Second recurrence of familial cardiac myxomas in atypical locations

Recurrence rates reported for cardiac myxomas are 4% to 7% for sporadic cases and 10% to 21% for familial cases. Although recurrence rates are high, second recurrences are rare. Familial cardiac myxomas in a mother and daughter are reported, both of whom had their second recurrences within six years. Both had recurrences in uncommon places, such as the left atrial posterior wall, between the left atrial appendage and the pulmonary vein, and the anterior mitral leaflet.     

Long-term use of HU210 adversely affects spermatogenesis in rats by modulating the endocannabinoid system

Recent societal acceptance of cannabinoids as recreational and therapeutic drugs has posed a potential hazard to male reproductive health. Mammals have a highly sophisticated endogenous cannabinoid (ECS) system that regulates male (and female) reproduction and exo-cannabinoids may influence it adversely. Therefore it is imperative to determine their effects on male reproduction so that men can make informed choices as to their use. Here, an animal model was used to administer HU210, a synthetic analogue of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and potent cannabinoid receptor (CB) agonist to determine its effects on reproductive organ weights, spermatogenesis, testicular histology and sperm motility. Its effects on the physiological endocannabinoid system were also investigated. Spermatogenesis was markedly impaired with reductions in total sperm count after 2?weeks of exposure. Spermatogenic efficiency was depleted, and Sertoli cell number decreased as exposure time increased with seminiferous tubules showing germ cell depletion developing into atrophy in some cases. Sperm motility was also adversely affected with marked reductions from 2?weeks on. HU210 also acted on the sperm's endocannabinoid system. Long-term use of exo-cannabinoids has adverse effects on both spermatogenesis and sperm function. These findings highlight the urgent need for studies evaluating the fertility potential of male recreational drug users. HU210, a selective agonist for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors impairs spermatogenesis and sperm motility and deregulates the endocannabinoid system.     

Desferoxamine and Urinary Zinc Excretion in β-Thalassemia Major

This study has been undertaken to find out whether urinary zinc excretion, which is already increased in patients with thalassemia, is further increased by usual and high doses of desferrioxamine (DF). A total of 11 β-thalassemia major patients were included. DF infusions have been performed with doses, either 50 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg. Nine age and sex matched normal children were taken as the control group. The mean basal-Zn excretion of the patients was significantly higher than the mean Zn excretion observed in controls. No significant difference is observed between the mean Zn excretion obtained on different doses of DF. However, they are both significantly higher than the mean basal-Zn levels of the controls.     

Surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid disease: a comparison of children and adults

Background

Hydatid cyst still remains an important health problem in our country as in many Mediterranean countries. The disease may affect children, and its treatment may be challenging in this age group. Surgery is the primary way of treatment. In the current study, the features unique to childhood pulmonary hydatid disease are emphasized.

Methods

Between 1992 and 2003, 301 patients were operated on because of pulmonary hydatid cyst in our hospital; 44 of them were 14 years or younger. They were categorized as pediatric patients. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical data of the patients.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 10.6 ± 3.7 years (5-14 years) in children and 32.2 ± 14 years (16-75 years) in adults. The rate of intact cyst was 71% in children and 57% in adults (P = .07). The mean diameter of the cyst was 8.5 ± 3.1 cm (3-15 cm) and 6.6 ± 3 cm (2-16 cm) in children and adults, respectively (P < .001). The rate of parenchyme-saving procedures was 84.1% in children, whereas 94.9% in adults. Lobectomy was performed in 16% of children, whereas it was performed in 1.5% of adults (P < .001). Morbidity rates were 13.6% in children and 11.6% in adults. No children but 1 adult died. Long-term follow-up revealed the recurrence rates as 4.5% in children and 4.3% in adults.

Conclusions

Surgery, the primary method of treatment of hydatid cyst, is safe. Parenchyma-saving procedures such as cystotomy and capitonnage should be performed as much as possible. Nevertheless, hydatid cyst can reach relatively larger dimensions in children than in adults, which causes parenchyme destruction eventually leading to lung resection.     

