Mehmet Edip Akyol

Neuroprotective Effects of Thymoquinone on the Hippocampus in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) in a rat model of traumatic brain injury by using biochemical and histopathologic methods for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four rats were divided into sham (n = 8), trauma (n = 8), and TQ-treated (n = 8) groups. A moderate degree of head trauma was induced with the use of Feeneys falling weight technique, and TQ (5 mg/kg/day) was administered to the TQ-treated group for 7 days. All animals were killed after cardiac perfusion. Brain tissues were extracted immediately after perfusion without damaging the tissues. Biochemical procedures were performed with the serum, and a histopathologic evaluation was performed on the brain tissues. Biochemical experiments included malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced and oxidized coenzyme Q10 analysis, DNA isolation and hydroylazation, and glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase analyses. RESULTS Neuron density in contralateral hippocampal regions (CA1, CA2-3, and CA4) 7 days after the trauma decreased significantly in the trauma and TQ-treated groups, compared with that in the control group. Neuron densities in contralateral hippocampal regions (CA1, CA2-3, and CA4) were greater in the TQ-treated group than in the trauma group. TQ did not increase superoxide dismutase or glutathione peroxidase antioxidant levels. However, TQ decreased the MDA levels. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that TQ has a healing effect on neural cells after head injury and this effect is mediated by decreasing MDA levels in the nuclei and mitochondrial membrane of neurons.

A new alternative flap in the closure of meningomyelocele defects: modified S flaps

Neural tube defects occur within the first four weeks of gestation and can be seen in a variable range from anencephaly to spina bifida. The most common form of spina bifida is meningomyelocele. Its etiology is multifactorial including genetic, geographical, and ethnic factors, low socioeconomic status, and folic acid deficiency (2). The incidence of neural tube defects has been reported as one per 1,000 live births (3).

A neglected giant cervical intradural extramedullary tumor

Primary spinal tumors are rarely seen, and representing 4-8% of all central nervous system tumors. Extradural tumors constitute approximately 40% of intraspinal tumors whereas intradural-extramedullary tumors make up the remaining approximately 60%. These tumors are classified as extradural, intradural, extramedullary, and intramedullary depending on their origin and anatomic location. Intradural extramedullary spinal tumors form schwannomas and meningiomas. Spinal meningiomas are usually intradural extramedullary tumors. Meningiomas can be seen in epidural localization, extradural extension only, with nerve rostral invasion as, vertebral meningioma, or as multiple spinal meningioma. Spinal meningiomas are the most common intradural-extramedullary tumors and are generally slow-growing. Spinal meningiomas may have different clinical manifestations depending on their location and size. Surgical treatment should be planned according to the size of the tumor in the clinical situation after diagnosis. This study reports the case of a 57-year-old female patient presenting with a one-month history of increasing weakness in the lower extremities and numbness in the upper extremities. In addition, the report includes a literature review.

Kafa Travması Nedeni ile Ameliyat Edilen 226 Hastanın Retrospektif Değerlendirilmesi: Epidemiyolojik Çalışma

Amac: Kafa travmalari, ozellikle kentlerde ve genc nufusta en sik gorulen morbidite ve mortalite sebeplerinden biridir. Bu retrospektif calismayla, kafa travmalari ile ilgili ulkemiz epidemiyolojik veritabanina katkida bulunmayi amacladik. Materyal ve Metod: Mayis 2013-Eylul 2015 tarihleri arasinda, Van Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Dursun Odabas Tip Merkezinde Norosirurji kliniginde tedavi ameliyat edilen 226 hasta retrospektif olarak incelendi. Bulgular: Calismaya 185 erkek 41 kadin hasta dahil oldu. Kafa travmasinin en sik nedeni dusmeler olarak tesbit edildi. En sik acil ameliyat nedeni travmatik epidural hematom idi. Mortalite orani %21,3 olarak tespit edildi. Mortalite ile akut subdural hematom arasinda anlamli iliski varligi saptandi. Sonuc: Norosirurji kliniklerinde travma disi nedenlerle yapilan acil operasyonlar azimsanamayacak bir orani olusturmakta ve calismamizda oldugu gibi yuksek mortaliteye katkida bulunmaktadir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Epidemiyoloji, kafa travmasi, mortalite

PEDİATRİK ŞANT ENFEKSİYONLARI: 105 OLGULUK ÇİFT MERKEZLİ ÇALIŞMA

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hydrocephalus. If not diagnosed promptly and treated appropriately, mortality rates may be as high as 40%. Herein, 105 patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections operated in two different health centers were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, medical history, physical examination findings, laboratory findings, causative agents, and tertament modalities were noted. It was detected that shunt infection had been developed in 183 (min-max: 4-1080 days). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common pathogenic agent (40.5%). Mean duration of treatment was 31 (min 21-max 90) days