Multicenter evaluation of AYC.2.2 agar for the isolation of mycobacteria from clinical samples

PurposeThe aim of this multicenter study is to evaluate AYC.2.2 agar for the isolation of mycobacteria from clinical samples.MethodsTotally 5559 media were tested in 7 centers. AYC.2.2 agar media for the study were prepared by C1 and sent to other centers under appropriate conditions. Other media except AYC.2.2 agar were purchased commercially.The media were subjected to routine laboratory operations in the center where they were sent. After the samples received for routine processing (in all centers, samples were processed with the same method (NALC-NaOH)), they were cultivated on routine media and AYC.2.2 agar afterward.ResultsC1: Average growth time was determined as 12.74±3.74 days with MGIT 960 system; 24.42±4.75 days with LJ and 24.37±4.96 days with AYC.2.2 agar. C2: Average growth time was determined as 18.25±9.32 days with TK-Medium, 28.73±7.44 days with LJ, and 31.72±6.35 days with AYC.2.2 agar. C3: Average growth time was determined as 20.48±7.24 days with Ogawa medium, 20.74±7.12 days with LJ, and 20.26±7.43 days with AYC.2.2 agar. C4: Average growth time was determined as 15.27±6.37 days with MGIT 960 system, 22.14±9.1 days with LJ, and 22±8.45 days with AYC.2.2 agar. C5: Average growth time was determined as 13±4.24 days with MGIT 960 system, 32.16±6.23 days with LJ, and 33±5.73 days with AYC.2.2 agar. C6: Average growth time was determined as 9±3.11 days with MGIT 960 system, 18.68±5.32 days with LJ, and 18.34±4.63 days AYC.2.2 agar. C7: Average growth time was determined as 14.74±7.65 with MGIT 960 system, 26.01±8.21 days with LJ, and 26.24±7.88 days with AYC.2.2 agar.ConclusionsIn conclusion, similar results were obtained with LJ and Ogawa media and AYC.2.2 agar. Furthermore, more studies should be conducted for isolation of M. tuberculosis and performing antibiotic susceptibility tests using AYC.2.2 agar before it can be used as a routine media in the laboratories.     

Bisphosphonate treatment at spondylo-ocular syndrome due to a novel compound heterozygote variant in XYLT2 and review of the literature

Spondylo-ocular syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by generalized osteoporosis, hearing loss, visual impairment due to cataract, and platyspondyly. Previous studies have revealed that the syndrome is caused by pathogenic variants in the XYLT2 gene. A patient with spondylo-ocular syndrome and two heterozygous pathogenic variant in the XYLT2 gene in compound state are described here. The patient presented with osteoporosis, platyspondyly, ocular findings, hearing loss, kyphosis, scoliosis, facial findings, intellectual disability, and undescended testicles. Previous reports of bisphosphonate treatment response were variable, whereas a long-term follow-up with bisphosphonate treatment in this case resulted in normalization of vertebral structures. Reporting such cases helps to determine the appropriate genotype–phenotype correlation in patients with XYLT2-related pathogenesis.     

Protective effect of lycopene against ochratoxin A induced renal oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats

This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of lycopene against the renal toxic effects of OTA. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (<200 g, n = 6) were treated with OTA (0.5 mg/kg/day) and/or lycopene (5 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 14 days. Histopathological examinations were performed and apoptotic cell death in both cortex and medulla was evaluated by TUNEL assay. Besides, biochemical parameters and activities of renal antioxidant selenoenzymes [glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR)], catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD); concentrations of total glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. OTA treatment was found to induce oxidative stress in rat kidney, as evidenced by marked decreases in CAT (35%) activity and GSH levels (44%) as well as increase in SOD activity (22%) vs control group. Furthermore, TUNEL analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in cortex (49%) and medulla (75%) in OTA administrated group compared to control (p < 0.05). Lycopene supplementation with OTA increased GPx1 activity and GSH levels, and decreased apoptotic cell death in both cortex and medulla vs. control. The results of this study showed that at least one of the mechanisms underlying the renal toxicity of OTA is oxidative stress and apoptosis is the major form of cell death caused by OTA. Besides, our data indicate that the natural antioxidant lycopene might be partially protective against OTA-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat.     

Anti-cancer effect of metformin on the metastasis and invasion of primary breast cancer cells through mediating NF-kB activity

Current evidence strongly suggests that aberrant activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling cascade is connected to carcinogenesis. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) which are also the key agents for tumor metastasis may be potent candidates for tumor diagnosis in clinics. In this in vitro study, we hypothesized that metformin with an effective dose can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by modulating the expressions of MMP-2 and -9 and interfering with NF-kB signaling in primary breast cancer cells (PBCCs). 300 000 cells per ml were obtained from biopsies of breast tumors from five human donors. The cell viability and proliferation were tested. Immunocytochemistry was performed for MMP-2, MMP-9, and NF-kB, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for NF-kB activity, quantitative real-time PCR for RELA/p65, IkBα, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Three different doses of metformin (5, 10, and 25 mM) (Met) reduced the viability and proliferation of PBCCs in a dose-dependent manner, maximum inhibition was observed at 25 mM Met. The expression of RELA/p65 was not affected by 25 mM Met. Nuclear immunoreactivity and activity of NF-kB reduced while cytoplasmic NF-kB (p65) elevated by 25 mM Met compared to non-treatment (P < 0.05). The expression and immunoreactivity of MMP-9 but not MMP-2 were decreased by 25 mM Met treatment, compared with the non-treatment (P < 0.05). Metformin may have an essential antitumor role in the invasion and metastasis pathways of PBCCs by downregulating the MMP-9 expression blocking both the activity and nuclear translocation of NF-kB.     

