Preventive effects of antenatal CDP-choline in a rat model of neonatal hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

Antenatal steroid administration to pregnant women at risk of prematurity provides pulmonary maturation in infants, while it has limited effects on incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the clinical expression of hyperoxia-induced lung injury (HILI). Cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline (CDP-choline) was shown to alleviate HILI when administered to newborn rats. Therefore, we investigated effects of maternal administration of CDP-choline, alone or in combination with betamethasone, on lung maturation in neonatal rats subjected to HILI immediately after birth. Pregnant rats were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments: saline (1 mL/kg), CDP-choline (300 mg/kg), betamethasone (0.4 mg/kg), or CDP-choline plus betamethasone (combination therapy). From postnatal day 1 to 11, pups born to mothers in the same treatment group were pooled and randomly assigned to either normoxia or hyperoxia group. Biochemical an d histopathological effects of CDP-choline on neonatal lung tissue were evaluated. Antenatal CDP-choline treatment increased levels of phosphatidylcholine and total lung phospholipids, decreased apoptosis, and improved alveolarization. The outcomes were further improved with combination therapy compared to the administration of CDP-choline or betamethasone alone. These results demonstrate that antenatal CDP-choline treatment provides benefit in experimental HILI either alone or more intensively when administered along with a steroid, suggesting a possible utility for CDP-choline against BPD.

Morphological investigation of protective effects of CDP-choline on liver and small intestine in an experimental sepsis model in rats / Investigación morfológica de los efectos protectores de la CDP-colina en el hígado y el intestino delgado en un modelo experimental de sepsis en ratas

SUMMARY: Fifty male Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups; Group 1 as a sham group. Group 2 as a control group, Group 3 as 100 mg/kg CDP-choline administered group, Group as 200 mg/kg CDP-choline administered group, and Group 5 as sepsis group. The sepsis model was performed by ligating and perforating the caecum of rats. Liver and small intestine tissues were assessed either histologically or quantitatively and qualitatively. There was a significant difference between the sepsis and CDP-choline groups for liver and intestinal damage evaluated in tissue samples. (p <0.001). CDP-choline treatment partially improved dose-dependent the clinical parameters of sepsis and septic shock, reversed micro-anatomical damage caused by sepsis.

Cincuenta ratas albinas Wistar macho se dividieron en 5 grupos; Grupo 1 como grupo control simulador, el grupo 2 como grupo de control, el grupo 3 como grupo al que se administró 100 mg/kg de CDP-colina, el grupo 4 como grupo al que se administró 200 mg/kg de CDP-colina y el grupo 5 como grupo con sepsis. El modelo de sepsis se realizó ligando y perforando el intestino ciego de las ratas. Los tejidos del hígado y del intestino delgado se evaluaron histológicamente o cuantitativa y cualitativamente. Hubo una diferencia significativa entre los grupos de sepsis y CDP-colina para el daño hepático e intestinal evaluado en muestras de tejido (p<0,001). El tratamiento con CDP-colina mejoró parcialmente, según la dosis, los parámetros clínicos de sepsis y shock séptico y revirtió el daño micro anatómico causado por la sepsis.

Morphology of the ligaments located on the medial side of the ankle and on the plantar surface of the foot.

To have biodynamic features, the feet have bones located in a special posture, the joints that keep together those bones, the ligaments that provide linkage to those joints, and tendons of muscles particularly which end the foot. This study aimed to research the morphology of the medial side and plantar ligaments. The study was conducted on a total of 30 feet belonging to 2 women and 13 men cadavers that exist at the Anatomy Department of the Medical Faculty of Uludag University. After the dissections, 61 parameters that belonging to the ligaments and general features of the foot, were evaluated. The statistical analysis of the collected data was evaluated by SPSS 20.0. According to the findings, while the descriptive statistics of the foot and the ligaments related to the foot, the statistically significant difference of any of the parameters wasn't observed when they were compared between the right and left sides of the foot. In terms of the correlative relations, the parameters that showed high correlation were chosen and 28 formulas were developed using regression analysis. We foresee that our findings of the features belonging to normal anatomic structures will deepen our knowledge besides providing important benefits before or during orthopedic and plastic surgery operations related to the region. Also, our findings were discussed by comparing the findings of similar studies belonging to many other researchers in literature, and our study's contribution to the literature was evaluated.

Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Systemic Uridine Treatment in an Experimental Model of Sciatic Nerve Injury.

AIM: To investigate the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant effects of systemic uridine treatment in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two adult male rats were equally randomized to Sham, Control, U100, and U500 groups. Sham rats received a sham operation by exposing the right sciatic nerve without transection, while those in the Control, U100, and U500 groups underwent right sciatic nerve transection followed by immediate primary anostomosis. Sham and Control groups received saline (0.9% NaCl) injections intraperitoneally (i.p.), while U100 and U500 groups received 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg uridine injections (i.p.), respectively, once a day for 7 days after the surgery. Rats in all the groups were sacrificed on the eighth day; sciatic nerve samples were analyzed for apoptosis by Western Blotting and for oxidation parameters including myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Uridine treatment at the dose of 500 mg/kg significantly decreased as apoptosis determined by Caspase-3/Actin ratio and exhibited significant anti-oxidant effects as determined by decreased levels of MPO and MDA as well as increased levels of SOD, GPx, and CAT compared to controls. Uridine at 100 mg/kg was only found to decrease the Caspase-3/Actin ratio, although it significantly decreased MDA and increased CAT levels compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Treatment with uridine reduces apoptosis and oxidation in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury dose-dependently. Thus, uridine may be beneficial in peripheral nerve regeneration by exhibiting anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant effects.

Uridine treatment improves nerve regeneration and functional recovery in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury.

AIM: Peripheral nerve regeneration remains an issue, and novel therapeutic approaches are required for functional recovery. This study investigated the regenerative potential and long-term functional effects of Uridine treatment in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive sham surgery plus saline (Sham group), right sciatic nerve transection and primary repair plus saline (Control group), right sciatic nerve transection, and primary repair plus 500 mg/kg Uridine (Uridine group). Saline or Uridine was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) for seven days, and the rats were monitored for 12 weeks after surgery. We evaluated electrophysiological and functional recovery using electromyography (EMG) and sciatic functional index (SFI) at six and 12 weeks, respectively. At 12 weeks, rats were decapitated and their right sciatic nerves were examined in macroscopic and histomorphologic manners. RESULTS: Functional evaluation by SFI and sciatic nerve conduction velocity analyzed by EMG both decreased in the Control group but recovered in the Uridine group 12 weeks after surgery. Additionally, upon experiment completion, Uridine treatment was observed to enhance nerve adherence, separability scores, and the number of myelinated axons. CONCLUSION: These results reveal that short-term Uridine treatment provides morphological and electrophysiological benefits, which are represented by long-term functional improvement in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. These findings validate and extend our knowledge on Uridine's regenerative effects in peripheral nerve injuries.

Evaluating the Anatomical Traits of Lip on Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Images.

BACKGROUND: Lips and mouth are the most recognizable parts of the lower face. The morphometry of the facial organs is important for the balance of the face. Besides congenital anomalies occur on the lips, some kinds of deformities might be seen because of trauma or carcinoma. In this respect, lips are in the study of plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. Lip morphology also takes an important role in forensic facial reconstruction (facial approximation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty parameters on the soft tissue and 12 parameters on the hard tissue were measured on three dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images belonging 50 individuals (25 female, mean age 35.40 ±â€Š9.97; 25 male, mean age 34.32 ±â€Š11.06). RESULTS: Statistical significance was observed on 4 parameters measured at soft tissue and 6 parameters measured in hard tissue. Statistical significance was not seen between the measurements taken bilaterally. Fourteen equations were developed in order to estimate the lip morphometry using the morphometric traits of hard tissue. CONCLUSION: We hope that the results of current study will be useful at surgery and forensic sciences.

Usability of dental pulp visibility and tooth coronal index in digital panoramic radiography in age estimation in the forensic medicine.

