Ellagic acid attenuates oxidative stress on brain and sciatic nerve and improves histopathology of brain in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of ellagic acid in brain and sciatic nerve tissues of diabetic rats. Also, the impact of ellagic acid on catalase and paraoxonase (PON-1) activities, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were examined. The rats were randomly divided into four groups, with eight rats each: Normal controls (not diabetic), only ellagic acid treated (ellagic acid controls, not diabetic), Diabetic controls (streptozotocin, diabetic), ellagic acid-treated diabetic (streptozotocin?+?ellagic acid). After a 4?week experiment, rats were sacrificed, and biomarkers for oxidative stress in the brain and sciatic nerve tissues of the rats were measured. There was significant depletion in the PON-1, catalase, and TAS levels in the brain and sciatic nerve tissues compared to the control groups (for both parameters, p?<?0.05). The values of catalase, PON-1 and TAS reversed back to normal levels in ellagic acid-treated diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetic rats (for both parameters, p?<?0.05). The levels of MDA, TOS, NO and, OSI in the brain and sciatic nerve tissues were higher in untreated diabetic rats compared to control group (for both parameters p?<?0.05). However, MDA, TOS, OSI, and NO levels were found to be significantly reduced in the ellagic acid-treated diabetic group compared to the untreated diabetic group in these tissues (for both parameters, p?<?0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that ellagic acid exhibits neuroprotective effects against oxidative damage in diabetic rats.     

Interleukin (IL)-6, Interleukin (IL)-8 Levels and Cellular Composition of the Vitreous Humor in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy,Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy,and Traumatic Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Purpose: To investigate the interleukin (IL)-6 levels, IL-8 levels, and cellular composition of the vitreous humor in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and traumatic PVR. Methods: Vitreous samples from 14 patients with PDR, 10 patients with PVR, and 10 patients with traumatic PVR were analyzed. Fifteen cadaver eyes were used as controls. Cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. Results: Elevated IL-6 levels were detected in the vitreous of 12 (85.7%) of the PDR patients, eight (80%) of the PVR patients, and all (100%) of the traumatic PVR patients. None of the control IL-6 results were elevated. Vitreous IL-8 levels were elevated in 12 (85.7%) of the PDR patients, six (60%) of the PVR patients, all (100%) of the traumatic PVR patients, and one (6.7%) of the control eyes. Cytological examination of the vitreous specimens revealed a predominance of macrophages (50%) in the PDR samples and a predominance of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells (60%) in the PVR samples. In contrast, neutrophils predominated (88%) in the traumatic PVR samples. Conclusion: The findings suggest that IL-6 and IL-8 may be involved in the pathogenesis of PDR, PVR, and traumatic PVR. High proportions of RPE cells and macrophages are associated with elevated IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the vitreous of PDR and PVR patients; however, the fact that these cells are not predominant in traumatic PVR suggests that different immune response mechanisms may be active in the pathogenesis of these disorders.     

Severe exudative ascites as an initial presentation of Crohn's disease.

Ascites in the course of Crohn's diseases is rarely seen and usually is a result of a concomitant malignancy, infection or thrombosis of portal or hepatic veins. In this article, a 55-year-old female patient suffering from severe ascites and finally diagnosed as Crohn's disease is presented. Further investigations revealed no malignancy, peritoneal infection or vein thrombosis. Treatment of Crohn's disease with steroids and 5-aminosalicylic acid also resulted in the disappearance of the ascites.     

Adefovir Dipivoxil Alone or in Combination with Lamivudine for Three Months in Patients with Lamivudine Resistant Compensated Chronic Hepatitis B

We studied clinical and laboratory effects of 3 months of lamivudine with adefovir combination and adefovir dipivoxil (AD) alone in the treatment of patients with lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Eligible patients were hepatitis B surface antigen-positive men and women with compensated liver disease who were given lamivudine at least more than 6 months and had HBV polymerase gene mutation. Patients were assigned to receive adefovir 10 mg/day (Group 1) or adefovir 10 mg once daily and lamivudine 100 mg once daily combination during first 3 months, and then stopped lamivudine and continued adefovir (Group 2). Median age was 48 years (34 males and 20 females, and 35 were HBeAg-negative). Baseline median ALT, AST, and HBV DNA levels were 66 IU/l, 49 IU/l, and 6.7 log₁₀ copy/ml, respectively. Median adefovir therapy time and ALT normalization time were 9 and 3.5 months, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups according to the baseline HBV DNA, ALT, HBe Ag status, age, gender, and lamivudine resistance time. Virological and biochemical responses were similar in both groups during therapy. Two patients (8%) had ALT flare more than five times upper limit of normal without any clinical decompensation in Group 1. Mild ALT elevation according to baseline levels were found in 8 (27.6%) and 4 (17.4%) patients, respectively, in Group 2 and Group 1, and no statistically significance between two groups. In conclusion, this study showed that it is not necessary to continue lamivudine therapy while switching to AD therapy. Adefovir alone is effective in the treatment of patients with lamivudine resistant HBV infection and compensated liver disease, without significant clinical and laboratory flares. However, it is not easy to say that switching to AD with cessation of lamivudine is safe, because the study population is not enough for precise conclusion and resistance may be a considerable problem against AD in patients using long-term treatment.     