Kidney biopsy in the elderly: diagnostic adequacy and yield

International Urology and Nephrology - The number of kidney biopsies (KB) performed in elderly patients has been increasing. Safety and usefulness of elderly KB have been well established, whereas...     

Testicular adrenal rests in a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: US and MRI features

We present ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings of intratesticular adrenal rests in a 16-year-old patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Scrotal ultrasonography showed bilateral well-delineated homogenous hypoechoic lesions located around the mediastinum testis, which were highly vascularized on power Doppler ultrasonography. Relative to normal testicular parenchyma the lesions were iso- or hyperintense on T1-weighted and hypointense on T2-weighted images. T2-weighted images also showed a target-like appearance caused by a more hypointense peripheral halo around the lesions. The lesions enhanced remarkably on post-contrast images. This case suggests that radiological evaluation of testes, even in the presence of normal physical examination findings, should be included in periodical follow-up of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful in demonstrating the lesions, because the contrast resolution better than with ultrasonography.     

Cirsoid aneurysms of the scalp

This study reviewed the surgical management of cirsoid aneurysms of the scalp, which are rarely encountered in the neurosurgical practice, and compares the results with embolization. 21 patients with cirsoid aneurysm underwent surgery. There were 1 female and 20 male patients. Trauma was present in four patients. Selective internal and external carotid artery angiograms and cranial magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed on all patients. All angiograms were staged according to published procedures. There were 15 (71.4%) Stage 1a, 4 (19.1%) Stage 1b, and 2 (9.5%) Stage 3 patients.Total excision of the lesion was achieved in 19 patients (90.5%). We operated on only one patient for a second time, because of a residual lesion, and we resected the lesion totally. Only two patients developed necrosis of the scalp (button hole). Both scalp necroses were on the frontal area. Other patients all had good cosmetic results. Surgical resection of cirsoid aneurysms seems to be the most effective treatment with good results. There may be a tendency for the occurrence of necrosis on the frontal area. Staging of the scalp aneurysms has no effect on surgical outcome.     

Beneficial Effect of Etanercept on Hyperoxic Lung Injury Model in Neonatal Rats

Purpose: To determine whether prophylaxis with etanercept, an anti-inflammatory drug, would decrease the severity of lung injury in a neonatal rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); Materials and Methods: Rat pups were divided into three groups: pups exposed to room air (group 1; n = 10), to hyperoxia + placebo (group 2; n = 9), and to hyperoxia + etanercept (group 3; n = 8). Lung morphology was assessed by alveolar surface area percentage, which is a measure of alveolar size. The severities of lung inflammation and antioxidant capacity were assessed by quantifying tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from lung homogenate; Results: The percentage of alveolar surface areas were significantly higher in group 3 compared to group 2 (p = .004) and similar in both group 1 and group 3 (p = .21). The mean level of lung MDA was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1 and group 3 (p < .05 for both). Lung homogenate SOD activities in group 3 was significantly higher than group 2 (p < .001). Furthermore, group 3 pups had lower levels of TNF-α and TGF-β in lung homogenate than that in group 2 (p < .05 for both) but similar in both group 1 and group 3; Conclusion: Etanercept has favorable effects on alveolarization as well as inflammation and oxidative stress markers in a neonatal rat model of BPD.     

Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity in depressed patients

In this study, the authors aimed to test the hypothesis that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may cause some alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis hormones and these responses may change throughout respective ECT sessions. Nineteen depressed inpatients (8 males, 11 females; mean age+/-S.D.: 44.77+/-10.59 years) considered suitable for ECT were included in the study. Each patient was exposed to 7 ECT sessions with general anaesthesia. The blood samples for measurements of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroiodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4) were drawn before (baseline) and after propofol, immediately after ECT, and 30 and 60 min after ECT during the first and last (seventh) ECTs. In both the first and seventh ECTs, there was a significant increase in TSH levels 30 min after ECT compared to the pre-ECT values. Additionally, a significant decrease in post-ECT fT4 values compared to the baseline values was found only during the seventh ECT. No difference was detected in the TSH, fT3 and fT4 responses to ECT between males and females, and between bipolar and unipolar depressive patients. These results show that ECT may have some effects on the HPT system. However, whether there is a relationship between these neuroendocrine responses and the therapeutic effect of ECT is not clear.