Pre-treatment with pregabalin reduces liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats: tissue protection with an analgesic.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is thought to be the most important factor affecting the success of liver surgery. Pregabalin has been studied to prevent ischemic reperfusion injury in many organs. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of pregabalin in preventing liver ischemic injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 male Wistar-Albino rats, 6-8 weeks old, were divided into 5 groups. Four groups other than the sham group were subjected to hepatic ischemia for 1 hour, followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Effects of 30 mg/and 60 mg/kg pregabalin were evaluated by aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-кB), interleukin (IL)-6 levels, measured in blood samples collected before and after ischemia. Apoptosis was measured by caspase-3, and tissue samples were evaluated for ischemia by histopathologic examination. RESULTS: The 60 mg pregabalin group was significantly superior (p=0.024) to the N-acetylcysteine group and the 30 mg pregabalin group for AST levels (p=0.612 and p=0.807, respectively). The difference between before and after ischemia-reperfusion blood TNF-α levels was higher in the 60 mg pregabalin group, but not significantly different from the 30 mg pregabalin and N-acetylcysteine groups (p>0.05). Tissue TNF-α levels showed that 60 mg and 30 mg pregabalin treatment was more effective than no-treatment (p=0.011, p=0.033, respectively), but not superior to N-acetylcysteine (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It has been found that ischemia-reperfusion causes damage to the liver, and this damage may be irreversible if no treatment is given. Our study group, pregabalin molecule was found to be significantly effective in preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury and may have a therapeutic advantage over N-acetylcysteine.

The role of genistein in experimental hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion model in rats.

Genistein is a natural compound from the class of isoflavonoids found in high concentrations in legumes and soybeans. In this experimental study; we suggest that genistein might cause favorable outcomes in the hepatic surgery because of its protective effects on hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion injury (Tab. 2, Fig. 6, Ref. 28). Keywords: genistein, isoflavonoids,legumes, soybeans, hepatic surgery, ischemia‒reperfusion injury.

[Surgery for Echinococcus cysts in the liver]. / Chirurgische Therapie bei Echinococcus-Zysten der Leber.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and the most frequently affected organ is the liver. Diagnosis is usually based on radiological and serological findings. Even though percutaneous drainage and medical therapies are suggested for selected cases, for the most part surgery is required. The surgical strategy consists of killing the cyst, removing its contagious elements from the liver, obliterating the cystic cavity, and preventing recurrence and complications. A large spectrum of operations - from simple drainage to liver transplantation - has been proposed for reaching these objectives. Laparoscopic surgery is used increasingly for hydatid disease. This article reviews the current status of hydatid disease surgery, with special emphasis on liver cysts.

Microbiological quality of broiler carcasses during processing in two slaughterhouses in Turkey.

The effect of processing procedures on the microbial quality and safety of broiler carcasses was investigated in 2 processing plants. Neck skin samples were taken from broilers at the main stages of processing and changes in total viable count (TVC) and in the counts of Coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, and Staphylococci/Micrococci were monitored. Processing reduced TVC more than 2 log cycles for the 2 processing plants investigated. The counts of Coliform bacteria decreased from 5.35 to 3.99 log cfu/g, Enterobacteriaceae from 5.36 to 3.81 log cfu/g, and Staphylococci/Micrococci from 6.90 to 4.11 log cfu/g for the first processing plant. The counts of Coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, and Staphylococci/Micrococci were reduced from 5.67 to 3.92 log cfu/g, from 5.75 to 3.91 log cfu/g, and from 6.85 to 3.94 log cfu/g, respectively, by processing in the second plant. Cross-contamination with Salmonella spp. during processing was observed and the incidences of Salmonella spp. on the carcasses increased from 40 to 60% and from 33.3 to 40% during processing at plants 1 and 2, respectively. The incidences of Salmonella spp. in all broilers (n = 90 carcasses for each plant) were 36.6 and 31.1% at plants 1 and 2, respectively. Although a high proportion of microorganisms were removed from carcasses during processing, dissemination of Salmonella spp. was found to be unavoidable.

Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility of Aeromonas salmonicida in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in turkey hatchery farms.

Three Aeromonas salmonicida strains were isolated from the livers of 265 rainbow trouts sampled. The antibiotic susceptibility test results showed that A. salmonicida strains were susceptible to streptomycine and ciprofloxacin. However, they were resistant to amoxycilline + clavulanic acid, penicillin, erythromycine, oxytetracycline and cefuroxime sodium.

Comparison of PTFE, pericardium bovine and fascia lata for repair of incisional hernia in rat model, experimental study.

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of abdominal surgery developing in 11-20 % of patients undergoing an abdominal operation. Regarding morbidity and loss of manpower, incisional hernias continue to be a fundamental problem for surgeons. In this experimental study, three commonly used mesh materials (Goretex PTFE; Tutoplast Fascia lata; Tutopatch Pericardium bovine) were compared according to effectiveness, strength, adhesion formation, histological changes, and early complications. Three groups, each consisting of 14 rats, have been formed as group A: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), group B: pericardium bovine and group C: fascia lata. Evaluations were achieved at the end of the first and second postoperative week, respectively. Adhesion formation, wound maturation, bursting pressure, and tensile strength were evaluated. No statistically significant difference regarding adhesion formation was observed between groups although adhesion formation was less significant in PTFE and pericardium bovine groups than in the fascia lata group. Bursting pressure and tensile strength values were significantly higher in PTFE group than in the fascia lata group ( P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between groups regarding wound maturation. In this experimental model, PTFE and pericardium bovine were found to be superior to fascia lata in abdominal wall repair.

