Neopterin and soluble CD14 levels as indicators of immune activation in cases with low anti-HCV reactivity and true HCV infection.

Neopterin and soluble CD14 (sCD14) are detected at high levels in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. We aimed to evaluate the role of these plasma immune activation biomarkers, for the indirect assessment of immune activation status of patients with low anti-HCV reactivity and a HCV infection. Low anti-HCV reactivity group (LRG, n: 70), true positive HCV infection group (THG, 30) and healthy control group (HCG, 30) were analyzed in this study. We have used ELISA, HCV RIBA/LIA and HCV-RNA methods. Mean neopterin levels were significantly lower in LRG than THG (p <0.001). In contrast, those values were not significantly different from those of HCG (p >0.05). Mean sCD14 were significantly higher in LRG than THG and HCG (p <0.05, p <0.001). Values of 3.95 µg/ml and 5.36 nmol/l for sCD14 and neopterin resulted in the maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), which were 0.859 (95% CI, 0.745 to 0.935; <0.0001) and 0.788 (95% CI, 0.663 to 0.883; <0.0001), respectively. These cut-offs corresponded to a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 73.3% for neopterin and of 100% and 76.7% for sCD14. Our results suggest that a specific immunoactivation might be caused by true positive HCV infection. Due to the significant results sCD14 in LRG might be non-specifically affected by some underlying atypical immunohematological pathologies. Only neopterin might be used to exclude low anti-HCV reactivity from a true HCV infection. The use of neopterin but not sCD14 in combination with fourth-generation EIA/CMIA combo tests will be useful when nucleic acid tests are not available for screening blood donors at blood banks.

The effect of leptin and resveratrol on JAK/STAT pathways and Sirt-1 gene expression in the renal tissue of ischemia/reperfusion induced rats.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the possible modifying effects of leptin and combined use of resveratrol on rat renal I/R injury and their relationship on signal pathways and apoptosis-related mechanisms. BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is an important cause of acute renal failure. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: Control, I/R, I/R+leptin, I/R+resveratrol and I/R+leptin+resveratrol. Leptin (10 µg/kg BW) was administered (i.p.) 30 min prior to I/R. Resveratrol was administered by gavage at 20 mg/kg BW per d for 12 d prior to I/R. The left renal artery was exposed to 1 h of ischemia and 1 h of reperfusion. RESULTS: Resveratrol treatment alone increased TNF-α, TNF-α R1, NF-κB, SIRT-1, STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA levels and decreased caspase 3 protein levels. Leptin treatment alone significantly decreased the caspase 3 protein levels. The combined use of resveratrol and leptin significantly increased STAT3, and caspase 3 mRNA levels, and decreased the caspase 3 protein levels. Apoptosis was significantly decreased especially in the leptin and leptin+resveratrol groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggest that a combined use of resveratrol and leptin has preventive and regulatory effects on renal I/R injury; the mechanism involves decreasing apoptosis, likely by altering the JAK/STAT pathway and SIRT1 expression (Fig. 8, Ref. 24).

Lycopene and resveratrol improve post-thaw bull sperm parameters: sperm motility, mitochondrial activity and DNA integrity.

We focussed on evaluating the protective effect of lycopene and resveratrol on post-thaw bull sperm and oxidative stress parameters. Nine ejaculates for each bull were used in the study. Each ejaculate, splitted into three equal aliquots and diluted at 37 °C with base extenders containing lycopene (1 × 10(-3)  g ml(-1) ) and resveratrol (1 mm), and no antioxidant (control), was cooled to 5 °C and then frozen. Frozen straws were thawed in a water bath for evaluation. The supplementation of the semen extender with lycopene and resveratrol increased the percentages of post-thawed computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) motility (55.8 ± 3.8 and 61.9 ± 4.0%) and progressive motility (38 ± 2.4 and 37 ± 8.8), compared with the controls (50.7 ± 2.65 and 33.3 ± 3.74%, respectively, P < 0.05). Resveratrol provided a higher ALH (4.3 ± 0.1), in comparison with the control (3.9 ± 0.3, P < 0.05). The supplementation of the semen extender with lycopene and resveratrol produced a higher mitochondrial activity (24.6 ± 2.9 and 30.1 ± 6.5% respectively), compared with that of the control (11.8 ± 9.5%, P < 0.05). It was determined that both antioxidants resulted in a lower percentage of sperm with damaged DNA than that of the control (P < 0.05). Sperm motion characteristics except for ALH, acrosome integrity, sperm viability and oxidative stress parameters were not affected by the adding of lycopene and resveratrol.

