Far-infrared treatment of experimental sinusitis in rabbits: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Thermal therapy has existed for thousands of years and dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Finns, Romans, ancient Chinese, American Indians, and Egyptians. Sun therapy is a form of natural Far Infrared Rays (FIR) thermal therapy. Far infrared rays are invisible rays with the longest wavelength of natural sunlight. However, sunbathing should only be done in moderation, as sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that can burn and damage the skin. More than 30 million people in Asia, Europe, and Australia receive Far Infrared Therapy with FIR lamps. They emit 2-25-micron wavebands. We aimed to investigate whether FIR therapy that uses a similar waveband improves sinusitis symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 10 New Zealand rabbits of both sexes, 7-8 months old, with an average weight of 1.8-2.4 kg. They were divided into four study groups. Sinusitis was induced in rabbits by blocking the sinus ostium, whereas some were left as control. Far infrared treatment with an infra-sin device was given with or without antibiotics. Mucosal samples were evaluated microscopically regarding epithelial eruption, epithelial vacuolization, interstitial edema, vascular congestion, leukocyte infiltration, and mucosal thickening. RESULTS: We found clinical and histopathological improvements in rabbits with sinusitis on the right side of the nose, to which we applied FIR treatment with the device Infra-Sin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings in this animal study led us to conclude that it would be beneficial to study the effects of FIR treatment on people with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis and to identify the optimal dosing, treatment duration, and intensity. To add to our findings, looking into whether FIR therapy can be used as an alternative to antibiotic treatment for human sinusitis is essential.

Endoscopically operated 15 ventral skull-base dermoid and epidermoid cysts: Outcomes of a case series and technical note.

BACKGROUND: Epidermoid and dermoid tumors in the sellar region are rare. These cystic lesions are a surgical challenge, as the thin capsule adheres firmly to nearby structures. A case series of 15 patients is presented. METHODS: The patients were operated on in our clinic between April 2009 and November 2021. The endoscopic transnasal approach (ETA) was used. Lesions were located in the ventral skull base. In addition, the literature was reviewed to compare clinical features and outcomes of ventral skull-base epidermoid/dermoid tumors operated on via ETA. RESULTS: In our series, removal of cystic contents and tumor capsule (gross total resection: GTR) was achieved in 3 patients (20%). GTR was not possible for the others, because of adhesions to vital structures. Near total resection (NTR) was achieved in 11 patients (73.4%), and subtotal resection (STR) in 1 (6.6%). At a mean follow-up of 55±26.27 months, there were no cases of recurrence requiring surgery. CONCLUSION: Our series demonstrates that ETA is suitable for resection of epidermoid and dermoid cysts in the ventral skull base. GTR cannot always be the absolute clinical aim, because of inherent risks. In patients with expected long-term survival, the aggressiveness of surgery should be weighed on an individual risk/benefit basis.

Largest recent impact craters on Mars: Orbital imaging and surface seismic co-investigation.

Two >130-meter-diameter impact craters formed on Mars during the later half of 2021. These are the two largest fresh impact craters discovered by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter since operations started 16 years ago. The impacts created two of the largest seismic events (magnitudes greater than 4) recorded by InSight during its 3-year mission. The combination of orbital imagery and seismic ground motion enables the investigation of subsurface and atmospheric energy partitioning of the impact process on a planet with a thin atmosphere and the first direct test of martian deep-interior seismic models with known event distances. The impact at 35°N excavated blocks of water ice, which is the lowest latitude at which ice has been directly observed on Mars.

Surface waves and crustal structure on Mars.

We detected surface waves from two meteorite impacts on Mars. By measuring group velocity dispersion along the impact-lander path, we obtained a direct constraint on crustal structure away from the InSight lander. The crust north of the equatorial dichotomy had a shear wave velocity of approximately 3.2 kilometers per second in the 5- to 30-kilometer depth range, with little depth variation. This implies a higher crustal density than inferred beneath the lander, suggesting either compositional differences or reduced porosity in the volcanic areas traversed by the surface waves. The lower velocities and the crustal layering observed beneath the landing site down to a 10-kilometer depth are not a global feature. Structural variations revealed by surface waves hold implications for models of the formation and thickness of the martian crust.

