Validation of assays for measurement of oxidant compounds in saliva of pigs: Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl, and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyls and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are oxidant compounds that can provide useful information on the oxidative status. Pigs can be affected by oxidative stress in different situations including physiological conditions such as lactation and also in different diseases, and the measurement of these three analytes in saliva could be potentially useful as biomarkers of the redox status in this species. Assays for the measurement of TBARS and carbonyls by spectrophotometry and ROS by luminol-based chemiluminescence in pigs' saliva were analytically validated and were applied in saliva of pigs after an in vitro incubation with different doses of ascorbic acid (AA). All the assays showed a satisfactory analytical precision and accuracy. The 240 h-incubation of saliva samples with 60 mM of AA induced to an increased TBARS and carbonyls production. TBARS, carbonyls and ROS can be estimated in saliva of pigs by the assays validated in this report. In addition, these assays can detect changes in the concentration of these analytes associated to incubation of saliva samples with AA.

Comparison of 2D vena contracta area with 3D planimetric mitral valve area in rheumatoid mitral valve disease.

Rheumatoid valve disease is a general health problem of developing countries, and it mainly affects after the age of 40. Assessment of the correct mitral valve area (MVA) is important for the treatment of rheumatoid valve disease. However, there are contradictions between the three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) methods. A measurement with 3D echocardiography is a more accurate method to measure the MVA. However, in centers without 3D echocardiography, there are some difficulties in the accurate measurement of the MVA. The aim of this study was to assess the value of 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) mitral valve vena contracta area (VCA) in predicting the severity of rheumatoid mitral stenosis (RMS) by comparing 3D planimetry. A total of 24 patients (10 females and 14 males) who were diagnosed with mild/moderate/severe RMS with using pressure half time, mean transmitral gradient, and planimetry methods were included in this study. 3D images were acquired using the 3D zoom and full volume. 2D TEE VCA was measured at an angle of 140° and 60°, which was perpendicular to the former, with color Doppler and the VCA was measured with an ellipsoid area using mathematical formula. There was statistically significant relationship between the measurements of 2D VCA and 3D zoom mode MVA planimetry and MVA full measurements (MVA full volume) (p < 0.01). Calculation of the valvular area after measuring the mitral valve VCA with 2D TEE is a reliable method that is usable in centers without 3D echocardiography.

Correction to: Comparison of 2D vena contracta area with 3D planimetric mitral valve area in rheumatoid mitral valve disease.

In the original publication of the article one co-author, A. Zencirci, was listed by mistake. Dr. A. Zencirci has not contributed to this article and therefore, the author list has been updated. The author name A. Zencirci has been removed. All authors have agreed to the updated author list.

Thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels as indicators of oxidative stress in welders' lung disease.

Welders' lung disease refers to mixed exposure to different kinds of metals and chemicals from welding fumes, which affect all parts of the respiratory tract including airways and parenchyma together. This study aimed to investigate the oxidative status in patients with welders' lung (PWL) by means of thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels. The male welder workers diagnosed with welders' lung disease and healthy individuals were recruited in the study. Plasma levels of disulfide, disulfide/native thiol ratio, disulfide/total thiol ratio, IMA, and catalase (CAT) were determined. Pulmonary function test parameters of both groups were compared. The thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters of PWL and control group were as follows: disulfide (20.5 ± 6.3 vs. 16.2 ± 3.9 µmol L-1, p < 0.001), disulfide/native thiol (4.36 (1.59) vs. 4.0 (1.64), p = 0.024), and disulfide/total thiol (4.01 (1.34) vs. 3.71 (1.41), p = 0.024). IMA levels in PWL were significantly higher than the control group (1.37 (0.27) mg dL-1 vs. 0.49 (0.61) mg dL-1, p < 0.001), whereas CAT activities were significantly higher in the control group (106.6 (54.5) kU L-1 vs. 78.3 (67.8) kU L-1, p = 0.003). The findings of the present study revealed that oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of welders' lung disease. Plasma thiol-disulfide homeostasis and IMA levels might be indicators of oxidative stress in PWL.

