3′,4′-Dihydroxyflavonol attenuates spatial learning and memory impairments in global cerebral ischemia

Objectives: In the present study, effects of 3′,4′-dihydroxyflavonol (DiOHF) on anxiety-like behavior, and learning and memory were investigated in a model of transient global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: The animals were assigned to sham-operated, ischemia, and two DiOHF-treated (10 mg/kg i.p.) groups. DiOHF was administered at 1 hour before and immediately after the ischemia. Male rats were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion to induce acute cerebral ischemia for 20 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 7 days. The openfield, elevated plus maze (EPM), and Morris water maze tests were used to evaluate the effects of DiOHF treatment on ischemia-induced locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, and spatial and recognition memory impairments, respectively.

Results: In the open field test, locomotor activity in the ischemic rats was not altered 6 days after the ischemia, nor was anxiety-like behavior, which was evaluated with the EPM (P > 0.05). In the water-maze test, cerebral ischemia significantly decreased the exploration time in the target quadrant, and the platform crossing counts were lower (P < 0.05) in the probe trial test; this memory impairment was significantly improved by DiOHF applied 1 hour before and immediately after ischemia (P < 0.05).

Discussion: All together, these findings suggest that DiOHF reverses spatial learning and memory deficits resulting from transient global ischemia but has no significant effect on anxiety-like behavior.     

An unusual cause of infantile gynecomastia: sertoli cell tumor

Prepubertal testicular masses are relatively rare. Sertoli cell tumors account for 2% of prepubertal testicular tumors and very few have occurred in the first decade of life. Gynecomastia can be seen in approximately 5% of patients with testicular mass. We present an 8-month-old boy admitted with bilateral gynecomastia and unilateral testicular mass.     

Relationship between embryo quality and aneuploidies

Many high-grade embryos selected for transfer according to their morphological evaluation were detected to have chromosomal abnormalities after aneuploidy screening for infertility by preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The aim of this study was to detect if there is any correlation between embryo quality and genetic status. The chromosomal status of the day three embryos was studied by multicolour fluorescence in-situ hybridization for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y. PGD was performed on 132 patients for 1107 embryos. The correlation between embryo quality and aneuploidy was analysed. The analysis showed that a large proportion of normal embryos (50.7%, n = 280) were grade I. In addition, a considerably high proportion of aneuploid embryos (36.1%, n = 83) were evaluated as grade I. There was a significant relationship between PGD results and embryo grades (P = 0.001). Of the 69 polyploid embryos, 21.7% were grade I and 37.8% were grade II. Of the 83 haploid embryos, 27.8% were grade I and 34.9% were grade II. Euploidy was positively related to morphological grade of embryo (P = 0.001). It was also possible for chromosomally abnormal embryos to have a good developmental potential, and they could be selected for embryo transfer unless the PGD procedure was applied.     

Lateral scapular slide test and scapular mobility in volleyball players

Context:

The stability of the scapula in relation to the entire moving upper extremity is the key in the throwing sequence. The importance of scapular positioning in volleyball players has been well documented in the literature, but no one has compared scapular positioning between volleyball players and sedentary people.

Objective:

To compare measurements of scapular mobility obtained using the lateral scapular slide test between volleyball players and sedentary participants without shoulder impairments and to compare changes in scapular mobility in players according to the number of years of sport participation.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

University research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:

A total of 121 people at a single university volunteered. Of these, 67 were sedentary (age = 24.3 ± 2.34 years, height = 1.69 ± 0.09 m, mass = 65.1 ± 11.91 kg); 54 were volleyball players from 4 professional teams and were separated into 2 groups according to their years of sport participation. The first group was named young players (n = 31; age = 17.7 ± 2.58 years, height = 1.83 ± 0.10 m, mass = 68.3 ± 12.21 kg, sport participation ≤ 9 years), and the second group was named old players (n = 23; age = 26.9 ± 3.39 years, height = 1.95 ± 4.38 m, mass = 90.7 ± 5.75 kg, sport participation ≥ 10 years).

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Study participants completed a rating scale for pain and a questionnaire about demographic and shoulder problems. One assessor performed the lateral scapular slide test and additional flexibility measurements around the shoulder girdle. Flexibility (external rotation, internal rotation) and scapular position (1, 2, 3) were compared among groups (young players, old players, sedentary people) and between sides (dominant, nondominant).

Results:

In sedentary participants, we found differences for position 1 (t₆₆ = 3.327, P = .002), position 2 (t₆₆ = 2.491, P = .004), position 3 (t₆₆ = 2.512, P = .006), and internal rotation (t₆₆ = 2.592, P = .001) between the dominant and nondominant sides. In old players, we found differences for position 2 between the dominant and nondominant sides (t₂₂ = 2.956, P = .004). For position 2 (F_2,118 = 4.265, P = .02) and position 3 (F_2,118 = 4.702, P = .01), we found differences between young and old players. For internal rotation, we found differences between sedentary and old players (F_2,118 = 6.578, P = .002) and between young and old players (F_2,118 = 3.723, P = .01).

Conclusions:

Clinicians evaluating overhead athletes need to remember that asymmetric scapular posture between the dominant and nondominant sides in unilateral overhead athletes might be normal and not necessarily related to injury.     

Microvessel density and regulators of angiogenesis in malignant and nonmalignant prostate tissue

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between microvessel density (MVD), positive and negative angiogenic factors, and established prognostic factors in prostate cancer (PC), and, to clarify the effect of angiogenic factors to angiogenesis. The vascularization of neoplastic, non-neoplastic prostate tissue was determined by CD34 immunostaining. Angiogenetic mediators VEGF, bFGF, TSP-1, and p53 were studied by immunohistochemistry. Neovascularization and p53, VEGF, and TSP-1 expressions of tumorous tissue were higher than non-tumorous tissue.The bFGF expression in these tissues was not different.The p53 expression was not correlated with the expressions of VEGF, bFGF, and TSP-1 in PC. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in MVD, VEGF, TSP-1, and p53 expressions in prostate tumorigenesis. The pretreatment sPSA was the only parameter demonstrating significant correlation with tumor grade and may have a value in the prediction of aggressive tumor behavior in PC.     

Penile length changes in men treated with androgen suppression plus radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We determined penile length alterations in men treated with androgen suppression plus radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2000 to November 2005, 47 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. After clinical staging all patients received hormonal therapy (luteinizing hormone releasing agonist, leuprolide acetate or goserelin every 3 months for a total of 3 injections) and at month 7 of hormonal therapy radiation therapy was begun (total 70 Gy) for 7 weeks. Stretched penile length measurements were performed before starting androgen suppression therapy and every 3 months thereafter with a paper ruler. RESULTS: With the initiation of therapy a gradual decrease in stretched penile length was observed. Penile shortening was statistically significant at a mean followup of 18 months (mean 14.2 to 8.6 cm, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support observations of decreased penile length after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy plus external beam radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer. Patients should be counseled before therapy that penile shortening may occur.