Popliteal Fossa Sarcomas.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Soft tissue sarcomas of the popliteal fossa are extremely rare tumors of mesenchymal origin accounting for 3%-5% of all extremity sarcomas. However, data regarding the tumor type, neurovascular involvement, and administration of radiation therapy before or after resection are limited. This study aimed to report on popliteal fossa sarcomas analyzing data from two institutions based on a relatively large patient sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four patients (80%; 9 men and 15 women) with a popliteal fossa soft tissue sarcoma were included in this study. The reviewed patient data included sex, age, duration of complaints, interval to diagnosis, radiology, pre- and postoperative biopsy, tumor histology, surgery type, complications, and pre- and postoperative oncologic and functional outcomes. The minimum follow-up was 24 months. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 48 ± 21.23 (range 3-72) years at the time of diagnosis. The mean follow-up was 41.79 ± 16.97 (range 24-120) months. The most common histological diagnoses were synovial sarcoma (6 patients), hemangiopericytoma (2 patients), soft tissue osteosarcoma (2 patients), unidentified fusiform cell sarcoma (2 patients), and myxofibrosarcoma (2 patients). Local recurrence after limb salvage was observed in six patients (26%). At the latest followup, 2 patients died of the disease, 2 patients were still alive with progressive lung disease and soft tissue metastasis, and the remaining 20 patients were free from the disease. CONCLUSIONS Microscopically positive margins may not be an absolute indication for amputation. Also, negative margins do not provide a guarantee that local recurrence will not occur. Lymph node or distant metastasis may be predictive factors for local recurrence rather than positive margins. Key words: fossa poplitea, sarcoma.

Is arthroscopic assisted double tibial tunnel fixation a good option for tibial eminentia fractures?

Tibial eminentia fractures are avulsion fractures of the anterior cruciate ligament caused with additional injuries like meniscus tears or ligamentous injuries. Arthroscopic assisted internal fixation has become a preferred technique with the development of arthroscopic techniques. We aimed to present our results for arthroscopic assisted double tibial tunnel fixation in patients with displaced eminentia fracture. Twenty patients who were operated on for eminentia fracture between January 2010 and May 2014 were included in this study. All fractures were type II according to Meyers's classification. Eminentia was reduced with two nonabsorbable sutures through the ACL. Two tibial tunnels were created over the medial proximal tibia with a 2.4 mm cannulated drill. The two suture ends taken out of the 2 tibial tunnels were connected on the bone bridge between the tunnels. Patients were evaluated with Lysholm score, Tegner score, IKDC score and examined for clinical and radiological evidence of bony union. Quadriceps exercises were started on the third day. The patients were followed up with a locked knee brace in extension for 3 weeks after surgery and later patients were encouraged to mobilize as pain allowed. The preoperative Lysholm score was 75 ±3.3 and the postoperative Lysholm score was 94.5 ±3. Tegner score was 3.52±1.02 preoperatively and 6.84±1.099 postoperatively. International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) score was abnormal in all of the 20 patients preoperatively but normal postoperatively. The postoperative scores of the patients were statistically significant when compared with preoperative activity scores(p<0,0001). Tibial eminentia fractures may lead to pain, knee instability, malunion, laxity, or extension deficit. The technique we have described together with early rehabilitation may give good clinical results.

Buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture: Outcomes andpredictive factors affecting success.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The bulbar urethra is the location where urethral stricture is most commonly observed. The most successful method for long and recurrent urethral stenosis is graft urethroplasty. The most successful graft source is buccal mucosa, with advantages like easy adaptation to the corporeal bed, thick epithelium, thin lamina propria with rich vascular structure and easy ability to obtain the graft. In this study we aimed to retrospectively assess the outcomes and predictive factors affecting surgical success of our buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty surgery performed for bulbar urethra stenosis with moderate length. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, we monitored 51 patients with mean 4.4 cm bulbar urethral stricture length for mean 17 months follow-up. From operative and postoperative data, stenosis length, operation duration, Qmax, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function and OF, success rates in total and in subgroups (age, according to DVIU, etiology, BMI and DM), follow-up duration, complications, re-stricture time and number were assessed. RESULTS: The total success of the operations was 86.3%. In 17 months, the re-stricture rate was 13.7%. Oral and urethral complications were all minor. The complications with longest duration (6 months) were ejaculation, erection problems and urethral fistula. Mean time to re-stricture was 11 months. All re-stricture patients were relieved by one DVIU session each. CONCLUSION: For bulbar urethral stricture longer than 2 cm and with recurrence, the dorsal buccal mucosa graft replacement is a very successful method with low complication rates.

