A rare coronary artery anomaly: anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left anterior descending artery

Anomalous right coronary artery is a rare entity with an incidence of 0.26%. The anomalous origin usually arises from the left sinus valsalva. An anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left anterior descending artery is rare. It is usually known as a benign entity but may have clinical importance due to its course between the aorta and pulmonary artery which may cause myocardial ischemia or sudden cardiac death. Here we present an anomalous coronary artery arising from the left anterior descending artery detected by coronary artery angiogram and confirmed by multislice computed tomography thereafter. 40% retrospective electrocardiographic gating is performed and volume-rendered 3 D and axial MIP (maximum intensity projection) images were reconstructed on a Vitrea post- processing Workstation. The images demonstrated the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery arising from the proximal portion of left anterior descending artery after the first septal perforator and coursing.     

Prevalence and risk factors of depression among community dwelling elderly

Depression in the elderly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depression among community-dwelling older population in an urban setting in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 elderly individuals 65 years and over in an urban area. Cluster sampling method was used for sample size. Depression in the elderly had been diagnosed by a clinical interview and Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were collected by door-to-door survey. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. P value, which was calculated by the results of chi square test and coefficient of phi (φ), below 0.05 was included in the analysis of logistic regression. Depression was significantly associated with female gender, being single or divorced, lower educational status, low income, unemployment, and lack of health insurance. However, logistic regression analysis revealed higher depression rates in the elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psychiatric disease, cerebrovascular disease, low income and being dependent. Depression is common among community-dwelling older people in an urban area of Izmir, Turkey. Older adults living in community should be cautiously screened to prevent or manage depression.     

The appearance of free-air in the abdomen with related pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: Three case reports and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Pneumatosis sistoides intestinalis (PSI) is a rare condition with unknown origin, defined as the appearance of gas-filled cysts in the intestinal wall. It usually occurs due to respiratory infections, tumor or collagen disease, traumas, immunosuppression.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Three patients with PSI were examined that followed up and treated in our clinic. The first patient was hospitalized for emergency treatment of previously diagnosed free-air under the diaphragm. He had a defense on physical examination and free-air was detected in X-ray and abdomen CT. We decided to laparatomy and peroperatively, stenotic pylorus with an abnormally increased stomach and gas-filled cysts were seen in the terminal ileum. Antrectomy and gastrojejunostomy with partial ileum and cecum resection and end ileostomy were performed. The second patient underwent laparatomy because of intraperitoneal free-air and acute abdomen. Partial ileum and cecum resection and ileotransversostomy were performed. The third patient with intraperitoneal free-air was treated with antibiotics, oxygen treatment and bowel rest.

DISCUSSION

PSI is usually asymptomatic. Plain radiographs, USG, CT, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy can use for diagnosis. Treatment of PSI depends on the underlying cause; include elemental diet, antibiotics, steroids, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and surgery.

CONCLUSION

In patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic PSI are different treat. Symptomatic PSI can be safely treated antrectomy and gastrojejunostomy with partial ileum and cecum resection.     

Chronic bilateral hearing loss in an immunocompetent patient: An atypical course of tuberculous meningitis

Congenital, infectious, toxic, and demyelinating disorders are common etiological causes of deafness. Tuberculous meningitis, as one of the infectious causes, should be considered in the differential diagnosis since tuberculosis represents an endemic public health problem in developing countries. Multiple cranial nerve palsies can be expected due to basal meningitis; however, presentation with bilateral hearing loss is quite rare. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent mortality and residual neurologic deficits. The focus of this discussion is a 42-year-old female presenting with bilateral hearing loss and nonspecific complaints who was finally diagnosed with chronic tuberculous meningitis. We also demonstrate the characteristic radiological and histopathological findings.Congenital, infectious, toxic, vascular, tumoral, and demyelinating disorders are common etiologic factors that can result in deafness. Acoustic trauma, endolymphatic hydrops, and senility are relatively rare causes that should also be taken into account. Bilateral hearing loss is an unusual clinical presentation, resulting from any one of these conditions. Among the infectious causes, tuberculosis still represents an endemic public health problem in developing countries and tuberculous meningitis, which is the most common form of CNS involvement, accounts for 1-2% of these cases.1 Sufferers generally describe constitutional symptoms including fever and night sweats or various complaints arising from basal meningitis like headache, nausea, and/or vomiting; however, presentation with bilateral hearing loss is quite rare. The objective of this case presentation is to include tuberculous meningitis in the differential diagnosis of progressive bilateral hearing loss, and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality.     

