Can volumetric analysis of the brain help diagnose isolated optic neuritis?

Isolated optic neuritis is a single episode inflammatory optic neuropathy. This condition, which affects the optimal function of the optic nerve, is not associated with neurological or systemic diseases. Our study aimed to compare patients with isolated optic neuritis and normal healthy individuals in terms of the cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus volumes by using the "volBrain Online MRI Brain Volumetry System" program. Persons diagnosed with isolated optic neuritis (n = 16) and persons without any disease (n = 16) were included in the study. VolBrain was used to process the MRI data and, the findings were compared with Mann-Whitney U test. Values with a p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The cerebrum white matter volumes in the total brain and in the right-left hemispheres of the brain were statistically significantly lower in the optic neuritis group (p = 0.029; p = 0.050; p = 0.029, respectively). In the segmental cerebellum analysis, the left side lobule VIIIB, the total and right-left side lobule IX volumes were statistically significantly higher (p = 0.022; p = 0.014; p = 0.029; p = 0.018, respectively). In total, lobule I-II volume was statistically significantly lower in the optic neuritis group (p = 0.046). In the segmental hippocampus analysis, the right side CA2-CA3, the total and right-left side SR-SL-SM volumes were statistically significantly lower in the optic neuritis group (p = 0.039; p = 0.050; p = 0.016, respectively). There are neurodegenerative changes in brain volume in patients with isolated optic neuritis. Although volBrain alone is not sufficient to diagnose isolated optic neuritis, it provides quantitative data that can be used as a complementary diagnostic method.

Can Carpobrotus edulis, heal incisional and excisional wounds on the skin?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the wound healing activity of liposomal Carpobrotus edulis powder extract (CEPE) formulation on incisional and excisional wounds in rat. BACKGROUND: In the event of any damage, the damaged tissue undergoes a process of regenerating itself, which is called wound healing. METHODS: Centella asiatica extract (CAE) was used as the reference molecule in the study. The wound healing process was tested by using the excisional and incisional wound model. On the 12th day of the study, maximum stress, stress, % of elongation values were evaluated in the incisional wound. Also; histological parameters and macroscopic photographic analyses were evaluated in the excisional wound. RESULTS: In the photo evaluations, the improvement was more prominent in both CAE and CEPE groups than in the control group. Histological evaluation showed that CEPE group had significant wound healing activity compared to the control and CAE groups. Axial tensile-elongation experiments in incisional wound tissue show that there was no significant difference between CAE and CEPE groups. CONCLUSION: Liposomal formulations of C.edulis extract were found to have positive effects on the healing process, both on excisional and incisional wound tissues (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 30).

Evaluation of the bilateral cardiac afferent distribution at the spinal and vagal ganglia by retrograde labeling.

The identity of sensory neurons innervating the heart tissue and the extent of information reported to the brain via these neurons are poorly understood. In order to evaluate the multidimensional distribution and abundance of the cardiac spinal and vagal afferents, we assessed the retrograde labeling efficiency of various tracers, and mapped the cardiac afferents qualitatively and quantitatively at the bilateral nodose ganglia (NGs) and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). From the five different retrograde tracers evaluated, Di-8-ANEPPQ yielded reproducibly the highest labeling efficiency of cardiac afferents. We demonstrated specific cardiac afferents at NGs and C4 to T11 DRG segments. Next, the 2D reconstruction of the tissue sections and 3D imaging of the whole NGs and DRGs revealed homogeneous and bilateral distribution of cardiac afferents. The quantitative analyses of the labeled cardiac afferents demonstrated approximately 5-6% of the soma in NGs that were equally distributed bilaterally. The neuronal character of Di-8-ANEPPQ labeled cells were validated by coimmunostaning with pan-neuronal marker Tuj-1. In addition, the cell diameters of labeled cardiac sensory neurons were found smaller than 20 µm, implying the nociceptor phenotype confirmed by co-labeling with TRPV1 and Di-8-ANEPPQ. Importantly, co-labeling with two distinct tracers Di-8-ANEPPQ and WGA-647 demonstrated exclusively the same cardiac afferents in DRGs and NGs, validating our findings. Collectively, our findings revealed the cardiac afferents in NGs bilaterally and DRGs with the highest labeling efficiency reported, spatial distribution and quantitation at both 2D and 3D levels, furthering our understanding of this novel neuron population.

