Nutritional evaluation of non-traumatic patients admitted to the hospital from Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is a common condition, especially among hospitalized patients which are overlooked by many clinicians. Malnutrition was found to be associated with increased hospitalization duration, increased admission frequency, increase in infection frequency and severity, bad wound healing, gait disturbances, fallings, and fractures. In this study, we aimed to determine malnutrition frequency in patients who were admitted to the emergency department for non-trauma causes and hospitalized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 245 patients were admitted to the Emergency Department for non-trauma causes and hospitalized and 245 control group patients were included in this study. Hospitalized patients were assessed with NRS-2002 (Nutritional Risk Screening) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), malnutrition status, and wards of the patients were screened. RESULTS: 140 (57.1%) of the hospitalized patients had malnutrition according to NRS-2002 and MNA. There was a statistically significant difference between the control group and the hospitalized patients who were malnourished (Pearson chi-square test; p<0,001). There was a significant relation between hospitalized departments and malnutrition (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in age and height between hospitalized patients and the control group (p<0.0001) whereas no significant difference was found between the height and BMI (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship in terms of hospitalization and malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional state of the patients admitted to the emergency department for non-trauma conditions is an important factor and should not be overlooked.

Curcumin protects against testis-specific side effects of irinotecan.

OBJECTIVE: Irinotecan (IR/CPT-11) is a semisynthetic, water-soluble derivative of the alkaloid camptothecin. It is a topoisomerase I group antineoplastic drug commonly used for the treatment of many cancer types, although it has side effects in tissues such as the testis. Curcumin (CRC) is a polyphenol compound produced from the Indian saffron root; it is used as food colouring and food flavouring. This study examined the testis-specific side effects of IR and the ability of CRC to protect against these side effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in our study (n = 10). The rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: control, IR, IR + CRC, and CRC. IR 10 mg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally and CRC 100 mg/kg was administered orally. Blood and testicular samples were collected from rats in all four groups on day 30 after drug administration. Histological, biochemical, and spermatological analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Testis tissue and blood samples were collected from the four groups. Tissue samples from the control and CRC groups demonstrated normal histological appearance on light microscopy. The IR group exhibited the following findings: vascular congestion in the tunica albuginea layer; tubular degeneration and vascular congestion in the interstitial area; oedema, vacuolisation, and luminised cells in the seminiferous tubule; and cells that temporarily stopped dividing at any stage of division in the seminiferous tubule epithelium. In the IR+CRC group, histopathological damage was significantly reduced by CRC treatment. Biochemical analysis showed that the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) was significantly increased in the IR group, compared with the other groups. CRC treatment significantly decreased this IR-mediated increase in TBARS level, and the TBARS level in the IR + CRC group approached the level observed in the control group. IR treatment caused significant decreases in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) levels. However, CRC administration tended to ameliorate the decreases in GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx levels. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, IR had some toxic effects in rat testis tissue; these effects were ameliorated by CRC treatment. Further studies are warranted to confirm our results.

Lycopene prevents experimental priapism against oxidative and nitrosative damage.

The article "Lycopene prevents experimental priapism against oxidative and nitrosative damage, by O. Ciftci, F. Oguz, A. Beytur, F. Polat, R. Altintas, H. Oguzturk, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2014; 18 (21): 3320-3325-PMID: 25487946" has been withdrawn due to problems concerning authorship. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/8034.

Comparison of immunological, histological and oxidative effects of felbamate and levetiracetam in traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare immunological, histological and oxidative effects of antiepileptic agents; felbamate and levetiracetam on head trauma in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 32 Sprague-Dawley genus male rats were used. A closed head trauma mechanism was constituted in order to perform head trauma in rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups, and each group had 8 rats. Following head trauma, Group 1 (Control); normal saline was administered, Group 2; levetiracetam 50 mg/kg was administered, Group 3; felbamate 100 mg/kg was administered, and Group 4; levetiracetam 50 mg/kg and felbamate 100 mg/kg were administered with a combination. Injections were administered intraperitoneally once a day for 20 days. The rats were decapitated at the end of the 20th day. Blood and tissue samples were collected and analyzed for biochemical, immunohistochemical and histological parameters. RESULTS: Serum cytokine levels in Group 2, 3 and 4 were lower when compared to the control group. In Group 4, in which combined therapy was performed, cytokine levels were found to be the lowest. In Groups 2 and 3, a significant decrease in vascular congestion, mononuclear cell infiltration, hemorrhage, and neural degeneration was noticed in the pia mater. In Group 2, a decrease in vascular congestion and Purkinje cell degeneration was obtained in the cerebellum. However, the best outcomes were determined in Group 4. CONCLUSIONS: We determined that levetiracetam and felbamate alone are useful with respect to immunological, oxidative and histological alterations. However, their utility is better when used in a combination.

