Resveratrol Supplementation Gender Independently Improves Endothelial Reactivity and Suppresses Superoxide Production in Healthy Rats

Purpose  

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound mainly abundant in red wines, has beneficial cardiovascular effects on various pathological conditions. However, at present, the effect of resveratrol on health promotion remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we assessed whether long-term resveratrol supplementation changes endothelial function, vascular contractility, nitric oxide and superoxide production in healthy male and female rats.     

Acute vitreomacular traction syndrome after uneventful phacoemulsification

We prospectively evaluated 59 eyes following uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation with optic coherence tomography at one and seven postoperative days (POD). Acute vitreomacular traction was observed in two eyes (3.3%) at the first POD. Spontaneous resolution occurred in both eyes within one week. The temporary visual loss associated with acute vitreomacular traction syndrome may go unnoticed as visual acuity rapidly improves.     

Free nipple reduction mammaplasty with a horizontal scar in high-risk patients

Women with extremely large and ptotic breasts have many complaints and difficulties during daily life. Conventional reduction mammaplasty techniques are not convenient because the presence of excess tissue beneath and over a long pedicle may cause nipple-areola complex necrosis. These patients mostly have systemic health problems so they benefit from a shorter operative procedure. The amputation method is an option providing rapid surgical operation time and little blood loss but it may lead to a flat, unaesthetic breast with poor projection. In this paper we present an alternative amputation with the use of a backfolded dermoglandular flap and free nipple graft. The inferior pole is amputated. The deepithelialized breast tissue is left on the superior pedicle extending below the 7-cm vertical limb mark. This deepithelialized tissue is tucked to give more central mound projection. The aesthetic outcomes, such as well-rounded breasts with good projection and a hidden scar at the submammary sulcus, have led us to perform this technique, which was first described by the Mansteins in 1997.     

Augmentation mammaplasty by medial periareolar incision

Various techniques and different types of incisions have been used for breast augmentation, the choice of which depends on regional and physical characteristics of the patient, an indication for the operation, and the decision of the patient and the operator. The periareolar approach is ideal for cases of developmental hypomastia that have adequate skin and glandular tonus and with minimum ptosis. The disadvantages of this method are a hypopigmented scar on the pigmented areola and a decrease in sensitivity of the nipple-areola. This article presents the experiences of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the University of Istanbul, Faculty of Medicine between 1995 and 1998, on medial periareolar submuscular augmentation approaches to five cases. During this follow-up period we had no major complications.     

Stiff skin syndrome: a case report

Stiff skin syndrome (SSS) is a disease similar to scleroderma with an unknown etiology. Stone-hard areas of skin are observed from birth or in early childhood. In this article we describe a 15-year-old girl with skin hardening and limitation of movement. We diagnosed the case as SSS, of which we have not encountered a similar report in the Turkish literature.     

Outcome measures of interepisode bipolar patients in a Turkish sample

Background We aimed to study the correlations of several outcome measures in bipolar patients with the clinical features of interepisode period. Methods Bipolar patients who were diagnosed according to DSM-III-R or IV were contacted and asked for a further evaluation. Interepisode bipolar patients (n = 100) were interviewed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS). In addition the Brief Disability Questionnaire (BDQ), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) were administered to assess outcome. They were also asked to check the List of Life Events (LLE) for the last six months. Results Our results can be summarised as follows: (1) quality of life was predicted by current subthreshold depressive symptoms; (2) the number of previous depressive episodes, current subthreshold depressive and manic symptoms predicted disability; (3) the number of previous depressive episodes and the duration of hospitalisation as well as current subthreshold depressive and manic symptoms predicted overall functioning; (4) the number and distress level of life events were correlated with suicidal symptoms. Conclusions Our findings suggest that outcome measures were correlated with subsyndromal disorder, the number of previous depressive episodes and the duration of hospitalisation. Accepted: 2 October 2001     

Development and behavior of non-handicapped preterm children from a developing country

BACKGROUND: There are many studies, mainly conducted in industrialized countries, concerning developmental and behavioral outcomes of preterm children. However, little is known about the outcomes of preterm children from developing countries. METHOD: Forty-three non-handicapped Turkish preterm children, 15 with very low birth weight and 28 with low birth weight at preschool age, as well as 36 term controls were compared on rates of developmental, emotional and behavioral impairments. Data were collected by review of hospital records and application of various questionnaires and inventories to both children and their parents. RESULTS: Preterm children had significant delays in general development and significant rise in somatic complaints with unknown medical etiologies. The very low birth weight group also had significant delay in language and cognitive development. Parents of the preterm children displayed significantly higher rates of democratic attitudes. Developmental outcome was significantly associated with birth weight and authoritarian parental attitudes where behavioral outcome was significantly influenced by birth weight. CONCLUSION: Presence of developmental delay is in accordance with existing data on the outcomes of preterm children from industrialized countries. An isolated increase in somatic complaints is an uncommon finding which might also be related to cultural factors.