Verbascoside Inhibits/Repairs the Damage of LPS-Induced Inflammation by Regulating Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Bone Remodeling.

Osteocytes play an important role as regulators of both osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and some proteins that are secreted from them play a role in bone remodeling and modeling. LPS affects bone structure because it is an inflammatory factor, despite verbascoside's potential for bone preservation and healing. Osteocytes may also be involved in the control of the bone's response to immunological changes in inflammatory situations. MLO-Y4 cells were cultured in either supplemented -MEM alone with a low serum to inhibit cell growth or media with LPS (10 ng/mL) and/or verbascoside (50 g/mL) to show the LPS effect. In our research, LPS treatment increased RANKL levels while decreasing OPG and RUNX2 expression. Treatment with verbascoside reduced RANKL expression. In our work, verbascoside increased the expression of OPG and RUNX2. In MLO-Y4 cells exposed to verbascoside, SOD, CAT, and GSH activities as well as the expression levels of bone mineralization proteins like PHEX, RUNX2, and OPG were all elevated.

Assessment of the orbit morphometry on West Anatolian dry skulls.

The orbit is very frequently damaged by traumas which result in not only bone deficits, but also functional deformities if reconstruction is not appropriate. Anatomical exposure of the bony orbit is of importance for both anatomists and surgeons who perform operation on this area. The current study evaluated the group of morphometrical parameters on 74 adult West Anatolian dry skulls and stereological surface area on the dry skull orbits while describing the clinical importance. Surface areas on the orbital base of the skulls were also evaluated using stereological method, bilaterally. Anthropological assessment of orbital base (in terms of width and height) revealed no significant difference between right and left sides. Both width and height of the optic foramen were significantly higher on the right side compared to left. The distances between the margins (medial, lateral, superior, inferior) of the orbital base and the optic foramen were longer on the right side compared to left, except the distances between the lateral margins. There was no significant difference among the subjects between right and left sides with respect to the orbital base in terms of stereological area calculation. The results are significant because there are no recorded anatomical data on West Anatolian skulls at previous researches. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 105-109).

Oxidative stress of crystalline lens in rat menopausal model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate lenticular oxidative stress in rat menopausal models. METHODS: Forty Wistar female albino rats were included in this study. A total of thirty rats underwent oophorectomy to generate a menopausal model. Ten rats that did not undergo oophorectomy formed the control group (Group 1). From the rats that underwent oophorectomy, 10 formed the menopause control group (Group 2), 10 were administered a daily injection of methylprednisolone until the end of the study (Group 3), and the remaining 10 rats were administered intraperitoneal streptozocin to induce diabetes mellitus (Group 4). Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) measurements of the crystalline lenses were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean OSI was the lowest in group 1 and highest in group 4. Nevertheless, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant in terms of OSI (p >0.05). The mean TOS values were similar between the groups (p >0.05), whereas the mean TAC of group 1 was significantly higher than that of the other groups (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that menopause may not promote cataract formation.

Oxidative stress of crystalline lens in rat menopausal model / O estresse oxidativo do cristalino em modelo de rata na menopausa