[Surgical therapy of Echinococcus granulosus (cysticus)]. / Operative Therapie des Echinococcus granulosus (cysticus).

Hydatid disease, still frequent in endemic areas, is usually localized in the liver. Despite the benign nature of the disease it is one of the problematic fields of surgery due to the high complication rate and long hospital stay. Based on our experience we recommend evacuation of the cyst and omentoplasty as the surgical method of choice, as it is associated with a relatively low incidence of complications and can be performed easily.

Gastric duplication cyst.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of gastric duplication cysts. METHODS: A 38-year-old female patient presented with dyspepsia and repeated episodes of epigastric pain. She was operated with the diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst according to her US and CT scans, and found to have a gastric duplication cyst. A cyst about 80x80 mm, localized on the posterior wall of the corpus of the stomach close to the fundus, was dissected from the surrounding tissues and partially from the gastric wall. The cyst did not have muscle layer on the common wall with the stomach, so the cystic mucosa was stripped away from the gastric muscle layer. The gastric lumen was not entered. RESULTS: Although gastric duplication cysts do not have specific symptoms and signs, CT, MR and endoscopic ultrasonography may help the preoperative diagnosis, but the diagnosis is usually confirmed at laparotomy. Needle aspiration may cause complications. CONCLUSION: Because of the complications that may occur after needle aspiration and malignant potential of the tissue, the treatment of these cysts is surgical.

Broiler stunning and meat quality.

The effects of electrical and concussion stunning on meat and carcass quality of broilers were compared. Broiler chickens (n = 165) were subjected to treatments: 1) electrical stunning with no fibrillation, 2) electrical stunning with fibrillation, 3) concussion stunning with restraint, or 4) concussion stunning with no restraint. Electrical stunning (100 V, 80 mA, 50 Hz sinusoidal waveform alternating current) was applied for 3 s. Concussion was applied using a nonpenetrative captive bolt gun with or without restraint. We assessed broken bones, hemorrhages, meat quality defects, blood loss, pH at 10 min and 24 h, and texture from breasts filleted 3 h and 24 h postmortem. Electrically stunned birds showed a significantly higher incidence of broken bones (P < 0.0001), coracoid and furculum bone hemorrhages (P < 0.0001), and nonbone hemorrhages (P < 0.0001) than birds stunned by concussion. However, the incidence of red wing tips (P < 0.005) and shoulder hemorrhages was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in concussion-stunned birds than electrically stunned birds. Electrically stunned and nonfibrillated birds had the fastest blood loss rate. The pH value at 10 min was the lowest in concussion-stunned and unrestrained birds. Breast muscles from concussion-stunned birds that were filleted at 3 h postmortem were more tender than those from birds stunned electrically (P < 0.05). We concluded that concussion stunning could be advantageous for early filleting.

Non-uniformity of surface temperatures after microwave heating of poultry meat.

Microwave energy has the potential to raise the surface temperatures of meat rapidly for a short period of time sufficient to reduce bacterial numbers significantly without causing physical changes to the meat. Studies have investigated the ability of a standard domestic microwave oven (2450 MHz; IEC 1191 W), an experimental repeatable microwave cavity (2450 MHz; IEC 1139 W) and a number of shielding techniques to achieve uniform surface temperature distributions on pieces of poultry meat. In the domestic oven temperature differences of up to 60 and 80 degrees C were found between different points on the surface of the same sample after 30 s and 3 minutes of heating respectively. The use of a standard cavity and shielding resulted in a difference of less than 5 degrees C between the average surface temperature on the edge and middle of regular slabs of chicken after 30 s exposure. Results show that microwave heating, using 2450 MHz, is unlikely to produce consistently uniform enough surface temperatures on meat to reduce bacterial numbers without surface damage.

Tuberculosis of the breast.

OBJECTIVE: To present our 20 years experience of tuberculosis of the breast. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Turkey. SUBJECTS: 9 women with tuberculous mastitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cure. RESULTS: All cases underwent frozen section and excision. One required a simple mastectomy because of the extent of destruction; the remainder underwent lumpectomy. All patients were given rifampicin, ethambutol, and isoniazid, and the three who had tuberculosis of other organs were also treated with streptomycin. Mean follow up was 87 months (range 6-178) and two patients were lost to follow up, at three and six years, respectively. Histological examination showed the presence of tubercle and central caseation in 8 cases and granulomatous infiltration in one. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous mastitis is rare, and should be suspected in any woman with persistent breast abscesses and sinuses, particularly if she lives in an area from which tuberculosis has not been eradicated. Conservative surgery and antituberculous drugs are the treatment of choice.

[Gastrointestinal tuberculosis. 10 years experience in a surgical university clinic]. / Gastrointestinale Tuberkulose. 10 Jahre Erfahrung einer chirurgischen Universitätsklinik.

Between 1982 and 1992 a total of 38 patients were treated for primary peritoneal tuberculosis in the medical faculty Cerrapasah, University of Istanbul. Ten patients were operated on as emergency cases because of bowel obstruction, the remaining 28 had elective procedures. Seven patients had a diagnosis made laparoscopically, 31 with a laparotomy. In the latter group 13 patients underwent a laparotomy with biopsy without any morbidity or mortality. On the other hand there was no morbidity or mortality after laparoscopic diagnosis and these patients had an average admission time of 3.5 days. The morbidity and mortality rates of the entire laparotomy group were 6.4 and 3.2% respectively. And the average length of admission was 13.6 days. In view of our results we would favour laparoscopy as the best diagnostic method for intraabdominal tuberculosis in patients with unspecific abdominal pain and no endoscopically proven cause.