Antibacterial and mechanical properties of propolis added to glass ionomer cement

Objective:To investigate whether adding ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) might influence the antibacterial and mechanical (shear-peel band strength [SPBS]) properties of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) used in orthodontic band cementation.Materials and Methods:The cement was divided into four groups: one using the original composition and three with 10%, 25%, and 50% EEP added to the liquid and then manipulated. An antimicrobial assay, broth-dilution method was used to determine the antibacterial capacity of the GIC containing EEP. Eighty teeth were used for the mechanical assay, and an Instron testing machine was used to evaluate the SPBS. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses.Results:GIC with the addition of 25% and 50% EEP activated inhibition of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) growth, but this effect did not occur in the group to which 10% EEP was added or in the control GIC group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of SPBS (P > .05).Conclusions:The addition of EEP may increase antibacterial properties without negatively modifying the mechanical properties of conventional GIC.     

Factor V Q 506 mutation in children with thrombosis

The factor V Leiden mutation in 12 children with thrombosis and in 20 controls was investigated. Five heterozygous individuals and 1 homozygous individual among the cases with thrombosis and 1 heterozygous individual among controls were found. Central nervous system thromboses were increased in children with the factor V mutation, associated with protein S deficiency. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Brief Report: RedChIP identifies noncoding RNAs associated with genomic sites occupied by Polycomb and CTCF proteins

Nuclear noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and chromatin organization. The progress in studying nuclear ncRNAs depends on the ability to identify the genome-wide spectrum of contacts of ncRNAs with chromatin. To address this question, a panel of RNA–DNA proximity ligation techniques has been developed. However, neither of these techniques examines proteins involved in RNA–chromatin interactions. Here, we introduce RedChIP, a technique combining RNA–DNA proximity ligation and chromatin immunoprecipitation for identifying RNA–chromatin interactions mediated by a particular protein. Using antibodies against architectural protein CTCF and the EZH2 subunit of the Polycomb repressive complex 2, we identify a spectrum of cis- and trans-acting ncRNAs enriched at Polycomb- and CTCF-binding sites in human cells, which may be involved in Polycomb-mediated gene repression and CTCF-dependent chromatin looping. By providing a protein-centric view of RNA–DNA interactions, RedChIP represents an important tool for studies of nuclear ncRNAs.     

Stellate ganglion ischemia on the prevention of pulmonary vasospasm during bilateral carotid artery ligation: The first experimental study

Fatal pulmonary edema and hemorrhage are significant complications of endovascular treatment in steno-occlusive carotid artery disease; a rational mechanism has not been adequately examined in the literature so far. We investigated if cervical sympathetic ganglia ischemia prevents pulmonary vasospasm on the prognosis of bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BCCAL). Twenty-three adult New Zealand rabbits (4.2 ± 0.3 kg) were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (G1, n = 5), the sham group (G2, n = 6), and the BCCAL group (G3, n = 12). Common carotid arteries were dissected bilaterally in G2/G3, and permanent BCCAL was applied to only in G3. All animals were followed for 3 weeks and decapitated under general anesthesia. Histopathological changes in stellate ganglia and severity of pulmonary vasospasm-related lung edema and hemorrhage were investigated. Results were analyzed by the Kruskal–Wallis test. Two animals of G3 dead within three weeks and the remainder were sacrificed three weeks later. Subpleural petechial foci and an endotracheal bloody fluid collection were grossly observed in the lungs. Histopathologically, pulmonary artery vasospasm, perivascular and subintimal edema, interalveolar hemorrhage, and alveolar wall destructions were observed with less ischemic-degenerated neuron density-determined stellate ganglia animals. Neurodegeneration of stellate ganglia may have a beneficial effect on the prevention of lung injury during steno-occlusive carotid artery disease.