Evaluation of the Dermatological Life Quality Index, sexual dysfunction and other psychiatric diseases in patients diagnosed with vitiligo with and without genital involvement.

BACKGROUND: Because skin lesions affect self-image, vitiligo affects an individual's emotional and psychological well-being, sexual life and relationships with other people. The literature contains a limited number of studies regarding the localization of vitiligo with respect to its effect on certain variables. AIM: To investigate the effects of the presence or absence of genital involvement in vitiligo on sexual dysfunction, dermatological quality of life (QoL), and susceptibility to other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. METHODS: In total, 90 patients who were admitted to the dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital; the patients included 30 patients with vitiligo with genital involvement, 30 patients with vitiligo without genital involvement and 30 controls (HCs). All groups were evaluated with the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). RESULTS: The HC groups exhibited lower total scores on the DLQI, HAD total score, ASEX and GRISS compared with the vitiligo groups (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the vitiligo group with genital involvement and the vitiligo group without genital involvement in terms of DLQI, and total scores for HAD, ASEX and GRISS (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence or absence of genital involvement in vitiligo did not have dissimilar effects on the individual's QoL, or their sexual and psychological state.

Optical coherence tomography of basal cell carcinoma: density and signal attenuation.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent malignancy in Caucasians. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive optical imaging technology using the principle of interferometry. OCT has shown a great potential in diagnosing, monitoring, and follow-up of BCC. So far most OCT studies on the subject of BCC have had a qualitative focus, i.e. on morphological analysis of the OCT images. The aim of this study was to explore the use of quantitative OCT measurements, density, and attenuation coefficient in BCC lesions as a way to improve the OCT evaluation of BCC. METHODS: The study was based on OCT images of 58 histologically verified BCC lesions and the corresponding normal adjacent skin. The study population was divided into two groups based on the OCT morphology of the BCC lesions: the "Disrupt BCC group" and the "Nodular BCC group". Density and attenuation coefficients were measured in the OCT images by specially designed software and the regions of interests (ROI) were placed directly on (ROI1) and under the visible BCC lesions (ROI2). The results were compared to the OCT images of normal adjacent skin. RESULTS: Disrupt BCC group: The densities of BCC lesions were significant lower (P = 0.002), than the normal skin in ROI1. Attenuation measurements were found to be significantly greater (P = 0.012) in BCC lesions compared to normal skin in ROI1. Nodular BCC group: Attenuation measurements were found to be significantly lower (P = 0.017) in BCC lesions compared to normal skin in ROI1. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a quantitative potential of OCT in the context of BCC. This study is exploratory and requires independent verification.

The C-terminal binding protein (CTBP-1) regulates dorsal SMD axonal morphology in Caenorhabditis elegans.

C-terminal binding proteins (CtBPs) are transcriptional co-repressors which cooperate with a variety of transcription factors to repress gene expression. Caenorhabditis elegans CTBP-1 expression has been observed in the nervous system and hypodermis. In C. elegans, CTBP-1 regulates several processes including Acute Functional Tolerance to ethanol and functions in the nervous system to modulate both lifespan and expression of a lipase gene called lips-7. Incorrect structure and/or function of the nervous system can lead to behavioral changes. Here, we demonstrate reduced exploration behavior in ctbp-1 mutants. Our examination of a subset of neurons involved in regulating locomotion revealed that the axonal morphology of dorsal SMD (SMDD) neurons is altered in ctbp-1 mutants at the fourth larval (L4) stage. Expressing CTBP-1 under the control of the endogenous ctbp-1 promoter rescued both the exploration behavior phenotype and defective SMDD axon structure in ctbp-1 mutants at the L4 stage. Interestingly, the pre-synaptic marker RAB-3 was found to localize to the mispositioned portion of SMDD axons in a ctbp-1 mutant. Further analysis of SMDD axonal morphology at days 1, 3 and 5 of adulthood revealed that the number of ctbp-1 mutants showing an SMDD axonal morphology defect increases in early adulthood and the observed defect appears to be qualitatively more severe. CTBP-1 is prominently expressed in the nervous system with weak expression detected in the hypodermis. Surprisingly, solely expressing CTBP-1a in the nervous system or hypodermis did not restore correct SMDD axonal structure in a ctbp-1 mutant. Our results demonstrate a role for CTBP-1 in exploration behavior and the regulation of SMDD axonal morphology in C. elegans.

