Lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte superoxide-dismutase activity and trace metals in young male footballers

Physical training is known to induce oxidative stress in individuals subjected to intense exercise. In this study, we investigated plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of 25 young male footballers and a control group of similar age. Red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) values, and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were also examined. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of all subjects was determined in order to establish their functional capacity. The main finding of the present study was that plasma MDA levels, one of the most commonly used markers of lipid peroxidation, of this group of footballers aged under 21 decreased slightly when compared with those of the control group (p < 0.001). In contrast, erythrocyte SOD activity was higher in the footballer group than in the controls (p < 0.001). Footballers who are under regular training showed an improved antioxidant activity in comparison to sedentary controls. Plasma copper concentration, RBC count and Hb concentration of the footballer group were all significantly lower than those of the control group, (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Investigating the footballers' data with Spearman's correlation analyses, the correlation coefficients (r) between Zn/Cu ratio and SOD was positive (r=0.44; p < 0.05); and between VO2max and SOD (r=0.42; p < 0.05) were both positive. On the basis of statistical analysis, we suggest that regular exercise may be beneficial in cases of oxidative damage by reducing the amount of lipid peroxidation and increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzyme SOD.     

In vitro activity of caspofungin compared to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole against Candida strains isolated in a Turkish University Hospital.

We investigated the in vitro activity of caspofungin compared to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole against clinical strains of Candida spp. (n =239). Antifungal susceptibility tests were done in accordance with NCCLS M27-A2 microdilution method and the results were read after 24 and 48 h. In general, 24 h MIC readings were similar to those at 48 h for most isolates and all antifungal agents. Caspofungin was active against all species tested. Caspofungin MICs of Candida parapsilosis were slightly higher than those for other Candida spp. Caspofungin MIC (microg/ml) ranges at 24 h for C. albicans, C. glabrata, C tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C kefyr, C krusei, C. lusitaniae, C. norvegensis, C. guilliermondii and C. lipolytica were 0.06-2, 0.125-2, 0.125-2, 1-4, 0.125-2, 1-2, 0.5-2, 0.5-1, 0.5-2 and 1-2, respectively. Eagle (paradoxical) effect was observed in 31 and 8% of the isolates at highest concentrations of caspofungin and itraconazole, respectively. The activity of caspofungin against fluconazole- and/or itraconazole-resistant isolates was similar to that detected for the susceptible ones. We conclude that caspofungin appears as a promising antifungal agent with enhanced activity against Candida, including the azole-resistant strains.     

The Proposal and Early Results of Capitate Forage as a New Treatment Method for Kienböck's Disease

Kienböck's disease is a type of avascular necrosis which disrupts the biomechanics of the wrist as a result of the changes it creates in the lunate bone. Its treatment generally consists of osteotomies intended to relieve the pressure on the bone, pedicle bone grafting applications aiming to increase bone blood supply, and salvage procedures. Capitate forage is a safe and simple-to-apply surgical treatment method which is intended to enhance neovascularization of the lunate much like a radius osteotomy or core decompression     

The correlation of plasma homocysteine with insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome

AIM: This study aims to investigate the existence of any relationship between homocysteine levels and insulin resistance in Turkish women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: A case-controlled, cross-sectional, observational study was undertaken in a total of 94 infertile Turkish women who required professional help in the Department of Infertility of Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital. The correlation between serum homocysteine with age, body mass index, hormone profile, fasting insulin and glucose concentrations and insulin resistance were examined in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and the results were compared to those of women with normal ovaries, who served as a control group. RESULTS: The mean serum fasting glucose and insulin levels, thus insulin resistance index of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, were significantly higher than those of the control subjects. The mean serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome than those in the control group. A positive correlation was detected between the mean homocysteine, the insulin resistance index determined by homeostasis model assessment and the fasting insulin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum homocysteine levels are elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and this elevation is associated with the serum insulin level rather than androgen excess. The intense treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome might improve reproductive outcome and contribute to protection from cardiovascular risks.     

