Investigation of the Efficacy of Bevacizumab Treatment in An Experimental Rat Model of Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH), a condition that develops over time, is characterized by inflammation, angiogenesis, and membrane development. As the population's average age increases, the incidence of cSDH is expected to grow. While surgery is the primary treatment technique, medicinal therapy options are being explored for high-risk patients. Currently, the most effective therapy combination is dexamethasone (Dex) and atorvastatin (Ato); however, it is associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study explored the effects of bevacizumab (Bev), a vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist, on cSDH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five rats were divided into four groups (n = 18): sham, control hematoma, Dex-Ato, and Bev. Two separate autologous blood injections into the subdural space were used as the model. Weight was monitored for all rats to assess changes in their overall health. The control group was given i.p. saline, the Dex-Ato treatment was given by gavage, and the Bev treatment was given i.p. On seventh, 14th and 21st days six rats from each group were sacrificed and analyzed, while 23 rats were excluded from the experiment. RESULTS: The maximum immunological response to cSDH was observed on day 14. Hematoma volume decreased over time in all groups. Dex-Ato and Bev were both found effective, while Dex-Ato caused weight loss. CONCLUSION: Bev had similar effects to the Dex-Ato group and was well tolerated by rats. Given that cSDH is a disease of the elderly and vulnerable populations, Bev may be a viable alternative that can shed light on the disease's etiology for future research.

The neuroprotective effect of exogen melatonin upon fetal hippocampus damage caused by high-dose caffeine administration in pregnant rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether exogenous melatonin (MEL) mitigates the deleterious effects of high-dose caffeine (CAF) administration in pregnant rats upon the fetal hippocampus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 adult Wistar albino female rats were divided into four groups after conception (n = 8). At 9-20 days of pregnancy, intraperitoneal (i.p.) MEL was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day in the MEL group, while i.p. CAF was administered at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day in the CAF group. In the CAF plus MEL group, i.p. CAF and MEL were administered at a dose of 60 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively, at the same period. Following extraction of the brains of the fetuses sacrificed on the 21st day of pregnancy, their hippocampal regions were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin and Cresyl Echt Violet, anti-GFAP, and antisynaptophysin staining methods. RESULTS: While there was a decrease in fetal and brain weights in the CAF group, it was found that the CAF plus MEL group had a closer weight average to that of the control group. Histologically, it was observed that the pyramidal cell layer consisted of 8-10 layers of cells due to the delay in migration in hippocampal neurons in the CAF group, while the MEL group showed similar characteristics with the control group. It was found that these findings decreased in the CAF plus MEL group. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that high-dose CAF administration causes a delay in neurogenesis of the fetal hippocampus, and exogenous MEL is able to mitigate its deleterious effects.

Soranus of Ephesus (98-138 ad) and his contributions on human embryology, paediatrics and obstetric knowledge.

This study describes the life and works of Soranus of Ephesus (98-138 AD) who was born in Ephesus in Asia Minor and he practiced medicine in Alexandria and Rome in the Roman period (1st/2nd century AD). Although the majority of his writings have been lost, his surviving popular scientific textbook, a four-volume treatise on "Gynecology", describes ancient medical practice regarding human embryology, paediatrics and obstetrics.