1 H NMR-based metabolomics exploring urinary biomarkers correlated with proteinuria in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: a pilot study

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common glomerulonephritis, and its rates of occurrence are increasing worldwide. Proteinuria is a clinical defining feature of FSGS which correlates with the severity of podocyte injury in patients with nephrotic-range protein excretion. Metabolite biomarkers corresponding with the level of proteinuria could be considered as non-invasive complementary prognostic factors to proteinuria. The urine samples of 15 patients (n = 6 women and n = 9 men) with biopsy-proven FSGS were collected and subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis for metabolite profiling. Multivariate statistical analyses, including principal component analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis, were applied to construct a predictive model based on patients with proteinuria >3000 mg/day and <3000 mg/day. In addition, random forest was performed to predict differential metabolites, and pathway analysis was performed to find the defective pathways responsible for proteinuria. Ten metabolites, significant in both statistical methods (orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis and random forest), were considered as prognostic biomarkers for FSGS: citrulline, dimethylamine, proline, acetoacetate, alpha-ketoisovaleric acid, valine, isobutyrate, D-Palmitylcarnitine, histidine, and N-methylnicotinamide. Pathway analysis revealed impairment of the branched-chain amino acid degradation pathways in patients with massive proteinuria. This study shows that metabolomics can reveal the molecular changes corresponding with disease progression in patients with FSGS and provide a new insight for pathogenic pathways. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluating the Prevalence of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder and its Relationship With Other Prognostic Factors

Background:

The most common malignancy in the urinary system has been bladder cancer and the most predominant histologic subtype has been transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). There were many molecular risk factors, related with poor prognosis. One of these factors was expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the epidermal growth factor receptor in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and its relationship with other prognostic factors.

Patients and Methods:

This analytic descriptive study has performed with 61 patients with TCC of bladder after radical cystectomy whom have been hospitalized in Labbafinejad hospital in Tehran, Iran between 2007 and 2010. We have used Chi-square and t-test to analyze our data samples.

Results:

Records of 61 patients have studied. Fifty three of the total samples were positive for EGFR expression (86.9%). Fifty samples of these fifty-three belonged to men and three others were women’s samples (P = 0.46). Among the group with EGFR expression the results were as follows: 25 patients (47.2%) were 60 years old or less and 28 patients (52.8%) were older than 60 (P = 0.023), 16 patients (30.2%) had invasion to lamina properia, and the rest of them had invasion to deeper layers (P = 0.56). For most patients we could not determine the invasion of tumoral cells into the lymph nodes (Nx) (P = 0.067). Thirty four patients (64.2%) had not lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.44) and in forty three of patients (81.1%), perineural invasion have not seen (P = 0.23). Finally, 36 patients (67.9%) were grade 3 (P = 0.27).

Conclusions:

In this study we have concluded that most patients had EGFR positive expression. Also, except for the age, there was not any significant relation between expression of EGFR and the other prognostic factors such as, gender, invasion of the tumor into the layers, involving the lymph nodes, lymphovascular or perineural invasion, and grading.

Validation of Oxford Classification of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: an Iranian Experience

INTRODUCTION

In 2009, the Oxford classification of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy was proposed by the working group of the International IgA Nephropathy Network and Renal Pathology Society. It established specific pathologic features that predict the risk of progression of disease. This study aimed to evaluate the interobserver reproducibility of the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy between Iranian nephropathologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 100 patients with primary IgA nephropathy diagnosed between 2001 and 2011. Histologic slides were circulated among 4 pathologists. A score sheet was answered by each individual pathologist for each biopsy, according to the instruction of the Oxford classification. Reproducibility was determined for each variable, using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

The ICC values calculated for each major category of the Oxford classification were as follows: the highest score of 0.94 for tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis; 0.8 for glomerular basement membrane duplication, extracapillary proliferation, and segmental endocapillary proliferation; and 0.1 to 0.3 for arterial lesions, especially for hyalinosis of arterioles and intimal thickening of arcuate vessels and interlobar arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

The Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy is a useful tool and evidenced-based method with high interobserver reproducibility in pathology reporting. Our data suggest that Oxford classification may be used as a model for classification of other renal pathologies in the future.

