Autistic-like behaviour and changes in thalamic cell numbers a rat model of valproic acid-induced autism; A behavioural and stereological study.

The contribution of the thalamus to the development and behavioural changes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a neurodevelopmental syndrome, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in thalamic volume and cell number in the valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD model using stereological methods and to clarify the relationship between thalamus and ASD-like behaviour. Ten pregnant rats were administered a single dose (600 mg/kg) of VPA intraperitoneally on G12.5 (VPA group), while five pregnant rats were injected with 5 ml saline (control group). Behavioural tests were performed to determine appropriate subjects and ASD-like behaviours. At P55, the brains of the subjects were removed. The sagittal sections were stained with cresyl violet and toluidine blue. The thalamic and hemispheric volumes with their ratios, the total number of thalamic cells, neurons and non-neuronal cells were calculated using stereological methods. Data were compared using a t-test and a Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between behaviour and stereological outcomes. VPA-treated rats had lower sociability and sociability indexes. There was no difference in social novelty preference and anxiety. The VPA group had larger hemispheric volume, lower thalamic volume, and fewer neurons. The highest percentage decrease was in non-neuronal cells. There was a moderate positive correlation between the number of non-neuronal cells and sociability, thalamic volume and the number of neurons as well as the time spent in the light box. The correlation between behaviour and stereological data suggests that the thalamus is associated with ASD-like behaviour.

Effects of Septoplasty on Tp-e Interval and Tp-e/QT Ratio in Patients With Nasal Septal Deviation.

OBJECTIVES: There are multiple nasal airway pathologies leading to upper airway obstruction, and one of the most common ones is nasal septum deviation (NSD). Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of nasal septal surgery in patients with NSD on ventricular arrhythmogenesis using the novel electrocardiographic parameters, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT ratio. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 102 consecutive patients diagnosed with NSD. All participants completed a validated outcomes instrument (the NOSE scale), echocardiographic and electrocardiographic evaluation before and 3 months after septoplasty. The degree of nasal septal deviation was evaluated with the Dreher classification. RESULTS: All of the electrocardiography parameters (except heart rate and QTmin) were significantly decreased with the septoplasty operation. Electrocardiographic parameters have significantly decreased especially in marked NSD patients. (Δ = difference between the preoperative and postoperative values) ΔNOSE was positively correlated both ΔcTp-e (r = 0.348, P < .001) and ΔcTp-e/QT values (r = 0.536, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Consequently, marked NSD was associated with increased risk of arrhythmogenesis, which were too much improved after septoplasty. So, treatment of especially marked NSD not only reduces otolaryngological complaints, but also leads to improvement of ventricular repolarization parameters.