Medium-latency reflex response elicited from the flexor carpi radialis by radial nerve stimulation

The H reflex obtained from the flexor carpi radialis muscle by median nerve stimulation is a well-known monosynaptic reflex. However, the origin of the late responses is still contentious. Radial nerve stimulation was performed through the spiral groove, and EMG recording was obtained from the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles. An M response followed by an F response was achieved from the ECR by radial nerve stimulation; the antagonistic FCR muscle elicited a late response. A total of 25 cases were included in this study. In 22 of these cases, a response with a latency of 40.97 ± 5.35 ms was obtained from the FCR by radial nerve stimulation. When extension of the hand was restricted, the response disappeared in five of nine cases. Application of cold markedly suppressed the response and prolonged the latency of the FCR medium-latency reflex response (FCR-MLR). Oral tizanidine considerably suppressed the FCR-MLR response. Two out of eight cases did not exhibit any response. No response could be recorded from a patient with complete amputation of the right hand. The FCR-MLR is the reflex caused by stretching of the FCR muscle from radial nerve stimulation, and it is greatly influenced by group II afferents.     

Sildenafil treatment attenuates lung and kidney injury due to overproduction of oxidant activity in a rat model of sepsis: a biochemical and histopathological study

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Sildenafil (SLD) is a selective and potent inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase PDE5. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of sildenafil on caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in rats. Four groups of rats were used, each composed of 10 rats: (i) 10 mg/kg SLD-treated CLP group; (ii) 20 mg/kg SLD-treated CLP group; (iii) CLP group; and (iv) sham-operated control group. A CLP polymicrobial sepsis model was applied to the rats. All groups were killed 16 h later, and lung, kidney and blood samples were analysed histopathologically and biochemically. Sildenafil increased glutathione (GSH) and decreased the activation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and of lipid peroxidase (LPO) and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the septic rats. We observed a significant decrease in LPO and MPO and a decrease in SOD activity in the sildenafil-treated CLP rats compared with the sham group. In addition, 20 mg/kg sildenafil treatment in the sham-operated rats improved the biochemical status of lungs and kidneys. Histopathological analysis revealed significant differences in inflammation scores between the sepsis group and the other groups, except the CLP + sildenafil 10 mg/kg group. The CLP + sildenafil 20 mg/kg group had the lowest inflammation score. Sildenafil treatment decreased the serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α level when compared to the CLP group. Our results indicate that sildenafil is a highly protective agent in preventing lung and kidney damage caused by CLP-induced sepsis via maintenance of the oxidant-anti-oxidant status and decrease in the level of TNF-α.     

Nerve conduction study of ulnar nerve in volleyball players

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is a common disorder seen in the throwing athlete. The purpose of our study was to determine whether asymptomatic physically active volleyball players and non-actives demonstrate distinct differences in nerve conduction of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Nerve conduction studies were performed on both arms of 24 male volleyball players and 24 male non-actives. Nerve conduction velocity at the above to below elbow segment of the ulnar motor nerve were slower in the volleyball players compared with controls and their non-dominant arms. There were no statistical differences in latencies and conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve on the forearm, both in volleyball players and in the controls. In the evoked responses of the ulnar nerve, the amplitude was the same as corresponding normal values in both sensory nerve and muscle action potentials. We conclude that abnormal ulnar (motor) nerve conduction at the elbow segment may suggest a subclinical entrapment neuropathy as a result of strenuous elbow movements in volleyball players.     

Prevalence estimation and familial tendency of common forefoot deformities in Turkey: A survey of 2662 adults

Objective

This survey was designed to evaluate the prevalence estimations of HV, bunionette, hammertoe as well as their relations to shoe wearing and also familial tendency, in Turkey.

