Hippokratia
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Management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to measure the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UPJO patients who were planned to undergo surgery and thus clarify if MMPs levels could serve as potential biomarkers of surgical obstruction in UPJO. ⋯ This study found decreased concentrations of MMP9 in infants with obstructive hydronephrosis. However, the results should be tested in larger population samples and even be evaluated simultaneously with urine samples in order to delineate the ability of MMPs to serve as obstruction biomarkers. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 136-139.
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Itraconazole can be used in the treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), as add-on therapy to antiasthmatic medications. Description of the case: The case of an 83-year-old male with asthma, newly diagnosed with ABPA, is presented. A daily itraconazole dose of 100 mg managed to efficiently control eosinophilia and reduce his total IgE count, while these laboratory findings relapsed three months after stopping itraconazole. When the dose was reduced to 100 mg of itraconazole every other day, it was proved insufficient to control eosinophilia. Moreover, one year later, he is being efficiently treated with 100 mg itraconazole daily. ⋯ The dose of itraconazole 100 mg can effectively treat some cases of ABPA with asthma. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 144-146.
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Choanal polyps constitute 3-6 % of all nasal polyps and are lesions which usually originate from the mucosa of the maxillary sinus and have a solitary growth pattern. Polyps originating from the sphenoid sinus are rarely seen and are known as sphenochoanal polyps. Surgical treatment of the sphenochoanal polyps is its complete excision together with the pedicle and the portion inside the sphenoid sinus. ⋯ Although rarely seen sphenochoanal polyps must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of unilateral sphenoid sinus and posterior nasal cavity masses. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 150-153.
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CDKL5 is a genetic condition associated with drug-resistant epilepsy and intellectual disability. There is limited information on its natural history. We investigated the natural history, complications, and the effectiveness of current treatment strategies. ⋯ Vigabatrin appears to be more effective than other AEDs. VNS and ketogenic diet are also relatively effective. Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system complications are common. The results may help to guide management of epilepsy in CDKL5. It highlights a possible link between CDKL5 and potentially treatable life-threatening complications such as cardiac arrhythmia. More research in this area may help us develop a more systematic approach to treating these patients. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 130-135.
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Childhood obesity poses a global health threat. We investigated the association of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing indexes with adipokines levels and insulin resistance along with the beneficial effect of physical exercise on insulin resistance in children. ⋯ Leptin is significantly inversely related to VO2max in obese children. This study, however, allows further assumptions for adipokines and childhood obesity, along with the possible role of leptin as an additional obesity index in relation with cardiopulmonary function. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 124-129.