Impact of the degree of hydronephrosis on the efficacy of in situ extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy for proximal ureteral calculi.

Objective: We conducted a prospective randomized study to investigate the relation between the degree of stone-induced hydronephrosis and the outcome of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in patients with lumbar ureter stones.

Material And Methods: A total of 284 patients with solitary lumbar ureter stones with or without hydronephrosis were treated with ESWL. The degree of hydronephrosis was determined by means of renal ultrasound.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction: an all-in-one approach.

Objective: To study the ability of comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to replace multiple imaging methods in the evaluation of patients with pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO).

Patients And Methods: Between May 2003 and November 2005, 46 consecutive patients (22 male and 24 females; mean age 31.6 years) with symptomatic primary PUJO were included.

Assessment of temporomandibular disorder and occlusion in treated class III malocclusion patients.

Objective: The aims of this study were to compare the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in individuals submitted to either orthodontic or ortho-surgical Class III malocclusion treatment and to assess the influence of occlusal aspects on TMD severity.

Material And Methods: The sample consisted of 50 individuals divided into two groups, according to the type of treatment (orthodontic or orthodontic with orthognathic surgery). The presence of signs and symptoms of TMD was evaluated by an anamnestic questionnaire and a clinical examination, including TMJ and muscle palpation, active mandibular range of motion, joint noises and occlusal examination.

Does degree of hydronephrosis affect success of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for distal ureteral stones?

Objectives: To investigate the relation between the degree of stone-induced hydronephrosis and the outcome of shock wave lithotripsy in patients with distal ureter stones.

Methods: A total of 215 patients with a solitary distal ureter stone with or without hydronephrosis were treated with shock wave lithotripsy. The degree of hydronephrosis was determined by renal ultrasonography.

Retrograde endopyelotomy: a comparison between laser and Acucise balloon cutting catheter.

Endopyelotomy and laparoscopic pyeloplasty are the preferred modalities for treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction because of their minimally invasive nature. There are continuous efforts for improving endopyelotomy techniques and outcome. Retrograde access represents the natural evolution of endopyelotomy.

Localization of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in experimental progressive kidney scarring.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is in a continual state of turnover with homeostasis maintained by balancing synthesis and degradation rates. During progressive kidney scarring an imbalance occurs leading to ECM accumulation. Reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity is believed to central to this imbalance.

Enthalpies of formation, bond dissociation energies and reaction paths for the decomposition of model biofuels: ethyl propanoate and methyl butanoate.

The complete basis set method CBS-QB3 has been used to study the thermochemistry and kinetics of the esters ethyl propanoate (EP) and methyl butanoate (MB) to evaluate initiation reactions and intermediate products from unimolecular decomposition reactions. Using isodesmic and isogeitonic equations and atomization energies, we have estimated chemically accurate enthalpies of formation and bond dissociation energies for the esters and species derived from them. In addition it is shown that controversial literature values may be resolved by adopting, for the acetate radical, CH3C(O)O(.

Experimental and modeling study of C5H10O2 ethyl and methyl esters.

Due to the world's over-reliance on fossil fuels there has been a developing interest in the production of renewable biofuels such as methyl and ethyl esters derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. To increase our understanding of the combustion chemistry of esters, the oxidation of methyl butanoate and ethyl propanoate, both with a molecular formula of C5H10O2, have been studied in a series of high-temperature shock tube experiments. Ignition delay times for a series of mixtures, of varying fuel/oxygen equivalence ratios (phi = 0.

Post-percutaneous nephrolithotomy extensive hemorrhage: a study of risk factors.

Purpose: We identified risk factors predicting severe bleeding due to percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Materials And Methods: Computerized data on 2,909 patients who underwent a total of 3,878 percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures between January 1995 and December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on patients who experienced severe bleeding requiring angiographic renal embolization were compared with those on other patients using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Thermochemistry of acetonyl and related radicals.

Density functional and ab initio calculations at CBS-QB3 levels of theory were employed with a series of isodesmic reactions to determine the thermochemistry of the 2-oxopropyl or acetonyl radical (CH(3)COC*H2). In turn, this was used to determine formation enthalpies of 2-oxoethyl or formylmethyl (C*H(2)CHO), 2-oxobutyl (C*H(2)COC(2)H(5)), 1-methyl-2-oxopropyl or methylacetonyl (C*H(CH(3))COCH(3)), 1-methyl-2-oxobutyl (C*H(CH(3))COC(2)H(5)), and 3-oxopentyl (C*H(2)CH2COC(2)H(5)). Our computed standard enthalpy of formation of -34.

Outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy: effect of body mass index.

