Monitoring blood flow responses during topical ALA-PDT

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is currently used as a clinical treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancers. In order to optimize PDT treatment, vascular disruption early in treatment must be identified and prevented. We present blood flow responses to topical ALA-PDT in a preclinical model and basal cell carcinoma patients assessed by diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS). Our results show that ALA-PDT induced early blood flow changes and these changes were irradiance dependent. It is clear that there exists considerable variation in the blood flow responses in patients from lesion to lesion. Monitoring blood flow parameter may be useful for assessing ALA-PDT response and planning.     

Effect of pistachio diet on lipid parameters,endothelial function,inflammation, and oxidative status: A prospective study

ObjectiveRecent studies have suggested that nuts have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering. We aimed to investigate effect of the Antep pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) on blood glucose, lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidation in healthy young men living in a controlled environment.MethodsA Mediterranean diet was administered to normolipidemic 32 healthy young men (mean age 22 y, range 21–24) for 4 wk. After 4 wk, participants continued to receive the Mediterranean diet but pistachio was added for 4 wk by replacing the monounsaturated fat content constituting ≈20% of daily caloric intake. Fasting blood samples and brachial endothelial function measurements were performed at baseline and after each diet.ResultsCompared with the Mediterranean diet, the pistachio diet decreased glucose (P < 0.001, ?8.8 ± 8.5%), low-density lipoprotein (P < 0.001, ?23.2 ± 11.9%), total cholesterol (P < 0.001, ?21.2 ± 9.9%), and triacylglycerol (P = 0.008, ?13.8 ± 33.8%) significantly and high-density lipoprotein (P = 0.069, ?3.1 ± 11.7%) non-significantly. Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios decreased significantly (P < 0.001 for both). The pistachio diet significantly improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation (P = 0.002, 30% relative increase), decreased serum interleukin-6, total oxidant status, lipid hydroperoxide, and malondialdehyde and increased superoxide dismutase (P < 0.001 for all), whereas there was no significant change in C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α levels.ConclusionIn this trial, we demonstrated that a pistachio diet improved blood glucose level, endothelial function, and some indices of inflammation and oxidative status in healthy young men. These findings are in accordance with the idea that nuts, in particular pistachio nuts, have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering that deserve to be evaluated with prospective follow-up studies.     

An examination of the factors affecting intestinal wall integrity in newborns at birth

Background: An understanding of the factors that influence intestinal wall integrity during the transition from fetal to neonatal life is important to elucidate and minimize potential contributions to the development of intestinal pathologies in vulnerable newborns.

Objective: To assess the factors affecting intestinal wall integrity of late preterm and term newborns at birth.

Methods: The concentrations of serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) as biomarker of intestinal wall injury, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) as parameters of oxidative stress, and blood gas analyses were measured in the arterial cord blood of 80 newborns, delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery (labor group) or elective cesarean delivery (non-labor group).

Results: Compared with the non-labor group, I-FABP, SOD, and Gpx levels were significantly higher in the labor group. I-FABP concentration was inversely correlated with pH and BE and positively correlated with SOD and Gpx concentrations, second stage of labor duration, and active pushing time.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that oxidative stress at birth and prolonged second stage of labor may lead to the intestinal injury, which is reflected in increased serum concentration of I-FABP.     

Comparison of the inhibitory effect of different doses of subconjunctival bevacizumab application in an experimental model of corneal neovascularization

AIM: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab as single- and multiple-dose application, and compare their effects on corneal neovascularization in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experimental study. The central cornea of the rats was cauterized chemically. The rats were randomly enrolled into three groups. All groups received subconjunctival injections. In Group 1 (control group, n=10), 0.05 mL 0.9% NaCl solution was injected on the first day. In Group 2 (single-dose group, n=10), 0.05 mL bevacizumab (1.25 mg) was injected on the first day. In Group 3 (multiple-dose group, n=10), four doses of 0.05 mL bevacizumab (1.25 mg) were injected on the first, third, fifth and seventh day. Slit-lamp examination of all rats was performed at the third and ninth day. Digital images of the corneas were taken and analyzed using image analysis software to calculate corneal neovascularization area. All rats were sacrificed on the tenth day. In corneal sections, the number of blood vessels, state of inflammation and collagen formation was evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: In Group 3, corneal edema grades were significantly lower than Group 1 and Group 2 (P=0.02, and P=0.035, respectively). The mean percentage of neovascularized corneal area in Group 3 was significantly lower than Group 2 (P=0.005). On histopathological examination, Group 2 and Group 3 showed significantly less number of blood vessels than Group 1 (P=0.005, and P=0.001, respectively). Additionally, Group 3 showed significantly less number of blood vessels compared to Group 2 (P=0.019). Inflammation and edema grades were significantly lower in Group 3 compared to Group 1 (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival bevacizumab injection is effective in inhibition of newly formed corneal neovascularization. The multiple-dose bevacizumab treatment seems to be more effective compared to single-dose treatment.     

Evaluation of ceruloplasmin levels in patients undergoing surgical interventions with nasal polyps

Objective

Oxidative stress is believed to have a role in the development of nasal polyps (NPs). It is also known that ceruloplasmin (CP), an acute phase protein, limits oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ceruloplasmin levels in patients with NPs.

Methods

One hundred and twenty patients with NPs, septal deviations and concha hypertrophies were recruited to the study. Patients were divided in two groups; group 1 (n = 60) consisted of patients with NPs, and group 2 (n = 60) consisted of septal deviations and concha hypertrophies. Polyp specimens were taken from all patients who underwent endoscopic surgery due to NPs, as well as control specimens were acquired who underwent an operation due to septoplasty or concha hypertrophy. Blood and tissue samples were obtained to assess CP levels.

Results

There were no statistical differences in gender, age and biochemical values between two groups (p > 0.05 for all). Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher CP levels both in serum and the tissue samples (both p < 0.001).

Conclusion

As a result of our study; CP levels both in serum and the tissue in patients with NPs were higher, may be consequence of the inflammation, than in patients without NPs.