Dilatation of the ascending aorta and serum alpha 1-antitrypsin level in patients with bicuspid aortic valve

Predictors of aortic dilatation are not well described in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). This study sought to examine the relationship between proximal aortic dilatation and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) levels in patients with BAV. All patients underwent echocardiography using a standard protocol, and aortic measurements were taken in end-diastole. We studied 82 patients with BAV and categorized them into two groups according to aortic dimensions corrected for body surface area and age. The plasma level of α1AT was routinely determined using a BN ProSpec analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany), and that of MMP-9 were determined by ELISA (RayBiotech Inc. Norcross, GA, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software for Windows version 12. This study included patients with BAV with no or mild valvular impairment. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of gender, body surface area, associated hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or smoking. The mean ascending aortic diameter was 4.38?±?0.5?mm in group 1 and 3.34?±?0.35?mm in group 2 (p?相似文献   

Cytokine Responses in the Common Cold and Otitis Media

Cytokines are a group of diverse molecules that influence the function of every organ system. They are most well studied in their effects on the immune system and their integral role in mediating inflammation. The common cold and otitis media are two such disease states, and much has been learned about the various effects of cytokines in each disease. Most often the viruses isolated include rhinovirus (RV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, coronavirus, and picornavirus. Otitis media, sinusitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma exacerbation are commonly accepted as complications of viral upper respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, otitis media and upper respiratory infections are inextricably linked in that the majority (>70?%) of cases of acute otitis media occur as complications of the common cold. Cytokine polymorphisms have been associated with the severity of colds as well as the frequency of otitis media. This article attempts to update the reader on various studies that have recently been published regarding the role of cytokines in these two disease entities.     

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients with premature ejaculation: a pilot study

Purpose

The etiology of both adult-type ADHD and PE is not completely understood, but the studies revealing common etiologic factors for both conditions suggest a high likelihood of coexistence. We aimed to find out the prevalence of ADHD among adult males with lifetime PE.

Methods

The patients with lifetime PE were included in the study. Both patients and controls were evaluated with the 10-item premature ejaculation index of Althof and Rosen for premature ejaculation, Wender Utah rating scale (WURS) and Conner’s adult ADHD rating scales (CAARS) for determining the presence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder syndrome.

Results

A total of 38 patients and 27 controls were included in the study. Patient and control groups were similar in terms of age and (p < 0.878), but different IELT (p < 0.001). ADHD was detected in 16 (42.1 %) of patients with PE, while ADHD symptoms were detected in only 1 (3.7 %) of control patients. Distribution of patients in the study group according to ADHD types was as follows: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 in 2 (5.3 %), 4 (10.5 %), and 10 (26.3 %) patients, respectively.

Conclusions

ADHD is significantly more frequent among patients with PE than controls. The close relationships between these two diseases must be examined by prospective studies.     

American Paraplegia Society 48th Annual Conference • September 2002 Poster Presentations #P1-P30 Sci Research • Pharmacology • Technology • Education

Abstract

Background/Objective: Salmonella spondylodiskitis is an uncommon type of vertebral infection. The aim of this study was to present a case of progressive paraplegia caused by Salmonella spondylodiskitis and epidural abscess after endoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: The patient underwent posterior instrumentation and posterior fusion between T6 and T12, hemilaminotomies at levels T8-T9-T10, and drainage of the abscess. Through a left thoracotomy, anterior T8-T10 corpectomy, debridement, anterior stabilization, and fusion were conducted.

Results: Fifteen months later, final follow-up showed no complications secondary to the vertebral and hip surgeries, and neurological status improved to Frankel grade E. Laboratory investigations showed no evidence of Salmonella infection.

Conclusion: Immunocompromised patients who undergo endoscopic intervention are vulnerable to Salmonella infections. One must consider Salmonella infection in those who develop acute progressive spondylodiskitis.     

Unexpectedly ease surgery for a worrisome abdominal mass: Pedunculated GISTs

INTRODUCTIONDiscovery of abdominal masses often poses significant diagnostic difficulties. GISTs are mesenchymal masses, with specific histological features. Dimensions may vary from millimeters to giant tumours. We would like to present our case, which had an unexpectedly easy operative course which was easily handled with a simple surgical excision with a short operative duration.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 38 years old female patient was diagnosed to have an abdominal heterogen mass of 15 cm × 12 cm × 10 cm in dimension. Abdominal computed tomography revealed the solid mass between the stomach and pancreas corpus and tail, possibly orginating from the pancreas. With the preoperative diagnosis of locally invasive distal pancreas cancer the patient underwent laparotomy, following the dissection, the mass was observed to be originating from the posterior gastric Wall, extending exophytically with a peduncle of 5 cm in width, without any visual evidence for peritoneal invasion and metastasis. The tumour and the peduncle was resected with stapler device. Total operation time was 30 min. Postoperative course was uneventful. Pathologic diagnosis was gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST).DISCUSSIONPedunculated large GISTs are not frequent and they can enlarge as 15 cm in diameter and compress the neighbouring organs. When they were huge, it is difficult to differentiate the origin of the masses. GISTs should be considered in differential diagnosis of giant abdominal masses.CONCLUSIONWhen GISTs are huge and pedunculated, it can be difficult to differentiate the origin of the masses. This case report presents unexpectedly ease surgery for a worrysome abdominal mass.     

