Quantitative analysis of collagens and fibronectin expression in human right ventricular hypertrophy

One of the main features in human tetralogy of Fallot (TF) is right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) due to pressure (sub-pulmonary stenosis) and volume overload (ventricular septal defect). Currently, primary correction at a young age is the treatment of choice. To unravel the role of extracellular matrix in RVH, we examined myocardial expression of collagens and fibronectin in TF patients with primary correction (TF1, age 0.7 ± 0.2 yr,), secondary surgery (TF2, age 36.9 ± 4.6 yr), and in age-matched control patients. Sirius red staining quantified by video imaging showed significantly increased interstitial staining for collagens in both TF1 and TF2 groups as compared to respective controls. Fibronectin was expressed in extracellular spaces, perivascular regions, and in some cardiomyocytes. Quantitative analysis of fibronectin revealed increased expression in only TF1 group as compared to respective control. Our results indicate an increased amount of myocardial extracellular matrix deposition as a sign of fibrosis during RVH in patients with TF

Association of common genetic variants with brain microbleeds

OBJECTIVE: To identify common genetic variants associated with the presence of brain microbleeds (BMBs). METHODS: We performed geno

Migraine Patients with or without Vertigo: Comparison of Clinical and Electronystagmographic Findings

Objective: To find the differences between patients with migraine with and without vertigo. Study Deslgn: A prospective study. Setting: Ambulatory dizziness centre of a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: Eighty-four patients with migraine (31 with headache, 53 with headache and vertigo) according to the diagnostic criteria of migraine published by the International Headache Society in 1988 were included in the study. Patient history, vestibular tests, electronystagmography (ENG), and imaging studies were performed for differential diagnosis. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical findings and ENG parameters. Results: Fifty-three of 84 patients (63%) had episodic vertigo attacks. Vertigo was independent from headache in 24 patients (45%). Vertigo symptoms always appeared later in the history of migraine headache. Headache started at age 27 ± 8.3 years and vertigo symptoms began 7.7 ± 8. 7 years later. The beginning age of the migraine and female-to-male ratio were significantly greater in the vertigo group. Fifty-eight of the 84 patients had ENG testing. Fifty-eight percent of the patients with migraine and 55% of the patients with migraine + vertigo had abnormal ENG findings. None of the tests except the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre had a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The presence of the same ENG abnormalities in patients with pure headache shows that the vestibular pathways are also affected in these patients, even when there are no vestibular symptoms

The Protective Role of Dexpanthenol on the Endometrial Implants in an Experimentally Induced Rat Endometriosis Model

PubMedID: 27313118Objective: Dexpanthenol (Dxp), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, plays an important role in the repair systems against oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Dxp on experimental endometriosis model. Study Design: A prospective experimental study was conducted in Experimental Animal Laboratory of Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay. Twenty nonpregnant female Wistar albino rats, in which experimental model of endometriosis was surgically induced, were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was administered 500 mg/kg/d Dxp intraperitoneally for 14 days, and group 2 was given the same amount of saline solution. After 2 weeks of medication, the rats were killed and implant volumes, histopathologic scores; and levels of serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were evaluated. Plasma and peritoneal fluid levels of tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF-?) were analyzed. Results: The endometriotic implant volumes, histopathologic scores, and serum TOS and OSI values were significantly decreased (P <.05) in the Dxp group compared to the control group. Plasma and peritoneal fluid TNF-? levels were significantly decreased (P <.05) in the Dxp group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Dexpanthenol has free radical scavenger effects, and antioxidant properties has significantly regressed endometriotic implant volumes, histopathologic scores, and serum TOS and OSI values. Serum and peritoneal fluid TNF-? levels were significantly decreased in the Dxp group. So Dxp decreased oxidative stress. © The Author(s) 2016