Variability of histochemical and morphometric data from needle biopsy specimens of human quadriceps femoris muscle

Duplicate needle biopsies from the lateral portion of quadriceps femoris muscle from 20 young, healthy males were investigated morphometrically and histochemically. Mean results showed both the size and occurrence of the three main fibre types present to be similar to values obtained from a survey of the literature. However, considerable variations in the proportions of fibre types (coefficients of variation 30-40%) and significant (P less than 0.001) differences in fibre size between individuals were common. Within individuals, comparisons of samples taken at a reference site in the right thigh with samples obtained from deeper, more proximal or contralateral sites also often showed significant differences in fibre size. These results suggest caution is necessary when interpreting apparent changes in such values derived from subsequent biopsies of individuals.     

The predictive value of echography in diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To identify echographic signs that are predictive for the prognosis of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (VH). METHODS: Sixty eyes of 58 diabetic patients with VH were divided into two groups: group I contained 32 eyes with nonclearing diabetic VH which underwent pars plana vitrectomies. Group II contained 28 eyes which cleared spontaneously with time. The echographic signs were classified according to blood density, blood location and to the presence of vitreoretinal traction. RESULTS: The two groups showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) in the frequencies of the same echographic signs. In group I, a high or moderate density of blood in the vitreous cavity (71.5% of eyes), partial posterior vitreous detachment with one or more vitreoretinal or papillary traction sites (67.8%) and blood located in the vitreous gel (62.5%) were the main echographic signs associated with nonclearing diabetic VH. In group II, a low density of blood in the vitreous cavity (75%), total posterior vitreous detachment without a vitreoretinal or papillary traction site (68.8%) and blood in the subvitreal space (46.5%) were the main echographic signs associated with a diabetic VH that will clear with time. The presence of blood in both the vitreous gel and in the subvitreal space occurred at the same frequency (near 28%). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic examination of a diabetic VH can be predictive for the ultimate prognosis of the intraocular blood. The echographic signs found to be associated with spontaneous clearing of the hemorrhage are a low density of hemorrhage, complete vitreous detachment and blood in the subvitreal space.     

Gingival crevicular fluid alkaline phosphatase levels in postmenopausal women: effects of phase I periodontal treatment

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine how estrogen status may possibly influence gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in estrogen-deficient (ED) and -sufficient (ES) postmenopausal women at baseline (BL) and 1 year after periodontal phase I treatment (AT). METHODS: Thirty-six postmenopausal women on estrogen supplements (mean serum estradiol levels >30 pg/ml; estrogen sufficient) and 37 postmenopausal women not on estrogen supplements (mean serum estradiol levels <30 pg/ml; ED) were divided into two subgroups as chronic periodontitis and clinically healthy controls after clinical and radiographic examination. The ES group consisted of 19 control (ES/C) and 17 chronic periodontitis (ES/P) patients, and the ED group consisted of 20 control (ED/C) and 17 chronic periodontitis (ED/P) patients. Plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indices, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depths (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) scores, and GCF samples were recorded at BL and AT. The levels of ALP in the GCF were measured photometrically. The paired samples Student t and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare the ALP levels and clinical parameters between BL and AT. The correlation among the ALP and clinical parameters was analyzed using the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The mean of all clinical parameters (PI, GI, BOP, PD, and CAL) was significantly (P <0.05) higher in periodontitis groups (ES/P and ED/P) than controls (ES/C and ED/C). Periodontitis groups (ES/P and ED/P) demonstrated significantly increased GCF volumes and GCF ALP levels (P <0.05) compared to controls (ES/C and ED/C). There were no significant differences in the concentrations of ALP between periodontitis and control groups (P >0.05). The BL GCF ALP total levels of the ED/P group were significantly higher than the ES/P group (P <0.05). The BL and AT serum ALP levels of the ED/P group were not significantly but were numerically higher than the ES/P group. One year after periodontal treatment, the GCF volume, GCF ALP total, and concentrations decreased significantly in both periodontitis groups (P <0.05). However, the GCF ALP levels were still numerically higher in the ED/P group. A positive statistical correlation was found between total ALP levels and PD (r = 0.621; P <0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the presence of ALP in GCF is not simply a reflection of the local inflammation state and that a patient's estrogen status may possibly influence local ALP levels in GCF.     

Protective role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester in the liver of rats exposed to cold stress

Cold exposure can induce a form of environmental stress. Cold stress (CS) alters homeostasis, results in the creation of reactive oxygen species and leads to alterations in the antioxidant defense system. The caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, has an antioxidant capacity. We investigated the effect of CS on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system and the possible protective effect of CAPE in rat liver tissue. Twenty-four female Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: Control, CAPE-treated, CS, and CAPE-treated CS (CS + CAPE) group. Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and total glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. In addition, histological changes in liver tissue were examined by light microscopy. SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities and total GSH level were significantly declined in the CS group. In the CS + CAPE group, the activities of these three enzymes and GSH level significantly raised with regard to the CS group. MDA levels increased in the CS group and decreased in the CS + CAPE group. The tissues of the CS group showed some histopathological changes such as necrosis, hepatocyte degeneration, sinusoidal dilatation, hemorrhage and vascular congestion and dilatation. In the CS + CAPE group, the histopathological evidence of hepatic damage was markedly reduced. Histological parameters were consistent with biochemical parameters. In this study, CS increased oxidative stress in liver tissue. CAPE regulated antioxidant enzymes, inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced hepatic damage.     

Comparison of scanning electron microscopy findings regarding biofilm colonization with microbiological results in nasolacrimal stents for external, endoscopic and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM:To compare bacterial biofilm colonization in lacrimal stents following external dacryocystorhinostomy (EX-DCR), endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR), and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy (TC-DCR) with multidiode laser.METHODS: This prospective study included 30 consecutive patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent EXT-, EN-, or TC-DCR. Thirty removed lacrimal stent fragments and conjunctival samples were cultured. The lacrimal stent biofilms were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).RESULTS:Eleven (36.7%) of the 30 lacrimal stent cultures were positive for aerobic bacteria (most commonly Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). However anaerobic bacteria and fungi were not identified in the lacrimal stent cultures. Twenty-seven (90%) patients had biofilm-positive lacrimal stents. The conjunctival culture positivity after the DCR, biofilm positivity on stents, the grade of biofilm colonization, and the presence of mucus and coccoid and rod-shaped organisms did not significantly differ between any of the groups (P＞0.05). However, a significant difference was found when the SEM results were compared to the results of the lacrimal stent and conjunctival cultures (P＜0.001).CONCLUSION: Type of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery did not affect the biofilm colonization of the lacrimal stents. SEM also appears to be more precise than microbiological culture for evaluating the presence of biofilms on lacrimal stents.     

Back‐Biting Termination in Methyl Methacrylate/tert‐Butyl Acrylate Anionic Block Copolymerization

The product of spontaneous termination formed after addition of one or two t‐BuA units onto living PMMA chains in the MMA/t‐BuA block copolymerization was isolated and characterized by SEC, UV, FT‐IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy. It appears as a low‐molecular‐weight peak in SEC eluograms of the copolymers, absorbing at 260 nm; its retention time corresponds to that of the PMMA block. In its FT‐IR and Raman spectra, new bands appeared corresponding to the C?C and C?O vibrations of a conjugated and H‐bonded ester group of the enol form of the cyclic oxoester composed of MMA and t‐BuA units. Experimental support of a back‐biting reaction at the link between PMMA and Pt‐BuA blocks is presented.