Ravuconazole Eisai/Bristol-Myers Squibb

Eisai and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) are developing the triazole, ravuconazole, as a potential treatment for fungal infection [187888]. Eisai selected the compound for further development on the basis of its good safety profile and well-balanced antifungal activity [187888]. Ravuconazole has a broader antifungal spectrum than fluconazole and itraconazole, particularly against strains of Candida krusei and Cryptococcus neoformans [271854], [342757], [370312]. By June 1999, the compound was undergoing phase II trials [327113]. In November 2001, it was reported that BMS was seeking a co-development partner for the compound [430011]. In October 2001, analysts at ABN Amro predicted sales of US $50 million in 2003 [444020].     

Nitric oxide levels in rat cortex,hippocampus, cerebellum,and brainstem after impact acceleration head injury

Nitric oxide (NO) is a potential mediator of secondary brain injury in the settings of cerebral ischemia and inflammation. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) alters the levels of stable end products of NO metabolism. We investigated these changes and attempted to identify brain regions that were unique with regard to NO production in the period immediately after TBI. The experiment involved assaying nitrite-nitrate concentrations in the rat cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and brainstem after impact-acceleration head injury. Five rats comprised the sham-operated (control) group, five sustained mild head injury (MHI), and five sustained severe head injury (SHI). There was a uniform decline in the tissue concentrations of NO metabolites in all four brain regions in both injured groups. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of NO metabolites among the various sites tested in the MHI group; however, there appeared to be a relationship between degree of decline in NO levels and amount of trauma sustained by a given region in the SHI group. In these rats, NO dropped to the lowest levels in the brain region where the direct trauma was most severe. The results suggest that nitrite-nitrate levels in these four brain regions fall below normal in the first 5 min after impact trauma. This decrease may, in part, be related to reduced activity of all nitric oxide synthase isoforms, which would cause a drop in the levels of NO metabolites. We believe that this decline may be linked to, and may even cause, the global decrease in cerebral blood flow that occurs in the initial stages of TBI.     

Phosphorylation states of cell cycle and DNA repair proteins can be altered by the nsSNPs

Background

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is an effective tool for axillary staging in patients with invasive breast cancer. This procedure has been recently proposed as part of the treatment for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), because cases of undetected invasive foci and nodal metastases occasionally occur. However, the indications for SLN biopsy in DCIS patients are controversial. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess the incidence of SLN metastases in a series of patients with a diagnosis of pure DCIS.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation was made of a series of 102 patients who underwent SLN biopsy, and had a final histologic diagnosis of pure DCIS. Patients with microinvasion were excluded from the analysis. The patients were operated on in five Institutions between 1999 and 2004. Subdermal or subareolar injection of 30–50 MBq of 99 m-Tc colloidal albumin was used for SLN identification. All sentinel nodes were evaluated with serial sectioning, haematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical analysis for cytocheratin.

Results

Only one patient (0.98%) was SLN positive. The primary tumour was a small micropapillary intermediate-grade DCIS and the SLN harboured a micrometastasis. At pathologic revision of the specimen, no detectable focus of microinvasion was found.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that SLN metastases in pure DCIS are a very rare occurrence. SLN biopsy should not therefore be routinely performed in patients who undergo resection for DCIS. SLN mapping can be performed, as a second operation, in cases in which an invasive component is identified in the specimen. Only DCIS patients who require a mastectomy should have SLN biopsy performed at the time of breast operation, since in these cases subsequent node mapping is not feasible.     

Cerebrospinal fluid superoxide dismutase and serum malondialdehyde levels in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: preliminary results

OBJECTIVES: Experimental studies provide evidence that oxidative damage plays a role in the development of vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) but data from human studies is still limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) changes in patients with aneurysmal SAH. METHODS: SOD in CSF and MDA in the serum were detected on days 1-3, 5 and 7 after aneurysmal SAH in 21 patients, and the results were compared with 15 patients with hydrocephalus. The results were also compared with those of clinical parameters including the patient's outcome at 6 months. RESULTS: The mean CSF SOD levels were lower and serum MDA levels were higher than the controls. Patients with a high amount of blood within the cisterns had a trend to decreased SOD while increasing MDA levels. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that the levels of antioxidants are decreased after the onset of SAH in the early period, possibly because of increased oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen-mediated oxidative damage may play an important role in inflammation after SAH.