Efficacy of combination of N-acetylcysteine and primrose in spinal cord injury; an experimental study.

Introduction: Spinal cord trauma represents a major cause of emergency department admissions, with high morbidity and mortality rates. It requires early and urgent treatment. This experimental study assessed the effectiveness of a combination of primrose and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in managing spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: We divided 46 adult male Wistar albino rats (6-8 months old, weighing 300-350 g) into five groups. Group 1 (n = 10) received only primrose; group 2 (n = 10) received only NAC; group 3 (n = 10) received a combination of NAC and primrose; group 4 (n = 10) received no intervention (first control group); group 5 (n = 10) underwent laminectomy only (second control group). Intergroup neurological and motor function were evaluated on days 1, 7, and 14. Oxidative biochemical markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. Results: Significant differences were recorded in the GPX, SOD, and MDA values of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, and p = 0.097, respectively). Groupwise comparisons were conducted to identify the clinical significance of these markers. GPX and SOD levels were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2; MDA levels were lower in group 1. GPX and SOD levels were significantly higher than in group 3 than in group 1; MDA levels were lower in group 3. Compared with group 5, group 1 demonstrated significantly higher GPX and SOD levels and lower MDA levels. Results in group 2 were similar to results in group 5. In group 3, GPX and SOD levels were significantly higher than in groups 2 and 5; MDA levels were significantly lower. Comparisons according to inclined plane angle level and motor function values revealed significant results on day 14, in favor of group 3 rats that had received the combined treatment. Conclusion: The combined administration of NAC and primrose for traumatic SCI was more effective than either treatment alone in terms of improving biochemical and neurological functions. These findings suggest that the combination of NAC and primrose can serve as an effective treatment option for traumatic SCI.

The diagnostic role of signal peptide-C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1-epidermal growth factor domain-containing protein 1 in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Chest pain and/or electrocardiogram changes in non-ST elevation or suspicious chest pain and cardiac marker elevations are defined as non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Serial electrocardiogram and marker follow-up are needed to make a diagnosis of NSTE-ACS and to eliminate noncoronary chest pain (NCCP). Signal peptide-C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1-epidermal growth factor domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE1) is stored within the α granules of inactive platelets and secreted at a high rate during thrombosis. We believe that SCUBE1 may be a sensitive early diagnostic indicator in distinguishing coronary-induced chest pain from noncoronary-induced chest pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 190 patients with an initial diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department. Based on a definitive diagnosis, these patients were classified into 3 groups: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), NSTE-ACS, and NCCP. RESULTS: Plasma SCUBE1 levels were significantly higher in the STEMI group when compared with those of the other groups (P < .05). They were also significantly higher in the NSTE-ACS group when compared with those of the NCCP group (P < .01). Troponin I, creatinine kinase, and creatinine kinase MB levels were significantly different in the NSTE-ACS group when compared with those of the NCCP group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: High rates of SCUBE1 were found both in the STEMI and NSTE-ACS patients. Furthermore, in the study group, SCUBE1 was an adequate marker for distinguishing NSTE-ACS from NCCP.

Anatomical Localization of Lister's Tubercle and its Clinical and Surgical Importance.

The dorsal tubercle of the radius, once called Lister's tubercle, is used as a landmark in wrist arthroscopy, wrist joint injections, and similar surgical and clinical procedures. However, there is no useful information in the reference anatomy books and literature. The aim of this study was to identify the anatomical localization of Lister's tubercle on the dorsum of radius in relation to the radial styloid process and the ulnar notch of radius and to demonstrate the clinical and surgical importance of these relationships. We studied 20 dried cadaver radius specimens. The distances from Lister's tubercle to the radial styloid process and to the ulnar notch were measured by using a digital micrometer caliber and the ratio of the two measures was calculated. The dorsal tubercle of the radius is variable in position and can be either closer to the radial styloid process or to the ulnar notch. The present study showed that in 11 of the radii the dorsal tubercle of the radius was nearer to the radial styloid process than the ulnar notch, while in 9 subjects it was nearer to the ulnar notch. This anatomical variation may be relevant for wrist injections, wrist artroscopy or wrist surgery.