Changes in connexin43 in early ocular surface development

PURPOSE: In the limbo-corneal epithelium the stem and early precursor epithelial cell pool is confined to the limbal rim. Among the features associated with this spatial segregation is the general paucity of connexin43 (Cx43) within the limbal basal cell population and its complete absence in resident stem cells. The limbo-corneal epithelial lineage derives from a Cx43-positive (Cx43+) embryonic outer ectoderm. Accordingly, as a means of identifying the process through which limbal cell phenotypes emerge, we investigated the expression of Cx43 in the ocular surface of embryonic rats. METHODS: Ocular surface expression of Cx43 or K12 was determined in cryostat sections of rat embryos and eyes using immunohistological methods. RESULTS: Changes in Cx43 expression revealed the early phenotypic divergence of three main epithelial cell phenotypes of the ocular surface. An analysis of the level and distribution pattern of Cx43 puncta lead to the identification of two distinct domains by embryonic day 10 (E10), a stage that occurs soon after formation of the lens vesicle. Additionally, at E12, ectodermal cells directly adjacent to the edges of the developing retina no longer express connexin. A comparison of anatomical and expression changes throughout embryonic development demonstrated that the two early zones represent the rudiments for the epithelia of the central cornea and conjunctiva, respectively, and that the isolated Cx43-negative (Cx43-) cells represent the precursors of the basal and, putatively, stem cells of the limbal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in Cx43 expression revealed that the phenotypic divergence of ocular surface epithelial cells and the generation of limbo-corneal stem cell precursors takes place at a very early stage in ocular development, ahead of the establishment of any identifiable anatomical or differentiation features for these domains.     

The effect of CAPE on lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in the plasma of rats following thermal injury

Both experimental and clinical studies have shown that oxygen-derived free radicals rise in the plasma after thermal injury and participate in the pathogenesis of tissue damage. Hence, various antioxidant molecules have been used in treatment of burn injury both experimentally and clinically. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis from honeybee hives, is known to have potent antioxidant property. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on oxidative stress in plasma of burned rats. Experiment was designed in three groups of rats with 20% full-thickness burn: (a) sham burn (n = 7); (b) burn only (n = 22); (c) burn + treatment with CAPE (n = 22). Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and the activities of xanthine oxidase (XO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were used as both bio-indicators of oxidant status and determinant of antioxidant effect of CAPE. They were assessed by biochemical methods at 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th post-burn days. In conclusion, CAPE was shown to possess antioxidant activity by saving SOD activity, preventing XO activity and decreasing the levels of MDA, and NO. Our study showed that CAPE may be beneficial in burn injury.     

Erdosteine prevents bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, erdosteine, an antioxidant, is expected to have an inhibitor potential against the disease. Rats were given one dose of bleomycin in pulmonary fibrosis groups and saline in controls. The first dose of oral erdosteine (10 mg/kg/day) was given 2 days before the bleomycin injection to achieve the plateau level in blood and continued until killing. At day 14, fibrotic changes were evaluated, using Aschoft's criteria and lung hydroxyproline content. Bleomycin produced a fivefold increase in fibrosis score that was decreased by 87% by erdosteine (P>0.001) and almost twofold increases in hydroxyproline content which were completely prevented by erdosteine. Myeloperoxidase activities and MDA levels, which were significantly higher in the bleomycin group, were then significantly attenuated by erdosteine. These results revealed that oral erdosteine may prevent the development of acute pulmonary inflammation caused by bleomycin injection via the repression of neutrophil accumulation and lipid peroxidation, resulting in the inhibition of subsequent lung fibrosis.     

Delayed traumatic occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery after earthquake: report of two cases

We report on two patients with head and neck injuries, who remained asymptomatic after the earthquake for 1 and 2 years, respectively. They developed late transient ischemic neurological signs and eventually presented with complete occlusion of the internal carotid artery. They made a good recovery with medical treatment. Focal cerebral ischemic symptoms may develop months or even years after the head or neck trauma, and internal carotid artery occlusion should be considered in differential diagnosis as a late complication.     

Idiopathic stabbing headache and experimental ice cream headache (short-lived headaches)

Idiopathic stabbing headache (ISH) and ice cream headache occur due to paroxysmal firing of trigeminal pathways and a defect in pain control mechanisms. Any defect in pain control mechanisms appears to be localized to the affected areas. Therefore, we compared ISH and experimentally induced ice cream headache localizations in the same group of migraine sufferers to investigate similarities and differences between these headaches. The percentage of ice cream headache localizations restricted to 'in front of the vertex/on the vertex' was 94%, while it was 45% for ISH. The percentage of ice cream headache occurrence behind the vertex was 6% and 55% for ISH. Due to the widespread distribution of ISH in the head, there might be irritation of various branches of the trigeminal nerve, while the restricted localizations of ice cream headache suggest irritation of a certain branch or branches of the trigeminal nerve, e.g. in the oropharynx. Either widespread or restricted irritation of trigeminal pathways causes either ISH or ice cream headache, in which intermittent deficits in central pain control mechanisms seem to be playing the key role.