Resveratrol, a Red Wine Constituent Polyphenol, Protects Gastric Tissue Against the Oxidative Stress in Cholestatic Rats

This experimental study was designed to determine the effects of resveratrol on the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) in gastric tissue after bile duct ligation (BDL). Swiss albino rats were divided into three groups: Group 1, sham (n = 7); Group 2, BDL (BDL only group; n = 7); and Group 3, BDL plus resveratrol (n = 7). Animals in the resveratrol group were treated with 10 mg/kg resveratrol (i.p.) once a day throughout 28 days. In the resveratrol group, levels of MDA and NO in gastric tissue were significantly lower than in the BDL-only group (P < 0.001). The level of GSH in the resveratrol group was significantly higher than in the BDL-only group (P < 0.001). The present study demonstrates that intraperitoneal administration of resveratrol maintains antioxidant defenses and reduces oxidative gastric damage. This effect of resveratrol may be useful to preserve gastric tissue under oxidative stress due to cholestasis.     

EFFECTS OF TRIMETAZIDINE ON OXIDANT/ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN TRINITROBENZENESULFONIC ACID-INDUCED CHRONIC COLITIS

Trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti-ischemic agent with proposed antioxidant properties, was used in a chronic colitis model in order to evaluate its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent in chronic colitis. Treatment of male Swiss Albino rats with ethanol (50%) and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) (30 mg/kg) produced colitis as evidenced by histopathologic damage and inflammatory alterations, lipid peroxidation [increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels], and enhanced neutrophil infiltration [increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity] without marked change in glutathione status. Administration of TMZ (5 mg/kg) to TNBS-treated rats failed to affect the TNBS-induced changes in histopathology and MPO activities. Unexpectedly, intrarectal (ir) administration of TMZ significantly elevated colonic MDA levels to a greater extent than TNBS alone. Intraperitoneal (ip) TMZ treatment seemed to increase total glutathione (tGSH), GSH, and GSH/GSSG values. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that (a) ir administration of ethanol and TNBS is an effective way of inducing a chronic colitis model, (b) inflammation and lipid peroxidation augment tissue damage in the chronic colitis model, (c) ip TMZ treatment significantly inhibits MDA production in the chronic colitis model, (d) TMZ treatment is more effective via the ip compared to ir route, and (e) TMZ seems to show its antioxidant effect via preserving the tissue's GSH/GSSG ratios.     

β-Globin chain abnormalities with coexisting α-thalassemia mutations

Introduction

The frequency of hemoglobinopathies is still high in Adana, the biggest city of the Cukurova Region that is located in the southern part of Turkey. Our aim was to identify the concomitant mutations in α- and β-globin genes which lead to complex hemoglobinopathies and to establish an appropriate plan of action for each subject, particularly when prenatal diagnosis is necessary.

Material and methods

We studied the association between the β-globin gene and α-thalassemia genotypes. The reverse hybridization technique was employed to perform molecular analysis, and the results were confirmed by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique.

Results

We evaluated 36 adult subjects (28 female and 8 male; age range: 18-52 years) with concomitant mutations in their α- and β-globin genes. The –α^3.7/αα deletion was the commonest defect in the α-chain as expected, followed by α^3.7/–α^3.7 deletion. Twenty-five of 36 cases were sickle cell trait with coexisting α-thalassemia, while seven Hb S/S patients had concurrent mutations in their α-genes. The coexistence of α^PolyA-2α/αα with Hb A/D and with Hb S/D, which is very uncommon, was also detected. There was a subject with compound heterozygosity for β-globin chain (–α^3.7/αα with IVSI.110/S), and also a case who had –α^3.7/αα deletion with IVSI.110/A.

Conclusions

Although limited, our data suggest that it would be valuable to study coexisting α-globin mutations in subjects with sickle cell disease or β-thalassemia trait during the screening programs for premarital couples, especially in populations with a high frequency of hemoglobinopathies.