Protective effect of pregabalin on the brain tissue of diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. Pregabalin (PGB) is an antiepileptic drug with proven efficacy in the treatment of epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder, and neuropathic pain. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of PGB in brain tissue of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into four groups with seven rats each: (I) Control group, (II) PGB (50 mg/kg PBG), (III) DM, and (IV) DM + PGB (50 mg/kg/day PGB per orally for 8 weeks). Diabetes was induced with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) STZ injection (Sigma Chemical Co Louis Missour, USA) at a dose of 180 mg/kg. STZ was dissolved in 0.1 M phosphate-citrate tampon (pH 4.5). Paraffin sections were examined using histological and immunohistochemical analyses. To detect oxidative damage biochemically, malondialdehyde (MDA), the end product of lipid peroxidation; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) which are antioxidant enzymes, levels were studied. In addition, bax, caspase-3 enzyme activities and TUNEL assay were studied to evaluate the apoptosis status. RESULTS: In the DM group, MDA concentrations were significantly higher and GPx and SOD activities were significantly lower compared to the control group. MDA concentrations were significantly lower and SOD activity was significantly higher in the DM + PGB group than in the DM group. The GPx activity in the DM group decreased significantly compared to the control group. In immunohistochemical examinations (Bax, Caspase-3 and TUNEL), the apoptosis rate was significantly lower in the in DM + PGB group than in the DM group. CONCLUSION: Pregabalin may prevent harmful effects of oxidative damage by decreasing the MDA levels and increasing the SOD levels. In addition, it was thought that PGB may have antiapoptotic properties due to decreased bax and caspase-3 immunoreactivity and TUNEL positivity in PGB groups. Based on these findings, we think that PGB may be effective in reducing the risk of brain damage associated with DM.

Facial diplegia: etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Facial diplegia (FD) is a rare neurological manifestation with diverse causes. This article aims to systematically evaluate the etiology, diagnostic evaluation and treatment of FD. METHOD: The study was performed retrospectively and included 17 patients with a diagnosis of FD. RESULTS: Patients were diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (11), Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (1), neurosarcoidosis (1), non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (1), tuberculous meningitis (1) herpes simplex reactivation (1) and idiopathic (1). In addition, two patients had developed FD during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Facial diplegia is an ominous symptom with widely varying causes that requires careful investigation.

Facial diplegia: etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation / Diplegia facial: etiologia, manifestações clínicas, e avaliação diagnóstica

ABSTRACT Objective Facial diplegia (FD) is a rare neurological manifestation with diverse causes. This article aims to systematically evaluate the etiology, diagnostic evaluation and treatment of FD. Method The study was performed retrospectively and included 17 patients with a diagnosis of FD. Results Patients were diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (11), Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis (1), neurosarcoidosis (1), non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (1), tuberculous meningitis (1) herpes simplex reactivation (1) and idiopathic (1). In addition, two patients had developed FD during pregnancy. Conclusion Facial diplegia is an ominous symptom with widely varying causes that requires careful investigation.

RESUMO Objetivo Diplegia facial (DF) é uma manifestação neurológica rara proveniente de diferentes causas. Este artigo visa avaliar sistematicamente a etiologia, avaliação diagnóstica e tratamento de DF. Método O estudo foi retrospectivo e incluiu 17 pacientes com diagnóstico de FD. Resultados Os pacientes foram diagnosticados como casos de síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) (11), encefalite de tronco de Bickerstaff (1), neurosarcoidose (1), linfoma não-Hodgkin’s (1), meningite tuberculosa (1) reativação de herpes simplex (1) e causa idiopática (1). Além disto, duas pacientes haviam desenvolvido DF durante a gestação. Conclusão Diplegia facial é uma manifestação com diversas causas que requer investigação cuidadosa.

Insecticide imidacloprid influences cognitive functions and alters learning performance and related gene expression in a rat model.

