Prevalence of sicca symptoms and Sjögren's syndrome in coeliac patients and healthy controls.

Objective: There has been no previous study comparing the frequency of sicca symptoms and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in coeliac patients (CPs) and healthy controls (HCs) using a tight screening method. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of sicca symptoms and SS in HCs and CPs.Method: The study included 80 CPs and 100 HCs. This study was designed as a case-control study with four phases. The frequency of SS in CPs and HCs was defined according to the 2002 American-European Consensus Group (AECG) and 2012 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria. The frequency of sicca symptoms and SS was compared between CPs and HCs.Results: Ocular and oral symptoms occurred in 22% and 26% of CPs, respectively, compared to 13% and 10% of HCs, respectively. Proportions with oral symptoms were statistically significantly different between CPs and HCs (p = 0.005), whereas there was no significant difference for ocular symptoms (p = 0.113). According to ACR and AECG criteria, the prevalence of SS was 3.8% and 5.0% in CPs and 3.0% and 2.0% in HCs, respectively.Conclusion: Although oral symptoms were more frequent in CPs than in HCs, the frequency of SS was not different between the groups. The increased frequency of oral symptoms may be related to reasons other than autoimmunity.

Effects of fullerenol nanoparticles on kidney tissue in sevoflurane­treated rats.

AIM: The aim of this study is to demonstrate whether fullerenol C60 protects renal injury in sevoflurane­administered rats. METHOD: Rats (n: 24) were randomly divided into four groups: Control (Group C), Fullerenol C60 (Group F), Sevoflurane (Group S), Fullerenol C60-Sevoflurane (Group FS). Thirty minutes before the procedure, Fullerenol C60, 100 mg/kg, was administered intraperitoneally. Sevoflurane (2.3 %) was applied for 3 hours to rats in S and FS groups. Biochemical and histopathological parameters were analyzed in renal tissue samples. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used in statistical analyzes. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity in Group S were significantly higher than that in all other groups. Paraoxanase (PON) enzyme activity in Group S was significantly lower than in Groups C and FS. The histopathological examination showed that vascular vacuolization and hypertrophy (VVH) and lymphocyte infiltration (LI) were significantly higher in the Group S compared to the Group C. CONCLUSION: Renal histopathology revealed that the administration of Fullerenol C60 prior to sevoflurane inhalation reduced oxidative stress and partially corrected the damage caused by anesthesia. We concluded that Fullerenol C60 has a renal protective effect in rats when administered before sevoflurane anesthesia (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 40).

Evaluation of restless legs syndrome and sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disease with a chronic course that is characterised by sleep disorders and sensorimotor impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of RLS in psoriatic arthritis (PSA) patients and those with psoriasis (P). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients with psoriasis (28 females, 22 males), 50 PSA patients (33 females, 17 males) and 50 healthy control subjects (34 females, 16 males), and all 3 groups were matched with respect to age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Evaluations were made using the International RLS Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Depression Index (BDI) and the SF-36 quality of life scores. RESULTS: RLS was determined at a higher rate in the PSA patients (64.0%), compared to the P group (20.0%, p < 0.001) and the control group (14.0%, p < 0.001). The number of moderate and severe RLS cases was significantly higher in the PSA group (68.7%) compared to the P group (30%, p < 0.001) and the control group (0%, p < 0.001). In regression analysis, an independent correlation was found between the RLS score and PSQI (beta [ß] = 0.269, p = 0.002), FSS (ß = 0.243, p = 0.003), SF-36 physical score (ß = 0.242, p = 0.004) and BDI (ß = 0.177, p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: RLS was determined in PSA patients at a higher rate than in psoriasis patients. The presence of RLS in PSA and psoriasis patients is related to impairments in sleep and quality of life, fatigue and depression.

