Evaluation of angles of the tracheobronchial tree with the 3-dimensional reconstruction method: a morphometric and radiologic study / Evaluación de los ángulos del árbol traqueobronquial con el método de reconstrucción tridimensional: un estudio morfométrico y radiológico

SUMMARY: The objective of the current research is to assess the branching angles of the tracheobronchial tree and the correlation between these angles and the lung volume using the 3-dimensional reconstruction method. Thorax CT (computed tomography) images of 150 individuals, who were over 18 years of age and did not have any pathology on CT, were obtained retrospectively. A 3-dimensional reconstruction of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs was carried out. External and internal angles between the trachea and main bronchi, between the main bronchi and lobar bronchi, and between the lobar bronchi were measured. The volume measurement of the right and left lungs was performed. The individuals included in the study were grouped by sex and age (20-40 years, 41-61 years, and 62-87 years). The left subcarinal angle (LSA), total subcarinal angle (TSA), and left interbronchial angle (LIA) were found to be greater in the 62-87 age group. Both the external angle (LULB-LMBE) and the internal angle (LULB- LMBI) between the left upper lobar bronchus and the left main bronchus were observed to be greater in males. In males, a statistically significant negative moderate correlation was identified between the right lung volume and the right subcarinal angle (RSA). In females, a statistically significant positive moderate correlation was revealed between the external (RULB-IBE) and internal angles (RULB-IBI) between the right upper lobar bronchus and the intermediate bronchus, and the right lung volume. In the literature review we performed, we did not find any studies investigating the correlation between the branching angles of the tracheobronchial tree and the lung volume using the 3-dimensional reconstruction method. Therefore, we are of the opinion that our study will contribute to the literature.

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar los ángulos de ramificación del árbol traqueobronquial y la correlación entre estos ángulos y el volumen pulmonar utilizando el método de reconstrucción tridimensional. Se obtuvieron retrospectivamente imágenes de tomografía computarizada de tórax de 150 individuos mayores de 18 años sin patología. Se realizó una reconstrucción tridimensional de la tráquea, los bronquios y los pulmones. Se midieron los ángulos externo e interno entre la tráquea y los bronquios principales, entre los bronquios principales y los bronquios lobares, y entre los bronquios lobares. Se realizó la medición del volumen de los pulmones derecho e izquierdo. Los individuos incluidos en el estudio fueron agrupados por sexo y edad (20-40 años, 41-61 años y 62-87 años). Se encontró que el ángulo subcarinal izquierdo, el ángulo subcarinal total y el ángulo interbronquial izquierdo eran mayores en el grupo de edad de 62 a 87 años. Tanto el ángulo externo (LULB-LMBE) como el ángulo interno (LULB-LMBI) entre el bronquio lobular superior izquierdo y el bronquio principal izquierdo era mayor en los hombres. En los hombres, se identificó una correlación moderada negativa estadísticamente significativa entre el volumen pulmonar derecho y el ángulo subcarinal derecho. En mujeres, se reveló una correlación positiva moderada estadísticamente significativa entre los ángulos externos (RULB-IBE) e internos (RULB-IBI) entre el bronquio lobar superior derecho y el bronquio intermedio, y el volumen pulmonar derecho. En la revisión bibliográfica que realizamos, no encontramos ningún estudio que analizara la correlación entre los ángulos de ramificación del árbol traqueobronquial y el volumen pulmonar utilizando el método de reconstrucción tridimensional. Por lo tanto, consideramos que nuestro estudio contribuirá a la literatura especializada del tema.

Morphometric examination of the trachea and bronchi in follow-up computed tomography scans of COVID-19 patients / Examen morfométrico de la tráquea y los bronquios en tomografías computarizadas de seguimiento de pacientes con COVID-19

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in the trachea and bronchi using 3-dimensional reconstruction images obtained from the initial and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans of COVID-19 patients. A hundred COVID-19 patients over the age of 18 were included in our study. CT images were transferred to Mimics software, and a 3-dimensional reconstruction of the trachea and bronchi was performed. The initial and follow-up CT images of COVID-19 patients were graded as none (grade 0), mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), and severe (grade 3) according to the total lung severity score. The patients were divided into progression and regression groups according to the grade increase/decrease between the initial and follow-up CTs. Moreover, the patients were divided into groups as 0-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 4-12 weeks, and over 12 weeks according to the duration between the initial and follow-up CTs. The mean cross-sectional area, circumference, and diameter measurements of the right upper lobar bronchus, intermediate bronchus, middle lobar bronchus, and left lower lobar bronchus decreased in the follow-up CTs of the progression group. This decrease was not found to be statistically significant. In the follow-up CTs of the regression group, the left upper lobar bronchus and left lower lobar bronchus measurements increased but not statistically significant. Upon comparing the onset of the disease and the follow-up period, statistically significant changes did not occur in the trachea, main bronchus, and lobar bronchus of COVID-19 patients.