The potential toxic effects of several pesticides, including imidacloprid on non-target organisms have not been clearly established. Also, the chronic effects of non-toxic doses on cognitive function in mammals are unknown. In this study, the effects of different doses of imidacloprid on learning and memory of infant and adult rats were evaluated, and the expressions of genes synthesizing proteins known to be associated with learning in brain tissues were also documented. 0.5, 2 and 8 mg/kg doses of imidacloprid were administered to newborn infant and adult Wistar albino rats by gavage. Their learning activities were evaluated, and the expression levels of the inotropic glutamate receptor GRIN1, synoptophysin, growth-associated protein 43 and the muscarinic receptor M1 in hippocampus were determined by real-time PCR method. Learning activities were diminished significantly at 2 and 8 mg/kg doses in the infant model groups and at 8 mg/kg dose in adult rats. Also, expression levels of GRIN1, SYP and GAP-43 were found to be insignificantly altered. Only the expression of M1 were significantly changed in high doses of adult group. Thus imidacloprid in high doses causes deterioration in cognitive functions particularly in infant rats, and this deterioration may be associated with changes in the expressions of related genes.

The effects of needle deformation during lumbar puncture.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess deformation of the tip and deflection from the axis of 22-gauge Quincke needles when they are used for diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP). Thus, it can be determined whether constructional alterations of needles are important for predicting clinical problems after diagnostic LP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 22-gauge Quincke needles used for diagnostic LP were evaluated. A specially designed protractor was used for measurement and evaluation. Waist circumference was measured in each patient. Patients were questioned about headaches occurring after LP. RESULTS: A total of 115 Quincke-type spinal needles used in 113 patients were evaluated. No deflection was detected in 38 (33.1%) of the needles. Deflection between 0.1° and 5° occurred in 43 (37.3%) of the needles and deflection ≥ 5.1° occurred in 34 patients (29.6%). Forty-seven (41.5%) patients experienced post lumbar puncture headache (PLPH) and 13 (11.5%) patients experienced intracranial hypotension (IH). No statistically significant correlation between the degree of deflection and headache was found (P > 0.05). Epidural blood patch was performed for three patients. Deformity in the form of bending like a hook occurred in seven needles and IH occurred in six patients using these needles. Two of the needles used in three patients requiring blood patch were found to be bent. CONCLUSION: Deformation of needles may increase complications after LP. Needle deformation may lead to IH. In case of deterioration in the structure of the needle, termination of the puncture procedure and the use of a new needle could reduce undesirable clinical consequences, especially IH.

Evaluation of cerebral venous thrombosis secondary to oral contraceptive use in adolescents.

Our goal was to evaluate the clinical patterns, additional risk factors, treatment and outcome of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) related to adolescent oral contraceptive pill (OCP) usage. We evaluated 22 patients with CVT related to OCPs admitted to Firat and Dicle University Hospitals from January 2008 to January 2013. We assessed the clinical features, risk factors, imaging results and prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance were the preferred procedures for the diagnosis of CVT. MRI revealed parenchymal lesions in 11 (50 %) patients, and the remaining patients had normal MRIs. The sinuses most frequently affected by thrombosis were the superior sagittal sinus and the transverse sinus. The additional risk factors identified for CVT were antiphospholipid syndrome, protein C deficiency, protein C and S deficiency, factor V Leiden associated with heterozygous antithrombin III deficiency, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and prothrombin gene mutations. CVT may be overlooked in adolescents because it is more common among middle-aged and elderly adults. CVT should be suspected in the presence of neurological symptoms in adolescents, especially in those using OCPs.

A case of Ross syndrome presented with Horner and chronic cough.

Ross syndrome is a rare sweating disorder associated with Adie's tonic pupil, decreased or diminished tendon reflex and unknown etiology. Although autonomic disturbances affecting sudomotor and vasomotor functions are seen commonly, they are rarely symptomatic. While Ross syndrome is typically characterized with dilated tonic pupil, it may be rarely manifested with miotic pupils (little old Adie's pupil), which can make diagnosis difficult. In this article, we aim to specify the atypical clinical manifestations of syndrome by means of Ross syndrome manifested by autonomic symptoms, Horner syndrome, chronic cough together with bilateral little old Adie's pupil.

Determination of the effects on learning and memory performance and related gene expressions of clothianidin in rat models.

