Hexokinase 1 forms rings that regulate mitochondrial fission during energy stress.

Metabolic enzymes can adapt during energy stress, but the consequences of these adaptations remain understudied. Here, we discovered that hexokinase 1 (HK1), a key glycolytic enzyme, forms rings around mitochondria during energy stress. These HK1-rings constrict mitochondria at contact sites with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial dynamics protein (MiD51). HK1-rings prevent mitochondrial fission by displacing the dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) from mitochondrial fission factor (Mff) and mitochondrial fission 1 protein (Fis1). The disassembly of HK1-rings during energy restoration correlated with mitochondrial fission. Mechanistically, we identified that the lack of ATP and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) promotes the formation of HK1-rings. Mutations that affect the formation of HK1-rings showed that HK1-rings rewire cellular metabolism toward increased TCA cycle activity. Our findings highlight that HK1 is an energy stress sensor that regulates the shape, connectivity, and metabolic activity of mitochondria. Thus, the formation of HK1-rings may affect mitochondrial function in energy-stress-related pathologies.

The Improved Kidney Risk Score in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis for Clinical Practice and Trials.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Reliable prediction tools are needed to personalize treatment in ANCA-associated GN. More than 1500 patients were collated in an international longitudinal study to revise the ANCA kidney risk score. The score showed satisfactory performance, mimicking the original study (Harrell's C=0.779). In the development cohort of 959 patients, no additional parameters aiding the tool were detected, but replacing the GFR with creatinine identified an additional cutoff. The parameter interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy was modified to allow wider access, risk points were reweighted, and a fourth risk group was created, improving predictive ability (C=0.831). In the validation, the new model performed similarly well with excellent calibration and discrimination ( n =480, C=0.821). The revised score optimizes prognostication for clinical practice and trials. BACKGROUND: Reliable prediction tools are needed to personalize treatment in ANCA-associated GN. A retrospective international longitudinal cohort was collated to revise the ANCA renal risk score. METHODS: The primary end point was ESKD with patients censored at last follow-up. Cox proportional hazards were used to reweight risk factors. Kaplan-Meier curves, Harrell's C statistic, receiver operating characteristics, and calibration plots were used to assess model performance. RESULTS: Of 1591 patients, 1439 were included in the final analyses, 2:1 randomly allocated per center to development and validation cohorts (52% male, median age 64 years). In the development cohort ( n =959), the ANCA renal risk score was validated and calibrated, and parameters were reinvestigated modifying interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy allowing semiquantitative reporting. An additional cutoff for kidney function (K) was identified, and serum creatinine replaced GFR (K0: <250 µ mol/L=0, K1: 250-450 µ mol/L=4, K2: >450 µ mol/L=11 points). The risk points for the percentage of normal glomeruli (N) and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (T) were reweighted (N0: >25%=0, N1: 10%-25%=4, N2: <10%=7, T0: none/mild or <25%=0, T1: ≥ mild-moderate or ≥25%=3 points), and four risk groups created: low (0-4 points), moderate (5-11), high (12-18), and very high (21). Discrimination was C=0.831, and the 3-year kidney survival was 96%, 79%, 54%, and 19%, respectively. The revised score performed similarly well in the validation cohort with excellent calibration and discrimination ( n =480, C=0.821). CONCLUSIONS: The updated score optimizes clinicopathologic prognostication for clinical practice and trials.

Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in gastric cancer patients: a potential biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic utility.