The effect of exogenous oxytocin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic adult rat testes.

Oxytocin (OXY) plays a crucial role in reproduction. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic and protective effects of oxytocin treatment on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in testicular tissue. The rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: (I) Control Group, (II) STZ induced Diabetic Group (STZ Group), (III) STZ induced Diabetic Group with Pre-Oxytocin treatment (Pre-OXY Group) and (IV) STZ induced Diabetic Group with Post-Oxytocin treatment (Post-OXY Group); each group contains six animals. The rats whose blood glucose levels were more than 200mg/dl were included to the experiment. At the end of the 4th week, testes tissue samples were taken to be processed for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH) and Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP) levels were determined biochemically in blood samples. Testicular tissue samples stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction were evaluated under light microscope. The histopathological damage score of testicular tissue, which was significantly increased in STZ group, was decreased by oxytocin treatment. According to biochemical data, MDA and AOPP levels have been increased in the blood of STZ Group compared to the Control Group whereas they decreased significantly in Oxytocin-treated Groups compared to STZ Group. GSH levels were significantly decreased in the blood of STZ Group and increased in the blood of Oxytocin-treated Groups compared to STZ Group. In conclusion, oxytocin has a potential protective effect on the testes tissue of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Peripheral nerve conduits: technology update.

Peripheral nerve injury is a worldwide clinical problem which could lead to loss of neuronal communication along sensory and motor nerves between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral organs and impairs the quality of life of a patient. The primary requirement for the treatment of complete lesions is a tension-free, end-to-end repair. When end-to-end repair is not possible, peripheral nerve grafts or nerve conduits are used. The limited availability of autografts, and drawbacks of the allografts and xenografts like immunological reactions, forced the researchers to investigate and develop alternative approaches, mainly nerve conduits. In this review, recent information on the various types of conduit materials (made of biological and synthetic polymers) and designs (tubular, fibrous, and matrix type) are being presented.

The protective effect of oxytocin on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat urinary bladder.

Oxytocin (OXY), a well-known nonapeptide, plays a crucial role in reproduction, and has effects on modulating the immune and inflammatory processes in living organisms as well. Recently it is also known as an antioxidant in several organs. The present study aims to demonstrate the protective effect of OXY against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in urinary bladder tissue. Abdominal aorta of rats, were clamped to perform urinary bladder ischemia. OXY (0.5 µg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before ischemia in I/R+OXY group, whereas the vehicle solution was injected to I/R group. At the end of reperfusion, tissue samples from urinary bladder were processed for histochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical analysis. Tissue sections were stained by toluidine blue for mast cell counting and hematoxylin-eosin for histopathology. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined biochemically. The results demonstrated that there was an extreme damage at urothelium, dilatation of intercellular junctions, inflammatory cell infiltration in I/R group. I/R+OXY group demonstrated a reduction in the severity of urinary bladder damage. According to mast cell counting results, both granulated and degranulated mast cells were decreased in I/R+OXY group compared to I/R group. The mean MDA level was higher in I/R group compared to control and lower in I/R+OXY group compared to I/R group. GSH level reduced in I/R group compared to the control and increased in I/R+OXY group compared to I/R group. In conclusion, oxytocin, as confirmed by histological evaluation and biochemical assays has a potential protective effect in the urinary bladder tissue against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Identification of mutations and evaluation of cardiomyopathy in Turkish patients with primary carnitine deficiency.

