Selver Ozekinci

Protective effects of coumarin and coumarin derivatives against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats.

The comparison of the antioxidant activity of some coumarins with their molecular structure is well determined. However, the protective function of coumarins with various chemical structures against liver toxicity has not yet been well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cytoprotective properties of coumarin and some coumarin derivatives against CCl(4) (carbon tetrachloride)-induced hepatotoxicity. Coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) and coumarin derivatives esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin), scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and 4-methylumbelliferone (7-hyroxy-4-methyl) were examined for their protective effect against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in Male Sprague-Dawley rats. A single toxic dose of CCl(4) (1.25 ml kg(-1), orally) produced liver damage in rats, seen histologically as centrilobular necrosis. Administration of CCl(4) increased serum enzyme levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Pre-treatment of rats with esculetin (31.15 mg kg(-1), orally) and scoparone (35 mg kg(-1), orally) significantly prevented CCl(4)-induced increase in serum enzymes, whereas 4-methylumbelliferone (35 mg kg(-1)) and coumarin (30 mg kg(-1)) had no effect against CCl(4)-induced rise in serum enzymes. Morphological findings were consistent with the plasma transaminase observations. Among the coumarin analogs, esculetin, which possesses orthodihydroxy coumarins, showed the strongest protective effect against CCl(4)-induced liver damage, followed by scoparone, 4-methylumbelliferone and coumarin, respectively. The results of this study indicate that the chemical structures of coumarins play an important role in the prevention of liver toxicity.

Efficacy of topical cyclosporin A 0.05% in conjunctival impression cytology specimens and clinical findings of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children.

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporin A 0.05% in managing the symptoms of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).MethodsFifty-four children with severe VKC were included in this study. All 54 patients were treated with topical cyclosporin A (CsA) 0.05% for 3 months. Ocular signs and symptoms were scored in all patients at entry and after 3 months. Conjunctival impression cytology specimens were examined on the day of enrollment and at the end of the treatment period.ResultsThe mean scores for severity of signs and symptoms significantly decreased after 3 months compared with those at entry (P < 0.001). The density of inflammatory cells in the conjunctival impression cytology specimens decreased significantly. No side effects of the treatment with CsA 0.05% eyedrops were observed.ConclusionsTopical CsA 0.05% eyedrops were found to be safe and effective in the treatment of patients with VKC. Consistent with these results, topical CsA may efficiently reduce conjunctival inflammation in severe VKC.

Current Concepts in the Management of Marjolin's Ulcers: Outcomes From a Standardized Treatment Protocol in 16 Cases

Marjolins ulcer is a malignant lesion observed in chronic wounds and in areas where the integrity of the skin is compromised because of any one of several reasons. The aim of this study was to define etiology, topography, and histopathology for Marjolins ulcer and its surgical management. Sixteen cases were diagnosed and treated as Marjolins ulcers. The mean age was 57.1 years (range, 32–85 years) and 15 of the patients (93.75%) had history of ulcer of 30 years or more. In 10 cases (62.5%), Marjolins ulcer occurred after a flame burn and in 6 cases (37.5%) after a scalding burn injury. In six cases (37.5%), there was history of chronic trauma due to contact with the clothing. Primary lesions were at the leg, gluteal region, thigh, scalp, trunk, and hand in four (25%), three (18.7%), two (12.5%), two (12.5%), three (18.7%), and two (12.5%) cases, respectively. Amputation was carried out to treat two cases, and repair of the defects with partial-thickness skin grafting was performed in 14 cases after tumor resection on the skin. Superficial inguinal lymph node dissections were performed in four cases with tumor in the thigh and a positive inguinal lymph node. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 14 cases (87.5%) and basal cell carcinoma in two cases (12.5%) postoperatively. The authors conclude that diagnosis and surgical planning based on the recent literature must be carried out even more intensively to improve the prognosis of Marjolins ulcer.

Thrombosis of temporal artery and renal vein in Kimura-disease-related nephrotic syndrome.

