Hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin treatment, QT interval and ventricular arrhythmias in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) are widely used in off-label treatment of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, cardiac safety of these drugs is still controversial in COVID-19. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate association of HCQ or HCQ + AZM treatment regimens, corrected QT (QTc) interval and malignant ventricular arrhythmias in hospitalized patients. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective and observational study. All data were extracted from the electronic medical records. The initial and post-treatment mean QTc intervals were calculated and compared in patients with HCQ alone or HCQ + AZM therapy. Associated factors with QTc prolongation, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia during treatment and in-hospital mortality because of ventricular arrhythmias were evaluated. RESULTS: Our cohort comprised 101 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (mean age of 49.60 ± 18 years, 54.4% men). HCQ + AZM combination therapy group (n = 56) was more likely to have comorbidities. After 5-days treatment, 19 (18.8%) patients had QTc prolongation, and significant increase in the QTc interval was observed in both two groups (P < .001). However, HCQ + AZM combination group had significantly higher ΔQTc compared to HCQ group (22.5 ± 18.4 vs 7.5 ± 15.3 ms, P < .001). All of 101 patients completed the 5-days treatment without interruption. Also, no malignant ventricular arrhythmia or death secondary to ventricular arrhythmia occurred during the treatment in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that although HCQ + AZM treatment was independently associated with QTc prolongation, none of patients experienced malignant ventricular arrhythmia or death during treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the exact implications of these drugs on arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19.

Prognostic value of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in hypertensive COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and the prognosis of hypertensive COVID-19 patients. METHODS: It was designed as a single center retrospective study. PCR positive COVID-19 patients who were followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) and received antihypertensive treatment were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as survivor and non-survivor. C-reactive protein/albumin (CAR) ratios of the patients were compared. The cut-off value was determined as a mortality predictor. The effect of CAR on mortality was evaluated using Logistic Regression analysis. RESULTS: 281 patients were included in the study. Groups consisted of 135 (non-survivor) and 146 (survivor) patients. CAR was significantly higher in the non-survivor group (p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for CAR for mortality was 0.807, with sensitivity of 0.71 and specificity of 0.71. The cut-off value for CAR was calculated as 56.62. In logistic regression analysis, CAR increases mortality 4.9 times compared to the cut-off value. CONCLUSION: CAR is a powerful and independent prognostic marker for predicting mortality and disease progression in hypertensive COVID-19 patients.

The effects of systemic ozone application and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on knee osteoarthritis: an experimental study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of systemic medical ozone (O3) application and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on surgically induced knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in order to create experimental OA in the right knees of 27 male rats. The left knee joints of all rats were sham-operated without ACLT as the negative control group. The rats were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) control group, which received no treatment; (2) O3 group, which received intraperitoneal 30 µg medical O3; (3) HBO group, which received HBO therapy for 60 minutes twice a day. We sacrificed the rats on the tenth week after the operation. We evaluated the degree of OA using Mankin scores. RESULTS: As a result of histopathological examination, the mean Mankin scores in the right knees with ACLT were 8.17 ± 2.12 in the control group, 6.22 ± 1.56 in the HBO group, and 4.72 ± 1.30 in the O3 group. The differences between the O3 group and the HBO group and the O3 group and the control group were found to be statistically significant (p 0.001, p 0.039, respectively). There was no difference between the HBO group and the control group (p 0.086). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that systemic medical O3 application was more effective than HBO therapy and may reduce development of cartilage damage and prevent OA formation.

Comparison of corticosteroid injection and ozone injection for relief of pain in chronic lateral epicondylitis.

To evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of corticosteroid and ozone injections in the alleviation of pain associated with chronic lateral epicondylitis . Data was collected from the medical records of 80 patients (56 women, 24 men ; average age : 45.8±7.5). Corticosteroid injection was performed once a week for three times, and ozone was injected 6-8 times at 3 day intervals. No additional analgesics were given. Pain assessment was made by means of Verhaar scores before and after the first injection, on 3rd, 6th and 9th months. The duration of pain was 24.4±12.5 months and the right side was more commonly affected (47, 58.8% vs. 33, 41.2%). Corticosteroid and ozone groups were similar with respect to age (p=0.45), gender distribution (p=0.43) and side of epicondylitis (p=0.88). Pain scores at rest, at compression and on activity were not different in two groups before and following injection. Notably, ozone group displayed better scores compared to corticosteroid in terms of pain on 3rd, 6th and 9th months after injection (p<0.001 for all). Our results demonstrated that ozone injection can be an effective therapeutic option for CLE patients who are refractory to conservative treatment.

