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Background: The aim of this study is to determine the changes of some oxidative stress parameters following an experimental urethral injury.

Background: Glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity in preadolescent children might predict the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in adult life in small for gestational age (SGA) children. We aimed to investi-gate whether reduced birthweight is related to low insulin sensitivity in preadolescence. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-five SGA children and 29 appropriate for gestational age children (AGA) children born between 1993 and 1994 were evaluated for insulin sensitivity in preadolescence. At the beginning of the study, body mass index (BMI) was calculated and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Blood samples to measure glucose and insulin were taken every 30 minutes during OGTT. Homeostasis of model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and composite index (CI) values were measured to assess insulin sen-sitivity. Results: On the OGTT, 120-minute glucose and insulin levels were higher in SGA than AGA children ( P =0.02 and P =0.001, respectively). Although there was no difference between HOMA-IR values, the mean CI value was lower in SGA than AGA children ( P =0.001). There was an inverse correlation between birthweight and 120-min-ute glucose concentrations (r=-0.30, P =0.02). This correlation was stronger between birthweight and 120-min-ute insulin concentrations (r=-0.50, P =0.001). BMI was positively correlated with 120-minute insulin (r=0.50, P =0.001). There was no relationship between HOMA-IR values and birth size, but the CI index was positively correlated with birthweight (r=0.40, P =0.002). Conclusions: Birthweight may be a predictive factor for insulin sensitivity and CI is more reliable than HOMA-IR to assess this sensitivity in preadolescence.

Background: The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficiency of roflumilast and ibuprofen in an experimental rat testicular ischemia reperfusion injury model in the light of histological and biochemical data., Methods: A total of 32 prepubertal male rats were randomly divided into four groups as G1: Control Group (testicular torsion/detorsion + saline (0.9% of 2 ml) was applied). G2: Sham Group only right scrotal incision was performed; G3: Ibuprofen Group (tes-ticular torsion/detorsion + ibuprofen administration); and G4 Roflumilast Group (testicular torsion/detorsion + roflumilast adminis-tration). Oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total sulfhydryl (TSH), and nitrite (NO) levels as well as histopathological changes were analyzed., Results: Tissue MPO, MDA, and NO levels were significantly higher and TSH levels significantly lower in control group compared to sham group (p<0.001). The histopathologic scores of drug groups (Groups 3 and 4) were significantly lower than group 1 (p<0.001). In comparison of Group 3 and Group 4 with each other, the mean values of MPO and MDA were statistically significantly lower in Group 4 (p<0.001). A higher mean value of TSH was found in Group 3 without statistically significance (p=0.32). There was also an insignificant decrease in mean NO values of Group 3 compared to Group 4 (p=0.44). In comparison of drug groups, Group 4 had statistically insignificant better scores., Conclusion: Our results indicate that administrating ibuprofen and roflumilast reduced testicular ischemia reperfusion injury in rat testis torsion model. In comparison, roflumilast is found to be more beneficial.

Objectives: This study investigated the contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) angiogenic mediators in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)., Methods: Aqueous humor specimens taken during cataract surgery in 7 cases of intermediate stage (nonexudative) AMD and 7 cases of late stage (exudative) AMD were evaluated using chemiluminescent immunoassay testing in this prospective case-control study. Mediator levels were compared with the normal reference values of 7 patients without any disease other than cataract., Results: The groups were similar in terms of age and gender (p>0.05). The aqueous humor levels of VEGF in both the intermediate AMD (median: 224.3 pg/mL, range: 44.8-380.4 pg/mL) and late-stage AMD (median: 108.7 pg/mL, range: 61.9-223.5 pg/mL) patients were similar to those of the control group (median: 121.1 pg/mL, range: 24.9-156.6 pg/mL) (p=0.256). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the SDF-1α concentrations between the intermediate AMD (median: 160.9 pg/mL, range 130-166.3 pg/mL), late AMD (median: 161 pg/mL, range: 154.1.9-171.6 pg/mL), and control group values (median: 161 pg/mL, range: 155.2-219 pg/mL) (p=0.763)., Conclusion: The aqueous humor levels of VEGF and SDF-1α were within the normal range in patients with intermediate and late-stage AMD., (Copyright © 2021 by Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital.)

