The role of cell adhesion molecules in ischemic epididymal injury

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the role of adhesion molecules in epididymal injury induced by I–R in the rats. Study design A total of 20 male Sprague–Dawley rats were separated into two groups. A sham operation was performed in group 1 (control). In group 2 (I–R), following 6 h of unilateral spermatic cord torsion, 1-h detorsion of the testis was performed. Then, epididymides were removed to measure the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and to make histological examination. Results MDA values increased in the group 2. In the group 2 rats demonstrated significant disorganization of the epithelium and loss of microvilli in the epididymal tissue. No abnormal microscopic findings of the epididymis of the rats in the control group. The tenascin expression in the interstitial area of the epididymis was intense in the group 2. ICAM-1 expression by intense brown staining was seen along the basement membrane in epididymal tissue from I to R group rats. The microvillus sites of the epithelia in I–R group were stained mildly by lectin. Conclusion The increased expression of adhesion molecules found in epididymal injury induced during postischemic reperfusion might implicate importance of inflammatory infiltration.     

Laryngocele and epiglottic cyst as rare causes of obstructive sleep apnea

Introduction  Upper airway pathologies have been reported to cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Case report  We present two rare cases of OSA, one with laryngocele secondary to partial laryngectomy and the other with epiglottic cyst. Conclusion  In the management of cases with OSA symptoms, a detailed evaluation of upper airways, including endoscopic and radiological examinations as well as polysomnography, should be done.     

The association of TNFRSF1A gene and MEFV gene mutations with adult onset Still’s disease

Adult onset Still’s disease (ASD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. ASD is characterized by fever with unknown etiology, rash, arthritis, and involvement of several organ systems. FMF and TRAPS are two important autoinflammatory diseases which characterized with recurrent inflammatory attacks. We aimed in this study to investigate the MEFV gene and TNFRSF1A gene variations in ASD. Twenty consecutive Turkish ASD patients (14 female and 6 male; mean age 38.45 ± 14; mean disease duration 3.3 ± 2.3; mean age of the disease onset 35.1 ± 14.4) and 103 healthy controls of Turkish origin were analyzed. All ASD patients were genotyped for the 4 MEFV mutations (M694V, E148Q, V726A, M680I) and TNFRSF1A gene exon 2–3 and exon 4–5 by using sequence analysis. The healthy controls are genotyped using PCR–RFLP method for intron 4 variation. The results of MEFV gene mutations screening show an increase in the MEFV mutation rate in ASD group, but it was not significantly different (p = 0.442, OR 1.64, 95 % CI 0.409–6.589). T–C polymorphism (rs1800692) was the only variation in the intron 4 of TNFRSF1A gene that we observed at the ASD patients. The frequency of TT genotype was 15 %, TC: 45 %, and CC: 40 % in ASD patients and the frequencies were 22, 41, and 37 % in healthy controls, respectively. When we analyzed the allele difference between both groups, there was no difference (p = 0.54, OR 1.24, 0.619–2.496–2.654). The variations in MEFV may have role in ASD pathogenesis. Our findings suggest that there is no significant association between ASD and TNFRSF1A variations.     

The demonstration of the number, course, and the location of nutrient artery canals of the femur by multidetector computed tomography

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number, course, width and location of nutrient artery canals of the femur by using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Methods

Sixty-six adult (35 right and 31 left) dry femurs were included in this study and scanned by MDCT. Nutrient artery canals were evaluated on the multi-planar reformatted and volume rendered images which were reproduced on the basis of axial images.

Results

The median value of nutrient artery canals was two (minimum 1 and maximum 6). We determined that there was a negative correlation between the number of nutrient canals and the canal diameters. The outer ostia of the nutrient artery canals were most frequently located at the middle third segment of femoral diaphysis (65%). While the vast majority of the canals were showing upward courses (95%), only a few canals were having transverse (3%) or downward (2%) courses. Most encountered location of outer ostia of the canals according to linea aspera was the medial lip of the linea aspera (44%). Various variations were demonstrated in the number, course, and location of nutrient artery canals using MDCT.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the knowledge of the topographic features of the nutrient artery canals may be useful in various clinical implications such as bone grafting or radiologic evaluation for the fracture lines.