Carbamazepine-induced sperm disorders can be associated with the altered expressions of testicular KCNJ11/miR-let-7a and spermatozoal CFTR/miR-27a

Male infertility is a global health problem, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly known. Ion channels and microRNAs (miRNAs), known to function in many vital functions in cells, have been shown to play a significant role in male infertility through changes in their expressions. The study aimed to evaluate the alterations of testicular and/or spermatozoal potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11), Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), miR-let-7a and miR-27a expressions in carbamazepine-related male infertility. Here, we showed that carbamazepine reduced sperm motility, increased abnormal sperm morphology, and impaired hormonal balance as well as increased relative testis weight and decreased relative seminal vesicle weight. On the other hand, downregulated KCNJ11 and upregulated miR-let-7a expressions were determined in testis (p < .05). Also, downregulated KCNJ11 and upregulated CFTR and miR-27a expressions were found in spermatozoa (p < .05). Interestingly, altered testicular KCNJ11 and miR-let-7a expressions were correlated with decreased sperm motility and elevated sperm tail defect. Besides, spermatozoal CFTR and miR-27a expressions positively correlated with sperm tail defects. The results indicated a significant relationship between ion channel and/or miRNA expression alterations and impaired sperm parameters due to carbamazepine usage.     

The effects of pentoxifylline on liver regeneration after portal vein ligation in rats.

AIM: To determine the effects of pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine derivative on hepatic cell production of uninterferred lobe after portal vein branch ligation. METHODS: Sixty-six rats were randomly allocated into 9 groups with 8 rats in PVL groups and 6 rats in sham operation groups. The portal branches of the median and the lateral liver lobes, corresponding to approximately 70% of the liver volume were ligated in the PVL groups. The control group received 0.9% NaCl solution. The rats in the treatment groups received pentoxifylline at the dose of 50 mg/kg/dy. After 1, 2, 4 days of portal vein ligation in both PVL and PVNL lobes the levels of adenine nucleotides were determined and flowcytometric analysis of cell cycles were performed. RESULTS: On the first day of portal branch ligation energy charge was significantly lower, in pentoxifylline treated group comparing to pentoxifylline untreated group, both in PVL and PVNL lobes (P<0.05). Proliferative indexes were 0.38 and 0.29 in pentoxifylline treated and pentoxifylline untreated PVNL lobes respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline treatment resulted in an increase of percentage of calls entering mitosis phase on the first day after PVL, somehow accelerating the regeneration process.     

Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia: a case report

Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (ICEP) is a rare cause of chronic lung disease in children and adolescents. We described four-years old boy presenting with recurrent pneumonia and symptoms of bronchial asthma. Because of peripheral eosinophilia and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates patient investigated comprehensive and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia determined histopathologically. Other conditions causing eosinophilic pneumonia were ruled out. He showed a dramatic response to oral corticosteroid therapy. This report emphasizes that ICEP should be considered in pediatric age group on a cause for chronic hypoxemi or intractable symptoms of respiratory system.     

An evaluation of five different dressing materials on split‐thickness skin graft donor site and full‐thickness cutaneous wounds: an experimental study

The objective of this study was to investigate the healing effect of five different products on split‐thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites and full‐thickness cutaneous wounds (FTCWs) using an occlusive dressing model. Six groups were included: 1 control and 5 experimental groups, with a total of 24 rats, using an occlusive dressing model. STSG donor sites and FTCWs were established in two separate areas, to the right and left on the animals' backs. Wound sites were dressed with one of the following materials: fine mesh gauze, microporous polysaccharide hemosphere (MPH), clinoptilolite, alginate, hydrogel or biosynthetic wound dressing (Biobran^®). These materials were compared in terms of healing rate, healing quality and histopathological findings. Occlusive dressings were applied to each wound on days 0, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14. Area measurements were taken using images of each dressing. The alginate and clinoptilolite groups gave the best healing rate results for both STSG donor sites (P = 0·003) and FTCWs (P = 0·003). MPH came third in each group. The alginate group produced better results in terms of healing quality criteria, followed by hydrogel, MPH, clinoptilolite and Biobran^®, in that order. Statistically significant results were obtained in all groups compared to the control group (P < 0·0007). Rapid and good healing quality for both the STSG donor sites and FTCWs were obtained with alginate. Healing with clinoptilolite and MPH was rapid, but poor quality, while slower but good healing quality was obtained with hydrogel. Slower and worse quality healing was obtained with Biobran^®.     

Measuring the Sympathetic Skin Response on Body and Using as Diagnosis-Purposed for Lung Cancer Patients by Artificial Neural Networks

In this study, the points of Sympathetic skin response that can be measured from different zones on body of healthy and patient subjects are determined. The Sympathetic skin responses on these points are obtained using a measurement device that is called Grass Model 7 Polygraph 1. The database is formed in Cerrahpaşa University, Faculty of Medicine and data is taken from healthy and patient subjects who are volunteer. Some parameters of the subjects which are more effective on SSR such as height, weight, age must be chosen between the specific limits to obtain results more clearly. The symmetric points on human body are chosen for the measurement. After that, the Sympathetic skin response values which are measured from a human body are simulated and tested by using artificial neural network toolbox on Matlab software. The structure of the chosen neural network is a multilayer feedforward neural network. According to simulation results, the application method as diagnosis-purposed of the lung cancer patients is explained by using the differences related to these values on the skin.     