A Significant Upregulation of miR-886-5p in High Grade and Invasive Bladder Tumors

PURPOSE

To investigate the expression alteration of miR-886-5p in bladder tumors and evaluating its expression level as a potential biomarker in this type of cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of bladder tumors belonging to 70 patients whom had been referred to the Shahid Labbafi-Nejad medical center were obtained from the archival collection of pathology department. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, expression levels of miR-886-5p were quantified by a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach.

RESULTS

Our data revealed a significant upregulation (~3 times) of miR-886-5p in high grade bladder tumors, compared to the low grade ones (P < .05). Moreover, its expression level could significantly discriminate noninvasive (Ta, T1) from invasive (T-2T4) tumor stages.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests a potential role for miR-886-5p in progression of bladder cancer.

Diagnostic urinary proteome profile for immunoglobulin a nephropathy

INTRODUCTION

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, the most common type of glomerulonephritis, is only diagnosed by invasive kidney biopsy. Urine proteome panel might help in noninvasive diagnosis and also better understanding of pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Second mid-stream urine samples of 13 patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy and 8 healthy controls were investigated by means of nanoscale liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Multivariate analysis of quantified label-free proteins was performed by the principal component analysis and partial least squares models.

RESULTS

A total number of 493 unique proteins were quantified by nanoscale liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, of which 46 proteins were considered as putative biomarkers of IgA nephropathy, after multivariate analysis and additional filter criterion and comparing the patients and the controls. Some of the significant differentially expressed proteins were CD44, glycoprotein 2, vasorin, epidermal growth factor, CLM9, protocadherin, utreoglobin, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, NHL repeat-containing protein 3, and SLAM family member 5. These proteins were related to various involved pathogenic pathways of inflammatory response and complement system.

CONCLUSIONS

This proteome profile could be utilized in the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. In addition, providing a noninvasive diagnostic tool, it may shed light on the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

Association of programmed cell death 1 and programmed cell death 1 ligand gene polymorphisms with delayed graft function and acute rejection in kidney allograft recipients

INTRODUCTION

The genetic variations of co-stimulatory molecules can affect the extent of T cell activity during T-cell mediated immunity, especially in transplant patients. This study aimed to investigate the association of programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PDCD1LG1) gene polymorphisms with clinical outcome of kidney transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 122 patients with a kidney transplant were included in this retrospective study. Patients were classified into two groups of biopsy-proven acute allograft rejection (AAR) and stable graft function (SGF) during the 5-year follow-up period. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms in PDCD1 and PDCD1LG1 were determined in the groups of patients as well as in 208 healthy control individuals.

RESULTS

The frequencies of PD-1.3 (+7146 G>A), PD-1.9 (+7625 C>T), PD-L1 (8923 A>C), and PD-L1 (+6777 C>G) genotypes and alleles were not significantly different between the AAR and SGF groups. In comparison with healthy controls, PD-1.9 (+7625 C>T) genotype and T allele were significantly more frequent in all of the patients and in those with SGF. Overall, 27 of 122 kidney allograft recipients experienced delayed graft function, and a higher frequency of PD-1.9 (+7625 C>T) genotype and T allele was observed in this group versus those without delayed graft function. Similarly, a significant high frequency of this genotype was found among the AAR subgroup of patients with delayed graft function.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that potentially functional genetic variation in PDCD1 can influence the outcome of kidney transplantation.

Self-care activities and glycated haemoglobin in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes: can coping styles and social support have a buffering role?

BACKGROUND

Diabetes self-care is a key element in the overall management of diabetes. However, the importance of psychosocial factors for successful disease management is under investigated. This study aimed at exploring the role of coping styles and social support in the relationship between self-care activities and glycated haemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

One hundred adults (60% female, aged 40-70 years) with type 2 diabetes completed questionnaires assessing self-care activities, coping styles and social support. In addition, a blood test was performed to obtain glycated haemoglobin levels.

