The protective effects of hormonal suppression by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or an oral contraceptive on the decreased ovarian reserve in female rats exposed to isotretinoin.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate whether ovarian suppression by two different hormonal methods may spare the ovary the cytotoxic effects of isotretinoin in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups (n=8 Sprague-Dawley albino rats per group) were studied: control (Group I), 7.5 mg/kg/day isotretinoin (Group II), isotretinoin plus the combination of 0.030 mg ethinyl estradiol/0.15 mg levonorgestrel (combined oral contraceptive, COC), and isotretinoin plus 100 µg (microgram) leuprolide acetate (GnRHa) (Group III and IV, respectively). Four rats from each group were decapitated on the 30th day of treatment, and the remaining rats were decapitated on the 30th day of untreated follow-up. Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, healthy and atretic follicle numbers, and apoptotic activity of follicles in oophorectomy specimens were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in AMH levels among the study groups before, immediately after (first month), and one month after their last medication (second month) (p=0.08, 0.47, and 0.08, respectively). At the end of the first month, the control group had a higher median count of healthy primordial follicles compared to the study groups: 13.5 (8-22), 5.5 (3-11), 6 (2-13), and 1 (0-1) in control, isotretinoin, isotretinoin+COC, and isotretinoin+GnRHa groups, respectively (p=0.02). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the number of healthy primordial follicles between the groups one month after the last medication (p=0.33). The median atretic antral follicle counts in the first month were 2 (1-4), 3.5 (1-4), 0 (0-2), and 0 (0-0) in the control, isotretinoin, isotretinoin+COC, and isotretinoin+GnRHa groups, respectively (p=0.02). Otherwise, there were no significant differences in other types of follicles among the control and treated groups (p>0.05). There was also no statistical difference between the groups regarding immunostaining intensity for active caspase-3 evaluated in the first or second month of treatment (p=0.8 and 0.2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that GnRH agonists or COC have no protective effects on ovarian reserve when co-administered with isotretinoin in the rat model.

Omega-3 prevents myelin degeneration in rat foetuses exposed to radiation.

The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of antioxidant omega-3 fatty acid (FA) on demyelinisation and degeneration of nerves in central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS) of rat foetuses. 38 pregnant rats weighing 140-155 g were used. Rats were divided into five groups. Group 1: 7 rats exposed to radiation treatment (RT) for 1 hour/day only; Group 2: 7 rats exposed to RT + Omega-3 FA (p.o.) for 1 hour/day; Group 3: 7 rats exposed to RT for 4 hours/day; Group 4: 7 rats exposed to RT + Omega-3 FA (p.o.) for 4 hours/day; and Group 5: 10 rats with no treatment. Nerve injury was induced by whole-body exposure to 20-µT magnetic field. Omega-3 FA was given orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg. After 18 days, foetuses were delivered by the milking method; CNS and PNS were taken out for pathological examination. The degeneration scores of Group 2 were significantly lower than those of Group 1, whereas the degeneration scores of Group 4 were significantly higher than those of Groups 1 and 3. In conclusion, radiation increases demyelinisation and degeneration of nerves in the rat foetuses' CNS and PNS. Omega-3 FA prevents myelin and nerve degeneration in rat foetuses in low-dose radiation exposure.

Resveratrol inhibits postoperative adhesion formation in a rat uterine horn adhesion model.

AIM: Adhesion formation is one of the most important problems occuring after pelvic surgery in the majority of women. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of the antioxidant resveratrol (3,5,4'-o-trihydroxystilbene) on adhesion formation in a rat uterine horn adhesion model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino female rats were randomly divided into three groups with equal numbers. In Group A, 5.9 mg/kg/day resveratrol was applied by the orogastric route for 10 days before and 20 days after surgery. In Group B, resveratrol was given only for 20 days after surgery. In the control group, no drug was applied before or after surgery. A uterine serosal injury was created using a standard technique after laparotomy in all rats. All animals were sacrificed 3 weeks after surgery and intrapelvic adhesions determined macroscopically and microscopically. RESULTS: Adhesion formation, total adhesion score and the severity of adhesions were all significantly lower in both resveratrol treatment groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). Notably, the severity of adhesions was much less in Group A in which the rats received resveratrol before and after surgical operation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 5 ± 1 mg/kg/day perioperative resveratrol administration is an effective strategy for the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesion formation after pelvic surgery in a rat model.