Beneficial effects of hesperidin following cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-induced damage in heart of rats.

BACKGROUND: Increased oxidative stress and histopathological damage have been implicated in the cardiotoxicity that limits the clinical therapy of cisplatin (CP) as an anti-cancer drug. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of hesperidin (HP) against CP-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups (n = 7/group), and the first group served as the control group. Animals in Group CP and Group CP + HP received a single dose of CP (CP - 7 mg/kg); animals in Group HP and Group CP + HP received 50 mg/kg/day HP with gavage for 14 days. At the end of day 14, cardiac tissue samples were histologically and biochemically examined. RESULTS: In this experimental study, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in the cardiac tissue were significantly higher in the CP group, whereas glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and CAT levels were significantly lower in this group. On the other hand, GSH and SOD levels in the CP + HP group were similar to the control group. There was no significant difference in cardiac CAT levels between Group CP and Group CP + HP. CONCLUSION: Hesperetin treatment leads to a decrease in oxidative stress, and associated histological damage. The findings of the current study suggest that HP has a protective effect against CP-induced cardiotoxicity.

Lycopene prevents experimental priapism against oxidative and nitrosative damage.

OBJECTIVE: Priapism is a persistent and often painful penile erection in the absence of sexual stimulation. It can cause progressive fibrosis, edema and drying of the erectile tissue and then it can lead to erectile dysfunction. Previous studies suggested that, neuronal nitric oxide levels increased during the priapism. High NO levels can result in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to oxidative stress in tissue and reproductive system. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative and nitrosative effects caused by priapism in cavernosal tissue and serum, and determinate beneficial effects of lycopene on ischemic priapism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups and the first group being as the control. In the second group, experimental ischemic priapism was formed for an hour and then 1hour reperfusion was provided. In the third group, lycopene was intraperitoneally given at the dose of 10 mg/kg. In the fourth group, lycopene were administered to rats with experimental priapism. RESULTS: Priapism caused a significant increase in TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and NO levels and a significant decrease in the levels of GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD in serum and cavernosal tissue of rats. However, lycopene significantly increased GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD levels but decreased formation of TBARS production and NO in rats with priapism. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that ischemic priapism lead to significant oxidative and nitrosative damage in cavernosal tissue and serum samples of rats. However lycopene treatment eliminates these negative effects induced by priapism. For this reason, we suggested that lycopene may be used in the treatment of priapism.

Tramadol or paracetamol do not effect the diagnostic accuracy of acute abdominal pain with significant pain relief - a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled double blind study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of early administration of analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain on pain severity, abdominal findings and diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: 210 patients with non-traumatic acute abdominal pain lasting less than 72 hours were enrolled to this trial. Patients were administrated by placebo, tramadol (1 mg/kg), or paracetamol (15 mg/kg) randomly after the first evaluation of pain severity scores (standard 100 mm visual analog scale) and abdominal findings (rebound, rigidity, tenderness). After 20 and 40 minutes of administrations, pain severity scores and abdominal findings were re-examined. Complete blood count, electrocardiography, plain abdominal x-ray, urine analysis and abdominal ultrasound were used for the initial diagnosis. The final diagnoses were decided after re-examinations, biochemical blood analysis, abdominal computed tomography in all patients and consultations or other diagnostic methods when necessary. RESULTS: There were 70 patients in each group. Baseline pain severity scores and abdominal findings were similar at all groups. After 20 minutes, pain severity scores were decreased in tramadol and paracetamol groups compared with the placebo group as 55% and 45% vs 1% respectively (p < 0.001). After 40 minutes, decreases on pain severity scores were more significant at treatment groups, 67% and 60% vs 0 (p < 0.001). When compared to placebo tramadol and paracetamol increased the new onset or worsening nausea or vomiting. There was no difference on abdominal findings among the groups after 20 and 40 minutes examinations. Diagnostic accuracy of tramadol, paracetamol and placebo groups were 96%, 94% and 94% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early administration of tramadol and paracetamol provided effective pain relief in patients with non-traumatic acute abdominal pain and those administrations did not interfere with diagnosis.