BACKGROUND: The nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) is suggested to have an oncogenic role in several tumors based on its overexpression. However, its diagnostic and prognostic role in gastric cancer remains unclarified. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of NAP1L1 in gastric cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 85 patients [mean (SD) age: 60.9 (1.6) years, 49.4% were males] with newly-diagnosed gastric cancer and 40 healthy individuals [mean (SD) age: 60.7 (1.7) years, 52.5% were males] were included. Data on patient demographics (age, gender), TNM stages and tumor size, and the serum NAP1L1 levels were recorded. RESULTS: Serum NAP1L1 levels were significantly higher in gastric cancer patients than in control subjects [12 (9.5-13.8) vs. 1.8 (1.5-2.4) ng/mL, p < 0.001]. Also, certain tumor characteristics such as tumor size of >4 vs. <4 cm (p < 0.001), M1 vs. M0 stage (p < 0.001), N2 vs. N0 and N1 stage (p < 0.001), and T4 vs. lower T stage (p < 0.001) were associated with significantly higher serum NAP1L1 levels in gastric cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed for the first time that serum levels for NAP1L1 were overexpressed in the gastric cancer, as also correlated with the disease progression. NAP1L1 seems to be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer, providing clinically important information on early diagnosis and risk stratification.

This study aimed to investigate serum levels for nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in patients with gastric cancer in relation to healthy controls and tumor pathology.It was demonstrated for the first time that serum levels for NAP1L1 were overexpressed in the gastric cancer, as also correlated with the disease progression.These findings seem to implicate the potential role of serum NAP1L1 as a distinct diagnostic and prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer, offering clinically important information on early diagnosis and risk stratification.

Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Concentrated Growth Factor on Viability of Ultra-Diced Cartilage Grafts in a Rabbit Model.

BACKGROUND: Although rhinoplastic surgery has progressed considerably in recent years, nasal dorsal irregularities still cause postoperative distress for both surgeons and patients. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure the association between two biologic graft adjuncts, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and concentrated growth factor (CGF), and ultra-diced cartilage viability in an animal model. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND SAMPLE: This study was designed as a randomized in-vivo study using a rabbit model. Fourteen rabbits were utilized in this investigation. The ultra-diced cartilage was obtained from auricular cartilage. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: The graft biologic adjunct is the predictor variable. There were three treatment groups: graft mixed with PRP or CGF or untreated (control). The grafts were placed in three separate pockets opened on the same rabbit. Grafts were harvested 3 months after insertion for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE(S): The primary outcome variable was histopathological and regenerative scores obtained from multiple histopathological parameters indicating the viability of the cartilage. Histopathological score parameters were chondrocyte loss, inflammation, fibrosis, cartilage fragmentation, and calcified area formations in the lacunae. Regenerative score parameters were peripheral cell proliferation in the cartilage tissue, vascularization in the connective tissue, proteoglycan increase in the matrix, and the amount of connective tissue. COVARIATES: The variables were age, sex, and weight. ANALYSES: Statistical analysis employed the analysis of variance test, with a significance level of P < .05. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 14 rabbits and 42 samples. The histopathologic scores were 11.93 (±2.49), 8.78 (±2.19), and 6.85 (±1.46) for the control, PRP, and CGF groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found in the PRP (P < .0275) and CGF (P < .0001) groups compared to the control group. The regenerative scores were 6.21 (±0.97), 8.85 (±1.70), and 12.07 (±1.26) for the control, PRP and CGF groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found in the PRP (P < .0159) and CGF (P < .0001) groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: This is the first study investigating the ultra-diced cartilage graft in an experimental animal model. Histopathological examination has shown that mixing ultra-diced cartilage with CGF or PRP increases viability by reducing the histopathological score and increasing the regenerative score.

A cross-sectional survey on university students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding organ, tissue, and body donation.

PURPOSE: Body donors continue to have an important role in anatomy education in medical schools. Furthermore, the demand for organ transplantation is increasing as life expectancy increases. In Turkey, there are efforts to enable both donations to be made through a single system. These issues were addressed together, and it was aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes of medical and law students regarding tissue-organ and body donation. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 29 questions was administered to 693 individuals to measure these aspects. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Categorical data collected during the study were summarized in terms of frequency and percentage. RESULTS: When asked about their willingness to donate their bodies, 39.4% answered no, 29.5% responded yes, and 31.1% were undecided. Regarding organ donation, 61.8% of the participants expressed willingness, 22.8% were undecided, and 15.4% declined. Notably, there was a significant difference between those who had prior knowledge of organ tissue and body donation and those who did not (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of our research indicate that knowledge about organ tissue and body donation, as well as the inclination to donate, increased as medical education progressed into clinical practice. Additionally, the level of knowledge among university students on this subject was found to be correlated with whether they had received prior training on the topic. It was observed that there is a need to provide more education for students to understand the importance of organ and body donation.

