Protective effect of lycopene against ochratoxin A induced renal oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats

This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of lycopene against the renal toxic effects of OTA. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (<200 g, n = 6) were treated with OTA (0.5 mg/kg/day) and/or lycopene (5 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 14 days. Histopathological examinations were performed and apoptotic cell death in both cortex and medulla was evaluated by TUNEL assay. Besides, biochemical parameters and activities of renal antioxidant selenoenzymes [glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR)], catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD); concentrations of total glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. OTA treatment was found to induce oxidative stress in rat kidney, as evidenced by marked decreases in CAT (35%) activity and GSH levels (44%) as well as increase in SOD activity (22%) vs control group. Furthermore, TUNEL analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in cortex (49%) and medulla (75%) in OTA administrated group compared to control (p < 0.05). Lycopene supplementation with OTA increased GPx1 activity and GSH levels, and decreased apoptotic cell death in both cortex and medulla vs. control. The results of this study showed that at least one of the mechanisms underlying the renal toxicity of OTA is oxidative stress and apoptosis is the major form of cell death caused by OTA. Besides, our data indicate that the natural antioxidant lycopene might be partially protective against OTA-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat.     

Ovarian torsion in puerperium: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian torsion (OT) is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain that requires prompt recognition and treatment during puerperium. Diagnosis of OT can be challenging due to nonspecific clinical features and uncommon objective findings. The management of OT is often delayed because of diagnostic uncertainty. Early and timely recognition and prompt intervention are crucial to preserve ovarian function and to minimize morbidity.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a 29-year-old postpartum woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) with severe right flank pain, nausea and anorexia initially considered as renal colic. After further investigation, OT caused by large mucinous cyst was diagnosed. Right-sided salpingo-oophorectomy was performed due to hemorrhagic ovary and huge cystic mass causing ischemic OT.

DISCUSSION

OT is often diagnosed based on the clinical presentation, including severe, sharp, sudden onset of unilateral lower abdominal pain and tenderness with a palpable laterouterine pelvic mass and nausea/vomiting. Emergency surgical intervention should be performed if OT is suspected to confirm the diagnosis and uncoil the twist to prevent ovarian damage.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, emergency physicians should be aware of the possibility of OT in postpartum women. Therefore, early and timely surgical intervention should be undertaken.     

Impact of liver transplantation on renal function of patients with congenital hepatic fibrosis associated with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an uncommon autosomal recessive malformation. It may be associated with extrahepatic manifestations such as polycystic kidney disease. The main consequence is portal hypertension and bleeding from varices. Despite liver transplantation as a therapeutic option for this patient, long-term impact of liver transplantation on renal functions of patients with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease with associated liver disease is not well known. In this study, we aimed to analyze the patient's renal function after liver transplantation by creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate, and renal resistive indexes. Between March 1997 and September 2002, three of 50 orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were performed because of CHF associated with ARPKD at Ege University Organ Transplantation and Research Center. Baseline immunosuppression consisted of prednisone and cyclosporine A (CSA). The mean follow-up of the patients was 2.1 yr. Blood urea and creatinine levels were decreased after operation in all patients and remained within the normal range at the sixth and 12th month, whereas the level of the third patient were increased at the 18th month. RRI values of patients were not found different at the sixth month whereas, RRI values of patients were decreased at the 12th month and remained unchanged at the 18th month of follow-up. During the study period hypertension developed in one patient at the 16th month and resolved with antihypertensive treatment and decreasing dosage of CSA. Kidney function has remained satisfactory in all of the patients despite the use of cyclosporine. OLT can provide good survival in patients with CHF associated with ARPKD.     

A cross-sectional,mono-centric pilot study of insulin resistance in enzyme replacement therapy patients with Gaucher type I without overweight

Insulin resistance have been demonstrated in untreated patients with Gaucher type I disease. It was implied in overweight enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) treated patients with Gaucher type I disease. In present study we investigate whether insulin resistance is presented in fourteen ERT treated patients with Gaucher type I disease and without overweight in comparison to normal subjects. This work illustrates the presence of insulin resistance in non-overweight ERT treated patients with Gaucher type I disease.     

