Occupational Silica Exposure as a Potential Risk for Microscopic Polyangiitis.

Microscopic polyangiitis is an important and common component of cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides that can lead to serious morbidity and even death. A clear causative etiology has not been identified. Although silica is well known to produce lung damage, the negative renal effects of silica exposure should not be overlooked. We present a case of renal dysfunction associated with silica exposure, its diagnosis by renal biopsy, and the treatment method used. Environmental or occupational silica exposure can cause microscopic polyangiitis. Working in occupations with increased risk of silica exposure may result in serious medical problems.

Effect of Pycnogenol® on an experimental rat model of allergic conjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a frequent and challenging disease in ophthalmology practice. Cell protective effect of Pycnogenol® (PYC) depends on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of PYC on an experimental AC model. METHODS: Ovalbumin and Al(OH)3 were given seven times intraperitoneally (i.p.) every other day and ovalbumin installed everyday directly on conjunctiva to create an AC rat model. Then, PYC (3 or 10 mg/kg i.p.) was applied in the study groups. Control rats were given adjuvant Al(OH)3 i.p. and topical saline on conjunctiva. A negative control group in which only PYC (10 mg/kg/7 days) was administered i.p. and an AC positive control group which have been given dexamethasone (1 mg/kg/7 days) was created. Mast cells were counted with a microscope; histological evaluation was performed with H-E and toluidine blue, mast cell tryptase, and TNF-α and TGF-ß staining. RESULTS: Pycnogenol treatment alone did not show any detrimental effect. Mast cell count (MCC) decreased in both dexamethasone and 10 mg/kg given PYC treatment groups compared to positive control group and these results were statistically significant (MCC 1.85 ± 0.69, p < 0.001; 2.42 ± 0.53, p = 0.003). Negative staining with TGF-ß and weak focal staining with TNF-α were the common findings of dexamethasone and PYC treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The animal model of AC was successfully developed by using aforementioned way. PYC is a safe herbal product and it has alleviated the findings of ovalbumin-induced AC-similar to dexamethasone-histologically in this experimental model. These results are promising for the future of AC treatment.

Vitamin D Receptor Level in Biopsy Specimen of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results from a Center in Western Anatolia.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, inflammatory bowel diseases characterized by uncontrolled inflammatory condition of the colon and rectal mucosa marked by recurrent periods of remission and exacerbation. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of the steroid receptor family that mediates the effects of vitamin D by regulating transcription of multiple cellular genes. We aimed to evaluate vitamin d receptor level in biopsy specimen of patients with UC in this study. METHODS: VDR levels were retrospectively studied in colon biopsy specimens of UC patients. The Spearman's rho correlation analysis, The Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann Whitney U, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. The p values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Study included 112 UC patients (65 male and 47 female) and 30 controls (19 female and 11 male) who had normal results in biopsy examinations carried out due to various reasons. VDR levels of UC patients were statistically lower than control subjects, and was not associated with duration of the disease and place of involvement. CONCLUSIONS: VDR is an important receptor in the pathogenesis of UC, and optimizing vitamin D levels could have a therapeutic role in UC.

Screening Fabry's disease in chronic kidney disease patients not on dialysis: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: Fabry's disease is an X-linked inherited, rare, progressive, lysosomal storage disorder, affecting multiple organs due to the deficient activity of α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme. The prevalence has been reported to be 0.15-1% in hemodialysis patients; however, the information on the prevalence in chronic kidney disease not on dialysis is lacking. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Fabry's disease in chronic kidney disease. METHODS: The patients older than 18 years, enclosing KDIGO 2012 chronic kidney disease definitions, not on dialysis, were enrolled. Dried blood spots on Guthrie papers were used to analyze α-Gal A enzyme and genetic analysis was performed in individuals with enzyme activity ≤1.2 µmol/L/h. RESULTS: A total of 1453 chronic kidney disease patients not on dialysis from seven clinics in Turkey were screened. The mean age of the study population was 59.3 ± 15.9 years. 45.6% of patients were female. The creatinine clearance of 77.3% of patients was below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, 8.4% had proteinuria, and 2.5% had isolated microscopic hematuria. The mean value of patients' α-Gal A enzyme was detected as 2.93 ± 1.92 µmol/L/h. 152 patients had low levels of α-Gal A enzyme activity (≤1.2 µmol/L/h). In mutation analysis, A143T and D313Y variants were disclosed in three male patients. The prevalence of Fabry's disease in chronic kidney disease not on dialysis was found to be 0.2% (0.4% in male, 0.0% in female). CONCLUSION: Fabry's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic kidney disease with unknown etiology even in the absence of symptoms and signs suggestive of Fabry's disease.

