Meibomian gland alterations in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism where hyperinsulinemia can be seen. Hormonal changes can affect meibomian gland function. In this study, we evaluated tear function in PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven women having PCOS and 22 normal individuals aged between 18-42 years were enrolled in the study. Patients were asked about dry eye symptoms. Schirmer test, tear film breakup time, and rose Bengal staining were performed. Conjunctival brush cytology specimens were obtained and goblet cell count was done. RESULTS: Dry eye symptoms were more frequent in subjects with PCOS (p=0.025). Mean breakup time was shorter in women with PCOS (p=0.034). Schirmer test results, rose Bengal staining scores, and goblet cell count were not different between groups (p=0.48, p=0.18, p=0.82, respectively). CONCLUSION: Meibomian gland function and tear film lipid layer can be affected in cases with PCOS.

Protective effects of diets supplemented with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and calcium against colorectal tumor formation.

This study is to evaluate the effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PUFA) and/or calcium supplementation on colon tissue of the carcinogenic N-methyl-N-nitrosurea (NMU)-injected rats and to investigate this effect by the assessment of the oxidative stress. The rats were divided into four groups: those fed with a standard diet, with a diet supplemented by omega-3 PUFA, those fed with a diet with calcium, and those fed with a standard diet with the combination of omega-3 PUFA and calcium. Rats were injected with an intrarectal NMU. After 32 weeks, colon tissue specimens and plasma were taken to histopathologically investigate and analyze tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activities and erythrocyte MDA levels. The tumor incidences in supplemented-diet groups II and IV were found to be significantly lower when compared with those of the controls (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase antioxidative enzyme activities in colorectal tissue were increased in the study groups when compared with control rats (P < 0.001) and MDA levels were significantly lower than in the controls (P < 0.001) while the levels in group IV were rather decreased than those in group III (P = 0.011). These results suggest that the dietary supplementation of PUFA and/or calcium may be useful in the prevention of colorectal tumor formation.

Paraoxonase levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine paraoxonase (PON1) levels and whether paraoxonase activity is associated with an increased propensity for the development of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-one subjects with PCOS and 33 healthy controls were evaluated in this controlled clinical study. Lipid subfractions, fasting glucose, insulin and other hormone (gonadotropin, androgen) and PON1 levels were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) was used to estimate insulin resistance. Statistical analysis was made with Student's t test and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: The women with PCOS had significantly lower serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein A1, basal PON1, arylesterase and salt-stimulated PON1 (SSP) levels than did the controls. Also, fasting insulin levels and HOMA-R were significantly higher in women with PCOS as compared with healthy subjects. Basal PON1 was positively associated with apolipoprotein A1, arylesterase and SSP but inversely correlated with HOMA-R. HDL was negatively associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-R. CONCLUSION: Decreased PON1 activity might contribute to an increased propensity for the development of cardiovascular disease in women with PCOS in addition to known risk factors, such as insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia and increased oxidative stress.

Evaluation of protective ointments used against dermal effects of nitrogen mustard, a vesicant warfare agent.

Mustard, a vesicant warfare agent, has cytotoxic, mutagenic, and cytostatic effects via alkylation of DNA and inhibition of DNA replication. Since symptoms appear following a latent period, it can cause some subacute and chronic effects to occur and delay in the treatment. Therefore, the main approach should be the use of protective preparation to reduce the skin toxicity. Thus, this study was conducted in guinea pigs (350-400 g) shaved in areas of 10 x 10 cm. Mechlorethamine HCl (100 mg), a nitrogen mustard derivative, in ethanol was applied by spraying on hairless regions where previously prepared pharmaceutical topical formulations were medicated before. The experimental regions of the animals were kept preserved from environmental factors. Forty-eight hours after the application of the protective ointments and mechlorethamine consecutively, skin-damaging effects were macroscopically evaluated in terms of erythema formation, ulceration, necrosis, and inflammation occurrences. Then, punch biopsy was performed from these damaged sites for histopathological evaluation. Although numerous topical formulations were prepared and tested for protection, according to microscopic examination of the pathologic sections, tissue specimen treated with the ointment containing the mixture of zinc oxide, zinc chloride, dimethylpolysiloxane in a base of petroleum jelly was determined as being the most effective protective against skin injury caused by the vesicant agent.

Efficient and non-invasive method for investigating Helicobacter pylori in gravida with hyperemesis gravidarum: Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and severe hyperemesis gravidarum (H. Gravidarum) by using Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen (HpSA) and other serologic test results. METHODS: Twenty-seven pregnant women with H. Gravidarum and 97 asymptomatic pregnant women of matching gestational age without gastric problems were enrolled in a prospective study. Serum samples collected from cases were investigated in terms of specific antibodies for H. pylori (immunoglobulin-IgG, IgA) and feces samples were investigated for HpSA. Statistical analysis of the data obtained from the groups was made by appropriate chi2 tests. RESULTS: Rate of HpSA positivity in patients with H. Gravidarum was 40.7%, while the same rate was 12.4% in the control group. The difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.001). Rates of positivity for specific IgG formed against H. pylori in gravida with H. Gravidarum and in the asymptomatic gravida were 85.2% and 73.2%, respectively, and the rates for IgA were 48.1% and 41.2%, respectively. There was no difference between groups in terms of specific Igs formed against H. pylori (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The HpSA scan showed a statistically significant relation between H. pylori infection and H. Gravidarum. HpSA test gives more efficient, reliable and realistic results than specific Igs formed against H. pylori in the identification of H. pylori positivity in gravida with H. Gravidarum.

Laboratory conditions and safety in a chemical warfare agent analysis and research laboratory.

Toxic chemicals have been used as weapons of war and also as means of terrorist attacks on civilian populations. Research focusing on chemical warfare agents (CWAs) may be associated with an increased risk of exposure to and contamination by these agents. This article summarizes some of the regulations concerning designation and safety in a CWA analysis and research laboratory and medical countermeasures in case of an accidental exposure. The design of such a laboratory, coupled with a set of safety guidelines, provides for the safe conduct of research and studies involving CWAs. Thus, a discussion of decontamination and protection means against CWAs is also presented.