Effect of cold atmospheric plasma/NO gas application with different exposure times on healing in wounds with tissue loss in diabetic rats.

Applications of cold atmospheric plasma/nitric oxide (CAP/NO) gas have recently garnered popularity when treating impaired wound healing in patients with diabetes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of NO gas application for 60 and 120 s on wound healing in diabetic rats. A dorsal excision 3 cm in diameter was performed in 15 diabetic rats; these rats were categorized into the following 3 groups: DC (untreated diabetic control); DNO/60 (exposure to 200 ppm NO gas for 60 s/day); and DNO/120 (exposure to 200 ppm NO gas for 120 s/day). Wound contraction on days 0, 3, 7, 11, and 14 and wound contraction rate between days 0 and 14 were evaluated. On day 14, tissue samples were collected for histopathologic assessment of inflammation, epithelial regeneration, angiogenesis congestion, and collagen fiber organization. Normality of distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and intergroup comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test (NPar Test) and the Kruskal-Wallis test (non-parametric ANOVA). Wound contraction during treatment days 7-14 was significantly greater in the NO-treatment groups than in the DC group (p<0.05). The NO60 s and NO120 s groups showed a significantly higher wound contraction rate than the DC group (p=0.033, p=0.049, respectively). Significant differences were noted between the control and NO groups in terms of inflammation (p<0.05) and between the control group and DNO/60 and DNO/120 groups in terms of collagen organization (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). Evaluation of epithelialization revealed significant intergroup differences between the control and NO treatment groups (p<0.01). In this study, the application of NO once a day for 60 seconds and 120 seconds in diabetic wounds contributed equally to wound healing.

Impact of proactive low-molecular weight heparin therapy on outcomes in COVID-1.

OBJECTIVES: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) may provide beneficial effects on outcomes of COVID-19. We aimed to examine the impact of LMWH treatment on clinical outcomes (duration of hospitalization, admission to intensive care unit, the requirement for mechanical ventilation, and death) of COVID-19 patients with normal D-dimer levels at admission. BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) predisposes patients to arterial and venous thrombosis. METHODS: In this retrospective, multicentre and observational study we analysed the data of 308 confirmed COVID-19 patients with normal D-dimer levels at initial admission. After propensity score matching (PSM) patients were grouped; Group 1; patients who received LMWH with D-dimer ≤0.5 mg/L, Group 2; patients who received LMWH after D-dimer levels exceeded 0.5 mg/L, and Group 3; patients who did not receive LMWH. RESULTS: After PSM, each group comprised 40 patients. The patients in Group1 had the best clinical outcomes compared to the other groups. Group 3 had the worst clinical outcomes (p<0.005). The benefit of LMWH increased with early prophylactic therapy especially when started while the D-dimer levels were ≤0.5 mg/L. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that proactive LMWH therapy improves clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients even with normal D-dimer levels (≤ 0.5 mg/L) (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 34).

11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 gene expression is increased in ascending aorta tissue of metabolic syndrome patients with coronary artery disease.

11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD-1) activity and mRNA levels are increased in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues of metabolic syndrome subjects. We analyzed 11ß-HSD-1 expression in human epicardial adipose (EA) and ascending aorta (AA) tissues of metabolic syndrome patients and examined their contribution to the development of coronary atherosclerosis. The 11ß-HSD-1 expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR in EA and AA tissues of 20 metabolic syndrome patients with coronary artery disease (metabolic syndrome group) and 10 non-metabolic syndrome patients without coronary artery disease (controls). 11ß-HSD-1 expression was increased in EA and AA tissues of the metabolic syndrome group (4.1- and 5.5-fold, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between 11ß-HSD-1 expression in EA tissue and waist hip ratio and 11ß-HSD-1 expression in AA tissue and body mass index, while a negative correlation was found between 11ß-HSD-1 expression in EA tissue and HDL. Expression of CD68, a macrophage marker, was significantly increased in both tissues of the metabolic syndrome group; it was 2-fold higher in AA tissue compared to EA tissue in the metabolic syndrome group. Our findings of increased expression of 11ß-HSD-1 and CD68 in AA tissue of the metabolic syndrome group lead us to suggest that they contribute to coronary atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome. This positive correlation between obesity markers and 11ß-HSD-1 in AA and EA tissues strengthens the evidence that 11ß-HSD-1 has a role in metabolic syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing 11ß-HSD-1 and CD68 expression in AA tissue of metabolic syndrome patients. We suggest that there is tissue-specific expression of 11ß-HSD-1 in metabolic syndrome and associated cardiovascular disorders.

No effect of the IGF-1 gene rs35767 and rs17032362 polymorphisms in the etiology of idiopathic short stature.

