Potential role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in the pathogenesis of experimental left varicocele

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the poly(adenosine diphosphate[ADP]-ribose) polymerase (PARP) pathway is activated by experimental left varicocele. Rats underwent partial ligation of the left renal vein to induce experimental varicocele, and left testes were analyzed 13 weeks after surgery. Tubule degeneration was evaluated by Johnsen score. Expression of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE)-modified proteins, PARP-1, and poly(-ADP-ribose) (PAR) was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The degree of apoptosis within testes was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling. Light microscopy revealed testicular damage comprising various degrees of seminiferous tubule degeneration. Germ cell apoptotic index and 4-HNE, PAR, and PARP-1 expression in germ cells increased after varicocele induction. Increased oxidative stress and PARP overactivation in testes might be important with regard to impaired testicular function associated with varicocele.     

Dermatologic comorbidities of the patients with severe COVID‐19: A case‐control study

The current studies focus on the association between COVID‐19 and certain comorbidities. To the best of our knowledge, the association between severe COVID‐19 and dermatologic comorbidities has not been reported yet. In this study, we aimed to describe the dermatologic comorbidities of patients with severe COVID‐19 and compare it with the control group. Patients who have died at U?ak Training and Research Hospital due to COVID‐19 and other diseases in the COVID‐19 Intensive Care Units and Internal Medicine Intensive Care Units were recruited into the study. Two groups were compared with each other regarding the most common dermatologic comorbidities. A total of 198 patients including 111 patients with COVID‐19 and 87 age and sex‐matched patients with other diseases were enrolled in the study. The most common dermatologic comorbidities were pruritus (8.1%), eczema (6.3%), skin infections (3.6%), leukocytoclastic vasculitis (1.8%), and urticaria (0.9%) in the COVID‐19 group while they were skin infections (9.2%), eczema (3.4%), pruritus (2.3%), and urticaria (1.1%) in the control group. None of patients in the control group had leukocytoclastic vasculitis. There were no significant differences between COVID‐19 and control groups in terms of pruritus, eczema, skin infections, and urticaria (P values were .117, .517, .181, .505, and 1.000, respectively). In conclusion, although it is not statistically significant, it appears that pruritus and leukocytoclastic vasculitis are more common in severe COVID‐19 patients. These cytokines‐related diseases in the immuno‐cutaneous systems may give some clues on the COVID‐19 severity. Further studies are required to elucidate the relationship between the immuno‐cutaneous system and COVID‐19 severity.     

Hyperalbuminemia and elevated transaminases associated with high-protein diet

While high protein diets are increasing in popularity, there is a lack of data on their potential adverse effects. We describe two patients on high protein supplements and exercising for physical fitness. Both developed intermittent abdominal pain, transient elevations in transaminases and hyperalbuminemia without there being any identifiable cause. The symptoms and abnormalities on the laboratory tests resolved after the high protein intake was discontinued. While the pathogenesis and importance of these abnormalities need further study, the findings raise concerns regarding the safety of high protein diets combined with high intensity exercise.     

Anterior segmental distraction of the hypoplastic maxilla by a tooth borne device: a study on the movement of the segment

The aim of this study is to determine the relative movement of the teeth and bone after premaxillary distraction with a tooth-borne device constructed in the authors’ centre. To evaluate the effects of this device on the anterior segment and teeth, the space formed between the anterior and posterior segments of the maxilla was measured on computerized tomography images from 10 patients. The average differences were 3.5 mm at the apex level, 5.5 mm at alveolar ridge level and 7.4 mm at crown level on the right side. On the left side, the average differences were 3.2, 5.2 and 7.1 mm, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between all these measurements (p < 0.05), but the difference between right and left sides was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The ratio between the movements at apex and crown levels was 46%. These results showed that the tooth-borne distractor was able to distract the anterior segment of the maxilla but it also caused anchorage loss of the maxillary incisors.     

