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A 55-year-old male with structurally normal heart presented with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and was cardioverted into sinus rhythm revealing a right bundle branch block pattern at baseline electrocardiography. Sustained monomorphic and nonsustained polymorphic VT were reproducibly inducible during electrophysiological study. During the diagnostic workup, the patient experienced fever due to hospital based pneumonia, which unmasked typical ST segment changes of Brugada syndrome. In the intensive care unit, fever became intractable leading to incessant monomorphic VT, which was resistant to all medical manoeuvers resulting in the patient's death. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This report presents three patients with severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to atrial septal defect associated with thrombus and spontaneous echo contrast within the pulmonary artery diagnosed by transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography. Clinical and echocardiographic features seem to suggest local thrombus formation within the pulmonary arteries as a direct consequence of pulmonary hypertension rather than venous thromboembolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no evidence based studies dealing with the incidence of venous sheath related thrombosis and the role of hepariri, particularly in the setting of prolonged procedures with multiple lines. The clinical importance of catheter related thrombosis remains undefined in the setting of electrophysiological studies (EPS). Researchers examined 27 consecutive patients undergoing EPS. Dalteparin was injected one hour before insertion of sheaths.All catheters were inserted using the Seldinger technique in the same side of the femoral vein.

This article discusses images related to cardiology which can lead to misdiagnosis of patients. A 40 year old man was admitted to the emergency department with chest and left shoulder pain for an hour. His admission ECG revealed 3-5 mm ST segment elevation on leads Vl-3 and right bundle branch block (RBBB). His previous ECGs were normal. Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed and thrombolytic treatment initiated. Six hours later, there was no ST segment elevation on leads Vl-3 or RBBB on the ECG, and all cardiac enzymes were within normal limits. Echocardiography was normal. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. All ECGs were reviewed and it was decided that the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was incorrect.

The possibility of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in the absence of coronary artery disease was evaluated with single-photon emission computed tomographic analysis using thallium-201 and technetium-99m sestamibi in 72 patients with MVP. Exercise electrocardiography was positive in 5 patients (8%), but single-photon emission computed tomography was found to be normal in all patients, and exercise-induced chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, and arrhythmias were found not to be related to myocardial ischemia in patients with MVP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:  Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening is strongly recommended in the pre-transplant evaluation of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, although it remains inadequate in many transplant centers. We decided to investigate pre-transplant TB risk assessment, LTBI treatment, and registry rates in Turkey., Material and Methods:  Adult SOT recipients who underwent tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or interferon-gamma release test (IGRA) from 14 centers between 2015 and 2019 were included in the study. An induration of ≥5 mm on TST and/or probable/positive IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB) was considered positive for LTBI. Demographic features, LTBI screening and treatment, and pre-/post-transplant TB history were recorded from the electronic database of transplantation units across the country and pooled at a single center for a unified database., Results:  TST and/or IGRA were performed in 766 (33.8%) of 2266 screened patients most of whom were kidney transplant recipients (n = 485, 63.4%). LTBI screening test was positive in 359 (46.9%) patients, and isoniazid was given to 203 (56.5%) patients. Of the patients treated for LTBI, 112 (55.2%) were registered in the national registry, and 82 (73.2%) completed the treatment. Tuberculosis developed in 6 (1.06%) of 563 patients who were not offered LTBI treatment., Conclusion:  We determined that overall, only one-third of SOT recipients in our country were evaluated in terms of TB risk, only 1 of the 2 SOT recipients with LTBI received treatment, and half were registered. Therefore, we want to emphasize the critical importance of pretransplant TB risk stratification and registration, guided by revised national guidelines.