Evaluation of the relationship between the topographical anatomy in the axillary region of the brachial plexus and the body mass index.

To investigate the topographic anatomy of the median, musculocutaneous, radial and ulnar nerves with respect to the axillary artery and to seek whether these configurations are associated with baseline descriptive data including age, gender, and body-mass index. This cross-sectional trial was carried out on 199 patients (85 women, 114 men; average age: 46.78 ± 15.45 years) in the department of anaesthesiology and reanimation of a tertiary care center. Topographic anatomy of the median, musculocutaneous, radial and ulnar nerves was assessed with ultrasonography. Localization of these nerves with respect to the axillary artery was marked on the map demonstrating 16 zones around the axillary artery. Frequencies of localizations of every nerve in these zones were recorded, and the correlation of these locations with descriptive data including age, gender and BMI was investigated. There was no difference between women and men for the distribution of the median (p = 0.74), ulnar (p = 0.35) and radial (p = 0.64) nerves. However, the musculocutaneous nerve was more commonly located in Zone A13 in men compared to women (p = 0.02). The localization of the median (p = 0.85), ulnar (p = 0.27) and radial (p = 0.88) nerves did not differ remarkably between patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Notably, the musculocutaneous nerve was more often determined in Zone A10 in cases with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (p = 0.001). Our results imply that the alignment of the musculocutaneous nerve may vary in men and overweight people. This fact must be considered by the anaesthetist before planning the axillary block of brachial plexus. All these informations may enlighten the planning stages of the brachial plexus blockade.

Evaluation of prolidase activity and oxidative status in patients with knee osteoarthritis: relationships with radiographic severity and clinical parameters.

We investigated serum prolidase activity and oxidative/antioxidative status in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and evaluated its relationships with radiographic severity and clinical parameters. The study population consisted of 137 patients with knee OA and 134 healthy volunteers. The severity of knee OA was classified according to the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria. Each patient was also evaluated clinically according to the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Serum prolidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Oxidative status was assessed by measuring serum lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total oxidative status (TOS). Antioxidative status was assessed by measuring serum-free sulfhydryl groups (-SH = total thiol) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Serum prolidase activity was significantly lower in the knee OA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The serum prolidase activities decreased with the severity of knee OA. Furthermore, serum LOOH, TOS, and OSI levels of the knee OA group were significantly higher than those of the controls (p < 0.001 for all), whereas TAC and -SH levels did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). In a multiple regression analysis, WOMAC score was independently associated with serum prolidase activity (ß = -0.340, p < 0.001). Decreased serum prolidase activity and elevated LOOH, TOS, and OSI levels may be associated with knee OA, and serum prolidase activity may be a useful adjunctive indicator of the progression of knee OA in follow-up.

Outcomes of first-line long-acting octreotide treatment in non-functional, advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

PURPOSE: Benefits of somatostatin analogues have been mostly studied in mixed samples of patients including both functional and non-functional neuroendocrine tumors. This study aimed to examine the response of patients with non-functional metastatic or inoperable gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that received first-line treatment with the somatostatin analogue octreotide LAR. METHODS: The medical records of 23 patients with locally inoperable or metastatic non-functional neuroendocrine tumors who received octreotide LAR (long acting release) treatment were retrospectively reviewed for clinical data and disease course. All patients had received first-line octreotide LAR 30 mg for 4 weeks. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. RESULTS: All patients were followed for a median of 47 months. Mean PFS and OS were 25.0 ± 3.4 months (95% CI: 18.4-31.5) and 71.3 ± 9.5 months (95% CI: 52.7-89.9), respectively, with an estimated 5-year OS of 58%. Patients with ≤ 25% of hepatic tumor load had better PFS when compared to patients with >25% hepatic tumor load (32.2 ± 6.2 vs 19.4 ± 2.7 months, p=0.043). During treatment, the following adverse events developed: skin reaction (N=1, 4.3%), cholestasis (N=1, 4.3%), grade 1 diarrhea (N=1, 4.3%), and newly onset diabetes (N=3; 13.0%). CONCLUSION: Octreotide LAR seems to be an effective treatment option with acceptable tolerability for patients with well-differentiated non-functional GEP-NETs. Survival benefits warrant further testing in future large-scale prospective trials.

Biomechanical Comparison of Headless Compression Screws, Kirschner Wires and Bioabsorbable Pins in Distal Oblique Metatarsal Osteotomy for Correction of Hallux Valgus.