Development of a Chemogenetic Approach to Manipulate Intracellular pH.

Chemogenetic Operation of iNTRacellular prOton Levels (pH-Control) is a novel substrate-based enzymatic method that enables precise spatiotemporal control of ultralocal acidification in cultured cell lines and primary neurons. The genetically encoded biosensor SypHer3s showed that pH-Control effectively acidifies cytosolic, mitochondrial, and nuclear pH exclusively in the presence of ß-chloro-d-alanine in living cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The pH-Control approach is promising for investigating the ultralocal pH imbalance associated with many diseases.

High-resolution mapping of sensory fibers at the healthy and post-myocardial infarct whole transgenic hearts.

The sensory nervous system is critical to maintain cardiac function. As opposed to efferent innervation, less is known about cardiac afferents. For this, we mapped the VGLUT2-expressing cardiac afferent fibers of spinal and vagal origin by using the VGLUT2::tdTomato double transgenic mouse as an approach to visualize the whole hearts both at the dorsal and ventral sides. For comparison, we colabeled mixed-sex transgenic hearts with either TUJ1 protein for global cardiac innervation or tyrosine hydroxylase for the sympathetic network at the healthy state or following ischemic injury. Interestingly, the nerve density for global and VGLUT2-expressing afferents was found significantly higher on the dorsal side compared to the ventral side. From the global nerve innervation detected by TUJ1 immunoreactivity, VGLUT2 afferent innervation was detected to be 15-25% of the total network. The detailed characterization of both the atria and the ventricles revealed a remarkable diversity of spinal afferent nerve ending morphologies of flower sprays, intramuscular endings, and end-net branches that innervate distinct anatomical parts of the heart. Using this integrative approach in a chronic myocardial infarct model, we showed a significant increase in hyperinnervation in the form of axonal sprouts for cardiac afferents at the infarct border zone, as well as denervation at distal sites of the ischemic area. The functional and physiological consequences of the abnormal sensory innervation remodeling post-ischemic injury should be further evaluated in future studies regarding their potential contribution to cardiac dysfunction.

From Nose to Lumbar Spinal Cord - Reduced Sperm Numbers Occur by Olfactory Bulbectomy-Related Onuf's Nucleus Degeneration: New Experimental Evidence for Kallmann Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Olfaction and its relation to human health is an area of growing interest. Although olfaction disorders have been considered a part of Kallmann syndrome, the role of olfactory dysfunction on spermatogenesis has not been studied yet. We studied if olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) causes dysfunction in spermatogenesis as a result of Onuf's nucleus damage. METHODS: Twenty-eight male rats were divided into three groups: six as the control (G-1; n = 6), six as the only frontal burr hole applied animals SHAM (G-2; n = 6), and 16 as the study group (G-3; n = 16) in which OBX was performed. The animals were followed for 2 months. After the decapitation of the animals, olfactory bulb (OB) volumes (mm3), the neuron density of the Onuf's nucleus (n/mm3), and sperm density (n/mm3) were estimated stereologically and analyzed. RESULTS: OB volumes (mm3), degenerated neuron density of Onuf's nucleus (n/mm3), and sperm numbers of control, SHAM, and study groups were estimated as: 4 ± 0.5; 6 ± 2 and 103.245 ± 10.841 in G-1; 3.5 ± 0.7; 14 ± 4 and 96.891 ± 9.569 in G-2; and 1.3 ± 0.3; 91 ± 17 and 73.561 ± 6.324 in G-3. The statistical results of degenerated neuron density of Onuf's nucleus and sperm numbers between groups are p < 0.005 for G-1/G-2; p < 0.0005 for G-2/G-3; and p < 0.00001 for G-1/G-3. DISCUSSION: This study first time indicates that Onuf's nucleus degeneration secondary to OBX seems to be responsible for reduced sperm numbers.