Effects of recurrent sevoflurane anesthesia on cognitive functions with streptozotocin induced Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of recurrent sevoflurane anesthesia on cognitive functions in Alzheimer Disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups as followed: control (Group C), sevoflurane (Group S), Alzheimer's (Group A) and Alzheimer's + sevoflurane (Group AS)]. Cognitive functions were evaluated with Radial Arm Maze Test (RAMT). Alzheimer model was created by administering 3 mg/kg (10 µl) STZ. Sevoflurane was administered to S and AS groups. Serum samples and hippocampus tissues were analyzed. RESULTS: In RAM test, the entry-exit data were significantly decreased in A and AS groups. After the 2nd and 3rd administration of anesthesia, the numbers were significantly decreased in Group S. Glial-fibrillary-acidic protein levels were significantly higher in AS compared to the C and S groups. The brain tissue caspase 3 activity was less than 1% in all rats in the Group C, 3 % in 2 rats and 1 % in 1 rat in the Group AS. In A and AS group, serum catalase, myeloperoxidase and ferroxidase activities were found to be higher than in the other groups and myeloperoxidase activity was higher in the AS than in the A Group. Serum native thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels were found to be significantly different in the A and AS groups. CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane anesthesia negatively affected the cognitive functions (Tab. 5, Fig. 10, Ref. 51).

Investigation of the effects of thymoquinone on erythrocyte deformability in sepsis treatment which created by cecal perforation in rat.

AIM: We aimed to study the effects of thymoquinone on erythrocyte deformability in an experimental model of sepsis given before or after the initiation of the sepsis model. METHOD: The animals were grouped as (n = 6) control, nigella sativa, sepsis, sepsis group with administration of nigella sativa before sepsis development and sepsis group with nigella sativa administration after sepsis development. Cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP) was used to induce sepsis in the animals. The thymoquinone was given 1 hour before or after the CLP in the study groups with a dose of 500 mg·kg(-1). Erythrocyte deformability and relative resistance was calculated. RESULT: Relative resistance was increased in the sepsis groups when compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). Deformability index was increased in the sepsis group when compared to the other groups (p < 0.0001 in all groups). Sepsis group with after nigella sativa groups deformability index was significantly different from the deformability index in control group (p = 0.002). The use of nigella sativa before the initiation of sepsis corrected the deformability index significantly and the results were comparable to the control group (p = 0.078). CONCLUSION: Thymoquinone administration before induction of CLP was observed to have protective effects on these alterations in CLP sepsis (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 26).

Effect of cerium oxide on erythrocyte deformability in rat lower extremity ischemia reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Cerium oxide is the oxide form of cerium, which has protective effects in ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. The purpose of our study was to look into the effects of this rare-earth metal on erythrocyte deformability in rat lower extremity I/R injury model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 24 Wistar albino rats as subjects in our study. They were divided into 4 groups; randomized control group (group C; n = 6), cerium oxide group 0.5 mg.kg-1, intraperitoneal (group CO; n = 6), I/R group (group I/R; n = 6) and I/R group with cerium oxide 0.5 mg.kg-1 intraperitoneally (group I/R-CO; n = 6). Erythrocyte packs were prepared from heparinized blood samples and deformability measurements were performed. RESULTS: We obtained similar results from the control and I/R-CO groups (p = 0.158). The results in I/R group were evidently higher than those of the control, CO, and IR-CO groups (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: We detected unfavorable effects of I/R on erythrocyte deformability, which may impair blood flow and hence tissue perfusion in infrarenal rat aorta. We also found that cerium oxide had beneficial effects by reversing undesirable effects of I/R. Further studies with larger volume are required to support our promising results (Fig. 1, Ref. 24).

Effects of apelin-13 on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in streptozotocine induced diabetic rats.

AIM: We want to investigate the protective effects of apelin-13 on myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 Wistar Albino rat were divided into 5 groups (n:6), namely control group (C), diabetes group (D), diabetes+apelin-13 group (DA), diabetes+I/R group (DIR) and diabetes I/R+apelin-13 group (DIR-A). Rats were subjected to 30­min ischemia and 90­min reperfusion. Biochemical and histopathological parameters were measured. RESULTS: Caspase-3 enzyme activity was significantly higher in the DIR group than in the C, DA, and DIR-A groups. The intensity of caspase 3 enzyme activity was significantly higher in the I/R group than in all other groups. Inflammation and vascular dilatation were found significantly higher in the DIR group than in all other groups. Congestion was significantly higher in the DIR group than in the C and D groups. TOS enzyme activity was significantly higher in the DIR group than in the C, DA and DIR-A groups. TAS enzyme activity was significantly lower in the DIR group than in the C and DIR-A groups. CONCLUSION: We believe that the protective effects of apelin-13 in ischemia-reperfusion injury and its use indications can be demonstrated in detail as long as the findings we have reached in our study are supported by other studies (Tab. 2, Fig. 10, Ref. 43).