Uretroplastia con injerto de mucosa oral para la estenosis de uretra bulbar: resultados y factores predictivos asociados al éxito / Buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture: Outcomes and predictive factors affecting success

Introducción y objetivo La uretra bulbar es la localización en la que se observa con más frecuencia la estenosis uretral. La técnica con mayores tasas de éxito para el tratamiento de estenosis largas y recurrentes que facetan la uretra es la uretroplastia con injerto. La procedencia del injerto que ha mostrado resultados más satisfactorios es la mucosa oral, por sus beneficios como la fácil adaptación al lecho de cuerpos cavernosos, un epitelio grueso, una lámina propia fina con una estructura vascular rica, además de ser fácil de obtener. En este estudio nos propusimos evaluar retrospectivamente los resultados de nuestra cirugía de uretroplastia con injerto de mucosa oral realizada para la estenosis de uretra bulbar con longitud moderada y los factores predictivos asociados al éxito quirúrgico. Material y métodos En este estudio se evaluó a 51 pacientes con una longitud media de 4,4cm de estenosis de uretra bulbar durante una media de 17 meses de seguimiento. A partir de los datos operatorios y postoperatorios, se evaluó la longitud de la estenosis, el tiempo quirúrgico, el Qmáx, el International Prostate Symptom Score, el International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function y la OF, las tasas de éxito globales y por subgrupos (edad, según sesiones de UIVD, etiología, índice de masa corporal y diabetes mellitus [DM]), la duración del seguimiento, las complicaciones, el tiempo y el número de reestenosis. Resultados El éxito global de las intervenciones fue del 86,3%. En 17 meses, la tasa de reestenosis fue del 13,7%. Las complicaciones orales y uretrales fueron todas menores. Las complicaciones de mayor duración (6 meses) fueron los trastornos de eyaculación y erección y la fístula uretral. El tiempo medio de reestenosis fue de 11 meses. Todos los pacientes con reestenosis se resolvieron con una sesión de UIVD cada uno (AU)

Introduction and objective The bulbar urethra is the location where urethral stricture is most commonly observed. The most successful method for long and recurrent urethral stenosis is graft urethroplasty. The most successful graft source is buccal mucosa, with advantages like easy adaptation to the corporeal bed, thick epithelium, thin lamina propria with rich vascular structure and easy ability to obtain the graft. In this study we aimed to retrospectively assess the outcomes and predictive factors affecting surgical success of our buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty surgery performed for bulbar urethra stenosis with moderate length. Material and method In this study, we monitored 51 patients with mean 4.4cm bulbar urethral stricture length for mean 17 months follow-up. From operative and postoperative data, stenosis length, operation duration, Qmax, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function and OF, success rates in total and in subgroups (age, according to DVIU, etiology, BMI and DM), follow-up duration, complications, re-stricture time and number were assessed. Results The total success of the operations was 86.3%. In 17 months, the re-stricture rate was 13.7%. Oral and urethral complications were all minor. The complications with longest duration (6 months) were ejaculation, erection problems and urethral fístula. Mean time to re-stricture was 11 months. All re-stricture patients were relieved by one DVIU session each. Conclusion For bulbar urethral stricture longer than 2cm and with recurrence, the dorsal buccal mucosa graft replacement is a very successful method with low complication rates (AU)

Can Intra-articular 1α, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Administration Be Therapeutical in Joint Cartilage Damage?