Ozone preconditioning attenuates contrast-induced nephropathy in rats.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an important complication of vascular interventions. Ozone therapy can induce tolerance to ischemic insults, a phenomenon known as ozone oxidative preconditioning (OOP). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OOP on CIN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n = 8). The control group had intravenous saline injection. The contrast media (CM) group had intravenous meglumine/sodium diatrizoate injection to form CIN. The ozone (O3) group received intraperitoneal ozone for 5 d before the induction of CIN. The oxygen (O2) group was given an equal amount of oxygen for 5 d before the induction of CIN. The animals were sacrificed 48 h after the administration of contrast agent or saline. Kidneys were harvested, and blood samples were obtained. Renal function tests, serum and renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels and renal oxidant system parameters were determined. Histologic examination was performed for renal injury. RESULTS: Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and serum and renal MDA were increased after contrast exposure. Renal NO was decreased, and there was prominent tubular necrosis in the CM group. Serum BUN, creatinine, serum and renal MDA, and grade of tubular necrosis were decreased in the O3 group as compared with those in the CM group. The levels of serum and renal NO and renal total antioxidant system in O3 group were higher than the levels in the CM group. CONCLUSIONS: OOP attenuates experimental CIN. This effect is suggested to be mediated by reinforcement of renal antioxidant defenses and maintenance of renal NO levels.

The usefulness of carvedilol and nebivolol in preventing contrast nephropathy in rats.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and vasoconstriction appear to be important components of contrast nephropathy (CN) pathogenesis, and both carvedilol and nebivolol are known to have vasodilatory and antioxidant effects. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate whether carvedilol and nebivolol play preventive roles against developing CN and to compare the effects of each. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into control (C, n = 6), contrast material (CM, n = 6), carvedilol (CV, n = 7), carvedilol + contrast material (CV + CM, n = 7), nebivolol (N, n = 7), and nebivolol + contrast (N + CM, n = 7) groups. Following 3 days of dehydration, 6 mL/kg diatrizoate was administered to each rat. Carvedilol was given at a dose of 2 mg/kg and nebivolol at a dose of 1 mg/kg by way of oral gavage. After scarification, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied in renal tissue. Histopathological findings were graded as mild (+), moderate (++), and severe (+++). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Most of the histopathological findings and MDA levels were significantly higher in the CM group than that in the C, CVCM, and NVCM groups, whereas there was no significant difference between the C, CVCM and NVCM groups. TAC level in the CM group was significantly lower than in all other groups. There was no difference in SOD among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Carvedilol and nebivolol both prevent development of nephropathy related to CMs by decreasing oxidative stress. Neither is superior to the other.

H. pylori positivity and various pathological, endoscopic and clinical features correlated with each other.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between dyspepsia symptom scores and endoscopic appearances, and histopathological findings and helicobacter pylori positivity in patients having dyspepsia symptom. METHODS: The study was conducted at the gastroenterology outpatient clinic of Adnan Menderes University, School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey from April 2012 to July 2012 and comprised patients between 18-65 years of age who were admitted with dyspepsia. Glasgow dyspepsia severity scoring was done with questions posed orally to the patients. In histopathological evaluation of biopsy specimens according to Sydney criteria, chronic inflammation, activity, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and helicobacter pylori parameters were used. Total number of eosinophils and number of mast cells were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients with dyspepsia, 38(63.3%) were female and 22(36.7%) were male. The degree of activation and severity of inflammation increased significantly with increasing helicobacter pylori positivity(r=0.459'p<0.0001; r=0.475'p<0.0001). A significant relationship was found between inflammation, activation and the number of mast cells (p<0.05).There was no relationship between helicobacter pylori intensity and the eosinophil count (r=0.171; p=0.093). There was also a statistically significant correlation between severity of inflammation and activation and the number of eosinophils (r=0.313;p=0.002;r=0.245;p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Mast cell density was seen to have a role in the inflammatory processes of helicobacter pylori infection.