Effects of dexmedetomidine and thymoquinone on erythrocyte deformability in lower limb ischemia reperfusion injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine and thymoquinone on erythrocyte deformability in lower limb ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats were equally divided into 5 groups (n = 6); randomized control group (Group C), diabetes control group (Group DC), DIR group (Group DIR), DIR group with thymoquinone 25 mg.kg‒1 intraperitoneally (Group DIRT) and Group DIR with dexmedetomidine 100 µg.kg‒1 intraperitoneally (Group DIRD). Erythrocyte packs were prepared from heparinized blood samples and deformability measurements were performed. RESULTS: IR significantly increased the relative resistance, a marker of erythrocyte deformability when compared to control group (p < 0.05). There were significant differences among the groups in comparisons with ANOVA test (p < 0.0001). Comparisons of the groups DIRD and DIRT revealed similar results (p = 0.824). The values of Group DIR were significantly higher than those of the control, DC, DIRD and DIRT groups (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.002, respectively). The values of the DC, DIR, DIRD and DIRT groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.0001, all). CONCLUSION: Erythrocyte deformability may cause more problems in microcirculation. Dexmedetomidine and thymoquinone may be useful in reducing the adverse effects of this type of injury (Fig. 1, Ref. 41).

Three-dimensional evaluation of the effect of low-level laser therapy on facial swelling after lower third molar surgery: A randomized, placebo-controlled study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain, trismus, and swelling of patients whose impacted 3rd molar tooth was extracted compared to placebo or "sham" treatment and measure volumetrically the edema with a three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging device (3dMD face system). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients over 17 years of age were included in the study. Patients were randomized to three groups; Group 1, the control group, received only routine management (ice application) (n = 15); Group 2, received single-dose LLLT immediately after surgery (n = 15); and Group 3, placebo group, received sham therapy immediately after surgery (n = 15). In this study, a gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser device was used. The laser was applied extraorally (0.3 W, 40 s, 4 J/cm2). The trismus, pain, and facial swelling were evaluated. A 3D surface imaging device (3dMD Photogrammetric System) was used to evaluate the volumetric changes of the swelling. The 3D morphology of the facial swelling was recorded using this imaging device immediately before surgery, the second day after surgery, and the 7th day after surgery. IBM SPSS statistics 22.0 program was used in the statistical assessment and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the edema and trismus between the groups. The pain level in Group 2 was significantly lower than that in Group 3 at all-time points. Furthermore, the pain level in Group 2 was significantly lower than that in Group 1 on day 7. CONCLUSIONS: LLLT reduced the intensity of pain following third molar surgery by single dose. The results of this study revealed that LLLT reduced facial swelling, but no significant differences were found among the three groups. In addition, a 3D craniomaxillofacial imaging method provided insight into volume changes after 3rd molar surgery and the evaluation of facial swelling in an objective way.

The LDL/HDL ratio and atherosclerosis in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: In ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, cardiac and vascular involvement may manifest as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol constitute a significant risk for atherosclerosis. This study investigated the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), LDL/HDL ratio, total oxidant status (TOS; an indicator of oxidative stress) and ischemic modified albumin (IMA; an ischemic marker in AS patients). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty AS patients were diagnosed using the Modified New York Criteria; 54 age- and gender-matched participants were included as controls. CIMT, LDL/HDL ratio, TOS and IMA were measured using the most appropriate methods. RESULTS: IMA was higher in AS patients compared to controls (p < 0.0001). TOS was also increased in AS patients (p = 0.005); as was CIMT (p < 0.0001). The LDL/HDL ratio was also greater in AS patients compared to controls (p = 0.047). A positive correlation was found between CIMT and LDL/HDL ratio among AS patients. CONCLUSION: Elevated CIMT, IMA and TOS levels suggest an increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease in AS patients. The LDL/HDL ratio was higher in AS patients compared to controls, and there was a correlation between LDL/HDL ratio and CIMT, albeit statistically weak. Therefore, the LDL/HDL ratio is not a reliable marker to predict atherosclerotic heart disease in AS patients.