INTRODUCTION Vitamin D-deficiency is known to cause nerve conduction impairments, cancer and chronic diseases, as well as the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Our goal with this study is to evaluate the cartilage healing by applying intraarticular 1α, 25 (OH) 2D3 at different doses in rats with normal vitamin D levels and metabolism, which we made focal chondral damage model in the knee joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 20-24 weeks were used in our study. Both knees of rats were cartilage defected surgically on day 0. Joint injections performed at 06:00 am on 0th and 2nd days and after second injection others performed on days 9-16 and 23 following a weekly period. RESULTS In the fourth week, hematoxylin eosin staining measurements showed statistically significant difference according to the groups (p < 0.01) Metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in histological staining for evaluating cartilage healing and healing levels showed statistically significant differences between the groups at first week and fourth week (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION Vitamin D, which affects many tissues through its receptors, is believed to be chondroprotective and neuroprotective by decreasing the expression of MMP in cartilage fibroblast, macrophage, lymphocyte through its intracellular receptors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study known to be intraarticular use of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Our study has been found to be safe and successful in terms of weight, systemic PTH and 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels in rats during treatment as well as better healing of cartilage damage. Key words: vitamin D3 receptor, articular cartilage, orthopedics, nerve conduction.

Missed Sleeve Fracture of the Superior Pole of Patella.

Patellar sleeve fracture is a form of injury in which small osseous fragments avulsed with periosteum and cartilage. 15-year-old male patient, playing in school football team, apllied to our clinic with a history of previously missed patellar superior pole sleeve avulsion fracture. Care must be taken in order not to miss the patellar superior pole sleeve fractures, which are very rare in children. Extra care must be taken in patients, whose X-ray imaging is clean but there is a problem in the extensor mechanism of the knee. INTRODUCTION Since the patella has high mobility and large cartilage surfaces, it's fracture is very rare in children (9). Growing patella is more prone to osteochondral or avulsion fractures (8). Patellar sleeve fracture is a form of injury in which small osseous fragments fractured with periosteum and cartilage (5). Avulsion or sleeve fractures of patella can be seen in inferior and superior patellar poles. Fractures in superior pole is very rare and only a few cases have been described in the literature (2).

LLLT enhance cyclophosphamide induced TRPM2 channel activation in human colon cancer cells.

AIM: Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels expression is enhanced significantly in colon cancer cells and  Low Lever Laser Treatment (LLLT), is known to have effects and is used clinically in the treatment ofmany diseases, including colon cancer. We aimed to reveal the effects of (LLLT) on apoptosis of colon cancer and on the efficacy of cyclophosphamide via Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels. METHOD: Human colon cancer cells (Caco-2) were cultured and cells were divided into seven main groups. Cells were incubated with cyclophosphamide, TRPM2 channel inhibitor, stimulator and low level laser exposure separately and together. The effects of cyclophosphamide and low level laser were investigated on apoptosis. RESULTS: It was found that the levels of apoptosis in cyclophosphamide group were significantly increased in cancer cells compared to the control group. TRPM2 channel stimulator administration resulted in significantly increased apoptosis levels compared to the control group, in cyclophosphamide + low level laser group the apoptosis level was significantly increased compared to the cyclophosphamide-only group. CONCLUSIONS: It has been shown that apoptotic effects of cyclophosphamide on colon cancer cells were directly related to TRPM2 channels, low level laser increased apoptosis in colon cancer cells through TRPM2 channels and induced apoptotic effect of cyclophosphamide (Fig. 5, Ref. 26).

An Effective Technique in Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures - Ostheosynthesis under Double Fluoroscopic Guidance.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The most commonly used technique for fixation of the femoral neck fractures is percutaneous osteosynthesis with cannulated screw under fluoroscopy guidance. Osteosynthesis performed under single-fluoroscopic guidance requires continuous repositioning the fluoroscope to obtain biplane imaging. This study aimed to evaluate whether there is a statistically significant difference between the osteosynthesis procedures performed under guidance of single-fluoroscopy and double fluoroscopy with respect to radiation emission safety and treatment parameters for fixation of femoral neck fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 35 patients operated for femoral neck fracture between December 2013 and October 2017. Osteosynthesis was performed in 21 of these patients using cannulated screw under guidance of single-fluoroscopy whereas other 14 patients underwent same type of osteosynthesis assisted by double-fluoroscopy. The parameters of these two groups such as duration of surgery preparation, duration of the surgery, duration of radiation exposure, collo-diaphyseal angle and Harris hip score values were recorded. RESULTS No significant difference was found between the groups regarding time for surgery preparation (p > 0.05). On the other hand, duration of surgery and overall duration of radiation exposure were found 14 (p < 0.05) and 15 (p < 0.05) minutes shorter in the double-fluoroscopy group, respectively. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of collo-diaphyseal angle and Harris hip score values (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Use of double-fluoroscopy significantly reduces time of surgical duration and also level of radiation exposure in surgery of femoral neck fractures. Key words:double fluoroscopy, femoral neck fractures, radiation, osteosynthesis, cannulated screw.