El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar los cambios en la tráquea y los bronquios utilizando imágenes de reconstrucción tridimensionales obtenidas de las tomografías computarizadas (TC) iniciales y de seguimiento de pacientes con COVID-19. En nuestro estudio se incluyeron 100 pacientes con COVID-19 mayores de 18 años. Las imágenes de TC se transfirieron al software Mimics y se realizó una reconstrucción tridimensional de la tráquea y los bronquios. Las imágenes de TC iniciales y de seguimiento de los pacientes con COVID-19 se calificaron como ninguna (grado 0), leve (grado 1), moderada (grado 2) y grave (grado 3) según la puntuación total de gravedad pulmonar. Los pacientes se dividieron en grupos de progresión y regresión según el aumento/disminución del grado entre las TC iniciales y de seguimiento. Además, los pacientes se dividieron en grupos de 0 a 2 semanas, de 2 a 4 semanas, de 4 a 12 semanas y de más de 12 semanas según la duración entre la TC inicial y la de seguimiento. Las mediciones medias del área transversal, la circunferencia y el diámetro del bronquio lobar superior derecho, el bronquio intermedio, el bronquio lobar medio y el bronquio lobar inferior izquierdo disminuyeron en las TC de seguimiento del grupo de progresión. No se encontró que esta disminución fuera estadísticamente significativa. En las TC de seguimiento del grupo de regresión, las mediciones del bronquio lobar superior izquierdo y del bronquio lobar inferior izquierdo aumentaron pero no fueron estadísticamente significativas. Al comparar el inicio de la enfermedad y el período de seguimiento, no ocurrieron cambios estadísticamente significativos en la tráquea, el bronquio principal y el bronquio lobar de los pacientes con COVID-19.

Evaluation of the Trachea and Bronchi in COVID-19 Patients Using the 3-dimensional Reconstruction Method.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in the trachea and bronchi of COVID-19 patients using the 3-dimensional reconstruction images obtained from chest CT (computed tomography) scans. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Departments of Anatomy and Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkey, between March 2021 and January 2022. METHODOLOGY: There were 150 COVID-19 patients in the acute period and 150 individuals as the control group. The CT images were transferred to Mimics software, and a 3-dimensional reconstruction was performed. COVID-19 patients were grouped separately by gender, and their total lung severity score was classified as absent (Grade 0), mild (Grade 1), moderate (Grade 2), and severe (Grade 3). RESULTS: The cross-sectional area and diameter of the right upper lobar bronchus decreased as the grade increased (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). The circumference of the right upper lobar bronchus and the cross-sectional area and circumference of the left lower lobar bronchus were found to be narrower in Grade 1-2-3 COVID-19 patients compared to those of the control group (p<0.01, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively). The cross-sectional area, circumference, and diameter of the middle lobar bronchus were found to be narrower in Grade 3 COVID-19 patients (p<0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although mostly independent of the grade increase, narrowing of the trachea and bronchi was observed in COVID-19 patients in the acute period. Further research is required with to reveal whether the narrowings are permanent. KEY WORDS: COVID-19, Trachea, Bronchus, 3-dimensional reconstruction.

Optimal screw positioning in cervical pedicles to avoid complications.

