Role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of mucormycosis

Several problems in the management of life-threatening mucormycosis remain unresolved, necessitating new methods of management. Four patients with histopathologically proven rhinocerebral mucormycosis were treated with high cumulative doses of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). All had multiple predisposing factors for mucormycosis, particularly leukemia and neutropenia. Two patients refractory to fluconazole therapy were treated with liposomal amphotericin B. The improvement in clinical manifestations was closely related to neutrophil recovery, and all patients were alive at the end of therapy. In addition to surgical debridement and antifungal therapy, G-CSF seems to have played a role in their survival.     

A novel antioxidant agent caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents shock wave-induced renal tubular oxidative stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the novel free radical scavenger caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) induced renal impairment. The study was performed using 30 rabbits which were divided into two groups, each exposed to 3,000 shock waves at 18 kV: (1) control group, (2) ESWL+CAPE treated group. Malodialdehyde (MDA), urine N-acetyl--glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, uric acid and white cell counts were used as markers of oxidative stress. Following shock wave exposure there was a significant rise in MDA, NAG and uric acid and white cell counts. CAPE reduced the rise in MDA, NAG, uric acid and white cell counts. Thus CAPE treatment to a great extent prevented the induction of these renal changes. Our results suggest that the antioxidant capacity of the kidney tissue was reduced after ESWL treatment and that the tissue was exposed to oxidant stress. We conclude that CAPE treatment provided significant protection against ESWL induced free radical damage.     

Effects of Different Resistance Exercise Protocols on Nitric Oxide,Lipid Peroxidation and Creatine Kinase Activity in Sedentary Males

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes of oxidative response and exercise-induced muscle damage after two different resistance exercise protocols. Whether training with low or high intensity resistance programs cause alterations in the activities of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO_x), and creatine kinase (CK) activity in human plasma was investigated. Twenty untrained males participated into this study. Ten of the subjects performed high intensity resistance (HR) exercise circuit and the rest of them performed low intensity resistance (LR) exercise circuit of 4 different exercises as a single bout. Venous blood samples were drawn pre-exercise, immediately after the exercise, and at the 6^th, 24^th, 48^th and the72^nd hours of post-exercise. Samples were analyzed for markers of muscle damage (CK), lipid peroxidation (MDA) and NO_x. NO_x production increased in HR group (p < 0.05). The MDA response to the two different resistance exercise protocol in this study caused a significant increase between pre and post-exercise values in both groups (p < 0.05). Also, there was a significant difference in the MDA level between the two groups in post-exercise values (p < 0.05) and higher values were observed in HR group. CK activities showed a significant increase in all post exercise values (p < 0.05) of both groups but there were no difference between HR and LR groups. These findings support that high intensity resistance exercise induces free radical production more than low intensity resistance exercise program.

Key points

• High intensity resistance exercise caused increases in NO_x, MDA and CK levels.
• Light intensity resistance exercises increased MDA and CK levels but did not affect NO_x levels.
• Damage arose during resistance exercises may be related to the level of resistance applied.

Key words: Anaerobic, intensity, lipid peroxidation, damage, blood     

Assessment of the relationship between asymmetric dimethylarginine and severity of erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease

The plasma concentration of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, has been linked to endothelial dysfunction. We investigated the relation between plasma ADMA concentration and severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease (CAD). We measured plasma levels of ADMA in 92 male patients. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 41), patients with ED and without CAD; group 2 (n = 29), patients with stable CAD; group 3 (n = 22), control group (patients without CAD or ED). Erectile function was evaluated by the erectile function domain of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-EFD) a validated 15-item self-administered questionnaire. Erectile function is specifically addressed by six questions that form the so-called erectile function domain of the questionnaire. Each question is scored 0–5. ED is defined as any value <26. Patients with CAD who have stable angina pectoris were selected after coronary angiography. ADMA was analyzed by ELISA method. Group 1 had significantly higher concentrations of plasma ADMA than groups 2 and 3 (respectively, 0.75 ± 0.40 vs. 0.50 ± 0.30, P = 0.013; 0.75 ± 0.40 vs. 0.50 ± 0.25, P = 0.021). There was negative correlation between ADMA and IIEF-EFD score in all groups (n = 92) (r = −0.322, P = 0.002). In a multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, hyperlipidemia, ADMA remained independent predictor for severe ED. Odds ratio for plasma ADMA was 14.151 (1.101–181.940; P = 0.042). First of all, this study provides that ADMA concentrations are significantly higher in patients who have ED when compared to patients with CAD and controls. Second, there was a negative correlation between ADMA and severity of ED. Elevating levels of circulating ADMA is an independent risk factor for severe of ED, and ADMA may be a link between CAD and ED.     

Autonomic dysfunction detection by an automatic pupillometer as a non-invasive test in patients recovered from COVID-19

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To recognize dysfunctions in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with changes in dynamic and static pupillary responses in patients...     

Evaluation of parafoveal vascular density using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy

Lasers in Medical Science - Using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), we sought to evaluate parafoveal vascular density (VD) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)....     

Circumcision during the phallic period: does it affect the psychosexual functions in adulthood?

The aim of this study was to elucidate whether circumcision during the phallic period (3‐to 6‐year old) has a negative impact on psychosexual functions in adulthood. Over a 6‐month period, healthy and sexually active men between 30 and 40 years without any comorbidities were involved. Participants were evaluated with detailed history, physical examination, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and Beck Depression Inventory. Cases were divided into two groups according to the age at circumcision (group‐1: phallic period, group‐2: nonphallic period). Student's t‐test and Kruskall–Wallis were used for statistical analysis. Of the 321 participants, a total of 302 men were eligible for the study (group‐1: n = 135, group‐2: n = 167). No statistical difference was found between the mean total IIEF scores (group‐1: 25.1 ± 4.8, group‐2: 25.4 ± 4.6, P > 0.05). The subdomains of IIEF; erectile function, orgasm, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, overall satisfaction were also found to be comparable. Additionally, the PEDT scores were similar between the two groups (group‐1: 8.2 ± 4.8, group‐2: 8.7 ± 5.4, P > 0.05). Finally, Beck depression scores were also found to be comparable between the groups (group‐1: 10.8 ± 10.4, group‐2: 9.8 ± 8.9, P > 0.05). Our results suggest that circumcision during the phallic period does not negatively affect the psychosexual functions in adulthood.