Effect of Short-term 900 MHz low level electromagnetic radiation exposure on blood serotonin and glutamate levels.

BACKGROUND: Long term exposure to low level electromagnetic radiation (LLER) by using cellular phones causes serious health problems. METHODS: Ten male Wistar Albino rats were anesthetized 30 min before the LLER exposure, 0.5 ml blood was taken from the tail vein of rats in order to determine control values. Rats were grouped by three and placed on a plexi-glass flat. A fixed equivalent frequency emitter device was used. A sign to be an electromagnetic field 15.14 V/m (608 mW/m(2)) in strength in the head region with 100 kHz FM modulation at 900 MHz was applied to the animals. After calculating the ideal position for the device, electromagnetic LLER energy was applied for 45 minutes from a distance to be equal with energy transmitted by a mobile phone from a 0.5-1 cm distance to their head regions. After 1.5 hours and before the rats awoke, 0.5 ml of blood was taken from the tail veins in order to determine the treatment values. RESULTS: Plasma 5-HT and glutamate levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using commercial kits. It was found that a single 45 min of LLER exposure increased the blood 5-HT level significantly, but did not change the glutamate level of rats. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that even a single 45 min of LLER exposure may produce an increase in 5-HT level without changing the blood glutamate level. Increased 5-HT level may lead to a retarded learning and a deficit in spatial memory (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 24).

Renal impairment and coronary collaterals in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to elucidate the relationship between mild-to-moderate renal impairment and the development of coronary collateral vessels (CCV) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: We enrolled 461 patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography for the first time. The development of CCV was assessed with the Rentrop score. Kidney function was classified according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The Gensini score was used to show the extent of atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The mean eGFR value was 89.9 ± 24.3 U/l for patients with no development of collaterals and 82.7 ± 20.5 for patients who had CCV. The mean age was 59 ± 11 years and 349 patients (75.7 %) were male. Rentrop classifications 1-2-3 (presence of CCV) were determined in 222 (48.1 %) patients. The presence of CCV was significantly associated with low levels of eGFR (p = 0.001), increased serum creatinine levels (p = 0.034), high levels of serum albumin (0.036), and the Gensini score (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the Gensini score was an independent predictor of the presence of CCV (OR = 1.090, 95 % CI: 1.032-1.151, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the association between mild-to-moderate renal impairment and the presence of CCV may be explained by increased myocardial ischemia and severe CAD.

The relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the TIMI flow grade in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

OBJECTIVES: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an important cause of the morbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between hematologic parameters and post primary PCI coronary no-reflow. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 145 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age=58.2±12.3 years) and healthy volunteer admitted within 6 hours from symptom onset were enrolled to the study in the cardiology clinics. The STEMI patients were divided into 2 groups based on the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade. No-reflow was defined as post-PCI TIMI Flow Grade 0, 1 or 2 and angiographic success was defined as TIMI Grade 3 Flow. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus hypertension and smoking status were similar between groups. With respect to baseline laboratory status, fasting glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels were not significantly different between groups. The neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio was also significantly higher in STEMI group (7.1±4.6 vs. 2.3±1.7, p < 0.001). Additionally, N/L ratio was also significantly higher in No-reflow group (TIMI Flow Grade 0, 1 or 2) group (13.1±4.5 vs. 5.3±2.7, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The N/L ratio, which is cheaply and easily measurable laboratory data is independently associated with post primary PCI coronary no-reflow.