Rapid isothermal amplification and portable detection system for SARS-CoV-2.

The COVID-19 pandemic provides an urgent example where a gap exists between availability of state-of-the-art diagnostics and current needs. As assay protocols and primer sequences become widely known, many laboratories perform diagnostic tests using methods such as RT-PCR or reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). Here, we report an RT-LAMP isothermal assay for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and demonstrate the assay on clinical samples using a simple and accessible point-of-care (POC) instrument. We characterized the assay by dipping swabs into synthetic nasal fluid spiked with the virus, moving the swab to viral transport medium (VTM), and sampling a volume of the VTM to perform the RT-LAMP assay without an RNA extraction kit. The assay has a limit of detection (LOD) of 50 RNA copies per µL in the VTM solution within 30 min. We further demonstrate our assay by detecting SARS-CoV-2 viruses from 20 clinical samples. Finally, we demonstrate a portable and real-time POC device to detect SARS-CoV-2 from VTM samples using an additively manufactured three-dimensional cartridge and a smartphone-based reader. The POC system was tested using 10 clinical samples, and was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 from these clinical samples by distinguishing positive samples from negative samples after 30 min. The POC tests are in complete agreement with RT-PCR controls. This work demonstrates an alternative pathway for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics that does not require conventional laboratory infrastructure, in settings where diagnosis is required at the point of sample collection.

Relationship between systemic immune inflammation index and amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

AIM: The systemic immune inflammation index (SII) is a cost-effective biomarker calculated by lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts and is currently being studied in various diseases. Since there is no study examining the relationship between SII and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in the literature, our aim was to investigate the relationship between SII and amputation rate in DFU. METHODS: Type 2 DM 511 patients with DFU were screened from 2017 to 2021. Laboratory data obtained on the first day of hospitalization were considered. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and SII were calculated from routine blood count. Participants were divided into two groups as amputation (Group 1) and non-amputation (Group 2). RESULTS: Amputation rate was 18.8%. The A1c (8.80 (3.26) % vs. 9.52 (3.10) %, p = 0.007) and HGB (10.17 ± 2.16 g/dL vs. 12.05 ± 2.20 g/dL, p < 0.001) levels, and lymphocyte count (1.81 (1.16) vs. 2.05 (1.11), p = 0.015) were significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2. The counts of WBC (14.01 (9.16) × 109/L vs. 10.41 (5.82) × 109/L), PLT (393.35 (196.98) × 109/L vs. 312.05 (141.33) × 109/L), neutrophil (11.52 (8.75) × 109/L vs. 6.93 (5.96) × 109/L), PLR (226.04 (159.24) × 109/L vs. 153.12 (101.91) × 109/L), NLR (6.64 (6.93) vs. 3.34 (3.99)) and SII (2505.86 (3957.47) × 109/L vs. 1092.50 (1476.08) × 109/L), and the levels of CRP (14.12 (12.66) mg/dL vs. 3.86 (12.63) mg/dL) and ESR (87.50 (50.50) mm/h vs. 63.00 (57.25) mm/h) were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (all p < 0.001). AUC of ROC analysis of PLR was 0.666 (95% CI, 0.604-0.728), NLR was 0.695 (95% CI, 0.638-0.752) and SII was 0.716 (95% CI, 0.661-0.772) for the predicting of amputation and the SII had the best AUC with 67.4% sensitivity and 63.3%specificty. CONCLUSION: SII is a cost-effective and readily available marker, but alone may not be sufficient to predict the risk of amputation in DFU. In our results, the predictive role of SII alone or with other markers for future DFU and its role in predicting other chronic diabetic complications will be evaluated in extensive studies.