The effects of dexamethasone on oxidant/antioxidant status in kidneys of rats administered mercuric chloride.

The study was aimed to evaluate the possible effects of dexamethasone on oxidant/antioxidant status in kidney tissues of rats administered mercuric chloride (HgCl2). Thirty male Wistar-albino rats were enrolled in this study. Rats were divided into 4 groups: G1 (n=7) underwent no therapy (control group), G2 (n=8) received HgCl2 + physiological saline, G3 (n=7) dexamethasone (DM) + physiological saline and G4 (n=8) received HgCl2 + DM. HgCl2 was injected subcutaneously into rats in the G2 and G4 on the first day of the study. Dexamethasone was injected intraperitoneally into rats in the G3 and G4 for 3 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), xanthine oxidase (XO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in the kidney tissues. Serum creatinine levels were also measured. Xanthine oxidase activity was increased in the G2 compared to the control group. Catalase activity in the control group was significantly higher compared to the other groups. In the histopathological examination of kidneys, there was a tubular degeneration in G2 and G4. It was concluded that HgCl2 administration may cause oxidative stress through increasing XO and decreasing CAT activities. Dexamethasone injection may partially protect the rat kidneys against oxidative reactions by preventing the increase in XO activity (Tab. 1, Ref. 33).

E-cadherin expression in endometrial malignancies: comparison between endometrioid and non-endometrioid carcinomas.

This study examined the frequency of E-cadherin expression in endometrial biopsy or hysterectomy specimens from patients diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma and in normal endometrial tissue specimens. E-cadherin expression was detected by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody to E-cadherin. Specimens were classified as positive when >or= 5% of the tumour cells showed staining for E-cadherin, irrespective of the pattern of staining. Twenty-three endometrioid carcinomas and nine non-endometrioid (four papillary serous and five clear cell) carcinomas were studied, along with 10 normal endometrial tissue specimens as controls. E-cadherin expression was significantly less frequent in non-endometrioid carcinomas compared with endometrioid carcinomas and controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of E-cadherin expression between endometrioid carcinomas and controls. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that uterine non-endometrioid (papillary serous and clear cell) carcinomas were less likely to express E-cadherin compared with endometrioid carcinomas and normal endometrial tissue. This may help to explain the more aggressive behaviour of non-endometrioid carcinomas.

The preventive effects of thiopental and propofol on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Testicular torsion is a urological emergency that requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent testicular damage. The aim of the study was to investigate the preventive effects of thiopental and propofol as anesthetics on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Forty male Wistar Albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 10 rats each. During 5 h, anesthesia was induced and maintained with thiopental in groups 1 and 2 and with propofol in groups 3 and 4. Groups 2 and 4 received left testicular ischemia (torsion) during 1 h and reperfusion (detorsion) during 4 h. Groups 1 and 3 (control groups) had no testicular torsion and detorsion. At the end of 5 h, animals were killed and both ipsilateral and contralateral testes were removed for histopathologic examination and measurement of tissue MDA (malondialdehyde) and NO (nitric oxide) levels. RESULTS: In the contralateral testes of all the groups, MDA and NO measurements were not different from ipsilateral testes of the control groups. Between the groups 1 and 3, there were no differences in MDA and NO levels. Although torsion/detorsion of testes in group 4 caused significantly increased levels of tissue MDA and NO values compared with group 3, ischemia-reperfusion in group 2 caused a further increase in these levels compared with group 4. The ipsilateral testes in the control groups did not show any morphological changes. Testicular torsion/detorsion in rats with thiopental anesthesia (group 2) caused significantly greater histopathologic injury levels than rats with propofol anesthesia (group 4). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that propofol as an anesthetic agent may prevent testicular damage by scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in an animal model of testicular torsion and detorsion.