Age estimation has a great importance due to legal requirements. The aim of our study was to determine the applicability of two different methods in age estimation; one of them based on the calculation of the visibility of the root pulp of mandibular third molar teeth and the other based on the calculation of the tooth coronal index (TCI) in the mandibular first and second molar teeth in the 9059 digital orthopantomogram of people aged between 15 and 40 in Bursa. In the first method in which the visibility of the fully mineralized root pulp of the mandibular third molar teeth was evaluated in 4 stages; the stages 0, 1, 2, and 3 were observed regardless of sex at the earliest 17.2; 19.1; 20.1, and 25.1 years, respectively. In the second method in which TCI was regressed on chronological age using measuring crown and coronal pulp cavity heights, the most accurate age estimation model based on simple linear regression for all cases without any sex difference was found to be with right first molar tooth (SEE ±7304 years) and the most accurate age model based on multiple regression model was found to be with bilateral first molar teeth (SEE ±7413 years). In conclusion, we believe that the root pulp visibility of the third molar teeth can be applied safely for stages 1, 2, and 3 at 16, 17, and 21 years of ages, respectively. A correlation was also found between TCI and age, and our findings have shown that both methods are available for forensic purposes.

The Surface and Intracranial Location of Asterion.

BACKGROUND: Asterion is identified as the connection point of sutura parietomastoidea, sutura occipitomastoidea, and sutura lambdoidea. The location of asterion, which is primarily preferred as a landmark during posterolateral surgical approach for intracranial operations, shows many variables. The aim of this study was to identify the surface location of the asterion and determine the distances between intracranial anatomical structures and asterion. METHODS: At this present study, 11 hemicraniums (22 asterion points), situated at the laboratory of Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, were used. The asterion points which the sesamoid bone located were classified as type I and the ones which sesamoid bone did not locate were classified as type II. According to the proximity of asterion with sinus transversus, 3 groups were classified. About 19 parameters were measured related to asterion. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 22. RESULTS: As a result of findings, while sesamoid bone was seen at 7 asterion points (type I), at 15 points sesamoid bone was not detected (type II) (respectively, 31.81%, 68.19%). It was identified that 15 asterion points were at the surface, 5 ones were average 3.42 ±â€Š2.52 mm over, 2 ones average 3.21 ±â€Š2.26 mm below of the projection of sinus transversus. Statistically significance was not seen between the measurements taken from left and right sides. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Asterion is an important landmark for the retrosigmoid approaches. The surface and intracranial location of the asterion and proximity with dural sinuses are important for surgeons not to cause fatal subdural hematomas during the approaches using "Burr Hole" technic in neurochirurgie operations.

Efficacy of laparoscopic transversus abdominis plane block for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly patients.

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block technique seems to offer one of the most efficient methods for a local pain control. Our aim is to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of TAP block for post-operative pain control under laparoscopic vision in elderly patients during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients aged more than 65 years old, who had cholecystectomy due to symptomatic cholelithiasis, were retrospectively evaluated. The patients that were operated under general anesthesia + laparoscopic TAP block and those who were operated only under only general anesthesia were compared according to their' age and gender, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and length of stay in the hospital. Median (±interquartile range) values of post-operative 24th-hour-VAS for pain was found consecutively 2 (±1-3) in TAP block + group and 3 (±2-5) in TAP block - group. The median post-operative 24th-hour-VAS value in overall patients was three. Patients' VAS values were higher in the TAP block - group with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was found for other parameters in two groups. The laparoscopic-guided TAP block can easily be performed and has potential for lower visceral injury risk and shorter operational time. Efficacy, safety and other advantages (analgesic requirements, etc.) make it an ideal abdominal field block in elderly patients.

CDP-choline modulates matrix metalloproteinases in rat sciatic injury.

BACKGROUND: CDP-choline (cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine) improves functional recovery, promotes nerve regeneration, and decreases perineural scarring in rat peripheral nerve injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of action of CDP-choline with regard to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the rat-transected sciatic nerve injury model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomized into Sham, Saline, and CDP-choline groups. Rats in Sham group received Sham surgery, whereas rats in Saline and CDP-choline groups underwent right sciatic nerve transection followed by immediate primary saturation and injected intraperitoneally with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL/kg) and CDP-choline (600 µg/kg), respectively. Sciatic nerve samples were obtained 1, 3, and 7 d after the surgery and analyzed for levels and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-3, and axonal regeneration. RESULTS: CDP-choline treatment decreased the levels and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, whereas increasing levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 significantly on the third and seventh day after injury compared to Saline group. In addition, CDP-choline administration resulted in new axon formation and formation and advancement of myelination on newly formed islets (compartments) of axonal regrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show, for the first time, that CDP-choline modulates MMP activity and promotes the expression of TIMPs to stimulate axonal regeneration. These data help to explain one mechanism by which CDP-choline provides neuroprotection in peripheral nerve injury.

