Aortic intima–media thickness in nicotine-exposed rat pups during gestation and lactation period

There have been several studies confirming an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and low birth weight. The detrimental effect of nicotine exposure beginning in fetal life continues during lactation, in infancy and in the early childhood period. In our previous studies, we found increased aortic intima–media thickness (aIMT) as a preatherosclerotic lesion in neonates with intrauterine growth restriction and in infants of smoking mothers. We aimed to evaluate histopathologically the effect of nicotine exposure during pregnancy and lactation period on fetal growth and aIMT at postnatal 45 days of age (end of the mid-adolescent period) in rat pups living in the same conditions. Gravid rats were assigned into three groups. In nicotine A, pregnant rats received 6 mg/kg/day nicotine intraperitoneally during pregnancy from 1 to 21 days of gestation and lactation (until postnatal day 21). Nicotine B received 3 mg/kg/day nicotine for the same period. Control pregnant rats received only saline intraperitoneally. Abdominal aIMT was studied histopathologically at postnatal 45 days of age. Nicotine exposure resulted in decreased birth weight and pregnancy weight gain. The mean aIMT values of the rat pups exposed to nicotine in both nicotine A and B groups were higher than those of the control group (103.78 ± 21.33 μm, 99.11 ± 30.12 μm, and 62.56 ± 7.18 μm, respectively). In conclusion, the detrimental effect on birth weight of nicotine exposure that began in fetal life is dose dependent. Nicotine exposure during intrauterine life and the lactation period causes increased aIMT in rat pups.     

Comparison of the effects of acarbose and metformin use on ovulation rates in clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of metformin and acarbose on insulin resistance, hormone profiles and ovulation rates in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Thirty clomiphene citrate-resistant patients were selected randomly and divided into two groups. Group I was treated with 100 mg/day clomiphene citrate and 300 mg/day acarbose 100 mg/day orally, for 3 months. Group II was treated with clomiphene citrate 100 mg/day and metformin 1700 mg/day orally, for 3 months. Serum fasting insulin and glucose, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and total testosterone levels plus body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after treatment. Follicle growth was followed by transvaginal ultrasonography. RESULTS: LH:FSH ratio and total testosterone concentrations decreased (P<0.05) and ovulation rates increased in both groups. Reduction in weight and BMI was only significant in the acarbose group. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment modalities were effective in the treatment of insulin resistance and improving ovulation rates. Increase in the number of eumenorrhoeic and normoinsulinaemic cases and decrease in the number of insulin-resistant cases were significant in both groups (P<0.05). Ovulation rate was greater in the metformin group in the second month of therapy (P<0.05). Acarbose was found to be a safe and effective agent that could be used in cases with clomiphene-resistant PCOS.     

A survey study on some neurological symptoms and sensations experienced by long term users of mobile phones

A survey study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of mobile phone on headache, dizziness, extreme irritation, shaking in the hands, speaking falteringly, forgetfulness, neuro-psychological discomfort, increase in the carelessness, decrease of the reflex and clicking sound in the ears. There is no effect on dizziness, shaking in hands, speaking falteringly and neuro-psychological discomfort, but some statistical evidences are found that mobile phone may cause headache, extreme irritation, increase in the carelessness, forgetfulness, decrease of the reflex and clicking sound in the ears.     

Nitrosative tissue damage and apoptotic cell death in kidneys and livers of naturally ethylene glycol (antifreeze)-poisoned geese.

Three naturally ethylene glycol (EG)-intoxicated geese were investigated for pathological changes, nitrosative tissue damage and apoptotic cell death. Severe degeneration of kidney tubular epithelium and congestion of kidney and liver tissues were observed. Immunohistochemical staining for inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosine revealed strong immunoreactivity with both antibodies in kidney and liver tissues compared with the weak immunostaining in the control animals. In both tissues of the EG-intoxicated geese, erythrocytes were also highly immunoreactive with nitrotyrosine antibody. A high degree of apoptotic cell death was present in the kidney tubule epithelium of EG-intoxicated geese. Some apoptotic cells were also observed in the liver. These results show that nitrosative tissue damage and apoptotic cell death takes place in kidney and liver during EG intoxication in geese.     