Once daily ceftriaxone for meningococcemia and meningococcal meningitis

Twenty children with meningococcal disease (15 with meningococcal meningitis and 5 with meningococcemia without meningitis) were treated with ceftriaxone, 80 to 100 mg/kg/day for 4 days. An additional 22 patients with meningococcal disease (13 with meningitis, 9 with meningococcemia without meningitis) were treated with penicillin G. On the basis of the Damrosch-Stiehm scoring system, 19 patients were classified in the poor prognostic group and were treated with antishock therapy. Clinical recovery time and normalization of CSF were compared in two groups. When the complications were compared, necrotic skin lesions were more frequently seen in the penicillin G group than in those who received ceftriaxone. Ceftriaxone is an effective and safe drug and offers the advantage of once daily administration for treatment of meningococcal disease in pediatric patients.     

Osteochondroma of the mandible causing severe facial asymmetry: a case report.

Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign tumors of bone. Although osteochondroma is rarely seen in facial region, the cases in literature are usually in the mandibular region, especially around the condyle. The treatments of these lesions include total condylectomy or local resection of the lesion. The aim of the present study is to emphasize the importance of stereolithographic models in planning tumor surgery and how it affects the treatment planning, operation time and prognosis. In this report, the patient had an osteochondroma in the left condylar region, pushing the condyle seriously to the anterior. The clinical findings were 8 mm deviation of midline to the right side, 23 mm mouth opening, unilateral posterior cross-bite on the right side, and 8 mm negative horizontal overjet. We acquired a 3-dimensional solid model of the patient. Determination of the anatomy of the surgical area, determination of the surgical access method, and other treatment planning were all done on the stereolithographic model. Based on the model evaluation, the tumor was conservatively resected and the condyle left intact, leaving no sequelae. All the preoperative problems were resolved except the midline deviation.     

Antineuronal antibodies in migraine patients with white matter lesions

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies occasionally display focal hyperintense lesions within the white matter of migraine patients. No immunological factors associated with these lesions have been defined so far. To investigate the relationship between MRI lesions and antineuronal antibody response, 17 migraine patients with white matter lesions (WML), 19 migraine patients without WML, 20 multiple sclerosis patients with WML and with no headache history, and 20 healthy individuals were enrolled, and their sera were examined by indirect immunohistochemistry for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) reacting with the rat brain tissue. Migraine patients with and without WML essentially showed identical demographic and clinical features and frequencies of systemic autoantibodies. However, migraine patients with WML displayed a significantly higher frequency of antineuronal antibodies than those without WML (12/17 vs. 2/19, p = .0004). Serum IgG of migraine patients predominantly reacted with the cytoplasm of neurons and the molecular layer of cerebellum. None of the multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls displayed antineuronal antibodies. Our results imply the involvement of inflammation in migraine pathogenesis.     

Observer ability to detect ex vivo simulated internal or external cervical root resorption

Introduction

The objective of this study was to assess observer ability to detect ex vivo simulated internal and external cervical root resorption.

Methods

A total of 90 single-rooted mandibular anterior teeth were split along the coronal plane. By using a 0.5-mm diameter round bur, 50 of the teeth were drilled to simulate resorptive cavities (25 internal and 25 external cervical resorption), and the remaining 40 teeth were left without surface defects. The sectioned teeth were rejoined and placed in the alveolar sockets of a dry human mandible in groups of 6 and imaged with intraoral film by using 3 different angulations and with a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) unit. Film and CBCT image sets were evaluated twice by 3 separate observers. Teeth were scored for the presence and location of resorption by using a 5-point scale. Intraobserver and interobserver kappa coefficients and Az values were calculated for each observer and image set. Differences between modalities were compared by using z statistics, with the significance level set at α = 0.05.

Results

Both intraobserver and interobserver agreements were statistically higher (p < .05) for the Iluma CBCT images than for the intraoral images. Az values for CBCT images were also statistically higher (p < .05) than for film images for all observers and readings. In addition, kappa and Az values of external cervical resorption cavities were statistically higher (p < .05) than those of internal cervical resorption cavities for all observers, image types, and readings.

Conclusions

High-resolution Iluma CBCT images performed better than film in the ex vivo detection and localization of simulated internal and external cervical root resorption.