Wound healing effects of methanol extract of Laurocerasus officinalis roem.

Laurocerasus officinalis Roem. (syn: Prunus laurocerasus L.) is a member of Rosaceae family. We investigated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of L. officinalis Roem in wound healing both in vivo and in vitro using an excisional wound model model in mice. We used four groups of eight mice as follows: untreated (control), empty gel, extract + gel (L. officinalis + gel), and Madecassol® groups. All treatments were applied topically once daily. The scar area, percentage wound closure and epithelization time were measured. L. officinalis promoted wound healing and increased granulation tissue, epidermal regeneration and angiogenesis. L. officinalis extract, which is known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, may be useful for promoting wound healing.

Dose-dependent neuroprotective effect of enoxaparin on cold-induced traumatic brain injury.

Recent evidence exists that enoxaparin can reduce brain injury because of its anticoagulant activity. To investigate the potential therapeutic effect of enoxaparin on cold-induced traumatic brain injury, at 20 minutes after modeling, male BALB/c mouse models of cold-induced traumatic brain injury were intraperitoneally administered 3 and 10 mg/kg enoxaparin or isotonic saline solution. Twenty-four hours later, enoxaparin at 10 mg/kg greatly reduced infarct volume, decreased cell apoptosis in the cortex and obviously increased serum level of total antioxidant status. By contrast, administration of enoxaparin at 3 mg/kg did not lead to these changes. These findings suggest that enoxaparin exhibits neuroprotective effect on cold-induced traumatic brain injury in a dose-dependent manner.

Short communication: Effect of blackberry and pomegranate oils on vaccenic acid formation in a single-flow continuous culture fermentation system.

A single-flow continuous culture fermenter system was used to study the effect of blackberry and pomegranate oils on vaccenic acid (trans-11 C18:1; VA) formation. Four continuous culture fermenters were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 periods of 10d each. Diets were (1) control (CON), (2) control plus soybean oil (SBO), (3) control plus blackberry oil (BBO), and (4) control plus pomegranate oil (PMO). Oil supplements were added at 30 g/kg of diet dry matter. Effluents were collected from each fermenter during the last 3d of each period and analyzed for nutrient and fatty acid composition. The concentration of VA in effluents increased with oil supplements and was greatest with the BBO diet. The concentration of stearic acid (C18:0) increased with the addition of soybean oil but decreased with the addition of pomegranate oil compared with the CON diet. The concentration of cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid increased with oil supplements and was greatest with the PMO diet. In conclusion, all 3 oil sources were effective in increasing the production of VA. The effect of PMO and BBO on VA may have resulted in part from inhibition of the final step in the biohydrogenation of VA to stearic acid.

The effects of early-age thermal manipulation and daily short-term fasting on performance and body temperatures in broiler exposed to heat stress.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of thermal manipulation at 5 days of age and short-term fasting during the warmest part of the day on responses to prolonged heat stress of broilers. A total of 240-day-old Ross 308 female broiler chicks were divided into three groups: control, thermal manipulation (chicks were exposed to 36 °C for 24 h at 5 days of age) and short-term fasting during the warmest part of the day (10.00-17.00 h). Prolonged heat stress was induced daily from 28 to 42 days by heating until the ambient temperature reached 32-35 °C between 10.00 and 17.00 h. Both thermal manipulation and short-term fasting resulted in a decrease in rectal temperatures and haematocrit values at 35 and 41 days of age. Thermal manipulation improved body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion. However, short-term fasting caused a reduction in body weight and a deterioration in feed conversion. Short-term fasting lowered the percentages of carcass, whereas thermal manipulation highered breast yield. Both thermal manipulation and short-term fasting decreased heart mass and abdominal fat.

