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Hyperglycemia increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the resulting oxidative stress contributes to the development of diabetic complications. Dexpanthenol (Dxp) is the biological active form of pantothenic acid. We investigated whether Dxp administration could decrease oxidative stress as a way to treat renal complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: control, Dxp, DM and DM + Dxp. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ). After administration of STZ, the DM + Dxp group was administered 500 mg/kg Dxp intraperitoneally every day for 6 weeks. At the end of the study, blood glucose levels were measured and rats were sacrificed. Kidneys were embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff. The mean malondialdehyde levels, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and total antioxidant and total oxidant status also were measured. The control group was normal in histological appearance. We observed congestion, inflammation, glomerulosclerosis, tubular desquamation, loss of villi and hydropic degeneration in tubule cells in the DM group. Indicators of oxidative stress were elevated and antioxidant activity was reduced in the DM group compared to controls. In the DM + Dxp group, oxidative stress was decreased, antioxidant activity was increased and histopathological changes were reduced compared to the DM group. We found that Dxp exhibited ameliorative effects on STZ induced diabetic nephropathy by increasing antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical traction and exercise in addition to moist heat in thoracic outlet syndrome [TOS]. Methods: Forty patients [28 males, 12 females] with the diagnosis of TOS were randomly divided into two groups. While hot pack and a standard exercise program were applied to one group [the control group], cervical traction was added to that program in the other group [the study group] for 10 sessions. The provocative physical maneuvers were applied to all patients before treatment and after three weeks of the treatment. At follow-up, every patient was questioned with a Likert scale [no cure, little, moderate, much, very much]. Results: After a rehabilitation program, improvements in Adson, hyperabduction, and hyperextension maneuvers were statistically significant in both groups [P < 0.05]. While improvements in Roos, costoclavicular, Wright's maneuvers, and Erb tenderness were statistically significant in the study group [P < 0.05], they were not found significant in the control group [P > 0.05]. Improvement in pectoral tenderness was not statistically significant in either group [P > 0.05]. Improvement in pain was not statistically significant between the groups [90 percent versus 75 percent, P > 0.05]. Difference in numbness scores between the groups was statistically significant in favor of the study group [80 percent versus 20 percent, P < 0.001]. Conclusions: We suggest that hot pack and exercise together achieve some improvements in TOS. However, cervical traction in addition to exercise and hot pack obtains additional benefits in the conservative management of TOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a hinged ankle-foot orthoses on gait impairments and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) whom orthoses were indicated to control equines. METHOD: Eleven children (seven males, four females) who had a diagnosis of hemiplegic cerebral palsy were included in the study. Each child underwent gait analysis and energy consumption studies with and without ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). The AFOs were all custom-made for the individual child and had plantarflexion stop at 0 degrees with no dorsoflexion stop. The Vicon 512 Motion analysis system was used for gait analysis. Walking energy expenditure measurements were done with breath by breath method using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter (Vmax 29c, Sensormedics, USA). All tests were carried out on the same day with enough resting period. RESULTS: AFO application, as compared with the barefoot condition improved walking speed, stride length and single support time. Double support time was decreased significantly with AFOs and no change in cadance. Ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, midstance and midswing showed significiant increase. Knee flexion at initial contact was decreased and no significant change in maximum knee extension at stance and maximum knee flexion at swing was obtained. The oxygen consumption was significantly reduced during AFO walking. CONCLUSION: The hinged AFO is useful in controlling dynamic equinus deformity and reducing the energy expenditure of gait in children with hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]