Effects of Chemical Sympathectomy on Contralateral Testicular Histology and Fertility in Unilateral Vasectomy

Unilateral obstruction or injury to the vas deferens can result in significant injury to the contralateral testicle. Although various pathways have been proposed, the mechanism of contralateral testicular deterioration remains controversial. The present animal study was performed to evaluate the effects of unilateral vasectomy on ipsilateral and contralateral testicular histology and fertility in rats that were chemically sympathectomized neonatally. The study comprised 40 male albino rats: 20 received a placebo and the other 20 underwent chemical sympathectomy neonatally. When 60 days old, each group of 20 rats was divided into two groups that underwent either a sham operation or an operation to create unilateral left vasectomy. Eight weeks after surgery, each male rat was housed with two known fertile female rats for 25 days, and then their testes were harvested. Mean seminiferous tubular diameters (MSTD) and mean testicular biopsy scores (MTBS) were determined for each testis. Although MSTD and MTBS were not significantly different between groups, chemical sympathectomy prevented the decrease in total fertility rates of the rats with unilateral left vasectomy in our study. Prevention of this decrease by chemical sympathectomy suggests that the sympathetic nervous system may play a role in the testicular degeneration associated with vasectomy

Twelve-year trends in the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes and prediabetes in Turkish adults

There is concern about an emerging diabetes epidemic in Turkey. We aimed to determine the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes and their 12-year trends and to identify risk factors for diabetes in the adult Turkish population. A cross-sectional, population-based survey, ‘TURDEP-II’ included 26,499 randomly sampled adults aged ≥ 20 years (response rate: 87 %). Fasting glucose and biochemical parameters were measured in all; then a OGTT was performed to identify diabetes and prediabetes in eligible participants. The prevalence of diabetes was 16.5 % (new 7.5 %), translating to 6.5 million adults with diabetes in Turkey. It was higher in women than men (p = 0.008). The age-standardized prevalence to the TURDEP-I population (performed in 1997–98) was 13.7 % (if same diagnostic definition was applied diabetes prevalence is calculated 11.4 %). The prevalence of isolated-IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and combined prediabetes was 14.7, 7.9, and 8.2 %, respectively; and that of obesity 36 % and hypertension 31.4 %. Compared to TURDEP-I; the rate of increase for diabetes: 90 %, IGT: 106 %, obesity: 40 % and central obesity: 35 %, but hypertension decreased by 11 % during the last 12 years. In women age, waist, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, low education, and living environment; in men age, BMI, and hypertension were independently associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes. In women current smoking, and in men being single were associated with a reduced risk. These results from one of the largest nationally representative surveys carried out so far show that diabetes has rapidly become a major public health challenge in Turkey. The figures are alarming and underscore the urgent need for national programs to prevent diabetes, to manage the illness and thus prevent complications. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10654-013-9771-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

HEAVY METAL LEVELS OF FIVE FISH SPECIES INHABITING BRACKISH WATER, THE KUCUKCEKMECE LAGOON, ISTANBUL (TURKEY)

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the Kucukcekmece Lagoon were determined seasonally in the following species/tissues: whole bodies of two fish (Clupeonella cultriventris and Atherina boyeri) and edible tissues (muscles) of three fish (Carassius gibelio, Scardinius erythrophthalmus and Mugil cephalus) inhabiting brackish waters. Comparisons between the previously published metal concentrations in water and sediment samples taken in the same period from the Lagoon were made with those of fish caught from the Lagoon. The relationship between metal concentrations in all fish species and their length/weight was analyzed. 85% of the measured Pb concentrations exceeded the Turkish Food Codex (TFC) and European Commission (EC) limits, whereas 15% of the measured Cd concentrations exceeded the TFC and EC limits. The levels of Zn determined for all seasons in the muscles of the fish were lower than the levels specified by TFC limit, except for S. erythrophthalmus for winter and autumn. However, none of these concentrations in terms of provisional tolerable weekly intake exceeded maximum and guideline levels for contaminants and toxins in food set by FAO/WHO, and for metals and alloys used as food contact materials set by the Council of Europe (CE)

Radioiodine Accumulation in a Large Adnexal Cystadenofibroma

WOS: 000277407000015PubMed ID: 20406107Background: Posttherapy or diagnostic whole-body radioiodine (131I) scans are conducted to observe metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinomas. Sometimes, false-positive scans occur due a variety of lesions. Here we report a patient with marked radioiodine accumulation in a large adnexal cystadenofibroma, a benign ovarian tumor. Summary: A 51-year-old woman underwent subtotal thyroidectomy due to an enlarged-multinodular goiter that caused mild compression to trachea. In her preoperative neck ultrasonography, there were mixed cystic-solid nodules without suspicious ultrasound features that were smaller than 1 cm. Pathologic examination revealed multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma. The residual thyroid tissue was ablated with 3.7 GBq radioiodine (131I) when the serum thyroglobulin concentration was 28.7 ng/mL and the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level was 50 mu IU/mL. A posttherapy whole-body scan on the 10th day after ablation revealed well-demarcated, circumscribed radioiodine uptake in the right pelvic region. Pelvic ultrasonography revealed a solid-cystic lesion with a diameter of 9 cm in the right pelvic region. Six months later, the lesion accumulated marked radioiodine in the whole-body scan (with 185MBq 131I). The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Pathologic examination revealed a benign cystadenofibroma without any coexisting thyroid tissue. Conclusions: As far as we can ascertain, this is the first report of a radioiodine-accumulating cystadenofibroma. The mechanism for radioiodine accumulation in this patient's tumor is unclear

A distinctive presentation of diplopodia: a Y-metatarsal combining the extra foot and the extra digit of the main foot.

