Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Effective in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Rats?

OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent, used in the treatment of different types of malignant neoplasms. Side effects such as ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and bone marrow toxicity are the main limitations of its clinical use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy as a protective agent in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats. METHODS: A total of 30 adult Wistar rats (60 ears) were divided into five equal groups. Group 1 is a control group; group 2 is HBO therapy group; group 3 received 15 mg/kg cisplatin intraperitoneally; group 4 received 15 mg/kg cisplatin intraperitoneally and HBO treatment on the same day; group 5 received 15 mg/kg cisplatin intraperitoneally and HBO treatment 72 hours later. The effect of ototoxicity was measured with distortion product otoacoustic emission testing performed on the days 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: Groups 4 and 5 that received HBO treatment after cisplatin had better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values compared with group 3 that received only cisplatin (P < 0.05). Compared with group 5, group 4 (same day HBO treatment) had better SNR values (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HBO was found effective for prevention of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats. Our study differs from other studies regarding using a promising treatment, which does not expose subjects to extra stress.

Influence of vaccine potency and booster administration of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines on the antibody response in calves with maternal antibodies

Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most important viral diseases of cloven-hoofed animals. Mass vaccination is an effective method to control the disease and is frequently utilized in endemic regions. Sufficient protection of young animals is important in mass vaccination campaigns. Maternal antibodies negatively affect the success of vaccination. Hence, determination of the optimal vaccination age is crucial for the uninterrupted protection of young animals. This study was performed to identify the effect of vaccine potency and booster administration on serum neutralizing antibody titers of calves with different levels of maternal antibodies. Calves (n = 111) on a state farm were used in this study. Oil adjuvant foot-and-mouth disease vaccines with 3 PD₅₀ and 6 PD₅₀ potencies were used with or without booster administration. Serum samples were collected each month up to day 120 postvaccination. Virus neutralization tests were used to measure the serum neutralizing antibody titers and estimate the protection period by using pre-determined cut-off values for protection. The results revealed that a vaccination with a 6 PD₅₀ potency vaccine, preferably followed by a booster dose, should be used to overcome maternal immunity for incessant protection.

Factors determining poor prognostic outcomes following diabetic hand infections

Background and Objective: Hand ulcers are seen in a small percentage of patients with diabetes. The predisposing factors of diabetic hand varies between different countries. However, the effects of predisposing factors on prognosis are not clear in diabetic hand infections. In this study, our aim was to determine the effects of predisposing factors on poor prognostic outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: Thirty-four patients with diabetes mellitus who were treated and followed up for a hand infection in between 2008 and 2014 were investigated retrospectively. Patients were evaluated according to predisposing factors defined in the literature that included disease period, age, gender, admission time, presence of neuropathy, smoking habits, HbA1c levels at admission time, peripheral vascular disease, endstage renal disease [ESRD], and trauma. Death and minor/major amputation cases during treatment were defined as poor prognosis. Results: Patients who had ESRD, peripheral neuropathy, or an HbA1c level greater than 10% had significantly higher amputation rates. Conclusions: Peripheral neuropathy, ESRD, and HbA1c levels greater than 10% at the time of admission were determined as poor prognosis criteria for diabetic hand treatment