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S Farkas

Publications and source records attributed to S Farkas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Pararectal mini-incision for strictly retroperitoneal nephrectomy in living kidney donation].

PURPOSE: In this study we present the technique of a strictly retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy via a pararectal mini-incision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 34 living kidney donations were analyzed. All donors underwent a pararectal mini-incision and strictly retroperitoneal nephrectomy (MIDN). RESULTS: Total operation time, perioperative use of pain medication, length of hospital stay after successful mobilization, and return to full enteral nutrition and regular digestion were evaluated retrospectively. Total operation time for MIDN was 132+/-26 min. The total average application was 22.2+/-19.4 mg of opioid in morphine equivalent dosage (MED), 7.7+/-6.1 g metamizol, and 512+/-325 mg NSAR during hospital stay, which was 4.9+/-1.4 days. Patients were mobilized primarily 2.9+/-8.0 h after surgery. Mobility was achieved 33.8+/-15.8 h after surgery. Enteral nutrition with fluids was started after 1.9+/-7.0 h, full enteral nutrition was accomplished after 37.4+/-19.0 h, and normal digestion returned 58.6+/-23.0 h after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The strictly retroperitoneal nephrectomy via a mini-incision is an elegant, minimally traumatic, safe, and quickly learnable method, resulting in short hospital stays, good cosmetic results, and a low grade of complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Pretransplant calcium levels have no predictive value for delayed graft function, long-term graft function, cardiovascular events, or graft and patient survival in renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of calcium homeostasis are one of the most common problems in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Elevated calcium levels increase the incidence of cardiovascular mortality in ESRD patients, and appear to be a risk factor for the occurrence of delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation. Therefore, we investigated the impact of pretransplant serum calcium levels on outcomes after kidney transplantation: DGF, acute rejection, graft function, and survival, as well as the incidence of cardiovascular events. METHODS: We studied 285 patients (96.9% of all transplanted patients) who underwent their first transplantation between 1995 and 2004. Demographic data were extracted from hospital records or were documented during follow-up; serum samples were collected at the time of transplantation. RESULTS: In our cohort the incidence of DGF was 16.5% and 35.4% of acute rejection episodes (ARE). However, pretransplant calcium levels were not related to DGF or ARE in our patient cohort. Furthermore, there was no correlation between pretransplant serum calcium level with the incidence of cardiovascular events or mortality, as well as graft function or survival. CONCLUSION: In our study population pretransplant calcium levels showed no effect on DGF, ARE rate, the occurrence of cardiovascular events or death, renal graft function, or survival. Therefore, pretransplant calcium level is not a helpful marker for risk stratification at the time of transplantation.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of intestinal haem-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in clinical and experimental colitis.

Haem-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects. We investigated HO-1 expression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and could demonstrate a scattered expression of HO-1 in the intestinal epithelium of severely inflamed colonic mucosa of patients with IBD compared to control specimens such as diverticulitis, suggesting dysregulated expression in IBD. To further analyse potential mechanisms of HO-1 induction in the intestine we employed an in vitro epithelial cell apoptosis model and an experimental colitis model. In vitro induction of HO-1 by the HO-1 inducer cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) resulted in a dose-dependent down-regulation of caspase-3 activation in HT-29 cells, indicating an anti-apoptotic function of HO-1 in the intestine. In vivo, preventive HO-1 induction by CoPP in acute dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis led to a significant down-regulation of colonic inflammation (P < 0.01) with a concomitant reduction in interferon (IFN)-gamma - but unaffected interleukin (IL)-10-secretion by isolated mesenteric lymph nodes (P < 0.01). Additionally, TUNEL staining of colonic sections demonstrated fewer apoptotic epithelial cells in the colon of CoPP treated animals. No beneficial effects were observed if HO-1 was induced by CoPP after the onset of acute colitis or in chronic DSS-induced colitis. In conclusion, the data suggest a protective role of HO-1 if it is induced before the onset of inflammation. However, as shown by the lack of effects in established acute or in chronic colitis, the induction of HO-1 may not be a promising approach for the treatment of IBD.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Short-term treatment with anti-CD44v7 antibody, but not CD44v4, restores the gut mucosa in established chronic dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.