Extra-axial cavernomas of the cerebellopontine angle involving the seventh-eighth nerve complex

Extra-axial cavernous malformations (cavernomas) of the central nervous system are rare. Although occasional cases located in different parts of the central nervous system have been reported, only five cases of extra-axial cavernous malformation in the cerebellopontine angle are to be found. We describe here two additional cases of cavernomas in the cerebellopontine angle causing hearing loss and tinnitus presenting as vestibular schwannoma. Electronic Publication     

Antioxidant actions and early ultrastructural findings of thiopental and propofol in experimental spinal cord injury

Thiopental and propofol are effective antioxidant agents. The current study was undertaken to examine the neuroprotective effects of a single intraperitoneal dose of thiopental and propofol. Effects of the drugs were evaluated by lipid peroxidation and ultrastructural findings. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group 1 was the control group. Rats underwent laminectomy only, and nontraumatized spinal cord samples were obtained 1 hour after surgical intervention. All other rats sustained a 50-g/cm contusion injury by the weight drop technique. Group 2 rats underwent spinal cord injury alone, group 3 rats received 1 mL intralipid solution intraperitoneally immediately after trauma as the vehicle group, group 4 rats received a 15-mg/kg single dose of thiopental, and group 5 rats received a 40-mg/kg single dose of propofol intraperitoneally following the trauma. Samples from groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were obtained 1 hour after injury. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde in the spinal cord tissue. The ultrastructure of the spinal cord was determined by electron microscopy. The contusion injury was associated with a rise in lipid peroxidation. Compared with the trauma group there was significant attenuation in lipid peroxidation of groups 4 and 5. Ultrastructural findings showed that the rats of group 4 sustained minor damage after spinal cord injury, but there was more evident damage in group 5 rats. These results indicate that thiopental decreases lipid peroxidation and improves ultrastructure, whereas propofol decreases lipid peroxidation without improving ultrastructure 1 hour after spinal cord injury in rats.     

The effects of pre-emptive epidural sufentanil on human immune function

BACKGROUND: Surgical stress and general anaesthesia suppress immune functions, including natural killer cell (NK) activity. This suppression could be attributed, at least in part, to the effect of opiates. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy received epidural sufentanil (50 microg) either before (pre-emptive) or at the end (control group) of surgery. Post-operative pain relief was provided using sufentanil from a patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) system. Systemic immunity was assessed by determining leucocyte counts, NK cell counts and activity, lymphocyte response to mitogen stimulation, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: In the pre-emptive group there was a significant decrease in NK activity on the first and third post-operative day (P < 0.05) compared with baseline values and on the third postoperative day (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. The number of total leucocytes and neutrophiles increased in both groups post-operatively, but no differences were found in the levels of mononuclear lymphocyte populations or in their mitogen responses. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration increased in both groups after the operation. In addition, at the end of the surgery the IL-6 level was greater in the control group than in the pre-emptive group. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels had decreased significantly at the end of surgery and 4 h later compared with baseline levels in the pre-emptive, but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-emptive epidural sufentanil during combined propofol and isoflurane anaesthesia had minor effects on the immune response after hysterectomy. The lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6) in the pre-emptive group compared with the control group is beneficial, but its clinical importance remains to be determined.     

Erythropoietin exerts neuroprotection after acute spinal cord injury in rats: effect on lipid peroxidation and early ultrastructural findings

Lipid peroxidation has been reported to play an important role in spinal cord injury (SCI). Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates proliferation and differentiation of erythroid precursor cells and is also known to exert neurotrophic activity in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of recombinant human EPO in attenuating the severity of experimental SCI. Rats were divided into seven groups. Controls (1) received only laminectomy. The trauma-only group (2) underwent 50-g/cm contusion injury and had no medication. In group 3, 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone was introduced. The vehicle group (4) received vehicle solution containing human serum albumin, which is a solvent of EPO. Groups 5, 6, and 7 received 100 IU/kg, 1,000 IU/kg, and 5,000 IU/kg of EPO, respectively. All treatments were given as single doses, intraperitoneally, immediately after injury. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were estimated to demonstrate lipid peroxidation, and ultrastructure was evaluated by electron microscopy. The results showed that lipid peroxidation by-products increased after injury. Administration of EPO and methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) reduced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances after trauma. The best biochemical results were obtained with 5,000 IU/kg of EPO. Electron microscopic findings showed that EPO protected the spinal cord from injury. Although 1,000 IU/kg and 5,000 IU/kg of EPO inhibited lipid peroxidation better than MPSS, ultrastructural neuroprotection was similar.