The effects of orchiectomy and steroid on fertility in experimental testicular atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Despite our understanding of Sertoli cell function and the state of spermatogenesis, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study was conducted to compare the effects of orchiectomy and steroid treatment on fertility in testicular atrophy occurring after testicular torsion. METHODS: Thirty-three rats were divided into four groups. The atrophy, orchiectomy, and atrophy-steroid groups each contained nine rats, while the control group contained six. The left testes were rotated 720º, and atrophy was observed. In the atrophy-steroid rats, orchiectomy was performed after atrophy, and 1 mg/kg steroid was injected. Each male rat was housed with five female rats for 6 days. The fertility of the male rats was evaluated based on the pregnancy of the female rats. Left and right orchiectomies were performed to determine the tissue Johnsen score (JS) and the serum inhibin B (IB) level. RESULTS: JS values were significantly lower in the atrophy, orchiectomy, and atrophy-steroid groups than in the control group (p<0.05), while no significant difference was observed in JS between the atrophy and orchiectomy groups (p>0.05). Similarly, no significant differences in IB level or fertility percentage were found between the atrophy and orchiectomy rats (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In unilateral testicular atrophy, which can occur in the prepubertal period due to various causes, orchiectomy does not appear to benefit fertility, as indicated by IB, JS, and the fertility percentage.

Prognostic importance of PTEN, EGFR, HER-2, and IGF-1R in gastric cancer patients treated with postoperative chemoradiation

Background/aim: This study aimed to describe the prognostic importance of epidermal growth factor (EGFR), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), human EGF receptor-2 (HER-2), and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) in gastric cancer patients treated with postoperative chemoradiation therapy. Materials and methods: Sixty-nine patients treated with adjuvant chemoradiation therapy were retrospectively evaluated. Tumor samples were stained immunohistochemically. Results: All patients were treated with 3D conformal radiation therapy with concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Perineural invasion (PNI) (P = 0.042), prechemoradiation therapy albumin levels below 3.5 mg/dL (P = 0.011), and EGFR positivity (P = 0.008) had negative effects on overall survival (OS). The median OS was 26 months for patients with PNI (+), 34.9 months for those with PNI (­), 19.5 months for those with albumin levels below 3.5 mg/dL, and 33.2 months for those with albumin levels above 3.5 mg/dL. IGF-1R (+) (P = 0.035) and history of cigarette smoking (P = 0.033) were observed to have a statistically significantly negative effect on disease-free survival (DFS). The median DFS was 29.2 months for IGF-1R (+) patients, 37.9 months for those with IGF-1R (-), and 26.3 and 40.59 months for smokers and nonsmokers, respectively. Conclusion: IGF-1R and EGFR may be used for patient selection in future prospective studies that evaluate the prognostic importance of these receptors.

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma, a rare tumor of the lung.

Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma (PSP) is a rare benign pulmonary tumor. Usually diagnosed incidentally by chest X-ray or chest CT scan. We presented a case of PSP in a 50-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a nodular lesion in the right lung. Thoracotomy was used for the excision of the mass. Pathologic examination revealed no malignant cells. Immunohistochemical studies were performed. TTF-1 was (+), Napsin-A was found to be weakly (+). After surgical resection, the patient was followed up.

Use of Systemic Rosmarinus Officinalis to Enhance the Survival of Random-Pattern Skin Flaps.