Electrical conductivity of silver nanoparticle doped carbon nanofibres measured by CS-AFM

In this work, a pioneering study on the electrical properties of composite carbon nanofibres (CNFs) using current-sensitive atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM) has been demonstrated. CNFs are highly interesting materials which are usable in a wide array of applications e.g. electrode materials for biosensors, lithium ion batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors. CNFs offer a high specific surface area and thus have a high contact area for charge transfer. CNFs can be produced using spinnable polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a precursor for carbonisation. For the purpose of developing efficient CNFs with high conductivity and power density, silver nanoparticle (AgNPs)-containing PAN solutions were electrospun to form composite nanofibres which was followed by heat treatment. The applied voltage of the spinning setup and the content of both PAN and the silver nanoparticles in the spinning solution were varied in order to study their influence on the morphology and the electrical properties of the nanofibres. The resultant morphologies and fibre diameters were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation of silver nanoparticles was characterised in solution by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS), while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were carried out to investigate the presence as well as the average diameter of the AgNPs. The electrical properties of the CNFs were investigated using CS-AFM. This technique gives us the possibility to explore the electrical properties of single fibers and hence derive relationships between the structural features and the electrical properties. Our results show that the composite CNFs have a higher electrical conductivity than the neat CNFs and both the average diameter of the fibers and the electrical conductivity increase with an increasing AgNP content.

In this work, a pioneering study on the electrical properties of composite carbon nanofibres (CNFs) using current-sensitive atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM) has been demonstrated.     

Smoking associated with damage to the lipid layer of the ocular surface

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of smoking on ocular surface. DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, interventional case series. METHODS: setting: Institutional. study population: Sixty smokers (33 men, 27 women) and 34 healthy subjects (18 men, 16 women) were enrolled into this study. Patients with associated ophthalmic or systemic diseases, and history of contact lens use and ocular surgery were excluded. The duration of average smoking was 13.1 years (range 5 to 35 years). INTERVENTION: Ocular surface was evaluated by measuring corneal and conjunctival sensitivity, surface staining with fluorescein, tear film breakup time, Schirmer 1 test, and conjunctival impression cytology. Dry eye symptoms were scored by questionnaire. Kinetic analysis of sequential tear interference images obtained by a DR-1 tear lipid layer interferometry was used to investigate the precorneal lipid layer spread. Results were compared with a control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of subjective complaints with objective parameters in cigarette smokers and normal subjects. RESULTS: In the smoker group, the mean Schirmer 1 test value was 10.8 mm (range 8 to 14 mm). The mean breakup time was 5.3 seconds (range 1 to 10 seconds), the average conjunctival sensitivity was 26.2 mm (range 0 to 45 mm), and the average central corneal sensitivity was 37.6 mm (range 5 to 60 mm). There was no statistically significant difference in goblet cell densities or in Schirmer 1 test values between smokers and controls (P > .05). Higher grades of lipid layer changes were observed in smokers by DR-1 interferometry kinetic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking has deteriorating effects on the lipid layer of precorneal tear film.     

The inner diameter of the optic disc pit decreases with pars plana vitrectomy

To report a patient with optic disc pit who showed decreased inner diameter of the optic disc pit along with resolution of recurrent macular detachment after pars plana vitrectomy. Pneumatic retinopexy and peripapillary laser photocoagulation was performed in a 28-year-old female with optic disc pit and serous macular detachment. Two months after the initial therapy, serous macular detachment recurred. Then, pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the posterior hyaloid was performed, and intraocular perfluoro-octane (C3F8) tamponade was used. Fundus photography and ocular coherence tomography were obtained at each visit. The patient was followed up for 1 year. Visual acuity was 20/400 (Snellen) at first presentation, improved to 20/40 at 2 weeks after pneumatic retinopexy and peripapillary laser treatment. Then, 2 months later visual acuity decreased to 20/200, improved to 20/40 at 2 weeks after the vitreoretinal surgery, and stayed stable during the 1-year follow-up. It was also noticed on clinical examinations as well as fundus photographs that the inner diameter of the optic disc pit had decreased significantly. Vitreous traction plays an important role in the formation of serous macular detachments with optic disc pits. In these patients, pars plana vitrectomy and posterior hyaloid removal may be an effective treatment for reduction of the inner diameter of the optic pit and resolution of the serous macular detachments.