Effect of exposure to different light colors on embryonic development and neurophysiological traits in the chick embryo.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Many environmental factors exist that influence embryonic development which is missing in the poultry industry, such as light in incubation facilities or hatcheries. Light plays an important role in the growth and development of chick embryos, whereas dark environments can lead to hatching failure or embryo distortion. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the importance of light and its various colors on the growth and development of broiler chick embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four treatments were used to study the impact of various light colors on the growth of embryos and their neurophysiological traits: Dark without light (D), red light (RL), blue light (BL), and green light (GL), with three replicates per treatment (25 eggs/replicate) for a total of 300 fertile Ross 308 eggs. Each treatment was assigned to one incubator (75 eggs/incubator), whereas all other conditions were kept the same. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase (p<0.01) in embryonic development for embryo weight, chick body weight, hatchability, and embryo index for RL, BL, and especially GL. RL, BL, and especially GL significantly increased (p<0.01) neurophysiological traits of the neurons, brain weight, and brain index. CONCLUSION: The use of light during the embryonic period affects the development of the embryo and its neurophysiological traits.

Simvastatin in an experimental spinal cord injury model: a histopathological and biochemical evidence based study.

AIM: In this study we tried to determine the possible neuroprotective effects of simvastatin in a rat model of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) with the help of biochemical and histopathological tests. METHODS: Rats were divided into 5 groups:1) SCI control, 2) Sham operated, 3) SCI with 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal simvastatin, 4) SCI with 10 mg/kg oral simvastatin, 5) SCI with 10 mg/kg subcutaneous simvastatin. After the treatment period, all rats were sacrificed; their blood and spinal cord samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological assessment. RESULTS: When the groups were compared in terms of oedema and inflammation status, the scores of groups receiving simvastatin were better than the control and sham groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.038 respectively). When the 3 treatment groups (oral, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous simvastatin groups) were compared with each other in terms of inflammation, haemorrhage and oedema, there were no significant differences between groups (p = 0.112, p = 0.797 and p = 0.188, respectively). NSE and S100B levels were significantly lower in the treatment groups compared to the sham group (p = 0.039 and p = 0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION: According to our biochemical and histopathological findings, simvastatin 10 mg/kg has a positive impact in the spinal cord injury model in rats, regardless of route of application (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 26).

Modulation of Rb phosphorylation and antiproliferative response to palbociclib: the preoperative-palbociclib (POP) randomized clinical trial.

Background: The cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)/6 inhibitor Palbociclib is a new standard treatment in hormone-receptor positive breast cancer patients. No predictive biomarkers have been identified and no pharmacodynamics has properly been described so far. Patients and methods: Patients with early-breast cancer were randomized 3 : 1 to oral palbociclib 125 mg daily for 14 days until the day before the surgery versus no treatment. Primary objective was antiproliferative response defined as a natural logarithm of Ki67 expression at day 15 below 1. Secondary end points were subgroups analyses and safety. Exploratory analyses included search for predictive biomarkers. Immunostainings (Ki67, RB, pRB, p16, pAKT, pER, pCDK2, CyclinD1), FISH (CCND1) and gene expression (GE) arrays were carried out at baseline and at surgery. In addition, activating PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations were assessed at baseline. Results: 74 patients were allocated to palbociclib and 26 to control. Most patients (93%) were hormone-receptor (HR)-positive, whereas 8% were HER2-positive. Palbociclib led to significantly more antiproliferative responses when compared with control (58% versus 12%, P < 0.001), and to a significantly higher Ki67 decrease (P < 0.001). In the HR-positive/HER2-negative subgroup, this antiproliferative effect was even more marked in the palbociclib arm when compared with control (70% versus 9%, P < 0.001). Palbociclib treatment led also to a significantly higher decrease from baseline in phospho-Rb when compared with control (P < 0.001). Among treated patients, changes in Ki67 correlated with changes in phospho-Rb (Spearman rank r = 0.41, P < 0.0001). GE analyses confirmed a major effect on proliferation and cell cycle genes. Among treated patients, CCNE2 expression was significantly more decreased in antiproliferative responders versus nonresponders (P = 0.006). Conclusion: Short-term preoperative palbociclib decreases Ki67 in early-breast cancer patients. Early decrease of Rb phosphorylation correlates with drug's effect on cell proliferation and could potentially identify patients with primary resistance. Clinical trial registration: NCT02008734.

A gene signature to predict high tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and outcome in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: In patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the extent of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is associated with better prognosis. Our objective was to develop a gene signature from pretreatment samples to predict the extent of TILs after NACT and then to test its prognostic value on survival. Patients and methods: Using 99 pretreatment samples, we generated a four-gene signature associated with high post-NACT TILs. Prognostic value of the signature on distant relapse-free survival (DRFS) was first assessed on the training set (n = 99) and then on an independent validation set (n = 115). Results: A four-gene signature combining the expression levels of HLF, CXCL13, SULT1E1, and GBP1 was developed in baseline samples to predict the extent of lymphocytic infiltration after NACT. In a multivariate analysis performed on the training set, this signature was associated with DRFS [hazard ratio (HR): 0.28, for a one-unit increase in the value of the four-gene signature, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13-0.63)]. In a multivariate analysis performed on an independent validation set, the four-gene signature was significantly associated with DRFS (HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06-0.43). The four-gene signature added significant prognostic information when compared with the clinicopathologic pretreatment model (likelihood ratio test in the training set P = 0.004 and in the validation set P = 0.002). Conclusions: A four-gene signature predicts high levels of TILs after anthracycline-containing NACT and outcome in patients with TNBC and adds prognostic information to a clinicopathological model at diagnosis.

