Determination of the cryoprotective effect of n-methylacetamide in rabbit semen.

BACKGROUND: Amides are low molecular weight cryoprotectants. N-methylacetamide (MA) is one of the cryoprotectant agents in this group. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cryoprotective effect of MA in rabbit semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, six ejaculates from six New Zealand rabbits were collected and pooled using an artificial vagina. Pooled semen was divided into four equal parts and diluted with TCG+ egg yolk. CPA was added to form the following groups: Control with 6% DMSO; Group 1 with 1% MA; Group 2 with 2% MA; and Group 3 with 3% MA. After the addition of CPA, the semen eqilibration procedure was started. Sperm were then drawn into 0.25 mL straws, frozen by automatic semen freezing and stored in a liquid nitrogen container. Pipettes were thawed after 24 h and analyses were performed. RESULTS: Total, progressive and rapid motility values of the Control group were higher than those of the MA groups (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the Control and Group 2 in terms of these parameters. While there was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of acrosome damage and mitochondrial membrane potential, the best results were observed in Control, Group 2, Group 1 and Group 3, respectively. When we compared all groups, no difference was found in terms of MDA, CAT and GSH-Px. There was a statistical difference between Group 3 and the Control in terms of GSH level (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: DMSO appeared to be more useful for the cryopreservation of rabbit semen compared to MA. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23610110812.

A new anatomical brachial plexus variation during interscalene block.

We aimed to present our anesthetic management for an ultrasound-guided (USG) interscalene block in the presence of a new brachial plexus variation in a 59-year-old male patient underwent shoulder arthroscopy. An accessory muscle between the anterior scalene (ASM) and middle scalene muscle (MSM) was viewed via ultrasound. When four roots that the accessory muscle separated into two groups, which should be normally present between the ASM and MSM were displayed, we decided to use nerve stimulator to perform block. The contraction response from the deltoid muscle group from both root groups was regarded as a possible new brachial plexus variation in the C5 nerve root. For interscalene block, 30 ml of 0.375% bupivacaine was used via multi-injection. We confirmed this new brachial plexus variation with magnetic resonance neurography for the first time in a patient. Interscalene block should be definitely performed under USG and when a new anatomical variation is suspected, roots should be separated with a nerve stimulator to increase the success of the block.

Effect of intralipid administration on calcium therapy in verapamil toxicity.

AIM: Lipid emulsions are promising with regard to the treatment of toxicity by agents of high lipophilic nature. Our objective is to investigate the efficacy of intralipid 20% and calcium administration at different times when symptoms of cardiac toxicity occur during verapamil infusion. METHOD: 24 adult male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 different groups, the control group, calcium group, calcium following 20% intralipid group and concomitant 20% intralipid and calcium group. Following monitoring under ketamine anesthesia, all groups were administered 37.5 mg kg-1 h-1 verapamil infusion until a 50% decrease occurred in MAPb. At the end of the infusion, verapamil infusion was decreased down to 15 mg kg-1h-1 and the treatment agents predetermined for the groups were administered concomitantly. RESULTS: There is no statistically significant difference between the administration of 20% intralipid synchronized with calcium or as a pretreatment, but both groups provided a higher survival rate when compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of calcium alone in verapamil toxicity is not sufficient; when calcium and 20% intralipid are administered together, there is no difference between the administration of lipid and calcium concomitantly and the administration of lipid prior to calcium (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 23).

The roles of SPBC409.08 and SPAC9.02c hypothetical genes in cell cycle and stress response, in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Polyamine molecules are known to have important roles in the cell cycle control and fighting against stress in the cell. The mechanism and modification of polyamines are regulated by the cooperation of many proteins such as polyamine transporter proteins and polyamine acetyltransferases. In this study, our aim is to characterize two hypothetical Schizosaccharomyces pombe genes, SPBC409.08 and SPAC9.02c, which show sequence similarity to spermine family transporters and polyamine N-acetyltransferases, respectively. To this end, we generated deletion mutants of SPBC409.08 and SPAC9.02c genes using Bahler method and checked the cell cycle progression and stress responses of these mutants. Our results showed that SPBC409.08Δ cells showed some defects in the cell size, while SPAC9.02cΔ cells showed some sensitivity to UV irradiation. These data support their potential roles in the cell cycle and stress response. To our knowledge our results are the first experimental characterization of these genes.