Clothianidin (CLO) is one of the pesticides used to protect against insects, and its potential toxic effects on cognitive functions are not clearly known. This study aims to evaluate the possible effects of dose-dependent CLO on learning and memory in infant and adult male rats and the expression of related genes in the hippocampus. Doses of 2, 8 and 24 mg/kg of CLO were administered to newborn infant and adult albino Winstar rats in the form of gavage and dissolved in vehicle matter. Their cognitive and learning functions were evaluated by the Morris water maze and probe tests. Expression levels of N-methyl D-aspartate 1 (GRIN1), muscuranic receptor M1, synoptophysin (SYP) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) of tissues isolated from the hippocampus were determined using the real-time PCR method. In the Morris water maze test, no change (p > 0.05) was exhibited in the adult and infant rats after CLO was applied, although there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in performance between infants and the control group after 24 mg/kg was applied in the probe test. Also, expression levels GRIN1, M1, SYP, GAP-43 did not change when compared to the control (p > 0.05). Our study shows that exposure to high doses of CLO causes deterioration of cognitive functions in infant rats.

Auditory p300 event-related potentials in children with Sydenham's chorea.

UNLABELLED: P300 event-related potentials (ERPs), objective measures related to cognitive processing, have not been studied in Sydenham's chorea (SC) patients. PURPOSE: To assess cognitive impairment with P300 ERPs. METHOD: Seventeen patients with SC and 20 unaffected healthy children were included. Stanford-Binet test was used for psychometric assessment, and odd-ball paradigm was used for auditory ERPs. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in P300 latencies between the SC-pretreatment group, SC-posttreatment group and control group (p>0.05). Mean interpeak latencies in SC-pretreatment group and SC-posttreatment group showed significant prolongation compared with the control group (p<0.05). Mean interpeak latencies in SC-posttreatment group were significantly decreased compared with SC-pretreatment group (p<0.05). Compared to controls, patients did not show significant difference in Stanford-Binet intelligence examination. CONCLUSION: This report suggests that interpeak latencies and amplitudes of P300 ERPs could be useful for detecting and monitoring cognitive impairment in SC patients.

Auditory P300 Event-Related Potentials in Children with Sydenham?s Chorea / Potenciais auditivos evento-relacionados à P300 em crianças com Coreia de Sydenham

P300 event-related potentials (ERPs), objective measures related to cognitive processing, have not been studied in Sydenham’s chorea (SC) patients. Purpose: To assess cognitive impairment with P300 ERPs. Method: Seventeen patients with SC and 20 unaffected healthy children were included. Stanford–Binet test was used for psychometric assessment, and odd-ball paradigm was used for auditory ERPs. Results: There was no significant difference in P300 latencies between the SC-pretreatment group, SC-posttreatment group and control group (p>0.05). Mean interpeak latencies in SC-pretreatment group and SC-posttreatment group showed significant prolongation compared with the control group (p<0.05). Mean interpeak latencies in SC-posttreatment group were significantly decreased compared with SC-pretreatment group (p<0.05). Compared to controls, patients did not show significant difference in Stanford-Binet intelligence examination. Conclusion: This report suggests that interpeak latencies and amplitudes of P300 ERPs could be useful for detecting and monitoring cognitive impairment in SC patients. .

Os potenciais evento-relacionados à P300 (ERPs), medidas objetivas relacionadas ao processamento cognitivo, não foram ainda estudados em pacientes com Coreia de Sydenham (CS). Objetivo: avaliar o comprometimento cognitivo através dos ERPs P300. Método: foram incluídos 17 pacientes com CS e 20 crianças saudáveis. A avaliação psicométrica foi feita utilizando o teste de Stanford–Binet e, para os ERPs auditivos, foi usado o paradigma odd-ball. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa nas latências P300 entre os grupos CS pré-tratamento, CS pós-tratamento e grupo controle. (p>0,05). A média das latências interpicos no grupo CS pré-tratamento e CS pós-tratamento apresentava aumento significativo em comparação aos pacientes do grupo controle (p<0,05). A média das latências interpicos no grupo CS pós-tratamento apresentava decréscimo significativo quando comparada àquela do grupo CS pré-tratamento (p<0,05). Comparados aos controles, os pacientes com CS não mostravam diferença significativa em relação aos controles ao teste de Stanford-Binet. Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que as latências interpicos e as amplitudes dos ERPs P300 podem ser úteis para detectar e monitorar a ocorrência de comprometimento cognitivo em pacientes com CS. .

