Resveratrol prevents acute renal injury in a model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the biochemical and histopathological effects of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) model in rats, and to investigate the potential protective role of resveratrol. METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups-control, I/R, sham (I/R + solvent/dimethyl sulfoxide), and I/R + resveratrol. The control group underwent midline laparotomy only. In the other groups, infrarenal vascular clamps were attached following 60-min shock to the abdominal aorta. Ischemia was applied for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min. In the I/R + resveratrol group, intraperitoneal 10 mg/kg resveratrol was administered 15 min prior to ischemia and immediately before reperfusion. The I/R + dimethyl sulfoxide group received dimethyl sulfoxide, and the I/R group was given saline solution. All animals were sacrificed by exsanguination from the carotid artery at the end of the experiment. In addition to histopathological examination of the rat kidney tissues, malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, and nitric oxide levels were also investigated. RESULTS: A decrease in glutathione, catalase and nitric oxide levels, together with increases in malondialdehyde levels, numbers of apoptotic renal tubular cells, caspase-3 levels, and tubular necrosis scores, were observed in the IR and I/R + dimethyl sulfoxide groups. In contrast, resveratrol increased glutathione, catalase and nitric oxide levels in renal tissues exposed to I/R, while reducing malondialdehyde levels, apoptotic renal tubular cell numbers, caspase-3 levels, and tubular necrosis scores. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that resveratrol can be effective against I/R-related acute kidney damage developing during RAAA surgery by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Performance of ozone and peroxone on the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) coupled with cost analysis.

Micropollutants such as endocrine disruptors are one of the most important groups of chemicals polluting water resources. Conventional treatment systems may not be effective for the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and the fate of these chemicals should be carefully monitored in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Additional treatment methods such as advanced oxidation processes can be used for the removal of endocrine disruptors. This study presents the existence of endocrine disruptors in 4 different effluents: (i) municipal WWTP effluent, (ii) textile industry WWTP effluent, (iii) organized industrial zone (OIZ) WWTP effluent and (iv) pharmaceutical industry discharge and also presents their removal efficiencies by ozonation and peroxone oxidation. A broad spectrum of removal efficiencies was observed for the EDCs present in the samples since the oxidation efficiency of wastewaters containing EDCs mainly depends on the wastewater matrix and on the type of the EDCs. Ozonation was found to be a lower-cost option than peroxone oxidation at the investigated conditions.

Serum and urine TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as biomarkers of disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines that are considered as potential biomarkers reflecting disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of serum (s) and urine (u) levels of TWEAK, MCP-1 and NGAL with disease activity in both renal and extra-renal SLE. METHODS: Thirty active patients with SLE (15 renal and 15 extra-renal) were recruited. Thirty-one inactive patients with SLE (16 renal and 15 extra-renal), 14 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) all of whom had active renal involvement and 20 healthy volunteers were selected as control groups. Serum and urine levels of TWEAK, MCP-1 and NGAL were tested using ELISA. RESULTS: Serum and urine levels of TWEAK and NGAL were significantly higher in the active SLE group compared to the inactive SLE group (sTWEAK p = 0.005; uTWEAK p = 0.026; sNGAL p < 0.001; uNGAL p = 0.002), whilst no significant differences regarding serum and urine MCP-1 levels were observed (p = 0.189 and p = 0.106, respectively). uTWEAK (p = 0.237), sMCP-1 (p = 0.141), uMCP-1 (p = 0.206), sNGAL (p = 0.419) and uNGAL (p = 0.443) levels did not differ between patients with active renal and extra-renal SLE. Serum TWEAK was higher in patients with active renal SLE (p = 0.006). There were no differences between active renal SLE and active renal AAV. Levels of all biomarkers were correlated with the SLE Disease Activity Index. CONCLUSION: sTWEAK, uTWEAK, sNGAL and uNGAL are biomarkers showing disease activity in SLE. However, our results implicate that these biomarkers may not be specific for SLE, and can be elevated in patients with active renal involvement of AAV.