BACKGROUND: Skin flaps are commonly used in soft-tissue reconstruction; however, necrosis can be a frequent complication. Several systemic and local agents have been used in attempts to improve skin flap survival, but none that can prevent flap necrosis have been identified. AIMS: This study aims to determine whether the use of systemic Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) extract can prevent flap necrosis and improve skin flap recovery. STUDY DESIGN: Animal experimentation. METHODS: Thirty-five Wistar albino rats were divided in five groups. A rectangular random-pattern flaps measuring 8×2 cm was elevated from the back of each rat. Group I was the control group. In Group II, 0.2 ml of R. officinalis oil was given orally 2h before surgery. R. officinalis oil was then applied orally twice a day for a week. In Group III, R. officinalis oil was given orally twice a day for one week before surgery. At the end of the week, 0.2 mL of R. officinalis oil was given orally 2 h before surgery. In Group IV, 0.2 mL of R. officinalis oil was injected subcutaneously 2 h before surgery. After the surgery, 0.2 mL R. officinalis oil was injected subcutaneously twice a day for one week. In Group V, 0.2 mL R. officinalis oil was injected subcutaneously twice a day for one week prior to surgery. At the end of the week, one last 0.2 mL R. officinalis oil injection was administered subcutaneously 2 h before surgery. After the surgery, 0.2 mL R. officinalis oil was injected subcutaneously twice a day for one week. RESULTS: The mean percentage of viable surface area was significantly greater (p<0.05) in Groups II, III, IV, and V as compared to Group I. Mean vessel diameter was significantly greater (p<0.05) in Groups II, III, IV, and V as compared to Group I. CONCLUSION: We have determined that, in addition to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, R. officinalis has vasodilatory effects that contribute to increased skin flap survival.

Effects of strontium ranelate on sutural bone formation: a histological and immunohistochemical study.

AIM: Rapid maxillary expansion is performed to correct a skeletal transverse deficiency of the maxilla, which is a frequently- encountered orthodontic anomaly. Strontium ranelate (SrR) is a novel agent that has a dual action, involving anti-resorptive and bone-forming effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemically applied SrR on osteoblastic bone formation after maxillary expansion on the mid-palatal suture of rats using histological and immunohistochemical tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into two equal groups. In all animals, five-day inter-premaxillary expansion was applied and maintained for a seven-day retention period, during which 625mg/kg/day SrR diluted with saline solution was administered orally to the experimental group. The rats were sacrificed and the tissues prepared for histological and immunohistochemical examinations after the retention period. RESULTS: Osteoblastic activity and the width of the blood vessels in the suture area were significantly increased in the SrR group compared with the control group (p < 0.051. Ossification was also observed to be active under light microscopy by staining with hematoxylin and eosin in the experimental group. Immunohistochemical labelling performed using osteonectin, osteocalcin, TGF-P and VEGF antibodies revealed significant immunoreactivity in the experimental group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that SrR contributed to stimulatory osteogenesis in the expansion region. Therefore, a retention period may be shortened and relapse possibly reduced, following the application of SrR after the expansion.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on bone formation after the expansion of the inter-premaxillary suture in rats: a histologic and immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Orthodontic maxillary expansion is a commonly-performed treatment approach to correct transverse maxillary deficiencies by separating the mid-palatal suture. To obtain a successful treatment result and prevent relapse, the expanded maxillary sutures require maintenance by means of qualified bone reorganisation. AIM: To assess the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on sutural bone formation after the expansion of the interpremaxillary suture in rats. METHODS: Sixteen male Wistar rats, 6 to 8-week old, were used. The expansion appliance comprised a helical spring fabricated from 0.014 inch stainless steel wire (Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany). The rats were divided into two equal groups and randomly assigned to the LIPUS treatment group or a sham-operation group. LIPUS was delivered via a 2.5 cm diameter ultrasound transducer (Exogen, Smith and Nephews, Inc., Memphis, TN, USA) for 20 minutes per day during 7 days of post-expansion retention. Following retention, the rats' maxillae were surgically removed and histologic and immunohistochemical specimens were prepared and examined. RESULTS: The number of osteoblasts and blood vessel dimensions in the ultrasound group increased but was not significant, compared with the control group. A statistically significant difference in osteocalcin, VEGF and TGF-ß immunoreactivities (p < 0.01) was found in the area of the mineralising tissue. Only VEGF immunoreactivity was significant between two groups (p < 0.01) in the fibrous tissue area. CONCLUSIONS: The area of mineralising tissue in the LIPUS-applied group expressed activity markers for osteocalcin, VEGF and TGF-ß compared with a surrounding area of fibrous tissue. Cellular activation in the LIPUS group was greater than that of controls. Therefore, LIPUS may be accepted as a useful approach to enhance sutural bone formation.