Effects of nicotine administration in rats on MMP2 and VEGF levels in periodontal membrane

Background: Nicotine is associated with increased incidence of periodontal disease and poor response to therapy. This article aimed at identifying the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMPs2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins on extracellular matrix, fibrous distribution and angiogenetic development in periodontitis caused by nicotine effects on periodontal membrane.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, rats were divided into nicotine and control groups. While the rats in the nicotine group (n = 6) were administered 2 mg/kg nicotine sulphate for 28 days, the animals in the control group (n = 6) were only administered 1.5 mL physiologic saline solution subcutaneously for 28 days.Results: Histological sections were prepared and immunohistochemically stained for MMP2 and VEGF. The sections stained with Trichrome-Masson were observed under light microscope. VEGF and MMP2 immunoreactivity of periodontal gingiva and dentin was assessed by immunohistochemical staining.Conclusions: Nicotine reduces MMP production, disrupts collagen synthesis and causes periodontitis. We observed that nicotine increases periodontitis by disrupting periodontal membrane and prevents tooth to anchor in dental alveoli by disrupting epithelial structure

Effects of formaldehyde on vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metallopeptidase 2 and osteonectin levels in periodontal membrane and alveolar bone in rats

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether long term formaldehyde inhalation may affect periodontal membrane and alveolar bone loss leading to periodontitis. The negative effects of formaldehyde were described using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and osteonectin antibodies involved in the extracellular matrix and angiogenetic development. Materials and methods: Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 15) and formaldehyde administered group (n = 15). Formaldehyde group was exposed to inhalation of 10 ppm formaldehyde 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Maxillary bone regions were dissected under anaesthesia. After fixation in 10% formaldehyde solution, tissues were passed through graded ethanol series to obtain paraffin blocks. Five-micrometre histological sections were cut with RM2265 rotary microtome stained with Masson trichrome and VEGF, MMP-2 and osteonectin antibodies for examination under Olympus BH-2 light microscopy. Results: The present study revealed that congestion in blood vessels, degeneration of collagen fibres and alveolar matrix around alveolar bone were observed to be more significant in formaldehyde group than the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Interestingly, VEGF expression in the formaldehyde group was the most significant finding between the two groups (p < 0.001). When compared inflammation, MMP-2 and osteonectin expressions were significant (p < 0.01) in the formaldehyde group. Conclusions: It was suggested that formaldehyde toxicity decreased the expression of MMP-2 and in osteoblasts as well as affecting the retention of MMP levels in tooth cavity, which is very low in collagen fibres. But, vice versa for the expression of VEGF in dilated vascular endothelial cells and osteocytes in alveolar bone. As a conclusion, formaldehyde disrupts the periodontal membrane and may cause collagen fibres degeneration by affecting the alveolar bone matrix

Histopathological changes in the choroid plexus after traumatic brain injury in the rats: a histologic and immunohistochemical study

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is in part associated with the disruption of the blood-brain barrier. In this study, we analysed the histopathological changes in E-cadherin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression after TBI in rats.   Materials and methods: The rats were divided into two groups as the control and the trauma groups. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to TBI with a weight-drop device using 300 g/1 m weight-height impact. After 5 days of TBI, blood samples were taken under ketamine hydroxide anaesthesia and biochemical analyses were performed. The control and trauma groups were compared in terms of biochemical values.   Results: There was no change in glutathione (GSH) levels and blood-brain barier permeability. However, malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity levels increased in the trauma group. In the histopathological examination, choroid plexus in the lateral ventricle, near the pia mater membrane, was removed. In the traumatic group, some of epithelial cells were hyperplasic. Some of them were peeled off the apical surface and had local degeneration.   Conclusions: In addition, we observed congestion in capillary vessels and mononuclear cell infiltration around the vessels. After TBI, the increase in VEGF levels, vascular permeability, and interaction with VEGF receptors in endothelial cells lead to oedema of the vessel wall. On the other hand, E-cadherin expression decreased in the tight-junction structures between epithelial cells and basal membrane, resulting in an increase in cerebrospinal fluid in the intervillous area