TNF-α Blockade Efficiently Reduced Severe Intestinal Damage in Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Objectives: To ascertain the beneficial effects of infliximab an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) on the development of NEC in an experimental NEC rat model. Material and Methods: Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups as NEC, NEC+ infliximab, and control. NEC was induced by enteral formula feeding, exposure to hypoxia-hyperoxia and cold stress. Pups in the NEC+ infliximab group were administered infliximab at a dose of 10 mg/kg daily by intraperitoneal route from the first day until the end of the study. All pups were sacrificed on the 5th day. Proximal colon and ileum were excised for histopathologic, immunohistochemical (TUNEL and caspase-3), and biochemical evaluation, including, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), malonaldehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxdase (MPO) and TNF-α activities. Results: We observed better clinical sickness scores, weight gain, and survival rate in the NEC+ infliximab group compared to the NEC group (p < .05). Histopathological and apoptosis examination (TUNEL and immunohistochemical evaluation for caspase-3) revealed lower damage in the NEC+ infliximab group compared to the damage in the NEC group (p < .01). Tissue MDA, MPO, TNF-α levels, and TOS were significantly decreased in the NEC+infliximab group, whereas TAS was significantly increased in the NEC + infliximab group (p < .01). Conclusion: TNF-α blockade with infliximab efficiently reduced the intestinal injury and preserve the intestinal tissues from severe intestinal damage by its complex mechanisms on NEC. Therefore, it may be an alternative option for the treatment of NEC.     

Sexual Dysfunctions are Predicted by Childhood Sexual Abuse in Women with Opioid Use Disorder

Background: Studies on sexual functioning of populations with substance use disorders (SUDs) are mostly conducted with male substance users. We have very limited information about the sexuality and related factors in women with opioid use disorder (OUD). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences (CTEs) and sexual dysfunctions (SDs) of women with OUD and to compare it with a sample of women who do not have SUD. Methods: Participants included 51 outpatient women with OUD who were on opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) with Buprenorphine/Naloxone and 48 women without SUD. Participants were evaluated by a semi-structured sociodemographic form, the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: In women with OUD; CTQ-28, BDI, STAI, and GRISS scores were significantly higher. In the partial correlation analysis, sexual abuse was found to be significantly correlated with nonsensuality, avoidance and total GRISS score. In stepwise regression model, sexual abuse was found to predict SDs together with depression. Conclusions: CTE, SD, depression, and anxiety rates were higher in the women with OUD. Especially childhood sexual abuse was associated with SDs in this group. Sexual abuse was predicting SDs together with depression. Further investigation of different characteristics of women with SUD may give an opportunity to clinicians to have a better understanding for adaptable treatment strategies.     

Protective effect of rutin on mercuric chloride-induced reproductive damage in male rats

This study investigated the effects of rutin against reproductive damage caused by toxic mercury in male rats. Thirty-five Sprague Dawley rats were used. Control group was injected with saline for 7 days. The rutin-100 group received 100 mg/kg/b.w. rutin for 7 days. Mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) group received 1.23 mg/kg/b.w. of HgCl₂ for 7 days. Mercury chloride + rutin-50 group received 50 mg/kg/b.w. rutin and HgCl₂ 1.23 mg/kg/b.w. for 7 days. HgCl₂ + rutin-100 group received 100 mg/kg/b.w. rutin and HgCl₂ 1.23 mg/kg/b.w. for 7 days. It was detected that HgCl₂ treatment increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions, necrosis and degeneration of spermatogonium, dead and abnormal sperm percentages; tubular walls thinning; and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and sperm motility. It was determined that rutin application reduced testicular damage caused by HgCl₂. In conclusion, rutin administration may treat HgCl₂ toxicity in testes.     

NF‐κB activation mediates LPS‐or zymosan‐induced hypotension and inflammation reversed by BAY61‐3606, a selective Syk inhibitor,in rat models of septic and non‐septic shock

We have previously demonstrated that the activation of the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk)/inhibitory‐κB (IκB)‐α/nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) p65 signalling pathway contributes to hypotension and inflammatory response in a rat models of zymosan (ZYM)‐induced non‐septic shock. The purpose of this study was to further examine the possible mechanism underlying the effect of inhibition of Syk by BAY61‐3606 via NF‐κB activity at the level of nuclear translocation regarding the production of vasodilator and proinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (septic)‐ and ZYM (non‐septic)‐induced shock. Administration of LPS (10 mg/kg, ip) or ZYM (500 mg/kg, ip) to male Wistar rats decreased mean arterial pressure and increased heart rate that was associated with an increase in the activities of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase, tumour necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐8 levels, and NF‐κB activation and nuclear translocation in sera and/or cardiovascular and renal tissues. BAY61‐3606 (3 mg/kg, ip), the selective Syk inhibitor, given 1 hour after LPS‐ or ZYM injection reversed all the above‐mentioned effects. These results suggest that Syk contributes to the LPS‐ or ZYM‐induced hypotension and inflammation associated with transactivation of NF‐κB in septic and non‐septic shock.