Acute Osteomyelitis of the Pubic Bone Following Pelvic Surgery

Primary osteomyelitis of the pubic bone has not been recorded previously. The authors present a case of this unusual entity.     

Cardiovascular effects of Leu-enkephalin in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat

Microinjections of Leu-enkephalin into the dorsal vagal complex induced hypotension and bradycardia. Both naloxone, given at a dose conferring selectivity for μ receptors, and the S antagonist ICI 154,129 prevented the cardiovascular effects of Leu-enkephalin. Naloxone was also found to decrease the gain of the baroreflex. These results suggest that Leu-enkephalin is involved in cardiovascular regulation through activation of δ-, and possibly μ-, opioid receptors in the dorsal vagal complex.     

Contradictory effects of chlorpromazine on endothelial cells in a rat model of endotoxic shock in association with its actions on serum TNF-alpha levels and antioxidant enzyme activities.

We examined the effects of the phenothiazine derivative, chlorpromazine on thoracic aortic endothelial cell histology (14 h after LPS challenge) in a model of endotoxic shock in rats. Since excessive formation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and oxygen-derived free radicals contribute to endothelial injury in endotoxemia, we also evaluated the effect of the drug on the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in liver tissue in this model and tried to find out whether this possible effect was associated with a change in serum TNF-alpha levels (measured 90 min after chlorpromazine administration). Endotoxemia was induced by a single i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg kg(-1) in 1.5 ml of saline; LPS from Escherichia coli serotype 055:B5, L-2880, Sigma Chemical Company). Electron microscopic evaluation of the aortas revealed that chlorpromazine (administered 30 min prior to LPS challenge), in smaller doses (3 mg kg(-1)) ameliorated the endothelial cell injury caused by LPS, whereas it caused deterioration of endothelial cell morphology in higher doses (10 and 25 mg kg(-1)). Chlorpromazine administration caused a significant reduction in serum TNF-alpha levels, which was correlated well with an increase in SOD activity in all drug doses (3, 10 and 25 mg kg(-1)). Catalase activity was increased only in the 25 mg kg(-1) chlorpromazine group.     

Does moxifloxacin alter oxidant status in the cornea? An experimental study

Objective: In this experimental study, we investigated the possible effects of intracameral moxifloxacin on oxidative stress parameters and endothelial cell morphology in corneal tissue.

Methods: In total, 30 rats were randomly assigned to three groups of 10 rats: the sham group (Group 1, n?=?10); the control group (Group 2), where balanced salt solution (BSS) was administered at a dose of 0.01?cc (n?=?10); and the treatment group (Group 3), where moxifloxacin was administered at a dose of 0.05?mg/0.01?cc (n?=?10). Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) in corneal tissue and blood samples were measured and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Also, corneal tissue histopathology was evaluated with caspase-3 and caspase-8 staining. Apoptotic activity was also evaluated.

Results: In blood samples, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were not statistically significantly different (all p?>?0.05). Compared with the sham and control groups, TOS and OSI levels in cornea tissue were significantly different in the moxifloxacin group (all p?p?>?0.05). Compared with the sham and control groups, apoptotic activity was higher in the moxifloxacin group, in both immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 and caspase-8.

Conclusions: Intracameral moxifloxacin injection seems to be safe systemically, but it may have toxic effects on corneal tissues, as suggested by oxidative stress parameters and a histopathological evaluation.     

New era of pediatric ventricular assist devices: Let us go to school

As there is still a shortage of pediatric donor hearts, several techniques have been used to assist pediatric patients to survive until transplantation. VADs provide long‐term support and ability of mobilization for children before a suitable heart becomes available. Several devices such as paracorporeal pumps have been used for this purpose, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. However, discharge is not possible, as there is no mobile drive unit for these small‐sized pumps. The possible negative psychosocial impact of long‐term hospitalization, away from home and school, may cause some adjustment problems in the future. In this case series, three pediatric patients that underwent intracorporeal LVAD implantation and returned to school are presented to share clinical experience and also to attract attention to the potential social and psychiatric implications.     

Thymoquinone protects end organs from abdominal aorta ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model

Introduction

Previous studies have demonstrated that thymoquinone has protective effects against ischemia reperfusion injury to various organs like lungs, kidneys and liver in different experimental models.

Objective

We aimed to determine whether thymoquinone has favorable effects on lung, renal, heart tissues and oxidative stress in abdominal aorta ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods

Thirty rats were divided into three groups as sham (n=10), control (n=10) and thymoquinone (TQ) treatment group (n=10). Control and TQ-treatment groups underwent abdominal aorta ischemia for 45 minutes followed by a 120-min period of reperfusion. In the TQ-treatment group, thymoquinone was given 5 minutes. before reperfusion at a dose of 20 mg/kg via an intraperitoneal route. Total antioxidant capacity, total oxidative status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in blood serum were measured and lung, kidney, and heart tissue histopathology were evaluated with light microscopy.

Results

Total oxidative status and oxidative stress index activity in blood samples were statistically higher in the control group compared to the sham and TQ-treatment groups (P<0.001 for TOS and OSI). Control group injury scores were statistically higher compared to sham and TQ-treatment groups (P<0.001 for all comparisons).

Conclusion

Thymoquinone administered intraperitoneally was effective in reducing oxidative stress and histopathologic injury in an acute abdominal aorta ischemia-reperfusion rat model.     

Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen and Preconditioning on Wound Healing in Colonic Anastomoses

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and HBO preconditioning (pre-HBO) on experimental wound healing and tensile strength in the colonic anastomosis of rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three random groups of equal numbers: sham operation, pre-HBO, and HBO. Sham group was given standard left colon resection and end-to-end anastomosis; pre-HBO group received HBO as one dose + colonic resection + anastomosis; HBO group was given colonic resection + anastomosis + HBO. HBO was administrated at 24-hr intervals and relaparatomy was performed on the fifth day. Malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and hydroxy (OH)-proline levels and anastomotic burst pressure were evaluated. Results: Burst pressure and OH-proline levels markedly increased in the HBO group compared with the sham and pre-HBO groups. When compared with the sham group, MDA and MPO levels were significantly decreased in the HBO and pre-HBO groups. In contrast to these findings, SOD and GSH-Px levels were increased in the HBO group as compared with the sham and pre-HBO groups. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 values were detected at low levels in the HBO group as compared with other groups. Conclusions: HBO administration accelerated wound healing and strengthened the anastomotic tissue. In the light of these results, the HBO administration has beneficial effects and contributed to wound healing in colonic anastomosis. But, as expected, pre-HBO did not alter the results significantly.