Objective: The uncertain treatment duration for nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is an important problem for both patients and physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of virologic relapse (VR) and the optimum time of treatment discontinuation in the follow-up of CHB patients who voluntarily discontinued treatment after virological suppression was achieved under NA use., Methods: Data from 138 patients from 11 centers were included in this registry-based study. Factors associated with VR were investigated using multivariate Cox regression analysis., Results: Ninety-nine (71.7%) of the patients were HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen) negative. During the 24-month follow-up period after treatment discontinuation, VR occurred in 58.7% (n = 81) of all patients and 57.6% (n = 57) of HBeAg-negative patients. The duration of NA treatment was significantly shorter (cutoff 60 months) in HBeAg-negative patients who later developed VR. In addition, the duration of virologic remission achieved under NA treatment was significantly shorter (cutoff 52 months) in those who later developed VR. In the Cox multivariate regression model of HBeAg-negative patients, having less than 60 months of NA treatment (HR = 2.568; CI:1.280-5.148; P  = 0.008) and the levels of alanine aminotransferase being equal to or higher than twice the upper level of normal at the beginning of treatment (HR = 3.753; CI:1.551-9.081; P  = 0.003) were found to be statistically significant and independently associated with VR., Conclusion: The findings of this study may provide clinical guidance in terms of determining the most appropriate discontinuation time for NA., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) describes a set of symptoms and signs resulting from compression of the left renal vein (LRV). There is a lack of knowledge about its natural course, diagnosis, and management, especially in children. Herein, we present our single-center experience with a large number of patients who have long-term follow-up results., Methods: All patients with NCS diagnosed between January 2011 and March 2021 were included and their data were obtained retrospectively., Results: A total of 123 NCS patients (85 females) were included. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 12 (IQR 10-14) years, and BMI percentiles were below 5% in 38% of the cases. At the time of diagnosis, two-thirds of the patients were asymptomatic. The most common laboratory finding was nephritic proteinuria (98%), followed by microscopic hematuria (16%). Signs of LRV compression were significantly more evident in upright position Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) examination. All patients have been followed conservatively; hematuria and/or proteinuria resolved in 43 of the 108 patients (40%) within 35.8 ± 25.8 months of follow-up. Control DUS was performed in 52 patients after a mean period of 39.1 ± 21.3 months. The median peak velocity and diameter ratios of the LRV in the upright position were found to be decreased significantly when compared to the initial assessment (p < 0.05). Normal DUS findings were noted in 13 patients at the final evaluation., Conclusions: In unexplained proteinuria and/or hematuria, NCS should be considered, especially in asthenic adolescents. Our results support conservative management in children as the first-line treatment approach., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Pediatric Nephrology Association.)

Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The development of rapid antigen tests has contributed to easing the burden on healthcare and lifting restrictions by detecting infected individuals to help prevent further transmission of the virus. We developed a state-of-art rapid antigen testing system, named DIAGNOVIR, based on immune-fluorescence analysis, which can process and give the results in a minute. In our study, we assessed the performance of the DIAGNOVIR and compared the results with those of the qRT-PCR test. Our results demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity of the DIAGNOVIR were 94% and 99.2%, respectively, with a 100% sensitivity and 96.97% specificity, among asymptomatic patients. In addition, DIAGNOVIR can detect SARS‑CoV‑2 with 100% sensitivity up to 5 days after symptom onset. We observed that the DIAGNOVIR Rapid Antigen Test's limit of detection (LoD) was not significantly affected by the SARS‑CoV‑2 variants including Wuhan, alpha (B1.1.7), beta (B.1.351), delta (B.1.617.2) and omicron (B.1.1.529) variants, and LoD was calculated as 8 × 10 2 , 6.81 × 10 1.5 , 3.2 × 10 1.5 , 1 × 10 3 , and 1 × 10 3.5 TCID50/mL, respectively. Our results indicated that DIAGNOVIR can detect all SARS-CoV-2 variants in just seconds with higher sensitivity and specificity lower testing costs and decreased turnover time., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Molecular diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory specimens is considered the gold standard method. This method is highly sensitive and specific but it has some limitations such as being expensive and requiring special laboratory equipment and skilled personnel. RapidFor™ Antigen Rapid Test Kit is a commercially available Ag-RDT which is produced in Turkey and designed to detect the nucleocapsid antigen of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this novel SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection considering the RT-PCR method as the gold standard. Four hundred forty-four nasopharyngeal swab samples which were collected from the patients who met clinical criteria of COVID-19 from ten centers in Turkey between September 2020 and February 2021 were included in the study. All the nasopharyngeal swab samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using commercial RT-PCR kits (Bioeksen and A1 Lifesciences, İstanbul, Turkey) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Viral loads were assessed according to the cycle threshold (Ct) values. RapidFor™ SARS-CoV-2 antigen test (Vitrosens Biotechnology, Istanbul, Turkey) was used to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in all samples following the manufacturer's instructions. Out of 444 nasopharyngeal swab samples tested, 346 (77.9%) were positive and 98 (22.1%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RTPCR. Overall sensitivity of the RapidFor™. Antigen Rapid Test Kit was 80.3% whereas specificity was found to be 87.8%. Positivity rate of rapid antigen test in samples with Ct values over 25 and below 30 was 82.7%, while it increased to 95.7% in samples 20 ≤ Ct < 25 and reached 100% in samples with Ct values below 20. RapidFor™ SARS-CoV-2 Ag test might be a good choice in the screening of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and their contacts for taking isolation measures early, with advantages over RT-PCR as being rapid, easy and being applicable in every laboratory and even at point of care., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.)

