The effect of topical corticosteroid on basic fibroblast growth factor in nasal polyp tissue

BACKGROUND: The etiology of nasal polyposis and pathophysiological mechanisms of polyp formation is still poorly understood. Experimental models have suggested that nasal polyp growth requires extracellular matrix formation and is associated with fibroblast proliferation. Intranasal corticosteroids appear to be useful in reducing nasal polypoid lesions and the likelihood of polyp recurrence after surgery. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent angiogenesis factor and is mitogenic for a wide range of cell types. We investigated the alteration of bFGF levels in nasal polyp tissue after administration of topical corticosteroid. METHODS: Nasal polyp tissues were obtained from 36 patients with diffuse nasal polyposis before and after topical nasal steroid treatment. As a topical nasal steroid mometasone furoate was given for 4 weeks in a dosage of 200 microg/day. The bFGF levels were measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay method. RESULTS: The mean levels of tissue bFGF, before and after topical nasal steroid treatment, were 1485 +/- 826 ng/mg protein (range, 416-3434 ng/mg) and 1340 +/- 749 ng/mg protein (range, 330-3288 ng/mg), respectively. The levels of bFGF in nasal polyps were significantly lower than those before treatment after administration of topical nasal steroid (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Administration of topical nasal steroid decreases bFGF levels of nasal polyp. It may be suggested that one of the effects in diminishing the size of nasal polyps is by decreasing the bFGF.     

Effects of ischemia-reperfusion on NMDA receptor subunits 2a and 2b level in rat hippocampus

The authors investigated the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits 2A and 2B concentration in rat hippocampus. At the protein level, significant increase in the amounts of NMDAR 2A and NMIDAR 2B in the rat hippocampus was observed at 1 h after reperfusion compared with control group. These results suggested that the alteration in hippocampal NMDAR2 subunit concentrations after ischemia-reperfusion might be invovlved in cognitive dysfunction and excitotoxicity.     

Isolated retrovesical cyst hydatid in a child: an unusual presentation of echinococcosis

Echinococcosis is the most widespread, serious human cestode infection in the world. Isolated retrovesical cyst hydatid is extremely rare in children and mostly causes symptoms because of its pressure on adjacent organs. We report on the case of an 8-year-old girl with an isolated retrovesical cyst hydatid. Final diagnosis was established after histological examination, whereas imaging techniques failed to establish the diagnosis.     

Supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy: functional and oncological results

Sixty-eight patients who presented with glottic and glottosupraglottic squamous cell carcinoma and who were managed in this department with supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with either cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) or cricohyoidopexy (CHP), were retrospectively reviewed. The authors analysed the functional and oncological results of the patients. The median follow-up period was 62 months. The average times until decannulation and nasogastric feeding tube removal were 27.7 and 26.4 days, respectively. All patients were successfully decannulated. All patients were able to swallow, but one patient was unable to swallow and had recurrent aspiration. Better functional results were achieved in patients managed with CHEP procedure than the patients managed with CHP procedure. The five-year absolute and cause-specific actuarial survival rates (Kaplan-Meier method) were 78.6 per cent and 93.9 per cent, respectively. The five-year actuarial local control and nodal control rates were 89.5 per cent and 90.4 per cent, respectively. Local recurrence was statistically more likely in patients with positive resection margins (p <0.006). Overall, local control and laryngeal preservation were achieved in 95.6 per cent and 89.7 per cent, respectively. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy procedures (CHEP and CHP) are possible alternatives to total laryngectomy in the treatment of selected advanced glottic and glottosupraglottic carcinomas.     

Can endoscopic injection of epinephrine prevent surgery in gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding? An analysis of 107 cases

BACKGROUND: Gastroduodenal ulcers are still a common cause of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy has gained popularity worldwide over conventional open surgery for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This study aims to assess the efficacy of endoscopic injection of epinephrine in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. METHODS: This study was conducted between March 2000 and March 2003. We analyzed 107 consecutive patients admitted to our department of trauma and emergency surgery with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy was performed on all 107 patients and bleeding ulcers were treated with injection of diluted epinephrine. RESULTS: Recurrent bleeding was seen in 21 patients (19.6%), all of whom underwent a second endoscopy. Four patients (3.7%) required a third endoscopy session and nine patients (8.5%) needed surgery after endoscopy failed. There were two mortalities (1.9%). The nine patients who required surgery and the two patients who died were all in the Forrest Ia and Ib groups of acute UGI hemorrhage. DISCUSSION: Endoscopic injection therapy with epinephrine reduces operation rates and can be used safely in adequate hemostasis of gastroduodenal ulcers.     

A novel NPHS2 gene mutation in Turkish children with familial steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

We report in this paper two siblings aged 8 and 17 months who were clinically diagnosed with familial steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). By mutation screening of the NPHS2 gene, a homozygous missense mutation, P118L, was detected in both children. This study is the first systematic investigation of NPHS2 gene mutations in Turkish children with familial SRNS. If this mutation is a hot spot of mutation in the Turkish population, screening this novel mutation in Turkish children with SRNS may be of great clinical use to prevent unnecessary treatment modalities, provide accurate genetic counselling and predict the prognosis of the disease.     

Effect of middle ear effusion on distortion product otoacoustic emission

OBJECTIVES: It is well documented that children, particularly between the ages of about 2 and 6 years, exhibit a high prevalence and incidence of otitis media. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) offer great potential for clinical testing of cochlear function in children. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of middle ear effusion and physical properties of the effusion on the recording of DPOAE. METHODS: Nineteen children (38 ears) undergoing myringotomy and/or tympanostomy tube insertion for secretory otitis media were studied. Pre-operative and post-operative first day DPOAE signal to noise ratios were compared. The results were analyzed by paired samples test and ANOVA statistical methods. RESULTS: We were found significant differences between pre-operative and post-operative first day DPOAE signal to noise at 1, 1.5, 2 and 4kHz. In addition, comparison of the pre-operative DPOAE signal to noise ratio and per-operative middle ear findings are shown significant differences between glue (thick mucous) and the other three groups (mucous, serous and no-effusion groups) at 2 and 4kHz, and between glue and no effusion group at 8kHz. Also post-operative DPOAE signal to noise ratio in relation to per-operative middle ear findings were significantly different at 2, 4 and 8kHz. The most increase of emissions at the post-operative first day was seen in ears with glue effusion at 1 and 2kHz. CONCLUSIONS: Otitis media with effusion can be monitored by DPOAE measurement pre-operatively and post-operatively. In the pre-operative evaluation, glue effusion may cause a reduction in the emissions at 2, 4 and 8kHz more than the other kind effusions.