The effect of anesthesia type on stress hormone response: Comparison of general versus epidural anesthesia

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different types of anesthesia on stress hormones.Materials and Methods: The study was included 60 ASAI-II cases scheduled for major lower extremity surgery. The cases were randomized into 2  groups: The EA group was administered epidural anesthesia and the GA group was administered standard general anesthesia. In order to evaluate the surgical trauma - related stress response, CRP, TSH, cortisol, and fasting blood sugar(FBS) levels were measured preoperatively, 30 min after surgical incision, and 24 h post surgery.Results: Between-group comparisons; Preoperative values were not  significantly different between the groups.(P > 0,05) Pulse rate and cortisol values significantly higher in general group at 30 min. (P < 0,05), and the FBS values were significantly higher in the epidural group at 24 h.(P < 0,05) There were not found differences for other parameters at evaluation times.Conclusion: No differences were observed between the two anesthesia methods, in terms of minimizing the stress response due to surgical trauma during major low extremity surgery.Key words: Epidural anesthesia, general anesthesia, stress hormone

Investigation of antioxidant effects of rosmarinic acid on liver, lung and kidney in rats: a biochemical and histopathological study

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the protective effects of rosmarinic acid in rats exposed to hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Materials and methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly classified into four groups of 8 rats each: laparotomy without medication, rosmarinic acid (dose of 50 mg/kg via oral gavage) followed by laparotomy, laparotomy followed by hepatic I/R, and hepatic I/R with rosmarinic acid. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alaninę aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels and total oxidant activity and total antioxidant capacity levels of the liver, lung, and kidney were assessed. The histopathologic assessment was also performed. Results: Rosmarinic acid significantly reduced liver function test parameters and decreased oxidative stress and abnormal histopathologic findings in the liver. The oxidative stress in the lung significantly increased in the I/R group but significantly decreased in the I/R + rosmarinic acid group due to the addition of rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid led to no reduction in oxidative stress in kidney following hepatic I/R injury. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups regarding histopathologic changes in kidney and lung sections. Conclusions: Rosmarinic acid has antioxidant properties and is an effective hepatoprotective agent. However, although rosmarinic acid provides useful effects in the lung by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress after I/R injury, it does not ameliorate histopathologic changes. These findings suggest that rosmarinic acid is likely to provide favourable outcomes in the treatment of hepatic I/R injury

Site selection of the Colombian antarctic research station based on fuzzy-topsis algorithm

By 2025 the Republic of Colombia aims to be an advisory member of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) and the installation of a scientific station is necessary to upscale the scientific capabilities. The aim of this paper is showing the results of the implementation of a Fuzzy TOPSIS algorithm for site selection of the Colombian Antarctic Scientific Station. A three-phase methodology was AQ1 proposed, and the obtained results allowed to identify the optimum location for the station, considering key success factors and regulatory constraints

Diagnosis and Reporting of Follicular-Patterned Thyroid Lesions by Fine Needle Aspiration

Over the past 3 decades, fine needle aspiration (FNA) has developed as the most accurate and cost-effective initial method for guiding the clinical management of patients with thyroid nodules. Thyroid FNA specimens containing follicular-patterned lesions are the most commonly encountered and include various forms of benign thyroid nodules, follicular carcinomas, and the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Based primarily upon the cytoarchitectural pattern, FNA is used as a screening test for follicular-patterned lesions to identify the majority of patients with benign nodules who can be managed without surgical intervention. The terminology and reporting of thyroid FNA results have been problematic due to significant variation between laboratories, but the recent multidisciplinary NCI Thyroid FNA State of the Science Conference has provided a seven-tiered diagnostic solution. A key element of this approach is the category “atypical cells of undetermined significance” (ACUS) which is used for those aspirates which cannot be easily classified as benign, suspicious, or malignant. Lesions in this category represent approximately 3–6% of thyroid FNAs and have a risk of malignancy intermediate between the “benign” category and the “suspicious for a follicular neoplasm” category. The recommended follow-up for an ACUS diagnosis is clinical correlation and in most cases, repeat FNA sampling