Background: CoronaVac, the first coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine administered in our country, was found safe in clinical trials., Objective: We aimed to reveal the rate and features of CoronaVac vaccine-associated allergic reactions among vaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) in real-life., Methods: This study was planned as a questionnaire-based study. Participants who reported a postvaccination allergic reaction were interviewed on phone and their medical records were also checked for confirmation., Results: A total of 2,488 HCWs took part in the study and 4,054 postvaccination complete questionnaire-responses were obtained. Twenty-one HCWs (female: male, 17:4) with a mean age of 40.95 ± 10.09 stated that they had an allergic reaction after a total of 23 vaccine injections. Accordingly, the reaction rate was 0.56% among all vaccine doses. The most common reactions were systemic skin reactions (2.7%) consisting of generalized pruritus, diffuse pruritic erythema, urticaria, and maculopapular rash. That was followed by local injection site reaction (0.12%). Anaphylaxis was reported in 4 cases (0.09%) with a mean onset time of 12 ± 6 minutes. One of them had a history of anaphylaxis with 2 drugs, another had venom and food allergy. Three of the subjects had level 2 diagnostic certainty according to the Brighton Collaboration criteria and one had level 3. All anaphylaxis cases were discharged within 24 hours and none of them required intensive care., Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that allergic reactions to CoronaVac were rare and mostly mild. Although anaphylaxis was also rare, the importance of early intervention with close follow-up was once again emphasized., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology.)