Is Intraarticular Antibiotic Administration Effective in the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Septic arthritis is an infection of joints caused by a pathogenic microorganism. Septic arthritis has a mortality rate of 11-40% when it's not treated properly. The mortality rate with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)is 5-7%, while the rate with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)is 13-20%. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of intraarticular vancomycin and teicoplanin on joint cartilage in in vivo settings and its utility in routine MRSA treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our study, 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 28 days were used. Rats were obtained from the Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER) of Istanbul Medipol University. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups each containing 7 rats. Joint injections were administered with isoflurane analgesia every day at 6 am. Three rats (15 rats) from each group were sacrified in seventh day and evaluated immunohistologically to evaluate acute healing in articular cartilage. All remaining rats were sacrificed on day 28 and their knees were evaluated by immunohistochemical examination. RESULTS In our study, there were no complications in any rat during injection and the study period. Hematoxylin eosin (H & E) histological staining for evaluating cartilage healing and healing levels did not show statistically significant differences between the groups at first week (p > 0.05). Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) staining did not show any statistically significant difference between the groups. (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION MRSAseptic arthritis, diagnosed for the first time in 1960, has recently been responsible for 6-22% of all septic arthritis and is increasing day by day. The use of systemic vancomycin or teicoplanin is the first-line treatment method in MRSA septic arthritis. Serum levels reach the desired level, especially with intravenous infusion dose. On the other hand, it has been shown that intraarticular concentration does not reach a sufficient level in studies conducted. The use of intraarticular antibiotics during treatment can lead to more effective and early disease control by turning this negative situation into favor of the patient. As a result, intraarticular vancomycin and teicoplanin maximale tolerable and maintenance doses can be safely used beside surgery and intravenous antibiotics to increase efficacy of treatment, reduction of recurrence rates and reduction of mortality in MRSAseptic arthritis. CONCLUSIONS Intraarticular vancomycin and teicoplanin maximale tolerable and maintenance doses can be safely used beside surgery and intravenous antibiotics to increase efficacy of treatment, reduction of recurrence rates and reduction of mortality in MRSA septic arthritis. Key words:arthritis, infectious; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; mortality.

Synergic and comparative effect of 5-fluorouracil and leucoverin on breast and colon cancer cells through TRPM2 channels.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to reveal the role of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and Leucovorin (LV) along with transient receptor potential protein melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels in breast and colon cancer cells during the treatment process. BACKGROUND: 5-FU and LV are widely used in breast and colon cancers for chemotherapy. It has been reported that the expression of TRPM2 channels increased intensively in cancer cells. METHODS: Breast (MCF7) and colon (Caco-2) cells were cultured and divided into seven main groups. The cells in the group were incubated with 5-FU and LV for 24 hrs and then incubated with Antranilic acid. The effects of medicines were investigated on all molecular pathways of apoptosis. RESULTS: It was found that 5FU and LCV, administered separately and together on breast cancer cell culture and colon cancer cell culture increased the intracellular calcium levels by stimulation of TRPM2 channels in both cancer cells. CONCLUSION: As the result of our study, it has been shown that apoptotic effects of 5FU and LV on both colon and breast cancer cells were directly related to TRPM2 channels and that TRPM2 channels played an important role in the whole molecular pathway of apoptosis leading to increased intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+) levels and increased mitochondrial depolarisation (Fig. 6, Ref. 43).

