Zinc supplementation prolongs the latency of hyperthermia-induced febrile seizures in rats.

Some studies have shown a relationship between febrile seizures and zinc levels. The lowest dose zinc supplementation in pentylenetetrazole seizure model has a protective effect. But, zinc pretreatment has no effect in maximal electroshock model. However, it is unclear how zinc supplementation affects hyperthermia-induced febrile seizures. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of zinc supplementation on febrile seizures in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Zinc supplementation was commenced 5 days prior to febrile seizure induction by placing the animals in a water bath at 45°C. We measured the rectal temperature and determined the febrile seizure latency, duration, and stage. In the zinc-supplemented group, both the seizure latency and the rectal temperature triggering seizure initiation were significantly higher than in the other groups. We suggest that zinc supplementation can positively modulate febrile seizure pathogenesis in rats.

Relationship among expression of basic-fibroblast growth factor, MTDH/astrocyte elevated gene-1, adenomatous polyposis coli, matrix metalloproteinase 9,and COX-2 markers with prognostic factors in prostate carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The etiopathogenesis of prostate cancer (PC) is still not clear, but hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the tumor pathogenesis. Astrocyte elevated gene-1(AEG-1) as a novel transmembrane protein is predominantly located in the perinuclear region and endoplasmic reticulum. It has been found that AEG-1 upregulation increases the invasive ability of glioma and prostate cancer. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2), and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) are very important in tumor progression as well. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 97 radical prostatectomy specimens. IHC stains for bFGF, MMP-9, COX-2, APC, and AEG-1 were performed on the tissue microarray using standard procedures. For each patient, the age, Gleason score, tumor volume, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, surgical margin, and the invasion of vesiculoseminalis areas were assessed. Analyses were performed using the statistical PASW (ver. 18). RESULTS: Statistically significant positive relationships were found MMP-9 and COX-2 (r = 0.242 and P = 0.017), between MMP-9 and APC (r = 0.207 and P = 0.043), and between bFGF and AEG-1 (r = 0.295 and P = 0.004). However, the relationships between age and staining results and tumor volume and staining results were not found to be significant. Although a positive correlation was found between the Gleason score and tumor volume and the Gleason score and age (r = 0.415 and P = 0.0001; r = 0.246 and P = 0.015, respectively), we did not find a statistically significant relationship between other stains and other prognostic parameters (lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, surgical margin, or vesiculoseminalis invasion). CONCLUSION: The relationships we found between MMP-9 and COX-2, between MMP-9, and APC and between bFGF and AEG-1 as independent prognostic parameters could be helpful in the development of new therapeutic procedures.

Determination of acute oral toxicity of flumethrin in honey bees.

Flumethrin is one of many pesticides used for the control and treatment of varroatosis in honey bees and for the control of mosquitoes and ticks in the environment. For the control of varroatosis, flumethrin is applied to hives formulated as a plastic strip for several weeks. During this time, honey bees are treated topically with flumethrin, and hive products may accumulate the pesticide. Honey bees may indirectly ingest flumethrin through hygienic behaviors during the application period and receive low doses of flumethrin through comb wax remodeling after the application period. The goal of our study was to determine the acute oral toxicity of flumethrin and observe the acute effects on motor coordination in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatoliaca). Six doses (between 0.125 and 4.000 microg per bee) in a geometric series were studied. The acute oral LD50 of flumethrin was determined to be 0.527 and 0.178 microg per bee (n = 210, 95% CI) for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Orally administered flumethrin is highly toxic to honey bees. Oral flumethrin disrupted the motor coordination of honey bees. Honey bees that ingested flumethrin exhibited convulsions in the antennae, legs, and wings at low doses. At higher doses, partial and total paralysis in the antennae, legs, wings, proboscises, bodies, and twitches in the antennae and legs were observed.

Evaluation of carotid intima media thickness in impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance.

AIM: Increased carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is recognized as the early indicator of atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) on the CIMT. METHODS: We evaluated 51 dysglycemic patients (IFG [N.=22]; IGT [N.=29]) and 25 controls who have similar age and gender. Patients who were known to have coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypo-hyperthyrodism were excluded. We measured fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PPG), insulin, insulin resistance, lipid profile, hsCRP, microalbuminuria, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). We measured the CIMT by Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Both IFG and IGT patients have increased CIMT according to controls (P<0.001). Mean CIMT of IFG, IGT and control were 0.704, 0.738 and 0.555 respectively. There were no differences in point of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR between IFG and IGT. There were positive correlation of CIMT and FBG, PPG, HbA1c, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in both groups. In linear regression analysis, PPG and HbA1c is the major factor affecting CIMT (t=0.017 and 0.036). CONCLUSION: IFG and IGT have increased CIMT according to controls, and PPG and HbA1c are the major affecting factors to CIMT.

Effect of smoking intensity on thyroid volume, thyroid nodularity and thyroid function: the Melen study.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to determine the association between smoking habit, goiter, thyroid functions and ultrasonographic nodularity in moderately iodine deficient area. METHODS: The MELEN study is a prospectively designed survey on the prevalence of thyroid diseases in Turkish adults. A total of 2298 subjects with a mean age of 50 (age range 18 to 92) were interviewed. Smoking habits were registered from questionnaires and subsequent interviews with a physician. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed and interpreted by the same experienced physician, using the same equipment. After an overnight fast, blood samples were collected from all the study subjects for the determination of serum free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured. RESULTS: Mean thyroid volumes of current smokers were significantly lower than either former or never smokers (P=0.014). There were no difference according to smoking habits on goiter and established multinodularity in current smokers (P<0.05). Heavy smokers (>20 pack/year) had higher thyroid volumes, higher goiter and multinodular goiter (MNG) prevalence than moderate smokers (P<0.001). Thyrotoxicosis (TSH<0.35) cases were more frequent among heavy smokers than moderate smokers (14.1% versus 8.2%, P<0.001; respectively). Heavy smoking independently predicted goiter (odds ratio: 1.459 [95% confidence interval: 1.029 and 2.068]; P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Heavy smoking was associated with increased prevalence of thyroid multinodularity and goiter in respect to moderate smoking. No association was found between smoking habit and thyroid dysfunction.