Diplopodia is a rare congenital anomaly and has been described as extra digits, metatarsals, and tarsal bones that form an extra foot or foot-like structure. Various skeletal deformities and anomalies involving other organ systems can accompany diplopodia. Treatment consists of surgery, splinting, and physical therapy, planned according to each patient's specific condition. We present a patient who had diplopodia with distinctive anatomic features (with postaxial polydactyly and without any anomaly of the tibia or fibula) compared with the previously reported cases, and concomitant anomalies, including left renal agenesis and anal atresia. (C) 2013 by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. All rights reserved

Selenium treatment in autoimmune thyroiditis: 9-month follow-up with variable doses

WOS: 000239385600018PubMed ID: 16837619The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term (9 months) effects of variable doses (200/100 mu g/day) of L-selenomethionine on autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and the parameters affecting the success rate of this therapy. The present study was designed in three steps: (1) 88 female patients with AIT (mean age = 40(.)1 +/- 13(.)3 years) were randomized into two groups according to their initial serum TSH, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) concentrations, and age. All the patients were receiving L-thyroxine to keep serum TSH 0(.)05). TPOAb titers increased significantly in group S21 (38(.)1 %, P < 0(.)01). A significant decrease in thyroglobulin antibody titers was only noted in group S2 (5(.)2%, P < 0(.)01). L-Selenornethionine substitution suppresses serum concentrations of TPOAb in patients with AIT, but suppression requires doses higher than 100 mu g/day which is sufficient to maximize glutathione peroxidase activities. The suppression rate decreases with time

Free pre-expanded lateral circumflex femoral artery perforator flap for extensive resurfacing and reconstruction of the hand.

Resurfacing and reconstruction of extensive scars, severe contractures and deformities of the hand are still challenging cases for plastic surgeons. Treatments usually necessitate thin, pliable and broad flaps. Additionally, minimising the donor-site morbidity is an indisputable requisite. The pre-expanded perforator flap technique has been shown to provide extensive, thin and pliable skin with increased vascularity while reducing the donor-site morbidity. Utilisation of free pre-expanded lateral circumflex femoral artery perforator flap in an aesthetic and functional reconstruction of severe post-burn hand deformity is demonstrated. The successful functional and aesthetic outcome that was achieved in the early postoperative period and which still persists after 23 months of follow-up indicates that our technique could be preferably used in the extensive coverage of the hand. (c) 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

beta-CARBOLINE PRODUCTION FROM IN VITRO REGENERATED PEGANUM HARMALA L. PLANT

WOS: 000455562400062Peganum harmala L. seeds were germinated in hormone free sterile MS medium. Root, shoot tip, leaf, petiole, hypocotyl, cotyledon and nod explants excised from in vitro regenerated plants were incubated in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l and 2 mg/l 2,4-D for callus production. Hypocotyl and cotyledon explants produced callus and untreated callus was accepted as control for the comparison of beta-carboline alkaloids production extracted from different samples. Callus were exposed to cold and dark conditions and incubated in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l ABA, 1 mg/l ABA, 1 mg/l NAA and 1 mg/l BAP in different batches to increase beta-carboline alkaloid production. Seeds were germinated in soil ambient condition. beta-carboline alkaloids; harmalol, harmine and harmaline were extracted from seeds, plants grown in soil, callus grown in MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D, callus incubated MS medium supplemented with NAA, BAP, ABA and callus exposed cold and dark condition. The extracts were quantitatively analysed with HPLC. The highest alkaloid concentrations were determined in vivo seeds and plants grown in soil. However, alkaloid production in callus tissues is also promising. Harmalol and harmine concentration decreased with cold treatment but increased with ABA treatment compared to that of the control. Harmaline was increased with cold treatment, but dramatically decreased in all treatment that callus is exposed.Scientific Research Projects Unit of Yuzuncu Yil UniversityYuzuncu Yil University [2010-FBE-YL101]Authors thank to the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Yuzuncu Yil University for its financial support (Project Code: 2010-FBE-YL101).https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fethi-Ozdemir-2/publication/329644652_b-CARBOLINE_PRODUCTION_FROM_IN_VITRO_REGENERATED_PEGANUM_HARMALA_L_PLANT/links/5c13973aa6fdcc494ff3b4f0/b-CARBOLINE-PRODUCTION-FROM-IN-VITRO-REGENERATED-PEGANUM-HARMALA-L-PLANT.pd

Predicting dark-field images of H&E-stained esophageal specimens

The potential of laser-induced thermal therapy can be reassessed in treating abnormal mucosal tissues with advances in fiber optics, diode laser technology, and optical imaging modalities. In this context, studies optimizing a large parameter matrix (e.g., laser power, surface scanning speed, beam diameter, and irradiation duration) may be of interest. This study presents an artificial intelligence algorithm utilizing a generative adversarial network that predicts dark-field microscopy images from bright-field images of H&E-stained esophageal specimens. The calculated structural similarity index measurement between ground truth and the predicted dark-field image reaches an average of 74%. Also, the mean squared error is 0.7%