RESULTS

Result showed significant relationships of glycated haemoglobin with self-care activities, coping styles and social support. Regression analysis indicated that social support had a moderating role on the relationship between self-care activities and glycated haemoglobin, such that, at very high levels of social support the association, between Self-Care and HbA1c disappears.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate that health care providers, within the context of the Iranian social and cultural situation, should pay more attention to psychosocial factors when addressing self-care activities. Delineation of the role of coping styles and social support might be useful for identifying patients in need of particular counselling and support for improving self-care activities and HbA1c levels.

Regulatory T cell subtypes and TGF-β1 gene expression in chronic allograft dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Regulatory T cells have been suggested to have a protective role against acute rejection in allograft recipients. However, there is little information available about their contribution to chronic rejection process. The role of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) as a profibrogenic and/or immunoregulatory cytokine in renal allografts is also controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the frequency of CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD8+CD28- regulatory T cells in chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) and to investigate the expression of TGF-β1 in renal allografts.

METHODS

Thirty biopsy-proven CAD patients were pair-matched with 30 stable graft function patients and a third group of healthy volunteers. Flowcytometry was performed on PBMCs to determine the frequency of CD3+CD8+CD28- and CD4+CD25+CD127- regulatory T cells in lymphocyt population. TGF-β1 gene expression was assessed by Real Time PCR.

RESULTS

The percentages of CD3+CD8+CD28- Tregs among renal allograft recipients was higher than healthy controls (p<0.001) since stable graft patients showed the most rates. The frequency of CD4+CD25+CD127- Tregs was lower in CAD patients than stable recipients (p=0.024) and healthy group (p=0.015). TGF-β1 gene expression was greater in CAD patients compared to healthy group (p=0.03) but there was no significant difference between gene expression of stable graft patients and healthy volunteers.

CONCLUSION

The negative association between the frequency of regulatory T cell subtypes and chronic allograft dysfunction proposes these cells as probable candidates for promoting allograft survival. Moreover, despite the immunoregulatory capacity of TGF-β1, it is likely to be implicated in chronic damages of allograft tissue.

Urinary lithogenic risk profile in recurrent stone formers with hyperoxaluria: a randomized controlled trial comparing DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)-style and low-oxalate diets

BACKGROUND

Patients with nephrolithiasis and hyperoxaluria generally are advised to follow a low-oxalate diet. However, most people do not eat isolated nutrients, but meals consisting of a variety of foods with complex combinations of nutrients. A more rational approach to nephrolithiasis prevention would be to base dietary advice on the cumulative effects of foods and different dietary patterns rather than single nutrients.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

Recurrent stone formers with hyperoxaluria (urine oxalate > 40 mg/d).

INTERVENTION

The intervention group was asked to follow a calorie-controlled Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style diet (a diet high in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, refined grains, sweets, and meat), whereas the control group was prescribed a low-oxalate diet. Study length was 8 weeks.

OUTCOMES

Primary: change in urinary calcium oxalate supersaturation.

SECONDARY

Changes in 24-hour urinary composition.

RESULTS

57 participants were randomly assigned (DASH group, 29; low-oxalate group, 28). 41 participants completed the trial (DASH group, 21; low-oxalate group, 20). As-treated analysis showed a trend for urinary oxalate excretion to increase in the DASH versus the low-oxalate group (point estimate of difference, 9.0mg/d; 95% CI, -1.1 to 19.1mg/d; P=0.08). However, there was a trend for calcium oxalate supersaturation to decrease in the DASH versus the low-oxalate group (point estimate of difference, -1.24; 95% CI, -2.80 to 0.32; P=0.08) in association with an increase in magnesium and citrate excretion and urine pH in the DASH versus low-oxalate group.

LIMITATIONS

Limited sample size, as-treated analysis, nonsignificant results.

CONCLUSIONS

The DASH diet might be an effective alternative to the low-oxalate diet in reducing calcium oxalate supersaturation and should be studied more.

