Cervical intramedullary schwannoma: a case report and review of the literature

Intramedullary schwannomas unrelated with neurofibromatosis are uncommon tumors, but if correctly diagnosed and properly treated they may have a good prognosis

Melatonin Membrane Receptors in Peripheral Tissues: Distribution and Functions

Many of melatonin’s actions are mediated through interaction with the G-protein coupled membrane bound melatonin receptors type 1 and type 2 (MT1 and MT2, respectively) or, indirectly with nuclear orphan receptors from the RORα/RZR family. Melatonin also binds to the quinone reductase II enzyme, previously defined the MT3 receptor. Melatonin receptors are widely distributed in the body; herein we summarize their expression and actions in non-neural tissues. Several controversies still exist regarding, for example, whether melatonin binds the RORα/RZR family. Studies of the peripheral distribution of melatonin receptors are important since they are attractive targets for immunomodulation, regulation of endocrine, reproductive and cardiovascular functions, modulation of skin pigmentation, hair growth, cancerogenesis, and aging. Melatonin receptor agonists and antagonists have an exciting future since they could define multiple mechanisms by which melatonin modulates the complexity of such a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes

The history of neurosurgery in anatolia and turkey: The turkish neurosurgical society

Although the history of neurosurgery in Anatolia goes back ten thousand years, modern surgery began in Turkey in 1890. Neurosurgery in Turkey began in the first half of the 20th century. However, general surgeons began applying neurosurgical techniques back in the late 19th century. Most of these applications included procedures for craniocerebral traumas and infections. Dr. Cemil Topuzlu (1868-1958) is the founder of modern surgery in Turkey. Dr. Abdulkadir Cahit Tuner became the first neurosurgeon with a degree in Turkey in 1923. The first neurosurgery department was established in Istanbul in 1923, and the first training program began in the late 1940s. Currently there are almost 1200 neurosurgeons in Turkey and 75 training clinics at university hospitals and Training and Research Hospitals of the Ministry of Health provide neurosurgery training. The current state of neurosurgery in Turkey is parallel to that of the advanced Western countries. Apart from the application of neurosurgical procedures, there have been many scientific studies from Turkish neurosurgeons contributing to the total body of literature in neurosurgery

Ultrastructural Changes In Pneumocyte Type Ii Cells Following Traumatic Brain Injury In Rats

Objective: We aimed to demonstrate the time-dependent ultrastructural changes in pneumocyte type II cells following brain injury, and to propose an electron microscopic scoring model for the damage. Methods: Forty Wistar-Albino female rats weighing 170-200 g were used. The rats were allocated into five groups. The first group was the control and the second was the craniotomy without trauma. The others were trauma groups. Weight-drop method was used for achieving head trauma. Samples were obtained from the right and left pulmonary lobes at 2-, 8-, and 24-h intervals after transcardiac perfusion. An electron microscopic scoring model was used to reveal the changes. Results: There were no ultrastructural pathological findings pointing to lung injury in any rat of the control groups. There was intense intracellular oedema in type II pneumocyte and interstitial oedema in the adjacent tissue in trauma groups. Oedema in mitochondria and dilatation in both smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus was more evident in the 8- and 24-h trauma groups. The chromatin dispersion was disintegrated in the nucleus in all trauma groups. Scores of all trauma groups were significantly different from the controls (P < 0.05). All trauma groups were different from each other at significant levels (P < 0.05 for each trauma groups). Conclusions: The data suggested that ultrastructural damage is obvious at 2 h and deteriorates with time. The electron microscopic scoring model worked well in depicting the traumatic changes, which were supported by lipid peroxidation. Further experiments are needed to determine the exact outcome after brain death model. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.WoSScopu

A Quadruped Study on Chitosan Microspheres Containing Atorvastatin Calcium: Preparation, Characterization, Quantification And In-Vivo Application

Atorvastatin is commonly used as a cholesterol lowering agent in patients. Recently, the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin became the focus of many research studies. In this study, we have formulated chitosan microspheres containing atorvastatin calcium. In-vitro characterization of chitosan microspheres and quantification of atorvastatin calcium from formulations were also evaluated. The neuroprotective efficiency of atorvastatin calcium was investigated by an experimental spinal cord injury model. Atorvastatin calcium microspheres were implanted at the laminectomy area (1 mg/kg) immediately after trauma. Twenty-four hours after injury, motor functions of animals were scored according to modified Tarlov Scale. In spinal cord tissues tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6 and lipid peroxidation levels were quantified and ultrastructural changes have been investigated. The results of all parameters indicate that microspheres containing atorvastatin calcium were capable of improving functional outcome, attenuating the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6; lowering lipid peroxidation levels and maintaining the preservation of the cellular uniformity