BACKGROUND: Distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal is a widely used method for the correction of mild-to-moderate hallux valgus deformities. The objective of this study was to compare the stability of headless compression screws, kirschner wires and absorbable pins in terms of stiffness and maximum load in distal oblique metatarsal osteotomy. METHODS: A total of 30 4th generation first metatarsal synthetic bone models were divided into three groups according to the fixation techniques. The stiffness of the first metatarsal was calculated as the slope of the linear curve that fit with the first linear part of the force displacement curve. The failure strength was recorded as the maximum load. The stiffness and maximum load values in the axillary and transverse configurations were compared between the three fixation groups. RESULTS: The stiffness was statistically higher in Group K and Group C compared to Group B in both axial and transverse loading. Similarly, the maximum load was significantly higher in both Group K and Group C compared to Group B in both loading conditions. No significant difference was found between Group K and Group C in stability. The higher failure strength was obtained with headless compression screws (113.34±35.88 N) in the axial loading. The lowest failure strength was found in the absorbable pins technique (16.17±7.72 N) in the transverse loading. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was found between the Kirschner wires and headless compression screws techniques, although the highest strength was obtained with headless compression screws that are increasingly used in orthopedic practice.

Results of Surgical Management of Achilles Tendon Rupture Using the Modified Lindholm Procedure.

Objectives Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) in adults often results from sporting activities, especially in young adults. There is no consensus in the literature on the best treatment approach in the treatment of these ruptures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical long-term results of the augmented ATR repair using the modified Lindholm procedure (MLP). Methods Patients who underwent MLP due to ATR in the orthopedics and traumatology clinic of our hospital between 2007 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Medical history of the patients was noted, and preoperative physical examination was routinely performed using the Thompson compression test. Patients' demographic data such as age and gender, tendon rupture side, postoperative follow-up duration, and gap range values were recorded and evaluated. Results The mean age of the patients was 29.43 ± 7.10 years. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 50.1 ± 8.20 months. Of the patients, 16 were injured during football, 10 during basketball, 2 during volleyball, and the remaining 8 during other sporting activities. When Arner-Lindholm scores were evaluated during follow-up, excellent outcome was achieved in 30 patients and good outcome was achieved in 6 patients, whereas there was no patient with poor outcome. None of the patients developed tendon re-rupture. At the end of the fourth postoperative month, the range of ankle motion was 100% in all patients. Conclusions In patients with spontaneous AT tendon rupture, MLP seems to prevent the re-rupture in the long-term period and should be considered as a safe procedure to repair ATR.

Endoscopic Plantar Fascia Release versus Cryosurgery for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: In a prospective randomized study, we compared two different surgical techniques used in plantar fasciitis surgery. METHODS: Forty-eight patients diagnosed as having plantar fasciitis and treated for at least 6 months with no response to conservative modalities were included in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive endoscopic plantar fascia release (EPFR) or cryosurgery (CS). Patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS) as a primary outcome measurement at baseline and 3 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. At the final follow-up visit, the Roles-Maudsley score was used to determine patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Five patients did not complete the 1-year follow-up examination (one in the EPFR group and four in the CS group). Thus, the study group included 43 patients. Although both groups showed significant improvement at the final evaluation, the patients in the EPFR group had significantly better AOFAS-AHS scores at 3 months. The success rate (Roles-Maudsley scores of excellent and good) in the EPFR group at 12 months was 87% and in the CS group was 65%. CONCLUSIONS: Both EPFR and CS were associated with statistically significant improvements at 1-year follow-up. At 3-month follow-up, EPFR was associated with better results and a higher patient satisfaction rate compared with CS.

No Sedation, No Traction, and No Need for Assistance: Analysis of New Prakash's Method of Shoulder Reduction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 patients who were admitted to the emergency department with the diagnosis of anterior shoulder dislocation participated in this study. The diagnosis of shoulder dislocation was established in the emergency department with physical examination and anteroposterior shoulder radiography. The method was applied only once to the patients in the sitting position by the same physician without using any help, traction, anesthesia, analgesia, and myorelaxant. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 37.3 ± 13.1 years. Among them, 36.8% (n=7) were female and 63.2% (n=12) were male. Recurrent dislocations were observed in 21.1% (n=4) of the patients. The success rate of the method was 94.7% (n=18). No complication was noted in the patients. The mean procedure time was 243 ± 38 seconds. CONCLUSION: Prakash's method is a safe method for anterior shoulder dislocations that can be quickly performed with no need for sedation, assistance, and traction and has a high success rate.

