Study of Aqueous Ecballium Elaterium as Fibrinolytic in The Rabbit Model of Intrapleural Empyema.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate of intrapleural use of ecballium elaterium (EE) in a rabbit model empyema. METHODS: An empyema was induced in 21 rabbits after inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus. Glucose levels, pH, lactate dehydrogenase levels, and amounts of pleural drainage were evaluated in addition to pleural and empyema scores. The rabbits were divided into three groups, each 7, the isotonic solution, the streptokinase, and the ecballium group. RESULTS: At autopsy, there was no difference in pH, glucose, and LDH levels in three groups. The mean pleural drainage was greater in the ecballium group. A significant difference was detected between groups in terms of drainage amounts and pleural and empyema scores (P < 0.05). A significant difference in pleural and empyema scores was detected in the ecballium and streptokinase groups (P < 0.05). EE group had significant differences in drainage amounts and plural and empyema scores regard to the control group (P < 0.05). No significance was found between streptokinase and EE groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that intrapleural use of EE is at least as effective as streptokinase for the treatment of empyema.

Investigation of antioxidant effects of rosmarinic acid on liver, lung and kidney in rats: a biochemical and histopathological study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the protective effects of rosmarinic acid in rats exposed to hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly classified into four groups of 8 rats each: laparotomy without medication, rosmarinic acid (dose of 50 mg/kg via oral gavage) followed by laparotomy, laparotomy followed by hepatic I/R, and hepatic I/R with rosmarinic acid. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels and total oxidant activity and total antioxidant capacity levels of the liver, lung, and kidney were assessed. The histopathologic assessment was also performed. RESULTS: Rosmarinic acid significantly reduced liver function test parameters and decreased oxidative stress and abnormal histopathologic findings in the liver. The oxidative stress in the lung significantly increased in the I/R group but significantly decreased in the I/R + rosmarinic acid group due to the addition of rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid led to no reduction in oxidative stress in kidney following hepatic I/R injury. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups regarding histopathologic changes in kidney and lung sections. CONCLUSIONS: Rosmarinic acid has antioxidant properties and is an effective hepatoprotective agent. However, although rosmarinic acid provides useful effects in the lung by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress after I/R injury, it does not ameliorate histopathologic changes. These findings suggest that rosmarinic acid is likely to provide favourable outcomes in the treatment of hepatic I/R injury.

Comparison of SKIP expression in malignant pleural mesotheliomas with Ki-67 proliferation index and prognostic parameters.

We aimed to determine the presence of SKI-interacting protein (SKIP) expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and its effect on prognosis by investigating SKIP correlation with the Ki-67 proliferation index and prognostic parameters. Pathological preparations of the patients diagnosed with MPM between 2006 and 2012 were evaluated. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the expression of SKIP and the Ki-67 proliferation index. Correlations between SKIP expression, clinicopathological factors and survival were investigated. Survival data were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of the variables. In total, 52 patients were evaluated in the study; 36 of them were male and 16 were female. The mean age of the patients was 62.3 ±12.2 years. The median overall survival period was 8.5 months. Factors negatively affecting general survival in the univariate analysis included high SKIP expression, Ki-67 proliferative index over 30%, presence of non-epithelioid type MPM and stage III-IV disease (p < 0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that high SKIP expression, high Ki-67 proliferative index and presence of non-epithelioid type MPM are independent factors that affect the survival rate. Higher SKIP expression is associated with poor prognosis in MPM.

Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cisplatin ototoxicity.

PURPOSE: To report histological and electrophysiological data in rats treated with cisplatin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester. METHODS: We randomly divided 28 Wistar rats into four groups of seven, to be treated as follows: control (saline), cisplatin, CAPE and cisplatin-CAPE. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were performed on day one (before drug administration) and day five under anaesthesia. All animals were killed under general anaesthesia on day five after the DPOAE measurement. The cochleae of each rat were histopathologically and immunohistochemically evaluated. RESULTS: The outer hair cells were mostly preserved in the control and CAPE groups. Moderate-to-severe and mild-to-moderate hair cell losses were detected in the cisplatin and cisplatin-CAPE groups, respectively. DPOAE assessments revealed significant deterioration in the cisplatin group (P < 0.05). The difference between the cisplatin and cisplatin-CAPE groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CAPE prevents cisplatin ototoxicity.

Dermoscopic evaluation of two patients with lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei.

Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF) is a chronic and uncommon inflammatory dermatosis, characterized by yellowish-red papules, especially on the face and around the eyelids. It is considered to be a reaction to destroyed hair follicles. We dermoscopically evaluated two patients diagnosed with LMDF. Dermoscopy revealed follicular keratotic plugs and vascular structures. We discuss these cases and other diseases dermoscopically showing keratotic plugs.

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the endometrium of patients with repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization.

AIM: To compare the immunohistochemical expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients with normal fertile controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of primary infertile patients with RIF and normal fertile controls between January 2011 and February 2013. Endometrial samples received at the luteal phase were exposed to immunohistochemical staining for EMMPRIN antibodies. EMMPRIN expression of endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells were evaluated. The main outcome measure was defined as immunohistochemical score with regard to the severity and extent of staining. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 26 primary infertile patients, whereas the control group consisted of 40 normal fertile controls. The fertile group was found to have stronger expression of EMMPRIN than the study group when endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells were evaluated with regards to the severity of staining (p < 0.001), the extent of staining (p < 0.001) and total staining score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing low expression of EMMPRIN in the endometrial cells of the patients with RIF compared with fertile healthy controls. We suggest that reduced EMMPRIN expression in the human endometrium may lead to poor endometrial receptivity.

Investigation of the effects of Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux, and Rivaroxaban used in thromboembolism prophylaxis on fracture healing in rats.

BACKGROUND: Today, there is a small number of studies on the effects of Enoxaparin and Fondaparinux used commonly in the prevention of venous thromboembolism on healing of fracture cases. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate clinically, radiologically and histopathologically, the effects of Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux and Rivaroxaban used in thromboembolism prophylaxis on fracture healing in a rat model of femur fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into four groups (n=8): the control group (Group 1), the Enoxaparin group (Group 2), the Fondaparinux group (Group 3), and Rivaroxaban group (Group 4). Under general anesthesia, a standard closed fracture was created in the left femur of each rat using an osteotome. Group 1 was given saline solution (1 cc/day, sc), Group 2 Enoxaparin (100 anti Xa IU/kg/day, sc), Group 3 Fondaparinux (0.2 mg/kg/day, sc), and Group 4 Rivaroxaban (3 mg/kg/day, po) for 21 days. After all rats were sacrificed at the end of day 21, their left femurs were disarticulated at the level of the hip and knee. The bony union was radiologically, clinically, and histopathologically evaluated. RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups in terms of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings in fracture healing (p = 0.849, p = 0.731, and p = 0.395, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux and Rivaroxaban used in thromboembolism prophylaxis cause no significant changes in fracture healing with short term follow up. Thus, they can be safely used in cases of fractures.

Fibroblast growth factor-1 expression in the endometrium of patients with repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND: An examination of the alterations in Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 (FGF-1) expression in a group of repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, when compared to fertile patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study group consisted of 24 patients with repeated implantation failure and 29 fertile control patients. Endometrial samples received at the luteal phase were exposed to immunohistochemical staining for the fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) with antibodies. RESULTS: In the study group all patients have primary infertility (n = 24), and the average duration of infertility was 3.9 ± 1.3 years. The average recurrent IVF failure was 2.6 ± 0.6 attemps. There were no significant differences in the histological data according to the Noyes classification (p = 0.226) and age (p = 0.231) between the patients in the study and control groups (n=29). The control group was found to have more severe expression of FGF-1 (< 0.001) than the study group when endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells of the control and study group were evaluated and it was found that the control group displayed a stronger expression of the FGF-1 (< 0.001). The expression of FGF-1 in the IVF implantation failure group is less than in the fertile group, which suggests that growth factors such as FGF-1 are important maternal factors effecting implantation.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on healing in an experimental model of degloving injury in tails of nicotine-treated rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on healing in an experimental model of a degloving injury of the tails of nicotine-treated rats. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to four groups (n = 8): nicotine (group 1); HBO (group 2); nicotine + HBO (group 3); and control (group 4). The mean length of the necrotic parts of the tails at the degloving injury site was significantly higher in group 1 compared with groups 2, 3, and 4, and was significantly lower in group 2 compared with groups 1, 3, and 4. The mean histopathological stage of ulcers at the degloving injury site was statistically significantly higher (more severe) in group 1 compared with groups 2, 3, and 4, and was statistically significantly lower in group 2 compared with groups 1, 3, and 4. It appears that the negative effects of nicotine on wound healing in degloving injuries are negated by the positive effects of immediate HBO therapy.