The role of pegaptanib sodium in the suppression of epidural fibrosis in a postlaminectomy rat model.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal epidural fibrosis is a clinical condition that develops after laminectomy and can compress the spine. Many agents have been tried for the treatment, but none has entered clinical use at present. Pegaptanib sodium is an antiangiogenetic drug that prevents the development of new vessels and thus adhesion by inhibiting the effect of VEGF. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 20 Wistar rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into 2 different groups as the control and pegaptanib sodium group. Three levels of laminectomy were performed. Only laminectomy was performed in the control group. A cotton ball soaked with 3 mg/kg Pegaptanib sodium diluted 1: 10 with 0.9 % NaCl was topically applied to the dura in the surgical field for 5 minutes in the pegaptanib sodium group. The rats were sacrificed 3 weeks later and histopathologically examined. The epidural fibrosis was graded. RESULTS: The epidural fibrosis grade in the pegaptanib sodium was significantly lower than in the control group c2 = 11,65; (p = 0.004)CONCLUSION: Pegaptanib sodium blocked the VEGF through its anti-VEGF effect and decreased spinal epidural fibrosis in rats that had undergone laminectomy (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 53).

Spinal intradural abscess caused by hematogenous spread of Prevotella oralis in a 3-year-old child with an asymptomatic congenital spinal abnormality.

STUDY DESIGN: Case Report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of spinal intradural abscess caused by hematogenous spread of Prevotella oralis and discuss the treatment. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. METHOD: We report a 3-year-old child with progressive paraparesis who was diagnosed with an intradural spinal abscess, epidermoid cyst and dermal sinus. The patient was treated surgically followed by antimicrobial treatment. RESULT: Intraoperative abscess culture was positive for Prevotella oralis, which has not been reported before as a single isolate in literature. The patient's neurologic status was significantly improved after surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic antimicrobial therapies should cover the anaerobic bacteria in spinal intradural abscess. Surgical decompression with laminectomy and duraplasty may be warranted to achieve immediate neurologic improvement in such cases.

Giant cyst of the cavum septi pellucidi and cavum Vergae with posterior cranial fossa extension: case report.

The cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) and cavum Vergae (CV) are frequently seen in premature and term infants. These cavities rarely enlarge and become symptomatic we describe a giant CSP and CV cyst in an 18-month-old boy, extending to the posterior cranial fossa and causing hydrocephalus. The literature is reviewed, and the MRI and CT findings of the case are reported.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril prevents chronic morphologic vasospasm in rat.

It has been shown that a long-acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril prevents morphologic changes in arteries secondary to hypertension and endothelial damage, which are analogous to the changes in cerebral arteries following subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this study, the effect of cilazapril on chronic vasospasm was investigated on the rat femoral artery vasospasm model, and morphometric analyses were performed. Animals were divided into three groups. In group 1, femoral arteries were removed after cardiac perfusion. In groups 2 and 3, right femoral arteries were exposed to 0.1 mL autologous whole blood and wrapped with silastic cuff. Animals in group 3 received cilazapril (10 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. After the perfusion-fixation, femoral arteries were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy and processed for morphometric analysis. Vessels from animals in group 2 showed a significant luminal narrowing and morphologic changes throughout the vessel wall, while vessels from animals treated with cilazapril appeared nearly normal. These results suggest that cilazapril may be effective in the prevention of chronic vasospasm.

Magnetic resonance imaging in cervical trauma associated with ankylosing spondylitis: report of two cases.

Findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in two cases of traumatic cervical fracture associated with ankylosing spondylitis are presented. In such patients cervical fracture usually occurs in the lower cervical spine from hyperextension injuries. Classic radiologic investigations including plain films, myelography, and computed tomography are insufficient because of osteopenia and distorted anatomy: MRI is superior to other techniques.

A fluid level in an acute extradural haematoma.

We report a fluid level in an acute extradural haematoma developing after placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus. This fluid level was thought to be due to a mixture of blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Interhemispheric subdural haematomas.

Eight cases of interhemispheric subdural haematomas (ISDHs) are described. Trauma was the most common cause. Two patients were hydrocephalic and one of them had also agenesis of the corpus callosum. The diagnoses were established by CT. In one of the cases with chronic ISDHs, CT findings suggested a subdural empyema. Conservative treatment was preferred for neurologically stable patients. In one of the patients, the haematoma migrated to the cerebral convexity after liquefaction.

Growing skull fracture of the orbital roof.

One year after trauma, diplopia, limitation of ocular movements on the left side, orbital asymmetry, and a growing skull fracture on the orbital roof were reported in an extraordinary case. While presenting this extraordinary localization of growing skull fractures, the anatomy, pathogenesis and the natural evolution of these lesions still remain obscure.

Pineal meningioma: MRI.

Pineal meningiomas are very rare. We report a pineal meningioma examined by MRI.

Brain abscess caused by Salmonella typhimurium. Case report and review of the literature.

Brain abscess due to Salmonella species are very rare. In this paper a case of brain abscess caused by Salmonella typhimurium is reported. The patient had no history of Salmonellosis. A review of the literature is also presented.

Management problems in cases with a combination of asymptomatic occult intrasacral meningocele and disc prolapse.

Report of two cases who suffered from lumbo-ischialgia and had as well a disc prolapse as an intrasacral meningocele. The actual clinical symptoms seemed to be caused by the disc prolapse and not by the meningocele, which was considered to be asymptomatic. Therefore only operative treatment of the protruded disc was undertaken. The post-operative course confirmed that this decision was correct. Questions of classification and clinical symptoms of intrasacral meningoceles are shortly discusses.