Correction to: Demineralized bone matrix and hydroxyapatite/tri-calcium phosphate mixture for bone healing in rats.

The first name of one author is missing in the published article. The correct abbreviation: H.C. Gemalmaz.

Effects of cerium oxide supplementation to laying hen diets on performance, egg quality, some antioxidant enzymes in serum and lipid oxidation in egg yolk.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary cerium oxide levels (0, 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg/kg) on the laying performance, egg quality, some blood serum parameters and egg lipid peroxidation of laying hen. In total, one hundred and twenty 22-week-old brown Lohman LSL laying hens were randomly assigned to five groups equally (n = 24). Each treatment was replicated six times. Dietary supplementation of cerium oxide had no significant effect on feed intake and egg weight. The addition of cerium oxide to the laying hens' feed improved feed conversion ratio and increased (p < 0.05) egg production. Quality criteria of egg for except shell breaking strength were not affected by supplementing cerium oxide. In particular, supplementation of 200 and 300 mg/kg cerium oxide to the laying hens feed led to a significant (p < 0. 01) increase in egg shell breaking strength. Calcium and phosphorus concentration of serum increased significantly (p < 0.05) with supplementation of 100 mg/kg cerium oxide to laying hen diets. It was also observed that serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration decreased significantly with supplementation of cerium oxide in diets. Inclusion of cerium oxide resulted in a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values in egg yolk in this study. It can be concluded that the addition of cerium oxide had positive effects on egg production, feed conversion ratio and egg shelf life. Based on the results of this study, it could be advised to supplement laying hens feed with cerium oxide as feed additives.

Comparison of the effect of ranibizumab and dexamethasone implant in diabetic macular edema with concurrent epiretinal membrane.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab (RZB) injections and intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant in diabetic macular edema (DME) with concurrent epiretinal membrane (ERM). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, comparative study. Medical records of DME patients with concurrent ERM were retrospectively reviewed. Seventeen eyes of 16 patients treated with 3 consecutive monthly RZB injections (RZB group) and 22 eyes of 18 patients treated with a DEX implant (DEX group) were included. The groups were compared at baseline, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th months in terms of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: Eighteen of the 39 eyes (46.1%) were phakic at baseline, 9 (52.9%) of which were treated with RZB, whereas 9 (40.9%) were treated with DEX implant (P=0.528). Although CMT improved significantly in both the RZB and DEX groups (P<0.001); the trend was different (P=0.003). The mean change in CMT at 1month in the DEX group was greater (DEX: 188.2±142.7µm; RZB: 95.7±110.7µm; P=0.034); it was in favor of RZB group at the 3rd and 4th months (DEX: -52.7±86.9µm; RZB: 1.4±31.4µm; P=0.012. DEX: -63±67.3µm; RZB: -5.8±43.9µm; P=0.004, respectively). BCVA improved significantly in both groups (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference between the groups with regard to gain in BCVA or IOP change throughout the study period (P=0.572, P=0.064, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both RZB and DEX are effective in improving anatomical and visual outcomes in DME with concurrent ERM. The DEX group was associated with a prompt anatomic response, but with a gradual decrease from 3rd month.

A novel biodegradable PCL film for tendon reconstruction: Achilles tendon defect model in rats.

This study aims to investigate applicability of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) biodegradable films for repair of gaps in Achilles tendons in a rat model, also comparing surgical repair versus no repair approaches. PCL was synthesized with tailor-made properties, then, PCL films were prepared by solvent casting. Seventy-five outbred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: (i) sham operated (skin incision only); (ii) no repair (complete division of the Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon without repair); (iii) Achilles repair (with a modified Kessler type suture); and (iv) plasty of Achilles tendon defects with the biodegradable PCL films, and (v) animals subjected to 1 cm mid-substance defect with no repair. Functional performance was determined from the measurements of hindpaw prints utilizing the Achilles functional index. The animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery and histological and biomechanical evaluations were made. All groups subjected to Achilles tendon division had a significant functional impairment that gradually improved so that by day 28 there were no functional impairments in any group whereas animals with a defect remained impaired. The magnitude of the biomechanical and morphological changes at postoperative 8 weeks were similar for no repair group (conservative), Achilles repair group and tendonplasty group (biodegradable PCL film group). The initial rate of functional recovery was significantly different for primary suture, Achilles repair group and PCL film group (p>0.01). But, at the 28th day, functional recovery was quite similar to the other groups. In summary, our results suggest that the PCL film can be an alternative biomaterial for tendon replacement.