Evaluation of shear bond strength of zirconia-based monolithic CAD-CAM materials to resin cement after different surface treatments.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the shear bond strength of resin cement to zirconia-based monolithic CAD-CAM materials subjected to different surface treatments. METHODS: 2 brands of monolithic zirconia blocks (Vita YZ HT, Sirona inCoris TZI), yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (IPS e.max ZirCAD) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (Vita Suprinity) were divided into six groups according to the surface treatment received: no treatment (control), HF acid etching, sandblasting, sandblasting + Er:YAG laser irradiation, Er:YAG laser irradiation and CoJet. Composite resin cylinders were bonded to blocks with self-adhesive resin cement (Theracem). Shear bond strength was evaluated after thermocyling. Failure modes were examined using SEM. Data was analyzed statistically by using 2-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test (P < 0,05). RESULTS: The bond strength was significantly affected by the surface treatment and the type of CAD-CAM blocks (P < 0,001). Surface treatment with CoJet revealed significantly higher bond strength compared to sandblasting in Y-TZP and monolithic zirconia specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Monolithic zirconia blocks showed higher bond strength values compared to Y-TZP zirconia block in sandblasting and CoJet groups. HF acid etching is more effective than sandblasting and CoJet for Vita Suprinity.

Evaluation of shear bond strength of zirconia-based monolithic CAD-CAM materials to resin cement after different surface treatments

Objective: To compare the shear bond strength of resin cement to zirconia-based monolithic CAD-CAM materials subjected to different surface treatments. Methods: 2 brands of monolithic zirconia blocks (Vita YZ HT, Sirona inCoris TZI), yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (IPS e.max ZirCAD) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (Vita Suprinity) were divided into six groups according to the surface treatment received: no treatment (control), HF acid etching, sandblasting, sandblasting + Er:YAG laser irradiation, Er:YAG laser irradiation and CoJet. Composite resin cylinders were bonded to blocks with self-adhesive resin cement (Theracem). Shear bond strength was evaluated after thermocyling. Failure modes were examined using SEM. Data was analyzed statistically by using 2-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test (P < 0,05). Results: The bond strength was significantly affected by the surface treatment and the type of CAD-CAM blocks (P < 0,001). Surface treatment with CoJet revealed significantly higher bond strength compared to sandblasting in Y-TZP and monolithic zirconia specimens. Conclusions: Monolithic zirconia blocks showed higher bond strength values compared to Y-TZP zirconia block in sandblasting and CoJet groups. HF acid etching is more effective than sandblasting and CoJet for Vita Suprinity

Turkish health field periodical editors' Views on publication process and ethical problems.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed in this study to investigate views and suggestions of health field editors about the publication process and ethical problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 42 journal editors who accepted to participate in the study. The data were collected through 70-item "Editor Views Questionnaire" which was developed by the researchers in line with the related literature. RESULTS: The editors who participated in the study were asked about their views about the most common problems they encountered related to publication ethics; the top three problems indicated by the editors included unjustified authorship (40.5%), duplicate publication (33.3%), and falsification (26.2%). An analysis of the problems encountered in the initial evaluation stage revealed the top three issues as articles that did not follow the writing rules of the journal (33.3%), unqualified articles (30.1%), and negligence of the author(s) (14.3%). Views in relation to the problems about the referee evaluation stage included evaluations that were not completed within the time given (28.6%), insufficient importance attached to the evaluation (23.9%), and inability to find sufficient number of referees (16.7%). CONCLUSION: some editors were found to encounter violation of publication ethics, to experience problems in the revision stage, and not to feel fully independent in their contribution to article publication and thus the improvement of the journal quality. Identification of journal editors' views and problems is an important step for the solution to these problems; it could thus contribute to improving the quality of publication process and journal quality.

The frequency of hematuria in acne vulgaris patients during isotretinoin treatment.

