalities, numbers, branching variations, routing variations of arteries, and veins were assessed according to CTA images. We also compared the radiological findings with perioperative findings. Two radiologists evaluated CTA images, and the same surgical team performed all donor nephrectomies by laparoscopic approach.Results: Ninety-one of the 96 patients involved to study. Forty-six (50.5%) patients were female. Thirty-five (38.4%) of 91 cases had accessory arteries. Seven (7.6%) right, 1 (1.1%) left and 8 (8.7%) bilateral double hilar artery was observed on CTA. No statistically significant difference was observed in the evaluation of the side of accessory/polar arteries (p > 0.05), and in the evaluation of the distribution of arterial/venous variations according to perioperative findings (p > 0.05). However, in the evaluation of CTA images, we found that the diameter of the kidney artery and vein differed according to gender and side.Conclusions: The knowledge of the vascular variations of the kidney is essential for surgeons performing kidney transplantation. It is also essential for urologist and vascular surgeons. Incompatible with the literature, the right kidney has more vascular variations and, one kidney artery is found in the majority of Turkish kidneydonor patients

The role of International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) in advancing global childhood cancer care

The Société Internationale d'Oncologie Pédiatrique [International Society of Paediatric Oncology] (SIOP), founded in 1969, aims to improve the lives of children and adolescents with cancer through global collaboration, education, training, research and advocacy. The annual congress provides the opportunity to share late-breaking research, clinical experiences and debate, with experts worldwide. SIOP's six Continental Branches represent their constituent members in North America, Oceania, Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia and bring best practices and recent research findings of value to their specific patient populations. In 1990, the SIOP Board of Directors addressed the formerly predominantly European/North American society transforming into a global association by establishing a scholarship program to bring low- and middle-income country (LMIC) paediatric oncologists and nurses to SIOP meetings. A major achievement was SIOP's acceptance as a World Health Organisation (WHO) non-state actor in official relations in 2018, joining 220 non-governmental organisations, international business associations and philanthropic foundations with this privilege. SIOP supports advocacy with WHO member states and civil society to highlight the specific needs of cancer in this age-group through key programs especially supporting the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Sustained improvement in childhood cancer outcomes has paralleled the integration of research with care; thus, SIOP launched a Programme for Advancing Research Capacity for funding selected clinical trial groups in LMICs. SIOP supports south-south partnerships, and the principles elegantly expressed in SIOP Africa's checklist for co-branding projects, that include the prioritisation of local needs, cultivation of local expertise and commitment to equitable partnerships. SIOP now counts approximately 3,000 members from over 128 countries; 39% are from more than 60 LMICs. SIOP members have multidisciplinary expertise on all aspects of childhood cancer care working in collaboration with key stakeholders including governments, civil society organisations and funders to improve the lives of children/adolescents with cancer everywhere in all ways

Seletividade marital no Brasil entre 1995, 2005 e 2015

A desigualdade social é um problema de caráter mundial e pode ser explicado por diversos fatores. Um desses é a seletividade marital ou assortative mating, em que existiria maior probabilidade de casais se formarem em ambientes socioeconômicos de pessoas com características semelhantes. O objetivo do trabalho é voltado para o estudo empírico da mudança de comportamento para a formação de casais com mesma escolaridade no Brasil ao longo dos últimos 20 anos, o que leva a uma análise da dinâmica mais recente das mudanças da nossa sociedade. Para tanto, com base nos dados da PNAD/IBGE serão analisados os anos de 1995, 2005 e 2015, sendo estimada a evolução da seletividade marital por escolaridade. O principal resultado aponta para a diminuição da seletividade marital no Brasil, que é impactado a partir de fenômenos exogâmicos e heterogâmicos

Influence of environment on testing of hydraulic sealers

Abstract In vitro material testing is undertaken by conducting a series of tests following procedures outlined in international standards. All material properties are measured in water; however biological behavior is undertaken in alternative media such as Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) or simulated body fluid. The aim of this study was to characterize four dental root canal sealers and study their properties in different media. Four dental root canal sealers were assessed. They were characterized by a combination of techniques and the sealer properties were tested as specified by ISO 6876 (2012) and also in alternative media. The sealer biocompatibility was measured by cell function and proliferation assays of elutions. All sealers complied with ISO specifications. The material properties were effected by the type of soaking medium used and the surface micromorphology and elemental composition were dependent on the soaking solution type. Both BioRoot and MTA Fillapex showed cytotoxicity which reduced at higher dilutions. The material chemistry, presentation, environmental conditions and testing methodology used affected the sealer properties. Standards specific to sealer type are thus indicated. Furthermore the methodology used in the standard testing should be more relevant to clinical situations

