Investigation of the combined cytotoxicity induced by sodium butyrate and a flavonoid quercetin treatment on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Quercetin (QUE) belonging to the flavonoid class is a common phytochemical present in the daily diet of some individuals. Quercetin is an important source of free radical scavengers. This property makes this flavonoid a reliable antioxidant with the following properties: anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic. Sodium butyrate (NaBu) acts as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and is known to regulate apoptosis in cancer cells. Combining natural flavonoids such as QUE with different substances may synergistically enhance their anti-carcinogenic capacity. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the combined treatment effects of QUE and NaBu in hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells in vitro. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with QUE alone, NaBu alone, as well as QUE and NaBu combined to determine the following: cell proliferation, levels of protein annexin A5 (ANXA5) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), mRNA protein expression, as well as cell and nuclear morphology. Data demonstrated that either QUE or NaBu alone inhibited cell proliferation, and reduced levels protein ANXA5, ROS and mRNA protein expression, The combination of QUE and NaBu produced a significant synergistic inhibitory effect compared to treatment groups of QUE or NaBu alone. In conclusion, our findings showed that the combination treatment of QUE and NaBu may constitute a promising therapeutic approach to breast cancer treatment but this needs further molecular and in vivo investigations.

McCall culdoplasty vs. vaginally assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of advanced uterine prolapse: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to compare the anatomic outcomes of vaginally assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (VALS) with those of McCall culdoplasty (McCC) in patients undergoing concurrent vaginal hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study presents the outcomes of 68 patients who underwent hysterectomy and vaginal suspension for apical prolapse ≥ Stage III according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system between October 2017 and December 2020. Among these patients, 33 underwent VALS and 35 underwent McCC. Clinical features, surgical data, concomitant surgical procedures, postoperative complications, and recurrence rates were assessed. Before and after one year of surgery, the short form of the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire were used to evaluate subjective symptoms. Patient Global Impression of Improvement Questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean follow-up durations were 25.5 ± 7.63 months and 25.6 ± 5.96 months in the VALS and McCC groups, respectively. Prolapse recurrence occurred in 3 (9.1%) women in the VALS group versus 12 (34.3%) women in the McCC group (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: The McCC operation was associated with a shorter operation time, whereas the VALS operation had a significantly higher objective success rate. Based on this study, it may be concluded that McCC is not an effective procedure for advanced uterine prolapse.

Evaluation of the optimal sampling approach for HPV genotyping in circumcised heterosexual men with genital warts.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes a serious socioeconomic burden globally. However, there is currently no consensus on the optimal sampling method for HPVDNA genotyping in circumcised heterosexual men. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic efficacy of 6 different anatomic sampling sites in HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of circumcised heterosexual men with genital warts. METHODS: The study included circumcised heterosexual men who presented to our clinic with complaints of genital warts. Swab samples were obtained from the penile shaft (PS), scrotum, coronal sulcus (CS), and external urethral meatus (EUM). First-void urine (FVU) and genital wart biopsy (GWB) were also tested for HPV DNA by PCR. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients (mean age: 36.9 ± 6.9 years) were included. None of the six samples studied was sufficient on its own to reveal all HPV types detected in a patient. When the samples were analyzed individually, GWB detected an average of 49.5% of total HPV types in a patient. This rate was 50.5% for PS, 40.4% for CS, 31.6% for scrotum, 26.3% for EUM, and 15.8% for FVU samples. The detection rate increased to 75.8% with combined testing of GWB and PS samples, 83.2% with GWB/PS/CS, 90.5% with GWB/PS/CS/scrotum, and 98.9% with GWB/PS/CS/scrotum/EUM samples. CONCLUSION: No single anatomic region or sample type can detect all HPV types present in circumcised heterosexual men by PCR assay. The detection rate approaches 99% when wart biopsy is combined with swab sampling of the penile shaft, coronal sulcus, scrotum, and external urethral meatus.

In vitro chemo-protective effect of Eisenia foetida coelomic fluid against histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced oxidative toxicity in breast cancer cells.

Developing new drugs from natural products is important for therapeutic effects to minimise tissue toxicity of drugs used in cancer treatment. Eisenia foetida is a worm with a double transport system consisting of coelomic fluid (ECF) that can be used as alternative medicine. It is important to eliminate or reduce the high cytotoxicity of sodium butyrate (NaBu), a chemotherapeutic agent used in breast cancer treatment, for both neoplastic and normal cells. We aimed to evaluate the effect of ECF on the oxidative toxicity induced by NaBu in MCF-7 cells, changes in ROS production levels and expression of cell death and ROS-related genes. It was determined that the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 genes remained unchanged, while the amount of ROS decreased significantly in MCF-7 cells exposed to NaBu with ECF. Thus, ECF may be a potential therapeutic molecule with fewer side effects in cancer treatment in the future.