Venous reconstruction thrombosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy with superior mesenteric/portal vein resection due to pancreatic cancer: an 8 years single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Superior mesenteric/portal vein reconstruction (SMPVR) thrombosis remains a challenging complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy concomitant with venous resection. In this context, we aimed to present our SMPVR experiences and identify potential clinicopathological factors that increased SMPVR thrombosis. METHODS: A total of 33 patients who underwent SMPVR during pancreaticoduodenectomy were analyzed. Of these, 26 patients who experienced pancreatic head ductal adenocarcinoma met our inclusion criteria. Patients' data were compared as classified by SMPVR type and the development of SMPVR thrombosis. All interposition grafts were Dacron in this cohort. RESULTS: Types of SMPVR included: tangential resection with primary repair (n = 12); segmental resection with splenic vein preservation and either primary anastomosis (n = 8) or 14 mm tubular Dacron grafting (n = 1); segmental resection with splenic vein division either 14 mm tubular Dacron grafting (n = 2) or 14/7 mm 'Y'-shaped Dacron grafting (n = 3). A total of four patients having 14/7 mm 'Y'-shaped (n = 3) and 14 mm tubular Dacron (n = 1) developed SMPVR thrombosis (p = .001). Dacron grafting (p = .001) and splenic vein division (p = .010) were associated with SMPVR thrombosis. The median time to detection of SMPVR thrombosis was 4.3 months (2.5-21.0 months). The median follow-up time was 12.2 months (3.0-45 months). CONCLUSIONS: During pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head ductal carcinoma, extended venous resection requiring SMPVR with 'Y'-shaped and use of Dacron interposition grafts appeared to be associated with the development of SMPVR thrombosis. This result warrants further investigations.

Comparison of the efficiencies of intrathecal and intraganglionic injections in mouse dorsal root ganglion.

Background/aim: Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are structures containing primary sensory neurons. Intraganglionic (IG) and intrathecal (IT) applications are the most common methods used for viral vector transfer to DRG. We aim to compare the efficiencies and pathological effects of IT and IG viral vector delivery methods to DRG, through in vivo imaging. Materials and methods: Mice were divided into four groups of six each: IT, IG, IT-vehicle, and IG-vehicle. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) injection was performed for EGFP expression in IT/IG groups. DRGs were made visible through vertebral window surgery and visualized with multiphoton microscopy. After imaging, spinal cords and DRGs were removed and cleared, then imaged with light sheet microscopy. Results: No neuronal death was observed after IT injection, while the death rate was 17% 24 h after IG injection. EGFP expression efficiencies were 90%-95% of neurons in both groups. EGFP expression was only observed in targeted L2 DRG after IG injection, while it was observed in DRGs located between L1-L5 levels after IT injection. Conclusion: IT injection is a more suitable method for labeling DRG neurons in neurodegenerative injury models. However, when the innervation of DRG needs to be specifically studied, IT injection reduces this specificity due to its spread. In these studies, IG injection is the most suitable method for labeling single DRG neurons.

Serum amylase on postoperative day one is a strong predictor of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective cohort.