Primary systemic carnitine deficiency (SCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by defective cellular carnitine transport. Patients usually present with predominant metabolic or cardiac manifestations. SCD is caused by mutations in the organic cation/carnitine transporter OCTN2 (SLC22A5) gene. Mutation analysis of SLC22A5 gene was carried out in eight Turkish patients from six families. Six patients presented with signs and symptoms of heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and low plasma carnitine levels, five of them with concurrent anemia. A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy had also facial dysmorphia, microcephaly, and developmental delay. Tandem MS analyses in siblings of the patients revealed two more cases with low plasma carnitine levels. SCD diagnosis was confirmed in these two cases by mutation screening. These two cases were asymptomatic but echocardiography revealed left ventricular dilatation in one of them. Carnitine treatment was started before the systemic signs and symptoms developed in these patients. Mean value of serum carnitine levels of the patients was 2.63±1.92µmol/L at the time of diagnosis. After 1year of treatment, carnitine values increased to 16.62±5.11 (p<0.001) and all responded to carnitine supplementation clinically. Mutation screening of the OCTN2 gene study in the patients revealed two novel (p.G411V, p.G152R), and four previously identified mutations (p.R254X, p.R282X, p.R289X, p.T337Pfs12X). Early recognition and carnitine supplementation can be lifesaving in this inborn error of fatty acid oxidation.

Association of polymorphisms in APOE, p53, and p21 with primary open-angle glaucoma in Turkish patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between Apolipoprotein E (APOE), tumor suppressor protein p53 (p53), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21) genes and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a cohort of Turkish subjects. METHODS: Seventy-five POAG patients (49 women, 26 men) and 119 healthy subjects (67 women, 52 men) were genotyped with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Allele and genotype frequencies between healthy subjects and glaucoma patients were compared by the chi(2) test, and intraocular pressure (IOP), cup/disc ratio (C/D) and visual field indices (MD and PSD) were compared among different APOE, p53, and p21 genotypes in POAG group. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean ages were 63.8+/-9.5 and 61.8+/-10.2 years in POAG and control groups, respectively (p=0.18). There were no significant differences in the distribution of APOE, p53, and p21 genotypes between the healthy subjects and POAG patients (p=0.38, p=0.12, and p=0.2, respectively). There were no significant differences in maximum IOP, MD, and PSD values among different groups of p53 and p21 genotypes (p>0.05). POAG subjects with the epsilon2epsilon3 genotype had a worse PSD value (median=2.2) than those with the epsilon3epsilon4 genotype (median=1.77; p=0.01) and POAG subjects with the epsilon3epsilon3 genotype had worse MD and PSD values (median= -7.4 and 3.4, respectively) than those with the epsilon3epsilon4 genotype (median= -4.1 and 1.77, respectively; p=0.034 and 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no link between polymorphisms in APOE, p53, and p21 genes and POAG in Turkish patients, although a larger sample is required to elucidate the role of these polymorphisms in the pathogenesis and course of glaucoma.

Ischaemia-modified albumin elevation after percutaneous coronary intervention reflects albumin concentration rather than ischaemia.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is accepted as a model of myocardial ischaemia in studies of ischaemia markers, especially of ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA). However, there is concern that IMA levels may reflect changes in albumin concentrations rather than myocardial ischaemia also during PCI. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients (17 men and 4 women) undergoing single-vessel percutaneous coronary angioplasty were enrolled in the study. IMA and albumin levels were measured together with myoglobin, creatine kinase 2 and cardiac troponin I, before (Group 1), immediately after (Group 2) and 6 h after (Group 3) the procedure of PCI. RESULTS: The IMA levels of Group 2 were significantly higher than those of Group 1 and Group 3 (P < 0.05 for both). However, correction of IMA by multiplying with the (individual albumin concentration of the patient/median albumin concentration of Group 1) ratio gave no statistical differences between the groups (P > 0.05). There were strong negative correlations between IMA levels and albumin concentrations within individual groups (r = -0.757, P < 0.001; r = -0.712, P < 0.001; and r = -0.705, P < 0.001 for Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results confirm the close dependency of IMA results on albumin concentrations. Therefore, IMA results reflect albumin concentrations rather than myocardial ischaemia also in PCI. This situation and lack of standard reference materials for the albumin cobalt binding assay can lessen the diagnostic performance of IMA.

