Aliye Tosun

Effects of ovariectomy and ascorbic acid supplement on oxidative stress parameters and bone mineral density in rats.

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on bone mineral density (BMD) and oxidative state in rats, and the alterations in these effects that vitamin C supplementation may produce. Materials and methods Twenty female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (C, n=6); ovariectomy (O, n=7); and ovariectomy + vitamin C supplement (OV, n=7). Oxidative stress (OS) was assessed 100 days postovariectomy by measuring the activity of several enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and total sulfhydryl groups in plasma and bone homogenates. Results A significant decrease in BMD was observed in O group compared with C group (p = 0.015), and a significant increase was observed in OV compared with O group (p=0.003). When groups were compared with respect to parameters of OS, MDA and NO levels in bone tissue were significantly higher in O than in C (p=0.032, p=0.022) and were significantly lower in OV than in O (p=0.025, p=0.018). SOD activity was significantly higher in O than in C (p=0.032). In plasma, MDA activity was significantly higher in O than in C (p = 0.022) and NO level was significantly higher in O than in C and OV (p=0.017, p=0.018). Conclusions Our results suggest that ovariectomy may produce osteoporosis and OS in females, and vitamin C supplementation may provide alterations regarding improvement in OS and BMD values. We assume that studies including more subjects are needed to make a decisive conclusion about OS–BMD relation.

Electrophysiologic evaluation of genitofemoral nerve in children with inguinal hernia repair

AIM Genitofemoral nerve (GFN) injury may occur because of chronic pressure of hernia sac or surgical intervention. A prospective study was performed to evaluate GFN electrophysiologically in children with inguinal hernia repair. METHODS Children with inguinal hernia were evaluated for GFN electrophysiologically before and after (3-6 months postoperatively) inguinal hernia repair. Bilateral GFN motor response latencies and durations were investigated electrophysiologically by surface electrodes. Wilcoxon signed ranked test was used for statistical analysis, and P values lower than .05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS Eleven patients with a mean age of 4.45 +/- 2.16 were enrolled in the study. Mean latency of patients was 2.37 +/- 0.89 milliseconds preoperatively and 3.14 +/- 1.02 milliseconds postoperatively. Latency of GFN was found prolonged after hernia repair (P = .008). Duration of GFN motor response was 9.94 +/- 1.49 milliseconds and 11.18 +/- 2.44 milliseconds, respectively, in preoperative and postoperative recordings. There was no significant difference detected in mean durations (P > .05). CONCLUSION Latency of GFN may prolong after inguinal hernia repair. Prolongation of GFN latency may be the result of surgical injury during hernia repair and consequently also related with chronic groin pain.

Obstructive sleep apnea in ischemic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with ischemic stroke and to evaluate the effectiveness of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment. METHODS Overnight polysomnography was performed by a computerized system in 19 subjects with ischemic stroke. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5 were considered to have obstructive sleep apnea. The appropriate level of continuous positive airway pressure for each patient was determined during an all-night continuous positive airway pressure determination study. Attended continuous positive airway pressure titration was performed with a continuous positive airway pressure auto-titrating device. RESULTS Obstructive sleep apnea prevalence among patients with ischemic stroke was 73.7%. The minimum SaO2 was significantly lower, and the percent of total sleep time in the wake stage and stage 1 sleep was significantly longer in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. In two patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea, we observed a decrease in the apnea-hypopnea index, an increase in mean wake time, mean SaO2, and minimum SaO2, and alterations in sleep structures with continuous positive airway pressure treatment. CONCLUSION As the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is of particular importance in secondary stroke prevention, we suggest that the clinical assessment of obstructive sleep apnea be part of the evaluation of stroke patients in rehabilitation units, and early treatment should be started.

Does autonomic dysfunction exist in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of autonomic dysfunction in patients with osteoporosis. Design: This is a prospective controlled trial. Sixteen postmenopausal female patients with osteoporosis and 10 age-matched postmenopausal nonosteoporotic controls were included in the study. Participants were divided into the postmenopausal osteoporosis group and the nonosteoporotic control group according to bone mineral densities. Heart rate variability parameters and sympathetic skin responses were studied to evaluate autonomic functions. Results: The latencies of sympathetic skin responses obtained from both hands were significantly increased in the patient group when compared with the control group. The sympathetic skin response amplitude of the right hands and both feet of the patient group were found to be decreased significantly when compared with that of the control group. A 24-hr high-frequency value was significantly decreased in the patient group than in control group. A 24-hr low-/high-frequency value was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Conclusions: Autonomic dysfunction characterized with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity may be present in osteoporosis, and cardiac functions in patients with osteoporosis may also be affected by accompanying autonomic dysfunction.

Quality of life and correlation with musculoskeletal problems, hand disability and depression in patients with hemodialysis.

The aims of this study were to assess the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with hemodialysis using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL™) and to determine its relationships with conventional clinical measures, musculoskeletal problems, hand disability and depression.