BACKGROUND: Cervical instability can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, tumors, or infection. The cervical transpedicular screw (CPS) is one of the most modern procedures for treating cervical instability. Despite the fact that numerous innovative techniques for CPS have been proposed, the appropriate screw entry points and screw directions have yet to be thoroughly established. The aim of this study is to determine the screw insertion angles and screw entry point distances based on reference points, pedicle axis lengths, and pedicle axis intersections for each vertebra from cervical (C) C2 to C7 in both right and left by gender and age groups. METHODS: In this study, computed tomography (CT) images of patients who underwent cervical examination for any reason were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 100 patients (59 men and 41 females), ranging in age from 18 to 79 years (mean 43 years), were randomly selected for the study. Patients with a history of cervical pathology or surgery were excluded. CT images turned into 3D reconstructed images and density settings were made so that bone tissue could be best observed using OsiriX software. Pedicle axis length (PAL), pedicle transverse angle (PTA), pedicle sagittal angle (PSA), distance of screw entry point to lateral notch (DLN), distance of screw entry point to inferior articular process (DIAP), and pedicle axis intersections were measured. RESULTS: According to our findings, the optimal entry point should be 2-4 mm medial to the lateral notch and 8-12 mm superior to inferior articular process. PTA ranges between 30 to 45°, while PSA ranges between 11 to 15°. Except for the C2 pedicles, which were slightly shorter, the pedicle axis lengths (PAL) were similar from C3 to C7 in the total group. The intersection of the right and left pedicle axes was determined to be the most in C4 (51.21% in females and 72.88% in males). DISCUSSION: This study has shown that intersections of the pedicle axis must be considered in both genders, especially in C4. Standardizing optimal entry points and trajectories is crucial for improving the CPS technique's safety and effectiveness.

Comparison of Initial CT Findings and CO-RADS Stage in COVID-19 Patients with PCR, Inflammation and Coagulation Parameters in Diagnostic and Prognostic Perspectives.

Objectives: This study aims to determine whether COVID-19 patients with different initial reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), computed tomography (CT) and laboratory findings have different clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: In this multi-center retrospective cohort study, 895 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of COVID-19 were included. According to the RT-PCR positivity and presence of CT findings, the patients were divided into four groups. These groups were compared in terms of mortality and need for intensive care unit (ICU). According to the COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS), all patients' CT images were staged. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between CO-RADS and predictive inflammation and coagulation parameters. Results: RT-PCR test positivity was 51.5%, the CT finding was 70.7%, and 49.7% of the patients were in the CO-RADS 5 stage. The need for ICU and mortality rates was higher in the group with only CT findings compared to the group with only RT-PCR positivity, (14.9% vs. 4.0%, p < 0.001; 9.3% vs. 3.3%, p > 0.05; respectively). Mortality was 3.27 times higher in patients with CO-RADS 4 compared to those with CO-RADS 1-2. Being in the CO-RADS 4 stage and LDH were discovered to be the most efficient parameters in determining mortality risk. Conclusion: Performing only the RT-PCR test in the initial evaluation of patients in SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to overlooking groups that are more at risk for severe disease. The use of a chest CT to perform CO-RADS staging would be beneficial in terms of providing both diagnostic and prognostic information.

Evaluation of different intraarticular injection volumes to assess optimum efficient amount; an experimental study in rat knee joints.

INTRODUCTION: The injection amount of solutions differs in wide ranges, from 20 to 200 µL in intraarticular injections experiments that was carried out with rats. The 10-fold difference between applied volumes is not acceptable since injection errors might affect the outcomes of the studies significantly. The excessive amount of solution that was injected into the knee joint of rats might end up with leakage of the solution from injection aperture, and damage the articular structures etc. In our preliminary experiments, we mentioned problems during the injection of excessive amount of solution into the rat knee joint. The main purpose of the present study, which was performed with rat knee joints, was to evaluate the applicability of different amounts of solutions used in experiments and to determine the optimal volume for intraarticular injection in rats. METHODS: The volume of 100 µL water-based stain was administered into knee joints of non-living rats. The legs were dissected to evaluate the possible presence of injected solution outside the knee joint. Then, the decreasing volumes (100 µL, 50 µL, 40 µL and 30 µL) of X-ray contrast solution (lobitridol) were applied into the knees of living rats to investigate whether systemic circulation acts on the leakage outside the joint. The X-ray images of all these joints were also taken to confirm the results. RESULTS: In nonliving rats, the place where water-based strain overflow from the knee joint was pointed out. The place of leakage is where the tendo musculi extensor digitorum longus leaves outside the joint. In living rats, by using contrast solution, an overflow was noticed in the subdermal place with the intraarticular injection volumes of 100 µL, 50 µL, and 40 µL. No overflow was observed with the intraarticular injection volumes of 30 µL X-ray contrast solution. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, the injection volume for the knee joints of rats should not exceed the 30 µL for optimum efficiency.