Atherogenic index of plasma may be strong predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with Behçet disease.

OBJECTIVES: Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by cardiovascular complications. Early diagnosis of these complications can reduce morbidity and mortality. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the logarithmic value of triglyceride to high density lipoprotein ratio (atherogenic index of plasma, AIP) are good markers of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AIP is a predictive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 84 BD patients (60 male, 24 female) and 84 healthy control individuals (58 male, 26 female) were included in this study. cIMT measurements were made, and AIP values were calculated. RESULTS: cIMT (p < 0.001) and AIP (p < 0.001) values of the BD patients were higher than those of the control group. A strong independent relationship was found between the AIP value and cIMT (ß = 0.232, p = 0.018). In the subgroup analysis, the cIMT and AIP values of male BD patients were higher than those of female BD patients. CONCLUSION: Increased AIP and cIMT values can be a good marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients, especially in male BD patients.

Effect of apelin-13 on erythrocyte deformability during ischaemia-reperfusion injury of heart in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Erythrocyte deformability and plasma viscosity are of crucial importance for the perfusion of tissues and organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of apelin-13 on erythrocyte deformability during IR heart injury in diabetic rats. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar Albino rats were included in the study after streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) treatment for four weeks of observation for diabetes existence. The animals were randomly assigned to one of five experimental groups. In the Group C, DC (sham-control group) and DCA (sham-control group-apelin-13), the coronary artery was not occluded or re-perfused. In the Group DIR, a branch of the left coronary artery was occluded for 30 minutes followed by 90 minutes of re-perfusion to produce IR. In the Group DIRA, a branch of the left coronary artery was occluded for 30 minutes followed by 90 minutes of re-perfusion to produce IR, and apelin-13 was administrated via 10 µg.kg-1 IP route 30 minutes before ligating the left coronary artery.Deformability measurements were performed in erythrocyte suspensions containing Htc 5% in a PBS buffer. RESULTS: The deformability index was significantly increased in diabetic rats; however, it was similar in Group DC, DCA and DIRA. It was significantly increased in the Group DIR when compared to the Group C, DIRA, DCA and DC. The relative resistance was increased in IR models. CONCLUSION: Erythrocyte deformability was decreased in rats having diabetes and IR injury. This injury might lead to further problems in microcirculation. It was shown that apeline-13 may be useful in enhancing the adverse effects of this type of injury (Fig. 1, Ref. 35).

Effect of different doses of pregabalin on skeletal muscle ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

AIM/INTRODUCTION: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of pregabalin have been shown previously. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of different doses of pregabalin on skeletal muscle IR injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (Control, Ischaemia-Reperfusion (IR), IR-Pregabalin 50 mg, IR-Pregabalin 200 mg). Following IR, serum Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) and tissue Paraoxonase (PON) were studied and gastrocnemius muscle tissue was removed for histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Interstitial inflammation was higher in the IR group than in the control and Pregabalin 200 mg groups (p = 0.037, p = 0.037, respectively). Congestion was higher in the IR group than in the control, Pregabalin 50 and 200 mg groups (p = 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.004, respectively). PON was lower in the IR group than in the Control, Pregabalin 50 and 200 mg groups (p = 0.001, p = 0.007, p = 0.015, respectively). IMA was higher in the IR group than in the Control, Pregabalin 50 and 200 mg groups (p < 0.0001, all). CONCLUSION: We think that administration of pregabalin, more prominent at 200 mg, can reverse the injury that occurs in the skeletal muscle of IR-induced rats. Pregabalin can be safely used for analgesia in cases of IR (Tab. 2, Fig. 9, Ref. 41).

Curcumin and dexmedetomidine prevents oxidative stress and renal injury in hind limb ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model.

