Black Grape and Garlic Extracts Protect Against Cyclosporine A Nephrotoxicity

The aim of this study was to determine if the natural antioxidant foods, dried black grape and garlic, protect against cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. Forty-two Sprague–Dawley rats were given Cyclosporine A (CsA) orally for 10 days, with the antioxidant food supplementation begun 3 days before CsA treatment and continued during the study period (totaling 13 days). In each group (control, CsA alone, CsA plus black grape, CsA plus aqueous garlic extract, aqueous garlic extract alone and black grape alone), there were 7 animals. At the end of the study period, the animals were sacrificed; their kidneys were removed and prepared for biochemical and histopathological investigations. Oxidant (xanthine oxidase enzyme and malondialdehyde) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes) parameters were measured in the kidney tissues of the groups. Histopathological examinations of the tissues were also performed.

It has been found that CsA creates oxidant load to the kidneys through both xanthine oxidase activation and impaired antioxidant defense system, which accelerates oxidation reactions in the kidney tissue. Supplementation with either dried black grape or aqueous garlic extract led to reduced malondialdehyde level in the kidney tissue possibly, by preventing oxidant reactions. In conclusion, the results suggest that impaired oxidant/antioxidant balance may play part in the CsA-induced nephrotoxicity, and some foods with high antioxidant power may ameliorate this toxicity, in agreement with studies with antioxidant vitamins.     

CT-guided transthoracic biopsy: histopathologic results and complication rates

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and complications of transthoracic CT-guided biopsy techniques.

METHODS

A total of 94 CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy procedures performed in 85 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Core biopsy technique was used in 87 procedures and transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy was used in seven procedures.

RESULTS

Diagnostic results were achieved in 79 of 94 biopsy procedures. Pathology results were malignant in 54 patients, suspicious for malignancy in three patients, benign in five patients, and benign nonspecific in 17 patients. Specific diagnoses were obtained in 59 patients (62.8%) using core biopsy, but no specific diagnosis could be reached with transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Complications included pneumothorax in 27 patients (28.7%) and parenchymal hemorrhage during and after the procedure in eight patients (8.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a highly accurate procedure for histopathological diagnosis of thoracic masses. In addition, percutaneous transthoracic biopsy has an acceptably low complication rate and it reduces the need for more invasive surgical procedures.Since the beginning of the 21st century, lung cancer has been cited as one of the most common causes of death (1). World Health Organization declared lung cancer as the first leading cause of death in men and second in women, among all types of cancers (2).Percutaneous transthoracic biopsies are performed either using fine-needle aspiration biopsy (transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy, TTFNAB) method or using the incisional or core biopsy method. Incisional biopsy and core biopsy are used to obtain a part of tissue from the lesion for histological diagnosis. On the other hand, TTFNAB is used to obtain aspiration material, which is used for cytological examination and lesion diagnosis (3, 4).Indications of transthoracic needle biopsy include solitary and multiple pulmonary nodules, mass lesions, persistent focal infiltration, consolidation, presence of cavities and abscesses, pleural lesions, and mediastinal and hilar mass diagnosis (3, 5).The aim of this study was to investigate the technique, suitability, and complications in CT-guided transthoracic biopsy of lung masses.     

Level of Interleukin‐35 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid,Saliva, and Plasma in Periodontal Disease and Health

Background: A novel member of the interleukin (IL)‐12 family, IL‐35 is an important inhibitory cytokine released by regulatory T cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and plasma levels of IL‐35 in periodontal disease and health. Methods: Samples of GCF, whole saliva, and plasma were obtained from systemically healthy, non‐smoking individuals with gingivitis (n = 20) or chronic periodontitis (CP) (n = 20) and periodontally healthy individuals (n = 20). Full‐mouth clinical periodontal measurements, including probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing, gingival index, and plaque index (PI), were also recorded. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine IL‐35 levels in the samples. Data were tested statistically by analysis of variance and Pearson rank correlation test. Results: All clinical parameters were significantly higher in the CP group than the healthy and gingivitis groups (P <0.001). The GCF total amount of IL‐35 was significantly higher in the CP group than the other groups (P = 0.04), whereas the GCF concentration of IL‐35 was significantly higher in the healthy group than the other groups (P = 0.002). There were significant differences among the study groups in terms of salivary IL‐35 level (P <0.001), with the highest level observed in the healthy group and the lowest in the CP group. There was no statistical difference between groups in plasma levels of IL‐35 (P >0.05). There was a positive correlation between GCF total amount of IL‐35 and PD (r = 0.338, P = 0.03) and PI (r = 0.374, P = 0.005) parameters. Conclusions: IL‐35 could have an important role in suppressing periodontal inflammation and maintaining periodontal health. Additional studies are required to evaluate its role in periodontal diseases.     