Implications of continuous positive airway pressure on heart rate variability in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: Does gender matter?

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on the improvement of heart rate variability (HRV) and whether gender plays a role in HRV in patients with mode-rate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: Consecutive patients with recently diagnosed moderate to severe OSAS underwent continuous synchronized electrocardiographic monitoring and were prospectively considered for inclusion in the study. HRV was analyzed before starting CPAP therapy and 1 year thereafter. The effects of CPAP on HRV were evaluated in men and women separately to ascertain whether there are gender differences in the clinical manifestations of OSAS and whether female HRV responses to CPAP are similar to those of men. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients (10 men, median age: 56 years) were included in the study. There were no significant differences in the baseline clinical characteristics of the male and female patients. After 1 year of CPAP treatment, heart rate decreased (p<0.05) and time domain parameters increased (p<0.05) in both men and women. None of the frequency domain parameters changed in women (p<0.05), whereas the high frequency power measured increased (p<0.05) and the ratio of low frequency to high frequency decreased (p<0.05) in men after 1 year of CPAP treatment. The increase in HRV after 1 year of CPAP therapy was significantly higher in men than in women (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: CPAP therapy reduced enhanced cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in patients with OSAS assessed according to HRV. The beneficial effect of long-term CPAP therapy on HRV was more pronounced in men.

Effect of losartan on exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of losartan treatment on exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) secondary to mitral valve prolapse or rheumatic heart disease. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (14 males, 13 females, mean age 51+/-11, range 21-76) with moderate MR due to mitral valve prolapse or rheumatic heart disease were examined by means of Doppler echocardiography. The subjects were submitted to treadmill exercise tests using the modified Bruce protocol at baseline, after six hours and after the six-week treatment period to be evaluated based on their exercise tolerance. Mitral Regurgitant Volume (MRV), effective regurgitant orifice diameter, left atrial volume, left ventricle (LV) end-diastolic volume index, LV end-systolic volume index, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricle mass index were calculated at baseline and after six weeks of treatment with single dose of losartan (50 mg/day). RESULTS: Total treadmill exercise time increased from 477.7+/-147.9 to 535.7+/-149.0 seconds after six hours (p<0.01) and to 559.6+/-142.8 seconds after six weeks of treatment. Also, metabolic equivalent values increased following six hours of first dose and six weeks of losartan treatment (from 10.9+/-2.9 to 11.8+/-3.1, p=0.006 and 12.4+/-3.1, p=0.002; respectively). However, peak exercise systolic blood pressure (BP) was reduced after six hours and six weeks of treatment, and resting diastolic BP did not change after six hours but reduced at the end of the treatment period. MR volume decreased significantly from 29.3+/-14.1 ml to 25.1+/-14.8 ml, (p=0.025) without significant change in regurgitant orifice diameter (0.72+/-0.37 cm vs. 0.66+/-0.37 cm, p=NS), left atrium diameter and area while LVEF increased from 51.70+/-13.37 to 54.11-11.75 (p=0.015) with losartan. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan improves exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with moderate MR.