Kimura disease (KD) is an angiolymphoid proliferative disorder of unknown etiology, occurs mainly in Asian patients, presenting with subcutaneous slowly growing masses, with a predilection for preauricular and submandibular regions. The clinical course of the disease is thought to be benign. Concomitant peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated serum immunoglobulin E levels are often observed. Main systemic manifestation of the KD is renal involvement. Renal abnormalities, notably proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome have been found to be associated with KD. We report a 42-year-old man with KD and a steroid-sensitive membraneous nephrotic syndrome with bilaterally temporal artery and renal vein thrombosis. This is the first reported case of KD associated nephrotic syndrome complicated with wide arterial and venous thrombosis from Anatolia.

Oxytocin ameliorates remote liver injury induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) causes remote liver damage. Oxytocin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective function of oxytocin (OT) in remote liver damage triggered by renal IR in rats. Twenty four rats were randomly divided into four different groups, each containing 8 rats. The groups were as follows: (1) Sham operated group; (2) Sham operated+OT group (3) Renal IR group; (4) Renal IR+OT group. OT (500µg/kg) was administered subcutaneously 12 and 24 hours before and immediately after ischemia. At the end of experimental procedure, the rats were sacrificed, and liver specimens were taken for histological assessment or determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraoxonase (PON-1) activity and nitric oxide (NO). The results showed that renal IR injury constituted a notable elevation in MDA, TOS, Oxidative stress index (OSI) and significantly decreased TAS, PON-1 actvity and NO in liver tissue (p<0.05). Additionally renal IR provoked significant augmentation in hepatic microscopic damage scores. However, alterations in these biochemical and histopathological indices due to IR injury were attenuated by OT treatment (p<0.05). These findings show that OT ameliorates remote liver damage triggered by renal ischemia-reperfusion and this preservation involves suppression of inflammation and regulation of oxidant-antioxidant status.

Treatment of Experimental Bacillus cereus Endophthalmitis Using Intravitreal Moxifloxacin With or Without Dexamethasone

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of intravitreal moxifloxacin with or without dexamethasone on experimental Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis. METHODS The right eyes of 21 New Zealand albino rabbits weighing 2-3 kg were used in this study. Each eye was inoculated with 1×10(6) colony-forming units of B. cereus microorganisms via intravitreal injection into the vitreous cavity, and an experimental model of B. cereus endophthalmitis was formed. The rabbits were separated into 3 groups: Group 1 was given 0.1 mL of balanced saline solution intravitreally, group 2 was given 50 μg of moxifloxacin, and group 3 was given 50 μg of moxifloxacin plus 400 μg of dexamethasone 24 h after the inoculation. Vitreous aspirates were taken for microbiological examination on the 3rd day. Clinical inflammation scores were evaluated on days 1, 7, and 14. The rabbits were killed on the 14th day, and the eyes were enucleated for histopathological examination. RESULTS On the 7th day, only the vitreous scores of the treatment groups were significantly low compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). On day 14, the clinical scores of vitreous inflammation were 2.43±0.79, 1.43±0.53, and 1.29±0.49 in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The clinical scores of the treatment groups were significantly lower compared with those of the control group on day 14 (P<0.05). Histopathological scores were 2.43±0.79, 1.43±0.53, and 1.43±0.79 for the iris and 2.14±0.69, 1.57±0.53, and 1.14±0.38 for the vitreous in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Apart from the conjunctiva, the histopathological scores of the other tissues in the treatment groups were significantly lower compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the histopathological or clinical scores among the treatment groups (P>0.05). Microbiological scores at day 14 were 151±6.43, 125.43±13.44, and 131.14±16.99 for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The microbiological scores of the treatment groups were significantly lower compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Intravitreal moxifloxacin injection is effective in experimental B. cereus endophthalmitis. The addition of intravitreal dexamethasone may not significantly affect treatment efficacy.

The Effect of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field on the Conjunctiva and Goblet Cells

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF MF) on the conjunctiva and goblet cells density. Methods: Thirty adult female Spraque Dawley rats were assigned to one of two groups, each containing 15 rats. The experimental group received magnetic field 4 hr/day for 7 days. The second group received standard laboratory care and served as a control. The specimens were evaluated by light microscopy for goblet cell density, conjunctival edema, inflammation, and fibroblast proliferation. Results: In ELF MF exposure group rats, the number of goblet cells was less than the control group. We also observed a significant difference between ELF MF exposure group and control group in terms of goblet cell density (p = 0.010). The ELF MF exposure group manifested conjunctival edema and inflammation compared to the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003). There was no statistical difference between the groups for fibroblast proliferation (p = 0.422). Conclusion: This study suggests that ELF MF exposure leads to morphological alterations of the conjunctiva and reductions in the number of goblet cells. We believe that ELF MF may cause dry eye symptoms.

