Magnetotail structures in a simulated Earth's magnetosphere

The structure of the magnetotail is investigated in a laboratory simulated magnetosphere. Particular emphasis is placed on the region of distant magnetotail where the closed field line region of the plasma sheet terminates and the process of reconnection takes place. Our study builds upon the previous investigation of the magnetotail where the main results were based on the magnetic field measurements in the tail region of the simulated magnetosphere. In this paper, more elaborate measurements of plasma flow and electric field are presented. Besides these measurements, this region of distant magnetotail is also explored by high resolution imaging with a gated optical imager (GOI) and by digital image analysis. These images clearly reveal a Y-type magnetic neutral line for the northward 'interplanetary' field (IMF) and a usual X-type for the southward IMF that confirms our previous results deduced from the magnetic field measurements. In the neighborhood of these neutral points a strong component of dawn to dusk electric field (E(sub y)) and a counterstreaming plasma flow is also observed. Plasma flow is measured by using a double sided Faraday cup which is also used to measure the y-component of tail current (J(sub y)) at different locations. These measurements reveal that the tail current is not carried by ions as previously thought, rather it is carried by electrons alone

The effect of CoQ10 and vitamin E on serum total sialic acid, lipid-bound sialic acid, some trace elements and minerals in rats induced with doxorubicin

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of CoQ10 and vitamin E on serum total sialic acid (TSA), lipid bound sialic acid (LSA) and some elements in rat administered doxorubicin (DXR). Cu levels were increased in the group treated with DXR + vitamin E in comparison with DXR (p<0.05) and CoQ10 groups (p = 0.001). Furthermore, copper levels were increased in the group treated with DXR + CoQ10 in comparison with CoQ10 group (p < 0.05). Zn levels were decreased in the group treated with DXR + vitamin E in comparison with CoQ10 group (p < 0.05). Mg levels were decreased in subjects treated with DXR + vitamin E in comparison with the control group values (p < 0.05). Particularly, the observed increase in Cu levels in rats from DXR + vitamin E group might be due to the decrease of vitamin E. However, the oxidative damage could be as a result of DXR occurence and may be helpful to clinicians in chemotherapy using anthracycline.Key words: Doxorubicin, total sialic acid (TSA), lipid bound sialic acid (LSA), trace elements, minerals

Serum Total and Lipid-Bound Sialic Acid Concentrations in Sheep with Natural Babesiosis

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of total and lipid-bound sialic acid in sheep naturally infected with Babesia ovis before and after treatment. Thirty diseased sheep and ten control animals were used. Babesia infection was confirmed with Giemsa's staining of blood smears. Compared to the control animals (1.351 ± 0.100 mmol l-1; 0.385 ± 0.001 mmol l-1), a marked increase of serum total and lipid bound sialic acid concentrations (1.929 ± 0.101 mmol l-1; 0.479 ± 0.004 mmol l-1, respectively) was obtained in infected sheep (p -1; 0.411 ± 0.02 mmol l-1, respectively) (p p < 0.05). When the infected animals were treated with an antiparasitic drug (diminazene aceturate), the serum total and lipid bound sialic acid levels had a tendency to decrease to the normal ranges. It can be concluded that Babesia ovis infection induced marked and persistent elevations of serum total and lipid-bound sialic acid concentrations, suggesting that these indicators would indirectly promote the invasion and presence of the parasite in the host

The effect of lycopene application on the antioxidant activity in liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats

The scope of the present study was to determine the effect of lycopene on the activity of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, Vitamin A, vitamin E and catalase in liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats. Wistar albino male rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control, diabetic, diabetic+lycopene and lycopene group (n=7). Rats in the respective groups were treated with intraperitoneal streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. Rats in the group lycopene and diabetic+lycopene were given orally 1 ml lycopene every day for 1 month. Catalase levels in the liver tissues of lycopene group was significantly lower than other groups (P<0.05). A significant decrease was observed at Vitamin A levels in the kidney tissues of the groups diabetic, diabetic+lycopene and lycopene compared to the control group (P<0.05). Other non-significant differences between the groups except catalase levels in liver tissue and Vitamin A levels in kidney tissues may be result of a short period of diabetes mellitus. The results of the present study supported the positive correlation among metabolic control and oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus. © 2019 Ataturk Universitesi. All rights reserved