Co-infection relationship with Epstein-Barr virus in gastroduodenal diseases with Helicobacter Pylori. Quantitative PCR and EBNA-1 gene-based approach.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are involved in gastric cancer (GC) etiology. EBV/Hp co- infection was thought synergistically increase gastroduodenal disease occurence. We aimed to determine the presence of EBV/Hp co-infection in gastroduodenal diseases. Methods: The study group had 68 Hp (+) cases [25 GC, 13 IM (intestinal metaplasia), 30 PU (peptic ulcer)], and the control group had 40 NUD (non-ulcer dyspepsia) cases [20 Hp+, 20 Hp-]. EBV-DNA was detected by non-polymorphic EBNA-1 gene-based qPCR. EBV/EBNA-1 IgG levels were determined by quantitative and qualitative ELISA methods, respectively. Results: EBV-DNA positivity was 32% (8/25), 6.6% (2/30) and 5% (1/20) in GC, PU and NUD Hp (+) cases, respectively. There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) between GC (32%) and NUD Hp (+) (5%) cases in terms of EBV-DNA positivity. Mean EBV-DNA copy numbers were 6568.54 ± 20351, 30.60 ± 159.88 and 13.85 ± 61.93 for GC, PU, and NUD, respectively. In terms of the mean EBV-DNA copy number, a significant difference was found between the groups (p = 0.005). In terms of EBV/EBNA-1 IgG antibody positivity, no significant difference was found between GC and NUD cases (p = 0.248). EBV DNA positivity was found to be significant (odds ration [OR] = 26.71 (p=0.009, %95CI 2.286- 312.041) in multivariate logistic regression. Conclusioin: Although we had a small number of GC cases, it can be suggested that the estimated risk created by the synergistic effect based on the addition of EBV increased 26 times in the presence of Hp in GC.

The importance of student research projects in dental education.

In this article, our aim was to summarise students' research over 15 years at Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry and to evaluate both the research activities from the students' perspectives and the effect of this activity on their undergraduate and postgraduate success. In 1992, dental students formed 'a Student Research Club' (SRC), which new students attend voluntarily and carry out a scientific project out with the normal curriculum every year. In total, 409 different students have presented 193 research projects at these meetings over 15 years. Seventy-four of these students were from other universities and presented 37 projects. In this research, a questionnaire containing 20 items was administered to 93 students who were the members of SRC to learn their own perception of the development of their academic and research skills and the broader impact of the club on their career. It was evaluated using Likert scale (ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree). Student feedback was very positive and over three quarters (81%) of answers ranged between 'agree' and 'strongly agree'. When the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of the 88 SRC members in the last 6 years (2003/2004 to 2008/2009) was evaluated as the school success rate, significant difference was found between the grades obtained by members and non-members (P<0.001). There was also significant difference between the CGPA of 25 members of SRC who were randomly chosen, before and after membership to the club (P<0.001). While the 141 members of SRC applied to postgraduate education to Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry over the last 5 years, 74 of them accepted for PhD (52.6%). There is a statistically significant difference between the member and non-member groups (P<0.001). In addition, of the 58 teaching assistants who stayed in academic life after postgraduate studies at Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry, 16 of them had been a member of the SRC (31%). However, no statistical difference was found between members of SRC and non-members. These data showed that although the students had an intensive programme in the school, they were able to carry out this voluntary activity successfully and this activity contributed to their educational process. Students also believe that participation of them to this activity effects positively on both personal development and academic success.

Percutaneous electrothrombosis: a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of deep hemangiomas.

BACKGROUND: A percutaneous electrocauterization technique for the treatment of deep hemangiomas is introduced as an alternative and minimally invasive treatment mode. METHODS: Percutaneous electrothrombosis was applied through a needle-catheter that is a small silicone catheter with a needle guide in it. Thus, it is possible to do needle-point monopolar electrocauterization only at the needle tip because of the insulation of the other parts of the needle by the silicone catheter. By retracting the needle with catheter on it during electrocauterization, electrothrombosis was achieved through and around the channel of the needle, leaving vascularized tissue areas between the channels to perfuse the skin or mucosa covering the hemangioma. RESULTS: This technique was applied as a single treatment or before surgery for the treatment of cavernous hemangiomas to more than 40 patients. However, adequate documentation was found for only 10 patients. After percutaneous electrocauterization of deep hemangiomas, discrete areas of skin necrosis appeared in some patients during the healing period, but the subsequent debridement and surgical excisions were easier because of the thrombosis effect of the technique due to the diffuse denaturation and fibrosis through and around the electrocauterization channels. The follow-up period was 1-13 years. CONCLUSION: The proposed percutaneous electrocauterization technique for the treatment of deep hemangiomas achieved four effects: (1) volume reduction, (2) bleeding reduction, (3) anesthesia time reduction, and (4) cost reduction. The technique can be defined as a minimally invasive and effective alternative treatment for deep hemangiomas.