Haemorrhagic cystitis due to BK virus in a child with ALL on standard chemotherapy without stem cell transplant

The BK virus (BKV) is a nonenveloped double-stranded DNA virus of the polyomavirus family that primarily affects immunocompromised people. BKV infects humans at an early age. Initial infections with BKV are mainly asymptomatic and usually remain latent in the brain, peripheral blood, kidneys, and urothelium. Following the primary infection, viruses persist indefinitely as ‘latent’ infections of the kidney and urinary system because the virus is urotheliotropic. Reactivation of the virus infections occurs in individuals with severe immunosuppression states such as kidney and stem cell transplantation and rarely in pregnancy. In this line, BKV has been implicated as a common cause of late-onset haemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in patients who have undergone stem cell transplantation. In contrast, reports of BKV-associated diseases in nontransplant paediatric patients are almost exclusively in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Herein, we report the first case of a child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who developed BKV-associated HC without receiving stem cell transplantation while on standard maintenance chemotherapy.

Delayed graft function (DGF) after living donor kidney transplantation: a study of possible explanatory factors

BACKGROUND

Delayed graft function (DGF), caused by failure of the kidney to function properly after transplantation, has a lower incidence rate in living donor transplantation compared to deceased donor transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible risk factors related to DGF in living donor transplantations.

MATERIAL/METHOD

A prospective, observational cohort study of patients undergoing living donor renal transplantation was designed. The incidence of DGF was investigated; the urine levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) were measured on the 1st and 3rd day after transplantation, and the relationships of DGF incidence and potential explanatory factors were studied.

RESULT

DGF was observed in 16.2% of patients. Preliminary univariate analyses showed that older donors, retransplantation, previous blood transfusion, and low urinary output could be eligible predictors for DGF. Analysis of the urinary biomarkers revealed an association between DGF incidence with the level of NGAL on the 1st day after transplantation, level of IL 18 on the 3rd post-operative day, and with the differences in urine NGAL levels measured in 2 samplings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only the differences between the 1st and 3rd days of urinary NGAL levels could remain in the final model.

CONCLUSIONS

Although, possibly due to living donor transplantation, none of the patient/donor characteristics could act as an explanatory factor for DGF; however, special attention is still required to target post-operation inflammation and oxidative stress, confirmed by relationship observed between DGF and urine NGAL levels on postoperative days.

Aspergillus terreus-related ureteral obstruction in a diabetic patient

An Aspergillus fungal ball is a rare cause of ureteral obstruction attributed to indwelling catheters, stents, antibiotics, anastomotic leaks, obstruction, and immunosuppressive therapy and other immunocompromised states. We describe a case of unilateral ureteral obstruction caused by Aspergillus terreus following ureteroscopic lithotripsy and ureteral stenting in a 45-year-old diabetic man. The patient was successfully treated with endoscopic removal of the fungal mass and oral voriconazole. We also review briefly the clinical features, treatment, and outcome in 9 previously reported diabetic patients with ureteral obstruction due to aspergillosis. Obstructive uropathy related to Aspergillus mass may be suspected in diabetic patients with a history of manipulation, impaired kidney function, and persistent passage of a soft mass in urine. Direct microscopy and culture of multiple urine and ureteral washing are necessary for early diagnosis. Antifungal therapy and endoscopic removal of the mass are needed to reduce morbidity.

Massive proteinuria and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a rare coincidence

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with nephrotic syndrome is a rare coincidence. Among 19 reported cases since 1972, focal glomerulosclerosis is the dominant reported pathology. Here, we report the 6th case of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with ADPKD. A 29-year-old man with a history of APCDK presented with massive proteinuria. He had a history of concurrent leptospirosis and brucellosis, and trace proteinuria and mild hypertension had been diagnosed 4 years earlier. Urine study showed proteinuria (21 g/d) and hematuria. Kidney biopsy report was compatible with focal and segmental sclerosis. The patient received prednisolone and cyclosporine. After 4 months, proteinuria decreased to 600 mg/d. Patients with ADPKD who show massive proteinuria should undergo kidney biopsy. It is possible that different mutations in these patients could clarify the nature of this coincidence.