BACKGROUND: Systemic isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The most common side effects are mucocutaneous ones. Hematuria seen secondary to isotretinoin treatment is thought to be due to mucosal dryness in the urinary system. This study aims to determine the frequency of hematuria in acne vulgaris patients during isotretinoin treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eighty-eight subjects aged 16-32 years were included in the study group and 52 subjects were in the control group. The subjects were treated for 6 months and were monitored monthly by complete urine analyzes. They were also examined each month in terms of cheilitis, xerosis, epistaxis, rectal bleeding, fatigue, myalgia, weight loss, dry eye, conjunctivitis, headache, dysuria and pollakiuria. RESULTS: In the study group, 15 subjects (17%) had hematuria at least once during the study, and in the control group, four subjects (7.7%) had hematuria. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.118). Among the subjects who had hematuria, 11 of them (73.3%) were female and four of them (33.3%) were male in the study group while all the subjects with hematuria in the control group were female. Hematuria and gender did not show a statistically significant correlation. CONCLUSION: Hematuria was observed in 17% of the study group; this frequency rate was not different from that of the normal population. In subjects having isotretinoin treatment, if all the other reasons or disorders are excluded, one must keep in mind that hematuria may be due to isotretinoin use.

The validity of eight neoclassical facial canons in the Turkish adults.

The neoclassical canons were used to define the proportions between various areas of the head and face. Therefore, this study was done to establish the neoclassical canons of facial proportions in Turkish adults. A total of 200 healthy adults 20 to 35 years of age were examined. Using anthropometric landmarks, 5 horizontal and 9 vertical direct measurements were made on the faces with a sliding calliper. Results have been compared with 8 neoclassical facial canons. When comparing between sexes, a significant difference has been found in all measurements except the upper facial width, left eye-fissure width, forehead height I and II (p < 0.005). The nasofacial proportion has been found to include the most proportional subjects (33%) followed by the orbito-nasal (30%), the orbital proportion (25%) and the naso-oral proportion (17%) in the female. Considering the male, the orbital proportion has been found to include the most proportional subjects (23%) followed by the orbito-nasal proportion (21%), naso-facial proportion (19%) and the naso-oral proportion (17%). The neoclassical canons have been shown to rarely be applicable to Turkish adults and our results may contribute to determine the concepts of transcultural facial structures.

Activity of dental pulp cells in semisolid 3D cultures initiated by transforming growth factor-ß1 and bone morphogenetic protein 2, 4.

The intention of this study was to investigate the effect of modified 3D culture conditions on dental pulp cells (DPCs). DPCs were isolated from extracted primary molar, premolar, and wisdom teeth. Tooth samples were divided into three groups as control group; plated into methyl cellulose medium without any supplementation, growth factor (GF) group; supplemented with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2, BMP4), transforming growth factor—β1 (TGF—β1) and growth factor+conditioned medium (GF+CM) group; supplemented with both growth factors and pulp conditioned medium. The DPCs were tested for colony forming ability, proliferation capacity and morphology. The highest colony forming ability was detected in the GF and GF+CM groups of DPCs isolated from wisdom teeth. The proliferation capacity was higher in GF+CM group of DPCs isolated from primary molars, and in GF and GF+CM groups of DPCs isolated from wisdom teeth. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of the wisdom teeth samples showed cell—cell interactions in the GF and GF+CM groups. Our results indicate that growth factors and pulp conditioned medium in methyl cellulose culture created proper environment to follow the behavior of dental cells three—dimensionally.

Acute high dose-fentanyl exposure produces hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is well known complication of acute high dose and chronic opioid therapy. In this study, we evaluated development of opioid-induced hyperalgesia following intraoperative short-term use of µ-opioid agonist fentanyl after coronary artery bypass surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery is divided into two groups. In group I (low dose), anesthesia was induced with propofol 1-2.5 mg/kg and fentanyl 2 mcg/kg, in group II (high dose) fentanyl 40-70 mcg/kg was used. In group I, propofol 5-10 mg/kg/h, fentanyl 1-3 mcg/kg/h, in group II fentanyl 5-10 mcg/kg/h was used for maintenance of anesthesia. The tactile and thermal thresholds were measured before surgery and in 1st, 3rd and 7th postoperative days by using Von Frey filaments and a thermal source, respectively. RESULTS: Tactile thresholds were significantly decreased at the first (6,08±0.21 and 3.76±0.13 g; p<0.001) and third (6.76±0.24 and 4.96±0.16 g; p<0.001) postoperative days compared to baseline preoperative values (7.72±0.26, and 7.60±0.21 g; p=816) in two groups. Postoperative 1st (13.45±0.33 and 10.05±0.24 sec; p<0.001) and 3rd day (14.77±0.28 and 13.17±0.26 sec; p<0.001) assessments showed a statistically significant thermal hyperalgesia compared to the preoperative baseline values (16.67±0.51 and 16.45±0.42 sec; p=0.997) in two groups. This decrease in both tactile and thermal thresholds returned to baseline control values at the 7th day of measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery receiving fentanyl anesthesia developed postoperative tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia and this was more prominent in high dose group.