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate lenticular oxidative stress in rat menopausal models. Methods: Forty Wistar female albino rats were included in this study. A total of thirty rats underwent oophorectomy to generate a menopausal model. Ten rats that did not undergo oophorectomy formed the control group (Group 1). From the rats that underwent oophorectomy, 10 formed the menopause control group (Group 2), 10 were administered a daily injection of methylprednisolone until the end of the study (Group 3), and the remaining 10 rats were administered intraperitoneal streptozocin to induce diabetes mellitus (Group 4). Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) measurements of the crystalline lenses were analyzed. Results: The mean OSI was the lowest in group 1 and highest in group 4. Nevertheless, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant in terms of OSI (p >0.05). The mean TOS values were similar between the groups (p >0.05), whereas the mean TAC of group 1 was significantly higher than that of the other groups (p <0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that menopause may not promote cataract formation.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o estresse oxidativo lenticular em modelos de ratas na menopausa. Métodos: Quarenta ratos albinos femininos tipo Wistar foram incluídos neste estudo. Trinta ratas foram submetidas à ooforectomia para gerar o modelo de menopausa e 10 ratas formaram o grupo controle (Grupo 1). Dentre as ratas ooforectomizadas, 10 formaram o grupo controle menopausa (Grupo 2), 10 ratas receberam injeção diária de metilprednisolona até ao final do estudo (Grupo 3) e 10 ratas receberam estreptozotocina por via intraperitoneal para induzir diabetes mellitus (Grupo 4). O estado oxidante total (TOS), a capacidade total antioxidante (TAC) e as medições do índice de estresse oxidativo (OSI) dos cristalinos foram analisados. Resultados: A média de OSI foi menor no grupo 1 e maior no grupo 4. Todavia, a diferença entre os grupos não foi estatisticamente significativa (p>0,05). Os valores médios TOS foram semelhantes entre os grupos (p>0,05), enquanto a média de TAC grupo 1 foi mais elevada do que nos outros grupos ( p<0,001). Conclusões: Nossos resultados indicam que a menopausa podem não promover a formação de catarata.

Tissue reaction to urogynecologic meshes: effect of steroid soaking in two different mesh models.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Steroid soaking may decrease mesh-triggered inflammatory reaction in tissue. We aimed to investigate the tissue reaction to a steroid-soaked mesh material and an unsoaked mesh material in the rat model. METHODS: Neutral and steroid-soaked type I macroporous polypropylene (PP) monofilament and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF) mesh materials were implanted on the rectus abdominis muscle of 20 mature Wistar albino rats. Animals were divided into four groups: PP mesh with steroid (PP-S), PP mesh without steroid, PVF mesh with steroid (PVF-S), and PVF mesh without steroid. The rats were killed after 12 weeks, and histologic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examinations were performed. For immunohistochemical analysis, polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse CD3, rabbit anti-mouse CD68, rabbit anti-mouse CD15, and rabbit anti-mouse CD34 antibodies were used for the detection of lymphocytes, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocyte foreign body giant cells, and fibromyocyte stem cells, respectively. Samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for the histologic evaluation of inflammation and with Masson's trichrome stain for the evaluation of collagen deposition. Pore size and mesh ultrastructure were evaluated by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Expression of CD3 was lower in the PVF, PVF-S and PP-S groups, and expression of CD34 was higher in the PVF-S and PP-S groups than in the PP groups (p < 0.05). Collagen deposition was lower in the PVF, PVF-S and PP-S groups (p < 0.05). Histologically, the intensity of inflammation was lower in the PVF-S and PP-S groups than in the PP mesh group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of pore size and mesh ultrastructure on electron microscopic examination (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PVF mesh induces less inflammation than PP mesh, and in both mesh types steroid soaking further decreases inflammation without changing the pore size.

The effect of sociodemographic and clinical features on mortality in patients with diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical chracteristics of patients hospitalized with aspiration pneumonia in internal medicine clinics, and to determine the incidence and parameters of mortality among these patients. METHODS: Patients over the age of 18 years who were hospitalized in clinics of internal medicine between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2013 (115 male, 89 female; mean age: 77±13 years; patients aged 65 years and over, 88.2%; average duration of hospitalization, 11±9 days) were evaluated retrospectively and consecutively. The incidence of mortality, nutritional status at admission, comorbidity frequency, haematological and biochemical data and their relationship with mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: At admission, 85% of the patients were fed through oral route, while 15% of them were fed through PEG. There was no relation between nutritional status of the patients (oral, nasogastric tube or PEG) at admission, and development of aspiration pneumonia. Commonly seen comorbidities were dementia (49%), hypertension (43%), cerebrovascular accident (42%), and diabetes mellitus (31%) respectively. The mortality rate was 24.5% (in first three days, 56%). A correlation was found between mortality and increase in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and increased uric acid rate (for both p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, the mortality rates among patients diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia was found to be increased. The high number of geriatric patients and comorbidities might have played a role in this situation. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and uric acid levels in patients with aspiration pneumonia might be evaluated as factors related to mortality.

