Effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate on cerebrospinal fluid lactate and glucose levels after spinal cord trauma.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) after spinal cord trauma (SCT). Twenty rabbits were divided equally into four groups: group I was the sham-operated group, group II suffered from SCT but received no treatment, group III was given a dose of 400 mg/kg of GHB intravenously before SCT and group IV received the same dose after SCT. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained 30 min before SCT (T(0)), at 60 (T(1)) and 120 min (T(2)) after SCT. There was a threefold increase in lactate levels from baseline value at T(2) in group II, while statistically significant elevation of the lactate levels were not observed in groups III and IV. Glucose levels at T(1) and T(2) were significantly lower in groups III and IV compared with the control group. The findings of this study demonstrate that GHB can control the increase of CSF lactate and glucose levels following SCT and that this metabolic effect may be associated with neuroprotective physiological changes.     

Audiovestibular disturbance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the audiovestibular disturbance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Twenty-eight patients with SLE and 28 healthy control subjects were included. Pure-tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, and electronystagmography (ENG) were used for baseline evaluation. Laboratory tests were carried out. Cranial and brain stem magnetic resonance imagings (MRI) were undertaken. RESULTS: Nineteen (67%) patients reported audiovestibular symptoms. Sensorineural hearing loss was found in 6 (21%) patients. Abnormal results on ENG were significantly higher (50%) (P < 0.01). Abnormal laboratory data were available from 26 patients (P < 0.05). MRI did not show any pathosis. CONCLUSION: The audiovestibular disturbances in SLE are more prevalent than previously recognized. Although no cause and effect relationship can be established by this type of study, it appears that a relationship exists. SIGNIFICANCE: Audiologic research should be directed toward routine, pure tone audiometry, and ENG assessment for patients with SLE to enable crucial treatment.     

Preoperative embolization in surgical treatment of a primary hemangiopericytoma of the rib: a case report

Primary hemangiopericytoma of the rib is extremely rare and only a few cases have been reported. A 62-yr-old man presented with an aching chest pain and dyspnea. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a homogenous mass expanding the right seventh rib. A diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma was established by percutaneous needle biopsy. Preoperative embolization of the feeding vessels of the tumor was performed in order to prevent perioperative bleeding. There was no significant bleeding during the surgery, where complete resection of the tumor with 7th to 9th ribs with a surgical margin of 5 cm was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful and there has been no recurrence for thirteen months. To our knowledge, there has been no report to apply a preoperative embolization of a primary hemangiopericytoma of the rib.     

Autophagy and nuclear changes in FM3A breast tumor cells after epirubicin, medroxyprogesterone and tamoxifen treatment in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Autophagy is a form of physiological programmed cell death which is observable after hormonal withdrawal. In this study, the FM3A murine breast tumor cell line was treated with epirubicin alone and with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or tamoxifen, to determine if structural and kinetic signs of autophagy may also occur in an enhanced manner during epirubicin sensitization via hormonal agents. METHODS: One-week soft agar colony growth, 96-hour values of plating and pulse thymidine labeling and electron microscopical examinations were performed following treatment with MPA and tamoxifen alone or with epirubicin. RESULTS: Tamoxifen induced signs of autophagy, which was enhanced when it was combined with MPA. Epirubicin also induced autophagy of secretory granules, which coalesced to form an intracytoplasmic lumen. Combining MPA with epirubicin enhanced the formation of apoptotic blebs and chromatin fragmentation. When epirubicin was combined with tamoxifen, peculiar nuclear structures were formed. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal agents may modulate anthracycline activity towards specific patterns in eliciting cell death, via autophagy and/or as yet unknown nucleolus-specific interactions.     

Protective effects of dexmedetomidine on ischaemia-reperfusion injury in an experimental rat model of priapism

The study aimed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine against ischaemia-reperfusion injury occurring after priapism in a model of induced-priapism in rats. A total of 18 male rats were randomised into three groups. Group 1 was the control group. A priapism model was performed rats in Group 2 and then ischaemia-reperfusion injury was evaluated. Group 3 had similar procedures to the rats in Group 2. Rats in Group 3 additionally had 100 μg/kg dexmedetomidine administered intraperitoneally immediately after reperfusion. Blood and tissue samples were analysed. Biochemical analysis of blood samples revealed a decrease in the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 Beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in Group 3 compared to Group 2 (p:.04, p:.009 and p:.009, respectively). Similarly, the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) level was in Group 2 (p:.002). The levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were significantly higher in Group 3 than that of Group 2 (p:.037 and p:.045, respectively). Direct microscopic examinations revealed positive changes in desquamation, oedema, inflammation and vasocongestion scores in Group 3 compared to Group 2 (p:.007, p:.008, p:.007 and p:.006, respectively). Dexmedetomidine has a protective effect against ischaemia-reperfusion injury in penile tissue.     