Comparison between low flow sevoflurane anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia during intermediate-duration surgery: effects on renal and hepatic toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Renal and hepatic dysfunction or injury might be involved by ether based anesthetic and intravenous anesthetic drug or surgical stress. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of moderate duration low-flow sevoflurane versus total intravenous anesthesia on renal and hepatic functions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty (80) patients between the ages of 25-70 scheduled for elective lumbar disc herniotomy, with an expected operation time of 120-240 min, were enrolled in the study. Anesthesia was induced using remifentanil, propofol and atracurium. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. After intubation, Group S (n=40) received sevoflurane and Group T (n=40) received total intravenous anesthesia with propofol in oxygen and air with a fresh gas flow of 5 L min(?1). Ten minutes after induction the fresh gas flow was decreased to 1L min(?1) in both groups. Serum BUN, creatinine, ALT, AST, LDH and 24 hours excretion of glucose, protein, and creatinine in urine were measured preoperatively and the first three postoperative days. RESULTS: Serum BUN at 48 hours, creatinine at 24, 48. hours, and urine glucose at 24, and 48 hours were significantly higher from the preoperative values in Group S (p<0.05). However, serum BUN and creatinin, urine glucose were within the normal range. There were no significant differences in the renal and hepatic function tests between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the renal and hepatic effect of moderate duration low-flow sevoflurane and total intravenous anesthesia is similar.

B-cell maturation and antibody responses in individuals carrying a mutated CD19 allele.

Homozygous CD19 mutations lead to an antibody deficiency due to disruption of the CD19 complex and consequent impaired signaling by the B-cell antigen receptor. We studied the effects of heterozygous CD19 mutations on peripheral B-cell development and antibody responses in a large family with multiple consanguineous marriages. Sequence analysis of 96 family members revealed 30 carriers of the CD19 mutation. Lymphocyte subset counts were not significantly different between carriers and noncarriers in three different age groups (0-10 years; 11-18 years; adults). B cells of carriers had reduced CD19 and CD21 median expression levels, and had reduced proportions of transitional (0-10 years) and CD5(+) B cells (adults). CD19 carriers did not show clinical signs of immunodeficiency; they were well capable to produce normal serum Ig levels and had normal responses to primary and booster vaccinations. The frequency of mutated Vκ alleles was not affected. Heterozygous loss of CD19 causes some changes in the naive B-cell compartment, but overall in vivo B-cell maturation or humoral immunity is not affected. Many antibody deficiencies are not monogenetic, but likely caused by a combination of multiple genetic variations. Therefore, functional analyses of immune cell function should be carried out to show whether heterozygous mutations contribute to disease.

A comparison of metronidazole 1% cream and pimecrolimus 1% cream in the treatment of patients with papulopustular rosacea: a randomized open-label clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: There are various treatment options available for rosacea, depending on the subtype, but treatment is still generally unsatisfactory. Some reports have indicated beneficial effects of topical pimecrolimus. AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus 1% cream and metronidazole 1% cream in the treatment of patients with papulopustular rosacea (PR). METHODS: A group of 49 patients with PR was investigated in this single-centre, randomized, open-label study. Patients were randomly assigned treatment with either pimecrolimus 1% cream or metronidazole 1% cream for 12 weeks. Response was evaluated by the inflammatory lesion count, the severity of facial erythema and telangiectasia, Physician's Global Assessment (PGA), and safety and tolerability at baseline and at weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12. RESULTS: In total, 48 patients completed the study. Both treatments were very effective in the treatment of PR. There were no significant differences between the treatments in inflammatory lesion counts, overall erythema severity scores and PGA evaluated from baseline to week 12 (P > 0.05). Neither treatment produced any clinically relevant improvement in telangiectasia. CONCLUSION: Pimecrolimus cream is no more efficacious than metronidazole cream in the treatment of PR.

