Various types of suprameatal spines and depressions in the human temporal bone

Since it covers the lateral wall of the mastoid air system, the suprameatal triangle is of importance to otologic surgeons during mastoidectomy. Because of this clinical importance, topographic anatomy of the suprameatal spine and depression was studied on Anatolian skulls. In all, 363 male and 231 female skulls were studied. The most prevalent type of suprameatal spine resembled a crest and was found in both sexes on the right (77.6%) and left (80%) sides. The absence of a suprameatal depression was significantly higher in females (right 9.1%; left 8.7%) than in males (right 1.7%; left 2.5%). Suprameatal depressions were mostly shallow in female subjects, but were mostly observed in males to be at a medium depth or deep. Received: 5 January 1998 / Accepted: 19 March 1998     

Surfactant-induced cell toxicity and cell lysis. A study using B16 melanoma cells

The effects of a variety of detergents (non-ionic, ionic and bile derivatives) on B16 melanoma cells have been examined. Two main effects can be clearly differentiated: loss of cell viability and cell lysis. Under our conditions, cell-surfactant interaction is highly dependent on the nature of the amphiphile (more specifically, on its critical micellar concentration). Loss of cell viability occurs at surfactant concentrations below the critical micellar concentration, i.e. the incorporation of detergent monomers into the cell membranes is enough to impair their barrier function, so that Trypan Blue is no longer actively secreted outside the cell. On the other hand, cell lysis only occurs at or near the critical micellar concentration of the detergent, i.e. when the bilayer-micelle transition may take place. Comparative studies using B16 cells and phospholipid vesicles indicate that the amount of detergent required to induce cell lysis is the same that produces disruption of the lipid bilayer. Thus, our results suggest that membranes are the primary target for the toxicologic effects of surfactants on cells. Moreover, they provide a rationale for the interpretation of other studies in this field: previous results from different laboratories are shown to fit very well our data.     

Effects of topical application of methotrexate on nasal mucosa in rats: a preclinical assessment study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate dose-dependent effect of the topical application of methotrexate (MTX) in rats on the normal nasal mucosa, liver tissue, liver enzymes, and hemoglobin levels. STUDY DESIGN: Preclinical animal study. SETTING: Twenty male adult wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5). A single puff of MTX (2.5 microg) was applied to both nasal cavities 2 times a day. The animals were given MTX 1 day a week in group 1, 3 days a week in group 2, and 5 days a week in group 3. Control group animals were given 1 puff of physiologic saline to both nasal cavities 5 days a week and 2 times a day. After 28 days, liver biopsies, blood samples, and 5 nasal mucosal biopsies were taken. Histological examination was made with respect to certain parameters semiquantitatively (grade 0-3). The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hemoglobin counts were studied from blood samples. RESULTS: There are no statistically significant differences with respect to histopathological parameters between the control group and the groups 1-3 (P>0.05). Histopathological examination of liver tissue did not reveal any evident difference between the control and study groups. Mean AST and ALT as liver function tests and hemoglobin counts were within normal limits. Topical application of MTX at these doses has no toxic effect on the nasal mucosa, the liver tissue, AST and ALT levels, and hemoglobin level. CONCLUSIONS: These results have been encouraging to investigate use of the topical application of MTX in nasal manifestation of autoimmune disease or addition of the topical application of MTX to the steroid treatment in cases with massive nasal polyposis resistant to steroids and prone to recurrence.     

Effects of Lentinan on Cytotoxic Functions of Human Lymphocytes

The in vitro effects of lentinan on natural killer (NK), antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (LDCC) and mitogen-induced blast transformation were studied in patients with solid tumors and chroyic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). NK activity was measured against Cr-labelled K-562 targets, ADCC against antibody-coated chicken red cells. LDCC and natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC) was assessed using ³H-thymidine prelabelled HEp-2 targets. Mitogen (PHA-and Con A-) induced blast transformation was measured by thymidine incorporation.

Blastogenesis and LDCC was not influenced by lentinan. 1 μg/ml lentinan increased NCMC of tumor-bearing subjects. The most prominent enhancement of NK and ADCC activity was seen in CLL patients, where a dose-related increase was seen (from 0.01 to 1 μg/ml).     

Adjunctive low-dose doxycycline therapy effect on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid tissue plasminogen activator levels in chronic periodontitis

Objective and design: The present study examined effectiveness of low-dose doxycycline (LDD) in combination with nonsurgical therapy on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels and clinical parameters in chronic periodontitis (CP) a over 12-month period. Methods: GCF samples were collected, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI) and plaque index were recorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. CP patients (n = 65) were randomized to LDD or placebo groups. LDD group received LDD (20 mg) b.i.d for 3-months plus and root planing (SRP), while placebo group was given placebo capsules b.i.d for 3-months plus SRP. GCF t-PA levels were determined by ELISA. Friedman, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant improvement was observed in all clinical parameters in both groups over 12-month period (p < 0.01). LDD group had lower PD, CAL and GI scores than placebo group at 6, 9 and 12-months (p < 0.05). GCF t-PA levels reduced in both groups over 12-month period (p < 0.01). LDD group had lower GCF t-PA levels than placebo group at 6 and 9-months (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results provide additional information about usefulness of LDD therapy as an adjunct to nonsurgical therapy in long-term management of periodontitis. Received 8 May 2006; returned for revision 13 June 2006; accepted by J. Di Battista 12 July 2006     

