Rick D. Vavolizza^1,2, Pe’er Dar^3,4, Barrie Suskin^3,4, Robert M. Moore^4,5, Kenan W.D. Stern^1,4

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 407-412, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12584

Abstract Objective: Suboptimal cardiac imaging on obstetric ultrasound is a frequent referral indication for fetal echocardiography, even in the absence of typical risk factors for fetal cardiac disease. The clinical profile of patients and findings of examinations performed for such an indication are not well defined. Given the increased cost, time and resource utilization of fetal echocardiography, we sought to determine the clinical findings of such referrals.
Study Design: We performed a single-center review of such referrals from January 2010 to June 2016. Patients with commonly accepted indications for fetal echocardiography were excluded. Demographic variables and echocardiogram findings… More >

Jonathan Komisar¹, Shubhika Srivastava², Miwa Geiger², John Doucette³, Helen Ko², Jay Shenoy², Rajesh Shenoy²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 67-73, 2017

Abstract Background: Antenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects (CHD) can impact outcomes in neonates with severe CHD. Obstetric screening guidelines and the indications for fetal echocardiography (FE) have evolved in an attempt to improve the early prenatal detection of CHD. Analyzing yield for specific indications will help clinicians better stratify at-risk pregnancies.
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all FE performed between 2000 and 2010 at a single tertiary care academic medical center in New York City. A total of 9878 FE met inclusion criteria for our study. In cases of multiple gestations (MG), each fetus was counted as… More >

Jordan A. Siegel, Lee Zhao, Isamu Tachibana, Scott Carlson, Timothy J. Tausch, Alexandra K. Klein, Alex Vanni, Thomas Rozanski, Allen F. Morey

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.23, No.3, pp. 8291-8295, 2016

Abstract Introduction: To present a series of patients who underwent surgical treatment for massive localized lymphedema (MLL) of the male genitalia and explore the utility of the LigaSure hemostatic vessel sealing device (VSD) for resection of advanced cases.
Materials and methods: Although conservative and microsurgical treatments have been reported, MLL of the male genitalia requires open surgical resection with primary reconstruction. We reviewed our prospectively maintained database of all lymphedema excisions performed between January 2007 and December 2014 comparing resection with Bovie electrocautery to resection with the LigaSure VSD. Our analysis focused on any significant differences in rate… More >

Ozen Oz Gul¹, Soner Cander², Bulent Gul³, Ebru Açıkgoz⁴, Emre Sarandol⁴, Canan Ersoy¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.4, pp. 73-78, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0370

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate insulin resistance and plasma levels of visfatin and resistin in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).A total of 37 premenopausal PCOS patients with (n = 18, mean (SD) age: 27.5 (5.7 years) or without obesity (n = 19, mean (SD) age: 23.7 (3.1) years) and healthy volunteers (n = 18, mean (SD) age:29.8 (4.1) years) were included in this study. Data on clinical characteristics, glycemic parameters and lipid parameters were recorded for each subject as were plasma visfatin and resistin levels. Mean (SD) HOMA-IR values were… More >

Alton G. Sutter¹, Arun P. Palanisamy¹, Justin D. Ellet¹, Michael G. Schmidt², Rick G. Schnellmann^3,4, Kenneth D. Chavin¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.25, No.4, pp. 69-76, 2014, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0359

Abstract Steatotic livers are more sensitive to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and are thus routinely rejected for transplantation because of their increased rate of primary nonfunction (PNF). Lean livers have less I/R-induced damage and inflammation due to Kupffer cells (KC), which are protective after total, warm, hepatic I/R with associated bowel congestion. This protection has been linked to KC-dependent expression of the potent anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10).We hypothesized that pretreatment with exogenous IL-10 would protect the steatotic livers of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice from inflammation and injury induced by I/R. Lean and ob/ob mice were pretreated with either More >

Gwen M. Grimsby, Mark D. Tyson, Christopher E. Wolter

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.19, No.1, pp. 6088-6093, 2012

Abstract Introduction: Little is known regarding factors that contribute to the long term success or failure of the transobturator male sling for stress urinary incontinence. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the transobturator male sling for stress urinary incontinence based on body mass index (BMI).
Materials and methods: A retrospective review was performed of 31 transobturator male slings placed at a single institution from 2008 to 2010. Success of the procedure was defined as resolution of leakage or great improvement of leakage by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale and lack of… More >

Atefeh Golpaie^1,2, Narges Tajik^1,2, Farzad Masoudkabir³, Zohreh Karbaschian¹, Mohammad Talebpour^2,4, Mostafa Hoseini⁵, Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar^1,2

European Cytokine Network, Vol.22, No.4, pp. 181-186, 2011, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2011.0295

Abstract Background. The aims of this study were to evaluate the short-term effects of laparoscopic restrictive bariatric surgery (LRBS) on plasma levels of vaspin and the potential associations of changes in vaspin levels with changes in anthropometric indices, insulin-resistance and dietary intake. Methods. Thirty, severely obese subjects (21 female; mean age, 32.5 years) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 44.1 ± 4.9 kg/m² underwent LRBS. Measurements of anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, physical activity and plasma vaspin concentrations were performed prior to, and six weeks after LRBS. Insulin-sensitivity was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment of… More >

Claudia Ress¹, Alexander Tschoner¹, Christian Ciardi¹, Markus W. Laimer¹, Julia W. Engl¹, Wolfgang Sturm¹, Helmut Weiss², Herbert Tilg³, Christoph F. Ebenbichler¹, Josef R. Patsch¹, Susanne Kaser¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.1, pp. 65-70, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2009.0177

Abstract Background. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases [TIMPs]), are involved in adipogenesis, angiogenesis and remodeling of extracellular matrix. MMPs and TIMPs have been shown to be associated with various diseases such as neurological disorders, malig-nancies and cardiovascular disease. MMPs and TIMPs are thought to play a major role in extensive reorganization of the adipose tissue in obesity. Methods and materials. To test whether significant weight loss alters circulating MMPs and TIMPs, 18 morbidly obese women, who underwent bariatric surgery for weight loss, were investigated before and one year after surgery… More >

Daniel J. Moskovic, Hugh J. Lavery, Jamil Rehman, Fatima Nabizada-Pace, Jonathan Brajtbord, David B. Samadi

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 5291-5298, 2010

Abstract Introduction: Given the anatomic constraints of obese patients, concern exists as to whether robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is appropriate in patients with higher body mass index (BMI). We reviewed a large RALP database to determine if clinical outcomes are related to BMI.
Methods: The records of patients who underwent a RALP from 2003-2009 were reviewed. BMI stratifications were concordant with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) standards: ≥ 30, ≥ 25 and < 30, and < 25 were classified as obese, overweight, and normal weight, respectively. Baseline, perioperative, histopathologic, and functional outcome data were collected.
Results: A… More >

Ragnar Asplund^1,2

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 3424-3428, 2007

Abstract Objective: To assess the relationship of nocturia and sleep to body weight.
Materials and methods: A questionnaire survey among all (n=10216) members of a pensioners' association in the Swedish counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten.
Results: A total of 6103 evaluable questionnaires were received, of which 39.5% were from men. The response rate was 61.3%. The ages of the male and female participants were 73.0 (6.0) [mean (SD)] and 72.6 (6.7) years, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was 25.4 (3.1) in men and 25.4 (3.7) in women. BMI increased in parallel with increasing number of nocturnal micturition episodes More >