The nucleoside adenosine accumulates extracellularly in solid tumors and inhibits CD8 + T cells by activating adenosine receptors. The cytokine interleukin-7 (IL-7), which is produced by various tissues and tumors, promotes the survival and maintenance of T cells. Adenosine and IL-7 signaling are being clinically targeted separately or in combination with other therapies for solid tumor indications. Here, we found that IL-7 signaling promoted the accumulation of tumor-associated CD8 + T cells, in part, by preventing adenosine-mediated immunosuppression. Inhibition of the transcription factor FoxO1 downstream of IL-7 receptor signaling was important for protecting CD8 + T cells from suppression by adenosine. These findings have implications for the development of new approaches for cancer immunotherapies that target the adenosine pathway., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Accumulating evidence suggests that inhibiting adenosine-generating ecto-enzymes (CD39 and CD73) and/or adenosine A2A or A2B receptors (R) stimulates antitumor immunity and limits tumor progression. Although activating A2ARs or A2BRs causes similar immunosuppressive and protumoral functions, few studies have investigated the distinct role of A2BR in cancer. Here, we showed that A2BR expression by hematopoietic cells was primarily responsible for promoting tumor growth. Deletion of A2BR profoundly enhanced anticancer T-cell immunity. Although T-cell A2BR plays an insignificant role for A2BR-mediated immunosuppression and tumor promotion, A2BR deficiency in tumor-bearing mice caused increased infiltration of myeloid and CD103 + dendritic cells, which was associated with more effective cross-priming of adoptively transferred tumor antigen-specific CD8 + T cells. A2BR deletion also intrinsically favored accumulation of myeloid and CD11b dim antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the tumor microenvironment. Both myeloid-specific or CD11c-specific conditional deletion of A2BR delayed primary tumor growth. Myeloid, but not CD11c-specific conditional, depletion delayed lung metastasis. Pharmacologic blockade of A2BR improved the antitumor effect of adoptive T-cell therapy. Overall, these results suggested that A2BR expression on myeloid cells and APCs indirectly suppressed CD8 + T-cell responses and promoted metastasis. These data provide a strong rationale to combine A2BR inhibition with T-cell-based immunotherapy for the treatment of tumor growth and metastasis., (©2020 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Extracellular adenosine accumulates in tumors and causes suppression of immune cells. Suppressive adenosine signaling is achieved through adenosine A2A and A2B receptors, which are Gs coupled, and their activation elevates cAMP levels. Gs-coupled GPCR signaling causes cAMP accumulation, which plays an anti-inflammatory role in immune cells. Protein kinase A (PKA) and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) are two intracellular receptors of cAMP. In this study we showed that adenosine receptor signaling polarizes activated murine dendritic cells (DCs) into a tumor-promoting suppressive phenotype. Adenosine receptor signaling activates cAMP pathway and upregulates the negative regulators of NF-κB but does not influence phosphorylation of immediate inflammatory signaling molecules downstream of TLR signaling. Pharmacologic activation of both PKA and Epac pathways by specific cAMP analogues phenocopied the effects of adenosine signaling on murine DCs, such as suppression of proinflammatory cytokines, elevation of anti-inflammatory IL-10, increased expression of regulators of NF-κB pathway, and finally suppression of T cell activation. Inhibition of effector cytokine, IL-12p40 production, and increased immunosuppressive IL-10 production by adenosine signaling is significantly reversed only when both PKA and Epac pathways were inhibited together. Adenosine signaling increased IL-10 secretion while decreasing IL-12p40 secretion in human monocyte-derived DCs. Stimulation of both PKA and Epac pathways also caused combinatorial effects in regulation of IL-12p40 secretion in human monocyte-derived DCs. Interestingly, PKA signaling alone caused similar increase in IL-10 secretion to that of adenosine signaling in human monocyte-derived DCs. Our data suggest adenosine/cAMP signaling targets both PKA/Epac pathways to fully differentiate DCs into a suppressive phenotype., (Copyright © 2019 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