Protective Effects of Valproic Acid, a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, against Hyperoxic Lung Injury in a Neonatal Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: Histone acetylation and deacetylation may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases. We evaluated the preventive effect of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, on neonatal hyperoxic lung injury. METHODS: Forty newborn rat pups were randomized in normoxia, normoxia+VPA, hyperoxia and hyperoxia+VPA groups. Pups in the normoxia and normoxia+VPA groups were kept in room air and received daily saline and VPA (30 mg/kg) injections, respectively, while those in hyperoxia and hyperoxia+VPA groups were exposed to 95% O2 and received daily saline and VPA (30 mg/kg) injections for 10 days, respectively. Growth, histopathological, biochemical and molecular biological indicators of lung injury, apoptosis, inflammation, fibrosis and histone acetylation were evaluated. RESULTS: VPA treatment during hyperoxia significantly improved weight gain, histopathologic grade, radial alveolar count and lamellar body membrane protein expression, while it decreased number of TUNEL(+) cells and active Caspase-3 expression. Expressions of TGFß3 and phospho-SMAD2 proteins and levels of tissue proinflammatory cytokines as well as lipid peroxidation biomarkers were reduced, while anti-oxidative enzyme activities were enhanced by VPA treatment. VPA administration also reduced HDAC activity while increasing acetylated H3 and H4 protein expressions. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows for the first time that VPA treatment ameliorates lung damage in a neonatal rat model of hyperoxic lung injury. The preventive effect of VPA involves HDAC inhibition.

Protective effects of melatonin therapy in model for neonatal hyperoxic lung injury.

CONTEXT: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common outcome of premature birth. Currently, no effective preventive therapy is available for BPD, but the major role of O2 toxicity in the development of BPD has gained attention, particularly for developing new antioxidants for prevention. The major protective mechanism of melatonin (MT) includes free-radical scavenging activity and activation of the cyclooxygenase-prostoglandin enzyme system. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MT on cytoprotection and healing in a model of hyperoxic lung injury in newborn rats. METHODS: This is a case-control study design. SETTING: The study occurred at the Gulhane Military Medical Academy in Ankara, Turkey. INTERVENTION: A total of 60 newborn pups from dated, Sprague-Dawley, pregnant rats were divided equally into 3 groups as follows: (1) control group, (2) hyperoxia-exposed group, and (3) hyperoxia-exposed plus MT-treated group (MT group). Hyperoxia was performed by placing these pups in an oxygen chamber for 14 d during which oxygen was continuously delivered. OUTCOME MEASURES: At the end of the 14 d, lung specimens were collected and evaluation of the lamellar-body count and determination of histopathological scores were performed. Also, the activities of superoxide dysmutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed. RESULTS: The histopathological scores of the MT group were significantly lower than those of the hyperoxia-exposed group. The mean lamellar-protein and radial-alveolar counts in the MT group were found to be significantly higher than those of the hyperoxia-exposed group. Also, SOD and GSH-Px levels were significantly higher and MDA levels were significantly lower in the MT group compared with the hyperoxia-exposed group. CONCLUSION: MT therapy was found to have a protective effect in a model for hyperoxic lung injury in neonatal rats. Therefore, the research team suggests that MT therapy may be used for prevention of BPD in preterm infants after confirmation of this data by future clinical studies.

Investigation of the dose-dependency of citicoline effects on nerve regeneration and functional recovery in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the dose dependence of citicoline's previously-reported effects on recovery of peripheral nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Right sciatic nerves of sixty adult female Wistar Albino rats were incised and primary anastomosis was performed. Rats were then divided into four groups: Control group received 2 ml of saline intraperitoneally, while rats in C-300, C-600 and C-900 groups received 300 µmol/kg, 600 µmol/kg and 900 µmol/kg citicoline dissolved in 2 ml saline, respectively. Rats were tested for sciatic functional index (SFI) on the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks and electrophysiological recordings were obtained on the 12th week. Rats were then sacrificed to investigate nerve adhesions and perform histomorphological examinations. RESULTS: Our results showed that rats in C-600 and C-900 groups had significantly lesser neural adhesion and greater SFI and electrophysiological score than those in the Control and C-300 groups (p < 0.05). Mean density and total number of functionally myelinated axons were significantly increased in C-900 group, while perineural scar tissue formation was reduced in all citicoline-treated groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that citicoline exhibits dose-dependent effects on axonal regeneration and recovery without scar formation in a rat model of peripheral nerve incision and primary anastomosis.

