Association of the Dietary Inflammatory Index with Depressive Symptoms among Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2010

During their lifetime, 20% of US women experience depression. Studies have indicated that a high Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score is associated with high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and depression. No previous study has compared the association of the DII with different measures of depression (e.g., somatic, cognitive) among pre- and post-menopausal women. We used data from 2512 pre-menopausal and 2392 post-menopausal women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2010 database. We ran linear and logistic regression models to compare the association of the DII with survey-measured depression among pre- and post-menopausal women. We further assessed the mediation effect of CRP on the association of the DII and depression, using structural equation modeling. The odds of experiencing depression among pre-menopausal women was higher for all DII quartiles compared to the reference group (i.e., DII Q1), with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.2, 5.0, and 6.3 for Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (p < 0.05). Among post-menopausal women, only Q4 had 110% higher odds of experiencing depression compared to Q1 (p = 0.027). No mediation effect of CRP was found between DII and any of our depression outcome measures. Our findings suggest that lifestyle habits, such as diet, may have a stronger influence on mental health among pre-menopausal women than post-menopausal women.     

Protective effect of tadalafil on ischemia/reperfusion injury of rat ovary

Background/Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of tadalafil (TDF) on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovaries.

Methods

Thirty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 7): sham (S), I/R1, I/R2, TDF1, and TDF2. In the I/R1 and TDF1 groups, 3-hour ischemia was followed by 12-hour reperfusion; and in the I/R2 and TDF2 groups, 3-hour ischemia was followed by 24-hour reperfusion. In the TDF groups, 30 minutes before reperfusion, a single dose of 5 mg/kg TDF was administered intraperitoneally. The ovarian tissue levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (NO), and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured biochemically. Tissue damage to ovarian tissue was scored by histopathologic examination.

Results

The tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher and the catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly lower in the I/R groups compared with the S and TDF groups (P < .05). The NO levels were significantly higher in the TDF1 group than the S and I/R1 groups (P < .05). Although the NO levels were increased in the TDF2 group compared with the I/R2 group, the difference was not significant. Ovarian tissue damage scores of the I/R groups were significantly higher than those of the S group (P < .05). Treatment with TDF significantly decreased the ovarian tissue damage scores in the TDF groups compared with the I/R groups (P < .05).

Conclusions

Tadalafil is effective in preventing tissue damage induced by I/R in rat ovaries.     

Extracorporeal life support in pediatric cardiac dysfunction

Background  

Low cardiac output (LCO) after corrective surgery remains a serious complication in pediatric congenital heart diseases (CHD). In the case of refractory LCO, extra corporeal life support (ECLS) extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or ventricle assist devices (VAD) is the final therapeutic option. In the present study we have reviewed the outcomes of pediatric patients after corrective surgery necessitating ECLS and compared outcomes with pediatric patients necessitating ECLS because of dilatated cardiomyopathy (DCM).     

Influence of Rifampin on Capsule Formation Around Silicone Implants in a Rat Model

This study investigated the effect of rifampin on the thickness of capsules around silicone implants by bactericidal activity against Stapylococcus epidermidis. Silicone blocks (1 × 1 cm) were placed into pockets created for each of the 40 rats included in the study. In group 1, the operation was performed under aseptic conditions. In group 2, standard S. epidermidis was inoculated into the pocket, whereas rifampin and S. epidermidis were applied in group 3. In group 4, only rifampin was applied topically on implants. After 12 weeks, the peri-implant capsules were removed and examined under a photomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope. The mean thickness of the capsules was 63.307 μm in group 1, 111.538 μm in group 2, 43.076 μm in group 3, and 30.384 μm in group 4. The differences between groups 2 and 3 and groups 2 and 4 were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). Rifampin appears to be an agent for preventing peri-implant capsule formation.     

The effect of temporary aneurysm clip on the common carotid artery of atherosclerotic rabbits

BACKGROUND: We compared the effect of temporary aneurysm clips on atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic CCA of rabbits by morphometric and ultrastructural methods. METHODS: The rabbits (N = 12) were divided into 2 groups: the first group was fed a 2% cholesterol diet, and the second group, a normal diet for 4 weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions developed after 4 weeks. Temporary aneurysm clips were placed on the left CCA of both groups; the right CCA of both groups served as control. Thus, a total of 4 groups were used: atherosclerotic (A), atherosclerotic/clip (AC), nonatherosclerotic (NA), and nonatherosclerotic/clip (NAC). Temporary aneurysm clips were applied for 1, 5, and 10 minutes in the AC and NAC groups. No temporary clip was placed on the right CCA (A and NA groups). The affected parts of the CCA via clips were examined under light microscope and SEM. RESULTS: Comparison of atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic CCA of rabbits under light microscope indicated that the wall of atherosclerotic CCA was thicker than that of nonatherosclerotic CCA. The difference between the thickness of atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic CCAs was significant. SEM analyses showed that in nonatherosclerotic CCAs, the effect of temporary aneurysm clips was seen after 10 minutes, but in atherosclerotic CCAs, the effect was seen within the 1st minute of clipping and continued in the 5th and 10th minutes. CONCLUSION: The duration of temporary clipping should be decreased for the neurovascular surgery of atherosclerotic patients.     

