Unusual synchronous presentation of maxillary sinus fibrosarcoma and gemistocytic astrocytoma with a complication called leukocytoclastic vasculitis: a case report.

Fibrosarcoma of the paranasal sinuses is extremely rare pathology and there is limited report in the literature. We report synchronous presentation of maxillary sinus fibrosarcoma and gemistocytic astrocytoma which is, to our knowledge, unique in the literature. Both tumors metastases to other organ rarely and the metastatic spread of gemistocytic astrocytoma to fibrosarcoma or vice versa have also not been reported in the literature yet. This report discusses the clinical course of the disease, outcome of the treatment approach and survival as well as an unusual occurrence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis during the course of radiotherapy in such unusual presentation.

Effects of vitamin K1 on fluoride-induced bone changes in growing rats: a histomorphometric and radiodensitometric study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of vitamin K1 supplementation on skeletal changes related to fluoride in growing rats. Forty male Wistar rats aged 4 weeks were assigned at random into three groups: high-dose fluoride (125 ppm) group; high-dose fluoride + vitamin K1 (0.2 mg/(g day)) group; and a control group. The experimental period was 12 weeks. The L3 vertebrae and the right tibiae were removed, and specimens were analysed by histologic and histomorphometric methods. Quantitative radiodensitometry was also employed to assess the differences in bone mineral density (BMD) between the groups. In the tibia, total tissue area was higher in the study groups than the control group (P < 0.05). Cortical bone area was slightly higher in the fluoride + K1 group than the fluoride group, and marrow cavity area was lower in the fluoride + K1 group (P < 0.05). In the L3 vertebral cancellous bone, bone volume, trabecular number and trabecular thickness were higher in the study groups than the control group (P < 0.05). Trabecular separation was reduced in the study groups (P < 0.05), and was lower in the fluoride + K1 group than the fluoride group (P < 0.05). The fluoride + K1 group had a significantly higher BMD than the other groups (P < 0.05), and the fluoride group had a significantly higher BMD than the control group (P < 0.05). The present study found that fluoride administration increased bone mass in both vertebrae and tibiae in growing rats. Simultaneous administration of vitamin K1 and fluoride resulted in an additional increase in vertebral bone mass.

Level of oxidative stress and damage in erythrocytes in apprentices indirectly exposed to lead.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress (OS) may result in damage to critical macromolecules, and an association between lead (Pb) toxicity and OS is a matter of research. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Pb on the oxidative system in indirectly Pb-exposed male apprentices. METHODS: Established parameters of Pb toxicity (aminolevulinic acid dehydratase index [ALAD index], zinc-protoporphyrin [ZPP]) as well as Pb-level in blood were determined in Pb-exposed apprentices (n > 25) and controls (n > 24). Enzymatic (glutathione peroxides [GPx], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]) and non-enzymatic (alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene) indices of OS, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were also determined. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in Pb level, ALAD index, ZPP concentration, GPx activity and MDA concentration in Pb-exposed apprentices when compared to controls. Although a statistically significant decrease in alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene levels was seen, SOD and CAT activities were unaltered in Pb-exposed apprentices. Pb level and duration of Pb exposure were correlated with each other, as well as various indices of OS and MDA concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic indirect Pb exposure results in lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes of apprentices via OS, and duration of Pb exposure is a reliable marker of Pb toxicity.

Effects of vitamin K1 supplementation on vascular responsiveness and oxidative stress in a rat femoral osteotomy model.

The main function of vitamin K1 is to act a co-factor for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase. However, it has also been shown to lessen oxidative stress. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin K1 supplementation on vascular responsiveness and oxidative status in rats that underwent femoral osteotomy. Twenty-four male rats were divided into three groups to serve as sham, osteotomy and vitamin K1 groups. Indices of oxidative stress (catalase), and oxidative damage (malondialdehyde) were analysed in erythrocytes. In order to evaluate vascular reactivity, concentration-response curves to phenylephrine, angiotensin II, 5-hydroxytryptamine, bradykinin and histamine were constructed. The findings of this study clearly show that oxidative stress clearly increases after femoral osteotomy in rats. Also, this operation causes a significant depression in vascular responsiveness to contracting agents and endothelium-dependent vasodilators. However, vitamin K1 supplementation prevents vascular hyporeactivity by reducing oxidative stress and may represent a novel approach during osteotomy healing.

Effects of vitamin K(1) on fluoride-induced bone changes in growing rats: a histomorphometric and radiodensitometric study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of Vitamin K(1) supplementation on skeletal changes related to fluoride in growing rats. Forty male Wistar rats aged 4 weeks were assigned at random into three groups: high-dose fluoride (125 ppm) group; high-dose fluoride+Vitamin K(1) (0.2mg/(g day)) group; and a control group. The experimental period was 12 weeks. The L(3) vertebrae and the right tibiae were removed, and specimens were analysed by histologic and histomorphometric methods. Quantitative radiodensitometry was also employed to assess the differences in bone mineral density (BMD) between the groups. In the tibia, total tissue area was higher in the study groups than the control group (P<0.05). Cortical bone area was slightly higher in the fluoride+K(1) group than the fluoride group, and marrow cavity area was lower in the fluoride+K(1) group (P<0.05). In the L3 vertebral cancellous bone, bone volume, trabecular number and trabecular thickness were higher in the study groups than the control group (P<0.05). Trabecular separation was reduced in the study groups (P<0.05), and was lower in the fluoride+K(1) group than the fluoride group (P<0.05). The fluoride+K(1) group had a significantly higher BMD than the other groups (P<0.05), and the fluoride group had a significantly higher BMD than the control group (P<0.05). The present study found that fluoride administration increased bone mass in both vertebrae and tibiae in growing rats. Simultaneous administration of Vitamin K(1) and fluoride resulted in an additional increase in vertebral bone mass.