Evaluation of melatonin and prostaglandin E1 combination on necrotizing enterocolitis model in neonatal rats.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal emergencies in newborn infants but up to now there is no completely effective treatment for it. OBJECTIVE: In order to show that a combination of melatonin and prostaglandins may be useful to save lives, we use newborn rat as a model of necrotizing enterocolitis to test the hypothesis of using the combination therapy might have more potential effect on mucosal cytoprotection and healing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 newborn pups from 5 time-mated Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were divided equally into 5 groups as follows: NEC (subjected to NEC), NEC+Melatonin, NEC+Prostaglandin, NEC+Prostaglandin+Melatonin and control. These animals were fed with hyperosmolar formula 3 times daily and subjected to 100% CO2 inhalation for 10 min, +4°C cold exposure for 5 min, and 97% O2 for 5 min twice daily to induce NEC. This procedure was applied to the pups for 3 days. RESULTS: The macroscopic scoring, intestinal injury scoring and apoptosis index scoring were all found to be significantly lower in NEC+Prostaglandin+Melatonin group compared with NEC group. Anti-oxidant enzyme activities were significantly higher, whereas lipid peroxidation was significantly lower in NEC+Prostaglandin+Melatonin group compared with NEC group. CONCLUSION: This combination therapy showed cytoprotective and healing effects on mucosa in the intestinal tissue of rat pups in necrotizing enterocolitis model. Therefore, this therapy might also show benefit in preterm infants with NEC. After confirmation of this data by other clinical and experimental studies, it may be a novel therapeutic option for the prevention of NEC in preterm infants.

Protective Effects of Nigella sativa Oil in Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen-induced lung injury is believed to lead to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. We have evaluated the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on rats with hyperoxia-induced lung injury. METHODS: Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups as hyperoxia (95% O(2)), hyperoxia+NSO and control (21% O(2)). Pups in the hyperoxia+NSO group were administered intraperitoneal NSO at a dose of 4ml/kg daily during the study period. Histopathologic, immunochemical, and biochemical evaluations (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], malonaldehyde [MDA] and myeloperoxidase [MPO]) were performed. RESULTS: In the histopathologic and immunochemical evaluation, severity of lung damage was significantly lower in the hyperoxia+NOS group (P<.05). Tissue GSH-Px and SOD levels were significantly preserved, and MDA, MPO levels were significantly lower in the hyperoxia+NSO group (P<.05). CONCLUSION: NSO significantly reduced the severity of lung damage due to hyperoxia.

Neuroprotective effects of melatonin administered alone or in combination with topiramate in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat model.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two neuroprotective agents; melatonin, a free radical scavenger and topiramate, AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, administered alone or in combination in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic model. METHODS: After being anesthetized, 7-day-old pups underwent ischemia followed by exposure to hypoxia. The pups were divided into 4 groups in order to receive the vehicle, melatonin, topiramate and combination of topiramate and melatonin. These were administered intraperitoneally for three times; the first before ischemia, the second after hypoxia and the third 24 hours after the second dose. After sacrification, infarct volume and apoptosis were evaluated. RESULTS: Percent infarcted brain volume was significantly reduced in rats which received drugs compared with those which received the vehicle. The number of TUNEL positive cells per unit area in hippocampus and cortex were markedly reduced in drug treated groups compared with control group. No significant differences were found regarding percent infarcted brain volume and number of TUNEL positive cells among drug-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin and topiramate, administered either alone or in combination significantly reduced the percent infarcted brain volume and number of TUNEL positive cells suggesting that these agents may confer benefit in treatment of infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil on intestinal damage in necrotizing enterocolitis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on rats with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups as NEC, NEC + NSO, and control. NEC was induced by enteral formula feeding, exposure to hypoxia-hyperoxia and cold stress. Pups in the NEC + NSO group were administered NOS at a dose of 2 ml/kg daily by intraperitoneal route from the first day until the end of the study. Proximal colon and ileum were excised for histopathologic, apoptosis (TUNEL) and biochemical evaluation, including xanthine oxidase (XO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malonaldehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxdase (MPO) activities. RESULTS: Pups in the NEC + NOS group had better clinical sickness scores and weight gain compared to the NEC group (p < 0.05). In the macroscopic assessment, histopathologic and apoptosis evaluation (TUNEL), severity of bowel damage was significantly lower in the NEC + NOS group compared to the NEC group (p < 0.05). Tissue GSH-Px and SOD levels were significantly preserved in the NEC + NSO group (p < 0.05), whereas, tissue MDA, MPO levels of the NEC + NSO group were significantly lower than those in the NEC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NSO significantly reduced the severity of intestinal damage in NEC.

