Effect of stage 2 kindling on local cerebral blood flow rates in rats with genetic absence epilepsy

Purpose:   Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are resistant to the progression of kindling seizures. We studied local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) changes in brain regions involved in seizures in both GAERS and nonepileptic rats (NEC) to map the differences that may be related to the resistance to kindling.
Methods:   Electrodes were implanted in the amygdala of adult NEC and GAERS male rats, which were stimulated to reach stage 2. Quantitative autoradiographic measurements of LCBF were performed by the [¹⁴C]-iodoantipyrine ([¹⁴C]IAP) autoradiographic technique allowing the precise mapping of regional perfusion changes. LCBF rates were measured bilaterally in 43 brain regions. The tracer infusion lasted for 60 s and started at 15 s before seizure induction.
Results:   Rates of LCBF increased in stimulated GAERS and NEC groups compared to nonstimulated controls. The LCBF increase in stimulated GAERS was larger and more widespread than that observed in stimulated NEC. The LCBF increase in the somatosensory cortex, ventrobasal and anterior thalamic nuclei, hypothalamus, subthalamic nucleus, piriform, entorhinal and perirhinal cortex, amygdala, CA2 region of hippocampus, and substantia nigra was statistically significantly larger in stimulated GAERS compared to stimulated NEC rats.
Conclusion:   The results show that more brain regions are activated by kindling stimulation in GAERS. This widespread activation in GAERS involves the somatosensory cortex and thalamus, which are both known to be involved in the expression of absence seizures as well as numerous limbic regions thought not to play a role in the expression of absence seizures, suggesting an interaction between corticothalamocortical and limbic circuitries.     

Myasthenia gravis and psoriasis vulgaris

Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disorder in which antibodies form against acetylcholine nicotinic postsynaptic receptors at the myoneural junction. Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic, recurring, and an inflammatory skin disease. Myasthenia gravis and psoriasis are both autoimmune diseases and correlated with specific human histocompatibility antigens. In this report, a 53-year-old woman who has myasthenia gravis accompanied with psoriasis vulgaris is presented. To conclude, this association is extremely rare and the pathogenetic etiology was thought to depend on a generalized immunological disturbance.     

Shear bond strength of composite bonded to erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser-prepared dentin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dentin bond strength to resin composite following erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser preparation using different adhesive systems. Seventy dentin specimens prepared from human molar teeth were randomly assigned to seven groups of ten. The first five groups were prepared with an Er:YAG laser 2940 nm at the manufacturer’s recommended settings and (1) acid etched, and etch-and-rinse adhesive Excite was applied; (2) Excite was applied; (3) two-step self-etching adhesive AdheSE was applied; (4) laser etched (120 mJ/10 Hz), and Excite was applied; (5) laser etched, and AdheSE was applied. The last two groups were added as controls (prepared with a diamond bur): (6) acid etched, and Excite was applied; (7) AdheSE was applied. Nanohybrid composite cylinders 4 mm × 2 mm were bonded to the dentin surfaces. After the specimens had been stored in distilled water and had undergone thermocycling, the shear bond strength was tested and the data were analyzed statistically. The Duncan multiple comparison test showed that specimens prepared with a diamond bur and with acid and Excite applied showed the highest mean bond strength (13.01 ± 2.09 MPa), followed by those prepared with Er:YAG and with AdheSE applied (11.5 ± 3.59 MPa) and those prepared with a diamond bur and with AdheSE applied (10.75 ± 1.95 MPa), but there were no significant differences among them (P > 0.05). Er:YAG-prepared specimens, with acid, Excite (3.28 ± 0.95 MPa) and specimens that were laser etched and with AdheSE applied (3.37 ± 0.63 MPa) showed the lowest mean values for bond strength (P < 0.05). The results suggested that dentin surfaces prepared with Er:YAG laser may provide comparable composite resin bond strengths depending on the adhesives used.     

Monitoring of nuclear abnormalities in peripheral erythrocytes of three fish species from the Goksu Delta (Turkey): genotoxic damage in relation to water pollution

Goksu Delta is a specially protected area in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The delta is classified as a Wetland of International Importance according to the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Increases in population have recently taken place in this region due to heavy agricultural activities and discharges of anthropogenic wastes. In the present study, frequencies of erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities such as, micronuclei (MN) and nuclear buds (NB) were investigated in peripheral blood of three fish species; Clarias gariepinus (Catfish), Alburnus orontis (Bleak), and Mugil cephalus (Mullet) from Akgol (AG) and Paradeniz (PD) lagoons of Goksu Delta. Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb) were also measured in the water, sediment samples. MN and NA frequencies were elevated in fish from AG and PD lagoons in comparison with those from upstream regions. The results of this study indicate that the lagoons of Goksu Delta contaminated with genotoxic pollutants and that the genotoxicity is related to the agricultural activities and to the discharge of anthropogenic waste waters.     

Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy: a case-control study

AIM: To identify the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study for the role of several risk factors in the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy in Turkey. A total of 225 cases and 375 controls were compared for sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, obstetric, gynaecological, surgical histories, the presence or absence of assisted conception and contraceptive usage. RESULTS: The main risk factors for ectopic pregnancy were prior ectopic pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 13.1) and a history of infectious reproductive system (AOR for pelvic inflammatory disease: 6.8). Other risk factors found to be associated with an increased risk for ectopic pregnancy were multisexual partner (AOR: 3.5), history of infertility (AOR: 2.5), induced conception cycle (AOR: 3.4), current intrauterine device usage (AOR: 3.2), prior Caesarean section (AOR: 2.1) and cigarette smoking at the time of conception (AOR=1.7). On the contrary, barrier methods were protective from ectopic pregnancy (AOR: 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: The increased awareness and knowledge of risk factors have enabled an early and accurate diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. This study has found prior pelvic infection to be a major aetiological factor for ectopic pregnancy. Furthermore, other factors found to be associated with ectopic pregnancy, such as prior ectopic pregnancy, infertility history and induced conception cycle, may be the result of a previous pelvic infection that may cause tubal sequelae. These factors are potential targets for intervention and modification.     

Wegener's granulomatosis with a possible thyroidal involvement

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the involvement of many organ systems. In patients with refractory disease, the efficacy of cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids and infliximab has been reported recently. Even in cases with serological response, disease progression has still been observed. Herein, we report a case of WG, most likely accompanied with subacute granulomatous thyroiditis while the patient was on cyclophosphamide, corticosteroid and infliximab therapy. As far as we know, this is the first time that such a copresentation has been observed, suggesting that mechanisms other than T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity may be important in the pathogenesis of granulomatous thyroiditis.     

Sex hormones in male psoriasis patients and their correlation with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index

Modulation of psoriasis severity by estradiol during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause has been investigated previously. The correlation between sex hormones and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) has not been studied in male psoriasis patients. We investigated serum sex hormones in male psoriasis patients compared with healthy controls and correlated these findings with PASI. Estradiol, testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured in 47 male patients with psoriasis and 20 healthy controls. Patients with psoriasis showed higher body mass index and higher serum levels of FSH and LH relative to healthy controls, although this difference was not statistically significant. However, serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were significantly different between patients with psoriasis and healthy controls. Testosterone was significantly increased in control patients and estradiol was significantly increased among psoriatic patients. A significant inverse correlation was found between estradiol and PASI. Although the role of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of psoriasis has not been demonstrated, this is the first report of an inverse correlation between estradiol and PASI in male patients.     

Game of thrones: immunotherapy versus molecular targeted therapy in renal cell cancer scenarios

International Urology and Nephrology - Treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has become increasingly more complex over the last several years. Objective 1 is to which treatment option...     

The effect of different surface treatments on roughnessand bond strength in low fusing ceramics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different surface treatments (air abrasion, acid etching, and laser irradiation) on the surface roughness and bond strength of a low fusing ceramic. Thirty-six discs of low fusing ceramic (Finesse, Ceramco) were prepared (10 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Specimens were divided into three groups (n = 12), and the following treatments were performed: Air abrasion with alumina particles (50 μm), acid etching with 5% HF and Nd:YAG laser irradiation (distance: 1 mm, 100 mJ, 20 Hz, 2 W, and 141.54 J/cm²). Following determination of surface roughness (R_a) by profilometry, specimens were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The luting cement (Clearfil Esthetic Cement) was bonded to the ceramic specimens using Teflon tubes. After 24 h of water storage, shear bond strength test was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD tests (α = .05). Two-way ANOVA indicated that surface roughness was significantly affected by surface treatments (p < .001). Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) indicated that the air abrasion group had a significantly higher mean value (p < .05) than the other groups. Shear bond strength was significantly affected by surface treatments (p < .001). Tukey HSD indicated that the air abrasion group had a significantly higher mean value (p < .05) than the other groups. No significant difference was found between the acid-etching and laser-irradiation groups (p > .05). The SEM image of the laser irradiation surface appeared to be relatively smooth as compared to the images of other the groups. Air abrasion of low-fusing porcelain surfaces was effective in improving the bond strength as compared to the acid-etching and laser-irradiation methods.