Evaluating the expression of oct4 as a prognostic tumor marker in bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES

The key transcriptional regulator Oct4 is one of the self-renewal and differentiation-related factors in cancer stem cells, where it maintains "stemness" state. Cancer stem cells have been identified in a variety of solid malignancies. They are a small population of tumor cells with stem cell characteristics, which are a likely cause of relapse in cancer patients. Due to high incidence, mortality, and recurrence rates of bladder cancer and the necessity of accurate prediction of malignant behavior of the tumors, we evaluated the prognostic value of Oct4 expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, Oct4 expression was evaluated in 52 (FFPE) tissues of bladder cancer. RNA extraction from samples of 30 patients from the archive of Labbafi-Nejad Medical Centre in Tehran was performed and Oct4 expression levels were examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The intracellular distribution of Oct4 protein was also determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS

The results revealed a significant correlation between the expression level of Oct4 and the tumors' grade and stage. A mostly cytoplasmic distribution of Oct4 protein was also confirmed by IHC.

CONCLUSION

All together, our data indicate that the expression level of Oct4 gene is correlated with the clinical and histopathological prognostic indexes of tumors and thus can be considered as a potential prognostic tumor marker.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on urinary risk factors for calculus formation

INTRODUCTION

Even though dehydration could aggravate formation of urinary calculi, the effects of fluid and food restriction on calculus formation is not thoroughly defined. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of fluid and food restriction in Ramadan fasting on urinary factors in kidney and urinary calculus formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-seven men aged 30 to 55 years old, including 37 recurrent calcium calculus formers and 20 with no history of kidney calculi were evaluated for blood tests, ultrasonography investigations, urinalysis, urine culture, and also 24-hour urine collection test. Metabolites including calcium, oxalate, citrate, uric acid, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, sodium, and creatinine were measured before and during Ramadan fasting. The values of calculus-precipitating solutes as well as inhibitory factors were documented thoroughly.

RESULTS

Total excretion of calcium, phosphate, and magnesium in 24-hour urine and also urine volume during fasting were significantly lower than those in the nonfasting period. Urine concentration of calcium during fasting was significantly lower than nonfasting (P < .001). Urine concentrations of uric acid, citrate, phosphate, sodium, and potassium during fasting were significantly higher than nonfasting. Uric acid supersaturation was accentuated, and calcium phosphate supersaturation was decreased significantly during fasting. There was no significant increase in calcium oxalate supersaturation during the fasting period.

CONCLUSIONS

Fasting during Ramadan has different effects on total excretion and concentrations of urinary precipitate and inhibitory factors contributing to calculus formation. We did not find enough evidence in favor of increased risks of calculus formation during Ramadan fasting.

Renal amyloidosis in a child with neutropenia

Amyloidosis represents a heterogeneous group of disorders of protein metabolism and is characterized by deposition of fibrillar proteins in the intra- and extracellular spaces. Here, a case of generalized amyloidosis associated with neutropenia is presented. She had a medical history of multiple bacterial infections. At the age of 14 years, she developed nephrotic syndrome. An increase of antigenic stimulation during the intermittent bouts of acute infections would have been the main factor responsible for the development of secondary amyloidosis in this case. To the best of our knowledge, coexistence between neutropenic disorders and renal amyloidosis in children has not been reported till date. The purpose of this report is to present a case of secondary amyloidosis associated with neutropenia in pediatric age group, probably for the first time.

The most important metabolic risk factors in recurrent urinary stone formers

PURPOSE

To evaluate different urinary factors contributing to idiopathic calcium stone disease for determining appropriate medical treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two 24-hour urine samples were collected from 106 male recurrent idiopathic calcium stone formers and another 109 randomly selected men as the control group matching for age.

RESULTS

Cases had significantly higher mean urine oxalate, calcium, uric acid, and chloride in comparison with the healthy controls (P < .001). After necessary adjustment, only mean urine levels of oxalate and uric acid were higher in stone formers than those in controls. The mean value of supersaturation for calcium oxalate was significantly higher in patients than the controls (P = .001); whereas supersaturation for calcium phosphate and uric acid did not reach statistical significance (P = .675 and P = .675, respectively). Hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria were among the most frequent abnormalities. After categorizing urine parameter values into four quartiles, the risk of stone formation was found to increase as the urine calcium, oxalate, uric acid, chloride, and citrate rise. In contrast, the risk of stone formation decreased with the increase of urine potassium.