COULD OZONE TREATMENT BE A PROMISING ALTERNATIVE FOR OSTEOMYELITIS? AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the biochemical and histopathological impact of ozone treatment in an experimental model of osteomyelitis in rats. METHODS: A total of 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (3 months old, each weighing 300 to 400 g) were randomly allocated into three groups. Group I (n=8) served as a control and received no interventions or medications. In Group II (n=8), osteomyelitis was induced in the femur and no treatment was applied. Group III (n=8) received intraperitoneal ozone treatment for 3 weeks after the formation of osteomyelitis in the femur. Serum samples were taken to assess total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl content (PCO), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Bone specimens obtained from the femur were histopathologically evaluated for inflammation, necrosis, osteomyelitis, and abscess formation. RESULTS: Serum TAC levels were notably higher (p<0.001), while LDH levels were lower (p=0.002) in Group III than Group II. No significant difference was detected between groups with respect to PCO level. Similarly, Group III displayed more favorable histopathological outcomes with respect to osteomyelitis (p=0.008), inflammation (p=0.001), necrosis (p=0.022), and abscess formation (p=0.022). CONCLUSION: Ozone may be a useful adjunct treatment for osteomyelitis. Further studies in animals and humans are needed to clarify and confirm these preventive effects, understand the underlying pathophysiology, and establish guidelines. Level of Evidence II; Prospective comparative study.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o impacto bioquímico e histopatológico do tratamento de ozônio em modelo experimental de osteomielite em ratos. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro ratos Sprague-Dawley machos adultos (3 meses de idade, pesando de 300 a 400 g) foram alocados randomicamente em três grupos. O grupo I (n = 8) serviu como controle. No Grupo II (n = 8), o modelo de osteomielite experimental foi induzido no fêmur e não foi aplicado nenhum tratamento. O grupo III (n = 8) recebeu tratamento com ozônio intraperitoneal por 3 semanas depois da formação de osteomielite no fêmur. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue para avaliar a capacidade antioxidante total (CAT), a concentração da proteína carbonil (PCO) e da lactato desidrogenase (LDH) no soro. As amostras do fêmur foram avaliadas por histopatologia quanto a inflamação, necrose, osteomielite e formação de abscesso. RESULTADOS: Os níveis séricos de TAC foram notavelmente maiores (p < 0,001), enquanto os níveis de LDH foram menores (p = 0,002) no Grupo III em comparação com o Grupo II. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi detectada entre os grupos com relação ao nível de PCO. Do mesmo modo, o Grupo III apresentou resultados histopatológicos mais favoráveis para osteomielite (p = 0,008), inflamação (p = 0,001), necrose (p = 0,022) e formação de abscesso (p = 0,022). CONCLUSÃO: O ozônio pode ser um tratamento adjuvante útil na osteomielite. Mais estudos com animais e com seres humanos são necessários para esclarecer e confirmar esses efeitos preventivos, compreender a fisiopatologia subjacente e estabelecer diretrizes. Nível de Evidência II; Estudo prospectivo comparativo.

Is there a relationship between serum ox-LDL, oxidative stress, and PON1 in knee osteoarthritis?

Previous in vitro studies have shown that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) plays a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) protects both low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high-density lipoprotein (HDLs) against oxidative damage from circulating cells. In addition, PON1 is inactivated by ox-LDL and preserved by antioxidants. However, the relationship between serum ox-LDL, oxidative stress, and PON1 in knee OA remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated ox-LDL association with oxidative stress and PON1 in knee OA, and evaluated their relationships using radiological and clinical parameters. This study included 203 patients and 194 controls. The severity of OA was classified based on the Kellgren-Lawrence scoring system. In addition, each patient was clinically evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. Plasma concentrations of ox-LDL, oxidative stress markers, and PON1 were measured. Serum ox-LDL and oxidant parameters were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p < 0.001 for all), whereas PON1 was significantly lower (p < 0.001). ox-LDL was inversely correlated with PON1, whereas it was positively correlated with radiographic severity, WOMAC score, and oxidant parameters. We found an association between the levels of various serum markers of oxidative injury, especially ox-LDL, and increasing severity of knee OA, as well as indirect evidence for their regulation by PON1. oxLDL seems to play a critical role in OA, both in the beginning, and during progression of, the disease. Therefore, serum oxLDL levels may be a helpful biomarker to evaluate the severity of knee OA.

Importance of the Upper Extremity Position for a Safe and Effective Axillary Block: a Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the ideal position of upper extremities during ultrasonography guidance for axillary block. The position that provides the shortest distance between the median and musculocutaneous nerves was assumed to be the most appropriate position for axillary block. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 120 (45 female and 75 male) patients were placed in a position with a shoulder at 90° / elbow 90° (position 1) and a shoulder 90° / elbow 0° (position 2). The intersection point of the biceps brachii muscle with the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle is defined as the proximal level (P). Distal level (D) is reffered as 5 cm below the proximal level. In the positions described above, the distance between median and musculocutaneous nerves was measured proximal (positions 1P and 2P) and distal levels (positions 1D and 2D). It was investigated whether these measurements differed between the groups and whether the body mass index or the gender. RESULTS: The shortest mean distance (10.24±3.95 mm) between the two nerves was determined when the shoulder position 90°/elbow position 0° at the distal level (1D) and the longest mean distance (13.41±4.26 mm) was determined when shoulder position 90°/elbow position 90° at the proximal level (2P). In all four cases, there was no difference in the results between men and women. There was no relationship between the measurement results and the body mass indexes and age of the patients. CONCLUSION: Appropriate positioning of the upper extremities is important for achieving optimal position during axillary block. Thereby, the procedure can be safely and effectively performed with lesser amounts of local anaesthetic solution and a decreased number of manoeuvres with needle during infiltration.

Increased serum leptin concentrations in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris and ST-elevated myocardial infarction.

