Effects of resveratrol on high-fructose-induced testis injury in rats.

This study investigated whether a high-fructose (HFr) diet changes the morphology of seminiferous tubules (ST) in rats and resveratrol (RES) has a possible restoring effect in this sense. Fructose (30%; w/v) was administered to rats alone or together with RES (50 mg/L) in drinking water for 8 weeks. In the HFr group, destruction of the germinal epithelium led to the detection of immature germ cells in the lumen. HFr diet gave rise to a decrease in the ST diameters (p < 0.05), Johnsen's tubular biopsy score values (p < 0.001), and an increase in the apoptotic index (p < 0.05). Ultrastructurally, HFr feeding increased lipid accumulation (p < 0.01), mitochondrial damage, and acrosomal abnormalities in spermatogenic cells. Treatment of HFr -fed rats with RES improved the reduced ST diameters and overall general histological and ultrastructural abnormalities of the STs, but did not change the increased apoptotic index.

Association of serum paraoxonase activity and coronary artery calcification.

AIM: It has been known that there was a relation between the activities of serum paraoxonase (PON) and the severity of the coronary artery disease. However, little is known about association of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and serum PON activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between CAC and serum PON activities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measure serum PON activities from 122 patients (42 female, mean age = 62±10 years) with angiographically documented CAC (Group I), and 138 patients (54 female, mean age = 60±10 years) without CAC (Group II). Coronary calcification was detected with fluoroscopy before coronary angiography. Serum PON activities were measured by spectrophotometrically method. Patient characteristics and baseline data were recorded from patient's files. RESULTS: The triglyceride levels is lower in group I than group II (p = 0.040). Diastolic blood pressure and frequency of diabetes mellitus was higher in the group I than group II (respectively p = 0.012 and p = 0.022). The other clinic and laboratory parameters were similar in two groups (all p > 0.05). The only statistically significant differences between with CAC and without CAC groups in respect to serum PON activities were present (170.6 ± 59.6 vs. 209.6 ± 69.8 U/ml; respectively, p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between serum PON activities and presence of CAC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the serum PON activities are decreased in patients with CAC. The serum PON activities may play a role in development of the CAC and reduced serum PON activity might represent a biochemical marker of CAC.

Evaluation of ceruloplasmin levels in patients with pulmonary cystic echinococcus.

AIM: In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum CP levels in the serum samples before and after the surgical interventions in patients with pulmonary cystic echinococcus (CE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with pulmonary CE who underwent surgery and 48 healthy individuals were enrolled to the study. Patients were divided in two groups; group 1 (n=48) consisted of patients with pulmonary CE, and group 2 (n=48) consisted of healthy subjects. Before and after surgical interventions serum CP levels were measured. RESULTS: Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher CP levels at baseline (p <0.001). In group 1, CP levels were significantly decreased after the surgical intervention (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that CP levels increased in patients with pulmonary CE; chronic inflammation may cause these rises, and may be an immune response of the host, and these levels decreased after the surgical intervention.

Evaluation of pre- and post-surgical oxidative stress parameters in patients with pulmonary cystic echinococcus.

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst secretes numerous immunomodulatory molecules to the host, and the host reacts these molecules by activating immune response. It is also known that, immune cells generally produce more oxidative products. AIM: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant enzyme using catalase (CAT) and oxidant enzyme using lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels in the serum samples before and after the surgical interventions in patients with pulmonary cystic echinococcus (CE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with pulmonary CE who underwent surgery and 40 healthy individuals were enrolled to the study. Patients were divided in two groups; group 1 (n=40) consisted of patients with pulmonary CE, and group 2 (n=40) consisted of healthy subjects. Before and after surgical interventions serum CAT and LOOH levels were measured. RESULTS: Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly lower CAT and higher LOOH levels before surgery (both p < 0.001). In group 1; CAT levels were significantly increased and LOOH levels significantly increased after the surgical intervention (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that oxidative stress increased in patients with pulmonary CE, may be consequence of immune response of the host, and these levels decreased after the surgical intervention.

Prognostic factors in patients with small cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The current prognosis in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is unsatisfactory, even though there have been considerable improvements in diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive patients with small cell lung carcinoma between 1995 and 2007 in a Turkish chest hospital. A total of 116 SCLC patients initially presented with limited disease, while 92 small cell lung carcinoma patients were found to be extensive. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients (18 women and 190 men) was 56 years. The median survival was 74 weeks. Performance status, superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), stage, elevated white blood cell count, elevated lactate dehidrogenase levels, short symptom duration (

[Peripheral vascular injuries]. / Periferik damar yaralanmalari.

Between 1994-2000, 60 peripheral vascular injuries were admitted to the Turgut Ozal Medical Center Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic. Forty eight (80%) of patients were male, twelve (20%) were female and their age ranged from 5 to 70 years (mean 28.9 years). The causes of injuries were related to penetrating device in 34 (56.6%), gun shots in 14 (23.3%), blunt trauma in seven (11.6%) and iatrogenic causes in five(8.3%). Total laceration, partial laceration and pseudoaneurysm were observed in 45 (75%), 14 (23.3%) and one (1.6%) respectively. The localization of injuries were the upper limbs in 34(56.6%) and the lower limbs in 26 (43.4%). The vascular injury localizations in order of frequency were femoral artery in 12 cases (20.75%), radial artery in ten cases (17%), popliteal artery in ten cases (15%), brachial artery in nine cases (15%), axillary artery in nine cases (13.2%), ulnar artery in six cases (11.3%) and tibial artery in four cases(7.4%). There were nearby venous injuries in nine patients (15%) and neural injuries in ten patients (16.6%). The patients' mean admission time to the hospital was 3 hours and 30 minutes and mean operation time for revascularization was within 95 minutes. The operative techniques were autogenous saphenous vein graft interposition in 27 cases (45%), resection and end-to-end anastomosis in 19 cases (31.6%), lateral repair in ten cases (16.6%), synthetic graft insertion in three cases (4.8%) and ligation in one case (1.6%). Our success rate was 98.2% in salvaging the limbs. Mean length of hospital stay was 14.4 days. Mortality was not observed during the hospital stay.