Evaluation of the antioxidative and genotoxic effects of sodium butyrate on breast cancer cells.

Oncogenic stimulation shows a rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ROS can eventually induce carcinogenesis by causing DNA damage. In this context, this study aims to evaluate some biochemical and genotoxic changes in the control of cell death caused by NaBu (Sodium butyrate). treatment in breast cancer cells. NaBu's impact on cell proliferation was determined via WST-1 assay. The lipid peroxidation (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), Nitric Oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme levels were determined biochemically. NaBu-induced genotoxic damage was estimated via single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). NaBu reduced cell viability and potentially induced GSH, but decreased SOD enzyme activity and the level of MDA and NO decreased also H2O2 decreased at different times and NaBu concentrations. Higher NaBu concentrations amplified DNA damage in MCF-7 cells compared to the control group. NaBu shows anticancer and genotoxic effects, especially through antioxidant enzymes, one of the oxidative stress parameters in breast cancer. However, the anticancer and genotoxic effects of NaBu is changed in the oxidative stress parameters with time and treatment concentration of NaBu in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, his oxidative stress-dependent effect changes need to be clarified by further evaluation with molecular and more biochemical parameters.

Determination of cytogenetic abnormalities in buccal mucosa of dental laboratory technicians.

This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of metals, which dental technicians are exposed to, on the oral mucosa cells in dental prosthesis laboratories (DPL). To monitor cytotoxic effects, mutations of pyknosis, Karyolysis Karyorrhexis, binucleus, micronucleus, and broken-egg were evaluated. Experimental group comprised of a total of 30 volunteer DPL employees from various DPLs, and 30 teachers and office workers were volunteered to be a part of the control group. Age range of DPL employees and whether they consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes were also considered as sub-variables. Peripheral smear technique was applied by taking samples from the oral mucosa of the experimental group and the control group. Anomalies determined between technicians and control group were statistically significant (p < .05). However, our findings revealed that the sub-variables (ie, age range, alcohol, and smoking) did not significantly affect the anomalies.

Investigation of morphological abnormalities in red blood cells among dental laboratory technicians.

A variety of materials are used in dental prosthesis laboratories (DPL), especially metal alloys and methyl methacrylate (MMA)-based monomers and polymers. These metal alloys contain elements such as cobalt, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, lead, and mercury that can have toxic effects on human health when excessive amounts of exposure occur. This study aims to investigate the cytotoxic effects of occupational exposure due to dental prosthesis manufacturing operations on erythrocyte cells. Thirty DPL workers were compared with the 30 control group and the questionnaire forms were applied including the symptoms due to their occupational exposure. Blood was taken from the experimental group and the control group into tubes with EDTA, and the erythrocyte morphologies were examined by the peripheral smear technique. Morphological anomalies determined from the experimental group and the control group are statistically significant (p < .005, p < .01). On the other hand, it was revealed that the sub-variables, namely age range, alcohol, and smoking, did not significantly affect the anomalies. With these results, it was concluded that DPL employees should strictly comply with occupational health precautions.

Comparison of the effects of bilateral and unilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling on pregnancy rates in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the effects of unilateral and bilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) on pregnancy rates in patients with clomiphene citrate (CC) resistant infertile polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 75 patients who were admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Antalya Training and Research Hospital between July 2016 and December 2017 and underwent LOD operation. Among these patients, 37 underwent unilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling (ULOD) and 38 underwent bilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling (BLOD). The drilling procedure was carried out using the following equation: Number of punctures (np) = 60 J/cm3 /30 watt × 4 s by selecting the larger ovary in the patients who underwent ULOD and by taking the ovarian volume of each ovary in the BLOD group. RESULTS: During the 1-year follow-up, 20 of the ULOD patients (54.1%) and 13 of the BLOD patients (34.2%) were observed to be pregnant. Although a higher number of pregnancies were obtained in the ULOD group, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (P = 0.083). The pregnancies occurred more in the first 6 months during the postoperative follow-ups of the patients. A total of 14 (70%) of the 20 pregnancies in the ULOD group and 9 (69.2%) of the 13 pregnancies in the BLOD group occurred in the first 6 months. CONCLUSION: ULOD with respect to a larger ovarian volume should be preferred to BLOD for CC-resistant PCOS patients because of the high pregnancy rates and fewer potential side effects.

Is multiple sclerosis a risk factor for atherosclerosis?