Complete atrioventricular block caused by mad honey intoxication.

The honey produced by the bees fed on Rhododendron family plants containing grayanotoxin is known as mad honey in our country. This intoxication is seen rarely. However, it may lead life-threatening hemoinstability mentioned above and may be confused with various diseases. For these reasons the exact diagnosis and treatment of this intoxication seems very important. We aim to describe a case admitted to the Emergency Department in consequence of mad honey intoxication and treated and discharged after hypotension and complete atrioventricular block development.

A rare cause of ankle pain: concomitant intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma and arteriovenous fistula.

Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (ILCH), also called intravenous pyogenic granuloma, is a rare benign lesion. These lesions are frequently showed themselves in the veins of the neck and upper extremities of young women. Clinical features are not specific. Ultrasonography can be used for diagnosis and showing additional pathologies such as arteriovenous fistula. The treatment is surgical excision. Correct pathologic diagnosis is required for differential diagnosis. We report an ILCH case presented to the Emergency Department with the complaints of pain and swelling in the ankle, originated from an arteriovenous fistula in vena saphena magna.

A descriptive analysis of 188 liver transplant patient visits to an emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to seek the causes of application, the demographic and clinical characteristics of liver transplant patients and to share the experiences of our Emergency Department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-eight Emergency Department visits of ninety patients who underwent liver transplant operations between 2002 and 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The patients applied to the Emergency Department with the complaints of fever 28.2% and abdominal pain 30.9%. It was detected that the final diagnosis of 52.4% of the patient visits was associated with the gastrointestinal system. It was observed that the most common treatment was drug therapy by 45.2% and that antibiotics treatment was the most applied method in drug treatment. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) median value of hospitalized patients (45.5 U/L) is significantly higher than that of discharged patients (35 U/L) (p = 0.04). From the records of the patients, positive correlations between the length of hospitalization and levels of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, ALT and fever during the visit were detected (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.01, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most frequently liver transplant recipients visited the Emergency Departments with the complaints of fever and abdominal pain. The diagnosis was generally associated with gastrointestinal system disorders. The percentage of hospitalization was high and the length of stay at the hospital was long. The treatment of these patients required a multidisciplinary approach and antibiotics constituted the most used drug treatment. Also, fever and liver function tests examined at the time of admittance to the Emergency Department affected the length of hospitalization.

Ameliorative effects of curcumin against acute cadmium toxicity on male reproductive system in rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of curcumin (CMN) against acute cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) toxicity on male reproductive system in rats. CdCl(2) is known to be a heavy metal and potential environmental pollutant. For this purpose, 28 rats were equally divided into four groups; the first group was kept as control and given distilled water and corn oil as carrier. In second and third groups, CdCl(2) and CMN were administered at the dose with 1 mg kg(-1) day(-1) and 100 mg kg(-1) for 3 days respectively. CdCl(2) and CMN were given together at the same doses in the fourth group. It was determined that acute CdCl(2) exposure caused a significant reproductive damage via increased oxidative stress (increased TBARS levels and decreased SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH levels), histological alterations (necrosis, oedema etc.) and spermatological damage (decreased sperm motility and sperm concentration and increased abnormal sperm rate) in male rats. However, CMN treatment partially reversed these toxic effects of CdCl(2) on the reproductive system. In conclusion, our results show that acute exposure of CdCl(2) may lead to infertility, and CMN could prevent and reverse hazardous effects of CdCl(2) to some degree. Thus, CMN may be useful for the prevention of CdCl(2)-induced reproductive damage.

Effects of electromagnetic radiation produced by 3G mobile phones on rat brains: magnetic resonance spectroscopy, biochemical, and histopathological evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) produced by a third-generation (3G) mobile phone (MP) on rat brain tissues were investigated in terms of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), biochemistry, and histopathological evaluations. METHODS: The rats were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 is composed of 3G-EMR-exposed rats (n = 9) and Group 2 is the control group (n = 9). The first group was subjected to EMR for 20 days. The control group was not exposed to EMR. Choline (Cho), creatinin (Cr), and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels were evaluated by MRS. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities were measured by spectrophotometric method. Histopathological analyses were carried out to evaluate apoptosis in the brain tissues of both groups. RESULTS: In MRS, NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and NAA/Cho ratios were not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2. Neither the oxidative stress parameters, CAT and GSH-Px, nor the number of apoptotic cells were significantly different between Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Usage of short-term 3G MP does not seem to have a harmful effect on rat brain tissue.