Effects of Different Resistance Exercise Protocols on Nitric Oxide,Lipid Peroxidation and Creatine Kinase Activity in Sedentary Males

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes of oxidative response and exercise-induced muscle damage after two different resistance exercise protocols. Whether training with low or high intensity resistance programs cause alterations in the activities of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO_x), and creatine kinase (CK) activity in human plasma was investigated. Twenty untrained males participated into this study. Ten of the subjects performed high intensity resistance (HR) exercise circuit and the rest of them performed low intensity resistance (LR) exercise circuit of 4 different exercises as a single bout. Venous blood samples were drawn pre-exercise, immediately after the exercise, and at the 6^th, 24^th, 48^th and the72^nd hours of post-exercise. Samples were analyzed for markers of muscle damage (CK), lipid peroxidation (MDA) and NO_x. NO_x production increased in HR group (p < 0.05). The MDA response to the two different resistance exercise protocol in this study caused a significant increase between pre and post-exercise values in both groups (p < 0.05). Also, there was a significant difference in the MDA level between the two groups in post-exercise values (p < 0.05) and higher values were observed in HR group. CK activities showed a significant increase in all post exercise values (p < 0.05) of both groups but there were no difference between HR and LR groups. These findings support that high intensity resistance exercise induces free radical production more than low intensity resistance exercise program.

Key points

• High intensity resistance exercise caused increases in NO_x, MDA and CK levels.
• Light intensity resistance exercises increased MDA and CK levels but did not affect NO_x levels.
• Damage arose during resistance exercises may be related to the level of resistance applied.

Key words: Anaerobic, intensity, lipid peroxidation, damage, blood     

Laparoscopic Anterior Resection: New Anastomosis Technique in a Pig Model

Background and Objectives:

Bowel anastomosis after anterior resection is one of the most difficult tasks to perform during laparoscopic colorectal surgery. This study aims to evaluate a new feasible and safe intracorporeal anastomosis technique after laparoscopic left-sided colon or rectum resection in a pig model.

Methods:

The technique was evaluated in 5 pigs. The OrVil device (Covidien, Mansfield, Massachusetts) was inserted into the anus and advanced proximally to the rectum. A 0.5-cm incision was made in the sigmoid colon, and the 2 sutures attached to its delivery tube were cut. After the delivery tube was evacuated through the anus, the tip of the anvil was removed through the perforation. The sigmoid colon was transected just distal to the perforation with an endoscopic linear stapler. The rectosigmoid segment to be resected was removed through the anus with a grasper, and distal transection was performed. A 25-mm circular stapler was inserted and combined with the anvil, and end-to-side intracorporeal anastomosis was then performed.

Results:

We performed the technique in 5 pigs. Anastomosis required an average of 12 minutes. We observed that the proximal and distal donuts were completely removed in all pigs. No anastomotic air leakage was observed in any of the animals.

Conclusion:

This study shows the efficacy and safety of intracorporeal anastomosis with the OrVil device after laparoscopic anterior resection.     

Fatal Fever of Unknown Origin in Acute Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Five Cases

Background/Objective: Patients with traumatic upper thoracic and cervical spinal cord injuries are at increased risk for the development of autonomic dysfunction, including thermodysregulation. Thermoregulation is identified as an autonomic function, although the exact mechanisms of thermodysregulation have not been completely recognized. Quad fever is a hyperthermic thermoregulatory disorder that occurs in people with acute cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord injuries. First described in 1982, it has not been widely discussed in the literature.

Methods: Case reports of 5 patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).

Results: Five of 18 patients (28%) with acute cervical SCI who were admitted during a 1-year period had fatal complications caused by persistent hyperthermia of unknown origin.

Conclusions: Patients with acute traumatic cervical and upper thoracic SCI are at risk for thermoregulatory dysfunction. Changes in the hypothalamic axis may be implicated, especially in the light of modification in hypothalamic afferent nerves, but this hypothesis has not yet been explored. Thermodysregulation may be an early sign of autonomic dysfunction. A comprehensive guideline is needed for the management of elevated body temperature in critically ill patients with cervical SCI, because this condition may be fatal.