Parachordoma: a recurrent case and review of the literature.

Parachordoma is an uncommon tumor of soft tissue, and the origin is not clear. Recurrence and metastasis are rarely seen. A piecemeal mass measuring 7x4x3 cm was excised from a 28-year-man who had presented with pain and swelling of the right shoulder for 5 years. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of cells with clear eosinophilic cytoplasm and an epithelioid appearance in a myxoid stroma separated by fibrous tissue with mild pleomorphism and mitotic activity. Tumoral cells were immunoreactive for cytokeratin 8/18, EMA, S-100 and vimentin, immunohistochemically. Recurrence was seen one year after the initial diagnosis. Areas of increased mitotic activity and atypical mitoses were observed in the recurrent tumor. We report this case as recurrence occurred earlier than usual and exhibited malignant features.

Antioxidant support in composite musculo-adipose-fasciocutaneous flap applications: An experimental study

Abstract Free radicals are chemicals that play roles in the etio-pathogenesis of ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Various antioxidants have been used in an attempt to mitigate the damage induced by these chemicals. In the present study, the antioxidative effects of grape seed extract (proanthocyanidin), tomato extract (lycopene), and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on a composite re-established-flow inferior epigastric artery based rectus abdominis muscle-skin flap model on which experimental ischaemia was induced were investigated. The rats have been administered antioxidants for 2 weeks prior to the surgery and for 2 more weeks thereafter. Macroscopic, histopathological, and biochemical analyses were carried out at the decision of the experiment. It was found that flap skin island necrosis was significantly reduced in the proanthocyanidin, lycopene, vitamin C groups (p < 0.001). Statistical analyses showed significant decreases in inflammation, oedema, congestion, and granulation tissue in the proanthocyanidin and lycopene groups compared to the vitamin C and control groups (p < 0.001). When the viability rates of fat and muscle tissues were examined, significant improvements were found in the proanthocyanidin and lycopene groups in comparison to the other groups (p < 0.001). Serum antioxidant capacity measurements revealed significant differences in the lycopene group compared to all other groups (p < 0.001). It is concluded that lycopene and proanthocyanidin are protective antioxidants in rat composite muscle-skin flap ischaemia-reperfusion models.

Dynamic multidetector computed tomography findings of hepatocellular carcinoma of hepatitis B virus-positive and -negative patients

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate and compare multidetector computed tomography findings of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive and -negative patients.MethodsTriphasic (arterial, portal venous, and delayed phases) dynamic multidetector computed tomography (CT) was performed in 83 patients with HCC, 48 of whom were HBV-positive. The diagnosis of HCC was established with typical CT imaging findings (68 patients) or histopathological evaluation (15 patients). Distribution of solitary, multiple, and diffuse HCC, portal/hepatic vein thrombosis, metastasis, and patients with high alpha-fetoprotein levels in the HBV-positive and -negative groups were compared using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Lesion size, alpha-fetoprotein levels, arterial, portal, delayed enhancement, and washout of lesions were compared using the Student’s t-test.ResultsHypervascular tumors were observed in 72 (87%) patients, and hypovascular tumors were found in 11 (13%) patients. The mean alpha-fetoprotein value of HBV-positive patients with HCC was significantly higher than the mean alpha-fetoprotein value of HBV-negative patients (P < 0.05). Portal/hepatic vein thrombosis and metastasis were more frequently observed in HBV-positive patients (P < 0.05). The frequencies of solitary, multiple, and diffuse lesions in HBV-positive and -negative patients were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The mean diameters, arterial, portal, and delayed phase attenuations, and washout of HCC were not significantly different (P > 0.05).ConclusionsMultidetector CT imaging findings of HCC in HBV-positive and -negative patients are alike. Portal/hepatic vein thrombosis and metastasis are more frequently observed in HBV-positive patients. Alpha-fetoprotein levels are higher in HBV-positive patients.