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on broiler performance, serum lipoprotein content, muscle fatty acid composition and meat quality during refrigerated storage.

1. A trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration on performance parameters, carcase composition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and fatty acid composition in leg and breast muscle and serum lipoprotein concentrations. 2. A total of 128 male chickens were allocated to 4 dietary treatments (0, 1, 2 and 3% CLA) and given a standard starter diet from d 1 to d 21 and a finisher diet from d 22 to d 42. Breast and leg muscles were stored at 4 degrees C for 1, 3 or 7 d. Fatty acid composition, TBARS and pH were determined in muscles. 3. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were positively influenced by dietary CLA level. CLA isomer concentration in muscles increased linearly (P < 0.01) as dietary CLA increased. Addition of CLA to feeds significantly increased saturated fatty acid (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and decreased (P < 0.01) monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) in leg and breast tissues. 4. Muscle pH decreased with duration of refrigerated storage. TBARS values were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by dietary CLA and storage time. CLA increased total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, but reduced triglycerides in the plasma of broilers.

Demineralized bone matrix and hydroxyapatite/tri-calcium phosphate mixture for bone healing in rats.

PURPOSE: Hydroxyapatite/tri-calcium phosphate (HA/TCP) mixture is an osteoconductive material used as a bone graft substitute, and demineralised bone matrix (DBM) is an osteoinductive material. A combination of DBM and HA/TCP mixture would probably create a composite with both osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of DBM and HA/TCP mixture on healing of rat radius segmental defects. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were used. Bilateral radial defects were created in each animal. Radial defects were implanted with DBM, HA/TCP mixture and a combination of both substances. Control defects were left unfilled. Ten weeks after implantation, the animals were sacrificed, and the radii were evaluated by radiograhic and histopathological studies. RESULTS: The use of DBM alone demonstrated improved healing on radiographic and histological studies compared to other groups and the control group. There were no differences between the other two groups and the control group. CONCLUSION: The DBM group showed the best healing response. Combined use of DBM and HA/TCP mixture did not improve bone healing, and the osteoinductive properties of DBM were inhibited by HA/TCP mixture.

Determination of tibial torsion by computed tomography.

Torsional malalignment of the lower extremity, especially during childhood, is a common concern and even an anxiety to the parents. Torsional deformity may be seen at one or more sites, and tibial torsion is a frequent cause of this problem. Medial femoral torsion and metatarsus adductus also affects the alignment of the extremity. Although a corrective osteotomy for tibial torsion is performed very rarely, the precise determination is mandatory. Tibial torsion and the torsion of the leg was measured in 25 adults by computed tomography. The inclination between the dorsal tangent to the tibial condyles and the distal reference line was considered as tibial torsion. The distal reference line was formed with intersection of centers of medial and lateral malleoli. While measuring the torsion of the leg, tangent dorsal to the femoral condyles was used for proximal reference line. In the females, the average of tibial torsion was 31.07 degrees for the right side and 30.02 degrees for the left. For the males, the averages were 32.7 and 35.26 degrees for the right and left sides, respectively.

Pachydermoperiostosis: a case report.

Pachydermoperiostosis in three males of seven siblings from a village of mid-Anatolia is presented. Although X-linkage could not have been ruled out, the autosomal recessive inheritance was considered most likely. It differs from the autosomal dominant form by growth retardation, early ulcers, and acrolysis of the distal parts of the extremities with secondary contractures.