Purpose: To determine the vitreous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) in patients with active proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and to ascertain their contribution on different clinical presentation of active PDR., Methods: This case-control study included 31 eyes with active PDR and 10 eyes with idiopathic macular hole (MH) (control group). Eyes with active PDR were divided into three subgroups: vitreous hemorrhage (VH), tractional retinal detachment (TRD) caused by active fibrovascular membrane (FVM), and coexistence of VH and TRD with FVM. Vitreous samples obtained during vitrectomy were analyzed for concentrations of VEGF, SDF-1α, and ANGPTL2., Results: Vitreous level of VEGF (2021 (168-6550) pg/ml vs 110.1 (74.5-236) pg/ml), SDF-1α (517 (194-1044) pg/ml vs 388 (320-535) pg/ml), and ANGPTL2 (725 (131-1590) ng/ml vs 196 (75.9-437) ng/ml) were significantly higher in eyes with active PDR than in control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively). The concentrations of these meaditors in each active PDR subgroups were also significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). The vitreous level of ANGPTL2 was significantly higher in eyes with TRD caused by FVM (1033 ± 401 ng/ml) than in eyes with VH (561 ± 237 ng/ml; p = 0.008)., Conclusion: High levels of SDF-1α, ANGPTL2 and particularly VEGF seem to be associated with PDR. Since the vitreous levels of ANGPTL2 tend to be higher in eyes with active fibrovascular tractional detachment, vitreous levels of this chemokine seem to be affected by the clinical presentation of vascularly active PDR eyes.