Investigation of Polymorphism of Glutathione Peroxidase, Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase Gene and Genotype Distribution in Sheep with Fluorosis

Reactive oxygen species have been considered to play a significant part in the development of fluorosis, a critical public health issue in many parts of the world. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study, conducted on two groups of sheep, with and without fluorosis, was (i) to determine the effect of fluorosis on antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and on malondialdehyde (MDA); and (ii) to investigate the relationship between the SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px genotypes and the antioxidant enzyme levels. METHODS: The two groups of sheep were: (i) 24 Akkaraman sheep with fluorosis living in Dogubeyazit province of Agri and (ii) 20 Akkaraman sheep with no signs of fluorosis living in Van. The MDA level and the antioxidant enzyme activities were identified spectrophometrically. The genotype characteristics were determined by the PCR-RFLP method using DNA extracted from blood. RESULTS: Compared to the control sheep without fluorosis, we found in the fluorotic sheep: (i) an increase in plasma MDA levels and GSH-Px-1 activity (p<0.05), and (ii) a decrease in SOD and CAT activities (p<0.01). There were significant differences found in the genotype and allele frequencies in both groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Fluoride-induced oxidative stress affected the membrane structure resulting in elevated erythrocyte MDA levels and reduced enzyme activity of the enzymes SOD and CAT. According to our data, the gene polymorphisms show a tendency towards fluorosis for our local sheep population

The posteromedial thigh flap for head and Neck reconstruction: anatomical basis, surgical technique, and clinical applications

BACKGROUND: The authors present the posteromedial thigh flap as an alternative source for head and neck reconstruction, and the perforator patterns and vascular anatomy of this flap were further investigated. METHODS: From March to August of 2014, 23 patients underwent head and neck reconstruction with 23 posteromedial thigh flaps. The numbers, locations, and types of perforators were measured. The surgical technique and the results after reconstruction were evaluated. RESULTS: Most perforators were located 8 to 10 cm away from the pubic crease on the reference line between the perineum and the insertion of the semitendinosus muscle. The average number of perforators was 1.7 (range, 1 to 3), and the average pedicle length was 10.3 cm (range, 8 to 13 cm). Eighty percent of the perforators (32 of 40) were musculocutaneous, and 20 percent (8 of 40) were septocutaneous. Ninety-five percent of the perforators (38 of 40) originated from the profunda femoris artery, and 5 percent (two of 40) originated from the medial circumflex femoral artery. The flap survival rate was 95.6 percent; one flap failed due to pedicle thrombosis. The donor sites were all closed primarily. CONCLUSIONS: The location of the perforators of the posteromedial thigh flap is consistent, and the pedicle length is sufficient to reach the neck region. Different reconstruction demands can be met by incorporating various soft-tissue components. The donor-site scar is well concealed, with minimal morbidity. The above advantages make the posteromedial thigh flap an excellent option for head and neck reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV

Utility of "open-Y" anastomosis technique in the use of superior thyroid artery as recipient vessel for head and neck reconstruction with free flap

BACKGROUND: The superior thyroid artery (STA) is the most commonly used recipient vessel in free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction. Size discrepancy between recipient and donor vessels might affect the patency rate. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the "open-Y" technique in end-to-end anastomoses between the STA and donor arteries to those of conventional anastomoses to the STA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 337 patients with free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction with the STA as the recipient artery were recruited between September 2011 and August 2013. The "open-Y" technique of anastomosis was used in 72 cases, whereas the conventional technique was applied in 256 cases. The arterial anastomotic site-related complications and size discrepancy rates of both groups were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: The flap success rate was 98.6% (71/72) in the "open-Y" group, which was similar to the conventional group [97.4% (245/252); P = 0.999]. Size discrepancy rate was higher in the "open-Y" group [48/72(66.7%)] compared to that in the conventional group [31/265(11.7%), P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference regarding arterial anastomotic site-related complications between the "open-Y" and conventional groups (1.4% vs.4.2%; P = 0.473). Others complications, including re-exploration, venous thrombosis, hematoma, fistula, infection, partial flap necrosis and total flap necrosis, had similar presentations. CONCLUSION: The utility of the "open-Y" technique, applied to STA as a recipient vessel, appeared to be a reasonable option for head and neck reconstruction. This technique seems to be promising for cases with vessels size discrepancy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2015