Improving Constraints on Planetary Interiors With PPs Receiver Functions.

Seismological constraints obtained from receiver function (RF) analysis provide important information about the crust and mantle structure. Here, we explore the utility of the free-surface multiple of the P-wave (PP) and the corresponding conversions in RF analysis. Using earthquake records, we demonstrate the efficacy of PPs-RFs before illustrating how they become especially useful when limited data is available in typical planetary missions. Using a transdimensional hierarchical Bayesian deconvolution approach, we compute robust P-to-S (Ps)- and PPs-RFs with InSight recordings of five marsquakes. Our Ps-RF results verify the direct Ps converted phases reported by previous RF analyses with increased coherence and reveal other phases including the primary multiple reverberating within the uppermost layer of the Martian crust. Unlike the Ps-RFs, our PPs-RFs lack an arrival at 7.2 s lag time. Whereas Ps-RFs on Mars could be equally well fit by a two- or three-layer crust, synthetic modeling shows that the disappearance of the 7.2 s phase requires a three-layer crust, and is highly sensitive to velocity and thickness of intra-crustal layers. We show that a three-layer crust is also preferred by S-to-P (Sp)-RFs. While the deepest interface of the three-layer crust represents the crust-mantle interface beneath the InSight landing site, the other two interfaces at shallower depths could represent a sharp transition between either fractured and unfractured materials or thick basaltic flows and pre-existing crustal materials. PPs-RFs can provide complementary constraints and maximize the extraction of information about crustal structure in data-constrained circumstances such as planetary missions.

A new inflammatory marker in overweight patients: triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1.

BACKGROUND: Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) is secreted by phagocytes in adipose tissue and it also upregulates the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory response and atherosclerotic conditions. This study was aimed to investigate the serum TREM-1 levels in overweight patients. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects in the overweight group (OG) and 20 age-matched healthy subjects in the control group (CG) (BMI 27.6±1.2 vs 23.1±2.17 kg/m2, respectively, p<0.001) were included in the study. The serum sTREM-1 level was measured by ELISA. The homeostasis model assessment score (HOMA-IR) was also calculated. RESULTS: The mean TREM-1 levels were significantly higher in OG than in CG (407.3±323.7 vs 150.3±152.7 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.001). The HOMA-IR score was also significantly higher in OG than in CG (3.42±3.63 vs 2.77±1.61, respectively). A positive correlation was detected between TREM-1 and BMI (r=0.318, p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: This study mainly demonstrated that a high serum TREM-1 level might be an early inflammatory marker in overweight patients. We found that TREM-1 might be associated with BMI in overweight patients regardless of insulin resistance (Tab. 1, Ref. 21). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Annular Pancreas, Severe Tracheomalacia and Bronchomalacia in a Preterm Boy with Vacterl Association.

VACTERL association includes vertebral anomalies, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheao-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. It is defined by the presence of at least three of these congenital malformations. The incidence has been estimated to be 1/10.000-1/40.000 live births. We report on a preterm infant with VACTERL presentin with respiratory complicatons due to the presence of severe tracheomalacia and bronchomalacia. He also had an annular pancreas.

Initial mini-mental state and cerebral perfusion in Alzheimer's disease.

PURPOSE: The relationship between the initial mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and cerebral perfusion was evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: In the study single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images of the brains of 40 AD patients were compared with the brain scans of 10 healthy controls. Each patient underwent MMSE analysis at initial evaluation as well as Tc-99 m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxine (HMPAO) brain SPECT. The patients were followed up for at least 42 months. RESULTS: The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values for patients were found to be significantly decreased for all cerebral lobes compared to the control subjects and p-values were calculated to be less than 0.001 except for occipital lobes. The most statistically significant correlation between the MMSE scores and rCBF values was determined for the left temporal lobe (p < 0.0001). A significant correlation was also found for the right temporal lobe (p < 0.005). A minimal statistically significant correlation was found for the frontal lobes and the left parietal lobe (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall cerebral perfusion was decreased except in the occipital lobes in AD cases with low initial MMSE scores and there was a significant relationship between the decrease in perfusion of the temporal/frontal lobes and the left parietal lobe with the decrease in the initial MMSE scores. The most significant relationship between the decrease in the initial MMSE scores and the rCBF values was determined for the temporal lobes (especially for the left temporal lobe). It was also found that the left frontal lobe was affected from the beginning of the disease.