Herpes simplex type 2 neutralization antibodies in patients with cancers of urinary bladder,prostate, and cervix

In the blood samples obtained from a total of 68 patients with cancers of the urinary bladder, prostate, and cervix, who applied to the Departments of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology of Hacettepe Medical Faculty, neutralizing antibodies were sought for against herpes simplex type 2 by neutralization test. The same test was applied to 35 control patients with no known malignancies. In contrast to the presence of the antibody in 62.86% of the control subjects, this ratio was 90.70% in patients with cancer of the urinary bladder, 87.50% in those with prostatic carcinoma, and 88.89% in those with cancer of the cervix.     

Tobacco, alcohol use, and risks of laryngeal and lung cancer by subsite and histologic type in Turkey

Effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol use on risks of cancers of thelarynx and lung have been evaluated extensively in industrialized countries.Few studies on the effect of these risk factors have been reported fromdeveloping countries. We conducted a case-control study to evaluate risks oflaryngeal and lung cancers in men by subsite and cell type in relation tosmoking and alcohol drinking in Turkey, a country where smoking and alcoholconsumption patterns are different from those in industrialized countries. Weidentified 832 laryngeal and 1,210 lung cancer cases and 829 controls withinformation on smoking and alcohol use (amount and duration) and histologiccell type from an oncology treatment center of a Social Security Agencyhospital in Istanbul, Turkey, admitted between 1979 and 1984. Both laryngealand lung cancer showed significant associations with smoking and alcoholdrinking, but no monotonic dose-response was obtained for alcohol drinking.Among smokers, the highest risks were observed in the supraglottis region ofthe larynx (odds ratio [OR] = 4.1) after adjustment for age and alcohol use.Among alcohol drinkers, the highest risks were observed in the glottis regionof the larynx (OR = 1.7) after adjustment for age and smoking. In theanalysis by the cell type of lung cancer among ever-smokers, small cell typeshowed the highest risk (OR = 5.4), while it showed no association withalcohol drinking. Cumulative cigarette use (pack-years) and number ofcigarettes per day showed stronger associations than years smoked for bothcancer sites. The relative risks of joint exposure to smoking and alcoholwere 12.2 for laryngeal cancer and 14.1 for lung cancer among heavy smokersand heavy alcohol drinkers. This study provides epidemiologic evidence fromTurkey that smoking and alcohol use are associated with risks of cancers ofthe larynx and lung.     

Clinical spectrum of acute abdominal pain in Turkish pediatric patients: A prospective study

Abstract Background : The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, associated symptoms, and clinical outcomes of children with acute abdominal pain who had been admitted to an emergency department. Methods : Children aged between 2 and 16 years who presented to the emergency department of Cerrahpa?a Medical School, Istanbul University between July 2001 and August 2002 with acute abdominal pain were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire was completed each patient admitted to our pediatric emergency unit for acute abdominal pain. Data collected included presenting signs and symptoms, the hospital follow up for all children who returned within 10 days, test results, and telephone follow up. Results : The number of children referred to the emergency department was 7442, with 399 (5.4%) of these having acute abdominal pain. The mean age of the study population was 6.9 ± 3.5 years, and 201 of the patients were male. The five most prevalent diagnoses were: (i) upper respiratory tract infection and/or complicated with otitis media or sinusitis (23.7%); (ii) abdominal pain with uncertain etiology (15.4%); (iii) gastroenteritis (15.4%); (iv) constipation (9.4%); and (v) urinary tract infection (8%). The most common associated symptoms were decreased appetite, fever and emesis. Because of follow‐up deficiency the progress of 28 patients was not obtained. Eighty‐two children were referred to the department of pediatric surgery, but only 17 of 82 (20.7%) required surgical intervention (15 of these 17 for appendicitis). Eleven patients returned within 10 days for re‐evaluation, but the initial diagnosis was not changed. The complaints of 57 patients with uncertain etiology were resolved within 2 days. Conclusions : An acute complaint of abdominal pain was usually attributed to a self‐limited disease. However, the percentage of surgical etiology is not negligible.