Potential Correlation Between Circulating Fetuin-A and Pentraxin-3 With Biochemical Parameters of Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: The strong correlation between vascular calcification and cardiovascular risk, which is a major cause of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients, has been well established. Fetuin-A is an inhibitor of vascular calcification, and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is produced at the site of inflammation, which is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The main purpose of this study was evaluating the correlation between fetuin-A and PTX3 with some biochemical parameters effective upon vascular calcification in HD patients.

Detection of recurrent bladder cancer: NMP22 test or urine cytology?

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of voided urine cytology versus urinary nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) qualitative assay in the diagnosis of various grades and stages of recurrent bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

Materials And Methods: From July 2007 to February 2009, all patients with history of superficial bladder TCC were included in this multi-center study. Each patient provided three serial voided urine samples for cytologic examination and one sample for the NMP22 qualitative assay prior to urethrocystoscopy.

Clean intermittent catheterization with triamcinolone ointment following internal urethrotomy.

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) results in combination with triamcinolone ointment for lubrication of the catheter after internal urethrotomy.

Materials And Methods: Seventy patients who underwent internal urethrotomy were assigned into 2 groups and performed CIC with either triamcinolone 1% ointment or a water-based gel (control) for lubrication of the catheter. They continued CIC regimen up to 6 month and were followed up for 12 months.