Erythropoietin exerts neuroprotection after acute spinal cord injury in rats: effect on lipid peroxidation and early ultrastructural findings

Lipid peroxidation has been reported to play an important role in spinal cord injury (SCI). Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates proliferation and differentiation of erythroid precursor cells and is also known to exert neurotrophic activity in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of recombinant human EPO in attenuating the severity of experimental SCI. Rats were divided into seven groups. Controls (1) received only laminectomy. The trauma-only group (2) underwent 50-g/cm contusion injury and had no medication. In group 3, 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone was introduced. The vehicle group (4) received vehicle solution containing human serum albumin, which is a solvent of EPO. Groups 5, 6, and 7 received 100 IU/kg, 1,000 IU/kg, and 5,000 IU/kg of EPO, respectively. All treatments were given as single doses, intraperitoneally, immediately after injury. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were estimated to demonstrate lipid peroxidation, and ultrastructure was evaluated by electron microscopy. The results showed that lipid peroxidation by-products increased after injury. Administration of EPO and methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) reduced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances after trauma. The best biochemical results were obtained with 5,000 IU/kg of EPO. Electron microscopic findings showed that EPO protected the spinal cord from injury. Although 1,000 IU/kg and 5,000 IU/kg of EPO inhibited lipid peroxidation better than MPSS, ultrastructural neuroprotection was similar.     

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of IPN hydrogels for antibiotic release

We prepared new ternary interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPN) systems containing chitosan, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(acrylamide) polymers. IPNs were synthesized by radical polymerization of acrylamide monomers in presence of glutaraldehyde (G) and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinkers and the other polymers. These IPNs were named as C-P-A. Glutaraldehyde were used in different concentration to control the network porous of IPNs. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses of these cylindrical shaped IPNs were made with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermomechanical analysis. Swelling studies of IPNs were carried out at pH 1.1 and pH 7.4 at 37°C. The swelling and diffusion parameters of IPNs in these solutions were calculated. Amoxicillin as a bioactive species was entrapped to the IPNs during synthesis. In vitro release kinetics of IPNs were investigated. The experimental data of swelling and release studies suggest clearly that the swelling and release process obeys second-order kinetics. The release of the entrapped bioactive species from IPNs depends on the degree of crosslinking of the polymer and pH of the medium at body temperature. We observed that amoxicillin release at pH 1.1 was higher than at pH 7.4. As a result, IPNs-based chitosan with different cross-linker concentration could be promising candidates for formulation in oral gastrointestinal delivery systems.     

Gingival involvement in a patient with CD56+ chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Leukemic infiltration of the gingiva is most commonly reported to be associated with monocytic subtypes of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) but rarely with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Here we report a case of CD56+ chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) who developed gingival involvement simultaneously when the leukocyte count elevated. At that time no increase in peripheral or bone marrow blasts were observed. Gingival hypertrophy regressed with the treatment of hydroxyurea. Three months later, bone marrow blast count elevated and the patient was treated with two courses of AML-like regimen and then one course of consolidation therapy. The patient is in complete hematological remission for one and a half years. Similar to other extramedullary involvements, gingival hypertrophy in CMML can be a harbinger of the disease entering a more aggressive phase requiring systemic chemotherapy.     

Self-efficacy and its interrelation with family environment and metabolic control in Turkish adolescents with type 1 diabetes

To explore the relationship between self‐efficacy, family environment (cohesion and organization) and metabolic control. Research design and methods: A total of 100 adolescents with diabetes were assessed on a single occasion. Eligibility criteria were an age range of 11–18 yr, diagnosis of type 1 diabetes of at least 1 yr duration, and ability to complete the questionnaire unaided. Adolescents completed self‐efficacy and family environment questionnaires. Metabolic control was assessed by HbA1c. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 10.0. Independent paired t‐tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used as test methods. Results: Boys and girls were comparable on self‐efficacy, and self‐efficacy scores were quite satisfactory for both boys and girls. There was a significant positive correlation between self‐efficacy and family cohesion in girls, but self‐efficacy was not related to the family environment (cohesion and organization) and metabolic control in the total sample. Conclusion: In the present study, there was no relationship between self‐efficacy, family environment, and metabolic control in the total sample, but in girls, self‐efficacy and family cohesion was positively correlated.     

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: This study has been undertaken to investigate the possible alterations of oxidant/antioxidant status in uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and the effects of vitamin E supplementation. METHODS: Erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities [glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations as a measure of lipid peroxidation in HD patients have been determined and compared with healthy controls. The patient group consisted of 36 uremic patients 21-75 years of age undergoing maintenance HD three times weekly for an average of 41 months. The efficiency of Vitamin E therapy in dialysis patients was also assessed by re-evaluating antioxidant status of the same patients after supplementation of the vitamin E in a dosage of 600 mg/daily for 14 weeks. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the activities of erythrocyte SOD, CAT and GSHPx and a significant increase in TBARS concentrations were found in patient group compared to control group (p<0.001). A significant correlation between GSHPx activities and duration of HD therapy was also observed (r=-0.46, p<0.01). Vitamin E supplementation caused an increase in GSHPx and SOD activities and a decrease in TBARS concentrations. A slight but not significant increase in CAT activity was also observed by Vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the presence of an oxidative activity and the possible preventive role of Vitamin E therapy in uremic patients undergoing HD.