Increased expression of CD44 variant isoforms have been shown on the inflammatory infiltrates in human and mouse colitis and blockade or deletion of CD44 isoforms inhibit experimental colitis. The objective of this study was to find out if short-term treatment of CD44 antibodies specific to CD44v7, but not to other variant isoforms, suppresses leucocyte-endothelial interaction in chronic dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Chronic colitis was induced by oral administration of four cycles of 5% DSS in BALB/c mice. Expression of CD44 was investigated on isolated mononuclear cells of the gut immune system. In established colitis, mice were treated with antibodies against CD44v7 or CD44v4 three times in 7 days. Intravital microscopy was used to study leucocyte-endothelial interactions and leucocyte extravasation. As a marker of inflammatory infiltrates myeloperoxidase was quantified in gut tissue. CD44-induced apoptosis was determined by fluorescence staining of hypodiploidic cell nuclei. In chronic DSS-induced colitis both CD44 variant isoforms, v4 and v7 were significantly up-regulated on mononuclear cells. However, whereas anti-CD44v7 antibody treatment induced a marked restoration of the gut mucosa and significantly reduced endothelial sticking and extravasation of circulating leucocyte in vivo (P < 0.01), application of anti-CD44v4 or an isotype control antibody had no anti-inflammatory effect. A significant reduction of myeloperoxidase activity was detected after blockade of CD44v7, but not v4. Short-term treatment with anti-CD44v7 antibody blocks T cell extravasation and recruitment to the intestinal mucosa and cures established experimental colitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Blocking lymphotoxin-beta receptor activation diminishes inflammation via reduced mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) expression and leucocyte margination in chronic DSS-induced colitis.

The lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LTbetaR) pathway is critical for maintenance of organized lymphoid structures and is involved in the development of colitis. To investigate the mechanisms by which LTbetaR activation contributes to the pathology of chronic inflammation we used a soluble LTbetaR-Ig fusion protein as a competitive inhibitor of LTbetaR activation in the mouse model of chronic colitis induced by oral administration of dextran sulphate sodium. Strong expression of LTbeta which constitutes part of the LTalpha(1)beta(2) ligand complex was detected in colonic tissue of mice with chronic colitis. Treatment with LTbetaR-Ig significantly attenuated the development and histological manifestations of the chronic inflammation and reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF, IL-1beta, and IL-6. Moreover, LTbetaR-Ig treatment significantly down-regulated mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) expression, leading to reduced leucocyte rolling and sticking in postcapillary and collecting venules and reduced extravasation into the intestinal mucosa as quantified by in vivo fluorescence microscopy. Thus, LTbetaR pathway inhibition ameliorates DSS-induced experimental chronic colitis in mice by MAdCAM-1 down-regulation entailing reduced lymphocyte margination and extravasation into the inflamed mucosa. Therefore, a combined treatment with reagents blocking T cell-mediated perpetuation of chronic inflammation such as LTbetaR-Ig together with direct anti-inflammatory reagents such as TNF inhibitors could constitute a promising treatment strategy for chronic colitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Morphological characterisation of Crohn's disease fistulae.

BACKGROUND: Fistulae are a common complication in up to 35% of all patients with Crohn's disease. Their therapy is difficult and frequently unsatisfactory. To date, no histological comparison of Crohn's disease fistulae with non-inflammatory bowel disease fistulae has been performed. In addition, Crohn's disease fistulae have not been well characterised morphologically. METHODS: Eighty four fistulae from Crohn's disease patients were compared with 13 fistulae from controls. Haematoxylin-eosin staining, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry for panCytokeratin (epithelial cells), CD20 (B cells), CD45R0 (T cells), and CD68 (macrophages) were performed according to standard techniques. In addition, histopathological findings were compared with clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: In 31.0% of controls and 27.4% of Crohn's disease specimens, fistulae had a lining of flattened intestinal epithelium without goblet cells or, in the case of cutaneous/perianal disease, narrow squamous epithelium. Non-epithelialised fistulae were covered by a thin layer of (myo)fibroblasts, focally forming a new basement membrane, as demonstrated by electron microscopy. All fistulae were surrounded by granulation tissue. Crohn's disease fistulae presented with central infiltration by CD45R0+ T cells, followed by a small band of CD68+ macrophages and dense accumulation of CD20+ B cells. In contrast, in controls, there was dense infiltration by CD68+ macrophages with only few CD20+ B cells and CD45R0+ T lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Fistulae in Crohn's disease differ markedly from non-Crohn's disease fistulae with regard to their cellular composition. The presence of an epithelial lining in a subgroup of fistulae may be important for the therapeutic approach and healing process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Quantification of mucosal leucocyte endothelial cell interaction by in vivo fluorescence microscopy in experimental colitis in mice.