Unusual variation of the hyoid bone: bilateral absence of lesser cornua and abnormal bone attachment to the corpus.

The hyoid bone is a horseshoe-shaped and a solitary bone located at the neck just above the thyroid cartilage. It consists of a body, two greater cornua and two lesser cornua. In this report, we demonstrated an extra bone variation which is attached to the hyoid bone and located at the left side of its corpus. In addition to this abnormal bone attachment to the corpus, lesser cornua were absent bilaterally. Abnormal bone attachment was approximately 3.79-cm long and 0.38-0.50-cm wide and heads toward the upper left of the hyoid bone. We believe that clinicians should be aware of such abnormalities of the hyoid bone because of the functional and clinical importance of its variations and abnormal relations within nearby structures. These abnormalities have a great importance for the surgical operations and radiological studies of the neck region and for the forensic medicine because of the susceptibility of the hyoid bone to the fractures in relation to the strangulation cases.

Possible neuroprotective effects of magnesium sulfate and melatonin as both pre- and post-treatment in a neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat model.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia is a major cause of mortality and long-term neurological deficits. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two neuroprotective agents; magnesium sulfate and melatonin, administered alone or in combination, on brain infarct volume and TUNEL positivity in a neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) rat model. METHODS: After being anesthetized, 7-day-old pups (n = 80) underwent ischemia followed by exposure to hypoxia for 2 h. The pups were then divided equally and randomly into 4 groups in order to receive the vehicle (saline, control group), magnesium sulfate, melatonin or a combination of magnesium sulfate and melatonin. Treatments were administered intraperitoneally three times; the first being just before ischemia, the second after hypoxia and the third 24 h after the second dose. The pups were sacrificed on postnatal day 10, their brains harvested and evaluated for infarct volume and neuronal apoptosis. RESULTS: Percent infarcted brain volume was significantly reduced in pups receiving the drugs (either magnesium sulfate, melatonin or their combination) compared with those receiving the vehicle. In addition, TUNEL staining showed markedly reduced numbers of TUNEL-positive cells per unit area in the CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus and in the cortex. However, no statistically significant differences were found regarding percent infarcted brain volume and number of TUNEL-positive cells among the drug-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium sulfate and melatonin, two agents acting at different stages of HI brain damage, administered either alone or in combination, significantly reduced the percent infarcted brain volume and TUNEL positivity, suggesting that these agents may confer a possible benefit in the treatment of infants with HI encephalopathy.

Bone length estimation and population-specific features of calcaneus and talus bones of the late Byzantine Era.

Certain markers in bone structure allow researchers to estimate the length of an entire bone based only on a fragmented piece. Forensic anthropologists and bio-archeologists have recently devoted greater attention to the estimation of bone length from fragmented bones. This study aims to evaluate osteometric data in order to distinguish the population affinity of Byzantine individuals, as well as to estimate the length of the calcaneus and talus bones based on incomplete specimens. This is vital because of the importance of talar bones in the assessments of the population-specific features and because calcaneus and talus bones tend to preserve better archaeologically. The study includes 160 adult, male, complete and non-damaged calcanei (72 left and 88 right) and 84 adult, male, complete and non-damaged talus bones (38 left and 46 right) from the dry, late Byzantine era (13th Century AD) contexts. A total of 10 bony markers were selected for measurements of calcanei and 14 were selected for tali. Data were subjected to statistical analysis in order to assess bilateral differences in the bony markers. Correlation coefficients were also determined between maximum lengths of calcanei and tali against other markers. Dorsal articular facet length and dorsal articular facet breadth parameters of calcanei showed significant side differences (p < 0.01). Length of the sulcus tali and width of the sulcus tali parameters for talus bones also showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01). More than one of the bony markers correlated in a statistically significant way with maximum length of calcanei and tali.