Human lymphocyte antigens (HLA) and Graves' disease in Turkey

To evaluate the association of HLA types with Turkish patients with Graves' disease, HLA typing, clinical findings, and thyroid antibodies were correlated. The HLA types, clinical findings (ophthalmopathy and age at onset), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TRAb) and antithyroid microsomal antibodies (MAb) were analyzed. Seventy Turkish patients with Graves' disease and 306 control subjects were assessed. Serological HLA typing was performed in HLA A, B, C, DR, and DQ loci. There was a significantly increased prevalence of HLA B8, B49, DR3, DR4, and DR10 in Graves' disease. The association of Graves' disease with HLA DR3 was found to be less strong than previously described. The HLA DR4 antigen may contribute to the predisposition of Graves' disease in Turkey. The results suggest that HLA B7, B13, DR7, DQw2, and DQw3 may confer a protective effect for Graves' disease in Turkey. Patients carrying HLA B12, B18, and B44 haplotypes had a tendency to develop the disease at a later age. The difference from the other studies may be the result of the selection of the controls; in part, of the variability in serological typing reagents; and, also, of the rather weak HLA associations with the disease.This study was presented in part at the Annual Meeting of the National Endocrinology and Diabetes Association, Bursa, Turkey, May 25–28, 1992.     

ACE Genotype May Have an Effect on Single versus Multiple Set Preferences in Strength Training

A polymorphic variant of the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene was identified. The 'D' (rather than 'I') variant was associated with improvements in strength related to physical training. We set out to determine whether the response to different patterns of strength training might also differ. Ninty-nine Caucasian male non-elite athletes were randomly allocated into one of three groups: 31 non-training/control (CG: 31), single-set (SSG: 35) and multiple-set (MSG: 33). SSG and MSG trained three times a week for 6 weeks. Both training groups were underwent a strength-training program with two mesocycles (12-15 repetition maximum (RM) and 8-12 RM mesocycles). One RM loads in half squat and bench press were assessed before training and after the first and second mesocycles. ACE polymorphisms analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Subjects with ACE II genotype in the MST group had improved strength development in 12-15 RM, while SST and MST groups had similar gains in 8-12 RM. Subjects with ACE DD genotype in both the SSG and the MSG had similar benefits from both 12-15 RM and 8-12 RM. Strength gains for subjects with ACE ID genotype in the SSG were similar to MSG gains in response to 8-12 RM loads but not with 12-15 RM loads. Additionally, subjects with DD genotype had superior strength gains in both strength training groups. Tailoring strength training programmes (single-set vs. multiple set) according to the athlete's ACE genotype may be advantageous.     

Adrenocortical adenoma and carcinoma: histopathological and molecular comparative analysis.

We compared histomorphological features and molecular expression profiles of adrenocortical adenomas (ACAd) and carcinomas (ACCa). A critical histopathological review (mean, 11 slides per patient) was conducted of 37 ACAd and 67 ACCa. Paraffin-embedded tissue cores of ACAd (n = 33) and ACCa (n = 38) were arrayed in triplicate on tissue microarrays. Expression profiles of p53, mdm-2, p21, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, p27, and Ki-67 were investigated by immunohistochemistry and correlated with histopathology and patient outcome using standard statistical methodology. Median follow-up period was 5 years. Tumor necrosis, atypical mitoses, and >1 mitosis per 50 high-power fields were factors that were highly specific for ACCa (P <.001). Number (0 to 4) of unfavorable markers [Ki-67 (+), p21 (+), p27 (+), mdm-2(-)] expressed was significantly associated with mitotic activity and morphologic index (i.e., number of adverse morphologic features) and highly predictive of malignancy (P <.001). Ki-67 overexpression occurred in 0 ACAd and 36% ACCa (P <.001) and was significantly associated with mitotic rate and unfavorable morphologic index (P <.001). Tumor necrosis, atypical mitoses, >5 mitoses per 50 high-power fields, sinusoidal invasion, histologic index of >5, and presence of more than two unfavorable molecular markers were associated significantly with metastasis in ACCa. Well-established histopathologic criteria and Ki-67 can specifically distinguish ACCAd from ACCa. Tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67) correlates with mitotic activity and morphologic index. Tumor morphology is a better predictor of metastatic risk in ACCa than current immunohistochemistry-detected cell cycle regulatory and proliferation-associated proteins.     

Preoperative embolization in surgical treatment of a primary hemangiopericytoma of the rib: a case report

Primary hemangiopericytoma of the rib is extremely rare and only a few cases have been reported. A 62-yr-old man presented with an aching chest pain and dyspnea. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a homogenous mass expanding the right seventh rib. A diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma was established by percutaneous needle biopsy. Preoperative embolization of the feeding vessels of the tumor was performed in order to prevent perioperative bleeding. There was no significant bleeding during the surgery, where complete resection of the tumor with 7th to 9th ribs with a surgical margin of 5 cm was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful and there has been no recurrence for thirteen months. To our knowledge, there has been no report to apply a preoperative embolization of a primary hemangiopericytoma of the rib.     

Differential sensitivity to Arg side chain modification of IL-1β binding to type I and type II receptors

The central role of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in several disease processes, including fever and inflammation, makes the characterization of ligand-receptor interaction of prime importance.The role of arginine (Arg) side chains of hr-IL-1 in receptor recognition was studied by the modification of Arg residues with the specific reagent 1,2-cyclohexanedione. It was found that chemical modification of Arg residues decreased the binding potential of IL-1 to type I receptor dramatically (by 230-fold) while the affinity to type II receptor was reduced only moderately (by 10-fold), with an insignificant reduction of the dissociation rate.These studies suggest that intact Arg side chains of IL-1 may be necessary for high affinity binding to type I IL-1 receptor, but have less importance for the interaction of IL-1 with type II IL-1 receptor.This observation may be useful in the study of type II IL-1 receptor-mediated biological responses and design of receptor-subtype specific ligands as well.