Macular sensitivity in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To determine macular sensitivity and fixation characteristics in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using fundus-related microperimetry. METHODS: The authors reviewed 19 eyes with serous elevation within the central 10 degrees due to CSC and 15 normal healthy eyes that had undergone fundus-related microperimetry. The macular sensitivity was measured using the fundus-related microperimeter, MP-1. The bestcorrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean retinal sensitivity in the central 10 degrees (central microperimetry, cMP-1) and in the paracentral 10 degrees to 20 degrees (paracentral microperimetry, pMP-1), and fixation stability and location were determined and compared with that of control eyes. RESULTS: Eyes with CSC showed significantly lower logMAR BCVA (p<0.001), cMP-1, and pMP-1 sensitivity than control eyes (p<0.001, p<0.01, respectively). Eyes with CSC were not significantly different in fixation location (p=1.00) or fixation stability than control eyes (p=0.45). Fixation location was predominantly central in all eyes with CSC; fixation was stable in 17 (89%) and relatively unstable in 2 (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with CSC showed significantly lower retinal sensitivity not only at the central but also in the paracentral area. Even with decreased BCVA and retinal sensitivity, our patients showed central and stable fixation in their affected eyes.

Macular function by multifocal electroretinogram in diabetic macular edema after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess macular function by multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection. METHODS: Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with DME scheduled for 4 mg IVTA injection were prospectively recruited. The response to treatment was monitored functionally by visual acuity (VA) measurement and mfERG and anatomically by foveal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The first-order kernel P1 mfERG responses from 0 to 7 degrees (central) and 7 to 25 degrees (peripheral) were grouped and analyzed. Changes in functional parameters (VAs and the P1 mfERG response amplitudes and peak latencies) and morphometric parameters (OCT foveal thickness) in eyes with DME 1 and 3 months after IVTA injection were compared with baseline values by Student t test. RESULTS: The mean baseline logMAR value for VAs of the patients before treatment was 0.49+/-0.26. After treatment, it was 0.27+/-0.23 at 1 month and 0.26+/-0.18 at 3 months, and differences from pretreatment values were significant (for each, p<0.001). There were statistically significant decreases in the mean foveal thickness at 1 and 3 months after treatment compared with pretreatment values (for each, p<0.001). There were also statistically significant increases in the mean P1 response amplitude for both central and peripheral groups at all examinations compared with pretreatment (for each, p<0.001). The mean P1 peak latencies for both the central and peripheral groups were shortened, but not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: As well as the reduction in DME and improvement in VA, IVTA injection improves macular function as assessed by mfERG in diabetic patients.

Association between interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) gene polymorphism and outcome after head injury: an early report.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies focusing on the genetic influences on outcome after head injury (HI) have suggested that different alleles of certain genes are associated with different outcomes. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) gene, especially beta2 polymorphism, is frequently observed in Alzheimer's disease, a remarkable degenerative state in which HI is among the known risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to search for the possible association between the outcome and IL-1beta gene polymorphism in human HI. METHODS: The study group was composed of the 69 patients admitted to the neurosurgery department after HI. The severity of the initial injury was evaluated by means of the Glasgow Coma Scale and outcome six months later was assessed by means of the Glasgow Outcome Scale. IL-1beta genotypes were determined from blood samples by standard methods. FINDINGS: Fourteen of 25 (56%) patients with IL-1beta +3953 allele 2 had an unfavourable outcome (dead, vegetative state or severe disability) compared with eight of 44 (18.1%) patients without IL-1beta +3953 (p = 0.0004). Similarly, 20 of 28 (71.4%) patients with IL-1beta -511 allele 2 had an unfavourable outcome compared with two of 41 (4.8%) patients without IL-1beta -511 (p = 0.005). Patients who had a composite of IL-1beta 2/2 or 1/2 genotype from both -511 and +3953 region of the chromosome 2 were more prone to have bad prognosis. CONCLUSION: Results of our study demonstrated that there might be a significant association between IL-1beta gene polymorphism and outcome after HI, supporting the hypothesis of a genetically determined influence.

C-reactive protein and coronary heart disease in western Turkey.