Ranolazine is a drug used in refractory chronic stable angina. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of ranolazine in a testis torsion model in light of objective biochemical and pathological data. A total of 24 pre-pubertal male Wistar albino rats were separated into three groups of 8 as the sham group, control group and ranolazine group. Testis torsion was applied for 3 hr to all the rats in Group Control and Group Ranolazine. In Group Control, 0.9% NaCl was applied 1 hr after the torsion. In Group Ranolazine, ranolazine 30 mg/kg was dissolved in a 0.9% NaCl solution and was administered intraperitoneally 1 hr after torsion. Histopathological evaluation was made using the Cosentino score. As a result of the objective biochemical and pathological criteria used in this study, this protective effect of ranolazine was observed in testis torsion. The results obtained in this study may suggest that ranolazine is a drug that could be applied after detorsion to patients diagnosed with torsion., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Purpose: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) may occur secondary to several reasons leading to renal failure. Coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) is a well-known antioxidant. However, the effects CoQ10 against RIRI have not been evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate protective effects of CoQ10 to renal ischemia-reperfusion by biochemical, immunohistochemical and scintigraphic findings., Methods: Thirty Wistar-albino rats were randomly separated into groups of 10; Group Sham; Group ischemia-reperfusion (IR) had left renal pedicle clamping; Group CoQ10+IR had IR and CoQ10. Twenty-four hours later after reperfusion, scintigraphy was performed and after that, rats were sacrificed. To demonstrate effects of RIRI, serum urea and creatinine levels and tissue levels oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Both kidneys were subjected to histopathological evaluation and to confirm RIRI-induced immunohistochemical aspects of apoptosis, terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase mediated-deoxyuridine-triphosphate-nick-end-labeling assay and caspase-3 were assessed., Results: Tissue oxidative stress, histopathologic changes, apoptosis scores and quantitative scintigraphic parameters were significantly higher in Group IR compared with Group Sham. Although tissue oxidative stress levels and histopathologic changes were not significant, quantitative scintigraphic parameters of contralateral kidney of Group IR were significantly increased. Compared with Group IR, Group CoQ10+IR presented decreased tissue oxidative stress levels; decreased scores of histopathology and apoptosis; and decreased quantitative scintigraphic parameters with increased split renal function in ischemic kidney., Conclusions: Our results suggest that other than its antioxidant properties, CoQ10 shows antiperoxidative, antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory potential in protecting renal functioning of ischemic kidney. Furthermore, our results show that renal scintigraphy is a feasible method to detect early changes in renal functioning after RIRI.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of an experimental bacterial keratitis model on the corneal collagen cross-linking treatment (CXL), and also to compare topical antibiotic treatment with the combined treatment., Methods: The study involved 40 young adult female Sprague Dawley rats, which had a 2 mm scraped defect of the central corneal epithelium in both eyes. The rats were divided into two equal groups. The first group was inoculated in both eyes with standard Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA) from a strain suspension prepared from 0.05 ml (Group 1), and the second group was inoculated with standard Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) strains from a suspension prepared from 0.05 ml (Group 2). Group 1 was divided into four sub-groups: Group 1A was treated by collagen cross-linking (CXL), Group 1C was treated with topical tobramycin drops CXL and also treated by collagen cross-linking (CXL), Group 1D was treated with topical tobramycin drops, and Group 1B was left untreated in order to create a control group. Similarly, Group 2 was also divided into four sub-groups: Group 2A was treated by CXL, Group 2C was treated with topical 5% fortified vancomycin drops CXL and also treated by CXL, Group 2D was treated with topical 5% fortified vancomycin drops, and Group 2B was left untreated in order to create a control group. CXL was performed on the third day following the inoculation and topical drop therapy. Biomicroscopy and microbiologic assessments were performed on the third and seventh days following the inoculation of microorganisms., Results: In the treatment, which compared baselines in all groups before treatment, the diameter of keratitis infiltrations, corneal clouding, and corneal swab samples were obtained from the reduction in reproduction. The results were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Keratitis infiltration groups were conducted on the seventh day for Groups 1C and 1D according to Group 1B, whilst Groups 2A, 2C and 2D were conducted according to Group 2B, which showed a significant statistical reduction (p < 0.01). On the seventh day, focal groups were conducted in corneal clouding Group 1D according to Group 1B and in Groups 2A, 2C and 2D according to Group 2B, which revealed a significant statistical reduction (p < 0.01). On the seventh day, reproduction in culture was obtained from corneal swab samples in Groups 1C and 1D according to Group 1B; in Groups 1C and 1D according to Group 1A; in Groups 2A, 2C and 2D according to Group 2B; and in Group 2C according to Group 2A, where a significant statistical reduction was observed (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: The clinical and microbiological efficacy of the CXL treatment is evaluated in our study. In accordance with the conclusion reached an effective reduction in the density and severity of (infection), occurred as a result of CXL treatment, CXL treatment combined with topical antibiotic treatment and topical antibiotic treatment of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA) and Metisilin Rezistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) keratitis infections. From these results, it is shown that topical antibiotics and CXL potentiate each other's effects in the treatment of resistant bacterial keratitis.

Higher serum cytokine levels have been reported in children admitted with febrile seizures and in some experimental models. However, other studies have shown that cytokine levels are influenced by melatonin. In this study, we investigated serum cytokine levels in a hyperthermia-induced febrile rat seizure model and the effect of melatonin. A total of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: the control (C) group, healthy melatonin (MT) group, and hyperthermia-induced febrile seizure groups with (HIFS-MT) and without (HIFS) administration of melatonin. Melatonin (80 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 15 min before the seizure. HIFS was induced by placing the rats in 45°C water. The rats were sacrificed under anesthesia after the seizure. Blood samples were drawn by transcardiac puncture to measure serum cytokine and melatonin levels. Serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were lower in the HIFS group than those in the C group (p = 0.005, p = 0.200, p = 0.011, and p = 0.016, respectively). All serum cytokine levels of rats in the MT and HIFS-MT groups were similar to those in the C group. This experimental rat model demonstrated that serum cytokine levels decrease with HIFS and that administering melatonin maintains serum cytokine levels. These results suggest that cytokines may play role in the anticonvulsive activity of melatonin in rats with febrile seizures.