Neuraminidase produces a decrease of adherence of slime-forming <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> to gelatin-impregnated polyester fiber graft fabric: an experimental study

Because slime-forming microorganisms are the major causative agents of graft infections, we aimed to investigate bacterial adherence in slime-forming and nonslime-forming Staphylococcus aureus and to determine the role of neuraminidase (NANase) on adherence to gelatin-impregnated polyester fiber graft fabric. An in vitro model was developed to quantitatively measure bacterial adherence to the surface of the graft. The grafts were divided into two groups – those colonized with slime-forming S. aureus and those colonized with nonslime-forming S. aureus. The grafts were put into sterile tubes and human plasma was instilled and incubated at 37°C to perform fibrin deposition on the grafts. After 48 h of incubation, grafts were drained and inoculated with slime-forming or nonslime-forming S. aureus in triptic soy broth in the presence or absence of NANase. Following 36 h of incubation at 36°C, grafts were vortexed and cultured to perform a colony count. Bacterial counts were expressed as total colony-forming units per square centimeter of graft. Slime-forming S. aureus had greater affinity with the graft compared with nonslime-forming S. aureus (P < 0.05). The adherence of slime-forming S. aureus was impaired by NANase treatment (P < 0.001) but NANase treatment of nonslime-forming S. aureus did not change the adherence to the graft (P > 0.05). These results show that slime plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular graft infection. Adherence of slime-forming S. aureus can be decreased by NANase treatment. This may have implications for the development of neuraminidase-embedded vascular grafts to diminish biomaterial-related infections.     

Monogenic lupus due to DNASE1L3 deficiency in a pediatric patient with urticarial rash,hypocomplementemia, pulmonary hemorrhage,and immune-complex glomerulonephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease and usually involves the skin, musculoskeletal system, and kidneys. More than 30 genes have been to monogenic lupus, so far. Monogenic lupus is often characterized by an early-onset, similar family history, and syndromic appearance. Herein we present a pediatric patient with DNASE1L3 deficiency, suffering from both urticarial skin lesions, recurrent hemoptysis, and renal involvement, eventually diagnosed as this rare monogenic lupus.The patient suffered from recurrent urticarial rash and hemoptysis since the age of 15 months of age. He had microscopic hematuria, mild proteinuria, hypocomplementemia, and positive antinuclear antibody, anti-dsDNA, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Renal biopsy yielded immunocomplex glomerulonephritis. Due to early-onset, similar sibling history and consanguineous parents, we suspected monogenic lupus and performed whole-exome sequencing, which further revealed a homozygous T97Ifs*2 mutation (NM_004944.4: c.290_291delCA/p.Thr97Ilefs*2) in DNASE1L3 gene.In conclusion, DNASE1L3 deficiency should be thought when juvenile SLE occurs with early disease-onset, pulmonary hemorrhage, glomerulonephritis, and recurrent urticarial rash along with ANCA positivity.     

Neuromuscular transmission in hypoxemic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Many studies have focused on the systemic effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but none has examined neuromuscular junction transmission (NMT). We evaluated NMT dysfunction using single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) in patients with COPD. Twenty patients with COPD and 20 age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. All patients and controls underwent SFEMG. Abnormal NMT was found in seven of 20 patients (35%), but in none of the control subjects. The COPD patients were subgrouped according to the presence of hypoxemia. The patients with normoxemia were classified as Group 1, and the patients with hypoxemia were classified as Group 2. Abnormal NMT was found in six patients in Group 2 and in one in Group 1. While there was significant difference in terms of abnormal NMT between Group 2 and the controls, there was none between Group 1 and the controls. Our results show that NMT abnormalities can be present in hypoxemic patients with COPD.     