Left atrial strain in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a syndrome in which patients have symptoms and signs of heart failure but preserved ejection fraction. Left atrial (LA) volume and function are known to be impaired in these patients. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has recently enabled the quantification of LA deformation dynamics. In this study, we evaluated the use of 2D-STE for the diagnosis of HFpEF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 83 patients with suspected HFpEF. Patients were divided into two groups after HFpEF had been diagnosed according to current guidelines. Parameters of diastolic dysfunction were evaluated, including left ventricular mass index (LVMI), LA volume index (LAVI), E/A ratio, deceleration time (DT), E/E', and STE parameters such as global longitudinal LA strain during ventricular systole (GLAs-res) and strain during late diastole (GLAs-pump). RESULTS: The values of BNP, LVMI, DT, LAVI, and GLAs-res were significantly different between the two groups. In univariate analysis, a strong negative correlation was seen between GLAs-res and BNP (r = -0.567, p < 0.001) as well as between GLAs-res and DT (r = -0.665, p < 0.001), while a moderate negative correlation was found between GLAs-res and LVMI (r = -0.458, p < 0.001) and GLAs-res and LAVI (r = -0.316, p = 0.004). In logistic regression analysis, GLAs-res (p = 0.049, OR = 0.71, 95 % CI = 0.451-0.99), BNP (p = 0.025, OR = 1.08, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.14), and LAVI (p = 0.042, OR = 1.59, 95 % CI = 1.02-2.48) were found to be independent predictors of HFpEF. CONCLUSION: LA function as assessed by 2D-STE is impaired in patients with HFpEF. A GLAs-res value of < 17.5 % can be useful for the diagnosis of HFpEF.

Clinical, angiographic and procedural characteristics of longitudinal stent deformation.

Recently, longitudinal stent deformation (LSD) has been reported increasingly. Even though the reported cases included almost all stent designs, most cases were seen in the Element™ stent design (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA). It is considered that stent design, lesion and procedural characteristics play a role in the etiology of LSD. Yet, the effect of LSD on long-term clinical outcomes has not been studied well. Element stents implanted between January 2013 and April 2015 in our hospital were examined retrospectively. Patients were grouped into two according to the presence of LSD, and their clinical, lesion and procedural characteristics were studied. Twenty-four LSD's were detected in 1812 Element stents deployed in 1314 patients (1.83 % of PCI cases and 1.32 % of all Element stents). LMCA lesions (16.7 % vs 1.6 %, p < 0.001), complex lesions (75 % vs 35.1 %, p < 0.001), bifurcation lesions (37.5 % vs 18.3 %, p = 0.017), ostial lesions (33.3 % vs 12.8 %, p = 0.003), using of extra-support guiding catheter (54.2 % vs 22.3 %, p < 0.001) and extra-support guidewire (37.5 % vs 16.2 %, p = 0.005) were found to be more frequent in cases with LSD than in cases without it. In addition, the number of stents, stent inflation pressure and the use of post-dilatation were significantly different between the two groups. Two patients had an adverse event during the follow-up period. LSD is a rarely encountered complication, and is more common in complex lesions such as ostial, bifurcation and LMCA lesions. The use of extra-support guiding catheter, extra-support guidewires and low stent inflation pressure increases the occurrence of LSD. Nevertheless, with increased awareness of LSD and proper treatment, unwanted long-term outcomes can be successfully prevented.

The relationship between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and the coronary collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies showed the association between the major adverse cardiovascular outcomes and both higher neutrophil and lower lymphocyte counts. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value and the development of coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS: A total of 274 patients with CTO were included in this study. Patients were then classified according to their Rentrop collateral grades as either poor (Rentrop grades 0-1) or good (Rentrop grades 2-3). Clinical information and analyses of blood samples were obtained from a review of the patients' charts. RESULTS: Although there was no difference between the two groups with regard to cardiovascular risk profiles, the NLR values were significantly higher in the patients who had poorly developed CCC (2.6 ± 0.5 vs 2.2 ± 0.4, p<0.001). NLR, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), age, diabetes, fasting glucose levels and body mass index were found to have univariate association with poorly developed CCC (p<0.1). In a multivariate logistic regression model, NLR (odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37-2.74; p<0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and WBC were found to be the independent predictors of poor CCC. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of NLR to predict poor CCC was found as 2.17, with 77% sensitivity and 65% specificity. CONCLUSION: NLR, as a novel cardiovascular risk marker, is an important, simple and inexpensive method which can be used by the cardiologist as a screening inflammation tool to estimate the development of CCC in patients with CTO.

Complete A-V block: incidental or a part of cor triatriatum dexter.

Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) is an extremely rare cardiac anomaly in which the right atrium is divided into two distinct chambers by a membrane. The persistence of the right valve of sinus venosus results in a complete septation of the right atrium. This anomaly is frequently associated with other right-sided cardiac abnormalities. Its clinical manifestation and the need for intervention are determined by the number and the size of the fenestrations on the membrane, associated cardiac anomalies and arrhythmias. We describe a case of CTD in a patient with complete atrioventricular (A-V) block.