Curcumin and dexmedetomidine have been shown to have protective effects in ischemia-reperfusion injury on various organs. However, their protective effects on kidney tissue against ischemia-reperfusion injury remain unclear. We aimed to determine whether curcumin or dexmedetomidine prevents renal tissue from injury that was induced by hind limb ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Fifty rats were divided into five groups: sham, control, curcumin (CUR) group (200 mg/kg curcumin, n = 10), dexmedetomidine (DEX) group (25 µg/kg dexmedetomidine, n = 10), and curcumin-dexmedetomidine (CUR-DEX) group (200 mg/kg curcumin and 25 µg/kg dexmedetomidine). Curcumin and dexmedetomidine were administered intraperitoneally immediately after the end of 4 h ischemia, just 5 min before reperfusion. The extremity re-perfused for 2 h and then blood samples were taken and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS) levels, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured, and renal tissue samples were histopathologically examined. The TAC activity levels in blood samples were significantly lower in the control than the other groups (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). The TOS activity levels in blood samples were significantly higher in Control group and than the other groups (p < 0.01 for all comparison). The OSI were found to be significantly increased in the control group compared to others groups (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Histopathological examination revealed less severe lesions in the sham, CUR, DEX, and CUR-DEX groups, compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Rat hind limb ischemia-reperfusion causes histopathological changes in the kidneys. Curcumin and dexmedetomidine administered intraperitoneally was effective in reducing oxidative stress and renal histopathologic injury in an acute hind limb I/R rat model.

Effects of intravenous ibuprofen and lornoxicam on erythrocyte deformability in rats undergoing hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Acute hind limb ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common consequence of abdominal aorta cross­clamping during aortic surgery. Erythrocyte deformability is affected by I/R process and may lead to increased tissue and organ injury. Lornoxicam and intravenous ibuprofen are becoming commonly used as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for postoperative analgesia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of lornoxicam (2 mg/kg iv) and intravenous ibuprofen (30 mg/kg iv) on erythrocyte deformability in I/R model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four study groups, each containing 6 Wistar rats were created. Laparotomy was performed in all groups under general anesthesia with ketamine and xylazine. In all groups except sham group, ischemia and reperfusion were achieved by clamping and declamping the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 120 minutes. Rats in Group IR+L received intravenous infusion of lornoxicam (2 mg/kg) while rats in Group IR+I received intravenous infusion of ibubrofen (30 mg/kg) following 2 hours of ischemic period. At the end of reperfusion period, erythrocyte packs were prepared from heparinized blood samples. Erythrocyte suspensions with hematocrit at a concentration of 5% in a phosphate­buffered saline (PBS) were used in order to perform deformability measurements. The value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Relative resistance has increased in ischemia reperfusion group when compared to control group (p < 0.0001). Lornoxicam or ibuprofen intravenous treatments did not change the erythrocyte deformability during ischemia reperfusion period in rats (p=0.851, p=0.690). CONCLUSION: Intravenous ibuprofen or lornoxicam administrations during ischemia reperfusion period in rats have no negative effect on erythrocyte deformability. The findings of the study should be supported with more detailed and extensive clinical/experimental studies in the future (Fig. 1, Ref. 18).

Protective effect of glucagon-like peptide-2 in experimental corrosive esophagitis.

Corrosive esophageal injuries are one of the life-threatening morbidities leading to esophageal stricture and perforation affecting all age groups but especially children due to accidental ingestions in this age group. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an intestinal polypeptide with potent anti-inflammatory effects. Its effects are studied in various studies but not in corrosive esophagitis. We aimed to investigate whether it has protective effect in experimental corrosive esophagitis, in the absence of existing studies into possible links. Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats, weighing 220-240 g, were randomized into three groups (n = 8 in each). First group is control, second one is sham operated, and the third one is treatment group. Median laparotomy was made in all groups. In sham and treatment groups, esophagus was loosened and suspended from 1 cm proximal to the esophageal junction. The esophagus segment between suspenders was exposed to 0.1 mL 5% NaOH for 10 seconds. In the treatment group, rats were given GLP-2 for 7 days intraperitoneally. After 7 days, all rats were sacrified and esophagi were totally removed. In the histopathologic examination, esophageal tissues were compared in terms of inflammation, muscularis mucosa injury, and collagen deposition of tunica muscularis. Histopathologic changes in the esophageal tissues of groups were compared. Histopathologic injury in the GLP-2 treated group was significantly less than sham group (P < 0.05). There was statistically significant healing in the GLP-2 treatment group. It is concluded that GLP-2 has a preventive effect on inflammation and collagen accumulation in an experimental corrosive esophagitis. In the light of the information that initial lesions in the early phase are predictors of complications, GLP-2 is a promising agent that has an anti-inflammatory effect in caustic injuries.