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been recognized as a useful marker for coronary or cardiovascular risk in healthy subjects or patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in industrialized societies. We assessed whether CRP could serve as a marker of prevalent CHD risk in a cross-sectional study of a population with low cholesterol levels (4.61 mmol/L in men and 4.82 mmol/L in women) but higher prevalence of other risk factors. In 1,046 participants of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Survey in 2000, high-sensitivity CRP as well as other risk variables were evaluated, and CHD was diagnosed, based on clinical findings and Minnesota coding of electrocardiograms at rest. Almost an equal number of men and women > or = 30 years of age constituted the population sample of the western regions of Turkey. Geometric mean value of CRP was 1.9 mg/L (interquartile range 0.8 to 4.3), without revealing a significant difference in gender. CRP was correlated with many variables, notably those involving central obesity, fibrinogen, and apolipoprotein-B, but not with smoking status (regardless of age adjustment). In multiple regression models, blood fibrinogen, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and physical activity grade were independently associated with log CRP concentrations. Among many risk variables, CRP quartiles and systolic blood pressure were, besides age and gender, the only significant independent determinants of CHD. The age-adjusted odds ratio for CHD in the highest as opposed to the lowest quartile was 4.48 (p < 0.001). Even after adjustment for the 5 previously mentioned determinants of CRP, a 4.2-fold increased risk of CHD still persisted between the highest and lowest quartiles. Thus, the observed increased risk was not in large part due to the intermediary effects of fibrinogen, nor were some indicators of insulin resistance, but interaction appeared to be independent of these effects. Thus, CRP values serve as a marker of prevalent CHD risk in populations with low cholesterol levels. This association is independent of, or in addition to, the effects of conventional risk factors, suggesting that the contribution of chronic low-grade inflammation to the atherothrombotic process is present even in the setting of low cholesterol levels.

Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in Turkish adults: interrelation with other risk factors and association with cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), their relationships with a number of established risk factors and their relevance to cardiovascular morbidity in a random sample of Turkish general adult population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. SUBJECTS: The subjects comprised 958 men and 1014 women, aged 25-74 years. MEASUREMENTS: Waist circumference was measured midway between the lower rib and iliac crest while that of the hip at the level of trochanters. Mean of two blood pressure measurements was used for analysis. Plasma total cholesterol (Cho) and triglyceride (Trg) concentrations were measured by the enzymatic dry method with a Reflotron apparatus. RESULTS: Overall mean WC measured 93+/-12 cm in men, and 88.6+/-13 cm in women. Mean WHR was 0.919+/-0.077 and 0.823+/-0.074, respectively, and a rise by about 0.001 was associated with each year of age. In multiple regression analysis a model was utilized that included age, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), plasma total Cho and Trg and category of smoking. This revealed age, BMI, and Trg as independent determinants of WHR in both genders, and diastolic BP in women alone. Age, BMI, and diastolic BP proved to be independently associated with WC in both genders, while Cho did so in men alone, Trg and systolic BP in women alone. Partial correlation coefficients on univariate analysis between all four variables of blood pressure and plasma lipids and either WC or WHR, controlled for age, were highly significant though moderately weak in both genders. These were stronger in men than in women, and stronger with respect to WC than to WHR. Cigarette smoking men and women had significantly lower WC or WHR than nonsmokers and ex-smokers, though these associations did not prove to be independent. When the relevance of WC and WHR to CHD risk was tested in this cohort (for the age bracket 45-74 years) comprising 138 cases with a clinical diagnosis of CHD, only WHR in women proved to be significantly associated. Odds ratio for a value of >0.845 was 1.6. CONCLUSION: WC and WHR are strongly associated with BMI and age as well as with parameters reflecting insulin resistance such as diastolic blood pressure and plasma triglycerides. WHR was significantly associated with coronary heart disease in Turkish women.

Earthquake related startle reaction and its EEG correlates.

The acute effect of traumatizing events on the human brain has long been studied. The major obstacles to this endeavor have been the severity and the delay from time of exposure to the traumatizing events. To avoid these issues, EEG and clinical examinations of 18 healthy, drug-free subjects were performed 2 weeks after an earthquake occurred in Turkey in 1999. It was found, for the first time to our knowledge, that EEG parameters can predict startle response in acute stress reaction correctly in 100% of the cases. EEG measures of the reactivity to eyes opening were especially important in this regard.

Unusual penetrating faciocranial injury caused by a knife: a case report.

