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Context:Pycnogenol®, which is French maritime pine bark extract, is a potent antioxidant. It is used in medical conditions caused by oxidative stress. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II) is an antineoplastic agent. However, its serious side effects such as ototoxicity limit its usage. Objective:Antioxidants can be used to prevent ototoxicity. We investigated the effect of Pycnogenol®on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Materials and methods:Rats were randomly assigned to four groups of five. Distortion product-evoked otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) test was performed for each rat. The experimental groups were as follows: Control Group, Pycnogenol®Group: 10 mg/kg Pycnogenol®intraperitoneally for 7 days, Cisplatin Group: intraperitoneally 15 mg/kg single injection of cisplatin on the fifth day, Cisplatin + Pycnogenol®Group: intraperitoneally 10 mg/kg Pycnogenol®treatment for 7 days, additionally on the fifth day, 15 mg/kg single injection of cisplatin was given. On the eighth day, DPOAE was re-performed and rats were sacrificed. Apoptosis was evaluated histopathologically. Results:Mean percentage of apoptotic cells was 1.5, 3, 30 and 11% in organ of Corti and 2, 2, 40, 15% in spiral ganglion neurons in Control Group, Pycnogenol®Group, Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin + Pycnogenol®Group, respectively. Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin + Pycnogenol®Group were significantly different when compared to Control Group histopathologically both in organ of Corti and spiral ganglion neuron (p <0.001,p = 0.019,p = 0.001,p = 0.015). DPOAE results showed that Cisplatin + Pycnogenol®Group was significantly different when compared to Cisplatin Group at 3, 6 and 8 kHz (p < 0.05). Conclusion:Pycnogenol protected against cisplatin ototoxicity. Also, pycnogenol is not ototoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two cases of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as pathogen organism are presented. Both children had gastroesophageal reflux and one of them was allergic. The results of sweat test were within normal limits. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations were not identified in the patients. They had been treated a lot of times with antimicrobial agents with the diagnosis of respiratory tract infection. We suggest that the frequent use of antibiotics has led to the selective suppression and as a result P. aeruginosa has been detected as the cause of chronic rhinosinusitis in otherwise healthy children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: One of the frequently encountered disorders of wound healing following laryngectomy is pharyngocutaneous fistula. However, although studies have been performed with the aim of prevention of pharyngocutaneous fistulae, there are very few studies with tissue adhesives and platelet-rich plasma. In this study, our aim was to investigate the histopathologic changes in wound healing caused by various tissue adhesives and platelet-rich plasma, together with their effects on prevention of pharyngocutaneous fistula.Methods: 40 male rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, platelet-rich plasma, fibrin tissue adhesive, protein-based albumin glutaraldehyde and synthetic tissue adhesive groups. The pharyngotomy procedure was performed and was sutured. Except the control group, tissue adhesives and platelet-rich plasma were applied. Then, the skin was sutured. On the seventh day, the rats were sacrificed. The skin was opened and pharyngotomy site was assessed in terms of fistulae. The pharyngeal suture line was evaluated histopathologically by using Ehrlich Hunt scale.Results: Inflammatory infiltration was found to be higher in "platelet-rich plasma" group than "fibrin tissue adhesive" and "synthetic tissue adhesive" groups. The fibroblastic activity of "platelet-rich plasma", "fibrin tissue adhesive" and "protein-based albumin glutaraldehyde" groups was higher than the control group. The positive changes created by platelet-rich plasma and fibrin tissue adhesive at the histopathologic level were found together with no detected fistula. Among the study groups, there was no statistical difference for pharyngeal fistula development. This result may be obtained by the small number of animal experiments.Conclusion: These results shed light on the suggestion that platelet-rich plasma and fibrin tissue adhesive can be used in clinical studies to prevent pharyngocutaneous fistula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]