We evaluated the effects of the oral nutritional supplement containing arginine, glutamine, and hydroxymethylbutyrate (Abound®) on healing of colonic anastomoses in experimental rat model. Seventy Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into seven groups. Colon transection and anastomosis were performed in all groups except for the sham group. In groups 2 and 5, rats were fed with standard rat chow after the operation. Oral nutritional supplement was added to standard nutrition for 3 days postoperatively in group 3 and 7 days in group 6 and preoperative 7 days plus postoperative 3 days in group 4 and preoperative 7 days plus postoperative 7 days in group 7. Bursting pressures were measured, adhesions were evaluated, and tissue samples were taken for measurement of tissue hydroxyproline levels and for histopathological examination. The usage of oral nutritional supplement had positive effects on bursting pressures, tissue hydroxyproline levels, and histopathological findings of anastomoses, but feeding with oral nutritional supplement both preoperatively and postoperatively had no additive effect on these parameters when compared with the groups that were fed only postoperatively. The mixture of arginine, glutamine, and hydroxymethylbutyrate may be safely used for achieving better healing results after colonic anastomoses.

Objective: Ureteral obstruction leads to permanent changes in the structure of the kidney by several mechanisms. In this study, it was hypothesized that there would be a protective effect of misoprostol against diclofenac in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)., Materials and Methods: Twenty-two female rats were randomized into 5 groups of 4 and 2 rats for the control group. The right ureter was sutured. The rats were grouped as control, contrast agent, contrast agent +N-acetylcysteine (NAC),  diclofenac and diclofenac + misoprostol groups.Radiographic contrast agent was given iv on the 3rd day and other agents were administered orally for 1 week. The rats were sacrified after 1 week and histopathological and biochemical oxidative stress markers were evaluated., Results: The contrast agent and NAC  group  had lower rates of hemorrhage, inflammation, obstructive dilatation and fatty degeneration compared to the contrast agent only group (p < 0.05). No differences were seen in the normal kidneys. Between all the groups, there was no difference for tubule epithelium damage (p > 0.05). The contrast agent and NAC group had higher rates of antioxidant SH level compared to the contrast agent only group (p < 0.05) and lower rates of oxidative end product carbonyl groups (p < 0.05). For normal kidneys no difference was seen. No statistical difference was seen in MDA levels (p > 0.05). Statistically no difference was seen between the diclofenac group and the diclofenac and misoprostol group neither pathologically nor chemically (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: These results showed that NAC is protective against radiographic contrast agent toxicity when given before and after administration in obstructed kidneys as in previous data. Misoprostol was not observed to have any protective effect against diclofenac in obstructed kidneys.

Background: Montelukast is a cysteinyl-leukotriene type 1 (CysLT1) selective receptor antagonist. In recent years, investigations have shown that montelukast possesses secondary anti-inflammatory activities and also antioxidant effects. For this reason, we aimed to determine the possible effects of montelukast on liver damage in experimental obstructive jaundice., Methods: 30 Wistar-Albino male rats were randomized and divided into three groups of 10 animals each: group I, sham-operated; group II, ligation and division of the common bile duct (BDL) followed by daily intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml of saline; group III, BDL followed by daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg montelukast dissolved in saline. The animals were killed on postoperative day 7 by high-dose diethyl ether inhalation. Blood and liver samples were taken for examination., Results: In this study, liver malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = 0.001), myeloperoxidase (p = 0.003), and total sulfhydryl (SH) (p = 0.009) were found to be significantly different between the BDL + montelukast and the BDL groups. Plasma total SH (p = 0.002) and MDA (p = 0.027) values were also statistically different between these groups. Statistical analyses of histological activity index scores showed that the histopathological damage in the BDL + montelukast group was significantly less than the damage in the control group (p < 0.05 for all pathological parameters)., Conclusion: According to the results of this study, montelukast showed a significant hepatoprotective effect in this experimental obstructive jaundice model, which might be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the apical sealing abilities of 60 root-end cavities filled with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and iRoot BP cements after treated with either 17% EDTA solution or Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation. After the filling procedure, apical leakage quantity was measured at 4 weeks using a fluid filtration method. One root from each group was processed for scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. Both EDTA/MTA and laser irradiation/MTA combinations showed significantly lower microleakage than EDTA/iRoot BP and laser irradiation/iRoot BP combinations (p<0.05). Between groups of the same filling material, there were no significant differences among specimens treated with EDTA or laser (p>0.05). Both MTA and iRoot-BP demonstrated tag-like structures within the dentinal tubules when used in conjunction with EDTA.