Background/aim: Early identification of patients at risk for developing postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) may facilitate drain management. In this context, it was aimed to examine the efficiency of the serum amylase (SA) value on postoperative day (PoD) 1 in predicting the occurrence of POPF. Materials and methods: A total of 132 patients who underwent PD were studied. Occurrences of POPF were classified according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula classification as a biochemical leak (BL) or clinically relevant grade b/c POPF (CR-POPF). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a threshold value of SA on PoD 1 associated with POPF formation. Results: Overall, 66 (50%) patients had POPF, including 51 (38.7%) with BL and 15 with CR-POPF (11.3%). The threshold value of SA associated with the development of POPF was 120 IU/L (odds ratio [OR]: 3.20; p = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, independent POPF risk factors were SA ≥120 IU/L, soft pancreatic texture, and high-risk pathology (i.e., duodenal, biliary, ampullary, islet cell, and benign tumors); SA ≥120 IU/L outperformed soft pancreatic texture and high-risk pathology in predicting POPF, respectively (OR: 2.22; p = 0.004 vs. OR: 1.37; p = 0.012 vs. OR: 1.35; p = 0.018). In a subset analysis according to gland texture (soft vs. hard), patients with soft pancreatic texture exhibited a significantly higher incidence of POPF (63.4% vs. 34.4%) and SA ≥120 IU/L (52.1% vs. 27.9%); SA <120 IU/L had a negative predictive value of 82.5% for developing POPF in patients with hard pancreatic texture (OR: 4.28, p = 0.028). Conclusion: A SA value ≥120 IU/L on the day after PD, which is the strongest predictor for POPF, can be used as a biomarker of the occurrence of POPF. The advantage of SA measurement is that it can contribute to identifying suitable patients for early drain removal.

Is Prognostic Nutritional Index an Indicator for Postoperative 90-Day Mortality in Laparoscopic Gastric Cancer Surgery?

Gastic cancer is a life-threatening malignancy in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) as a guiding marker for gastric cancer patients with laparoscopic gastrectomy. We retrospectively examined the medical records of 138 gastric cancer patients who had adenocarcinoma pathological diagnosis and operated laparoscopically. Patients were divided into two groups (survived and death) and these groups were compared with clinical and laboratory parameters results. The PNI was calculated as 10 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm3). Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of 90-day mortality. The median age of the study cohort was 62.5 (19-91) years, 98 (71%) were males, and 9 (6.5%) patients died during the 90-day after laparoscopic gastrectomy. The PNI levels were significantly lower in death group compared with survived group 37.5 (25-47.1) to 46.9 (22.8-64.9). The PNI (Odds Ratio = 0.81, 95% Confidence Interval 0.70-0.92, p = 0.003) was found as an independent factor for 90-day mortality in multivariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that 45.15 is the best-cutoff value for 90-day mortality after laparoscopic gastrectomy. 90-day mortality rate of PNI > 45.15 was 2.2% and PNI ≤ 45.15 was 13.6% found. Lower PNI is associated with increased 90-day mortality in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The PNI may be a useful marker for predicting the 90-day mortality of gastric cancer patients after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Microorganisms isolated from the bile of the patients who have undergone cholecystectomy and their antibiotic resistance pattern: multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder and biliary tract infections are diseases with high mortality rates if they are not treated properly. Microbiological evaluation of perioperatively collected samples both ensures proper treatment of patients and guides empirical treatment due to the determination of microorganism susceptibility. AIMS: This study aimed to isolate the microorganisms in bile cultures from patients who underwent cholecystectomy and to determine sensitivity results of these microorganisms. METHODS: This study was a multi-center and prospective design, included 360 patients, and was performed between 2019 and 2020. Culture results of bile taken during cholecystectomy were evaluated. RESULTS: Bacterial growth was found in the bile cultures of 84 out of 360 (23.3%) patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had risk factors for resistant microorganisms or not. While Escherichia coli (n = 11, 13%), Enterococcus spp. (n = 8, 9.5%), and Enterobacter spp. (n = 4, 4.7%) were detected most frequently in patients without risk. Staphylococcus spp. (n = 17, 20.2%), Enterococcus spp. (n = 16, 19%), and E. coli (n = 8, 9.5%) were the most frequently found microorganism at-risk patients. In multivariate analysis, bile culture positivity was found higher in patients who had history of biliary disease (p = 0.004), operation performed concurrently with a cholecystectomy (p = 0.035), and high rate of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) in total leukocyte count (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that when starting empirical antibiotic treatment for bile ducts, whether patients are at risk for the development of resistant bacterial infection should be evaluated after which antibiotic selection should be made accordingly.