Gastric involvement of sarcoidosis in a patient with multiple lung nodules.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder mostly could involve intrathoracic structures. The gastric involvement is rare and the symptoms may be non-specific. We herein report a case of a 56-year-old female patient who was admitted due to chest tightness and discomfort. Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax revealed bilaterally nodular lesions in the lower lobes of the lung and pleural effusion on the left side. Positron emission tomography/CT showed lung nodules and gastric involvement with mesenteric lymphadenomegalies with pathological uptake of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose. Pathological examination of the lung biopsy taken by thoracotomy demonstrated non-caseating granulomas. The gastric biopsies taken by endoscopy also showed non-caseating granulomas consistent with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

The first histopathological evidence of trimetazidine for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy.

AIM: We aimed to investigate the prophylactic effects of trimetazidine (TMZ) against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in rat kidneys. METHODS AND RESULTS: 28 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 7 rats each (control (C), contrast media (CM) TMZ, trimetazidin+contrast media groups (TMZ + CM). The administration of TMZ solution was done on d2, d3 and d4. Fifth day, contrast media was administered at a single dose. On d6 scarification was performed. The oxidant/antioxidant parameters were measured and histopathological scores were performed in kidney tissues. Most of the histopathological scores were significantly higher in the CM group as compared to other groups. Moreover, the scores of the TMZ + CM and C groups were not statistically different. CM group, had significantly higher levels of MDA compared to the C and CM + TMZ groups (562.82 ± 38.15 vs. 419.15 ± 49.01 and 507.34 ± 14.16 01 nmol/mg protein respectively) (p<0.001). CM group had significantly lower levels of SOD as compared to C, CM + TMZ and TMZ groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time, histopathologically demonstrated the effectiveness of TMZ for the prevention of CIN.

Clinicopathological significance of mutation profile detected by next generation sequencing in different metastatic organs of non-small cell lung cancers.

BACKGROUND: The primary tumor and it's metastases show heterogeneity in molecular studies for targeted therapies in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer(NSCLC), the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The study aimed to identify somatic mutations in biopsies from NSCLC patients' metastatic organs using Next-Generation Sequencing(NGS) and examine their association with clinicopathological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 128 NSCLC patients and, NGS was performed on tumor biopsies from different metastatic organs at Molecular Pathology laboratory of the Department of Medical Pathology in Aydin Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine. The age, gender, histopathological diagnoses, metastatic organs, smoking and mutation status were all recorded, along with the analysis results of 72 genes and 4149 primers in the panel of the NGS system. RESULTS: 53.9 % of the cases had a history of smoking and patients with brain metastases had a higher smoking rate(p=0.000). The most common occurrence(39.8 %) was lymph node metastasis, followed by brain(19.5 %). There was a strong correlation between mutation presence and metastasis in the liver(p=0.012), bone(p=0.002), and pleura(p=0.008). Smokers had a higher frequency of KRAS(p=0.000) and TP53(p=0.001) mutations. Brain metastases showed a statistically significant NF1 mutation(p=0.001), while the liver exhibited a significant BRAF mutation(p=0.000). NF1-TP53, PTEN-TP53 and NF1-PTEN were the most common concomitant mutations and, the brain was the most common metastatic organ in which they occurred. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest prizing assessing detected mutations, in the prediction, follow-up and management of metastases, especially in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. The assessment also needs to consider the tumor's mutation status in metastatic organs. New therapeutic agents targeting NF1 mutations will be available in the future to treat NSCLC, especially in metastases.

Variation Analysis in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Cases.

