Experimental intervertebral disc degeneration models

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a major health problem of close concern to both young and old. The problem is also growing as the global population ages. Intervertebral disc degeneration is defined as progressive changes affecting the spine as a component of natural aging under the effect of multiple factors (such as smoking, obesity, and incorrect exercise). For a solution to be found, experimental disc degeneration must first be induced, the causes of the disease must be identified, and early diagnostic and therapeutic methods must then be developed. Methods of inducing intervertebral disc degeneration with high applicability in rats were identified from the previous literature. This review discusses four methods of disc degeneration induction. It also discusses how to detect degeneration formation and development times. As a result of the literature review, information about four different and reliable intervertebral disc degeneration methods is presented

Relationship with Nephrotoxicity of Abemaciclib in Rats: Protective Effect of Curcumin

Abemaciclib (ABE) has been reported to cause gastrointestinal toxicity. Therefore, it is important to investigate the question of whether abemaciclib administration causes nephrotoxicity in the gastrointestinal tract, and if so, what pathophysiological pathways it follows. In this study, the relationship between ABE administration and nephrotoxicity and the protective effect of Curcumin (CMN) was investigated. Forty female rats were equally divided into the sham, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), CMN, abemaciclib and ABE+CMN groups. Aquaporin (AQP) 1-7, TNF-α, IL-1β, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, IL-10 and IL-37 levels in serum and kidney tissue homogenates were measured by ELISA. In addition, Urea and Creatinine were measured in serum samples. Furthermore, histopathological examination was performed in kidney tissues and Bax, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression levels were determined immunohistochemically. The levels of AQP1-7 and IL-10 in the ABE group were partially lower than in the other groups, while the ratio of TNFα, IL-1β, MDA, caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl2 were high. In addition, kidney tissue was examined histopathologically. However, AQP1 and 7 levels in the ABE+CMN group were higher than in the ABE group, while TNF-α, IL-1β, MDA, Caspase-3 levels and Bax/Bcl2 ratio were low. In addition, the poor histopathological changes in the ABE group were largely restored in the ABE+CMN. The data presented that ABE in rats can adversely affect functions and histology of kidneys through the increase in oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis, but CMN therapy may be protective against the nephrotoxic effects of AB

Electrocardiography interpretation training in emergency medicine: methods, resources, competency assessment, and national standardization

Objective(s). The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of electrocardiography (ECG) training in emergency medicine residency programs in Turkey, and the attitude of the program representatives towards standardization of such training. Methods. This investigation was planned as a cross-sectional study. An 18-item questionnaire was distributed to directors of residency programs. Responses were evaluated using SPSS (v.16.0), and analyzed using the chi-square test. Results. Thirty-nine program directors (out of 42) responded to the questionnaire. Twenty-eight of them stated they did not have a formal ECG training curriculum. The most preferred ECG education method was clinical education in the Emergency Department; the most common education resource was ECG textbooks; and the most common evaluation method was case scenarios. Only thirteen of the programs had an obligation to prove competency. The most common competency-assessment method was obtaining a passing grade based on an instructor’s observation. The majority of program directors are of the opinion that there should be a formal ECG teaching curriculum, and that a national ECG training program and national ECG database should be formed. Conclusions. The majority of programs do not have a formal ECG interpretation curriculum, which is an obligation to prove competency. As a result, their training methods, resources, and assessment tools were determined to be subjective

QT interval changes during the management of decompensated heart failure in the emergency care setting

Introduction: Reliable and objective diagnostic tools are needed for heart failure to assist prompt intervention, diagnosis, treatment, and admission and/or discharge decisions in the emergency room. The aim of this study was to assess the treatment-associated changes in corrected QT interval in patients with decompensated heart failure in the emergency care setting. Materials and methods: Thirty-nine adult patients with known heart failure presenting to the emergency room with New York Heart Association Class III-IV decompensated systolic heart failure symptoms were included in this study. Initial and post-treatment electrocardiography recordings were examined for corrected QT interval changes. Results: Treatment of decompensated heart failure resulted in a statistically significant reduction in QT interval when compared to pre-treatment measurements: 432.3±43.3 (range, 320-508) vs. 486.3±44.1 (range, 414-600) milliseconds, p=0.001. Discussion: Monitoring corrected QT interval may represent a useful additional assessment tool that may aid in the assessment of decompensated heart failure patients in the emergency room and in the decision for admission and discharge. However, further studies are warranted

Painless aortic dissection presenting with acute ischaemic stroke and multiple organ failure

Acute aortic dissection is an uncommon, life-threatening catastrophe, and early diagnosis is essential for the best chance of survival. Although acute onset of severe chest or back pain is the most common presenting symptom, some patients might present with atypical symptoms and findings such as acute stroke and mesenteric ischaemia related to the involving arterial segment. Establishing the diagnosis of aortic dissection can be difficult in the presence of atypical symptoms, especially in the absence of pain. Here, we report a case of acute, painless aortic dissection presenting with multiple organ failure and neurological deficits suggesting acute ischaemic stroke

Evaluating Unscheduled Readmission to Emergency Department in the Early Period.

The readmission in the early period (RAEP) is defined as the admission of a patient to emergency department (ED) for the second time within 72 hours after discharge from the ED