Assessment relationship between the femoral artery vasospasm and dorsal root ganglion cell degeneration in spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage: an experimental study.

STUDY DESIGN: Animal proof of principle study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate neurodegeneration in rabbit L4-dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells by creating experimental spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), we aimed to show the neuronal pathway between L4-DRG and femoral artery. SETTING: Ataturk University, Medical Faculty, Animal Laboratory, Erzurum, Turkey. METHODS: This study was designed on 20 rabbits, which were randomly divided into three groups: Spinal SAH (n = 8), SHAM (n = 6), and control (n = 6) groups. Animals were followed for 20 days and then killed. Vasospasm index values of the femoral artery and neuron density of L4-DRG were analyzed. RESULTS: The number of degenerated neurons in DRG was higher in the spinal SAH than the control and SHAM groups (p < 0.001). But, the difference between the control group and the SHAM group was not significant. Normal neuron densities were significantly lower in the spine SAH group compared to the SHAM and the control groups. There was a statistically significant increase in vasospasm index values of the spinal SAH group compared to the other two groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased volume of the femoral artery lumen was showed in animals with spinal SAH compared with control and SHAM groups. Increased degeneration of the L4 dorsal root ganglion in animals with spinal SAH was also demonstrated. Our findings might shed light on the planning of future experimental studies and evaluating the clinical relevance of such studies.

Follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit and receptor variations in infertile men in Central Black Sea Region of Turkey.

Genetic variants affecting the interaction of FSH-FSHR may negatively affect the male reproductive potential. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate FSHB c.-211G>T and FSHR c.2039A>G variants in a cohort of infertile men from Central Black Sea Region in Turkey. One hundred and nine infertile men and 50 proven fertile controls were enrolled in the study. Genotyping was assessed by RFLP. The genotype frequencies of FSHB -211G>T and FSHR 2039A>G showed significant variation between infertile and fertile groups (χ2 , p = 0.046, GG vs. GT+TT, and p = 0.008, AA vs. AG+GG). FSHB -211GG was found to be higher in patients with OAT compared to fertile controls (82.3% vs. 64.0%, χ2 , p = 0.028). The distribution of FSHR 2039A>G alleles was different between infertile and fertile men (χ2 , p = 0.005, total infertile vs. fertile groups, p = 0.019, OAT vs. NOA vs. fertile groups). Further analysis showed that the frequencies of FSHR 2039AA wild-type genotype were higher in the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and non-obstructive azoospermic groups compared with the controls (χ2 , 39.3% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.012, and 37.5% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.025 respectively). Our results showed wild-types of FSHB -211G>T and FSHR 2039A>G variants may cause susceptibility to male infertility in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey.

Estimating basilar artery upper rupture limit by dangerous alarming diameter of arteries (DADA) following bilateral common carotid artery ligation; a new theorem.

BACKGROUND: Although many theories have been established to explain the mechanism of aneurysm development following steno-occlusive or hypertensive disease, the effect of the geometrical shape of the inner elastic membrane on the maximum dilatation capacity of arteries has not been adequately investigated so far. This subject was investigated. METHODS: This study was conducted in 24 rabbits. The rabbits were divided into 3 groups: as the control, (n = 5), the SHAM (n = 5), and the study group (n = 14). In the study group, BCCAL was performed. After decapitation, the basilar artery vasodilatation index (VDI) and the actual length of the inner elastic membrane (IEM) were estimated. The relationship between the true length of IEM and VDI values was compared statistically using the Mann-Witney -U test. RESULTS: Mean blood pressures were 113 ± 7 mmHg in animals at the beginning of the experiment (n = 24), and 119 ± 9 mmHg in GII and 122 ± 11mmHg in GIII after BCCAL (n = 12). Before decapitation, the mean blood pressures were 115 ± 10 mmHg in GI, 116 ± 10 mmHg in GII, and 127 ± 11mmHg GIII. The DADA values of animals were 20 ± 4mm in GI; 28 ± 6mm in GII and 37 ± 9mm in GIII. The VDI value of BA was 1.390 ± 0.220 in GI; 1.013 ± 0.108 in GI; 0.019 ± 0.011in GII group. CONCLUSION: An inverse relationship was discovered between the DADA/VDI values. BCCAL may lead to severe dangerous histopathological changes at the BA. Lower DADA or higher VDI values may lead to severe basilar enlargement, endothelial losing, inner elastic membrane rupture, and aneurysm formation after BCCAL.