Idiopathic short stature (ISS) refers to pathophysiologically wide and heterogeneous range of disorders, which are considered to involve defects in growth hormone (GH) insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis. This study was designed to evaluate GH- IGF-1 axis and investigate IGF-1 gene polymorphisms in ISS.108 patients with a mean age of 11.7±3.6 years constituted the study group, while 108 age and gender matched children with normal stature constituted the control group. Serum IGF-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and two polymorphisms in IGF-1 gene (rs35767, rs17032362) were investigated.While mean IGF-1 SDS value was lower in study group (p=0.002), no difference was detected between mean IGFBP-3 SDS values. The IGF-1 gene rs35767 polymorphism genotype distribution did not exhibit a statistical difference between study (7.1% wild type, 29.6% heterozygous, 63.3% homozygous) and control groups (3.8% wild type, 39.6% heterozygous, 56.6% homozygous). IGF-1 gene rs17032362 polymorphism genotype distribution was not significantly different either between study (94.8% wild type, 5.2% heterozygous, 0% homozygous) and control groups (97.2% wild type, 2.8% heterozygous, 0% homozygous). Comparing the cases with wild type, homozygous and heterozygous carriers for both polymorphisms with respect to height, weight, BMI, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 SDS values, no significant difference was detected.IGF-1 SDS levels of patients with ISS were significantly lower compared to control group. There was no difference between IGFBP-3 SDS levels. No effect of IGF-1 gene rs35767 and rs17032362 polymorphisms on stature, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels could be demonstrated.

Bellini duct (collecting duct) carcinoma of the kidney.

Bellini duct (collecting duct) carcinoma of the kidney is a rare entity often misinterpreted as renal or transitional cell carcinoma on histologic examination. Immunohistochemical identification of specific antigens is needed for the differential diagnoses. We describe a case of Bellini duct carcinoma that arose from the collecting ducts of Bellini and was treated with aggressive surgery and interferon-based immunochemotherapy.

Sociocultural influences on eating attitudes and behaviors, body image, and psychological functioning: a comparison of African-American, Asian-American, and Caucasian college women.

Eating attitudes and behaviors, body image, and psychological functioning were evaluated in 98 female college students: 36 African-Americans, 34 Asian-Americans, and 28 Caucasians. African-Americans had significantly higher body mass index than either Asian-American or Caucasians. In contrast, Caucasians reported greater levels of disordered eating and dieting behaviors and attitudes and greater body dissatisfaction than did Asian-Americans and African-Americans who differed little on these measures. The nature of variability in these eating behaviors and attitudes and body image was also examined within each of the three groups. A generally consistent pattern emerged within each racial group: low self-esteem and high public self-consciousness were associated with greater levels of problematic eating behaviors and attitudes and body dissatisfaction. A history of being teased about weight and size was associated with problematic eating behaviors and attitudes and body dissatisfaction in African-Americans and Caucasians but not in Asian-Americans. The findings suggest that there exist important racial differences on various aspects of eating, dieting, and body image in college women. Contrary to hypothesis, the degree of acculturation and assimilation within the African-American and Asian-American groups was unrelated to variability in these domains.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the staging of renal cell carcinoma.

Correct diagnosis and accurate staging of renal cell carcinoma are critical in the evaluation of prognosis and subsequent treatment planning. Between October 1989 and April 1993, 25 patients with histologically proven renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were studied, comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), operative findings and histopathological results. Two patients with pT3 tumours were understaged by both methods as T2. Three other patients staged as T4 by CT and T3 by MRI were actually pT3. N and V status were accurately detected by both imaging modalities. One patient with biopsy-proven liver metastasis missed by CT was correctly diagnosed by MRI. We conclude that MRI is complementary to CT and is especially helpful in patients with advanced stage and large sized tumours.

Place of double-J stents in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Although double-J stents (DJS) are used to reduce complications following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), there has recently been a tendency to limit their use because of complications. We retrospectively reviewed 351 patients with renal stones larger than 30 mm to determine the effectiveness and the complications of DJS. While DJS were inserted prior to ESWL in 85 patients, 266 patients were treated without. The stone-free rate in the stented group was not significantly different from the non-stented group (31 and 30%). While the auxiliary treatment rate for the steinstrasse was 15% in the stented group, it was 18% in the non-stented group. Additionally, 4 of the stented patients (5%) were treated endoscopically because of encrustation or migration of the stent. Half of the patients in the stented group complained of mild bladder discomfort and disturbances which were relieved after removal of the DJS. We believe that DJS neither enhance stone passage nor reduce complications following ESWL, and therefore suggest their use only under certain conditions such as patients with solitary kidneys.