Elevated NMDA receptors in parkinsonian striatum.

Dopamine-glutamate interactions contribute to normal striatal function and have been implicated in neurotoxicity at nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) terminals. The present study examined the striata of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and age-matched controls for regional differences in the DA transporter and binding to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. [3H]Mazindol labeling of the DA transporter was reduced by 70-80% in the caudate and putamen of PD patients, with reductions being more extensive dorsally than ventrally. In contrast, L-[3H]glutamate binding to NDMA-sensitive receptors was 20-40% higher in PD cases than in controls. These findings raise the possibility that modifications occur within corticostriatal glutamate synapses of PD patients, possibly as a consequence of reduced nigrostriatal DA activity.     

The stimulating effect of ganglioside injections on the recovery of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activities in the hippocampus of the rat after septal lesions

The effect of intramuscular administration of a mixture of gangliosides (21% GM₁, 39.7% GD_1a,, 16% GD_1b, 19% GT₁ in a daily dose of 50 mg per kg upon the time course of changes in hippocampal acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activities after extensive medioventral septal lesions in the rat was checked on days 3, 5, 18 and 50 after the operation. Following the early decrease in the enzyme activities to about 25% of control due to degeneration, a gradual recovery up to about 50% of control activity at the 50th day was found. When gangliosides were administered, the recovery in the activity of both enzymes was more pronounced. The ratio of the enzyme activities from the animals injected with gangliosides to that from uninjected animals was 1.45 and 1.48 on the 18th day and 1.62 and 1.50 on the 50th day after the operation, for choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activity, respectively. Since no significant effect of ganglioside injection was seen at early postoperative times i.e. on days 3 and 5, the effects seen on days 18 and 50 seem to be specifically due to facilitation of the recovery processes and not to retardation of the degeneration processes.Assuming that the spontaneous recovery of cholinergic enzyme activity reflects reinnervation of the hippocampus through collateral sprouting, gangliosides would seem to facilitate the regrowth of new cholinergic nerve terminals.     

Nasal mucosal expression of nitric oxide synthases in patients with allergic rhinitis and its relation to asthma.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) has contradictory roles in the pathophysiology of allergic inflammation in both allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. Small amounts of NO produced by constitutive NO synthase (NOS) is anti-inflammatory, whereas large amounts produced by inducible NOS (iNOS) are proinflammatory. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference in constitutive endothelial NOS (eNOS) and iNOS expression in nonallergic and allergic mucosa and the possible relation of this to the coexistence of asthma in seasonal AR. METHODS: Seventeen patients (10 women and 7 men) with seasonal AR and 9 nonallergic patients (5 women and 4 men) with nasal septum deviation were enrolled. Inferior turbinate nasal biopsy specimens were obtained in all. Levels of eNOS and iNOS expressed as immunohistochemical scores (HSCOREs) were determined immunohistochemically from the specimens. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD HSCOREs for eNOS in patients with seasonal AR were not significantly different from those of the nonallergic controls (1.85 +/- 0.78 vs 1.63 +/- 0.54; P = .12). On the other hand, the mean +/- SD HSCOREs for iNOS were significantly higher in patients with seasonal AR (1.75 +/- 0.75 vs 0.71 +/- 0.6; P = .004). Furthermore, although eNOS expression was not different between seasonal AR patients with and without asthma, the mean +/- SD HSCOREs for iNOS were significantly higher in the patients with asthma (1.93 +/- 0.78 vs 1.65 +/- 0.55; P = .01). CONCLUSION: Increased expression of iNOS might have a role in the development of allergic inflammation in upper and lower airways and in comorbidity of AR and asthma.     

Comparison of Ho:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of impacted ureteral stones: An analysis of risk factors

The aim was to compare pneumatic and holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser in the treatment of impacted ureteral stones with different locations and to identify the risk factors for complications. Between March 2005 and November 2012, a total of 230 patients underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy for impacted stones. Of the patients, 117 had pneumatic and 113 had laser lithotripsy for the fragmentation of the stones. Treatment outcomes based on evidence of being stone free were evaluated. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative follow-up findings were analyzed and compared. There was a difference between the two groups according to overall stone clearance rate (93.8% vs. 80.3%, p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference for distal location between the laser and pneumatic groups (96.8% vs. 91.7%, p = 0.288). For 10 patients with intrarenally migrated stones who were managed with flexible ureterorenoscopy in the same session, laser lithotripsy was more successful than pneumatic for proximal ureteral stone (94.4% vs. 67.9%, p = 0.007). The overall complication rate was 26.1%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (29% vs. 23%, p = 0.296). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the proximal location was a statistically significant parameter for the occurrence of complications in both groups (p = 0.001 for PL, p = 0.004 for laser). The pneumatic and holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser lithotripsy are effective in the treatment of distal impacted stones. Both treatments with semirigid ureteroscopy are acceptable for proximal impacted ureteral stones, but holmium laser lithotripsy has an advantage of use with flexible ureteroscope for intrarenally migrated stone.     