Menopausal status affects the prognoses and consequences of breast cancer. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to reveal the molecular variation profile differences in breast cancer patients according to their menopausal status, with the hypothesis that the molecular variation profiles will be different at premenopausal and postmenopausal ages. Breast cancer patients (n = 254) who underwent molecular subtyping and QIAseq Human Breast Cancer NGS Panel screening between 2018 and 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Their menopausal status was defined by age, and those aged 50 years and above were considered postmenopausal. Of the subjects, 58.66% (n = 149) were premenopausal and 41.34% (n = 105) were postmenopausal. The mean age at the time of diagnosis for all patients was 49.31 ± 11.19 years, with respective values of 42.11 ± 5.51 and 59.54 ± 9.01 years for the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups, respectively (p = 0.000). Among premenopausal patients, the percentages of patients in BCa subtypes (luminal A, luminal B-HER2(-), luminal B-HER2(+), HER2 positive, and triple-negative) were determined to be 34.90%, 8.05%, 26.17%, 10.74%, and 20.13%, respectively, while in the postmenopausal group, these values were 39.05%, 16.19%, 24.76%, 6.67%, and 13.33%, respectively (p > 0.05). Considering menopausal status, the distribution of hormone receptors in premenopausal patients was ER(+)/PgR(+) 63.76%, ER(-)/PgR(-) 23.49%, ER(+)/PgR(-) 10.74%, and ER(-)/PgR(+) 2.01%, respectively, while in postmenopausal women, this distribution was observed to be 74.29%, 23.81%, 1.90% and 0.00% in the same order (p = 0.008). The most frequently mutated gene was TP53 in 130 patients (51.18%), followed by PIK3CA in 85 patients (33.46%), BRCA2 and NF1 in 56 patients (22.05%), PTEN in 54 patients (21.26%), and ATR and CHEK2 in 53 patients (20.87%). TP53, PIK3CA, NF1, BRCA2, PTEN, and CHEK2 mutations were more frequently observed in premenopausal patients, while TP53, PIK3CA, BRCA2, BRCA1, and ATR mutations in postmenopausal patients. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of breast cancer with respect to menopausal status. This study is the first from Turkey that reflects the molecular subtyping and somatic mutation profiles of breast cancer patients according to menopausal status.

Ozone therapy as an adjunct to vancomycin enhances bacterial elimination in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus mediastinitis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the influence of intraperitoneal ozone therapy on bacterial elimination and mediastinal inflammation in experimental Staphylococcus aureus mediastinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Wistar-Albino rats were randomized into five groups (eight per group) as follows: uncontaminated group, untreated contaminated group, ozone group, vancomycin group, and vancomycin + ozone group. Uncontaminated group underwent upper median sternotomy. The remaining four groups were inoculated with 0.5 mL 10(8) colony-forming units/mL methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the mediastinal and sternal layers. Untreated contaminated group had no treatment. Rats in the vancomycin group received intramuscular vancomycin (40 mg/kg/d), and ozone was administered intraperitoneally (70 µg/mL, 1 mg/kg/d) in the ozone group for the treatment of mediastinitis. Vancomycin + ozone group rats were treated by the combination of both methods. At the end of 10 d, quantitative bacterial cultures and sternal tissue samples were obtained for determination of bacterial counts and histologic degree of inflammation. RESULTS: Both the vancomycin and the ozone treatments caused significant reduction of bacterial counts in quantitative bacterial cultures. Combination of vancomycin and ozone treatments resulted in further reduction of bacterial counts in mediastinum and sternum. Histologic examination of tissue samples revealed significant reduction in severity of mediastinitis related inflammation in vancomycin and vancomycin + ozone groups compared with untreated contaminated group. CONCLUSIONS: Ozone therapy as an adjunct to vancomycin leads to enhanced bacterial elimination in infected sternal and mediastinal tissues in experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mediastinitis. The benefit of adjuvant ozone therapy is suggested to be related to its bactericidal effect.

Pleural multicystic mesothelial proliferation that presented with hemothorax.

Pleural multicystic mesothelial proliferation is a very rare serosal pathology. In this paper, we share a pleural multicystic mesothelial proliferation case arrives the emergency service with sudden chest pain and dyspnea complaint that presented with hemothorax complication. In the literature, there is only one pleural multicystic mesothelial proliferation issue that is determined by coincidence. Even though being a rare benign pathology; pleural multicystic mesothelial proliferation can cause some vital complications as a hemothorax.