Leucocyte recruitment to sites of intestinal inflammation is a crucial, multi-step process that leads ultimately to the accumulation of cells in the inflamed tissue. We established a new in vivo model system of experimental colitis to quantify leucocyte-endothelial cell interaction and leucocyte extravasation in the inflamed mucosa of the colon. Furthermore, we investigated the pathophysiological role of ICAM-1 in the intestinal microcirculation in vivo. Using the model of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis in mice, in vivo microscopy was performed in the colonic submucosal postcapillary venules and the submucosal collecting venules in normal or inflamed murine colonic segments. ICAM-1 expression was blocked by an anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody or by suppressing NF-kappaB activation by gliotoxin. Significant increases in leucocyte adhesiveness (51-fold in postcapillary venules, 30-fold in collecting venules, P < 0.01) and extravasation (6.5-fold) could be demonstrated as early as day 2 of DSS-application in acute colitis (P < 0.01). This was paralleled by increases in both the histological damage scores and myeloperoxidase activities. In chronic dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis significant increases in leucocyte-endothelium interactions and leucocyte extravasation were observed. Blocking ICAM-1 expression with a monoclonal antibody or gliotoxin, leucocyte sticking and extravasation were significantly down-regulated in vivo compared to controls (> 70%; P < 0.01). This new model system offers the possibility to specifically assess the role of adhesion molecules in the colonic mucosa in vivo as well as to investigate and quantify the effectiveness of experimental therapeutic approaches in acute or chronic intestinal inflammation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

[Experience with the laparoscopic repair of inguinofemoral hernias].

The authors have performed 110 inguinofemoral hernioplasties on 100 patients by transabdominal endoscopic method. There has been only one serious complication: a 50 years old man was reoperated on against a trocar-site bleeding and a postoperative adhesion-ileus. All patients recovered. The authors have got good experiences: postoperative pains are minimal, hospitality is short, ability to work comes back soon. Technics of the operation and cost-analysis are discussed here.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Surgical treatment of cholelithiasis in the era of minimal invasiveness].

Three hundred and eighty-four patients with cholelithiasis have been operated on at the author's department in two years. There were 186 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 162 micro-minilaparotomies and 36 traditional operations. All but one patients recovered. The author's opinion is, that laparoscopic and micro-minilaparotomic cholecystectomies are nearly identical operations in the treatment of cholelithiasis, but the indication of the two minimal invasive methods is not the same.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Interaction between antibiotics and non-conventional antibiotics on bacteria.

The individual activity of antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin and gentamicin in combination with compounds known to modify bacterial resistance to given antibiotics was studied using the checkerboard method. The combination of promethazine with either ampicillin, tetracycline or erythromycin or the combination of methylene blue and erythromycin produced significant synergistic activity against Escherichia coli. Verapamil, however, in combination with ampicillin reduced the activity of ampicillin against E. coli. Combinations of clomipramine with either tetracycline or erythromycin, promethazine and erythromycin or verapamil and ampicillin were synergistic against Staphylococcus epidermidis that was resistant to these antibiotics. The only synergy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown by the combination of methylene blue and gentamicin.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed2000

Differential effects of short-term ace- and AT1-receptor inhibition on postischemic injury and leukocyte adherence in vivo and in vitro.

There is recent evidence that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition reduces postischemic injury and angiotensin II receptor inhibition may have similar effects. We therefore further characterized the role of ACE- vs. AT1-receptor inhibition on cell injury and temporal association of leukocyte endothelial interaction in response to ischemia-reperfusion. A combined in vivo and in vitro study comparing the ACE inhibitor enalapril and the AT1-receptor antagonist losartan was performed. The extent and temporal correlation of cellular damage (propidium-iodide staining), microvascular perfusion failure and leukocyte-endothelial interaction (leukocyte adherence) were investigated by means of intravital microscopy, after the application of hemodynamically ineffective doses of enalapril and losartan (5 mg/kg). A hamster dorsal skinfold model with a 4-h tourniquet ischemia was used. In vitro, the effect of enalapril and losartan on polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) adherence, as well as adhesion molecule expression (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), on hypoxia- or IL-1beta-stimulated endothelial cells (HUVEC) was assessed using a PMN-adhesion assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Ischemia-reperfusion responses revealed a biphasic pattern, comprised of an early phase (30 min) of acute cellular damage and microvascular perfusion failure, followed by a late increase (240 min) in leukocyte adherence in vivo. Enalapril significantly reduced early cellular damage, microvascular perfusion failure, and leukocyte adherence in response to ischemia-reperfusion. Conversely, AT1 receptor inhibition with losartan proved to be ineffective at attenuating postischemic microcirculatory disorders (leukocyte-endothelial interactions, microvascular perfusion failure) and aggravated cellular injury. In vitro, enalapril reduced PMN adherence and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, while losartan was ineffective in the same respect. Following ischemia-reperfusion injury, ACE- versus AT1-receptor inhibition induce differential effects concerning the extent and temporal association of cell injury and leukocyte-endothelial interaction. The use of enalapril combines the beneficial effects of preventing cell and vascular injury immediately after reperfusion, with a delayed inhibition of the inflammatory response. Since the AT1-receptor inhibitor losartan did not mimic effects obtained with ACE inhibition, it is conceivable that the responses in ischemia-reperfusion are mediated by a non-angiotensin II-AT1 receptor-dependent mechanism.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed2000