Acute effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in kidney of rats and preventive role of vitamin E and sodium selenite.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an endotoxin forms part of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and is responsible for initiating an acute inflammation after entering the living tissue. In this study, male rats were divided into eight groups: control group, vitamin E (VE) treatment group (200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)), sodium selenite (SS) treatment (0.35 mg/kg b.w.) group, VE + SS treatment group (200 + 0.35 mg/kg b.w.), LPS treatment group (10 mg/kg b.w.), LPS + VE (10+200 mg/kg b.w.), LPS + SS treatment (10 + 0.35 mg/kg b.w.), and LPS + SS + VE treatment (10 + 0.35 + 200 mg/kg b.w.) group. Oxidative stress parameters, pathological changes, immunohistochemical analyses, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, and changes in DNA structure with comet assay of the kidney were investigated at the end 6 h comparatively with the control group. When LPS-treated group was compared with the control group, antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, changes in histological and DNA structure and apoptosis were increased significantly at the end of 6 h. However, when LPS + SS and/or VE-treated group were compared with the LPS-treated group, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione- S-transferase activities were increased and MDA levels were decreased significantly at the end of the treatment period. Light investigations figured out pathological changes in kidneys of LPS- and LPS + SS and/or VE-treated groups. There was a decrease in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells and an increase in the number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in the wall of the distal and proximal tubules. As a result, it was observed that the combined use of antioxidants was more protective than their use alone against LPS.

Evaluation of biopsy methods in the diagnosis of submandibular space pathology.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (USCNB), punch biopsy, and surgical excision biopsy in neoplasms presenting within the submandibular space. A retrospective analysis of all patients with a pathological diagnosis of a submandibular space neoplasm within a 12-year period (February 1999 to June 2011) was performed. Biopsy results were compared to histopathological diagnosis obtained from surgical excision biopsy. Eighty-one specimens from 44 patients met the search criteria (15 FNAC, 24 USCNB, 7 punch biopsy, and 35 surgical excision biopsy). The final diagnosis was established by USCNB, punch biopsy, or surgical excision biopsy and not by FNAC alone. Surgical excision biopsy was performed as a primary diagnostic (n = 8), secondary diagnostic (n = 15), or as a post-diagnostic therapeutic procedure (n = 12). Non-diagnostic results were: FNAC 11/15, USCNB 2/24, and punch biopsy 1/7. Diagnostic results were: FNAC 2/15, USCNB 20/24, and punch biopsy 5/7. No complications were reported. Although punch biopsy demonstrated good yield and accuracy, its use is restricted to a small cohort of patients. USCNB is a safe and accurate technique in the submandibular space, with a low non-diagnostic rate.

A rare cause of a parotid mass: spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery.

The authors describe a rare presentation of a spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery which mimicked a parotid neoplasm. The clinical presentation, possible aetiology, diagnosis, and management of this condition are discussed.

Heavy metals in Patella caerulea (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in polluted and non-polluted areas from the Iskenderun Gulf (Mediterranean Turkey).

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Co were measured in gastropod mollusks Patella caerulea in the Mediterranean area. The organisms were collected at two coastal sites in Iskenderun Gulf during winter, spring, summer, and autumn 2008. Samples of the digestive gland, gill, and muscle were analyzed for heavy metals. The aim of study is to determine heavy metal levels in tissues of P. caerulea in different locations. Tissues of P. caerulea from the polluted site showed metal concentrations appreciably higher than unpolluted organisms. The highest metal levels were registered in the digestive gland of P. caerulea. Generally, digestive gland and gills showed higher metal concentrations than muscle. The average concentrations of heavy metals analyzed exhibited the following decreasing order: Fe>Zn>Cu>Ni>Cd>Pb>Co for both stations 1 and 2. Seasonal changes in metal concentrations were observed in the tissues of P. caerulea from a polluted and an unpolluted population.

Concentrations of Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe in crab Charybdis longicollis and shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus from the Iskenderun Bay, Turkey.

Copper, chromium cadmium, iron and zinc concentrations were determined in marine crab Charybdis longicollis and marine shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus in order to assess the impact of industrial activities and the sinking of M/V Ulla ship. Liver, gill and muscle sample solutions prepared analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The order of the metal concentrations found in muscle of crab was: Cu>Cr>Fe>Zn>Cd, while in muscle of shrimp the order was different: Cr>Cu>Zn>Fe>Cd. The highest Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe and Zn concentrations were found in the liver, and this was followed by the gill and muscle in both species. The levels of all metals in a given tissue were always higher in C. longicollis than in P. semisulcatus. Metals in both species show seasonal variations. In both species the highest concentrations were detected for all metals in summer.

Metal concentrations in fish species from the northeast Mediterranean Sea.

Samples of Mugil cephalus and Mullus barbatus were collected in the Northeast Mediterranean coast of Turkey the contents of cadmium, copper, iron, zinc and lead in the liver, gill and muscle tissues were determined by atomic absorption flame spectrophotometry. Except for lead, highest levels of each metal were found in the liver and this was followed by the gill and muscle in both species. Among the metals analyzed, Cu, Zn and Fe were the most abundant in the different tissues while Cd and Pb were the least abundant both in M. cephalus and M. barbatus. Seasonal changes in metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn) concentration were observed in the tissues of both species, but these seasonal variations may not influence consumption advisories. In general, the highest concentrations were detected for all metals in summer.