The localization and morphology of pterion in adult West Anatolian skulls.

The pterion is an important skull landmark because it is located where the frontal, the great wing of sphenoid, parietal, and squamous parts of the temporal bone junction. The objectives of this study were to determine the localization and the shape of pterion on skulls and to find out the distances between the pterion and some certain anatomic landmarks on neighboring structures. The study was performed on the skulls of 128 (256 sides) adult West Anatolian people. All of the morphometric measurements of the distances between the pterion and the anatomic landmarks were performed using a Vernier caliper with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. The pterion was classified into 4 types: the sphenoparietal, frontotemporal, stellate, or epipteric types. The incidences of types of pterion in the skulls were also found as the sphenoparietal type (85.2%), the epipteric type (8.2%), the stellate type (5.5%), and the frontotemporal type (1.1%). The mean (SD) distances from the center of the pterion to the zygomatic arch were measured as 40.02 (4.06) mm and 39.88 (4.01) mm; to the frontozygomatic suture, 31.80 (4.51) mm and 31.44 (4.73) mm; to the zygomatic angle, 41.54 (4.95) mm and 41.35 (5.14) mm; to the mastoid process, 82.48 (5.45) mm and 81.81 (5.50) mm; and to the external acoustic meatus, 53.29 (4.55) mm and 56.22 (4.60) mm, on the right and left sides, respectively. The mean (SD) distances between the foremost point of pterion and the anterior edge of the lateral wall of the orbit were 31.02 (5.78) mm and 32.31 (5.79) mm on the right and left sides, respectively. The localization and the shape of pterion are of importance because it is an anatomic landmark and should be of use in surgical approaches and interventions via the pterion.

Effects of menopause, diabetes mellitus and steroid use on type I mesh-induced tissue reaction in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of menopause, use of steroids, diabetes mellitus, and site of implantation on the tissue response to type I polypropylene mesh used in pelvic reconstructive surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Forty mature female albino rats were used in the study. Inflammatory reaction and mesh-tissue detachment strength were studied in 4 different animal models; control (GI), menopause (GII), steroid+menopause (GIII), and diabetes mellitus+menopause (GIV) groups. Two pieces of 1cm×1cm type I macro porous polypropylene monofilament mesh were fixed over rectus abdominis muscle on both sides of the midline, and 0.5cm×0.5cm in size was placed into paravaginal area. Nine weeks later, implanted sling materials in the vaginal region and the right abdominal side were harvested with surrounding tissue for histopathologic examination, whereas the left sided meshes were used for the mechanical testing of detachment strength. RESULTS: The mean detachment strengths in groups were, 595±274g for GI, 410±161g for GII, 610±202g for GIII, and 457±250g for GIV (p>0.008). Inflammatory process was more intense in menopause and DM+menopause groups for both abdominal and vaginal tissues (p<0.008). There was no difference between control and steroid+menopause groups, and DM+menopause and menopause groups (p>0.008). Comparison of tissue reaction caused by meshes in abdominal and vaginal area showed more intense granulocyte infiltration in abdominal region whereas more prominent inflammation and necrosis in the vaginal site (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The abdominal and vaginal region show differences in tissue reaction to type I mesh, and menopause was the most determining factor on the intensity of mesh induced inflammatory response.

Relationship of age with the size of the interventricular foramina and aqueductus sylvii: a morphometric evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: The ventricular system is an essential part of the brain. Various pathologies directly or indirectly affect the size of this system. Morphometric analysis of the cerebral ventricular system is important for evaluating changes due to growth, aging, and intrinsic and extrinsic pathologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the normative data for the interventricular foramina and cerebral aqueduct with regard to surgery and clinical situations. METHODS: Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 128 healthy subjects (63 female subjects, 65 male subjects; 2-63 years old) were individually reviewed. The right and left interventricular foramina lengths and diameters and the cerebral aqueduct length and diameter were statistically evaluated and compared between sexes and among age groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the age groups in either sex (P > 0·05). Additionally, there was no correlation between age and measurement parameters (P > 0·05). DISCUSSION: We did not observe any changes in interventricular foramina or cerebral aqueduct measurements in healthy subjects from a wide range of age groups. Such changes should be useful for diagnosing diseases that affect the ventricular system and planning surgical procedures, especially those involving the ventricular system.