Leptin is an adipocytokine that is produced mainly by adipose tissue; it is also identified in atherosclerotic lesions in human coronary atherosclerosis. However, the relation of serum leptin concentrations to ischemic heart disease (IHD) is still obscure. The aims of the present study were to investigate serum leptin concentrations in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and with chronic stable angina pectoris (CSAP) and to evaluate the possible correlations of leptin to other atherosclerotic risk factors; including serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), serum homocysteine, and fibrinogen concentrations. For this purpose, 35 patients with CSAP, 40 with acute STEMI, and 30 control subjects with normal findings from coronary angiography were taken into the study prospectively. Serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with CSAP and STEMI compared to the control group (7.74 +/-1.34 vs 6.37 +/-1.85 ng/mL, p=0.021 and 8.22 +/-3.13 vs 6.37 +/-1.85 ng/mL, p=0.023, respectively). In addition, serum homocysteine concentrations were significantly increased in patients with CSAP (15.23 +/-5.96 vs 11.40 +/-2.11 micromol/L, p=0.025) and patients with STEMI (15.90 +/-5.02 vs 11.40 +/-2.11 micromol/L, p=0.012) compared to the control group. Serum fibrinogen concentrations were significantly increased only in the CSAP group as compared to controls (4.15 +/-1.39 vs 3.45 +/-1.19 g/L, p=0.025). No significant correlation was found between leptin levels and selected risk factors. In conclusion, serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher in both the CSAP and STEMI groups. However, owing to the lack of correlation between the leptin levels and selected classical coronary risk factors, it may be considered that leptin can be evaluated as one of the independent risk factors for IHD. Further randomized and controlled studies will be required to determine the pathophysiological meaning of the increased leptin levels and the central role between adipocyte function and atherosclerosis.

Effect of ozone and methylprednisolone treatment following crush type sciatic nerve injury.

PURPOSE:: To assess and compare the histopathological effects of ozone therapy and/or methylprednisolone (MPS) treatment on regeneration after crush type sciatic nerve injury. METHODS:: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Four groups received the following regimens intraperitoneally every day for 14 days after formation of crush type injury on sciatic nerve: Group I: ozone (20mcg/ml); Group II: methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group III: ozone (20 mcg/ml) and methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group IV: isotonic saline (0.9%). The histomorphological evaluation was made after biopsies were obtained from the sites of injury. RESULTS:: Significant differences were noted between groups in terms of degeneration (p=0.019), nerve sheath cell atrophy (p=0.012), intraneural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p=0.002), perineural granulation tissue formation (p=0.019), perineural vascular proliferation (p=0.004), perineural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p<0.001) and inflammation in peripheral tissue (p=0.006). Degeneration was remarkably low in Group III, while no change in nerve sheath cell was noted in Group II. CONCLUSION:: The combined use of methylprednisolone and ozone treatment can have beneficial effects for regeneration after crush type nerve injury.

Diagnosis of asymptomatic atrial septal aneurysms using two-dimensional color Doppler and contrast transthoracic echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dimensions of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), the presence and characteristics of interatrial shunt, the movement of the wall of the aneurysm, and correlation between these findings and sign and/or symptoms suggesting embolism in Manisa, a district of a western Anatolian city of Turkey. METHODS: Two thousand five hundred cases were examined by routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in both pediatric and adult cardiology outpatient clinics. ASA was detected in 20 cases and evaluated by two-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography (CDE). The length of the base, the maximum radius and the maximum displacement of ASA were measured. The shunt between the atria was examined by CDE. In cases where a shunt could not be found, galactose and palmitic acid was injected. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and exercise stress test were also performed. RESULTS: No clinical signs or symptoms were found, suggesting a systemic or cerebral embolism. The maximum displacement of ASA was between 2 and 5 mm. All of the aneurysms were localized in the right atrium, and the walls of the aneurysm did not move beyond the base of the left atrium during the maximum displacement. Interatrial shunt was detected in 14 of 20 patients (70%) by CDE and in the remaining six cases by contrast TTE. Frequent ventricular ectopic beats were observed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: During routine TTE we observed 0.8% asymptomatic ASA in our population. The use of a contrast agent was found to be a valuable additional method in patients with ASA when the shunt could not be detected by CDE. The risk for embolism is not high when the maximum displacement of the wall of ASA was 5 mm or less and no bulge into the left atrium was observed. Based on our experience with this method, TTE is easy to perform, well-tolerated and acceptable.