New experimental finding of dangerous autonomic ganglia changes in cardiac injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage; a reciprocal culprit-victim relationship between the brain and heart.

OBJECTIVE: The vagal, stellate, and cardiac ganglia cells changes following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may occur. This study aimed to investigate if there is any relation between vagal network/stellate ganglion and intrinsic cardiac ganglia insult following SAH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six rabbits were used in this study. Animals were randomly divided as control (GI, n = 5); SHAM 0.75 cc of saline-injected (n = 5) and study with autologous 1.5 cc blood injection into their cisterna magna(GIII, n = 15). All animals were followed for three weeks and then decapitated. Their motor vagal nucleus, nodose, stellate, and intracardiac ganglion cells were estimated by stereological methods and compared statistically. RESULTS: Numerical documents of heart-respiratory rates, vagal nerve- ICG, and stellate neuron densities as follows: 276 ± 32/min-22 ± 3/min-10.643 ± 1.129/mm3-4 ± 1/mm3-12 ± 3/mm3 and 2 ± 1/cm3 in the control group; 221 ± 22/min-16 ± 4/min-8.699 ± 976/mm3-24 ± 9/mm3-103 ± 32/mm3 and 11 ± 3/cm3 in the SHAM group; and 191 ± 23/min-17 ± 4/min-9.719 ± 932/mm3-124 ± 31/mm3-1.542 ± 162/mm3 and 32 ± 9/cm3 in the SAH (study) group. The animals with burned neuro-cardiac web had more neurons of stellate ganglia and a less normal neuron density of nodose ganglia (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Sypathico-parasympathetic imbalance induced vagal nerve-ICG disruption following SAH could be named as Burned Neurocardiac Web syndrome in contrast to broken heart because ICG/parasympathetic network degeneration could not be detected in classic broken heart syndrome. It was noted that cardiac ganglion degeneration is more prominent in animals' severe degenerated neuron density of nodose ganglia. We concluded that the cardiac ganglia network knitted with vagal-sympathetic-somatosensitive fibers has an important in heart function following SAH. The neurodegeneration of the cardiac may occur in SAH, and cause sudden death.

The association of oxidative stress and DNA damage with XRCC1 and XRCC3 polymorphisms in radiology technicians.

Ionizing radiation has widespread use in medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of many medical conditions. Radiology technicians are one group that is occupationally exposed to low doses of radiation. There are questions regarding whether low dose exposure to radiation could have long-term health consequences. Assessing the effect of radiation on genetic material is essential for appraising long-term health results. Hereditary variations in DNA repair genes cause differentiation in individual responses to radiation related health effects. This study aimed to determine oxidative stress and DNA damage, and their relationship to XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) and XRCC3 (Thr241Met) polymorphisms in radiology technicians occupationally exposed to low dose radiation. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 45 radiology technicians and age-matched with 40 healthy control individuals working in office environments. Our results showed that radiology technicians had significantly greater oxidative stress and DNA damage than the control group, and women appeared more susceptible to occupational radiation exposure than men. Individuals with wild-type genotypes for XRCC1 (Arg/Arg) and XRCC3 (Thr/Thr) had less DNA damage. Lower DNA damage levels could be explained by the enhanced capacity to repair low dose radiation induced DNA damage. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of DNA repair genes in individuals that are occupationally exposed to low dose radiation.