Diagnostic value of liquid-based (Liqui-PREP) preparations and interobserver reproducibility in fine needle aspiration cytology of the nodular thyroid lesions.

The aim of this study is to define the diagnostic role of Liqui-Prep (LP) technique for the diagnosis of thyroid lesions and to assess interobserver variabilities. In all, 98 thyroid FNA (fine needle aspiration) cytology samples from 83 patients for preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules, prepared by the LP, were examined. The LP slides were independently evaluated by three pathologists and they were classified into the five categories according to the Bethesda system. The histopathologic diagnoses were grouped as follows: benign, follicular neoplasm, and malignant. Agreements between LP and histopathologic diagnoses were investigated using kappa values. Marginal homogenity and kappa tests were used for statistical analysis for the evaluation of the agreement between the pathologists and the interobserver variability of the thyroid aspiration cytology results. The presence of nucleoli, nuclear grooving, overlapping, intranuclear inclusion, and nuclear irregularity were recorded and scored on each case based on LP slide review. Concurrences between LP and the histologic diagnoses for the three pathologists were almost perfect (k = 0.798; k = 0.826; k = 0.880). When the observers were paired there was no significant difference from the diagnostic point of view. Interobserver agreement among the three pathologists was moderate. Initially diagnostic difficulties may occur because of the inadequate experience of the pathologists concerning the evaluation of the cytologic changes associated with this new technique. Liqui-Prep technique is useful for the cytologic diagnosis of the thyroid nodules. The nuclear irregularity was the most essential feature for the differentiation of malignant lesions from follicular neoplasm by the LP method.

Effects of various agro-industrial residues on soil fertility and yield and quality of potatoes.

Nine combinations of production residues of agro-industries, urban wastes and mineral fertilizers were applied to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum var. Marabel) in a field experiment, and the effect of these combinations on soil characteristics, on yield and on various quality parameters of tubers were determined. The applications significantly affected soil pH, CaCO3 and organic matter content. Total N and available P and K levels of soils showed significant differences between the applications. The content of available Zn and Mn in the soil differed significantly between the applications. Sufficient levels of N, P and K were not attained in leaves in any application. Significant differences were observed between the P content of the leaves of the control and of the other applications. Potassium and Na content of the leaves showed significant variations between the applications. Manganese was at a statistically higher level in the leaves of some combinations. The nitrogen, P and Mn contents of tubers differed significantly between the applications. Phosphorus, K, Mg and Cu levels were found to be sufficient, but Fe, Zn and Mn were low in tubers. Tuber yield was statistically highest in the Wastes P + Mineral NK combination. Reduced sugar and protein content of the tubers was affected significantly by the applications. Significant correlations were found between soil, leaf and tubers.

Membranous structures affecting the success of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in adult aqueductus sylvii stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to observe Liliequist's membrane (LM) and membranous structures located in the prepontine cistern via 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with 3D driven equilibrium radio frequency reset pulse (DRIVE) sequence and multiplanar reformat (MPR) images and to evaluate the success of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) by assessing these membranes in adult aqueduct stenosis. PATIENTS: 29 patients (17 female, 12 male) with primary aqueductus sylvii stenosis were included in the study. 19 patients were diagnosed as long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA) and patients had severe ventriculomegaly, macrocephalus, and aqueduct stenosis on MR imaging. 10 patients were diagnosed as aqueduct stenosis presented with acute onset of hydrocephalus with symptoms of raised ICP. All patients in the study group were analyzed with conventional and cine MRI before and after treatment. We performed 3D DRIVE sequence and MPR at 3-T MR equipment to determine the membranous structures in 3 dimensions. We correlated the success of the procedure considering the preoperative, postoperative MRI and intraoperative images. RESULTS: 5 patients (26.3%) with LOVA and 2 patients (20%) with aqueduct stenosis, in total 7 patients (24.1%), did not respond to ETV. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow was blocked by membranous structures located in the prepontine cistern in 4 of 8 patients. In 2 patients, CSF through the stoma was blocked either by the LM or closed tuber cinerum. In 1 patient insufficient CSF flow was observed through the stoma and the LM accompanying prepontine membranes.Totally closed membranes were observed in the prepontine cistern in 5 patients (17.24%) according to the postoperative MRI. LM was verified in all patients intraoperatively that were also demonstrated in the preoperative MRI. CONCLUSION: 3D sequences with MPR may help to observe not only the LM but also other membranes located through the prepontine cistern, which may be the reason of failed ETV.