Effects of tenoxicam in experimental corrosive esophagitis model.

Esophageal stricture, one of the important complications of corrosive esophagus, develops following edema and granulation tissue that forms during and after the inflammatory reactions. Tenoxicam, a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug with a long half-life, prevents various leukocyte functions including phagocyte and histamine secretion by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis and removes various oxygen radicals in the region of inflammation. We designed this as a histopathological study using tenoxicam in rats for which we created a corrosive esophagus model. After necessary authorizations were obtained, the study was performed in Çanakkale 18 Mart University experimental animal laboratory. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats, weighing 220-240 g, were used for the experiment. Experimental animals were randomized into three groups: tenoxicam group (group T, n:8), control group (group C, n:8), and sham group (group S, n:8). Tenoxicam 0.5 mg/kg/day was administered to animals in group T, where esophageal burn was developed experimentally, 5 mg/kg 0.9% NaCL was administered i.p. to rats in group C for 15 days, once in 24 hours. No procedure was applied to rats in group S. After 15 days, all animals were sacrificed under general anesthesia and their esophagi were extracted. As a result of histopathological evaluation, inflammation and fibroblast proliferation was not observed in rats in the sham group (group S). Intense inflammation was observed in six rats (6+/2-) in the control group, and fibroblast proliferation was observed as 5+/3-. And in treatment groups, inflammation was evaluated as 3+/5-, and fibroblast proliferation as 3+/5-. In our study, histopathologic damage score was higher in the control group (P < 0.005). We deduce that tenoxicam can be useful in the treatment of caustic esophageal injuries in the acute phase, but think that these drugs require further researches and clinical studies before routine clinical use.

Psychological defensive profile of sciatica patients with neuropathic pain and its relationship to quality of life.

AIM: To identify differences between defense styles and mechanisms in sciatica patients with or without neuropathic pain and their relationship to quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 37 sciatica patients with neuropathic pain (SNP), 36 sciatica patients without neuropathic pain and 38 healthy subjects. Pain severity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Psychological condition was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Defense mechanisms were assessed using a 40-item Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and quality of life was assessed using Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: BDI and BAI scores were significantly higher in the SNP group (p < 0.001). Idealization and immature defense styles, as well as isolation, displacement and somatization were significantly higher in the SNP group (p < 0.05). SF-36 parameters also differed significantly between the groups, with controls having the best scores and the SNP group the worst. In linear regression analysis, acting out and BDI were found to affect the pain domain of the SF-36 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The acting out defensive style and BDI were independently associated with pain-related quality of life. In the SNP group, significant differences were found in the immature and neurotic styles of the defense mechanisms.

Chiari type I malformation with high foramen magnum anomaly.

A 14-year-old male with a neck pain and hypoesthesia in the upper extremities was diagnosed with Chiari type I malformation (CMI) and syringomyelia. The posterior part of the occipital bone was removed via cranio-cervical decompression. The accuracy of measuring the posterior cranial fossa (PCF) and foramen magnum (FM) dimensions were evaluated and compared with the literature. The linear PCF and FM dimensions as well as volumes were measured using computed tomography (CT) images with different techniques. The volume data were compared with similar data from literature. Use of the posterior fossa approach remains controversial when treating patients with minor little brain stem dislocation, small PCF, and or incomplete C1, but the approach can easily be applied if FM and PCF sizes are known. Linear measurements that were assessed for concordance with CT measurements had the best agreement. Quantification of PCF volume and high FM should be taken into consideration for differential diagnosis of tonsillar herniation and prediction of surgical outcome in CMI.