Acaricidal activity of Satureja thymbra L. essential oil and its major components, carvacrol and gamma-terpinene against adult Hyalomma marginatum (Acari: Ixodidae).

The acaricidal activity of a volatile essential oil hydrodistillate of Satureja thymbra L. (Lamiaceae) and its major constituents, carvacrol and gamma-terpinene, were evaluated against field-collected unfed adult Hyalomma marginatum. The distillate was tested against this tick species at 5, 10, 20, and 40 microL/L while the two major components were each tested at 10 microL/L. Generally, tick mortality to the S. thymbra distillate increased with concentration and exposure time. Ticks exposed to vapors from cotton wicks containing at least 40 microL/L resulted in complete (100%) mortality at 3h. The lower concentrations provided >or=90% mortality at 3h post treatment with complete mortality at 24h. Knockdown was observed only in the carvacrol and gamma-terpinene treatments. Ticks exposed to carvacrol-treated wicks produced >93% knockdown at 3h but at 24h approximately 57% were dead. The gamma-terpinene treatment produced >or=90% knockdown at 105 min through 3h but at 24h only about 87% of the ticks were dead.

Giant resectable mediastinal carcinoid tumour--thymic origin or not?

Carcinoid tumours of the mediastinum are rare. We report a case of a giant mediastinal tumour in a 76-year-old man who had long-standing respiratory symptoms. The pathologic diagnosis was typical carcinoid tumour. Because of the enormous size of the tumour it was difficult to determine the site of origin. The patient has no sign of recurrence or metastasis 6 months after the operation.

Urinary N-acetyl B glucosaminidase as an earlier marker of diabetic nephropathy and influence of low-dose perindopril/indapamide combination.

INTRODUCTION: Tubulointerstitial injury is both a key feature of diabetic nephropathy and an important predictor of renal dysfunction. N-Acetyl B glucosaminidase (NAG) is derived from proximal tubular cells and is widely used to evaluate tubular renal function. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is whether NAG can be used as an early marker of diabetic nephropathy by comparing the urinary NAG levels between healthy controls and diabetic patients and determining changes in urinary NAG excretion after treatment with low-dose combination perindopril (2 mg)/ indapamide (0.625 mg)/o.d. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients (29 female) with type II diabetes mellitus applying to our diabetes outpatient clinics for the first time were included in our study (Group 1). Diabetic patients were classified into three subgroups on the basis of their duration of diabetes: Group 1A (n = 15) < or = 3 years, Group 1B (n = 19) 3 to 5 years, and Group 1c (n = 16) > 5 years. The inclusion criteria were no prior use of antihypertensive agents; blood pressure < 130/85 mmHg; urinary albumin excretion < 30 mg/day; and absence of renal failure, diabetietes, and hypertensive retinopathy. A total of 30 healthy individuals (16 female) (Group 2) were assessed as the control group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HbA1c, body mass index, 24-h microalbuminuria (MAU), and NAG measurements in urine samples were performed by using colorimetric assay method in an analyzer (Roche Cobas Mira). The assay defined as fragmentation of 3-cresolsulfonphthaleinyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide molecule by NAG to 3-cresolsulphonphthalein and N-acetylglucosamine molecules and serum creatinine were measured in all groups. Type II diabetic patients were administered perindopril (2 mg)/indapamide (0.625 mg) combination once daily for 4 months, and urinary NAG levels were measured at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups 1 and 2 with respect to the levels of NAG and HbA1c (p < 0.05). In the treatment group, NAG levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05), whereas blood pressure and HbA1c levels did not change significantly (p > 0.05). In diabetic patients, pretreatment NAG were lowest in Group 1A and highest in Group 1c, although the difference between the treatment subgroups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Urinary NAG excretion is elevated in type II diabetic patients as compared with the healthy individuals. Perindopril/indapamide administration is effective in reducing urinary NAG excretion in these patients, and this effect seems to be independent from blood pressure and glycemia control. Presence of tubular proteinuria may be an early indicator of diabetic renal disease in patients without microalbuminuria. Perindopril (2 mg)/ indapamide (0.625 mg)/o.d. treatment may have beneficial effect on the tubulointerstitial damage in diabetic kidney disease.

The effect of thyroxine administration on lipid peroxidation in different tissues of rats with hypothyroidism.

Thyroid dysfunctions bring about pathological changes in different organs of the body. Findings obtained from in vivo and in vitro studies point out that thyroid hormones have a strong impact on oxidative stress. The present study was conducted to demonstrate how high-dose thyroxin administration for one week affected oxidative damage formed in experimental hypothyroidism. The study was carried out with 30 Spraque-Dawley species male rats. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups (Group 1, control; Group 2, hypothyroidism; Group 3, hypothyroidism + thyroxine administration). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in cerebral, hepatic and cardiac tissues after the experimental period. MDA and GSH levels in cerebral, hepatic and cardiac tissues of hypothyroidism + thyroxine supplemented group were higher than those in the control and hypothyroidism groups (p<0.001). The same parameters were higher in the control group than those in the hypothyroidism group (p<0.001). The results of the present study show that hypothyroidism reduced the oxidative damage in cerebral, hepatic and cardiac tissues of rats. However, high-dose thyroxine administration in addition to induced hypothyroidism increased oxidative damage in the same tissues and that this damage could not be prevented despite the increase in the antioxidant system activity.