Congenital sensory neuropathy as a differential diagnosis for phagocytic immunodeficiency

There are few reports about congenital indifference to pain or Hereditary and Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy (HSAN). Several investigations for pathophysiology of this syndrome have been performed and different classifications about it. In this report we present a case of HSAN type II with general absence of pain and self amputations and leprosy-like damage of extremities which was suspected to be phagocytic immunodeficiency due to past history of repeated ulcer and abscess formation.     

Co-existence of fatty acids changes in aorta artery and adipose tissue; comparison between CAD and non CAD patients

Background This study was aimed to evaluate composition and possible co-existence of change in fatty acids of aorta artery and adipose tissue in two groups of patients with different degree of atherosclerosis. Methods Twenty-one angiographically documented coronary artery diseases (CAD) patients, and the same numbers of age, sex and body mass index-matched angiographically documented non CAD patients enrolled in this study. They were operated electively for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or aortic valve replacement surgery (AVR), respectively. Small segments of ascending aorta artery and adipose tissue were dissected form the two groups during open heart surgery and subjected to fatty acid analysis. Results The results showed that in the CAD group, amounts of saturated and ω6 unsaturated fatty acids were higher, while the percent of monounsaturated and ω3 unsaturated fatty acids were lower than the non CAD patients for both aorta artery and adipose tissue samples. A moderate correlation was seen between amounts of fatty acids in adipose tissue and aorta artery. Conclusion As there are many reports which show that adipose tissue can only be used as a suitable indicator of dietary intake of exogenous fatty acids (e.g. polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids), our study suggests that modification of fatty acids with endogenous synthesis and metabolism (e.g. saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids) which were observed in both adipose tissue and aorta artery of CAD patients, may be produced during atherogenesis.     

Sagittal spinal posture in relation to craniofacial morphology

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine correlations between the parameters of body posture in the sagittal profile and sagittal jaw position by obtaining objective and valid three-dimensional measurements of the dorsal profile by means of rasterstereography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three adults with Class II or III malocclusions were examined, and six angular parameters were determined. For the sagittal analysis of body posture, the Fleche Cervicale and Lombaire as well as trunk inclination were evaluated. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations (P < .05) were found between Facial Axis and Fleche Cervicale, Mandibular Plane angle and Fleche Cervicale, and Facial Depth and the Fleche Cervicale. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the mandible seems to have a greater effect on body posture than other craniofacial parameters. As a clinical result of this study, patients with severe malocclusions should be examined interdisciplinarily before orthognathic surgery is performed to minimize postural influence on the altered jaw relationship after surgery.     

Varicocele and antisperm antibody: fact or fiction?

OBJECTIVE: To study the level of antisperm antibodies (ASAB) in the serum and semen of infertile men with varicocele before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 81 infertile men undergoing microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Female factor was excluded. Semen analysis and seminal and serum ASAB (direct and indirect IgG and IgA), as measured by SpermMar test, were performed before and after surgery at 6 months. A control group consisting of idiopathic infertile patients was evaluated for ASAB. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients with a mean age of 28.7 years (23 to 42) completed our study. Mean sperm count, motility, and abnormal forms were improved after surgery and were statistically significant for sperm density and morphology (P < 0.05). Before surgery, 21 patients (26%) had a low positivity for ASAB (10 to 40%). Six months after surgery, the ASAB titer was reduced in 15 (A group), increased in 3 (B group), and reduced in another 3 (C group). The C group also had an increase in other titers. In the A group sperm count, motility and normal forms improved after surgery (P < 0.05). In the B group, motility was reduced after surgery. In the C group, motility and normal forms were reduced after surgery. Sixty patients were negative for ASAB before surgery. Of these, 48 showed an increase in at least one of the ASAB types to some degree that had no significant effect on semen parameters. In the control group, two patients (7%) were weakly positive for ASAB. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocelectomy may reduce the ASAB level, and this reduction has a good effect on semen parameter quality. Also, it may raise the ASAB level in some patients. This positive conversion has no adverse effect on semen parameters.     

Inhibition of Ebola Virus Infection: Identification of Niemann-Pick C1 as the Target by Optimization of a Chemical Probe

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