Co-existence of the Onodi cell with the variation of perisphenoidal structures

The presence of the Onodi cell (OC) may be accompanied by morphological variations of the neighboring anatomic structures. Such variations carry significant surgical implications and challenges. Pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus induces anterior clinoid pneumatization (ACP), affects the type of the Vidian nerve (VN) canal or alters the courses of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and the optic nerves (ONs) are strongly depending on it. Onodi cell pneumatization may reach and surround the optic nerve in various extension. Our aim in the study was to investigate the effect of Onodi cell’s potential co-existence on these structures. This study was planned as a retrospective and cross-sectional study. This study performed in a tertiary referral center. Coronal computerized tomography images of 999 patients were examined. Using an 64 slices tomography machine, images taken at 3-mm sections were reconstructed using a bone algorithm and evaluated. OCs were present at 212 of the total 320 sides in 160 patients. Type-2 was found to be the most prevalent type of VN canal configuration (Type-2: VN canal partially protrudes into the sphenoid sinus or into the floor of the sphenoid) among all patients (66.5 %) and among those with OCs (71.2 %). The presence or absence of the OC did not cause a statistically significant alteration of the intrasphenoidal course of the VN. The presence of OCs was found to be significant (p < 0.01) in accompanying pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process (34.4 %, 73/212), protrusion (80.1 %, 170/212) and dehiscence (36.3 %, 77/212) of the optic nerve, and protrusion (59 %, 125/212) and dehiscence (20.8 %, 44/212) of the ICA. In 108/320 sides where OCs were absent, no significant correlations existed. This study shows that in the co-existence of an OC, ACP, protrusion and dehiscence of the optic nerve and ICA are encountered at significantly higher rates, while the course of the VN is not necessarily altered.     

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.     

Effects of micro-osteoperforations on intraoral miniscrew anchored maxillary molar distalization

Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie - The aim was to study the effects of micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) on miniscrew-supported maxillary molar distalization....     

Topical N-Acetylcysteine Improves Wound Healing Comparable to Dexpanthenol: An Experimental Study

In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of dexpanthenol and N-acetylcysteine on wound healing. The wound healing process is a multifaceted sequence of activities associated with tissue restoration process. A number of investigations and clinical studies have been performed to determine new approaches for the improvement of wound healing. A total of 30 rats were divided into 3 equal groups. A linear 2-cm incision was made in the rats'' skin. No treatment was administered in the first (control) group. Dexpanthenol cream was administered to the rats in the second group and 3% N-acetylcysteine cream was administered to the rats in the third group. The wound areas of all of the rats were measured on certain days. On the 21st day, all wounds were excised and histologically evaluated. The epithelialization and granulation rates between the groups were revealed to be similar in microscopic evaluations. Although the fibrosis was remarkable in the control group as compared with the other groups, it was similar in N-acetylcysteine and dexpanthenol groups. Angiogenesis rate was remarkable in the N-acetylcysteine group compared with the others. In multiple-comparison analysis, Dexpanthenol and N-acetylcysteine groups had similar results in terms of wound healing rates (P < 0.05), which were both higher than in the control group (P > 0.05). The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in wound healing is comparable to dexpanthenol, and both substances can be used to improve wound healing.Key words: N-acetylcysteine, Dexpanthenol, Wound healingWound healing is a multifaceted sequence of activities associated with the tissue restoration process.¹ This activity takes place in 4 main steps: inflammation, proliferation, matrix deposition, and remodeling.^2,3 Moreover, there are many factors that might have harmful effects on the wound healing process. In this regard, there have been numerous analyses and clinical studies aiming to find new methods for the improvement of wound healing processes.⁴Dexpanthenol is the biologically-active alcohol of pantothenic acid, which leads to an elevation in the amount of coenzyme A in the cell. Dexpanthenol is extensively used in topical form, since it can easily penetrate the skin even at large local concentrations. When used in formulations, dexpanthenol is most effective for the stimulation of epithelialization, granulation, and the mitigation of itching.⁵N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a prodrug that supplies bioavailable cysteine for glutathione replenishment and prevents oxidative damage as well as inflammation. It also leads to glutathione (GSH) formation in the body. Besides fostering angiogenesis, it is used to scavenge free radicals. NAC has a number of functions in the stages of repair process, including cell proliferation, migration, and scratch wound healing. Moreover, NAC has also been reported to promote wound healing in diabetic rats.⁶In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of dexpanthenol, a molecule that is widely used to improve wound healing, and NAC, a molecule that reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, on wound healing.