Ophthalmic techniques described by Serefeddin Sabuncuoğlu (1385-1468 AD)

¸Serefeddin Sabuncuoglu (1385?1468 ad ) was a Turkish surgeon who lived in the Ottoman Empire during the fifteenth century, a time of progressive expansion. When in his eighties, he wrote Cerrahiyyetü’l‐Haniyye, which means Imperial Surgery. His book is the first example of an illustrated surgical textbook in the Turkish?Islamic medical literature. The importance of his book rests upon the inclusion of colour miniatures of the surgical procedures, incisional techniques and instruments, all drawn by Sabuncuog?lu himself. Only three hand‐written copies exist, two of which were originally written by the author and are currently exhibited in Paris and Istanbul. The book was rediscovered in 1936, but some parts of it are still suspected to be missing. At present, the book consists of three chapters divided into 193 known sections. The sections deal with all fields of surgery including ophthalmology, and cite relevant Greek, Arabic and Persian textbooks. In this historical article the sections of Cerrahiyyetü’l‐Haniyye pertinent to ophthalmology are critically reviewed, including a selection of the coloured drawings.     

Spontaneous ureteral rupture: is immediate surgical intervention always necessary? Presentation of four cases and review of the literature

PURPOSE: We report our experience with spontaneous ureteral rupture (SUR) managed conservatively. CASE REPORTS: Data on three men and one woman 53 to 89 years old (mean age 73) with SUR were retrospectively evaluated. The common complaint was sudden-onset abdominal and concomitant flank pain. On physical examination, all patients had abdominal tenderness and pain with costovertebral angle tenderness on the associated side. One patient had rheumatoid arthritis treated with corticosteroids, and one had carcinoma of the prostate. All patients had urinary extravasation on CT scans. Two patients had ureteral obstruction by stones, and another had bladder outlet obstruction secondary to prostate cancer. Interestingly, irrespective of the obstruction level, the rupture was near the ureteropelvic junction in all patients. The symptoms regressed within hours after basket catheterization and ureteral stent placement in one patient and close follow-up and supportive treatment in three patients. In two patients, disappearance of extravasation and reabsorption of perirenal fluid were confirmed by second- and third-day CT scans. The patients were followed for a mean of 17 (range 14-21) months without any problems. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that SUR cases are more frequent than reported. It is the authors' opinion that if the clinical scenario is suspected in the acute phase and investigated by appropriate radiologic techniques, many more SUR cases will be diagnosed. Careful monitoring with supportive measures may be curative in the majority of the patients, obviating a surgical intervention.     

Repair of an extensive iatrogenic tracheal rupture with a pleural patch and a vascular graft

Here we describe a 48-year-old woman who suffered a 7-cm rupture in the lower trachea after intubation with a double-lumen tube. We repaired the rupture with a new technique using a pleural patch reinforced by a ringed vascular graft. This technique appears to be appropriate for use in patients who have large tracheal ruptures to avoid tracheal stenosis.     

Fluid intake and voiding parameters in asymptomatic Turkish women

Introduction and hypothesis

For an accurate evaluation of bladder diaries, we aim to investigate normal urinary habits and determining factors on functional bladder capacity, frequency, and 24-h volume in the bladder diaries of asymptomatic women.

Methods

One-hundred and fifteen asymptomatic women who recorded a 24-h bladder diary were included in the study. Linear regression analyses were used to explore associations between diary values and patient characteristics.

Results

Total number of voids was related to age, body mass index, total voided volume, total fluid intake, total diuresis rate, and maximum fluid intake in one go. Maximum, average, and minimum volumes per void were found to be related to body mass index, total voided volume, total fluid intake, total diuresis rate, and maximum fluid intake. When we used multiple regression analysis, only maximum fluid intake was found to be related to the total number of voids, maximum, average, and minimum volumes per void.

Conclusions

Maximum fluid intake rather than total voided volume seems to be an important determinant factor for total number of voids and functional bladder capacity.