Nocardia farcinica brain abscess, a case report and review of the literature

La infección por nocardia no es rara, como se cree y su tasa de mortalidad es alta. Se aisla en las plantas y en el suelo en muchas regiones del mundo. Los huéspedes reúnen factores predisponentes y se adquiere a través del tracto respiratorio o de la piel. Estos microorganismos tienen tendencia a diseminarse por vía hematógena desde el punto de la infección hasta el cerebro, riñon, articulaciones, huesos y ojos. Se prefieren las sulfami-das, empíricamente, para el tratamiento. A causa del gran número de recurrencias, el tratamiento debe continuar durante 12 meses. En la infección por nocardia farcinica, debe tenerse en cuenta la resistencia característica a las cefalosporinas. En este artículo, se presenta un caso raro de infección por nocardia farcinica, con un absceso cerebral solitario. Se revisa la literatura (AU)

Nocardia infection is not rare as generally been assumed and its mortality rate is high. It is isolated from plants and soil in most regions of the worid. The hosts usually have predisposing conditions and the infection is acquired through the respiratory tract or skin. Nocardial organisms have a tendency to dissemi¬nate hematogenously from the primary site of infection to brain, kidney, joints, bones and eyes. Sulfonamides are preferred empirically for the treatment. Because of high relapse rates, the treatment must be continued for 12 months. In nocardia farcinica infection, the characte¬ristic resistance pattem to cephalosporines must be kept in mind. In this article, a rare case of nocardia farcinica infection with a solitary cerebral abscess is presented and the literature is reviewed (AU)

The effects of locally injected granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor on the healing of intraoperatively irradiated intestinal anastomoses in rats.

Intraoperative irradiation is used to reduce the number of local recurrences and to increase disease free survival in the treatment of intestinal malignancies. Irradiation for the local control of tumours diminishes the wound healing in the intestine as in any other tissues. For many surgeons, it seems too risky to make resection and anastomosis in an irradiated intestine. Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (Gm-csf) had been successfully used in chronic and incisional dermal wounds. In this study, we evaluated the effect of locally applied Gm-csf on intraoperatively irradiated rat small intestinal anastomosis. 160 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups. In group 1 (control), ileal resection was made (1 cm. in length) and anastomosis was performed. In group 2, ileal resection and anastomosis were performed and 50 microgr. rHu Gm-csf was injected subserosally in the perianastomotic area. In group 3, intraoperatively 2000 cGy irradiation was applied to the intestine following ileal resection and anastomosis. In group 4, ileal resection and anastomosis were performed, and 50 microgr. rHu Gm-csf was injected subserosally in the perianastomotic area, then intraoperatively 2000 cGy irradiation was applied to the intestine. On the 3rd and 7th days, relaparotomies were made in order to measure the bursting pressures of the anastomotic segments. The measurement of hydroxyproline levels were evaluated to determine the amount of anastomotic collagen. Histopathological evaluations were also performed. The bursting pressure values in gm-csf given groups were significantly higher than their control groups. The hydroxyproline content of group 4 was significantly higher than group 3 on the 3rd day. In conclusion, these data indicate that local injection of Gm-csf improves the wound healing of intraoperatively irradiated bowel anastomosis.

Effects of locally applied recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on ischemic bowel anastomoses in rat.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia is one of the most common causes of anastomosis disruption. In the present study we investigated the effect of locally injected recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) on ischemic bowel anastomosis in rats. METHODS: 144 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: in group 1, colon anastomoses were performed; in group 2, anastomoses were performed then 50 microg rhGM-CSF was injected subserosally into the perianastomotic area; in group 3, anastomoses were performed on ischemic colon segments, and in group 4, colon anastomoses were performed on ischemic segments and then 50 microg rhGM-CSF was injected subserosally into the perianastomotic area. On the 3rd and 7th post-operative days, the rats were sacrificed and anastomotic bursting pressures were measured. Hydroxyproline contents were studied on the tissues from the anastomotic line. Three anastomotic segments were saved from each group for histopathological studies before bursting pressure measurement. RESULTS: The bursting pressure in group 3 was significantly weaker than in the other groups. There were no significant differences between the bursting pressures in groups 1 and 4. The levels of hydroxyproline content in group 4 were significantly greater than in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the local injection of rhGM-CSF improves the healing of ischemic and even normal colon anastomoses.

Nocardia farcinica brain abscess: a case report and review of the literature.

Nocardia infection is not rare as generally been assumed and its mortality rate is high. It is isolated from plants and soil in most regions of the world. The hosts usually have predisposing conditions and the infection is acquired through the respiratory tract or skin. Nocardial organisms have a tendency to disseminate hematogenously from the primary site of infection to brain, kidney, joints, bones and eyes. Sulfonamides are preferred empirically for the treatment. Because of high relapse rates, the treatment must be continued for 12 months. In nocardia farcinica infection, the characteristic resistance pattern to cephalosporines must be kept in mind. In this article, a rare case of nocardia farcinica infection with a solitary cerebral abscess is presented and the literature is reviewed.

