Adem Aslan

Antioxidative role of melatonin in organophosphate toxicity in rats

Previous studies revealed that oxidative stress could be an important component of the mechanism of organophosphate (OP) compound toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate both prophylactic and therapeutic effects of melatonin against fenthion-induced oxidative stress in rats. Therefore, we determined the changes in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the whole blood, brain, pectoral muscle, liver, lung, heart, kidney, pancreas, and jejunum. Also, the changes in the levels of serum nitrite and nitrate, ascorbic acid, retinal, b-carotene, and ceruloplasmin were measured. In addition, activities of enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) in erythrocyte of normal and experimental animals were measured. It was found that fenthion administration increased the levels of MDA in all tissues and decreased or increased the levels of GSH in some tissues. In comparison to nitrate, nitrite and ascorbic acid levels in the serum of experimental groups, there was no significant difference between groups. However, fenthion toxicity led to decrease in retinol and β-carotene levels; melatonin administration significantly prevented this decrease. Serum ceruloplasmin level was increased due to fenthion administration, but prophylactic and therapeutic melatonin administration inhibited the increase in ceruloplasmin level of serum. There was no significant change in SOD levels in melatonin-administered groups. Melatonin modulates the fenthion-induced changes in the activities of GPx and CAT. In conclusion, the results of the current study revealed that OP toxicity, induced by fenthion, activated oxidant systems in all antioxidant systems in some tissues. Melatonin administration led to a marked increase in antioxidant activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation in most of tissues.

A safe and effective method for treatment of chronic subdural haematoma.

OBJECTIVE Burr-hole irrigation and burr-hole drainage without irrigation are the most popular methods for treatment of chronic subdural haematoma. It is not well known if irrigation is necessary or which method has a higher recurrence rate. We compared the recurrence rates of those two methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-two patients were treated by burr-hole irrigation (irrigation group), whereas 38 patients were treated by burr-hole drainage (drainage group). Recurrence rate and its relation with sex, age, haematoma localization and aetiology were investigated in both groups. RESULTS There was no significant difference between recurrence rates of the two groups. There was also no correlation between recurrence rate and age, sex, haematoma localization, or aetiology. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference between recurrence rates of the two groups. Since the burr-hole drainage method is simpler to carry out, its use may be preferable.

Nimodipine can improve cerebral metabolism and outcome in patients with severe head trauma

In the present study, the effect of nimodipine was investigated in a patient with severe head trauma. Nimodipine was administered into the peripheral vein to prevent secondary neuronal damages in patients. The five patients in control group were treated according to the standard procedures without nimodipine. Other five patients in nimodipine group were treated with standard procedures plus nimodipine. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), intracranial pressure (ICP), jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2), jugular lactate and glucose levels were measured. Additionally, all patients were evaluated with Glascow outcome score (GOS) before discharge. It was found that CPP (p<0.05) and SjvO2 (p<0.05) were significantly higher; but, ICP (p<0.001), jugular lactate (p<0.05) and jugular glucose (p<0.05) were lower in nimodipine than that of control groups. Again, GOS values were significantly higher in nimodipine than that of control groups (p<0.05). Results of this study revealed that nimodipine can improve cerebral metabolism and outcome in patient with severe head trauma. Thus, nimodipine may be considered as a protective agent against severe head trauma related neuronal injuries.

Bone wax as a cause of foreign body reaction after lumbar disc surgery: a case report.

This report describes a 45-year-old patient who was admitted to the hospital with complaints of low-back pain, lower extremity weakness, and difficulty in walking for the previous 6 mo. The patient’s history revealed 2 lumbar-disc surgeries that were performed 1 y earlier. The patient underwent surgery at our hospital because of clinical symptoms and radiologic findings on magnetic resonance imaging. During the operation, 1×1×1 cm of bone wax that was compressing the dural sac and spinal root was extirpated from the surgical area. Bone wax use should be limited in spinal surgery because of the potential for compression and chronic inflammation.

Intradiploic cavernous hemangioma of the skull in a child: a case report

IntroductionIntradiploic cavernous hemangioma of the skull is seen rarely. Intradiploic cavernous hemangiomas arise from the intrinsic vasculature of the bone and generally picks up at the fourth and fifth decades.Discussion and conclusionIn this report, we present a 16-year-old child who was admitted with a swelling lesion in the right parietal bone and diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma after total extirpation.

Royal jelly can diminish secondary neuronal damage after experimental spinal cord injury in rabbits.