Association between nitric oxide and oxidative stress in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis is a major complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, and the mechanisms involved in the pathology are important if the success rate of treatment strategies is to increase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 50 CAPD patients (25 with 25 episodes of peritonitis and 25 with no clinical or laboratory signs of infection) were included in the study. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in serum and dialysate effluents were determined. RESULTS: The dialysate/serum (D/S) ratio of the NO metabolites and serum NO metabolite concentrations were significantly higher in the peritonitis group. Serum and dialysate MDA concentrations were also significantly higher in the peritonitis group. The D/S ratio of MDA was significantly higher in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Local peritoneal NO production and oxidative stress seem to increase in CAPD patients during the peritonitis attack.

Cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of mortality and morbidity of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We aimed to investigate the cardiovascular risk factors and their correlation with CVD in groups of HD and CAPD patients. METHODS: Thirty HD patients, 30 CAPD patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Apolipoprotein A-l (apo A-l), apolipoprotein B (apo B), apolipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) were measured with a Beckman Coulter nephelometer, and homocysteine (Hcy) was determined with an Agilent HPLC analyzer. Lipid profile was determined with a Synchron LX 20 Pro analyzer. RESULTS: Hcy levels were 41.9+/-19.4, 41.8+/-38.5 and 9.3+/-3.5 micromol/L; Lp(a) levels were 325+/-315, 431+/-367 and 130+/-97 mg/L; hs-CRP levels were 3.78+/-3.21, 4.34+/-3.39 and 2.07+/-1.67 mg/L; apo A1/apo B ratios were 1.46+/-0.6, 1.36+/-0.5 and 1.80+/-0.59; total cholesterol levels were 3.56+/-0.7, 4.84+/-1.1 and 4.39+/-0.5 mmol/L; triglycerides were 1.44+/-0.5, 1.60+/-0.8 and 0.85+/-0.5 mmol/L in the HD, CAPD and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: HD and CAPD patients had higher Hcy, hs-CRP and Lp(a) levels and lower apo A/B ratios than controls. There was no significant difference between the HD and CAPD groups. Hypertension, age and hs-CRP showed a positive correlation with CVD.

Evidence of increased oxidative stress by simple measurements in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

The heart cannot supply sufficient blood for tissue metabolic needs in patients with congestive heart failure. Hypoxia and organ hypoperfusion increase oxidative activity. It has been reported that free radicals are involved in the genesis of heart failure. The aim of this study was to assess the status of oxidative stress by simple measurements in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of ischemic or idiopathic etiology. Eleven patients (8 M, 3 F, age range 32 to 65 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy of ischemic etiology and 12 patients (8 M, 4 F, age range 31 to 66 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy of idiopathic etiology were included in the study. A control group included 21 healthy subjects (12 M, 9 F, age range 25 to 67 years). Levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, total thiols, and fluorescent products of lipid peroxidation were measured in plasma/serum samples of patients and controls. No statistically significant differences were found between the two patient groups for the parameters studied (p>0.05). Levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and fluorescent products of lipid peroxidation were higher in both patient groups than in controls (p<0.05), whereas concentrations of total thiols were decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, in patients with idiopathic or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, there are associated abnormalities of a range of markers of increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The plasma/serum constituents studied can be routinely measured in order to monitor patients during antioxidant therapy.

Iloprost added to the cardioplegic solutions improves myocardial performance.