Impact of polynitroxylated albumin (PNA) and tempol on ischemia/reperfusion injury: intravital microscopic study in the dorsal skinfold chamber of the Syrian golden hamster.

Nitric oxide-releasing drugs have been shown to reduce ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by acting as radical scavengers. However, their therapeutic application is hampered by specific side effects and rapid bioreduction in vivo. The half-life and antioxidant activity of nitroxides may be enhanced by their covalent binding to human serum albumin, resulting in polynitroxyl albumin (PNA). Thus, PNA may represent a novel antioxidative drug. The objectives of this study were to elucidate 1) whether PNA is able to diminish I/R injury; 2) the most effective dose of PNA in vivo; and 3) whether the addition of the nitroxide tempol enhances and/or prolongs the effect of PNA. Experiments were performed using a 4-h tourniquet-induced ischemia model in the hamster dorsal skinfold chamber. In the first part, five groups (n = 6) of animals received an infusion of 1) 1% body weight (b.w.) saline (0.9%); 2) 0.5% b.w. albumin (20%); 3) 0.5% b.w. PNA (20%); 4) 1% b.w. albumin (20%); and 5) 1% b.w. PNA (20%) 15 min prior to reperfusion. In the second part of the study, tempol (17 mg/mL) was added either to albumin or PNA (1:9), and 0.5% b.w. of this solution was infused (Group 6: tempol + albumin 0.5% b.w.; Group 7: tempol + PNA 0.5% b.w.). Intravital fluorescence microscopy allowed for quantification of functional capillary density (FCD), leukocyte adherence, extravasation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Dextran and non-viable (Propidium-positive) cell count prior to ischemia and 0.5 h, 2 h, and 24 h after reperfusion. PNA and--to a lesser extent albumin--effectively reduced postischemic microvascular perfusion failure, leukocyte adhesion, and tissue injury. PNA was most effective in the dose 1% b.w. Although free oxygen radical scavenging seems to be an underlying mechanism leading to the beneficial effects of PNA on I/R injury, hemodilution and known radical scavenging properties of pure albumin contribute in part to the observed effects. Although the combination of tempol and PNA revealed further short-term effects on microvascular perfusion and leukocyte adhesion, it did not result in a long-term improvement of tissue injury.

Albumins↗
PubMed1999

[Minimal invasive lumbar sympathectomy].

Forty-four lumbar sympathectomies have been made on 42 patients by ROMICRO-set at the authors' department. This method--made by a specially developed lighting retractor system--ensures the same exposure as the traditional approach, but the visibility of the operative field is much better. The costs of the material character are low. Technique of the operation is discussed. Authors have got good experiences: there were no complications, postoperative pain is minimal, the time of the hospitalization is shortened. A special advantage of this new approach is that it can be even made on patients-belonging to ASA IV., and they can be operated on in epidural anesthesia. The authors recommend this new method only for those surgeons who are experienced in the technique of traditional lumbar sympathectomies.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

[Life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding in Crohn disease].

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding is a very rare complication in Crohn's disease. Its occurrence has been quoted as 1-2% in the literature. A case of a 16-year old boy is reported here, who had a three-year history of Crohn's disease. After a three-day's therapy of bronchopneumonia a massive rectal bleeding began and an emergency operation had to be made. Site of the bleeding was localised by intraoperative colonoscopy and an ileocolic resection was made. The patient recovered and has done well since. Some characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic problems of the massive bleeding in Crohn's disease are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

["Open abdomen" in the treatment of necrosis in acute pancreatitis].

Eleven cases of acute necrotic pancreatitis had been treated by "open abdomen" at the author's departments. Nine patients survived, but 2 patients had been lost in MOF. Indication, technics and complications are discussed. The author's opinion is, that--on the basis of a suitable indication--"open abdomen" is a good method in the treatment of the necrosis in acute pancreatitis.

Abdomen↗