Skin autoreactivity in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients without urticaria: autologous serum skin test positivity correlation with thyroid antibodies, sonographical volume and grading.

Recent studies have shown an association between anti-thyroid antibodies and autologous serum skin test (ASST) positive urticaria patients. However, a connection between thyroid and this reliable skin test for mast cell autoreactivity, ASST, has not been reported yet. We investigated ASST in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) without urticaria and compared the results with laboratory and sonographical findings of HT. 154 HT patients, 100 healthy volunteers without HT as a first control group and 46 patients with multinodular goitre but without autoimmune thyroid disease as a second control group underwent testing with ASST. ASST was applied to these groups according to two criteria, first as ASST(new): autologous serum red wheal response 1.5 mm bigger than negative control; second as ASST(old): serum red wheal response 5 mm bigger than negative control accepted as positive. Free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) and thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg) levels were measured. ASST(old), ASST(new) scored positive in 51.3-60.4% of HT patients, with statistically significant differences. Thyroid volume grades were inversely proportional with ASST(old) and (new) positivity. Moderate (+) titers of anti-Tg in ASST(old) and (new) (+) cases were significantly higher than the same titers of anti-Tg in ASST(old) and (new) (-) cases. The prevalence of ASST positivity in HT patients was not affected by the following factors: gender, age at screening, laboratory measurements of thyroid function tests, anti-TPO antibodies and thyroid ultrasound (US) echogenicity. Positivity of ASST in HT has shown that there is a skin mast cell autoreactivity in HT patients independent of autoreactive chronic urticaria (ACU).

First trimester diagnosis of parapagus diprosopus dibrachius dipus twins with cranirachischisis totalis by three-dimensional ultrasound.

Parapagus (laterally fused), diprosopus (two faces), dibrachius (two upper extremities), dipus (two lower extremities) conjoined twinning is extremely rare. The coexistence of anencephaly with a contiguous spinal defect (craniorachischisis totalis) makes the present case one of the rarest of the published cases. In our case, it was difficult to make the final diagnosis by two-dimensional abdominal and vaginal ultrasound. Three-dimensional ultrasound was helpful for final diagnosis and post-abortal examination confirmed the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis. The heart, diaphragm, liver and perineum were all united. Fine dissection of the heart showed four vessels arising from the ventricles and a membranous type ventricular septal defect.

The importance of the greater occipital nerve in the occipital and the suboccipital region for nerve blockade and surgical approaches--an anatomic study on cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: Greater occipital nerve (GON) blockade is an effective method for treatment of occipital neuralgias. Occipital neuralgia or neuropraxis of this region may be seen particularly as a result of compression of the GON. This study shows the relationship between the GON and its external bone landmarks, in order to prevent complications and to perform nerve blockades safely. The study also defines the points where the GON pierces the semispinalis capitis (SSC) and the trapezius, and where the GON passes the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI), and identifies bone landmarks for places where the GON may be entrapped. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the laboratories of Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Anatomy, 12 GON's belonging to male adult cadavers fixed in formaldehyde were dissected. Colored silicone was injected to all cadavers and then microdissections were performed under a dissection microscope. The lesser occipital nerve, the GON, the greater auricular nerve, and the occipital artery (OA) were dissected. All measurements were made with a 0.1mm sensitive calipometer. RESULTS: The GON's diameter at the point where the GON pierces the SSC was found to be 2.5±0.3 mm. The distance between the point where the GON pierces the SSC and the external occipital protuberance (EOP) was 53.6±5.0 mm. The distance between this point and the midline was 9.0±1.9 mm, the distance between this point and the intermastoid line was 11.5±3.9 mm and the distance between this point and the mastoid process was 65.5±5.9 mm. The distance between the midline and the point where the GON pierces the aponeurosis of trapezius (AT) was 47.9±8.0 mm, the distance between this point and the EOP was 15.1±7.0 mm, the distance between this point and the intermastoid line was 17.1±2.8 mm, and the distance between this point and the mastoid process was 59.4±2.3 mm. We measured the distance between the OA and the intermastoid line to be 8.5±6.1 mm vertically and 32.3±3.9 mm horizontally to the midline. CONCLUSION: In this study, we define the GON's route in the suboccipital and the occipital region where the nerve pierces the SSC and the AT and where blockade or surgery can be performed. These data will help the surgeon and clinician to avoid complications in this region.