Assessment rate of true dorsogluteal intramuscular drug injection using ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: Medications are generally administered by either the enteric or parenteral route. With parenteral administration, intramuscular (IM) is the preferred approach because it increases the bioavailability of the drug, acts more quickly than the enteric route. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of true dorsogluteal intramuscular drug injection and to determine the causes for application failures in practice by ultrasonography (US). METHODS: The study was conducted from May 1 to May 30, 2017 in Giresun University Education and Research Hospital, Giresun, Turkey. We examined 60 patients who were administered dorsogluteal IM injection with a 38.1mm length needle. After the injection, localization of medications (whether intramuscular or subcutaneous adipose tissue [SAT]) was evaluated by Ultrasound. RESULTS: Female/male ratio of the patients was 27/33, with a mean age of 39.78±2.16 years. Obese/normal weight ratio was 20/40. The mean dorsogluteal area SAT thickness of obese and normal weight patients were 32.34±2.17 mm and 20.85±1.20 mm, respectively. In 23 of the patients, IM injected drug was observed in the SAT, while it was observed in the IM area in 37 patients. Medication was observed in IM area in 37 of 50 patients who dorsogluteal region SAT thickness was appropriate (SAT thickness lower than 33.1mm) for IM injection while it was seen in SAT area in 13 patients. CONCLUSIONS: SAT thickness values are important if IM drug injection is to be administered correctly. Unsuccessful IM injections may be seen even in patients with appropriate SAT thicknesses.

The breast lesion excision system procedure: An optimal solution for the management of indeterminate BI-RADS category 3 breast lesions in women with severe anxiety.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of the Breast lesion excision system (BLES) procedure as a primary excisional biopsy for the management of breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS) category 3, small, and solid breast lesions in women having severe breast cancer anxiety. METHODS: A retospective study was conducted on 68 patients who underwent a BLES procedure. The study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee of Yeni Yuzyil University in Istanbul, Turkey. The study was carried out according to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Small breast lesions removed using a (12, 15 or 20 mm) wand from September 2011 to November 2014. These were category 3 lesions as determined by ultrasound (US) imaging according to BI-RADS. The radiological and pathological sizes of these lesions, the complete excision rates, the procedure durations, the pathological diagnosis, the complications, and the imaging findings before and after the procedure were all recorded. RESULTS: All the patients had a benign pathology. The mean duration of procedure was 12 (range=8-22) minutes. There was no major complication during the procedure and in the following period. Only some small hematomas were determined in 3 (4.2%) patients, and no additional surgical intervention was performed. Conclusion: The BLES procedure is an optimal solution for the management of indeterminate BI-RADS category 3 breast lesions in women with severe anxiety.

Localization of orbit in patients with maxillary sinus hypoplasia: a radiological study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the medial and inferior localization of orbit in patients with maxillary sinus hypoplasia using paranasal computerized tomography. METHODS: We included 76 patients who had a hypoplastic maxillary sinus at least on one side, and 76 patients with normal maxillary sinuses (control group). To assess the localization of orbit, we measured the distances from middle meatal antrostomy point to medial border of orbital medial wall and to the lower border of orbital floor in all patients. We performed statistical comparisons between the groups. RESULTS: Of 76 patients, 26 (34.2%) had unilateral and 50 (65.8%) had bilateral maxillary hypoplasia. Of 126 maxillary sinuses, 70 (55.6%) was type 1, 42 (33.3%) was type 2 and 14 (11.1%) was type 3 hypoplastic. The mean distance from antrostomy point to lamina papyracea was 4.36 ± 2.62 mm in the hypoplasia group, and 1.08 ± 1.7 mm in the control group. The mean distance from antrostomy point to orbital floor was 1.53 ± 1.73 mm in the hypoplasia group, and 1.87 ± 1.96 mm in the control group. Lamina papyracea showed a significant medial localization in the maxillary hypoplasia group as compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The orbit has a medial localization in patients with maxillary sinus hypoplasia resulting in a higher complication risk during endoscopic sinus surgery.