A hydatid cyst of the thyroid gland.

Echinococcosis, although eradicated in many countries, is still widespread in communities in which agriculture is dominant, and cystic hydatidosis is a significant public health problem in regions where echinococcosis is endemic. Hydatid cysts may be found in almost any part of the body, but most often in the liver and lungs. Other organs affected occasionally include the brain, muscle, kidney, bone, heart and pancreas. This report documents a rare case with a cystic nodule in the thyroid detected by ultrasonography. The patient was a 40-year-old woman with an euthyroid multinodular goitre. Ultrasonography revealed a cystic nodule, and the ultrasonic appearance of the cyst liquid showed multiple echoes, suggesting that the nodule could be a hydatid cyst. Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. Postoperative examination of the nodule showed it to be a solitary primary thyroid hydatid cyst.

Primary omentitis as a cause of acute abdomen.

A 5-year-old boy admitted with localized lower abdominal pain and tenderness simulating acute appendicitis underwent surgery, and primary omentitis without appendicitis or other cause of an acute abdomen was diagnosed. The absence of other concomitant signs and symptoms of acute abdomen was remarkable. This is the first case of primary omentitis as a cause of acute abdomen in the English-language literature.

Epidermoid cyst of the cecum.

An epidermoid cyst of the cecum is reported in an 8-year-old girl who presented with vague abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound scan showed a mass that was cystic in nature. During operation, a subserosal cystic mass was found in the wall of the cecum and confirmed to be an epidermoid cyst histopathologically. This is the first case of epidermoid cyst of the cecum in children reported in the literature.

Prognostic importance of lymphatic reaction pattern in laryngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Cervical lymph node status is a widely accepted important prognostic parameter in laryngeal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed neck specimens of 46 laryngeal carcinoma patients operated in our clinic. Presence of neck metastasis and pattern of reactivity in nonmetastatic nodes was correlated with recurrence and survival during a follow-up period of at least 2 years. RESULTS: Fourteen of the patients had at least one metastatic node and survival was 64%; 32 of the patients had reactional nodes only and the survival was 81%. Pattern of lymph node reactivity was evaluated as stimulated in type I (lymphocyte predominance) and type II (germinal center predominance); as unstimulated in type III (histiocytosis and/or normal) and type IV (lymphocyte depletion). Thirty two neck [-] patients had reactional nodes--16 of them were classified as stimulated and 16 of them as unstimulated; the 2-year survivals were 94% and 68%, respectively. In the 14 patients with cervical metastasis (classified according to nonmetastatic reactional nodes) 9 were stimulated and 5 were unstimulated with 2-year survivals of 100% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Stimulated lymphatic pattern reflects a better prognosis, especially in N+ neck laryngeal cancer patients.

Placental aging, fetal prognosis and fetomaternal Doppler indices.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible effects of the morphological changes in the placenta on fetal prognosis and on umbilical artery and uterine artery Doppler indices in late, low-risk pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Placental changes were evaluated ultrasonographically and pathologically in 224 pregnant women after the 25th gestational week. The placental morphology were graded ultrasonographically into five subgroups according to increasing severity of the changes. Postnatally, the neonate was examined, Apgar scores, and adverse events if any, were noted. Placentas with infarction, decidual necrosis, ischemic villitis, chorioangioma, placenta previa or placental abruption and high risk pregnancies were excluded. RESULTS: There were 21, 38, 52, 56 and 57 cases in grades I, II, III, IV, and V respectively. Apgar scores of the babies in all placental grades were similar (P>0.05). In all cases, Doppler indices of both uterine and umbilical artery were within normal limits. No significant association between placental morphological characteristics and Doppler indices of either uterine or umbilical arteries could be demonstrated. There was no correlation between Apgar scores and morphological characteristics of the placenta or Doppler indices. CONCLUSIONS: Morphological changes of placental aging are common and seem to have no effect on fetus and on Doppler flow of the umbilical and uterine arteries, provided these are not high-risk pregnancies and placental changes are not infarction, villitis or severe structural or localization anomaly.

A malignant mixed gonadal stromal tumour of the testis with heterologous components.

We report a case of malignant mixed gonadal stromal tumour in the testis, which consisted of epithelial heterologous components and metastasized to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The primary lesion and biopsy of the retroperitoneal metastases showed predominance of the Sertoli cell component. The patient was put on chemotherapy.