[Antimicrobial resistance profiles of community-acquired uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates during 2004-2006 in a training hospital in Istanbul]. / Istanbul'da bir arastirma hastanesinde 2004-2006 yillari arasinda izole edilen toplumdan kazanilmis üropatojen Escherichia coli izolatlarinin antibiyotik direnç profilleri.

In order to reveal the antimicrobial resistance profiles against first-line antimicrobial agents in community-acquired acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), resistance patterns were determined for 1664 Escherichia coli strains collected between 2004 and 2006 in GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Of the isolates 38.2% were found to be susceptible to all of the tested antimicrobial agents, while the resistance rate to single antibiotic was 13.5%. Highest prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was observed for ampicillin (AMP) (49%), followed by amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (AMC) (34%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT) (34%) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) (18%). The rate of multidrug resistant isolates was 33.5% and 48.4% of them were co-resistant. Resistance against two antimicrobials was identified in 244, against three antimicrobials in 205, against four antimicrobials in 160, against five antimicrobials in 63 and against six antimicrobials in 23 strains. Most frequent phenotypes indicating resistance against two, three and four antimicrobial agents were AMP/AMC (5.7%), AMP/AMC/SXT (5.4%) and AMP/AMC/cephazolin/SXT (2.6%), respectively. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) activity was detected in 40 (2.4%) of the isolates. Most prominent increases in resistance prevalence during the study period were observed for AMP (from 52% to 63%), AMC (from 33% to 45%) and CIP (from 15% to 22%). These results show that resistance to AMP, AMC and SXT are frequent in community-acquired E. coli strains and empirical initial treatment with these agents will most probably be inappropriate in our region.

Cadmium and lead contamination in vegetables collected from industrial, traffic and rural areas in Bursa Province, Turkey.

Cadmium and lead contamination of vegetables produced in rural areas of Bursa Province, Turkey, was found to be less contaminated than vegetables grown close to heavy traffic and industrial activities. The highest levels of cadmium and lead were found in lettuce; the lowest levels in vegetables were found in leeks. The lead levels in spinach grown in traffic areas were at least twofold higher than those found in industrial areas. For other vegetables, the results from industrial and traffic areas were almost identical. Lettuce grown in traffic areas had the highest amount of cadmium (0.81 +/- 0.25 mg kg(-1)) and lead (1.59 +/- 0.45 mg kg(-1)), whilst leeks grown in rural areas had the lowest levels of lead (0.10 +/- 0.03 mg kg(-1)) and cadmium (0.05 +/- 0.01 mg kg(-1)) compared with other vegetables. This study shows that people and animals living in the same area in Bursa are always exposed to metallic pollution and in turn the consumption of contaminated vegetables could lead to increased dietary intake.

Endoscopic optic nerve decompression for idiopathic intracranial hypertension in two cases: case report.

Pseudotumor cerebri is a syndrome with headaches and visual loss that sometimes cannot be treated with medication. In spite of medical treatment, the clinical course in some patients can approach extreme dysfunction with severe impairment in visual field and acuity as well as incapacitating headache. Patients with progressive or persistent symptoms require surgical treatment and decompression of the optic nerve is the preferred surgical procedure. We report on two cases of bilateral decompression of the optic nerves performed through an endonasal endoscopic approach.

Fluorescein sodium-guided surgery in glioblastoma multiforme: a prospective evaluation.

We have evaluated the influence of fluorescein-guided resection on gross total resection (GTR) and survival in a series of patients with GBM. Group 1 consisted of 47 patients given fluorescein and group 2 comprised 33 patients, on whom fluorescein was not used. Median survival time was 43.9 weeks in the patients given fluorescein and was 41.8 weeks in the non-fluorescein group. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the two groups. However, the extent of resection had a powerful influence on the median survival time. Survival was 34.3 weeks after partial resection and 46.5 after GTR. Our data shows that the use of fluorescein injection is a simple procedure, which allows a significant increase in the number of patients having GTR (83 vs. 55%). Our findings are similar to a recently published multicentre Phase III randomized trial in which 5-aminolevulinic acid was used to facilitate resection of malignant glioma.

