Development of Zoledronic Acid Containing Biomaterials for Enhanced Guided Bone Regeneration.

In recent years, biomaterial-based treatments, also called guided bone regeneration (GBR), which aim to establish a bone regeneration site and prevent the migration of gingival connective tissue and / or peripheral epithelium through the defective area during periodontal surgical procedures have come to the fore. In this report, we have developed a nanoparticle bearing thermosensitive in situ gel formulation of Pluronic F127 and poly(D,L-lactic acid) based membrane to reveal their utilization at GBR by in-vivo applications. In addition, the encouragement of the bone formation in defect area via inhibition of osteoclastic activity is intended by fabrication these biodegradable biomaterials at a lowered Zoledronic Acid (ZA) dose. Both of the developed materials remained stable under specified stability conditions (25 °C, 6 months) and provided the extended release profile of ZA. The in-vivo efficacy of nanoparticle bearing in situ gel formulation, membrane formulation and simultaneous application for guided bone regeneration was investigated in New Zealand female rabbits with a critical size defect of 0.5 × 0.5 cm in the tibia bone for eight weeks. Based on the histopathological findings, lamellar bone and primarily woven bone formations were observed after 8 weeks of post-implantation of both formulations, while fibrosis was detected only in the untreated group. Lamellar bone growth was remarkably achieved just four weeks after the simultaneous application of formulations. Consequently, the simultaneous application of ZA-membrane and ZA-nanoparticles loaded in-situ gel formulations offers enhanced and faster GBR therapy alternatives.

Guided bone regeneration by the development of alendronate sodium loaded in-situ gel and membrane formulations.

Biocompatible materials applied in guided bone regeneration are needed to prevent leakage caused by the invasion of peripheral epithelium. (2.1) The aim of this study is to develop a thermosensitive in situ gel system containing alendronate sodium loaded PLGA nanoparticles and alendronate sodium loaded membranes for guided bone regeneration. Thermosensitive Pluronic F127 gel system was preferred to prevent soft tissue migration to the defect site and prolong the residence time of the nanoparticles in this region. In situ gel system was combined with membrane formulation to enhance bone regenaration activity. Efficacy of combination system was investigated by implanting in 0.5 × 0.5 cm critical size defect in tibia of New Zealand female rabbits. According to the histopathological results, fibroblast formations were found at defect area after 6 weeks of post implantation. In contrast, treatment with the combination of in-situ gel containing nanoparticles with membrane provided woven bone formation with mature bone after 4 weeks of post implantation. As a results, the combination of in-situ gel formulation containing alendronate sodium-loaded nanoparticles with membrane formulation could be effectively applided for guided bone regeneration.

Thyrotropinoma with Graves' disease detected by the fusion of indium-111 octreotide scintigraphy and pituitary magnetic resonance imaging.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma (TSHoma) is a rare benign endocrinological tumor which produces TSH in the pituitary gland. Herein, we presented a female patient having TSHoma with Graves' disease during and just after pregnancy that we found by indium-111 octreotide scintigraphy while investigating the patient for hyperthyroidism symptoms.

The critical role of spinal 5-HT7 receptors in opioid and non-opioid type stress-induced analgesia.

The opioid and non-opioid types of stress-induced analgesia have been well defined. One of the non-opioid type involve the endocannabinoid system. We previously reported that the spinal serotonin 7 receptor (5-HT7) blockers inhibit both morphine and cannabinoid-induced analgesia, thus we hypothesized that descending serotonergic pathways-spinal 5-HT7 receptor loop might contribute to stress-induced analgesia. Stress-induced analgesia was induced with warm (32°C) or cold (20°C) water swim stress in male Balb-C mice. The effects of intrathecal injection of a selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, SB 269970, of the denervation of serotonergic neurons by intrathecal administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) and of lesions of the dorsolateral funiculus on opioid and non-opioid type stress-induced analgesia were evaluated with the tail-flick and hot plate tests. The expression of 5-HT7 receptors mRNA in the dorsal lumbar region of spinal cord were analyzed by RT-PCR following spinal serotonin depletion or dorsolateral funiculus lesion. The effects of the selective 5-HT7 receptor agonists LP 44 and AS 19 were tested on nociception. Intrathecal SB 269970 blocked both opioid and non-opioid type stress-induced analgesia. Dorsolateral funiculus lesion or denervation of the spinal serotonergic neurons resulted in a marked decrease in 5-HT7 receptor expression in the dorsal lumbar spinal cord, accompanied by inhibition of opioid and non-opioid type stress-induced analgesia. However, the systemic or intrathecal LP 44 and AS 19 alone did not produce analgesia in unstressed mice. These results indicate that descending serotonergic pathways and the spinal 5-HT7 receptor loop play a crucial role in mediating both opioid and non-opioid type stress-induced analgesia.