Resistant cyclic vomiting syndrome successfully responding to chlorpromazine.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder characterized by recurrent, stereotypic episodes of nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms, separated by intervals of comparative wellness. These episodes carry on for hours or days. The patient is healthy between the episodes and has no clinical finding. For the treatment of the CVS, antiemetic, antimigraine and sedative medications were used. However, in some cases CVS treatment is very difficult. We report about a young patient, who did not respond to many agents, but was succesfully treated with chlorpomazine.

Investigation of vaspin level in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular event is a clinical condition characterized by symptoms and findings pertaining to loss of focal cerebral function because of the vascular causes. Atherosclerosis has a forefront role in the pathogenesis of stroke. Inflammation has an important place in the formation of atherogenesis and atherosclerosis. Visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin (vaspin) is a new adipokine, which is identified recently, associated with obesity and diabetes and also has a proinflammatory characteristic. This study was intended to investigate the relation between vaspin and stroke and stroke and other risk factors. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with stroke, as 28 men (56%) and 22 women (44%), and a total of 50 healthy individuals, as 25 men (50%) and 25 women (50%), were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken in the acute period (first 48 hours) in the patient group, and serum vaspin levels were measured. Vaspin level was also measured in the control group. The association of vaspin with the lipid parameters, gender, and the severity of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis in the patient group was evaluated. Stenotic plaques in ICA were classified as normal, mild (stenosis under 50%), moderate (stenosis 50%-69%), severe (stenosis 70%-99% to preocclusion), and occlusion. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between 2 groups in terms of age and gender (P > .05). Vaspin levels were found to be significantly higher in the patient group (164.73 ± 153.76 ng/mL) compared with the control group (116.21 ± 34.60 ng/mL) (P < .05). However, no relation was established between vaspin level and the severity of ICA stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Vaspin levels have been shown to increase in acute ischemic stroke patients. The increased vaspin levels may vary depending on several factors in acute period of ischemic stroke.

Absence status seen in an adult patient.

Absence status epilepticus (ASE) is a type of nonconvulsive status epilepticus in which continuous or recurrent generalized epileptiform discharges are associated with a varying grade of consciousness impairment. Absence status epilepticus may be obtained during progress of many epileptic syndromes, in several metabolic disturbances and related to use of several drugs. Absence status epilepticus is generally seen in childhood; rarely it can be seen in adulthood. In this paper, the case which has never diagnosed until now in spite of many absence seizures for years, applied for absence seizures to our clinic and diagnosed for juvenile absence epilepsy, has been discussed.

Electrophysiological effects of bosentan in rats with induced cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

We examined the effect of bosentan, an ETA and ETB receptor antagonist, on EEG, an indicator of neuronal activity, in rats with experimentally induced cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. The rats were divided into three groups with seven rats in each group. Before the procedures, the EEGs of all rats were recorded for ten minutes. 30 mg/kg bosentan in 2 cc physiological serum was administered to the first group, and the second and third groups were injected with 2 cc physiological serum intraperitoneally. After the administration, the right and the left common carotid arteries of the animals in Groups 1 and 2 were clipped for 10 minutes using aneurysm clippings. The rats in the third group received only a subcutaneous incision. Ten minutes after the clips were removed in the first and second groups and after the incision in the third group, EEG recordings were repeated for 10 minutes. All the rats were decapitated and MDA values in the brain tissue were measured for evaluation of the efficiency of induced cerebral ischemia. Induced cerebral ischemia was performed effectively because the MDA levels in Groups 1 and 2 were elevated, compared to the levels in Group 3 (p<0.05). After the application of the Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Technique, the EEG showed minimal slowing in the rats in Group 1, and generalized diffuse slowing in the rats in Group 2 compared to pre-ischemic findings. Bosentan may reduce the damage induced by ischemia on neuronal electrophysiology, likely through its vasodilation effect on cerebral vessels.