Mutation Profile via Next-Generation Sequencing in Patients with Colorectal Adenocarcinoma and Its Clinicopathological Correlation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies that reveal the molecular profiles of colorectal carcinomas have demonstrated tumor heterogeneity. Characterization of colorectal carcinoma-specific genomic alterations is essential for developing more successful and targeted treat- ment protocols. Moreover, it is vital in elucidating the pathogenesis and mechanisms of resistance against treatment and predicting prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 73 cases diagnosed with colorectal carcinomas and subjected to molecular analysis by the next-generation sequencing. The association between the clinicopathologic parameters and pathogenic mutations detected in 32 genes was evaluated. RESULTS: Pathogenic mutations were determined in a total of 24 genes. The Cell Division Cycle 27 (CDC27), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral proto-oncogene (KRAS), serine/threonine protein kinase B-raf (BRAF), phosphatase and tensin homolog, breast cancer 2 (BRCA2), and phosphotidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate 3-kinase (PIK3CA) mutations were determined at higher rates, with the adenomatous polypo- sis coli mutation determined at a lower rate than in the literature. There were significant positive correlations between CDC27 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), PTEN and BRCA2, and PTEN and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) concomitant muta- tions, whereas negative correlations were present between BRAF and KRAS. Statistically significant relationships were present between KRAS exon 2 and mucinous morphology, PIK3CA and absence of perineural invasion, BRAF and tumor differentiation/localization, MutS homolog 3 (MSH3) and tumor diameter, and BRCA2 and absence of lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to have a comprehensive database of genomic alterations of colorectal carcinomas to interpret mutations more accurately clinically. There are no studies on the frequency of mutations in colorectal carcinomas in the Turkish population; thus, follow-up and treatment protocols are organized following the European and American databases and guidelines. A comprehensive study of the colorectal carcinoma patients' mutation profile in the Turkish patient cohort by the next-generation sequencing method will help to provide significant therapeutic, prognostic, and predictive data and design more successful treatment and follow-up strategies.

A Rare Nephrotic Syndrome Related to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a hematological disease characterized by the proliferation of monoclonal B-lymphocytes. Although autoimmune complications such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia are common in CLL patients, nonhematological autoimmune complications are rather rare. The most common renal involvements are membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and minimal change disease. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is predominantly associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma among hematological malignancies. FSGS associated with CLL is rarely reported in the literature, with a poor understanding of the common pathophysiology and a very limited experience with this co-occurrence. Although Rai Stage 1/Binet Stage B CLL, our 61-year-old case, who was diagnosed with secondary FSGS, which is a very rare complication, was treated with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) combination. Following the treatment, a complete response was achieved about CLL, and the patient, whose renal findings recovered, is in remission and under follow-up for six years. Although the mechanisms between CLL and autoimmune complications are not fully elucidated, it is usually related to immune disorders like an abnormal T-cell response and polyclonal antibody production. While FSGS is very rare in lymphoma, its co-existence with CLL is reported only in a limited number of case reports. Steroids may be used in these patients; however, in cases not responding to steroids, treatment of the underlying CLL is required.

Evaluation of the Mutation Profile via Next-Generation Sequencing in a Turkish Population With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common cancer type worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer being the most frequently studied. Identifying of cancer-related genes in non-small cell lung cancer is crucial for developing individualized treatment, particularly as mutation profiles can vary by country and ethnicity. AIMS: To identify comprehensive mutation profiles in a cohort of Turkish patients with non-small cell lung cancer using the next-generation sequencing. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: In total, 72 cancer-related genes and 4149 variants were recorded in the non-small cell lung cancer panel, and their relationship with clinical and histopathological features was investigated through next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: Among 507 patients, 420 (82.8%) were males and 87 (17.2%) were females. Percentages of phosp hatid ylino sitol -4,5- bisph ospha te 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (11%), B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (8%), and neurofibromatosis type 1 (6%) mutations were higher than those reported in the literature. Males had a higher rate of Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog mutations (P = .102), whereas epidermal growth factor receptor mutations were statistically more common in females (P = .001). Multiple variants of strong significance were identified in 6.3% patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, most of whom were smokers. Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog and phosp hatid ylino sitol -4,5- bisph ospha te 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha mutations were most commonly observed. CONCLUSION: This study shows that Turkish patients have higher rates of PIK3CA, BRAF and NF1 mutations compared to the literature. Studies to determine the molecular profile specific to Turkish people will guide clinicians in treatment and contribute significantly to determining priorities in diagnosis.

ß-Glucan protects against lung injury induced by abdominal aortic ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

BACKGROUND: Aortic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is an important factor in the development of postoperative acute lung injury following abdominal aortic surgery. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of ß-glucan on lung injury induced by abdominal aortic IR in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar-albino rats were randomized into four groups (eight per group) as follows: the control group (sham laparotomy), aortic IR (120 min ischemia and 120 min reperfusion), aortic IR + ß-glucan (ß-glucan 50 mg/kg/d for 10 d was administered orally before IR), and control + ß-glucan. Lung tissue samples were obtained for biochemical analysis. Protein concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung wet/dry weight ratios were measured. Histologic evaluation of the rat lung tissues was also performed. RESULTS: Aortic IR significantly increased the levels of MDA, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and myeloperoxidase (P < 0.05 versus control).Whereas, ß-glucan significantly decreased the lung tissue levels of MDA, superoxide dismutase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, (P < 0.05 versus aortic IR), and protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as wet/dry lung weight ratio. Histologic evaluation showed that ß-glucan attenuated the morphological changes associated with lung injury. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that ß-glucan attenuates lung injury induced by aortic IR in rats. We propose that this protective effect of ß-glucan is due to (1) reduced systemic inflammatory response, (2) reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the lung tissue, (3) reduced pulmonary microvascular leakage, and (4) inhibition of leukocyte infiltration into the lung tissue.