Objective: The surgical management of renal and upper ureteral calculi presents unique challenges in obese patients. We reviewed our recent experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in obese patients to determine the safety and outcome of this procedure in such group of patients.

Patients And Methods: The surgical records of 1121 patients treated with PNL between 2000 and 2004 were reviewed.

A prospective multivariate analysis of factors predicting stone disintegration by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: the value of high-resolution noncontrast computed tomography.

Objective: To assess the value of noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) as a possible predictor of renal stone disintegration by shock wave lithotripsy (SWL).

Patients And Methods: The study included 120 consecutive patients (71 males, 49 females; mean age: 42.6 yr) with a solitary renal stone of 0.

Predictors of clinical significance of residual fragments after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for renal stones.

Purpose: To determine the predictors of the clinical outcome of residual fragments after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL).

Patients And Methods: During the last 10 years, residual fragments < or =5 mm were present in 99 male and 55 female patients (mean age 43.1 years) for >3 months after SWL for renal stones.

Is pre-shock wave lithotripsy stenting necessary for ureteral stones with moderate or severe hydronephrosis?

Purpose: We performed a prospective, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the outcome of ureteral stents for solitary ureteral stones 2 cm or less in moderately or severely obstructed systems using shock wave lithotripsy.

Materials And Methods: Between 2001 and 2004, 186 patients who met study criteria were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 received a pre-shock wave lithotripsy 6Fr Double-J stent and group 2 had no stent.

Percutaneous endopyelotomy for secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction: prognostic factors affecting late recurrence.

Objective: To determine prognostic variables which influence late recurrence after initially successful percutaneous endopyelotomy for secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Material And Methods: Between July 1987 and March 2002, 67 patients with secondary UPJO were treated with percutaneous endopyelotomy at our center. Long-term follow-up data were available for 50 patients with initially successful results (42 after a single treatment and eight after repeated endopyelotomy).

Percutaneous treatment of large upper tract stones after urinary diversion.

Objectives: To present our experience in percutaneous management of large upper tract stones after urinary diversion.

Methods: From October 1984 to March 2005, 20 percutaneous nephrolithotomy and 4 antegrade ureteroscopy procedures were performed in 17 men and 7 women, with a mean age of 53.5 years.

Renal osteodystrophy: review of the disease and its treatment.

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD), which is most evident in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT), usually begins when the kidney function starts to deteriorate. The spectrum of skeletal abnormalities seen in ROD is classified according to the state of bone turnover. In the past two decades, the prevalence of high turnover ROD has decreased while low bone turnover has become increasingly recognized.

Grape seed extract prevents gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of mice.

The protection conferred by grape seed extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and bone marrow chromosomal aberrations have been evaluated in adult Swiss albino mice. The activity of reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase), the levels of glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidneys homogenates, serum urea and creatinine were measured, and in addition the changes in kidney histology and bone marrow chromosomes were investigated. Gentamicin (80 mg/kg b.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy monotherapy of partial staghorn calculi. Prognostic factors and long-term results.

Objective: To define factors affecting the success and long-term outcome of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy of partial staghorn calculi.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 92 patients with partial staghorn calculi who were treated with ESWL monotherapy. The outcome of the treatment was evaluated after 3 months.

Treatment of renal stones in children: a comparison between percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shock wave lithotripsy.

Purpose: We compared the results of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of 1 to 2 cm renal stones in children.

Materials And Methods: The study included 166 children with renal stones 1 to 2 cm. A total of 75 patients (82 kidneys) were treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy and 91 (93 kidneys) were treated with shock wave lithotripsy.

Immunosuppressive treatment of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: a five-year follow-up study.

Background/aims: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common type of glomerular disease that can lead to chronic renal failure. Various therapeutic regimens have been used in nephrotic FSGS patients. The effect of treatment with prednisolone alone or its combination with azathioprine and cyclosporin and parameters related to a poor outcome are studied.

Prednisolone and azathioprine in membranous nephropathy: a 10-year follow-up study.

Background: Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Although its clinical course is usually benign, some patients develop chronic renal failure. Combination of corticosteroids with cytotoxic drugs and cyclosporin have been used in the treatment of the disease.

Safety and outcome of rigid ureteroscopy for management of ureteral calculi in children.

Purpose: To present our experience with ureteroscopy for the treatment of pediatric ureteral calculi.

Patients And Methods: The records of 32 children with an average age of 8.7 years (range 2-15 years) treated with rigid ureteroscopy between June 1994 and July 2003 were reviewed.

Colonic perforation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: study of risk factors.

Objectives: To identify the risk factors implicated in colonic perforation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Methods: From 1985 to 2004, 5039 percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures were performed in our center. Colonic perforation complicated 15 procedures (0.