Early protective effects of Iloprost after experimental spinal cord injury

Abstract

Serial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has not yet been validated in the therapy of experimental intracerebral hematomas in a rat model. It is possible to test the effect of local fibrinolysis and aspiration on the clot volume using serial magnetic resonance imaging and different MR-sequences. Experiments were carried out in 22 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intracerepra I hematoma was produced by injection of fresh autologous blood into the caudate nucleus using a double injection technique. Thirty minutes later 70 rats were treated by injecting 12 µl of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. MR-imaging was performed immediately after generation of the hematoma and after clot lysis. The clot volume measured in the magnetic resonance images was compared with that obtained in stained histological serial sections at the end of the experiment. Serial MR scanning demonstrated a significant reduction (p<0.07) of hematoma volume after fibrinolysis followed by aspiration of the blood clot. The best correlation between MR- and histological volumetry was found on RF-spoiled FLASH 2D-images. This study documents the efficacy of MRI in detecting and delineating the size of acute intracerebral hematomas and its time course. Local fibrinolysis and aspiration can be simulated in an experimental rat model. [Neural Res 1998; 20: 349-352]     

Effect of plasma NO<Subscript>x</Subscript> values on cardiac function in obese hypertensive and normotensive pediatric patients

Background

Hypertension (HT) is a major comorbidity of obesity that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and higher mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate cardiac function in obese hypertensive (OHT) and obese normotensive (ONT) pediatric patients and determine the effects of plasma nitric oxide (NO_x) values on cardiac function, while demonstrating the role of plasma NO_x in HT in obese pediatric patients.

Methods

The study population consisted of 62 patients (27 boys, 35 girls), aged 13–18 years and 21 age-matched healthy controls. All subjects enrolled in the study underwent echocardiography (Echo) evaluation and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for HT. Plasma NO_x and biochemical values were studied in both patient groups separately.

Results

Plasma NO_x levels were found to be lower in the OHT group than in the ONT and control groups (p?<?0.001) and to be negatively correlated with left ventricular mass index values (p?<?0.05). Both the OHT and ONT groups had concentric hypertrophy of the heart.

Conclusions

Plasma NO_x plays an essential role in obesity-induced HT. Concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle was found in both the OHT and ONT groups, indicating structural deformation of the heart.

     

Prevalence of hidden carbon monoxide poisoning in auto service workers; a prospective cohort study

Background

Carbon monoxide (CO) is formed as a result of the incomplete burning of hydrocarbon-containing fuels such as natural gas, coal, liquid petroleum gas, and wood. CO is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that produces various acute and chronic effects in CO-exposed people. In this study, we aimed to measure CO levels in auto care repairmen with chronic CO-related illnesses using a serial, non-invasive method.A prospective cohort study.

Methods

A total of 99 people from six different auto-repair services were included in the study. Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels were measured at four different times with 2-hour intervals starting at 08:00 AM. Data concerning employees’ ages, working hours, smoking statuses, and types of home heating fuel were collected. A control group of 100 cases was created based on this data. The measurements were done on the control group in the morning with a Masimo Rad-57 CO-oximeter.

Results

The highest mean (± SD) COHb value was 7.04%?±?3.32% after the third measurement. The mean value for the control group was 1.61%?±?1.43%. A statistically significant difference between the groups was found for each value.

Discussion

We determined that the risk of being affected by CO is high in buildings in which the auto services were located. The effects of chronic or prolonged exposure to low amounts of CO were found to be ambiguous. However, in some studies, it was found that low-grade CO exposure could lead to coronary artery disease and some neurological complications. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful about the health of employees who have been exposed to CO.

Conclusions

We concluded that there is a need for more detailed studies concerning chronic CO poisoning. Also, in workplaces in which there is high exposure to CO, proper workplace safety measures should be taken to reduce this gas’s harmful effects to employees.

     

Obstructive sleep apnoea, cigarette smoking and serum testosterone levels in a male sleep clinic cohort

This study evaluated the impact of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and smoking on total serum testosterone levels in 96 men (mean age 43.3 years; range 25 - 60 years) attending a sleep clinic. Fifty-five men (57.3%) had OSA, defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index of > or = 15 events/h, recorded during overnight polysomnography, and 42 (43.8%) were current smokers. Mean serum total testosterone levels were significantly lower in OSA subjects (3.4 ng/ml) than in non-OSA subjects (3.9 ng/ml), whereas no significant difference was observed between current smokers and nonsmokers. In a multiple linear regression analysis, serum testosterone was negatively correlated with body mass index and the apnoea-hypopnoea index, but not with age and pack-years of smoking. Our results support previous observations regarding testosterone levels in men with OSA, but, contrary to some earlier reports, there was no positive relationship between smoking and total testosterone in the present cohort.     

Relationship between tear eotaxin-2 and MMP-9 with ocular allergy and corneal topography in keratoconus patients

International Ophthalmology - To analyze the relationship between the seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), eotaxin-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and the topographical findings in the...     

Serum Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

PurposeTo evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).MethodsFifty-six patients with NAION and 60 age-sex matched healthy controls were included in the study. Demographic characteristics and laboratory findings of the patients and the controls were obtained from the electronic medical records. NLR, PLR, MLR, and SII were calculated and compared between the groups. Cutoff values were also determined.ResultsNeutrophil, monocyte and platelet counts were higher in the NAION group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The mean NLR and SII were higher in the NAION group than in the control group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.011, respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the areas under the curve for NLR were 0.67, and NLR >1.79 predicted NAION with a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 59%. The areas under the curve for SII was 0.66, and SII of >417 predicted NAION with a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 49%. There was no significant difference in PLR and MLR between the groups (p = 0.105 and p = 0.347, respectively).ConclusionsThe current study demonstrated that NAION patients had increased NLR and SII levels compared with control subjects. Elevated NLR and SII might serve as readily available inflammatory predictors in NAION patients.