Understanding target-driven action in emergency department performance using simulation.

Many computer simulation models of emergency departments have been developed to aid clinicians and managers to maintain and improve the performance of their departments. A model is presented that can also be used to understand changes in performance that may occur as a result of the 4-hour target regime in the English NHS. The model simulates the performance resulting from normal activity, and the differences between this and actual performance are revealing. The results from two departments are presented to demonstrate this mode of model use. These reveal the extent of special action taken in some emergency departments as patients approach the target time, and also show the true underlying performance of the departments.

Hydatid cysts in uncommon locations in the same patient: simultaneous cardiac and spinal involvement.

INTRODUCTION: The spine and cardiac cavities are uncommon locations for hydatid disease. Spinal and cardiac hydatid cases separately constitute only 0.5-1% of all hydatid cases. We reported a case with spinal and cardiac involvement simultaneously. Clinical and radiological findings of this unique case are discussed. CASE REPORT: A thirty-four-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital with pain at the low back and left thigh. He had undergone surgery for lumbosacral hydatidosis twice before. Cysts had been removed totally in the last operation. The disease relapsed with widespread involvement of the sacropelvic region. During the investigation, we diagnosed a cyst in the cardiac cavity, incidentally. The cyst in the cardiac cavity was removed totally. DISCUSSION: Hydatid disease is still an endemic disease in South America and some Mediterranean countries including Turkey. Cysts rarely involve the spine and cardiac cavities. The simultaneous involvement of the sacropelvic region and the cardiac cavity is an extremely rare condition. Cardiac cysts have a poor prognosis. Prompt surgical extraction of the cyst is a critical mainstay of the management.

Cauda equina syndrome caused by primary lumbosacral and pelvic hydatid cyst: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid disease occurs in humans as a result of faeco-oral contamination and spinal echinococcosis is rare even in areas where echinococcosis is endemic. Hydatid cyst primarily occurs in the liver and lungs. Bone involvement constitutes only 0.5-2% of all hydatidoses. About half of the bone involvement occurs in vertebrae. The thoracic spine is the most common site of the spinal hydatidosis. Primary hydatid cysts of the lumbar and sacral spinal canal are very rare. CASE REPORT: We present a 31-year-old man with cauda equina syndrome caused by a primary hydatid cyst of the lumbosacral and pelvic areas. He had been admitted to hospital with left foot and low back pain three years ago. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intraspinal hydatid cyst extending from L2 to S2. The cyst had been totally removed. He was symptom-free for three years. After three years, he presented with acute cauda equina syndrome. His neurological examination revealed total plegia of dorsal flexion of the left foot and perianal hypoaesthesia. MRI showed lumbosacral and pelvic hydatidosis again. After total removal of the cyst, his neurological status revealed immediately relief. DISCUSSION: Hydatid cyst is an important health problem in some countries including Turkey. Bone involvement is seen in only 0.5-2% of cases. Furthermore sacral and lumber vertebral involvement is extremely rare. We presented a case with a spinal hydatid cyst which classified as a combination of intraspinal extradural, vertebral and paravertebral forms according to the Braitwate and Lees classification. Surgical excision and additional medical treatment is still the most effective treatment. Cysts located intraspinally have a tendency to rupture spontaneously. For this reason the high recurrence rate (30- 40%) is still a major problem in management.

Agenesis of the left internal carotid artery associated with right anterior cerebral artery A1 segment bifurcation aneurysm: a case report.

Agenesis of the internal carotid artery occurs in less than 0.01% of the population. Intracranial aneurysms accompany agenesis in 25-43% of the patients. We present a unique patient with a saccular aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery associated with agenesis of contralateral internal carotid artery.