Evaluation of genitofemoral nerve motor conduction in inguinoscrotal pathologies

AIM Inguinoscrotal pathologies are commonly seen in childhood. The genitofemoral nerve (GFN) is responsible for sensitive innervations of scrotal region and the motor innervations of cremasteric muscle. GFN also innervates the afferent and efferent pathways of cremasteric reflex. A prospective study was performed to evaluate the possible relation between inguinoscrotal pathologies and GFN motor functions. METHODS Patients with inguinal hernia, hydrocele, undescended or retractile testicles, aged between 2-12 years were enrolled in the study. Bilateral latency and duration of GFN motor conductions (GFNMC) were obtained electrophysiologically by surface electrodes. GFNMC recordings of non-pathological sides were assessed as control group. Latency and duration of each group were compared with control group (Mann-Whitney U test). P values lower than .05 were considered significant. RESULTS Seventy-three electrophysiologic evaluations were investigated in inguinal hernia (n:18), hydrocele (n:9), undescended testicle (n:14), retractile testicle (n:12) and control (n:20) groups. There was no age difference between groups and controls. Latency was significantly prolonged in inguinal hernia group when compared with control group (P = .028). Although the latencies were shortened in undescended testicle group, no significant difference detected (P > .05). CONCLUSION Prolonged latencies in inguinal hernia may be a result of nerve trap caused by hernia sac. GFN motor functions showed no causative role in other inguinoscrotal pathologies. It can be also suggested that clinical features of other inguinoscrotal pathologies were not affected by GFN motor functions. Electrophysiological studies in younger age groups with large number of patients are needed to support our suggestions.

Penetrating Stab Injury of Spine; Diagnostic Value of Thin-SectionMultislice Computed Tomography

Penetrating stab injuries of the spinal cord (PSISC) are extremely rare and typically associated with immediate neurological damages. However, some patients may represent with atypical and indistinct symptoms. Herein we report a case of atypical presentation of spinal canal penetration which was not detected in thorax computerized tomography (CT) scans performed in emergency room, but subsequently was revealed in thoracal CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Initial neurological examination was normal except for the hypoesthesia in the right lower extremity. Surgical treatment was not performed since any foreign body or effusion consistent with hematoma and/or dural leak, or extrinsic cord compression was present. After administering a prophylactic tetanus shot and initiating a broad-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis, patient was discharged with recommendations. On follow-up, he described that hypoesthesia was decreased, but still present at end of the first month of injury. To conclude, it is very important to scan the affected region with thin slice thickness-multislice CT or with MRI for proper diagnosis in patients with stab wounds presented with neurological symptoms.

Conservative treatment of femoral neuropathy following retroperitoneal hemorrhage: a case report and review of literature.

Anticoagulant drugs are used to reduce the incidence of thromboembolic events in patients at risk. However, minor and major bleeding complications may occur during anticoagulation therapy. Femoral neuropathy secondary to retroperitoneal hematoma is a well known complication of anticoagulant drugs. However, treatment of these patients is still controversial, both conservative and surgical treatments have been advocated. Herein, we report a male patient receiving warfarin for 7 years who developed femoral neuropathy due to retroperitoneal hematoma and was successfully treated with conservative methods. We suggest that conservative treatment and appropriate rehabilitation program should be given to the patients who do not demonstrate any signs of a continued bleeding and any progressive neurological deficits.

The effect of ulnar variance on scapholunate and capitolunate angles

Background Ulnar variance (UV), which is measured using anteroposterior (AP) X-rays, is associated with the development of multiple wrist pathologies. The scapholunate angle (SLA) and capitolunate angle (CLA) are measured using lateral X-rays, and these can be used in the diagnosis of intercalated segmental instability. Purpose To determine the effect of UV on SLA and CLA. Material and Methods A total of 140 patients (73 women, 67 men; mean age, 37.8 ± 14.6 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 35.4–40.3) were included in the study. Participants were excluded if they presented with fractures or malunions, any arthritic conditions, avascular necrosis, congenital deformities, or bone and soft tissue tumors. UV, SLA, and CLA were measured using AP and lateral wrist X-rays. Results Patients were grouped as positive, neutral, and negative UV. There was no statistically significant difference in mean ages, sex, and sides (left or right) between the UV groups (P > 0.05). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean values of SLA and CLA between the UV groups (P > 0.05). UV showed no statistically significant association with SLA and CLA (r = –0.064; P = 0.455, and r = 0.059; P = 0.485, respectively). However, there was a statistically significant association between SLA and CLA (r = –0.482; P < 0.001). Conclusion There is higher prevalence of neutral UV and no correlation between UV with respect to age and sex of patients in the local Turkish population. SLA and CLA are not affected by UV. There is a negative correlation between SLA and CLA.

Distal Interphalangial Joint Gouty Arthritis in a Patient with Nodal Osteoarthritis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Case: Herein 73 year- old female patient with distal interphalangial (DIP) joint gouty arthritis accompanying nodal OA was presented. There was significant redness and swelling in the joint, joint was warm and tender on palpation and range of motion was very painful. Conclusion: The presentation of acute or subacute arthritis in interphalangial joints of a