The effect of alpha­lipoic acid on oxidative parameters and liver injury in rats with obstructive jaundice.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of obstructive jaundice on the liver and effectivity of alpha­lipoic acid on liver damage and oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty­six male Sprague­Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups per 12 animals, namely into Group I (control group): the bile duct was only mobilized by laparotomy, Group II (bile duct ligation group - BDL): the common bile duct was closed with clips and OJ was caused after laparotomy, and Group III (bile duct ligation and alpha­lipoic acid group - BDL+LA): after closing the common bile duct, LA was administered in an intramuscular dose of 50 mg/kg for 10 days. On the 10th day, malondialdehyde, glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels were measured in liver and histopathological evaluation was performed. RESULTS: AST (U/L)/ALT(U/L) in groups I, II and III were 155.33/51.83, 445.28/165.89, 380.78/173.33, respectively (p < 0.005). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels were lower in patient groups than in the control group (0.31 µl/g vs 0.36 µl/g; p < 0.05). After the lipoic acid treatment, none of the biochemical markers of liver improved. Only the increase in superoxide dismutase (0.31 µl/g and 0.34 µl/g in groups II and III, respectively) and glutathione levels (0.16 µl/g and 0.22 µl/g in groups II and III, respectively) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Histopathological damage was statistically significantly decreased and antioxidant levels were statistically significantly increased after LA treatment (Tab. 1, Fig. 6, Ref. 23).

What do patients really know about cardiopulmonary rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey study.

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CPR) reduces mortality and morbidity, it is not widely implemented as is in Turkey. One factor might be lack of demand since the levels of knowledge and awareness among patients who are eligible for CPR seem to be insufficient. AIM: It is aimed to investigate the level of awareness and knowledge of CPR among patients with cardiopulmonary problems. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study. SETTING: Outpatient. METHODS: Knowledge regarding CPR was assessed by questionnaires given to 690 patients recruited in seven university hospitals and six training and research hospitals in which either comprehensive or limited CPR services are available. POPULATION: Patients who have cardiopulmonary problems RESULTS: Of the patients, 34.7% were given information on CPR by healthcare staff, and 25.3% reported that their source of information was physicians. Although 49.9% of the patients knew that they needed to exercise for their cardiac/pulmonary problems, only 23.4% and 32.1% of those were aware that fast walking and climbing stairs, respectively, would not pose a risk to their cardiac/pulmonary health. The majority of the patients believed that activities of daily living, which comprise the most important component of exercise-based CPR, were harmful for their cardiopulmonary health. We found that 31.1% of the patients exercised regularly. During their stay at the hospital, certain kinds of exercises were suggested to 62.7% of the patients, and 34.7% of these patients performed various exercises. Of the patients who were given detailed information on cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, 69% stated that they would be willing to participate in a similar program. CONCLUSION: Although nearly half of the patients stated that they needed CR, it was observed that the ratio of patients who had true knowledge of CPR was low among patients. It is imperative to furnish patients with information on CPR, both in the field of PMR and throughout Turkey, and to put more effort into running those services effectively. Furthermore, we should make an effort to increase the level of liaison between patients and physicians and other healthcare professionals who participate in the treatment of cardiac/pulmonary patients.

The effect of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with congestive heart failure. A randomized controlled trial, short-term results.

AIM: One of the major treatment goals in congestive heart failure (CHF) is to preserve the functional level of the patient and to improve psychosocial factors. For these purposes, exercise training is recommended for the management of CHF. With this background, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on quality of life, depression and anxiety levels in a Turkish patient population with CHF. METHODS: Sixty patients with CHF in stage II-III according to NYHA were included. Patients were randomly assigned either to a cardiac rehabilitation group or to a control group. Twenty-seven patients were allocated to a weekly aerobic walking program on treadmill, thrice a week for 8 weeks, and 26 patients did not receive any exercise training. Both groups were assessed by an ergospirometric exercise test, Hacettepe Quality of Life Questionnaire (HQoL), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at baseline and at the end. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (treatment group: 23) completed the study. In the treatment group, significant increases in peak oxygen consumption, exercise time and metabolic equivalents (MET) levels were attained (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.003, respectively). Significant decreases in BDI (P=0.004) and STAI subgroups (P=0.049, P=0.023, respectively) were observed, whereas there was no change in HQoL scores. In the control group, there was no difference between baseline and 8th week evaluation in all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CHF tolerated aerobic exercise programs well. This resulted with improvement in both physical and psychologic wellbeing, but not in quality of life in the short term.

Brucellar spondylitis: a rare cause of spinal cord compression.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To present and discuss some of the difficulties in the diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis. SETTING: Ankara University, Ibni Sina Hospital, Turkey. METHODS: We report a patient with paraplegia, misdiagnosed as having a malignancy or tuberculosis who actually suffered from brucellar spondylitis. Diagnosis was established by her history and a compatible clinical picture together with a standard tube agglutination (Wright test) titer of > or =1/160 of antibodies for brucellosis. The patient was treated with oral doxycycline, rifampicin, and ciprofloxacin combination. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment, the blood Brucella Wright and anti-human globulin T titer levels decreased. Her lower limb weakness improved. She could walk, and climb stairs with the help of a cane. Urinary retention and fecal incontinence also resolved. CONCLUSION: Brucellosis is a systemic infection involving the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Spondylitis frequently occurs in elderly patients. An early diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis can often be difficult. In endemic regions, as in the case of our country, brucellar spondylitis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of older patients with back pain and constitutional symptoms. An early diagnosis will help to prevent the development of more severe complications such as spinal cord compression.

Cryopreservation of poultry semen.

1. The effect on fertility of storing the semen of fowl, turkey, gander or drake at -196 degrees C in a diluent with dimethylacetamide was investigated. 2. After artificially inseminating ducks, geese, turkeys and hens with freeze-thawed semen, the percentage of fertility was 69-90%, 81-90%, 80-90% and 75-85%, respectively.