The efficacy of a hemostatic agent in anticoagulant drug-induced rat bleeding model.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding is a major problem in warfarin pretreated patients who need emergency surgical procedures. APH is a hemostatic agent with ultra-hydrophilic and particulate properties. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo hemostatic effect of APH in rats pretreated with warfarin. METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into two main groups: one group was pretreated with warfarin and the other group was not. These two groups were further divided into three subgroups according to the administration of APH, wheat meal, or saline, for a total of six subgroups. Standard full thickness tissue defects were performed on the backs of the rats. Saline, wheat meal, or APH were administered to the bleeding defect site in both main groups. Hemostasis time and amount of bleeding were calculated. RESULTS: The bleeding time in rats administered APH was significantly shorter than those administered wheat meal and saline. Consequently, the amount of bleeding was significantly less in the APH groups than in the control groups. CONCLUSION: APH has an effective hemostatic property in rats pretreated or non-pretreated with anticoagulants. Hemostatic agents can be useful for incidences of external bleedings, which are increasing because of anticoagulation.

Prognostic value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients with pulmonary embolism.

AIM: Preliminary evidence suggests that inflammation plays a role in the development and prognosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). We used the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a measure of systemic inflammation and investigated its association with PE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 266 patients who were diagnosed with PE and a control group of 124 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in this study. We further classified the PE patients into 2 groups: those who survived and those who died in the first 30 days. Baseline NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count to lymphocyte count and was compared between the groups. RESULTS: Median NLR was significantly higher among patients with PE compared to the healthy control group (3.9 (interquartile range (IQR): 5.0) vs. 1.9 (IQR: 0.6), P < 0.001). Of the 266 patients with PE, 16 (6%) died within 1 month. Median NLR was significantly higher among PE patients who died compared to those who survived, as well (3.7 (IQR: 4.3) vs. 9.0 (IQR: 7.9), P < 0.001). The optimal cut-off values, sensitivities, and specificities of NLR for predicting PE and in-hospital mortality of PE were >2.565 and >5.465, 70.3% and 75.0%, and 92.7% and 67.6%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that NLR values of >5.465 could define those patients with a mortal clinical course independently (odds ratio: 13.446, 95% confidence interval: 3.141-57.566, P < 0.001).

Autologous blood injection to the temporomandibular joint: magnetic resonance imaging findings.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the autologous blood injection (ABI) for chronic recurrent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: ABI was applied to 14 patients who had chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation. MRIs of the patients were taken and compared before and one month after the injection. RESULTS: All of the patients had no dislocations of their TMJs on clinical examination one month after the injection. In the pre-injection, unilateral or bilateral TMJ dislocations were observed on MRIs in all patients. One month after the injection, TMJ dislocations were not observed in MRI evaluation of any patients. A significant structural change that caused by ABI was not observed. CONCLUSION: The procedure was easy to perform and it caused no foreign body reaction. However, it was unclear how the procedure prevented the dislocation.

Predicting the outcome in children with head trauma: comparison of FOUR score and Glasgow Coma Scale.

BACKGROUND: Because of the limitations of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), many scoring systems have emerged and been compared with GCS. Herein, we investigated whether the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score is better than GCS in predicting morbidity and mortality in children with head trauma. METHODS: Patients 2-17 years of age who admitted to the emergency department with head trauma and presented with altered level of consciousness were included in this study. In-hospital mortality, hospitalization of more than three days, and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at discharge and after three months were used as the primary outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 100 children were included in the study. The median age was 6 years, and 69% were male. The in-hospital mortality rate was 10%. The cut-off values for predicting in-hospital mortality were 9 for FOUR score and 7 for GCS. Area under the curve (AUC) values in predicting in-hospital mortality, poor GOS (score of 1-3) at discharge, and poor GOS after three months were similar for GCS and FOUR score. CONCLUSION: FOUR score provides no significant advantage over GCS in predicting morbidity and mortality in children with head trauma.

Carbon monoxide poisoning associated with narghile use.

The case history is presented of a healthy 25-year-old man who was admitted to hospital after two syncopal episodes caused by carbon monoxide poisoning after smoking narghile. Clinicians should be aware of this association when they evaluate syncope in the emergency department, especially in narghile users.