Acromegaly is associated with a distinct oral and gut microbiota

Pituitary - Our aim was to investigate the changes in the composition of oral and gut microbiota in patients with newly diagnosed acromegaly and their relationship with IGF-1 levels. Oral and fecal...     

Protective effects of melatonin against spinal cord injury induced oxidative damage in rat kidney: A morphological and biochemical study

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induced oxidative stress affects multiple organ systems including the kidney. We studied the possible protective effects of melatonin on SCI-induced oxidative damage in renal tissues of rats. Wistar albino rats (n = 24) were exposed to SCI and divided into vehicle- or melatonin-treated SCI groups. Melatonin was administred intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg for seven days. Renal tissues were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Furthermore, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also determined. In the vehicle-treated SCI group, the renal histology was disturbed compared to controls, whereas the melatonin-treated SCI group showed significantly reduced degeneration of renal tissue as seen by both light and electron microscopy. MDA levels, MPO and SOD activities were increased and GSH levels were decreased in the vehicle-treated SCI group compared to controls. On the other hand, decreased MDA levels and MPO activities and increased GSH levels were observed in the melatonin-treated SCI group compared to vehicle-treated SCI group. These results showed that experimentally induced SCI caused oxidative stress in the rat kidney, whereas melatonin treatment reduced oxidative stress, suggesting that it may be used as a complementary therapy of renal problems occurring following SCI.     

Effectiveness of Palosuran in Bleomycin-Induced Experimental Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by skin and internal organ involvement. There is progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components in the skin and involved organs. Tissue fibrosis is the prominent reason for mortality, and still, there is no satisfactory treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of urotensin-II (U-II) antagonist palosuran in an animal model of scleroderma. We also planned to measure U-II, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels, as well as the association of these levels with dermal thickness. Twenty-four male mice were included in this study and they were divided into three groups—group 1: control group, group 2: fibrosis group, and group 3: fibrosis + palosuran treatment group. Fibrosis + palosuran treatment in group 3 reduced ET-1, U-II, and TGF-β1 levels. In total, the diminished values were statistically significant in the ET-1 and TGF-β1 levels (p?<?0.05). Dermal thickness was higher in the fibrosis group, when compared with the other groups. There was no significant relationship between dermal thickness and ET-1, U-II, or TGF-β1 levels (p?>?0.05). It is believed that U-II is an important mediator in SSc, and its antagonism with palosuran could be a new treatment choice in SSc.     

Urotensin Inhibition with Palosuran Could Be a Promising Alternative in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and a life-threatening disease with its high morbidity and mortality ratios. On searching for new shining targets in pathogenesis, we noticed, in our previous studies, urotensin-II (UII) in systemic sclerosis with potent angiogenic and pro-fibrotic features. Owing to the mimicking properties of UII with endothelin-1 (ET1), we attempted to investigate the effect of palosuran in a PAH rat model. Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups, with each group comprising 10 rats: group 1 (control group) received the vehicle subcutaneously, instead of monocrotaline (MCT) and vehicle; group 2 (MCT group) received subcutaneous MCT and vehicle; and group 3 (MCT + palosuran group) received subcutaneous MCT and palosuran. Serum UII, ET1, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels, pulmonary arteriolar pathology of different diameter vessels, and cardiac indices were evaluated. The ET1, TGF-β1, and UII levels were significantly diminished in the treatment group, similar to the controls (p?<?0.001). Right ventricular hypertrophy index and mean pulmonary arterial pressure scores were also significantly reduced in the treatment group (p?=?0.001). Finally, in the 50–125-μm diameter arterioles, in contrast to Groups 3 and 1, there was a statistically significant thickness (p?<?0.01) in the arteriolar walls of rats in Group 2. The treatment effect on arteries of more than 125-μm diameters was found to be valuable but not significant. Owing to its healing effect on hemodynamic, histological, and biochemical parameters of MCT-induced PAH, palosuran as an antagonist of UII might be an optional treatment alternative for PAH.     

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of impacted and transmigrated mandibular canines: a retrospective study

Oral Radiology - The purpose of this study is to evaluate CBCT images of impacted mandibular canines in detail and to discuss implications for diagnosis and treatment. CBCT images of dental...     

Treatment options in painful chronic pancreatitis: a systematic review

Background

Longlasting and unbearable pain is the most common and striking symptom of chronic pancreatitis. Accordingly, pain relief and improvement in patients'' quality of life are the primary goals in the treatment of this disease. This systematic review aims to summarize the available data on treatment options.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Library was performed according to the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. Reference lists were then hand-searched for additional relevant titles. The results obtained were examined individually by two independent investigators for further selection and data extraction.

Results

A total of 416 abstracts were reviewed, of which 367 were excluded because they were obviously irrelevant or represented overlapping studies. Consequently, 49 full-text articles were systematically reviewed.

Conclusions

First-line medical options include the provision of pain medication, adjunctive agents and pancreatic enzymes, and abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. If medical treatment fails, endoscopic treatment offers pain relief in the majority of patients in the short term. However, current data suggest that surgical treatment seems to be superior to endoscopic intervention because it is significantly more effective and, especially, lasts longer.