Jacek Karczewski^1,4, Aleksandra Zielin´ska², Rafał Staszewski³, Piotr Eder⁴, Agnieszka Dobrowolska⁴

European Cytokine Network, Vol.32, No.4, pp. 64-72, 2021, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2021.0474

Abstract The abnormal accumulation of visceral adipose tissue in obesity is associated with metabolic changes that include altered glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Obesity also coincides with increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. Accumulating evidence suggest that prolonged metabolic overload related to overnutrition, influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors, might affect immunologic self-tolerance through changes in the energy metabolism of immune cells, particularly regulatory T (Treg) cells. A strong activation of nutrient-energy signaling pathways blocks the induction of the transcription factor forkhead P3 (FOXP3), a master regulator of Treg cells, consequently inhibiting their generation More >

Eda Dokumacioglu¹, Hatice Iskender¹, Arzu Sahin², Emine Yurdakul Erturk³, Ozgur Kaynar⁴

European Cytokine Network, Vol.31, No.1, pp. 39-43, 2020, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2020.0444

Abstract Background: Along with the developing technology in the modern age, physical activity had decreased considerably in children and adolescents alike with a concomitant and rapid increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity. The purpose of the present study is to measure the levels of serum nesfatin-1 and irisin in obese children. Methods: The present study was carried out with a total of 62 children, including 32 obese children diagnosed between June 2017 and October 2017 and 30 healthy children. Serum nesfatin-1, irisin, SOD, MDA, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C, aspartate… More >

Kaylee Luck, Vernon M. Pais Jr.

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.27, No.6, pp. 10492-10492, 2020

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Jordan Allen, Necole M. Streeper

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.27, No.6, pp. 10488-10491, 2020

Abstract Obesity is a known risk factor for recurrent nephrolithiasis and it can be challenging to provide safe surgical intervention in the super obese population. Despite high weight limits on surgical beds, these often do not take into account positioning the patient on the end of the bed for dorsal lithotomy, which can risk an unsteady bed. In addition, depending on patient habitus the leg stirrups may not accommodate. There is limited literature that discusses the technical approach for positioning super obese patients in dorsal lithotomy when the weight limit approaches or exceeds the capacity of More >

Jeremy M. Steele^1,2, Tamar J. Preminger⁴, Francine G. Erenberg², Lu Wang³, Katherine Dell², Tarek Alsaied¹, Kenneth G. Zahka²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 517-524, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12754

Abstract Objectives: To determine the prevalence, age of onset, and risk factors for overweight and obesity in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Study Design: Children with CHD who were seen at our institution from 1996 to 2017 were studied. Patients were full-time residents of the United States and were receiving all cardiac care at our institution. Patients were categorized by age and CHD diagnosis. The date of last normal weight for age and the date of first recorded weight in the range of overweight and obese were documented.
Results: Nine hundred sixty-eight patients with CHD were included. The More >

Matthew Lewis¹, William Whang², Angelo Biviano², Kathleen Hickey², Hasan Garan², Marlon Rosenbaum¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 207-212, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12695

Abstract Background: Catheter ablation is commonly performed to treat atrial arrhythmias in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Despite the frequency of ablations in the ACHD population, predictors of recurrence remain poorly defined.
Objective: We sought to determine predictors of arrhythmia recurrence in ACHD patients following catheter ablation for atrial arrhythmias.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all catheter ablations for atrial arrhythmias performed in ACHD patients between January 12, 2005 and February 11, 2015 at our institution. Prespecified exposures of interest and time from ablation to recurrence were determined via chart review.
Results: Among 124 patients (mean age: 45… More >

Jacek Karczewski¹, Ewelina Śledzi´ nska², Alina Baturo², Izabela Jończyk³, Aleksander Maleszko³, Paweł Samborski², Beata Begier-Krasińska⁴, Agnieszka Dobrowolska²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.29, No.3, pp. 83-94, 2018, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2018.0415

Abstract The prevalence of obesity has recently increased dramatically and has contributed to the increasing prevalence of various pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, asthma, various types of cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and others. Accumulating evidence points to localized inflammation in adipose tissue, which, in turn, promotes systemic low-grade inflammation as a primary force contributing to the development of these pathologies. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation is required to develop effective therapeutic or prophylactic strategies. This review is aimed to present the current More >

Wesley Baas, Blake O’Connor, Ahmed El-Zawahry

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.25, No.1, pp. 9217-9219, 2018

Abstract A 57-year-old African American male presented with vague abdominal pain and bilateral flank pain. The patient was found to have bilateral hydronephrosis and significant renal function impairment secondary to pelvic lipomatosis. Pelvic lipomatosis represents a clinically-diagnosed unique cause of ureteral obstruction and subsequent renal impairment. We present a case report of newly diagnosed pelvic lipomatosis, the clinical and imaging characteristics for diagnosis, and its conservative management with serial ureteral stent exchanges. More >

Bryan D. Hinck¹, Ricardo Miyaoka¹, James E. Lingeman², Dean G. Assimos³, Brian R. Matlaga⁴, Rocky Pramanik⁵, John Asplin⁵, Benjamin Cohen¹, Manoj Monga¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.25, No.1, pp. 9199-9204, 2018

Abstract Introduction: This study aims to determine whether markers of kidney injury correlate with urinary oxalate excretion. If such a relationship exists, these biomarkers could serve as early predictors of oxalate nephropathy. Gastric bypass surgery for obesity is known to be associated with postoperative hyperoxaluria, which can lead to urolithiasis and renal damage.
Materials and methods: Patients were recruited from four large academic medical centers at least six months after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. Participants provided a spot urine sample for analysis of three established biomarkers of kidney injury: 8-iso-Prostaglandin F_2α, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. In addition, 24-hour… More >

Kevin C. Harris¹, Christine Voss¹, Kathryn Rankin², Basmina Aminzadah², Ross Gardner¹, Andrew S. Mackie²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 563-570, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12612

Abstract Objective: Individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) may be at higher risk of acquired cardiovascular disease than the general population due to their underlying physiology and/or surgical sequelae. We sought to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in youth and adults with CHD.
Methods: We assessed cardiovascular health as per the Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team (CANHEART) health index in patients with CHD aged 15+ years who attended cardiology outpatient clinics. Participants self-reported smoking behavior, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and whether they had diabetes and hypertension. Individual health indices were categorized… More >