A new combination therapy in severe acute pancreatitis--hyperbaric oxygen plus 3-aminobenzamide: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) plus 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) cotreatment on tissue oxidative stress parameters (TOSp), tissue histopathology scores (THSc), and bacterial translocations (Bact-Trans) in an experimental model of severe acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 5 groups. Group 1 received sham. Severe AP was induced by intraductal taurocholate infusion and then group 2 received saline, group 3 received 3-AB, group 4 received 3-AB plus HBO, and group 5 received HBO. 3-Aminobenzamide (10 mg/kg per day, once daily, intraperitoneal) and saline (1 mL/kg) were started right after the induction, whereas HBO (2,8 atm pressure, BID, 90 minutes each) was started at the sixth hour. The rats were euthanized at the 54th hour, and TOSp, THSc, and Bact-Trans were studied. RESULTS: In treatment groups 3 and 5, Bact-Trans (P < 0.05, P < 0.05), TOSp (P < 0.05, P < 0.05), and THSc (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) were significantly lower than controls. In addition to these findings, group 4 (cotreatment) showed the most significant effect on Bact-Trans and THSc (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and also better in TOSp (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition by 3-AB and HBO treatment alone was effective in the course of severe AP, and favorable with cotreatment because of the improved cascades of inflammatory process by different aspects.

Bilateral symmetrical subepidermal calcified nodules of the eyelids.

A subepidermal calcified nodule is an uncommon variant of calcinosis cutis and only a limited number of cases have been reported about the eyelid nodules in the literature. A 20-year-old male was referred to our department with symmetrical nodules on both upper eyelids enlarging over 3 years. Both nodules were removed by excisional biopsy. After the histopathologic evaluation, the diagnosis was subepidermal calcified nodule. He had a complete recovery with no recurrence and acceptable aesthetic appearance. As a rare entity, subepidermal calcified nodule should be thought in differential diagnosis of eyelid nodular lesions and symmetrical appearance may be seen.

Isolated relapse of a lymphoblastic leukemia T cell precursor in the epididymis.

A 41-year-old man who had otherwise asymptomatic right scrotal swelling presented to our urology clinic. He had been diagnosed with T cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma 2 years previously. On examination, his right epididymis was enlarged. A regular, homogeneous, slightly hypoechoic solid mass was observed at the right caput epididymis. This testicular mass measured approximately 7×11×12 mm. Leukemia and lymphoma appear in a variety of locations throughout the body, but an isolated relapse involving the epididymis is rare. Epididymectomy was performed which naturally removed the patient's right-sided sperm duct system. Especially in the younger age group epididymal masses can lead to fertility problems.

Systemic cannabinoids produce CB1-mediated antinociception by activation of descending serotonergic pathways that act upon spinal 5-HT(7) and 5-HT(2A) receptors.

Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in the descending control of pain. We evaluated the role of descending serotonergic pathways and spinal 5-HT7 and 5-HT(2A) receptors in comparison to that of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT3 receptors in the antinociceptive effects of systemically administered cannabinoids. Antinociceptive effects were evaluated by radiant heat tail-flick and hot plate tests in Balb-C mice. The selective CB1 receptor agonist, ACEA; a mixed CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist, WIN 55,212-2; and a selective CB2 receptor agonist, GW405833, were given systemically to induce antinociception. Spinal 5-HT was depleted with intrathecal (i.th.) injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). Bilateral surgical lesions of the dorsolateral funiculus were performed. Selective 5-HT7, 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT3 antagonists-SB-269970, ketanserin, WAY 100635 and ondansetron, respectively-were administered i.th. Risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic displaying 5-HT(2A) antagonism, also irreversibly binds to and inactivates the 5-HT7 receptors. Thus, we also injected risperidone i.th. to elucidate the role of spinal 5-HT7 and 5-HT(2A) receptors in cannabinoid-mediated antinociception. WIN 55,212-2 and ACEA produced dose-dependent antinociception, which were reversed by selective CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant. GW405833 did not produce any antinociception. The antinociceptive effects of WIN 55,212-2 and ACEA were totally absent in spinal 5-HT depleted and dorsolateral funiculus lesioned mice. I.th. administration of SB-269970, ketanserin, and risperidone, but not WAY 100635 or ondansetron, blocked both WIN 55,212-2- and ACEA-induced antinociception. These findings suggest that systemically administered cannabinoids interact with descending serotonergic pathways via CB1-mediated mechanisms and exert a central antinociceptive effect involving spinal 5-HT7 and 5-HT(2A) receptors.

Prognostic value of GLUT-1 expression in ovarian surface epithelial tumors: a morphometric study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reported increase in the expression of the glucose transporter GLUT-1 in borderline and malignant ovarian epithelial tumors and its relationship to prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, areas in which immunohistochemical membranous staining with GLUT-1 were most evident were selected, and the proportions of GLUT-1 expression in 46 benign, 11 borderline and 42 malignant cases of ovarian epithelial tumors were determined quantitatively with a computer and Zeiss Vision KS 400 3.0 (Göttingen, Germany) for Windows (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, U.S.A.) image analysis. RESULTS: GLUT-1 expression was determined in all borderline tumors (11 of 11) and in 97.6% of malignant tumors (41 of 42). No GLUT-1 expression was observed in benign tumors. The intensity of GLUT-1 staining was lower in borderline tumors than in malignant cases. This was statistically significant (p = 0.005). As differentiation in malignant tumors increased, proportions of GLUT-1 expression showed a relative increase, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.68). CONCLUSION: When GLUT-1 expression in borderline and malignant ovarian epithelial tumors was analyzed against prognosis, no statistically significant difference was identified. Assessment of GLUT-1 expression using the image analysis program was more reliable, with higher reproducibility than in previous studies.