Neuroprotective effect of systemic and/or intravitreal rosuvastatin administration in rat glaucoma model.

To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of rosuvastatin, in a rat experimental glaucoma model

Does Venipuncture Increase Lymphedema by Triggering Inflammation or Infection? An Experimental Rabbit Ear Lymphedema Model Study

Background: Recent guidelines recommend avoiding venipuncture to prevent lymphedema for breast cancer patients. This study investigated whether single or multiple sterile venipuncture procedures develop a systemic inflammation or infection and increase lymphedema in the rabbit ear lymphedema model.Methods and Results: Eighteen New Zealand white female rabbits were included. The right ear lymphedema model was created by surgical procedure; then, rabbits were divided into three randomized groups. Single and multiple venipuncture procedures were applied at least the 60th day after surgery for Group I and II, respectively. Group III was a control group. C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels were analyzed to determine inflammation and infection. Ear thickness measurements were applied using a vernier caliper to assess the differences in lymphedema between the ears. All rabbits were euthanized on the 90th day after surgery. Histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate lymphedema by measuring tissue thicknesses. Ear thickness measurements showed that ear lymphedema was developed and maintained with surgical operation in all groups (p 0.05). CRP and PCT levels were below the lower detection levels in all groups. According to the differences of histopathological ear distances, there were significant differences within-groups for all groups (p 0.05).Conclusion: This experimental study demonstrated that single or multiple sterile venipuncture procedures did not trigger infection or inflammation and did not exacerbate ear lymphedema in the rabbit ear lymphedema model

Neuroprotective effect of systemic and/or intravitreal rosuvastatin administration in rat glaucoma model

AIM: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of rosuvastatin, in a rat experimental glaucoma model

Neuroprotective effect of systemic and/or intravitreal rosuvastatin administration in rat glaucoma model

AIM: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of rosuvastatin, in a rat experimental glaucoma model. METHODS: Ocular hypertension was induced in right eyes of Long-Evans rats (n=30) by cauterization of three episcleral veins. Left eyes were defined as controls. Rats were divided into five groups: oral rosuvastatin, intravitreal rosuvastatin, oral +intravitreal rosuvastatin, intravitreal sham and glaucoma without intervention. Rats were sacrificed at day 14. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) number was assessed by histopathological analysis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in RGC layer was also examined. RESULTS: A significant intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation was seen (P=0.002). Elevated IOP resulted in a significant decrease in number of RGCs in group 5 (70.33 +/- 8.2 cells/mm(2)) when compared with controls (92.50 +/- 13.72 cells/mm(2); P=0.03). The RGC number in group 1 (92.4 +/- 7.3 cells/mm(2)) was significantly higher than group 5 (P=0.03). The numbers of RGC in groups 2, 3 (57.3 +/- 8.2 cells/mm(2), 60.5 +/- 12.9 cells/mm(2)) were comparable with that of group 5 (P=0.18 and P=0.31). The apoptosis rates with TUNEL staining were also parallel to RGC number. Animals with experimentally induced glaucoma showed an increase in retinal GFAP immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION: Decrease in RGC loss and apoptosis suggest the neuroprotective potential of oral rosuvastatin treatment in a rat model of ocular hypertension. However intravitreal rosuvastatin showed a contrary effect and further studies are required

Ultrasound-guided thyroid nodule fine-needle biopsies - comparison of sample adequacy with different sampling techniques, different needle sizes, and with/without onsite cytological analysis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic adequacy of thyroid samples obtained by aspiration or capillary biopsy techniques, with 22 or 27 gauge needles, and with or without onsite cytological analysis (OCA). Material and methods: Four hundred patients with thyroid nodules underwent ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle biopsies. Patients were divided into eight groups according to needle size (22 vs. 27 gauge), biopsy technique (aspiration vs. capillary), and whether or not OCA was performed. Sample adequacy rates were calculated for each group and subgroups and compared using chi-square tests. Results: When all nodes were evaluated (n = 400), the adequacy rate was significantly greater with the capillary than with the aspiration technique (97\% vs. 91.5\%, p = 0.032) and when OCA was than was not performed (97\% vs. 91.5\%, p = 0.032). When only solid nodules were evaluated (n = 205) the adequacy rate was also significantly greater with the capillary than with the aspiration technique (98.9\% vs. 89.7\%, p = 0.008) and when OCA was than was not performed (97.9\% vs. 89.6\%, p = 0.014). In contrast, the adequacy rate was similar for 22 and 27 gauge needles (94.2\% vs. 93.1\%, p = 0.733). Conclusions: Optimal results were obtained with the capillary technique and OCA. The capillary technique and OCA should be the preferred approach in thyroid nodule biopsy, optimising adequacy rates and patient comfort

Is it easy to clinically distinguish inflammatory arthritis of bacterial origin from monoarthritis attacks of gout disease?

Acute monoarthritis is a common situation in orthopedic emergency where the patient presents with typical inflamed joint. It is hard to clinically distinguish inflammatory arthritis of bacterial origin from monoarthritis attacks of gout disease. If these two situations, which are the most common causes of acute monoarthritis, are misdiagnosed, outcomes might be catastrophic and costly. Synovial fluid analysis is the most reliable method for confirming the diagnosis although it might not always lead to definitive diagnosis. If there is clinical suspicion for crystal arthropathy, repeated examinations may provide benefits for confirming the diagnosis