Penetrating head and neck trauma in children is uncommon and are potentially life-threatening injuries. Penetrating trauma to the head in children is a challenging problem for both the initial evaluating physicians and surgeons. We report upon a patient who had fallen from a tree while cutting vegetables and sustained a penetrating faciocranial injury caused by his knife. Clinical examination showed a knife which had entered his face in the right preauricular, pre-temporomandibular joint area below the zygomatic arch. His left bulbus oculi was exophthalmic and a complete ptosis was present. He was fully conscious. The only abnormal finding was complete left visual loss. The other neurological ophthalmological and systemic physical evaluations were normal. The Glasgow Coma scale score was 14. The modalities of treatment and the outcome of the operation are described and the management of similar injuries is discussed.

Enhancement of nerve regeneration and orientation across a gap with a nerve graft within a vein conduit graft: a functional, stereological, and electrophysiological study.

In this study, the right sciatic nerves of 40 rats were used to determine whether a nerve graft within a vein graft might accelerate and facilitate axonal regeneration, compared with a nerve graft alone. The animals were separated into four groups, as follows: group 1, sham control; group 2 (control), segmental nerve resection and no repair; group 3, segmental nerve resection and nerve grafting; group 4, segmental nerve resection and reconstruction with a nerve graft within a vein conduit graft. For all groups, sciatic functional indices were calculated before the operation and on postoperative days 7 and 90. On postoperative day 90, the sciatic nerves were reexposed and nerve conduction velocities were recorded. The sciatic nerves were harvested from all groups for counting of the myelinated axons with a stereological method. No statistically significant differences with respect to return of gait function, axon count, or nerve conduction were noted between groups 3 and 4 (p > 0.05). However, functional recovery in group 4 on postoperative day 90 was significant, compared with group 2 (p < 0.05); the recovery difference between groups 2 and 3 was not significant (p > 0.05). This study was not able to demonstrate any functional benefits with the use of a nerve graft within a vein graft, compared with standard nerve grafting.

Use of iliac bone graft for saddle nose deformity.

The reconstruction of the saddle nose deformity presents an arduous task for the reconstructive surgeon. A large variety of graft materials have been used for augmentation rhinoplasty. The modern trend is to prefer autologous material. Iliac bone grafts are extremely suitable for augmenting moderate to severe saddle nose deformity. In our study, autogenous iliac bone grafts were used in the nasal reconstruction of 14 patients. The follow up has been from 1-4 years, with no significant resorption noted during that time. Complication was limited to one hematoma on the donor side.

[Value of MRI in the treatment of Grave's disease orbital myopathy]. / L'intérêt de l'IRM dans le traitement de la myopathie de l'orbitopathie dysthyroïdienne.

In order to evaluate the predictability of the results in the treatment of myopathy in cases with the clinical signs of muscle involvement, 177 extraocular muscles of 27 cases whose oedematous status was detected by MRI and who were given antiinflammatory treatment according to the data of this method, were studied. The nature of involvement was detected in respect with the signal intensity and thickness of each rectus muscle prior to the treatment and at the end of the sixth month following a three months' application of combined treatment of steroids and irradiation of 2000 rads. When the initial and final results were compared, the signal intensities of four involved recti showed significant decrease at the end of the treatment, as they were evaluated separately or together. Besides the thicknesses of these groups of involved recti which were evaluated separately showed significant decrease. The evaluation of the signal intensities by MRI is a way that enables noninvasive detection of the edema and prediction of the anti-inflammatory treatment's results of dysthyroid myopathy. Therefore a systematic follow up by MRI is recommended for the treatment choice in dysthyroid myopathy.

Emotional reactions to the mentally ill are positively influenced by personal acquaintance.

UNLABELLED: The study sought to evaluate whether personal acquaintance with a psychiatric patient increases or decreases stigmatization. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The research was carried out in a Turkish university. The Social Distance Scale and the Affective Reaction Scale were completed by final year students. The subjects were then asked whether they have ever been acquainted with a patient with a mental disorder. RESULTS: Subjects who had not been acquainted with a patient with mental disorder had a higher score on the Affective Reaction Scale than subjects who had been acquainted. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that acquaintance with a psychiatric patient reduces negative emotions towards people with mental disorders. It is suggested that this result is related to the resolution of sensitization.