P-wave dispersion in patients with stable coronary artery disease and its relationship with severity of the disease

AIM: P-wave dispersion (PD) has been reported to be associated with inhomogeneous and discontinuous propagation of sinus impulses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the PD in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and to determine its relationship with severity of the disease. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 66 subjects with normal coronary angiogram (group 1) and 68 patients with significant (> or =50%) coronary stenosis; 25 had 1-vessel disease (group 2), 27 had 2-vessel disease (group 3), and 16 had 3-vessel disease (group 4). The maximum and minimum P-wave duration (Pmax and Pmin) and PD were measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram. Echocardiographic examination was also performed. Angiographic vessel score and Gensini score were used to evaluate the severity of CAD. RESULTS: Pmax was longer in groups 3 and 4 compared with group 1 (P = .001 for both comparison). PD was greater in groups 2, 3, and 4 compared with group 1 ( P < .001 for all comparison), and also in group 4 compared with group 2 (P = .001). However, there was no statistically significant difference among the groups regarding Pmin. In bivariate correlation, increased PD was correlated with presence of hypertension (r = 0.278, P = .013), left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.231, P = .044), left atrial diameter (r = 0.223, P = .032), presence of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (r = 0.284, P = .017), vessel score (r = 0.465, P < .001), and Gensini score (r = 0.338, P = .005). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only vessel score was independently associated with PD (beta = .471, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: PD was found to be greater in patients with stable CAD than in controls and to be associated with severity of the disease.     

The effect of local corticosteroid injection on F-wave conduction velocity and sympathetic skin response in carpal tunnel syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of steroid injection for the treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), with F-wave parameters and sympathetic skin response (SSR). Seventeen hands of 10 women patients were treated with local steroid injection with 2-month follow-up. All patients underwent single injection into the carpal tunnel. Response to injection was measured nerve conduction studies (NCSs), median nerve F waves, and SSR before and after treatment. To determine the normal values, 42 hands of 21 healthy women were also studied. There was a significant improvement of sensory and motor nerve conduction values when compared to baseline values (P < 0.01). At the end of follow-up period, the median sensory distal latency and the sensory latency differences between the median and the ulnar nerve were improved 35 and 65%, respectively. The maximum, mean F-wave amplitudes and chronodispersion showed a slight improvement with respect to baseline values and controls, but statistical significance was not achieved after treatment. Although no statistically significant improvements were observed in SSR parameters, slightly decreased amplitudes and increased habituation of SSR were noted at the end of the treatment. The present study shows that the local steroid injection results in improvement in NCSs values, but the F-wave parameters were not effectual in short-term outcome of CTS treatment. These findings suggest that the sensory latency differences between the median and the ulnar wrist-to-digit 4 are better parameters in the median nerve recovery after treatment than the median sensory distal latency. Furthermore, the SSR does not seem to be a sensitive method in follow-up of CTS treatment.     

The protective effects of grape seed extract on MDA, AOPP, apoptosis and eNOS expression in testicular torsion: an experimental study

Objectives

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is a potent antioxidant and a free radical scavenger. This study was designed to determine whether GSPE could protect against dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by torsion–detorsion injury in rat testis.

Methods

A total of 45 male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: control group, sham group, torsion–detorsion (T/D) group, T/D + GSPE group, GSPE group. GSPE was administrated 100 mg/kg/day with oral gavage over seven days before torsion. Testicular torsion was performed for 2 h, and afterward, detorsion was performed for 2 h. The rats were decapitated under ketamine anesthesia, and their testes tissues were removed. Tissue malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products levels, eNOS expression, apoptosis and histopathological damage scores were then compared.

Results

Testicular torsion–detorsion caused significant increases in malondialdehyde level, apoptosis and eNOS expression level and caused a significant decrease in advanced oxidation protein product levels and testicular spermatogenesis in ipsilateral testes. GSPE prevented the rise in malondialdehyde, apoptosis and eNOS expression and improved testicular morphology and Johnsen’s score.

Conclusions

As a result, testicular torsion gives rise to serious damage in testes and GSPE is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing testicular injury.     

C5 nerve root palsy following decompression of cervical spine with anterior versus posterior types of procedures in patients with cervical myelopathy

Purpose

C5 palsy is a well-known complication of cervical spine decompression surgery. The complication develops in both posterior and anterior approaches. We aimed to review reports regarding postoperative C5 palsy in hopes for better prevention and treatment of this morbidity.

Method

We systematically reviewed and evaluated the abstracts and full texts of the identified papers in the literature. We reviewed and analyzed papers published between January 1970 and February 2015 regarding C5 palsy as a complication of cervical surgical procedures. We made statistical comparisons as much as possible.

Results

We did not find any statistical significance between the pathologies (p = 0.088) and between the surgical routes (p = 0.486). There was statistical significance between the types of procedures (p < 0.05). Posterior laminectomy had low incidence of C5 palsy when compared to laminectomy and fusion (p = 0.029) and laminoplasty (p = 0.37). There was no statistically significant difference between anterior cervical decompression and fusion and other procedures (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Some studies conclude that anterior procedure is more safe. Of all anterior procedures, the multilevel ACDF had the lowest incidence of C5 palsy. The hybrid technique can be chosen for more than two-vertebra corpectomy. In term of posterior procedures, laminectomy is safer. To prevent C5 palsy, electromyography can be used as a sensitive predictor and selective foraminotomy can be performed.