CONCLUSION

Oxalate seems to play the most important role as urinary stone risk factor in our population followed by calcium and uric acid. In addition to the risk factors, it seems that supersaturation as the sum of all risk factors probably has a high predictive value.

Predictive factors for prostatic involvement by transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE

To evaluate the predictive factors for prostatic involvement according to the bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) characteristics in a prospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hundred patients with the bladder TCC who had undergone standard radical cystoprostatectomy were enrolled in this study. A number of factors, including vascular and perineural invasion, number of tumors, maximum diameter of the tumor, presence of carcinoma in situ, distance between the tumor and the bladder neck, grade, and local stage of the tumor were recorded, and their relationships with prostatic involvement were studied. In addition, hydronephrosis and age of the patients were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 62.6 ± 10.8 years. Of a total of 100 patients, 21 (75%) were found to have prostatic involvement with TCC. Univariate statistical analysis showed that vascular invasion and the distance between the tumor and the bladder neck were significantly related to the prostatic involvement (P = .001 and P < .001) and tumor stage had relatively low P value (P = .08). In the logistic regression, only the distance between the tumor and the bladder neck was found to be significantly related to the prostatic involvement (P = .004).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that distance between the tumor and the bladder neck is a predictive factor for prostatic involvement; hence, prostate-sparing or capsule-sparing cystectomy in patients with tumors in short distances from prostatovesical junction is not rationale and should be avoided.

The role of human papillomavirus infection in prostate carcinoma

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are associated with benign and malignant lesions of the female and male anogenital tract. Currently the possible role of HPV infections in prostate carcinogenesis is a subject of great controversy. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of HPV infection in prostate carcinoma (PCa). The study included formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 104 primary prostate adenocarcinoma cases and 104 control tissues of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). HPV-DNA was purified and amplified through MY09/MY11 and GP5(+)/GP6(+) primers and subsequently subjected to sequencing. HPV-DNA was found in 13 of 104 (12.5%) PCa and 8 of 104 (7.7%) BPH samples. High-risk HPVs were detected in 10 of 13 (76.9%) PCa and 5 of 8 (62.5%) BPH samples with positive HPV-DNA. Low-risk HPVs were detected in 3 of 13 (23.1%) PCa and 3 of 8 (37.5%) BPH specimens with positive HPV-DNA. There was no significant difference between PCa and BPH specimens regarding HPV-DNA presence or the detection of high-risk and low-risk types of HPV. Our data do not support the role of HPV infection in prostate carcinoma. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of HPV infection in human prostate carcinogenesis.

Effects of stem cells and granulocyte colony stimulating factor in reperfusion injury

INTRODUCTION

Bone marrow-derived stem cells have a potential capacity to differentiate and accelerate recovery in injured sites of body. Also, factors like granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) can promote their mobilization to the injured sites. We aimed to investigate the role of GCSF as an alternative therapeutic option instead of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in reperfusion injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine rats with induced reperfusion injury were divided into 3 groups to receive MSC, GCSF, or nothing (control). Kidney function was assessed by blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels. Histological grading was performed to evaluate the extent of tubular injury and the rate of recovery.

RESULTS

All the rats reached recovery after 14 days. Rats in the MSC group reached early functional and histological recovery compared to the controls on the 7th day of the study (P = .01 and P = .02, respectively). Compared to the control group, the GCSF group showed a more significant histological recovery on the 7th day (P = .04), but kidney function was ameliorated on the 14th day (P = .04). Both the GCSF and control groups had a significant number of CD34+ cells, which were detected by flow cytometry on the 7th day after reperfusion injury.

CONCLUSIONS

We found therapeutic effects following administration of both MSC and GCSF which was more evident with MSC in the setting of reperfusion injury. More investigation is required to find optimal time, dose, and route of administration as well as other possible contributing factors.