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Royal jelly (RJ) on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Twenty-one New Zealand male rabbits, weighing between 2.5 and 3.0 kg were divided into three groups: Sham (no drug or operation, n = 7), Control (laminectomy+single dose of 1 ml/kg saline orally, after trauma; n = 7) and RJ (laminectomy+100mg/kg RJ, orally, after trauma, n = 7). Laminectomy was perfor med at T10 and balloon catheter was applied extradurally for traumatic SCI. Four and 24h after surgery, rabbits were evaluated according to the Tarlov scoring system. Blood, cerebrospinal fluid and tissue sample from spinal cord were taken for measurements of antioxidant status or detection of apoptosis. Four hours after SCI, all animals in control or RJ treated groups became paraparesic. Significant improvement was observed in RJ treated group, 24h after SCI, with respect to control. Traumatic SCI led to increase in the lipid peroxidation and decrease enzymic or non-enzymic endogenous antioxidative defense systems, and increase in apoptotic cell numbers. RJ treatment mostly prevented lipid peroxidation and also augmented endogenous enzymic or non-enzymic antioxidative defense systems. Again, RJ treatment significantly decreased the apoptotic cell number induced by SCI.

Tissue trace and major element levels in organophosphate insecticide fenthion (Lebaycid) toxicity in rats: prophylactic and therapeutic effect of exogenous melatonin.

Organophosphate compounds are very toxic chemicals and used in widespread applications. The present study was designed to examine the role of exogenous melatonin against organophosphate toxicity in tissues (brain, heart, jejunum, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and pancreas) trace and major element levels of rats. Trace and major element concentrations in the tissues were measured in the sham group, the control group, prophylaxis with the melatonin group and therapy with the melatonin group (TM) by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. Statistically significant differences among the experimental groups were detected for some tissue trace and major element concentrations. In the brain tissue, the Al, Mn and Se concentrations in the sham group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). In the heart tissue, the Cu, Mn and Se concentrations in the sham group were significantly increased than those in the control group (p<0.05). In the kidney tissue, trace and major element concentrations in the TM group were significantly lower than those in the sham group (Fe and Mn; p<0.05, Cu, Mo, Ni, Ti, V and Zn; p<0.01). In the liver, Mg, Al, Zn and Ca concentrations in the TM group were significantly higher than those in the fenthion-treated control group (p<0.01). In the muscle tissue, element concentrations in the TM group were significantly lower when compared with the sham groups (Ca and Si; p<0.01). The Al, Cr, Mo, Ni, Si and Zn element concentrations were markedly decreased in the control group as compared with the TM group in the pancreas tissue (p<0.01). In conclusion, according to the results of the present study the major findings are that the fenthion-treated rats tissue element levels were effected and the melatonin may normalize the altered levels of some trace and major elements of the tissues in organophosphate toxicity.

Prenatal Diagnosis of a Fetal Intracranial Immature Teratoma

Congenital intracranial teratoma is a rare disease. A fetus with a congenital intracranial teratoma presenting with a hydrocephalus at 27 weeks’ gestation is presented. Prenatal ultrasonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a huge, heterogenous intracranial mass including the infra- and supratentorial region and polyhydramnios. At 28 weeks’ gestation, a cesarean section was performed to avoid divisive operation during delivery. The infant died after 10 min from respiratory failure. Histological examination revealed the diagnosis of immature teratoma. Early detection of congenital intracranial tumors is crucial. The prognosis is poor with death usually occurring shortly after birth.

Umbilical perforation: an unusual complication of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

IntroductionVentriculoperitoneal shunt operations are the most common pediatric neurosurgical procedures in the treatment of hydrocephalus. However, ventricular shunting is frequently associated with a wide variety of complications. Umbilical perforation is an extremely rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts.Case reportWe present an infant with umbilical abscess, meningitis, and umbilical perforation of the distal end of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which was placed for congenital hydrocephalus.

Spinal Epidural Hematoma Due To Tyre-Blast Injury: A Case Report.

Study Design. A retrospective case report. Objective. The objective of this article is to report a spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) due to shock wave. Summary of Background Data. SEH is an infrequent condition. Most of SEHs are spontaneous. We have reported an SEH traumatic case without bone lesions due to exploding truck tire. A different category of blast injuries is the one related with exploding tyres. Shock waves are the main mechanism that is responsible for blast injuries. We are presenting the first report of acute SEH due to shock wave. Methods. A 33-year-old man was brought to the emergency department with complaints of weakness and numbness of the upper extremities. There was an epidural high-signal density without osseous lesion in computerized tomography from the level of C2 to C5, and there was a T2-weighted hyperintense lesion in magnetic resonance imaging from the level of C2 to C5 with compression of the spinal cord the anterior and posterior which proved to be an SEH. Results. The patient was discharged from the hospital with complete neurologic recovery. Conclusion. SEH should be considered possible in the blast injury. SEH condition carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality without early recognition and rapid management. Level of Evidence: 5