Investigation of triticeal cartilage anatomy in forensic autopsy cases.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the presence and morphology of triticeal cartilage (TrC) through autopsy cases and to examine its relationship with age, gender, and height, thus contributing to clinical practices and forensic perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Our study was conducted on a total of 84 autopsy cases between the ages of 20-90 years who came to Tokat Forensic Medicine Institute. The laryngeal region was palpated to determine whether TrC was present. The dimensions of the TrC and the length of the upper horn of thyroid cartilage (UHThC) were measured with precise digital calipers, and its weight was measured with an accurate digital scale. RESULTS: The presence of TrC was identified in 56% of the autopsy cases examined. The prevalence of TrC was higher in males (61.9%) than in females (23.1%). It was determined to be bilateral in 45% of the cases and unilateral in 11%. TrCs had a cylindrical shape in 68.2%, an oval shape in 25.8%, and a pyramidal shape in 5.8%. The average weight of TrC was 67.93 ± 33.91 mg on the right side and 72.67 ± 32.23 mg on the left. As the individual's height increased, the weight of TrC increased (p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a strong positive correlation between the lengths of TrC and UHThC and the individual's height (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TrC may be confused with UHThC fractures. Therefore, we believe that knowledge of the presence and morphology of TrC will contribute to clinical approaches and forensic cases, especially in relation to the neck region.

Investigation of the effects of aging on the expression of aquaporin 1 and aquaporin 4 protein in heart tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Aquaporin (AQP) 1 and AQP 4 are expressed in human heart and several studies have been focused on these two aquaporins. For this purpose, the present study is aimed to research the effects of aging on AQP 1 and AQP 4 in heart tissue. METHODS: In this study, 14 Balb/C type white mice were used. Animals were divided into two equal groups. Group I consisted of 2-month-old young animals (n=7), and group II consisted of 18-month-old animals (n=7). To determine the AQP1 and AQP4 expression in the myocardium, the heart tissue was removed to perform western blotting and immunohistochemical and histopathological evaluations. RESULTS: Muscle fibers of the heart in aged animals were more irregular and loosely organized in hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) stained sections. Hscore analysis revealed that AQP1 and AQP4 immunoreactivity significantly increased in heart tissues of old mice compared with those of young mice (p<0.001). In addition, AQP1 and AQP4 protein expressions in the tissues of old animals were increased significantly according to western blot analysis (p=0.018 and p<0.001 for AQP1 and AQP4, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased AQP1 and AQP4 levels in the heart tissue may be correlated with the maintenance of water and electrolytes balance, which decreases with aging. In this context, it might be the result of a compensatory response to decreased AQP4 functions. In addition, this increase with aging as demonstrated in our study might be one of the factors that increases the tendency of ischemia in elder people.

Effects of carvedilol on an ischemia/reperfusion model: Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carvedilol (CVD) on experimentally induced ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. METHODS: An ovarian I/R model was applied to rats, classified into three groups: 1 (n = 7), sham operated (control); 2 (n = 7), 3 h ischemia + 3 h reperfusion (I/R); 3 (n = 7), 3 h ischemia + CVD + 3 h reperfusion (I/R + CVD). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in ovarian tissues and serum were measured. Tissue damage was examined histopathologically; Bax and caspase-3 expression was determined immunhistochemically. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to show apoptotic cell death. RESULTS: MDA levels in ovarian tissues were significantly increased in the I/R group compared with the control. CVD administration significantly decreased tissue MDA levels in the I/R + CVD in comparison with the I/R group. GSH-Px activities in serum were higher in the I/R + CVD than in the I/R group. SOD activities in tissue and serum were significantly decreased in the I/R compared with the control group. Histological examination showed a significant improvement in ovarian morphology in the I/R + CVD compared with the I/R group. Bax and caspase-3 protein was more strongly expressed in the I/R group compared with the control and I/R + CVD groups. Apoptotic index detected by TUNEL assay was significantly increased in the I/R and decreased in the I/R + CVD group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CVD reduces the deleterious effects of oxidative damage on ovaries in a rat I/R model.

The Effect of Lavender Oil in Patients with Renal Colic: A Prospective Controlled Study Using Objective and Subjective Outcome Measurements.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usability of lavender oil as an adjuvant in the medical treatment of pain due to renal stones. METHODS: One hundred patients age 19-64 years diagnosed with renal colic were included in the study. Group 1 (n=50) received standard medical therapy (diclofenac sodium, 75 mg intramuscularly); group 2 (n=50) received aromatherapy (lavender oil) in addition to the standard medical treatment. In both groups, the severity of the pain was graded between 0 (no pain) and 10 (severe pain) by using the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: The VAS values at the beginning and at 10 and 30 minutes in group 1 were 7.70±1.61, 5.02±2.20, and 2.89±1.96, respectively; in group 2, the values were 7.83±2.02, 4.42±2.46, and 2.20±1.74, respectively. The VAS values for the male patients in group 1 at the beginning and at 10 and 30 minutes were 7.61±1.47, 4.80±2.00, and 2.67±1.74; in the female patients, the values were 7.81±1.80, 5.40±2.41, and 3.72±1.94. For the male patients in group 2, the VAS values at the beginning and at 10 and 30 minutes were 8.25±2.01, 4.93±2.72, and 2.96±1.90, respectively; for the female patients, the values were 7.52±1.94, 4.15±1.95, and 1.21±0.91, respectively. Results are presented as mean±SD. Although there was no significant difference between the VAS values at the beginning and at 10 minutes in both groups, the VAS values at 30 minutes in the group receiving aromatherapy plus conventional treatment were statistically significantly low. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the use of aromatherapy, which is a nonpharmacologic treatment method, as an adjuvant to conventional treatment methods will help decrease pain, particularly in female patients.