Massive intracerebral haemorrage due to developmental venous anomaly.

In cases of intracerebral haematoma associated with developmental venous anomalies (DVAs), there is usually an associated cavernoma, which is thought to be the source of haemorrhage. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature where an intracerebral haemotoma has been caused by a DVA without an associated cavernoma. In this report we describe a case with a massive haematoma due to venous angioma alone.

Primary cranial vault lymphoma presenting as a traumatic subdural hematoma.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The authors present a rare case of a primary cranial vault lymphoma, mimicking a subacute subdural hematoma after head trauma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with progressive left hemiparesis, headache and a gradually increasing soft lump over the right parietal region 1 week after head trauma due to falling from a high place. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a hyperdense parieto-occipital subdural and subgaleal lesion together with marked midline shift and white matter edema. INTERVENTION: Considering her trauma story and clinical progression, the patient underwent an emergency operation with the diagnosis of subdural hematoma. However, the lesion was found to be of a tumors nature and the histopathological diagnosis was high-grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. CONCLUSION: The authors emphasize the rarity of primary cranial vault lymphoma and its importance in the differential diagnosis of cranial vault mass lesions extending either intra- or extracranially. This case may be considered as another example where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the ultimate definitive test in the emergency ward whenever CT demonstrates any findings which are unclear.

Abnormal bony protuberance of anterior atlas causing dysphagia. A rare congenital anomaly.

STUDY DESIGN: A Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report an exceedingly rare case of dysphagia caused by abnormal bony protuberance of anterior atlas. SETTING: Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Departments of Neurosurgery and Otorhinolaryngology. METHOD: Radiological examinations revealed a large anterior abnormal bony tuberance of atlas in an 11-year-old boy who complained of dysphagia of 5 years donation. RESULT: The anterior bony tuberance of the atlas was resected by a transoral approach. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimens showed normal bone tissue. Resection resulted in complete resolution of the dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Dysphagia can be caused by disorders of the cervical spine. These disorders are usually seen in elderly adults. In the pediatric population, spinal abnormality is an exceedingly rare cause of dysphagia. Abnormal inductive signals from the adjacent notocord and ventral neural tube may play role in the pathogenesis of this abnormal bony protuberance.

Association of spondylocostal dysostosis and type I split cord malformation.

In reports on children with congenital segmental costovertebral malformations who showed neural tube defects, cases with type I split cord malformation are quite rare. Up to now such association has been reported only in two cases with Jarcho-Levin syndrome. Here, a 7-year-old girl presenting with spondylocostal dysostosis and type I split cord malformation is reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case documented in the literature. The association of segmental costovertebral malformations and neural tube defects is discussed. Genetic and embryological studies are also briefly reviewed.

Comparison of skin tests to aeroallergens in Ankara and Seoul.

BACKGROUND: The environment contains many allergenic proteins, and skin test reactivity to aeroallergens may be different among people living in different regions. OBJECTIVE: To compare skin test results of Turkish and Korean patients with respiratory allergies. METHODS: The charts of 304 (160 male, 144 female) patients from Ankara, Turkey, and 208 (111 male, 97 female) patients' charts from Seoul, Korea, who had undergone skin prick tests were reviewed. Skin tests were classified as positive when the allergen-induced wheal size was the same size or larger than that caused by histamine. RESULTS: Grass pollens were found to be major allergens more often in Ankara than in Seoul (74.34% vs. 15.87%, p < 0.001). Skin test reactivities in Ankara were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in Seoul to weed (6.91% vs. 37.50%) and tree pollens (4.61% vs. 39.42%). Allergic reactions to indoor allergens were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in Seoul than in Ankara: house dust mites (HDM) (83.17% vs. 32.90%), cockroaches (45.67% vs. 1.97%), and cats (17.79% vs. 1.65%). CONCLUSION: Due to the different aeroallergen environment, the positive skin test results were different in both cities: grass pollens were the most common allergens in Ankara, while patients from Seoul reacted more commonly to indoor allergens, especially to HDMs and cockroaches.