Effectiveness of Computed Tomography Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy for Osteoid Osteoma: Initial Results and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study is to determine our experience of technique success rate, complications and clinical results in long term follow up for computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation [RA] therapy for osteoid osteoma (OO). MATERIAL/METHODS: We performed RA therapy to 18 patients with OO referred to interventional radiology from other clinics primarily from orthopedics; between January 2011 to May 2014. Daytime and nighttime pain intensity of 18 patients was noted according to visual analog scale (VAS). After procedure pain intensity was compared with before one. We also discussed other factors can affect it. RESULTS: All procedures were completed technically successful for all patients [100%]. We did not experience any major complication or mortality. However we had 3 minor complications. Pain came back in 1 patient after 5 months from procedure and it was considered as recurrence. Dramatic pain intensity fall was seen in patients after procedure, both daytime and nighttime. However we did not find and statistically significant change in comparison of pain intensity reduce and time needed to return back to routine life when using patients demographic data and lesion size. CONCLUSIONS: CT guided RA therapy of OO is minimally invasive, effective and secure procedure.

Investigation of grapevine photosynthesis using hyperspectral techniques and development of hyperspectral band ratio indices sensitive to photosynthesis.

The photosynthetic rate of 9 different grapevines were analyzed with simultaneous photosynthesis and spectroradiometric measurements on 08.08.2012 (veraison) and 06.09.2012 (harvest). The wavelengths and spectral regions, which most properly express photosynthetic rate, were determined using correlation and regression analysis. In addition, hyperspectral band ratio (BR) indices sensitive to photosynthesis were developed using optimum band ratio (OBRA) method. The relation of BR results with photosynthesis values are presented with the correlation matrix maps created in this study. The examinations were performed for both specific dates (i.e., veraison and harvest) and also in aggregate (i.e., correlation between total spectra and photosynthesis data). For specific dates wavelength based analysis, the photosynthesis were best determined with -0.929 correlation coefficient (r) 609 nm of yellow region at veraison stage, and -0.870 at 641 nm of red region at harvest stage. For wavelength based aggregate analysis, 640 nm of red region was found to be correlated with 0.921 and -0.867 r values respectively and red edge (RE) (695 nm) was found to be correlated with -0.922 and -0.860 r values, respectively. When BR indices results were analyzed with photosynthetic values for specific dates, -0.987 r with R8../R, at veraison stage and -0.911 r with R696/R944 at harvest stage were found most correlated. For aggregate analysis of BR, common BR presenting great correlation with photosynthesis for both measurements was found to be R632/R971 with -0.974, -0.881 r values, respectively and other R610/R760 with -0.976, -0.879 r values. The final results of this study indicate that the proportion of RE region to a region with direct or indirect correlation with photosynthetic provides information about rate of photosynthesis. With the indices created in this study, the photosynthesis rate of vineyards can be determined using in-situ hyperspectral remote sensing. The findings of this study would enable cost-efficient, rapid and effective control of viticulture activities.

Successful intracavitary tissue plasminogen activator treatment of gastrocnemius intramuscular hematoma in a patient following anticoagulant therapy with warfarin: case report.

Warfarin is an anticoagulant used in a variety of clinical indications and may rarely cause severe bleeding that can be life-threatening. Although intramuscular bleeding frequently occurs, secondary to trauma, it can be induced in cases with bleeding tendency. Hematoma is often treated with conventional methods. However, surgical decompression can also be applied. In this article, we report a case of gastrocnemius intramuscular hematoma, which was successfully treated with intracavitary tissue plasminogen activator that was recently used in the treatment of abdominal and pelvic abscess.

Real-time ultrasound elastography for the differentiation of malignant and benign masses in the head and neck.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate head and neck masses with real-time elastography to differentiate malignant masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012, a total of 51 patients with a palpable mass in the neck region were included in this study. Excisional histopathologic data were compared with elastographic results and Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: The study group comprised 27 males (52.9%) and 24 females (47.1%) (mean [SD] age, 41.47 [19.59] y; range, 4-80 y). Fourteen masses were malignant (27.5%) and 37 were benign (72.5%). Comparing the elastographic results of benign and malignant masses, elastographic scores of the malignant masses were significantly higher than those of the benign masses (P < 0.005).The elastographic scores were divided into 2 groups: 34 (91.9%) patients with the diagnosis of benign mass had the score of 1 to 2, whereas 9 (64.3%) patients with the diagnosis of malignant cases had the score of 3 to 4. There was a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.005).However, 2 squamous cell carcinomas (28.6%) and 1 lymphoma (8.1%) were diagnosed with an elastographic score of 1 (Table 2). This showed that even an elastographic score of 1 was not enough to issue a diagnosis of benign masses. CONCLUSIONS: With improvements in the device and increased experience, this modality can become a useful tool for the routine use. However, this modality cannot be used for screening to merely provide additional information about the nature of the masses.