Influence of environment on testing of hydraulic sealers

Abstract In vitro material testing is undertaken by conducting a series of tests following procedures outlined in international standards. All material properties are measured in water; however biological behavior is undertaken in alternative media such as Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) or simulated body fluid. The aim of this study was to characterize four dental root canal sealers and study their properties in different media. Four dental root canal sealers were assessed. They were characterized by a combination of techniques and the sealer properties were tested as specified by ISO 6876 (2012) and also in alternative media. The sealer biocompatibility was measured by cell function and proliferation assays of elutions. All sealers complied with ISO specifications. The material properties were effected by the type of soaking medium used and the surface micromorphology and elemental composition were dependent on the soaking solution type. Both BioRoot and MTA Fillapex showed cytotoxicity which reduced at higher dilutions. The material chemistry, presentation, environmental conditions and testing methodology used affected the sealer properties. Standards specific to sealer type are thus indicated. Furthermore the methodology used in the standard testing should be more relevant to clinical situations

Identification of candidate genes in a family with cancer overload by whole-exome sequencing

Background. Approximately 120 out of every 1 million children in the world develop cancer each year. In Turkey, 2500-3000 children are diagnosed with new cancer each year. The causes of childhood cancer have been studied for many years. It is known that many cancers in children, as in adults, cause uncontrolled cell growth, and develop as a result of mutations in genes that cause cancer. Methods. The investigation of family history within this context in the study, a total of 13 individuals consisting of all children and adults in the family were examined using the whole-exome sequencing (WES) with the individuals who were diagnosed with cancer in the family, who were detected to have different cancer profiles, and defined as high risk and to determine the gene or genes through which the disease has developed. Results. At the end of the study, a total of 30 variants with a pathogenic record in the family were identified. A total of 10 pathogenic variants belonging to 8 different genes from these variants have been associated with various cancer risks. Conclusions. A significant scientific contribution has been made to the mechanism of disease formation by studying a family with a high cancer burden and by finding the genes associated with the disease. In addition, by the results obtained, family members with cancer predisposition were selected after a risk analysis conducted in this family, and the necessary examinations and scans were recommended to provide an early diagnostic advantage. © 2022, Turkish National Pediatric Society. All rights reserved

Surgical Outcomes in Radiation-induced Cataracts After External-beam Radiotherapy in Retinoblastoma

Objectives: To investigate visual outcomes, surgical complications and tumor recurrence among children with retinoblastoma undergoing phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation for radiation-induced cataract secondary to external beam radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The medical records of all patients treated by phacoemulsification and PCIOL implantation for radiation-induced cataract after external beam radiotherapy for retinoblastoma at a single institution between 1980 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The study included 6 eyes of 6 children (4 girls, 2 boys). Results: Four patients had bilateral and two patients had unilateral retinoblastoma. The median age at diagnosis of retinoblastoma was 28.3 months (range, 12-96 months). All patients received chemoreduction (OPEC protocol) and external beam radiotherapy with or without local ophthalmic therapies and developed radiation-induced cataracts. The median interval from retinoblastoma diagnosis to cataract surgery was 96.3 months (range, 73-122 months). Time interval between surgery and last retinoblastoma treatment was 67.2 months. Postoperative complications included iridocyclitis in 2 eyes and posterior capsule opacification in all eyes. The mean follow-up after surgery was 105.8 months (range, 59-120 months). Final visual acuity was better in all eyes than preoperative visual acuities. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification and PCIOL implantation is an effective method of managing radiation-induced cataracts in eyes with previously treated retinoblastoma. However, visual acuity was limited by the presence of primary macular tumor

Final results of the Choroid Plexus Tumor study CPT-SIOP-2000

INTRODUCTION: Standards for chemotherapy against choroid plexus tumors (CPT) have not yet been established. METHODS: CPT-SIOP-2000 (NCT00500890) was an international registry for all CPT nesting a chemotherapy randomization for high-risk CPT with Carboplatin/Etoposide/Vincristine (CarbEV) versus Cyclophosphamide/Etoposide/Vincristine (CycEV). Patients older than three years were recommended to receive irradiation: focal fields for non-metastatic CPC, incompletely resected atypical choroid plexus papilloma (APP) or metastatic choroid plexus papilloma (CPP); craniospinal fields for metastatic CPC/APP and non-responsive CPC. High risk was defined as choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), incompletely resected APP, and all metastatic CPT. From 2000 until 2010, 158 CPT patients from 23 countries were enrolled. RESULTS: For randomized CPC, the 5/10 year progression free survival (PFS) of patients on CarbEV (n = 20) were 62%/47%, respectively, compared to 27%/18%, on CycEV (n = 15), (intention-to-treat, HR 2.6, p = 0.032). Within the registry, histological grading was the most influential prognostic factor: for CPP (n = 55) the 5/10 year overall survival (OS) and the event free survival (EFS) probabilities were 100%/97% and 92%/92%, respectively; for APP (n = 49) 96%/96% and 76%/76%, respectively; and for CPC (n = 54) 65%/51% and 41%/39%, respectively. Without irradiation, 12 out of 33 patients with CPC younger than three years were alive for a median of 8.52 years. Extent of surgery and metastases were not independent prognosticators. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy for Choroid Plexus Carcinoma is feasible and effective. CarbEV is superior to CycEV. A subset of CPC can be cured without irradiation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11060-021-03942-0