Is palatal rugae a specific marker of dysmorphogenesis in patients with schizophrenia?

Background and Objectives Supporting the neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia, minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are markers of abnormalities in early fetal development. The mouth seems to be a common region for the occurrence of MPAs in patients with schizophrenia. This study aimed to compare the palatal rugae patterns, according to their length, shape, and orientation, between patients with schizophrenia and controls in a blinded fashion. The palatal rugae patterns were also evaluated by sex, as its effect on neurodevelopment was relevant. Methods Dental stone models were fabricated from maxilla impressions of patients with schizophrenia (N = 105) and controls (N = 105). Based on their lengths, three types of palatal rugae were classified; primary, secondary, and fragmentary. Primary rugae were further categorized according to their shape and direction. Results The most detected palatal rugae were the primary ones in both groups. The primary, secondary, and fragmentary rugae numbers in both groups were no different. There were significant differences in the shape and orientation of the primary rugae between the two groups. Curved (OR:1.76, p = 0.006), island (OR:2.97, p = 0.001) and nonspecific (OR:5.44, p = 0.004) primary rugae shape were found to be significant predictive variables for schizophrenia. Randomly oriented rugae numbers were higher in schizophrenics than controls (p = 0.018). The two sexes had different preferences in primary rugae shapes and directions compared to same-sex controls in patients with schizophrenia. Conclusion Identifying subtle changes in the primary rugae pattern, which appear to be sex-specific, is consistent with impaired neurodevelopment in schizophrenia. (AU)

Early and midterm results of the retrograde transpopliteal approach as the first-line treatment for total occlusions of iliofemoral arteries.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to present our early and midterm results regarding the use of the retrograde popliteal artery approach as the first-line treatment for patients with total occlusions of the iliac or femoropopliteal arteries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2017 and July 2019, 84 patients underwent transpopliteal retrograde subintimal recanalization for iliac and femoral artery occlusive disease. RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful in 92.9% of the patients and had a complication rate of 5.95%. Complications, including stent thrombosis, dissection, and rupture, were treated successfully. No hematomas were observed at the puncture site. The primary patency rates at 6, 12, and 18 months were 86.9%, 82.1%, and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With respectable early and midterm results, the retrograde popliteal artery approach can be considered a primary treatment option for iliac or femoropopliteal arteries' recanalization in selected patients.

Effects of pleural opening on respiratory function tests in cardiac surgery: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To show the effects on lung function of the opening pleura in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 66 patients were included. Patients were allocated into two groups. In group 1 (n=21) pleura was intact, in group 2 (n=45) pleura was opened. Both groups were compared prospectively in terms of preoperative and on the post-operative 5th day pulmonary function tests (PFT), preoperative, postoperative first and fifth day arterial blood gas analysis, preoperative and postoperative first day mixt venous oxygen saturation, bleeding, operation periods, pulmonary complications, intensive care and hospital stay period and mortality. RESULTS: There was significant decrease in all PFT indicators on 5th post-operative day in group 2 (p < 0.01). Although there was a significant decrease in FEV1 on 5th post-operative day in group 1 (p < 0.001), other pulmonary functions parameters were not change significantly (p > 0.025). In group 2 much more decline in pulmonary function test parameters than group 1 were observed (p < 0.05). There was not statistically significant difference in blood gas analysis and mixed venous oxygen saturation values in group 1 (p > 0.05). But in group 2 except pH and PaCO2, other blood gas measurements were significantly decreased on the postoperative first and fifth day (p < 0.008). In group 2 except pH and PCO2, other parameters were less than the other Group (p < 0.01). The drained amount was still significantly higher in group 2 (p < 0.001). The frequency of the revision due to bleeding was observed much more in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Protection of the integrity of pleura may have positive effects on pulmonary functions in cardiac surgery.

Effects of iloprost and piracetam in spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rabbit.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental Study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of iloprost and piracetam on spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rabbit. SETTINGS: The Experimental Research Center of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. METHODS: A total of 24 rabbits were divided into four groups of six rabbits each, as follows: group 1 (n = 6) sham, laparotomy only; group 2 (n = 6) I/R; group 3 (n = 6) I/R+iloprost; and group 4 (n = 6) I/R+piracetam. I/R was established in groups 2, 3 and 4. Subsequently, they were followed up neurologically for 24 h until the rabbits were killed; biochemical and histopathological examinations of samples from the spinal cord were carried out. RESULTS: Neurological examination results were significantly better in the iloprost and piracetam groups compared with the I/R group (P < 0.05). Neuroprotection was achieved with iloprost and piracetam by suppressing malondialdehyde (P < 0.05), increasing glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.05) and decreasing the xanthine oxidase level. In histopathological assessment, iloprost and piracetam groups were statistically different from the I/R group in terms of the number of apoptotic neurons in gray matter and white matter, as well as in terms of degenerated neurons and glial cells (P < 0.05). No statistical difference was determined between the four groups in the number of degenerated glial cells (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that iloprost and piracetam have neuroprotective effects in I/R injury both neurologically and histopathologically because of inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

The effects of prophylactic zinc and melatonin application on experimental spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits: experimental study.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. OBJECTIVES: To determine the neuroprotective effects of zinc and melatonin on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injuries of rabbits. SETTING: The Experimental Research Centre of Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey. METHODS: Twenty-four male rabbits underwent spinal cord ischemia by clamping the thoraco-abdominal aorta for 20 min. Twenty minutes before the aortic clamping, animals received zinc, melatonin or a combination of both. Neurological examination of the animals was performed three times during reperfusion period. The animals were killed 24 h after reperfusion. Spinal cord samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Pre-treated animals with zinc, melatonin or combination displayed better neurological outcomes than the I/R group (P<0.05). Zinc, melatonin and combined treatment prevented spinal cord injury by reducing apoptosis rate (P<0.05) and preserving intact ganglion cell numbers (P<0.05). Zinc pre-treatment protected spinal cord by preventing malondialdehyde (MDA) formation (P=0.002), increasing glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (P=0.002) and decreasing xanthine oxidase enzyme activity (P=0.026) at molecular level. Melatonin treatment also resulted with MDA formation (P=0.002), increased GPx activity (P=0.002) and decreased xanthine oxidase activity (P=0.026). CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that prophylactic zinc and melatonin use in spinal cord I/R not only suppressed lipid peroxidation by activating antioxidant systems but also had significant neuroprotective effects by specifically improving the neurological and histopathological situation.