Investigation of the nerve distribution pattern of leg muscles in rat.

Information about the distribution of intramuscular nerve fibres within the skeletal muscles will enhance the understanding of their morphological structure and functions. This study was designed to examine the entire intramuscular nerve distribution pattern in rat leg muscles. The tibialis cranialis, tibialis caudalis, extensor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius, peroneus longus and brevis muscles were dissected from origo and insertion points under a surgical microscope in seven rats. These skeletal muscles from right hindlimbs were stained with Sihler's stain. The diameter of extramuscular and major nerve branches, number of major and minor nerve branches and anastomoses were measured and photographed under a stereomicroscope. In addition, serial sections were obtained from the left hindlimb muscles with S100 immunohistochemical staining and transferred to the computer to reconstruct images. A significant difference was found between the gastrocnemius and tibialis caudalis (p < 0.001), flexor digitorum longus and tibialis caudalis (p < 0.003), and peroneus longus and tibialis caudalis (p < 0.049) with regard to the diameter of major branches. The gastrocnemius was significantly different from the flexor digitorum longus, peroneus longus, extensor digitorum longus, tibialis caudalis and tibialis cranialis with regard to the number of minor nerve branches (p < 0.001). Knowledge of the branching pattern and some key landmarks, such as the number and diameter of major and minor nerve branches and the number of anastomoses between the nerve branches of skeletal muscles, is helpful in surgical or therapeutic interventions and botulinum toxin injections in areas of high extramuscular and intramuscular nerve density.

The effect of valproic acid and oxcarbazepine on the distribution of adhesion molecules in embryo implantation.

This study was intended to investigate the effect of valproate (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) on embryo implantation in terms of extracellular matrix protein distribution. Thirty female rats (Wistar albino) were assigned to three groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 was administered two doses of saline solution, group 2, two doses of VPA at 300 mg/kg/day and group 3, two doses of OXC at 100mg/kg/day, for a period of 3 months. Female rats with vaginal plugs mated with males for one night were placed into separate cages. Day of mating was taken as day 0, and implantation areas were obtained with rats being sacrificed on the morning of day 7. Immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopic protocols were then applied. At electron microscopic evaluation, extraembryonic endoderm and ectoderm layers could not be distinguished in semi-thin sections in the VPA group, while they were partially differentiated in the OXC group. At immunohistochemical staining, laminin was observed in the primary embryonic endoderm cell visceral and parietal layers, the uterine luminal epithelial cells and the secondary decidual zone in the control group. In the VPA group, it was weakly expressed in some embryo trophoectoderm cells and uterine luminal epithelial cells and moderately in some decidual cells. In the OXC group, it was moderately expressed in some trophoectoderm and decidual cells. Collagen IV was localized in the ectoplacental cone cells and secondary decidual zone and weak in the luminal epithelial cells in the control group. In the VPA and OXC groups, collagen IV was negative in all embryonic and maternal structures in the VPA and OXC groups. Vimentin was moderately expressed in the luminal epithelium and strongly expressed in the primary decidual zone and ectoplacental cone cells in the control group. In the VPA group, it was negative in the embryo trophoectoderm, decidual and uterine luminal epithelial cells, while in the OXC group it was moderately localized in the ectoplacental cone cells. The use of VPA and OXC has a negative effect on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins that play a key role in embryo implantation in young rats. This may lead to pregnancies ending in failure.