The effect of luteolin on spermatological parameters, apoptosis, oxidative stress rate in freezing rabbit semen.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Luteolin (LUT) on semen quality, oxidative stress, apoptosis, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and dead sperm ratio in rabbits. Ejaculates from six New Zealand rabbits were collected, evaluated and pooled. The pooling was divided into five groups as control (no additive) LUT 25 µM, LUT 50 µM, LUT 100 µM and LUT 200 µM and LUT added. It was then filled into a falcon tube with Tris-based extender at a final concentration of approximately 35 x 106 spermatozoa. Diluated rabbit semen samples were drawn into frozen and thawed. Frozen semen straws were thawed at 37°C in 30 seconds. According to our findings, no statistical difference was found between all doses of luteolin and the control group in the CASA (computer assisted sperm analysis) analysis performed at 4°C. However, total motility, progressive motility and rapid sperm percentage were found to be higher in the frozen and thawed rabbit semen at a dose of LUT 50 µM compared to the other groups (p⟨0.05). While amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross-frequency (BCF) values were found at the lowest dose of LUT 200 µM, a statistically significant difference was observed between the other groups. When the flow cytometry results were examined, no statistical difference was found between the rate of dead sperm, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis rate. Morever, the H2 O2 percentage was found to be lower in all experimental groups compared to the control group (p⟨0.001). In conclusion, the addition of LUT in long-term storage of rabbit semen provided a protective effect for spermatozoa with its antioxidative properties against damage caused by cryopreservation.

Anesthetic management of epidermolysis bullosa: a review and report of two cases.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a rare genetically mechanobullous disorder, characterized by an excessive susceptibility of the skin and mucosa to separate from the underlying tissues after mechanical trauma. Avoiding mechanical stimulation of the skin and mucous membranes is essential in the anesthetic management. These case reports describes bilateral nerve block in two patients with an anticipated airway difficulty due to epidermolysis bullosa. We report the successful applications of intraoperative indirect electrocardiogram monitoring without electrodes and bilateral axillary and midhumeral nerve block using levobupivacaine in combination with lidocaine in patients who had previously undergone repeated general anesthesia. We conclude that regional anesthesia should be preferred in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, especially those who had previously undergone repeated general anesthetic procedures.

Survey of Turkish practice evaluating the management of postdural puncture headache in the obstetric population (1).

Many surveys and meta-analysis concerning the management of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) in the obstetric population were published in the literature. Therefore, we aimed to determine the current practice and ideas in the management of PDPH in the Turkish obstetric population and to provide awareness of the responders about new solutions with a survey. The response rate was 70%. The management strategies against accidental dural puncture during epidural insertion were to leave the catheter in situ as a spinal catheter (36%, n = 28) or to re-site it at a different level (64%, n = 50). Although these results might reflect the current practice of this small sample, in order to follow the changes in these strategies and to catch almost a standard approach for the prevention and management of PDPH which is a serious complication affecting morbidity in this particular population, further surveys including most of the centers are required.

Lateral canthal dynamics, correlation with periorbital anthropometric measurements, and effect of age and sleep preference side on eyelid metrics and lateral canthal tendon.

PURPOSE: To evaluate dynamic and static properties of lateral canthal tendon and involutional periorbital anthropometric and lateral canthal changes with any possible effect of sleep reference side on these changes. METHODS: Ninety-two healthy adult subjects with a mean age of 43.5 years were enrolled in the study. Lateral canthal tendon lengths (LCT), canthal movement amplitudes, and other periorbital anthropometric parameters were measured. Any effects of age and sleep preference side on anthropometric and particularly lateral canthal tendon measurements were evaluated. Pearson correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and t-test for paired samples were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: LCT length was weakly correlated with age, lower lid tractability, horizontal palpebral fissure length, and interpupillary distance and also inversely correlated with margin reflex distance, but not with other measurements. Age was also correlated with lower lid tractability, and with the ratio of LCT to the horizontal palpebral fissure length (LCT-HPFL). No correlation between age and horizontal palpebral fissure length was detected. Age was weakly and inversely correlated with canthal height but not with canthal movement amplitudes. No effect of sleep preference side on LCT length, canthal height, or lower lid tractability was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral canthus has a dynamic structure that is not correlated with any other periorbital anthropometric measurements. LCT length is correlated with lower lid tractability, and increases with age, unlike horizontal palpebral fissure that stays constant with increasing LCT-HPFL ratio. Sleep preference side has no effect on the eyelid metrics and LCT.