Tocilizumab challenge: A series of cytokine storm therapy experiences in hospitalized COVID-19 pneumonia patients

To recognize the period of exaggerated cytokine response in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, and to describe the clinical outcomes of using tocilizumab as a treatment option. The data of 12 adult COVID-19 pneumonia patients who were followed in the inpatient clinics of Biruni University Medical Faculty Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) were retrospectively analyzed. Diagnostic tests, laboratory examinations, clinical findings, and computed tomography of the thorax imaging results were evaluated. A dramatic laboratory and clinical improvement was observed in 83% (10 out of 12) of patients after tocilizumab. In 17% (2 out of 12) of our patients, short-term ventilator support was required in the intensive care unit. The longest hospital stay was 18 days. However, in the end, all of our patients were discharged home with good health. Although arterial oxygen saturations (87.58 ± 3.12%) dropped in room air in the pre-tocilizumab period, post-tocilizumab they normalized in all patients (94.42 ± 1%). None of them had fever after tocilizumab treatment and the levels of C-reactive protein (13.08 ± 12.89) were almost within normal limits. Eosinophil values were quite low at the time of diagnosis (10 ± 17.06), but increased significantly post-tocilizumab (155.33 ± 192.69). There is currently no proven treatment for COVID-19 induced by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Based on our experience with twelve adult COVID-19 pneumonia patients, we can say that tocilizumab, an IL-6 inhibitor, is more beneficial in preventing the damage caused by excessive cytokine response in the body if administered at the right time and provides clinical and radiological recovery.     

Effects of estrogen, raloxifene, and hormone replacement therapy on serum C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), CEE plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), CEE plus Nomegestrol acetate (NA), and raloxifene on serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in healthy postmenopausal women. MATERIALS: One hundred seven healthy postmenopausal women were recruited in a prospective, randomized, and placebo-controlled 6 months study. Of these, 18 were hysterectomized and received daily oral 0.625 mg CEE. Eighty nine non-hysterectomized women were randomly allocated to one of four groups: a group (22 patients) treated with CEE, 0.625 mg/daily plus MPA 2.5 mg/daily; a group (22 patients) treated with CEE, 0.625 mg/daily plus NA 5 mg/daily; a group (23 patients) treated with raloxifene hydrochloride, 60 mg once daily; and a placebo group (22 patients). Hcy and hs-CRP were measured at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: CEE (20%, P=0.03) and CEE+MPA (59%, P=0.006) increased serum hs-CRP levels significantly, whereas CEE+NA decreased serum hs-CRP by 25% (P=0.01). Raloxifene had no significant effect on serum hs-CRP levels during and after the treatment. In all active treatment groups serum Hcy levels decreased significantly compared to baseline and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Conjugated equine estrogen, hormone replacement therapies, and raloxifene lower serum Hcy levels to a comparable extent in postmenopausal women. Hs-CRP, as a cardiovascular risk factor, is not influenced by raloxifene, whereas CEE and CEE plus MPA significantly increase hs-CRP levels. Treatment with CEE plus NA reduces serum hs-CRP levels.     

L-carnitine reduces cochlear damage induced by gamma irradiation in Guinea pigs

L-carnitine (LC) protects cells from peroxidative damage. In this study, we tested whether L-carnitine (LC) prevents radiation-induced cochlear damage after total cranial irradiation (radiotherapy; RT). Male albino guinea pigs were randomly distributed in 3 groups. The Control group (n = 11) received neither LC nor irradiation, but saline solution ip and sham irradiation for 5 days. The RT group (n = 32) received saline solution ip as placebo therapy and exposure to total cranial irradiation of 33 Gy in 5 fractions of 6.6 Gy/day on 5 successive days, with a calculated (alpha/beta = 3.5) biological effective dose of fractionated irradiation equal to 60 Gy conventional fractionation. The LC + RT group (n = 36) received total cranial irradiation, plus LC (100 mg/kg/day, ip) for 5 days. The guinea pigs were killed at 4, 24, or 96 hr after the last dose of RT and the cochleas were enucleated for histopathologic examination. There was no cochlear degeneration in the control group. In the RT group, total cranial irradiation caused degeneration in stria vascularis (SV), spiral ganglion (SG), outer hair cells (OHC), and inner hair cells (IHC) of cochleas at 4, 24, and 96 hr. In the LC + RT group, LC administration reduced radiation-induced cochlear degeneration in SV and SG at 4, 24, and 96 hr, and in OHC and IHC at 24 and 96 hr (p <0.05). Thus, this study shows that L-carnitine can ameliorate radiation-induced cochlear damage in guinea pigs.