Background: This study aims to present early and midterm results of vascular reconstruction with saphenous vein panel graft., Methods: Between August 2014 and August 2017, 11 saphenous vein panel grafts were used for vascular reconstruction in 10 patients. Patient data including age, gender, etiology of the vascular pathology, concomitant injury, site of injury, surgical procedure, additional surgical procedure, and hemodynamic status were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the reintervention and patency rates., Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 16.5 ± 13.2 months (ranged, 2-39 months). The freedom from reintervention for any reason was 82% at 1 and 2 years. There was no evidence of arterial claudication or venous insufficiency in all patients. The primary patency rates were 82% at 1 and 2 years. There was no mortality, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, graft thrombosis, anastomotic stenosis, diameter discrepancy, and aneurysm formation during late follow-up., Conclusions: The autologous saphenous panel vein graft enables the surgeon to prepare suitable conduits easily with an appropriate diameter and length for vascular reconstruction. Although long-term results are unknown, this technique provides high patency rates in midterm follow-up, resistance to infection, and low reintervention rates. In conclusion, autologous saphenous vein panel grafts may well be preferred in various vascular disorders that require surgical reconstruction., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We aim to study left atrial (LA) strains in patients with hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) and determine their usefulness in predicting masked hypertension (HT)., Methods: Ninety-eight normotensive patients who had HRE were included and were divided into two groups after masked HT had been diagnosed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Conventional echocardiographic parameters and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-based LA strain parameters were compared., Results: Patients with masked HT have higher left ventricle mass index (LVMI) (88.1±11.3 vs. 82.5±8.7 g/m, P<0.05), left atrium maximum volume index (LAVI) (34.5±5.1 vs. 30.2±5.6 ml/m, P<0.001), lower global longitudinal LA strain during ventricular systole (GLAs-res) (32.5±8.9 vs. 40.2±9.1%, P<0.001), and lower global longitudinal LA strain during late diastole (GLAs-pump) (15.8±4.1 vs. 18.1±5.8%, P<0.05). In univariate analysis, a good negative correlation was found between GLAs-res versus LAVI (r=-0.451, P<0.001), GLAs-res versus LVMI (r=-0.457, P<0.001) and a moderate negative correlation was present between GLAs-pump versus LAVI (r=-0.317, P<0.001) and GLAs-pump versus LVMI (r=-0.288, P<0.05). GLAs-res and LAVI were found to be independent predictors of masked HT. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was carried out. Area under the curve to predict masked HT was 0.729 (95% confidence interval: 0.623-0.832, P<0.001). GLAs-res less than 33.1% predicted masked HT with 73% sensitivity and 61.5% specificity., Conclusion: LA strain parameters were impaired in patients with masked HT and can be used to predict the presence of masked HT in patients with HRE.

Purpose: The present study investigated the correlation between extend aortic cross-clamping time and peripheral nerve injury on rats., Methods: 24 male, Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups; (a) control group: abdomen was directly closed after reached aorta, and followed by 72 hours, (b) short-term ischaemia-reperfusion group: peripheral nerve ischemia was induced in rats by supraceliac aortic occlusion for 20 min followed by 72 h of reperfusion, (c) long-term ischaemia-reperfusion group: peripheral nerve ischemia was induced for 30 min followed by 72 h of reperfusion. Preoperative and postoperative, electromyography (EMG) recordings were done. End of 72 h, the sciatic nerves were harvested from each animal for histopathological and biochemical analysis., Results: The mean compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude of long-term ischaemia-reperfusion group was statically significant reduced when compared to the control group (p <0.01). However, the mean distal latency value of long-term ischaemia-reperfusion group was statically significant increased (p <0.01). On the other hand, there were statically significant differences between the results of malondialdehyde, edema and ischemia fiber degeneration grades on control and long-term ischaemia-reperfusion group (p <0.001)., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the extending cross clamping time directly harms the peripheral nerve of rats.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare disorder characterized by varying degrees of unresponsiveness to parathyroid hormone. Patients usually present with hypocalcemia-induced seizures or tetany, whereas no case of hypocalcemia-induced cardiac arrhythmia in PHP has been described to date. In this paper, we report the case of a male adolescent with PHP type 1a who presented with hypocalcemia-induced ventricular extrasystoles (bigeminy, trigeminy) and mild corrected QT interval prolongation. The patient had brachydactyly and his second fingers and toes were longer than the others, a finding consistent with PHP. Laboratory tests detected hypomagnesemia, as well as elevated levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. Ventricular arrhythmia and abnormal laboratory tests improved with calcium supplementation and vitamin D treatment. The findings in this patient suggest that hypomagnesemia may make patients with PHP more susceptible to hypocalcemia and may thus prompt a state of hypocalcemia-induced arrhythmia or other cardiac complications.

The mean platelet volume (MPV) values reflect platelet size and are accepted as marker of platelet activation. We sought to test the hypothesis that platelet activation occurs independently from presence or absence of thrombus in prosthetic mitral valve. A total of 168 patients were included in the study. Study participants were divided in three groups: group 1 (n = 62) - patients with normal prosthetic mitral valve; group 2 (n = 37) - patients with prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis; and group 3 (n = 69) - healthy individuals. MPV values were significantly higher in normal and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve patients than in healthy individuals (P = 0.008 and P = 0.01, respectively). MPV values were not different between normal prosthetic mitral valve and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve. This is the first study indicating that increased MPV is present in normal and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve, implying that platelet reactivity occurs in prosthetic mitral valve irrespective of development of thrombus formation.

