The importance of leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein-1 in acute calculus cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective, single-center cohort study was to analyze serum leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG1) expression in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) and to investigate its variation depending on symptom duration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were divided into patients with AC and a healthy control group. At the time of diagnosis, blood samples were collected, and symptom onset times were questioned. Collected serum LRG1 levels were measured. RESULTS: 30 patients and 30 healthy volunteers were included in the study. LRG1 (p=0.008), white blood cells (WBC) (p<0.001), platelet (p=0.003), neutrophil (p<0.001), lymphocyte (p=0.001), and CRP (p=0.014) were significantly different in AC patients vs. the control group. When the correlations of serum laboratory values with the time of onset of symptoms were compared, LRG1 (p<0.001) was significantly correlated, while no significant correlation was observed in C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.572), WBC (p=0.155), and neutrophil (p=0.155). CONCLUSIONS: LRG1 expression increases after 24 hours in AC patients. Due to its correlation with symptom duration, we believe it can be helpful for timing cholecystectomy.

Radiodensitometric study for evaluation of bone mineral density around dental implants after zoledronic acid treatment in ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of intravenous zoledronic acid applied systemically on osseointegration of dental implants and the surrounding bone mineral density (BMD) in the ovariectomized rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 36 rats were divided into three groups: control (CTRL), ovariectomy (OVX), and ovariectomy-zoledronic acid (OVX/ZOL). The rats in the CTRL group underwent sham surgery, while rats in OVX and OVX / ZOL group underwent ovariectomy. After 12 weeks, rats from OVX / ZOL were injected with 0.04 mg/kg ZOL intravenously once a week for 6 weeks. The rats from CTRL and OVX groups were injected with 0.9% NaCl. Implants were placed in the left tibia. After 8 weeks, rats were sacrificed and tibia bones were removed for radiodensitometric examination. Digital radiographs of bones' lateral surface were taken. The BMD was measured by using radiographic analysis software. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between all groups (p<0.05). While highest mean BMD values were observed in the CTRL group, the lowest were in the OVX group. CONCLUSIONS: The systemic use of ZOL has increased the bone density around the implants inserted osteoporotic rat tibia.

Intestinal obstruction due to bezoars: a retrospective clinical study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of surgical procedures applied to rare intestinal obstruction cases due to bezoars and to identify effective factors for determining the type of surgical procedure to be applied. METHODS: The records of 62 patients who had received gastrointestinal surgical treatment due to bezoars were assessed retrospectively. The preoperative characteristics, perioperative findings and postoperative results of cases that had and had not undergone an enterotomy were compared RESULTS: The average patient age was 57.7 years (range, 26-84 years), and all patients had phytobezoars, except one. The most common location for bezoars was the jejunum (28 cases, 45.1 %). Sixteen cases (25.8 %) had multiple bezoars located in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. While milking was applied to 26 cases (41.9 %) with small intestinal bezoars, an enterotomy was used to remove bezoars in 23 cases (37 %). More complications tended to be identified in patients who underwent an enterotomy; however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.553). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of previous abdominal surgery in patients suffering from an intestinal obstruction due to bezoars causes diagnostic conflict. The location of bezoars in the small intestine should also be considered when deciding the surgical procedure, as well as the physical properties of the bezoars. Our opinion is that conducting the milking procedure should not be insisted on, and that an enterotomy should be conducted when necessary.

Effect of erythropoietin on oxidative stress and liver injury in experimental obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the time-dependent effects and pathophysiological mechanism of erythropoietin (Epo) on oxidative stress and liver injury resulting from obstructive jaundice in common bile duct-ligated rats. METHODS: Wistar Albino rats were divided into 5 groups, each including 8 rats. The sham group underwent laparotomy only, while the Non-Epo-3 and Non-Epo-7 groups underwent common bile duct ligation and were sacrificed 3 and 7 days, respectively, after the operation. The Epo-3 and Epo-7 groups underwent common bile duct ligation and Epo treatment and were sacrificed 3 and 7 days, respectively, after the operation. Blood and tissue samples were collected from all groups for the determination of oxidative injury and hepatocellular damage. Serum total and direct bilirubin levels, alkaline phosphatase, reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and white blood cell counts were measured. RESULTS: Significantly higher NO and MDA levels were found in Non-Epo groups than Epo groups. Significantly lower GSH levels were found in the Non-Epo-7 group than the Epo-7 and sham groups. Hepatocellular damage was also found to be reduced in Epo groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the present model, while common bile duct ligation increased oxidative injury and hepatocellular damage, treatment with Epo attenuated oxidative injury and hepatocellular damage by decreasing NO and increasing GSH.