Pituitary apoplexy: an overview of 186 cases published during the last century.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and life-threatening complication occurring in 0.6-10.5% of all cases of pituitary adenomas. Although the association between pituitary apoplexy and visual dysfunction has been recognized for a long time, the optimal management of this problem still remains controversial. The purpose of this overview was to present the surgical experience by analyzing the literature on the management of pituitary apoplexy for better treatment of these cases. MATERIALS AND METHOD: To establish a new guideline for the surgical treatment of this entity, publications reported during the last century and databases containing medical literature were analyzed. In addition, an illustrative case with pituitary apoplexy presenting with complaints of sudden onset severe headache associated with nausea, vomiting, and a sudden loss of vision was described. In fact, the experience in our complicated patient prompted us to review the available literature on the management of pituitary apoplexy to date. CONCLUSIONS: Based on an overview of 186 cases of apoplectic pituitary adenoma presenting with monocular or binocular blindness, we highlight the importance of correct diagnosis and an early, but not necessarily emergency, surgery within the first week of admission to optimize visual outcome of such patients. The illustrative case further exemplifies the value of close interaction between members of the management team for optimal outcome.

Effects of atorvastatin on development of peritoneal fibrosis in rats on peritoneal dialysis.

RATIONAL: Peritoneal sclerosis is one of the important complications of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this study, efficacy of atorvastatin on peritoneal histology and functions in non-uremic rats on PD was tested. OBJECTIVES: Twenty-two non-uremic Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups: Sham (intraperitoneal saline), peritoneal dialysis (PD, intraperitoneal 3.86% dextrose containing PD solution), and treatment (TX, intraperitoneal 3.86% dextrose containing PD solution plus atorvastatin added into drinking water). At the end of a 4-week period, 1 h peritoneal equilibration test was performed. Serum lipids and certain cytokines, mediators, markers, and antioxidant enzyme activities in serum and dialysate were studied. Peritoneal thickness was measured and peritoneal inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular proliferation were scored in histological sections. MAIN FINDINGS: In histological examinations, inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular proliferation were significantly more frequent in PD group than Sham group and it seemed to decrease significantly when atorvastatin was used in conjunction with PD. Additionally, peritoneum was significantly thicker in PD group when compared to that of Sham and TX groups. Serum parameters did not significantly differ between groups. On the other hand, dialysate glutathione reductase (GR) activity and TGF-ß were significantly lower in TX group than that of the PD group, whereas dialysate IL-6 level was higher in TX group. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: In our study, atorvastatin use appeared to diminish structural changes in peritoneum. Decreased expression of TGF-ß in dialysate may be one of the possible underlying mechanisms.

New experimental corrosive esophagitis model in rats.

PURPOSE: Caustic esophagitis is a serious clinical problem and many agents are currently tried out in many experimental models. The model of Gehanno is the most commonly used invasive model, which is required general anesthesia and laparotomy. We aimed to form a new pratic and non-invasive model. METHODS: Twenty rats were studied. The stomachs of the rats were reached through guidance catheter with ether anesthesia, Fogarty catheter was send in through, it was filled with pressure in the stomach. Then, Fogarty was pulled back and stomach entrance was closed. Control group was given; n = 10; 0.25 cc isotonic, injury group was given; n = 10; 0.25 cc, %40 NaOH and it was waited for 60 s. Their esophagi were examined after 28 days. RESULTS: In the histopathologic evaluation of the control group, no pathology was discovered. Sub-mucosal collagen increase, muscularis mucosa and tunica muscularis damage have all been detected in the injury group p < 0.005; p < 0.003; p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Corrosive esophagitis was formed without general anesthesia and laparotomy. Burn was formed in the total esophagus, unlike other models in which the burn is just formed at the below end. With our less invasive, more easily applied model; treatment agents can be given just as the corrosive esophagitis can be formed.