Surgical anatomy of the deep lateral orbital wall.

PURPOSE: To determine the exact anatomic location and volume of the thickest section of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone (trigone), which is removed during deep lateral orbital wall decompression. METHODS: Eighteen dried skulls were used to determine the exact anatomic location and computed tomography (CT) images of 20 patients (10 male, 10 female) were used for volumetric calculations. RESULTS: Mean values were 14.5 mm for the orbital rim to inferior orbital fissure distance, 23.3 mm for rim to trigone distance, 13.0 mm for width of the trigone base, 5.8 mm for trigone to orbital apex distance, and 12.3 mm for trigone height. The width of the narrowest section of the trigone was 5.2 mm. The trigone was found to have a lower segment (0.92 cc) neighboring the inferior orbital fissure, and an upper segment (0.32 cc) adjoining the thick substance of frontal bone. The narrowest part between these two segments was located just at the superior border of the lateral rectus muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The authors recommend avoiding the thin rectangular portion located in the inter-fissural area adjacent to the superior orbital fissure. A high intersubject variability underscores the need for individualized preoperative analysis by imaging studies.

Ketamine is toxic to chondrocyte cell cultures.

Ketamine has been used in combination with a variety of other agents for intra-articular analgesia, with promising results. However, although it has been shown to be toxic to various types of cell, there is no available information on the effects of ketamine on chondrocytes. We conducted a prospective randomised controlled study to evaluate the effects of ketamine on cultured chondrocytes isolated from rat articular cartilage. The cultured cells were treated with 0.125 mM, 0.250 mM, 0.5 mM, 1 mM and 2 mM of ketamine respectively for 6 h, 24 hours and 48 hours, and compared with controls. Changes of apoptosis were evaluated using fluorescence microscopy with a 490 nm excitation wavelength. Apoptosis and eventual necrosis were seen at each concentration. The percentage viability of the cells was inversely proportional to both the duration and dose of treatment (p = 0.002 and p = 0.009). Doses of 0.5 mM, 1 mM and 2mM were absolutely toxic. We concluded that in the absence of solid data to support the efficacy of intra-articular ketamine for the control of pain, and the toxic effects of ketamine on cultured chondrocytes shown by this study, intra-articular ketamine, either alone or in combination with other agents, should not be used to control pain. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:989-94.

The effects of the modulus of the lens material on intraocular pressure measurement through soft contact lenses.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of the modulus of the lens material on the intraocular pressure measurement using the Tono-Pen XL applanation tonometer through soft contact lenses. METHOD: Thirty eyes of 15 patients with myopia were evaluated. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were performed using Tono-Pen XL directly over cornea, and subsequently through three soft contact lenses made up of different lens materials. All were -3.00 diopter soft contact lenses: lotrafilcon A with a low water content (24%) and high modulus (1.4 MPa) (CL-I), balafilcon A with a moderate water content (36%) and moderate modulus (1.1 MPa) (CL-II), and vifilcon A with a moderate water content (55%) and low modulus (0.79 MPa) (CL-III). IOP measurements through contact lenses were compared with each other, and with direct corneal measurements. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients (11 males and 4 females) was 26.86±5.62 years. All measurements obtained through CLs were significantly higher than the direct corneal measurements. The measurements through CLs differed by 4.61±0.54 mmHg (P=0,001), 2.9±0.46 mmHg (P=0.001), and 1.94±0.51 mmHg (P=0,003) for CL-I, CL-II and CL-III, respectively. In the paired comparisons of measurements through CLs, all comparisons were significant except the comparison of measurements through CL-II and CL-III (P=0.128). CONCLUSION: IOP measurements through silicone-hydrogel contact lenses with a high modulus and low water content were higher compared to the other contact lenses. While measuring IOP through CLs, the clinicians should consider the effect of the lens material and the features of the device used.