The course of depressive symptoms in unipolar depressive disorder during electroconvulsive therapy: a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Research examining the course of depressive symptoms during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is relatively scarce. OBJECTIVE: To classify patients according to the course of their depressive symptoms while receiving ECT. METHODS: The sample consisted of 156 consecutive patients receiving ECT for unipolar depressive disorder. Depressive symptoms were measured weekly with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Latent class analysis was applied to identify distinct trajectories of symptom improvement. RESULTS: We identified five classes of different trajectories (improvement rates) of depressive symptoms, i.e. fast improvement (39 patients), intermediate improvement (47 patients), slow improvement (30 patients), slow improvement with delayed onset (18 patients), and finally a trajectory with no improvement (20 patients). The course of depressive symptoms at the end of the treatment within the trajectories of intermediate improvement, slow improvement and slow improvement with delayed onset, was still improving and did not achieve a plateau. CONCLUSION: The different courses of depressive symptoms during ECT probably contribute to mixed results of prediction studies of ECT outcome. Data suggest that for a large group of patients no optimal clinical endpoint can be identified, other than full remission or no improvement at all, to discontinue ECT.

Oxidative stress in acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is one of the common dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 32 patients with acne vulgaris in the patient group and 34 healthy adults in the control group. The parameters of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the venous blood of patients were measured spectrophotometrically. The values were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: The serum levels of MDA and XO activity in the patients with acne vulgaris were significantly higher than those of the controls. A significantly lower SOD and CAT activity was found in the patient group than in the control group. Although the patient group had higher serum levels of NO than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that oxidative damage may play a role in the pathogenesis of acne; therefore, significant alterations may occur in the antioxidant defence system.

Effect of oral administration of kefir on serum proinflammatory cytokines on 5-FU induced oral mucositis in patients with colorectal cancer.

In order to investigate the effect of kefir consumption on mucositis induced by 5-FU based chemotherapy (CT), we monitored the systemic immune response by measurement of the serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and we evaluated the anti-microbial effect of kefir with an agar diffusion method. Forty patients with colorectal cancer were included in this randomized prospective study. On the first 5 days of each CT cycle, the study group received oral lavage with kefir and then swallowed 250 ml of kefir while control group received oral lavage with 0.09% NaCl twice a day. Before and after every cycle of CT, the oral mucosa was assessed. Serum proinflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated before the initiation and after the third and the sixth cycle. Kefir was administered in 99 out of 205 courses. Mucositis developed in 27.3% of the courses given with kefir administration and in 21.7% of the courses given with 0.9% NaCl oral rinses. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). When we compared the serum proinflammatory cytokine levels of the two groups at the baseline and following the third and the sixth cycles, we again found no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Kefir consumption at the mentioned doses made no statistically significant effect on serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and on the incidence of mucositis development in cancer patients. Under in vitro conditions, kefir inhibits only Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Radiographic technical quality of root fillings performed by dental students in Turkey.

AIM: To evaluate the radiographic technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate students at a dentistry faculty in Turkey. METHODOLOGY: A random sample of 2000 records of patients who received dental treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Gazi between 2000 and 2003 was investigated. The final sample consisted of 1,893 root-filled teeth with 3,692 root canals in 1,654 dental patients. For each root-filled tooth, at least three periapical radiographs were examined: preoperative, working length determination and postoperative. The length, density and taper of root fillings were recorded. The length of root fillings was recorded as adequate, short or overfilled. Density of root fillings was recorded as adequate or inadequate. Taper of root fillings was recorded as adequate or inadequate. Results were evaluated statistically using one-way analysis of variance (anova) and chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine per cent, 53.2% and 68.3% of root fillings had adequate length, density and taper, respectively; only 33% of teeth fulfilled these three criteria at the same time. The relationship between the length, density and taper of the root filling and the presence of canal curvature was statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between maxillary and mandibular teeth according to the adequacy of the root fillings. The highest percentage of adequate root fillings was found in maxillary canines (51.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of adequate root fillings performed by undergraduate students was only 33%.