A total of 12 mongrel dogs were divided into two equal groups. Six animals received IIoprost and the other 6 animals did not receive any additional treatment. In the Iloprost group, Iloprost was added to the cardioplegic solution (25 ng). Also, Iloprost was used (10 ng/kg/min.) 5 min. before and after cross-clamping. All cardiac output and biochemical measurements were evaluated before cross-clamp and 15 min., 1 h, and 4 h after cross-clamp. The measured dp/dt shows that the hearts treated with Iloprost preserved left ventricular function. Comparison of contractility indices between the groups revealed that contractile recovery was 59% in the control group and 71% in the Iloprost group (p < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha level was significantly elevated in the control group (p < 0.001). Its level was 22.2 +/- 2.2 pg/mL in the control group and 13.8 +/- 1.0 pg/mL in the Iloprost group. E- and P-selectin levels were elevated in the control group (p < 0.001). ICAM-1 level was also elevated in the control group. ICAM-1 level was 17.7 +/- 1.8 ng/mL in the control group and 8.5 +/- 1.8 ng/mL in the Iloprost group. The Iloprost that was added to the cardioplegic solution and low dose administration during the pre- and post-ischemic period inhibits the toxic mediator release from endothelium-leukocyte interaction and reduces the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Myocardial hemodynamic and metabolic changes during abdominal insufflation with carbon dioxide.

It is a well-known fact that laparoscopic procedures performed with carbon dioxide insufflation impair myocardial function. In this study, we aimed to determine the safety limitations of various intra-abdominal pressure values during abdominal insufflation with carbon dioxide. Of the 24 mongrel dogs, 6 were assigned to one of four different pressure groups (10, 15, 20 and 30 mm Hg), respectively. Cardiac output, right/left heart pressures, and the first derivative of ventricular pressure were monitored. Myocardial oxygen consumption, myocardial lactate/oxygen extraction, tissue lactate and adenosine triphosphate levels were determined. Measurements were performed initially as a control, at 15-min intervals during 1 h of insufflation and 1 h after desufflation. At 10 mm Hg carbon dioxide pressure, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were not significantly different. Cardiac output decreased significantly in the 20 and 30 mm Hg groups (p < 0.05: 10, 15 vs. 20, 30 mm Hg). Although cardiac output did not change at 15 mm Hg, the dp/dt value was significantly reduced. Cardiac output at the 60th min was 1,960+/-75 ml/min in the 10 mm Hg group, 1,885+/-40 ml/min in the 15 mm Hg group, 1,770+/-45 ml/min in the 20 mm Hg group and 1,695+/-40 ml/min in the 30 mm Hg group. Myocardial oxygen consumption was reduced at 15, 20 and 30 mm Hg (p < 0.05: 10 vs. 15, 20 and 30 mm Hg). In the myocardial tissue, ATP decreased from 19+/-2 to 12+/-1.2 micromol/g at 15 mm Hg, from 19+/-1.9 to 9.4+/-1.3 micromol/g at 20 mm Hg and from 18+/-3.2 to 8.2+/-1.9 micromol/g at 30 mm Hg. Changes in hemodynamic and metabolic parameters of the heart are reversible and may not lead to any significant impairments in patients having normal cardiopulmonary function, but pose a risk in patients with respiratory disease and limited myocardial reserve.

Increased oxidative stress in dilated cardiomyopathic heart failure.

In the present study, we assessed oxidative stress in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of ischemic or idiopathic etiology. For this reason we measured whole blood reduced glutathione, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, susceptibility of erythrocyte membranes and erythrocytes to peroxidation, and SH content of erythrocyte membranes in 12 patients (8 men and 4 women, ages 31 to 66 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, in 11 patients (8 men and 3 women, ages 32 to 65 years) with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and in 21 healthy volunteers (12 men and 9 women, ages 25 to 67 years). There was no statistically significant difference between the two patient groups for the indicators studied (P >0.05). Blood glutathione, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, and membrane SH content of both groups of patients was decreased compared with controls (P <0.05), whereas erythrocyte and membrane susceptibility to peroxidation were increased (P <0.05). We conclude that patients with idiopathic or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy exhibit abnormalities of a range of markers of increased oxidative stress. These abnormalities may contribute to contractile dysfunction, increased incidence of fatal arrhythmias, and sudden death.

Simplified retroperfusion system preserves the myocardial function during acute coronary artery occlusion.