Case series of a rare complication of CABG. Fistula between the internal mammary artery and pulmonary vasculature.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports in the literature on the development of a fistulous connection between the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and the pulmonary vasculature (PV) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This type of fistula may cause angina after CABG. Various mechanisms in the pathophysiology of this rare condition have been proposed. METHODS: We evaluated 537 consecutive patients with CABG surgery who underwent coronary angiography at our institution between January 2011 and March 2012. The post-CABG angiograms were evaluated for LIMA-PV fistula formation. Presence of a LIMA-PV fistula was defined as opacification of the PV or parenchyma after injection of radiopaque contrast medium into the LIMA. RESULTS: We found that 5 of 537 patients (0.93 %) had a LIMA-PV fistula on post-CABG coronary angiograms. The mean age of patients with a LIMA-PV fistula was 61.4 years (range, 51-72 years) and all patients were male. Coronary angiography was performed in the setting of myocardial infarction for 2 patients with a LIMA-PV fistula, and stable angina pectoris was the indication for coronary angiography in the remaining 3 patients. The mean diagnosis time of LIMA-PV fistula after CABG was 3.4 years (range, 1-9 years). None of the patients had a history of redo-CABG, perioperative mediastinitis, or pneumonia. CONCLUSION: LIMA-PV fistulas may occur more frequently than reported on post-CABG angiogram findings. Angina in post-CABG patients may be associated with a LIMA-PV fistula, and selective cannulation of the LIMA with careful evaluation of the angiographic images may provide proper diagnosis and treatment of this entity.

Evaluation of total oxidative stress parameters in patients with nasal polyps.

Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidative defense activity, is believed to have a role in the development and pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NPs). Based on this assumption, several known oxidants and antioxidants have been studied in patients with NPs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between oxidative stress parameters with a more valid and reliable method in patients with NPs. Seventy-three patients with NPs, septal deviations and middle concha hypertrophies were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups; group 1 (n = 38) consisted of patients with NPs, and group 2 (n = 35) included patients with septal deviations and middle concha hypertrophies. Polyp specimens were taken from all patients who underwent endoscopic surgery for NPs. Control specimens were obtained from patients who underwent an operation for septoplasty or middle concha hypertrophy. Blood and tissue samples were obtained to assess total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher TOS and OSI and lower TAS levels both in serum and tissue samples (p < 0.001 for all). In group 1, tissue TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher, and TAS levels were significantly lower than in serum (p < 0.001 for all), whereas no significant difference was found in TOS, OSI and TAS levels either in serum or tissue samples in group 2 (p = 1.0; p = 1; p = 0.208, respectively). In group 1, serum OSI levels were significantly correlated with age (r = 0.442, p = 0.005). Our study demonstrated that oxidative stress, both in serum and tissues in patients with NPs, was higher than in patients without NPs. Our study differs from previous studies in that we used a more reliable method that measures both TOS and TAS.

Noncompaction cardiomyopathy. Is it more than noncompaction?

Noncompaction cardiomyopathy, a rare congenital cardiomyopathy, is characterized by increased trabeculation in one or more segments of the ventricle. The coexistence of other cardiac anomalies such as coronary-cameral fistula, bicuspid aortic valve, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and bradyarrhythmias make noncompaction cardiomyopathy resemble the reptile heart. The defect in myocardial compaction and the frequently seen accompanying anomalies may share a common causative factor during embryogenesis.

Infection and anorexia.

Whereas anorexia is a common behavioral response to infectious diseases, the reasons for and mechanisms behind this observation are still unknown. When it is considered on an evolutionary basis, the organism must have net benefits from anorexia. The first response to infection is the development of acute phase response (APR). The APR is triggered by microbial products and characterized by production of several cytokines known to induce anorexia. Several microbial products and cytokines reduce food intake after parenteral administration, suggesting a role of these substances in the anorexia during infection. Locally released cytokines may inhibit feeding by activating peripheral sensory fibers directly or indirectly, and without a concomitant increase in circulating cytokines. However, the final center for appetite or eating is the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, these peripheral signals must reach and interact with brain regions that control appetite. In addition, a direct action of cytokines and microbial products on the CNS is presumably involved in the anorexia during infection.