Objective: Mitral valve repair has become the procedure of choice for almost every type of mitral regurgitation (MR) in the current surgical era. We assessed clinical outcomes of mitral valve repair in severe MR., Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 103 patients (61 male, 42 female, mean age 53.2±14.8 years), who were planned to undergo valve repair were included. Mitral valve pathology was regurgitant in 86% and mixed in 14% of patients. The intention to perform mitral repair was successful in 100 (97.1%) of patients. Concomitant procedures were performed in 57 (57%) patients including 31 coronary artery bypass grafting and 13 tricuspid valve repairs. After surgery, early (<30 days) and late (>30 days) complications were recorded. Postoperative echocardiography was performed in all patients at discharge and during clinical follow-up. Late survival and freedom from adverse events including thromboembolism, endocarditis, reoperation, and residual severe MR were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis., Results: There was no early mortality. Echocardiographic assessment of patients at discharge revealed no/trivial regurgitation in 89% and mild (1+) MR in 11% of all patients. Late mortality occurred in only one patient at 14 months because of renal failure. The mean follow-up period of patients was 21.2±10.3 months. Echocardiographic examination during follow-up revealed that mitral insufficiency was none or mild in 96% of patients. Three (3%) patients had moderate (2+) MR and were treated medically. Mitral insufficiency recurrence with severe (3+) regurgitation occurred in one (1%) patient undergoing coronary artery revascularization and concomitant left ventricular aneurysmectomy. Re-operation was needed in only one (1%) case because of infective endocarditis that was treated with mechanical valve replacement. Kaplan-Meier estimates were 99±2.7% for late survival and 98±2.2%, 99±2.7%, 99±2.7% and 99±0.9% for freedom from thromboembolism, endocarditis, reoperation, and residual severe MR, respectively., Conclusion: This study showed that mitral valve repair provides excellent surgical outcomes. Repair procedures are safe, and highly effective, but operations require a considerable surgical experience.

Thinner is a neurotoxic mixture which is widely used as an aromatic industrial solvent. This product has been shown to cause functional and structural changes in the central nervous system. We investigated the effect of exposure to high concentrations (3000 p.p.m.) of thinner for 45 days (1 hr/day) on cognitive functions and the levels of neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) and lipid peroxidation products (LPO) in the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum of rats. The actions of melatonin on the effects produced by thinner exposure were also tested. Thinner exposure caused a significant increase in LPO (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals) in all brain regions. Melatonin administration significantly reduced LPO and elevated glutathione levels in the brain regions. NCAM (180 kDa) was significantly decreased in hippocampus and cortex of thinner-exposed rats. Furthermore, thinner-exposed rats showed cognitive deficits in passive avoidance and Morris water maze tasks, whereas in the rats chronically treated with melatonin these effects were reversed. This study indicates that treatment with melatonin prevents learning and memory deficits caused by thinner exposure possibly by reducing oxidative stress and regulating neural plasticity.

A 57-year-old male patient presented with an immobile ellipsoid mass of 6-cm diameter in the right occipitoparietal region. Cranial computed tomography showed the mass with dense contrast enhancement causing bone destruction. After embolization of the mass, total resection was performed. Histological examination showed the mass had a capsule, with no invasion of the dura mater or dermis, and the follicles of various sizes covered with mono-lined thyrocytes were full of colloid. Immunohistochemical examination showed positive staining for thyroglobulin. Postoperatively, levels of thyroid hormones were normal, and thyroid ultrasonography and technetium-99m scintigraphy showed no abnormalities. Fine needle aspiration biopsy performed at various locations of the thyroid gland revealed no atypical thyroid cells. Whole body technetium-99m scintigraphy found no abnormal bone involvement. The histological evidence was suggestive of follicular carcinoma metastasis. Surgical treatment was planned for the thyroid gland, but the patient did not consent. Two years later, the patient presented with the pain and sensitivity in the sacrum, the right iliac wing, and the right caput femoris. Computed tomography revealed lytic lesions in these areas. Bone metastases were identified. Whole body scintigraphy showed increased activity in these regions, but the cranium and all other tissues were normal. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy under a diagnosis of follicular carcinoma. The present case of a lytic skull lesion associated with normal thyroid tissue on admission but finally treated as follicular thyroid cancer emphasizes the difficulty in histological discrimination of follicular carcinoma from normal thyroid tissue.