Effects of chronic treatment with valproate and oxcarbazepine on testicular development in rats.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the potential effects of valproate (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) on testicular development in rats. METHODS: Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 14 rats each. Each group received the following via gavage over 90 days: group 1, tap water (control group); group 2, VPA (300mg/kg/day); group 3, OXC (100mg/kg/day). After sacrifice, body, testicular and epididymidis weights were measured. Testes were sampled, fixed and processed, and quantitative morphometric analysis of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids was performed in stages II, V and XII by histopathological examination. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to transform growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) and p53, and the apoptotic index was assessed using the TUNEL method. RESULTS: Testis and relative testis weights were significantly lower in the VPA group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocyte and round spermatocyte numbers decreased in all stages in both the VPA and OXC groups compared to the control group, though this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Apoptotic cell counts and p53 immunoreaction were significantly high and TGF-ß1 expression was significantly lower in the VPA group compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). In the OXC group, p53 immunoreaction and TGF-ß1 expression decreased compared to the control group, but this difference did not attain statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that VPA treatment from prepuberty to adulthood significantly negatively affects spermatogenesis, not only by reducing testicular weight, but also by increasing apoptotic death and p53 and decreasing TGF-ß1 activation. OXC has a minimal side effect on testicular development.

Methylphenidate has dose-dependent negative effects on rat spermatogenesis: decreased round spermatids and testicular weight and increased p53 expression and apoptosis.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of methylphenidate on rat testes. Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly distributed into three experimental groups of 14 rats each. For 90 days, each group via gavage received the following: group 1 = tap water (control group), group 2 = 5 mg/kg/day of ritalin (methylphenidate, MPH), and group 3 = 10 mg/kg/day of ritalin. After sacrificing the animals, the body weights as well as the absolute and relative testicular weights were measured. Testes were sampled, fixed, and processed and, by histopathological examination, quantitative morphometric analysis of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes, and spermatids was performed in stages II, V, and XII. Immunohistochemistry was performed for transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 and p53, and the apoptotic index was assessed through the TUNEL method. Group 2 had a reduction of round spermatids in stage II. Group 3 had reduction in both stage II and stage V spermatids, as well as lower testicular weight. The p53 expression was increased in group 3. In groups 2 and 3, the TGF-ß1 expression was reduced and the apoptotic index by TUNEL was increased. Body weights remained stable on either group. Our results showed that methylphenidate might negatively affect spermatogenesis not only by reducing testicular weight and amount of round spermatids but also by increasing apoptotic death and p53 activation. The findings of the study, however, must be cautiously interpreted.

The prevalence and effects of Pectus Excavatum and Pectus Carinatum on the respiratory function in children between 7-14 years old.

The study involved 1342 primary school students aged 7-14 years who applied to Ankara, a primary care center for general health check-up between 2006 and 2007. Forty-three students, 35 of whom had PE and 8 of whom had PC, were subjected to thorax measurement. All 43 students underwent pulmonary function tests (PFT).The prevalence rate of PC was 0.6%, and of PE, 2.6%. The thorax widths of the groups were similar (P = 0.273). The thorax circumference and depth of PE group were lower than those of the controls (P < 0.05). The probability rate of abnormality in PFT scores of PE group was statistically significantly higher than that of the controls (P = 0.022) whereas absence of normal PFT scores the difference between PC group and the controls was not statistically significant (p = 0.095). The results indicate that more than half of the individuals with pectus deformity do not have any physical complaints and do not have statistically significant differences in their PFT parameters.

Is there any possible genotoxic effect in exfoliated bladder cells of rat under the exposure of 1800 MHz GSM-like modulated radio frequency radiation (RFR)?

People are exposed to many carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals in their everyday lives. These include antineoplastic drugs, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)s, aromatic amines, nitrosamines, metals, and electromagnetic radiation. Based on the state of knowledge acquired during the last 50 years of research on possible biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), the majority of the scientific community is convinced that exposure to EMF below the existing security limits does not cause a risk to the health of the general public. However, this position is questioned by others, who are of the opinion that the available research data are contradictory or inconsistent and, therefore, unreliable. In this study, we aimed to investigate if there is any effect of 1800 MHz GSM modulated radio frequency radiation (RFR) on the number of micronucleus in exfoliated bladder cells of rat which will be informative about the genotoxic damage. Exposure period was 20 min/day, 5 days/week during a month. Six female Wistar rats were used for two groups: Group I (n=6): controls; Group II (n=6): 1.8 GHz exposed animals. 1800 MHz RFR did not showed a significant MN frequencies in rat bladder cells when compared with the control group (p>0.05). 1800 MHz RFR-exposed animals did not produce any genotoxic effect when compared with the control group ( p>0.05). Kinetic studies are important for any biomarker, especially those in which tissue differentiation and maturation processes will heavily influence the time between induction of damage and collection of damaged cells for micronucleus analysis.