Variations in the high division of the sciatic nerve and relationship between the sciatic nerve and the piriformis.

OBJECTIVE: The sciatic nerve (SN) separates into its branches, the tibial and common fibular nerves, outside the pelvis. However, it may rarely be separated within the pelvis. In such cases, the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve may leave the pelvis through different routes. These variations may cause nerve compressions under other anatomic structures, resulting in non-discogenic sciatica. The aim of this study was to define the level of the SN exit and of the SN division. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 50 gluteal regions were examined in 25 formalin-fixed adult male cadavers. RESULTS: In 52% of the cases, the SN exited the pelvis as a whole nerve without any division, whereas in 48% a high division was observed. Branches of the SN left the pelvis through the infrapiriform foramen (IP) as two separate nerves In 24%. One branch of the SN left the pelvis through the IP and other through a different route in another 24%. CONCLUSION: The differences in the exit routes of these two nerves are important in clarifying the clinical etiology of nondiscogenic sciatica. These variations require reviewing the piriformis syndrome.

Anatomic considerations and the relationship between the piriformis muscle and the sciatic nerve.

UNLABELLED: STATING BACKGROUND: The piriformis syndrome is one of the non-discogenics causes of sciatica. It results from the compression of the sciatic nerve (SN) by the piriformis muscle (PM) in the neutral and piriformis stretch test position. The evidence of the increase in pain in the test position requires a detailed anatomical study addressing the changes that occurred in the SN and PM anatomy during the test position. The aim of this study is to examine this relationship morphometrically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 right and left lower limbs of ten adult cadavers were examined. The SN and the PM were made visible. The location of the SN was evaluated with respect to the consistent bony landmarks, including the greater and the lesser trochanter of the femur, the ischial tuberosity, the ischial spine of the hip bone, the posterior inferior iliac spine of the hip bone and the posterior superior iliac spine of the hip bone. The study was done in both neutral and test positions (i.e., 30 degrees adduction 60 degrees flexion and approximately 10 degrees medial rotation position of the hip joint). RESULTS: The width of the greater sciatic notch was 63.09 +/- 13.59 mm. The length of the lower edge of the PM was 95.49 +/- 6.21 mm, and whereas the diameter of the SN where it emerged from the infrapiriforme was 17.00 +/- 3.70 mm, the diameter decreased to 11.03 +/- 2.52 mm at the level of the lesser trochanter of the femur. The SN intersected the PM most commonly in its medial second quarter anatomically. The vertical distance between the medial edge of the SN-PM intersection point and the ischial tuberosity was 85.62 +/- 17.23 and 72.28 +/- 7.56 mm (P < 0.05); the angle between the SN and the transverse plane was 66.36 degrees +/- 6.68 degrees and 71.90 +/- 8.48 degrees (P < 0.05); and the vertical distance between the medial edge of the SN and the apex of the ischial spine of the hip bone was 17.33 +/- 4.89 and 15.84 +/- 4.63 mm (P > 0.05), before and after the test position, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides helpful information regarding the course and the location of the SN. The presented morphometric data also revealed that after stretch test position, the infrapiriforme foramen becomes narrower; the SN becomes closer to the ischial spine of the hip bone, and the angle between the SN and the transverse plane increases. This study confirmed that the SN is prone to be trapped in the test position, and diagnosis of this situation requires dynamic MR and MR neurography study.