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is an uncommon and usually lethal congenital malformation. The present report describes an unusual case of IAA, an aneurysmal ascending aorta and a bicuspid aorta in a 15-year-old boy. He presented with general malaise, weakness of his legs, headache and hypertension that began six months earlier. He had suffered from effort intolerance since childhood. A three-dimensional gadolinium contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiogram demonstrated IAA and a markedly developed collateral circulation. IAA is an uncommon disease that is rarely encountered in an adolescent patient with nonspecific symptoms or hypertension. The present case also shows the clinical value of three-dimensional gadolinium contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for noninvasive assessment of the aortic arch, and magnetic resonance angiography can replace angiography in the assessment of aortic arch anomalies and visualization of well-developed collaterals.

Object: This is an investigation into the effects of two barrier membranes in the prevention of peridural fibrosis in an animal model., Methods: Seprafilm or Gore-Tex was applied to a laminectomy defect overlying the dura mater in rats separated into treatment groups. A third group of rats underwent laminectomy only and served as controls. Two months postoperatively a histological study was performed to compare the amount of scar tissue in each group. The gross dissection demonstrated that both membranes created a controlled dissection plane, facilitated access to the epidural space, and provided a reduction in the amount of tissue adhering to the dura mater. Statistically, Seprafilm was superior to Gore-Tex in preventing peridural fibrosis (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Seprafilm can prevent peridural fibrosis better than Gore-Tex and can be used in humans in spinal surgery.

A 7-year-old girl was admitted because of dyspnea on exertion and palpitations. Her symptoms had gradually worsened for the last 6 months. She had physical features of the Marfan syndrome. Transthoracic echocardiography showed an ascending aortic aneurysm, severe aortic regurgitation, and mildly dilated left ventricle. Because of marked aortic aneurysm and severe aortic regurgitation, the patient was treated with a beta-blocker and an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Surgery was refused by her parents. We describe here a child with Marfan syndrome in whom significant dilatation of the ascending aorta and severe aortic regurgitation is encountered and major cardiovascular complications of Marfan syndrome were reviewed.