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. We aimed to discuss possible predisposing factors to atherosclerosis such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) levels in MS. METHODS: Thirty-five ambulatory patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (22 females and 13 males) and 34 healthy controls (21 females and 13 males) with similar demographic variables were included. Blood cell counts, cholesterol levels, vitamin D and B12, Hs-CRP levels, body mass index (BMI), history of smoking, and CIMT of both groups, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and disease duration of patients were recorded. Patients with a history of other vascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, and acute relapses were excluded. RESULTS: Sixty-nine participants were included. The mean age of the study population was 35.8±7.1 years. Right CIMT was significantly greater in the patient population (P<0.001). Spearman's correlation coefficient between age and right CIMT was r=0.41, P=0.01. When we compared the Hs-CRP with a cut-off value of ≤3, the right, left, and mean CIMT levels were not statistically significant (P=0.17; P=0.22; P=0.15). The mean serum vitamin D levels were higher in the patient group and this was statistically significant (P<0.001). The statistically significant factors identified with univariate analysis with P<0.2 were further entered into multivariate modelling. CONCLUSION: CIMT seems to be affected in patients with MS by means of the disease itself and age. Thus, CIMT might reflect the predisposition to subclinical atherosclerosis more than Hs-CRP. Further investigation in a large MS population is still needed.

Spontaneous unilateral quadruplet tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as the implantation of the fertilized ovum outside the uterine cavity. Importantly, the implantation site is tubal in 95% of the cases. Multiple EPs are extremely rare. We present a case of a 25-year-old patient, gravida 2 para 1, with amenorrhea accompanied by the complaints of vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. She was admitted to the emergency department. Trans-vaginal ultrasound revealed a left ovarian anechoic cyst of 30 mm and four embryos in the right tube with positive cardiac activities. An emergency laparotomy found the rupture of tubal pregnancy on the right side, which ultimately led to hemo-peritoneum. Therefore, we performed right salpingectomy. This is the first well-documented case of a patient with spontaneous unilateral quadruplet tubal EP.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of two advanced vessel sealing technologies in total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

AIM: Adequately powered, randomized controlled studies evaluating efficacy and safety of advanced bipolar energy devices in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery are very few. We aimed to compare the two most commonly used devices in total laparoscopic hysterectomy. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynecology in an education and research hospital. One hundred thirty-two women who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications were included. Women with age younger than 18 years, suspected malignancy, stage 3-4 endometriosis and cervical/intraligamentary leiomyoma were excluded. Patients were randomized preoperatively to LigaSure or Articulating Enseal. One experienced surgeon performed all operations. RESULTS: LigaSure was used in 67 patients and Enseal was used in 65 patients. Primary outcomes of the study were operative time (time from start of sealing and transection of the round ligament until completion of colpotomy) and total operative time (time from skin incision to skin closure). Secondary outcomes were intraoperative blood loss (blood lost during operative time period) and perioperative complications. Operative time was significantly shorter in LigaSure group (P = 0.001). Total operative time, intraoperative blood loss and perioperative complications were similar. When two groups were further classified according to uterine weight taking 300 g as cut-off value, operative time was significantly shorter in LigaSure group in both subgroups (P = 0.003 and P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: LigaSure use in total laparoscopic hysterectomy shortens operative time when compared with Enseal; without an apparent increase in intraoperative blood loss and perioperative complications. On the other side, total operative time remains unaffected.

The value of STAF (Score for the Targeting of Atrial Fibrillation) in Patients with Cryptogenic Embolic Stroke.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to predict paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in acute ischemic stroke patients with presumed cryptogenic embolic etiology. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, demographics, blood tests, data of neuroimaging studies such as non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), standard 12-lead electrocardigraphy (ECG), 24-hour Holter ECG, echocardiography was collected. The diagnostic work-up to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) was either medical history of the patient or 12-lead ECG or 24-hour Holter ECG or continuous ECG monitoring. Score for the targeting of atrial fibrillation (STAF) was calculated for all patients. Cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CS) patients with and without documented AF were recorded. RESULTS: Between July 2014 and December 2015, a total of 133 of the 258 patients with CS were included in this study. Overall, 133 patients were enrolled and AF was detected in 30 (22.6%) patients. In univariate analysis gender (p<0.001), age (p=0.001), smoking habit (p=0.004), aortic and mitral valve insufficiency (p=0.014 and p=0.021), left ventricular systolic dysfunction (p=0.04), and left atrial dilatation (p=0.03) were predictors of AF but multivariate analysis showed that only gender and age were independent predictors of AF in patients with presumed cryptogenic ischemic stroke. According to ROC analysis, area under the curve was 70% and the sensitivity and specificity of STAF score of ≥5 was 86% and 71% respectively. CONCLUSION: STAF score predicted with fair accuracy, and has a limited use for the risk of PAF in stroke patients.

THROMBOCYTOPENIA WITH GABAPENTIN USAGE.

Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug approved for adjunctive therapy for partial seizures. We report a case of a patient who had thrombocytopenia with the dose of 2400 mg/day of gabapentin. The causal relationship between gabapentin and thrombocytopenia was revealed by dramatic increase in thrombocyte count following the cessation of the gabapentin treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case report with a hematopoietic side effect of gabapentin.