It is known that coronary venous retroperfusion restores the blood flow to the ischemic myocardium, resulting in reduction of infarct size and improvement in left-ventricular pump function. In this study, we used an animal model to investigate the effects of a simplified coronary venous retroperfusion system on myocardial hemodynamics. Twenty dogs were entered in this study. All dogs underwent fifteen minutes occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. For the rest of the experiment the dogs were randomized into two groups: the control group (n = 10) underwent a further 2 hours left anterior descending artery occlusion, then clamps were released and the animals were observed for 6 hours. In the retroperfusion group (n = 10) a simple aortocoronary sinus connection was made and retrograde perfusion achieved with an outflow of 43 +/- 6 ml/min. Retrograde coronary sinus perfusion was maintained for three hours and then the dogs were observed for six hours. Tissue adenosine triphosphate levels were 6 +/- 3 mumol/g in the control group and 12 +/- 2 mumol/g in the retroperfusion group (p < 0.05) 6 hours after reperfusion. Creatine phosphokinase levels were 99 +/- 11 IU/L in the control group and 42 +/- 8 IU/L in the retroperfusion group 6 hours after reperfusion (p < 0.05). Cardiac index was 63 +/- 4 ml/kg/min in the control group and 79 +/- 2 ml/kg/min in the retroperfusion group 6 hours after retroperfusion (p < 0.05). Left-ventricular stroke-work index at a pulmonary capillary artery wedge pressure of 20 mmHg was 0.54 +/- 0.06 g.m/kg in the retroperfusion group and 0.29 +/- 0.03 g.m/kg in the control group 6 hours after reperfusion (p < 0.05). It is concluded that myocardial hemodynamic and biochemical function can be preserved by simplified coronary sinus retroperfusion.

The role of reactive oxygen metabolites in ulcerative colitis.

SUMMARY: : Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) contribute to tissue injury in inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study is to examine the role of ROMs in the tissue injury in ulcerative colitis (UC). The study group consisted of 27 patients with UC (14 active, 13 quiescent) and a control group of 10 patients with various anal diseases. We measured the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in colorectal biopsies. MDA was measured by the thiobarbituric acid assay. SOD and MPO were measured using the nitro blue tetrazolium and odianisidine methods, respectively. The MDA, SOD, and MPO tissue levels were significantly different between the patients with active UC, the patients with quiescent UC, and the control subjects (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the tissue concentrations of MDA and MPO and the activity of the disease (p < 0.001). The SOD tissue concentrations were negatively correlated with the disease activity (r = -0.507, p < 0.05).

Spinal cord protection with the use of prostacyclin during aortic occlusion.

This study was planned to investigate if prostacyclin (PGI2) would reduce spinal cord injury following aortic occlusion. Twelve dogs underwent 90 min of aortic occlusion. Six dogs received PGI2 and the remaining animals did not. PGI2 was administered at a dose of 25 ng/kg/min during occlusion of the aorta. There were five paraplegic animals in the control group and one in the PGI2 group 72 hr after aortic occlusion. Neurological recovery was better in the PGI2 group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde level was 3.55 +/- 0.58 nmole/ml in the PGI2 group and 6.35 +/- 1.27 nmole/ml in the control group 60 min after aortic cross-clamp removal (P < 0.05). At the same time interval, protein thiol groups were 629 +/- 50 micromole/L in the PGI2 group and 376 +/- 69 micromole/L in the control group (P < 0.05). Distal arterial pressure and central venous pressure were 15 +/- 4 and 12 +/- 3 mm Hg in the control group and 33 +/- 5 and 7 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in the PGI2 group, respectively (P < 0.05). In this study exogenously administered PGI2 protected the spinal cord from the hazardous effects of aortic occlusion lasting 90 min.

Effect of in vitro hemolysis on 25 common biochemical tests.

Clinical chemists frequently encounter hemolyzed samples. Our study examines the effects of hemolysis on the results of 25 common biochemical tests. We collected 60 15-mL blood samples from inpatients and outpatients and mechanically hemolyzed 10 mL of the samples in a two-step procedure. We classified serum from these samples as being nonhemolyzed, moderately hemolyzed, or severely hemolyzed and then performed 25 common biochemical tests. Statistical analysis of the results showed that hemolysis had the greatest effect on the lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and potassium tests.