Dermoid sinuses and meningoceles are seldom encountered in the cervical region. Besides, to the best of our knowledge, the coexistence of these types of congenital abnormalities with recurrent meningitis, as well as with mirror movement, has never been reported before. A 14-year-old female with the diagnosis of recurrent meningitis was referred to our clinic from the Department of Infectious Diseases. She had a cervical meningocele mass that was leaking cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and an associated mirror movement symptom. Spina bifida, dermoid sinus and meningocele lesions were demonstrated at the C2 level on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). She underwent an operation to remove the sinus tract together with the sac, and at the same time the tethered cord between the sac base and the distal end of the spinal cord was detached. The diagnosis of dermoid sinus and meningocele was confirmed histopathologically. These kinds of congenital pathologies in the cervical region may also predispose the patient to other diseases or symptoms. Herein, a case of meningocele associated with cervical dermoid sinus tract which presented with recurrent meningitis and a rare manifestation of mirror movement is discussed. Neurosurgeons should consider the possible coexistence of mirror movement and recurrent meningitis in the treatment of these types of congenital abnormalities.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the potential prognostic usefulness of QT dispersion (QTd) in patients with unstable angina., Methods and Results: QTd was calculated and plasma troponin T (TnT) level was measured and rest perfusion imaging with Tc-99m sestamibi was performed in 62 patients admitted with chest pain at rest. All patients had a follow-up during one month in order to assess cardiac events. Cardiac events occurred in 41 patients (no deaths, 11 myocardial infarctions (MI), 4 urgent and 26 planned revascularizations). The mean QTd in patients with cardiac events was significantly higher than in those without cardiac events (68 +/- 28 vs. 54 +/- 14 ms; p = 0.01). When patients were divided into subgroups according to the cardiac events, the mean QTd in MI and revascularization were 90 +/- 25 ms and 60 +/- 25 ms, respectively. QTd in patients with MI was higher than in patients without cardiac events (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in QTd between the revascularization subgroup and patients without cardiac events. Nineteen patients with elevated TnT had a greater QTd compared to patients with normal TnT (74 +/- 29 vs. 56 +/- 20 ms; p = 0.008). Additionally, the mean QTd in 46 patients with perfusion defects was slightly higher than in patients without (66 +/- 27 vs. 53 +/- 17 ms; p = 0.03). There was also a moderate correlation between QTd and the number of perfusion defects (r = 0.31, p = 0.01). On the other hand, most of the patients who had a MI or urgent revascularization had a QTd greater than 75 ms., Conclusion: The measurement of QTd in patients with unstable angina may help to stratify patients at high risk for cardiac events, in particular MI and urgent revascularization.

A 70-year-old man was admitted with sudden onset of dyspnea, near syncope and left hemiparesis. Clinical examination, blood gas analysis, ECG and the chest X-ray were consistent with pulmonary embolism. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed right atrial free-floating thrombus, large atrial septal defect (ASD), right heart enlargement and pulmonary artery hypertension. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated immediately, soon after thrombolytic therapy was started but the patient died due to possible pulmonary or cerebral embolization. We underscore rapid diagnosis by TTE that revealed right heart thrombus in transit and large ASD.

Background: Few studies have suggested association between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and osteoporosis in women who are post-menopausal. However, the association of MAC with osteoporosis in women, in relation to bone resorption, as assessed by using the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry method (DEXA), have not been performed. We sought to examine the association between MAC and osteoporosis., Methods: In this prospective, observational study carried out in a tertiary referral center, 340 women (mean age +/- SD, 56 +/- 10 years; age range, 33-85 years) underwent echocardiography, with specific assessment of MAC and bone mineral density measurement (T-scores) using DEXA., Results: MAC was absent in 123 patients (group I) and present in 217 patients (group II). Compared with the control group, the group with MAC had a significantly higher prevalence and severity of osteoporosis (18.2% vs 55.5%, P <.001). Severe osteoporosis was significantly more common in the severe MAC subgroup (n = 66) than in the control subjects (65.2% vs 17.1%; Pearson chi2, 70.02; df = 4; P <.001). With multivariate analysis, only T-scores and age were highly predictive of MAC, with an odds ratio of 2.66 (95 % CI, 1.85-3.83) and 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.07), respectively., Conclusions: MAC is associated with osteoporosis. Bone mineral density measurement (T-scores) and age were highly predictive of MAC in women.

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of injury of abducens nerve at petroclival region in severe head trauma. Twenty specimens provided from 10 autopsied cases due to severe head trauma were investigated macroscopically and histopathogically. The slices of the abducens nerve taken consecutively along its course at petroclival region were stained with Hematoxylline-Eosin and evaluated under light microscope. In addition, coexisting cervical injuries in these cases were assessed macroscopically. Edema and perineural hemorrhagia of abducens nerve were identified in all cases. Nerve injury was found more exaggerated at the sites of dural entry point and petrous apex than any other parts of the abducens nerve. Furthermore, microscopically, also remarkable perineural hemorrhage of the abducens nerve was observed at the site of its anastomoses with the sympathetic plexus on the lateral wall of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Abducens nerve is injured at the sites of dural entry point, petrous apex and lateral wall of the ICA, directly proportional with the severity of the trauma. This finding is also significant in verification of the severe head trauma.