Comparison of levels of toxic trace elements in two most common spinal pathologies in three different tissues

Aim: The toxic trace element levels in serum, bone (lamina), and intervertebral disc tissues of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) which are the two most common spinal pathologies were determined, and it was investigated whether they have a role in the pathophysiology of these pathologies. Materials and methods: Cadmium (Cd), aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) levels in serum, intervertebral disc, and bone (lamina) tissue of patients with HNP (=20)  and 30 with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (n=30) were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry technique. Results: LDH group Cd serum level was found to be significantly higher than LSS group Cd serum level (p=0.024). The Al disc level in the HNP group was found to be significantly higher than the Al disc level in the LSS group (p=0.038). While As serum level increased in LDH group, it was determined that As bone level increased very significantly (r= 0.699, p=0.001). In the LSS group, it was determined that the Hg disc level increased significantly as the Hg serum level increased (r=0.608, p<0.01). On the other hand, as the Hg serum level increased in the LDH group, the Hg disc level also decreased significantly (r= -0.579, p<0.01). Conclusion: The difference in toxic trace element levels seen in these pathologies has been discussed in terms of possible causes in light of current literature. The findings of our study support the hypothesis that toxic trace elements may be effective in lumbar disc degeneration

Pro-inflammatory cytokine and vascular adhesion molecule levels in manganese and lead-exposed workers

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a model of the relationship between inflammatory cytokine and/or vascular adhesion molecule levels and clinical symptoms in individuals exposed to lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) or both (Pb+Mn).Methods: The study included 104 male workers exposed to metals for different durations in a factory setting (Mn-, Pb- and Pb+Mn-exposed groups) and 76 non-exposed male workers (control group). Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, soluble (s)E-selectin, and Vascular Cell Adhesion protein (VCAM)-1 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Mn and Pb levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results: Significant intergroup differences were observed in the levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and sE-selectin (p&lt;0.01 for all), but not VCAM-1 (p=0.298). Fatigue was the most frequent symptom in all groups (25.7%, 37.1%, and 44.1%, respectively). Other symptoms included tremor and anxiety in the Mn-exposed group (5.7%), and tremor and paresthesia in the Pb-exposed (14.7%) and Pb+Mn-exposed groups (20.6%).Conclusions: The correlation between increased biomarker levels and clinical symptoms suggests a close relationship between inflammation and neurotoxicity. This relationship not only explains the effect of the former on the latter but also provides a clinical model for the early diagnosis of neuroinflammation.</p

Important finding for COVID-19 pandemic; Hydrocephalus producing effect of vaporised alcohol disinfectant

Background: Alcohol exposure may cause hydrocephalus. In this study, the effect of vaporized nasal alcohol exposure on the choroid plexus, ependymal cells, and developing hydrocephalus was investigated. METHODS: 24 males (∼380g) Wistar rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into three groups, as the control, SHAM and study groups. Then, the study group was again divided into two groups as exposed to light or heavy dose alcohol. The choroid plexuses and intraventricular ependymal cells and ventricles volumes were assessed and compared. RESULTS: Degenerated epithelial cells density 22±5 /mm3in the control group, 56±11 /mm3in the SHAM group, 175±37 /mm3in the light, and 356±85 /mm3in the heavy alcohol exposure group. Evan's index was less than [removed]36% in the SHAM, larger than >40% in the group which was exposed to light alcohol (light alcohol group), larger than >50% in heavy alcohol (heavy alcohol group) exposed. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that alcohol exposure causes choroid plexus and ependymal cell degeneration with ciliopathy and the enlarged lateral ventricles or hydrocephalus. In the COVID-19 Pandemic Era, our findings are functionally important; alcohol has often been used for hygiene and prevention of transmission of COVID-19 pandemic

New histopathological evidence for the relationship between hydromyelia and hydrocephalus following subarachnoid hemorrhage: An experimental study

Objectives: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious pathology with a high death and morbidity rate. There can be a relationship between hydromyelia and hydrocephalus following SAH; however, this subject has not been well investigated. Materials and methods: Twenty-four rabbits (3 ± 0.4 years old; 4.4 ± 0.5 kg) were used in this study. Five of them were used as the control, and five of them as the SHAM group. The remaining animals (n = 14) had been used as the study group. The central canal volume values at the C1-C2 levels, ependymal cells, numbers of central canal surfaces, and Evans index values of the lateral ventricles were assessed and compared. Results: Choroid plexus edema and increased water vesicles were observed in animals with central canal dilatation. The Evans index of the brain ventricles was 0.33 ± 0.05, the mean volume of the central canal was 1.431 ± 0.043 mm3, and ependymal cells density was 5.420 ± 879/mm2 in the control group animals (n = 5); 0.35 ± 0.17, 1.190 ± 0.114 mm3, and 4.135 ± 612/mm2 in the SHAM group animals (n = 5); and 0.44 ± 0.68, 1.814 ± 0.139 mm3, and 2.512 ± 11/mm2 in the study group (n = 14). The relationship between the Evans index values, the central canal volumes, and degenerated ependymal cell densities was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that hydromyelia occurs following SAH-induced experimental hydrocephalus. Desquamation of ependymal cells and increased cerebrospinal fluid secretion may be responsible factors in the development of hydromyelia

Flow diverter stent treatment for unruptured supraclinoid segment internal carotid artery aneurysms: a Turkish multicenter study

OBJECTIVE Despite the relatively high success of surgical clipping of supraclinoid segment aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA), flow diverter (FD) stent therapy is becoming increasingly used for these aneurysms. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of FD placement for unruptured ICA supraclinoid segment aneurysms at 6 different centers with different experience levels in Türkiye. METHODS In this retrospective, multicenter study, the authors reviewed the demographic information, aneurysm shape/ dimensions (neck, aspect ratio, dome/neck ratio, and maximum diameter), preoperative antiplatelet regimen, FD stent brand, perioperative complications, intervention time, clinical (modified Rankin Scale) and radiological (O’Kelly-Marotta [OKM] grading scale) outcomes, and follow-up time of 54 patients. RESULTS A total of 55 interventions for 61 aneurysms (58 supraclinoid ICA aneurysms) were performed in the 54 patients included in the study. The female/male ratio in this population was 44/10, and the mean age was 53.5 ± 13.6 (range 21–82) years. The most common form and location of the aneurysms were saccular 91.4% (53/58) and ophthalmic segment 69% (40/58), respectively. The preferred antiplatelet regimen was acetylsalicylic acid plus ticagrelor 50% (27/54). The overall complication rate was 25.5% (14/55), and the mean follow-up time was 25.76 ± 17.88 months. The successful radiological outcome (OKM grade C or D) rate at the 6-month follow-up was 92.6%. No perioperative complications led to any permanent or transient neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS The results of this first multicenter study evaluating FD stent use for unruptured ICA supraclinoid segment aneurysms showed that FD stent treatment is a feasible method for replacing clipping and coil embolization with manageable complications and a high success rate