Clinical Implications and Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction in Kidney Transplant: A Single-Center Assessment.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects the great majority of people undergoing dialysis and also the majority of patients undergoing kidney transplantation. In this study, we investigated the degree of erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as its prevalence, contributory variables, and overall impact after renal transplant.

Methods: Adult male kidney transplant patients were the subject of an observational, non-interventional study that was conducted at a single center.

Non-Traditional Non-Immunological Risk Factors for Kidney Allograft Loss-Opinion.

Rates of late allograft loss have improved slowly in the last decades. Well described traditional risk factors that influence allograft survival include cardiovascular events, rejection, infections and post-transplant neoplasia. Here, we critically evaluate the influence of several non-immunological, non-traditional risk factors and describe their impact on allograft survival and cardiovascular health of kidney transplant recipients.

The impact of renal transplantation on sexual function in males with end-stage kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on dialysis have a special profile, including constant uremic status and frequent comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and coronary artery disease, as well as complications related to dialysis. All listed factors can influence or be the cause of sexual dysfunction in both men and women. There is a high incidence (70%) and prevalence (82%) of erectile dysfunction in men with CKD.

Ventriculorenal shunts in the treatment of pediatric and adult hydrocephalus-historical perspective and analysis of current practice.

Hydrocephalus is a complex pathology that can have a significant impact on the quality of life in all age groups. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversions from the lateral ventricle to the peritoneal cavity are regarded as the treatment of first intent, but they have a high revision rate, and there are multiple factors which can impair their proper insertion and function. One of the many alternatives to peritoneal shunting is redirecting the CSF towards the renal system.

Skull Base Neurosurgery Eponyms: A Review of Notable Anatomical Landmarks.

Eponyms highlight the contributions made to medicine over the years, and celebrate individuals for their work involving diseases, pathologies, and anatomical landmarks. We have compiled an in-depth report of eponyms used in skull base neurosurgery, as well as the historical contexts of the personalities behind the names. A literature search identified 36 eponyms of the bones, foramina and ligaments of the skull base named after anatomists and physician-scientists.

Intra-osseous cerebrospinal fluid shunts-Overview of past and present clinical and experimental evidence.

In the history of hydrocephalus treatment, a variety of diversion sites have been explored to ensure an adequate alternative when the peritoneum was not a feasible option. An interesting choice was the elimination of excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the skeletal system. The purpose of this review was to evaluate all shunting systems that have been implemented in bone structures and to determine their therapeutic potential.

Aspartic Acid Stabilized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications.

Aspartic acid stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles (A-IONPs) with globular shape and narrow size distribution were prepared by the co-precipitation method in aqueous medium. A quantum-mechanical approach to aspartic acid optimized structure displayed negative charged sites, relatively high dipole moment, and hydrophilicity, which recommended it for interaction with iron cations and surrounding water electrical dipoles. A-IONPs were characterized by TEM, XRD, ATR-FTIR, EDS, DSC, TG, DLS, NTA, and VSM techniques.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is effective in cases of sinusitis where pharmacological treatment has not been successful. Patients undergoing FESS have reported an 85% improvement in symptoms as measured by the quality of life scores. Despite its convincing therapeutic benefit, complications sometimes occur with potentially dire consequences.

Woodruff's plexus-arterial or venous?

Purpose: Woodruff's plexus is a vascular network located on the posterior lateral wall of the inferior meatus of the nasal cavity and it is generally considered to be responsible for posterior epistaxis. Despite being initially identified in 1949 as a venous plexus, discrepancies exist within literature regarding this anatomical structure, particularly its arterial or venous nature and its association with posterior epistaxis. This systematic review aims to collate information pertaining to Woodruff's plexus and evaluate our current understanding of this vascular area.

Treating a thrombotic giant dissecting renal artery aneurysm through ex-vivo vascular reconstructive surgery followed by kidney reimplantation.

Renal artery aneurysms, although rare, may give rise to complications both per se (due to the risk of thrombosis and subsequent wall rupture) and by impairment of the renal function (due to extrinsic compression and high blood pressure). We describe a paucisymptomatic young patient with acute thrombosis of a massive dissecting renal artery aneurysm, for which the successful treatment was performed through ex-vivo vascular surgery followed by autotransplantation of the reconstructed kidney. The aneurysm was described through abdominal echography, computed tomography angiography, and transfemoral transcatheter arterial angiography.

Evaluation of the ventriculocholecystic shunt-an overview of present practice in adult and pediatric hydrocephalus.

In the context of hydrocephalus, there are a multitude of therapeutic options that can be explored in order to improve patient outcomes. Although the peritoneum is the current elected clinical solution, various receptacles have been utilized when experiencing contraindications. Along with the ventriculoatrial or ventriculopleural, the ventriculocholecystic shunt was also described as an alternative.

Phantosmia as the first presentation of a cavernous sinus - clinoidal meningioma.

Cavernous sinus meningiomas (CSM) are complex skull base lesions that, due to their particular anatomical location, render surgical management difficult. Their symptomatology is versatile, and the clinical outcome is difficult to predict. We present the case of a 57-year old female patient who experienced phantosmia - an abnormal, persistent, olfactory sensation of cigarette smell for 18 months.

Differentiating High-Grade Gliomas from Brain Metastases at Magnetic Resonance: The Role of Texture Analysis of the Peritumoral Zone.

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) and solitary brain metastases (BMs) have similar imaging appearances, which often leads to misclassification. In HGGs, the surrounding tissues show malignant invasion, while BMs tend to displace the adjacent area. The surrounding edema produced by the two cannot be differentiated by conventional magnetic resonance (MRI) examinations.

Extended lumbar drainage in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Background: When appropriately selected, a high proportion of patients with suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) will respond to cerebrospinal fluid diversion with a shunt. Extended lumbar drainage (ELD) is regarded as the most accurate test for this condition, however, varying estimates of its accuracy are found in the current literature. Here, we review the literature in order to provide summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative predictive value for this test through meta-analysis of suitably rigorous studies.

Multi-modality cardiac imaging in advanced chronic kidney disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and is particularly frequent among those with severe renal impairment. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention may help alleviate the burden of cardiovascular complication within this population. In the last years, advances have been made toward developing noninvasive imaging techniques that could offer better insight into the cardiac involvement in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Pros and cons of antithrombotic therapy in end-stage kidney disease: a 2019 update.

Dialysis patients manifest both an increased thrombotic risk and a haemorrhagic tendency. A great number of patients with chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis have cardiovascular comorbidities (coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism) and different indications for treatment with antithrombotics (primary or secondary prevention). Unfortunately, few randomized controlled trials deal with antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant therapy in dialysis.

Neurosurgical cadaveric and in vivo large animal training models for cranial and spinal approaches and techniques - a systematic review of the current literature.

Introduction: Due to its high complexity, neurosurgery consists of a demanding learning curve that requires intense training and a deep knowledge of neuroanatomy. Microsurgical skill development can be achieved through various models of simulation, but as human cadaveric models are not always accessible, cadaveric animal models can provide a reliable environment in which to enhance the acquisition of surgical dexterity. The aim of this review was to analyse the current role of animal brains in laboratory training and to assess their correspondence to the procedures performed in humans.

From the heart to the bladder-particularities of ventricular shunt topography and the current status of cerebrospinal fluid diversion sites.

Hydrocephalus represents the pathological elevation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels as a consequence of various embryological or acquired defects. Although the classic method of treatment is by means of diverting the CSF from the ventricular system towards the peritoneum, there are other sites of diversion that have proven their efficiency through time, in the context of complications related to the more common option of intraperitoneal insertion. The aim of the review is to assess and organize a database of all the types of shunt locations from the oldest shunt attempts until present, using Pubmed and Medline and to underline the particularities related to technique, indications, complications and associated epidemiological background.

Experimental cerebral hemispherectomy in rodent models. A systematic review of current literature.

Cerebral hemispherectomy is a neurosurgical procedure that involves surgically removing one hemisphere of the brain, used as a therapeutic option in severe cases of intractable epilepsy. Several animal models have contributed to our understanding of the underlying neuromechanisms. The review was based on a PubMed search using the terms "hemispherectomy" and "mouse" or "rat" or "rodent", with no limitation of year of study or language.

Comparison Between Alprostadil and Iloprost in Intravenous Treatment of Patients With Chronic Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Introduction: chronic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) seems to be a "rediscovered" pathology nowadays, brought into spotlight by its strong correlation with other signifi cant cardiovascular disorders.

Objectives: to sustain a real benefi t from treatment with i.v.

Expression of EGFR in Paired New and Recurrent Glioblastomas.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the expression of EGFR in newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Materials And Methods: Our study included a total of 48 paired samples collected from 24 patients diagnosed with GBM. The intensity of EGFR cytoplasmatic staining was scored on a scale of 1-3+ (weak, intermediate or strong).