Study Design: A prospective, randomized experimental research., Objective: To evaluate the short- and long-term neuroprotective effects of minocycline on the secondary injury process of an experimental traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) model., Summary of Background Data: Traumatic SCI is a devastating problem of health that results in high morbidity and mortality rates. The loss of function after SCI results from both the primary mechanical insult and the subsequent, multifaceted secondary response., Methods: A total of 80 adult male Spraque-Dawley rats (breeded by the Baskent University Animal Research Center) were randomly divided into 4 groups. A T10 contusion injury was produced by using modified Allen technique in all groups except the control group. No medication was administered to the rats in the trauma group. Minocycline was administered intraperitoneally and intravenously to the treatment groups. Short-term and/or long-term neuroprotective effects of minocycline on the lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, glutathione), apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling), ultrastructure of spinal cord (tissue electron microscopy), and behavioral assessments (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan) were evaluated., Results: As compared with the trauma group, tissue malondialdehyde and glutathione levels demonstrated that minocycline significantly diminishes lipid peroxidation. Electromicroscopic study showed that minocycline preserves the ultrastructure of spinal cord tissue in the early post-traumatic period. Minocycline treatment significantly reduced the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling positive cells both 1 day and 28 days after SCI. Behavioral assessments showed significant improvement in the hind limb functions of minocycline receiving rats starting 7 days after the SCI. Any statistically significant difference was not found between intraperitoneal or intravenous routes for minocycline injection., Conclusion: Minocycline is neuroprotective and contributes to functional improvement after traumatic SCI by eliminating the destructive process of secondary injury. Having both satisfying anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in experimental models, it promises to be of therapeutic use in human SCI.

Introduction: This study was established to assess the effects of low dose enoxaparin on plasma malondialdehyde levels during laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a model of ischemia-reperfusion., Materials and Methods: Fifty patients, scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were randomized into two groups of 25 patients in each. In enoxaparin group, patients had 20 mg/0.2 ml subcutaneous (sc) enoxaparin 2 hr before surgery. Blood samples were obtained for malondialdehyde, alanine transferase, aspartate transferase, measurements before the insufflation, 1 min before deflation, and 20 min after deflation., Results: Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations were insignificant between enoxaparin and control groups before insufflation (1.64 ± 2.66 vs. 2.45 ± 4.42 μmol l(-1); p = 0.44) and 1 min before deflation (1.55 ± 2.61 vs. 3.66 ± 5.68 μmol l(-1); p = 0.38). Malondialdehyde levels significantly increased in control group 20 min after deflation in respect to enoxaparin group (1.52 ± 2.67 vs. 6.04 ± 7.85 μmol l(-1)), (p = 0.049). In control group, plasma malondialdehyde concentrations increased significantly compared with initial level throughout the study (p = 0.001). Within enoxaparin group, no statistically significant change was observed (p = 0.28). Plasma alanine transferase and aspartate transferase levels increased similarly in both groups during the study (p > 0.05). Alanine transferase and aspartate transferase increases within each group were statistically significant for all times (p < 0.05)., Discussion and Conclusions: As a conclusion, mini dose of enoxaparin used sc'ly 2 hr before the operation, prevented the malondialdehyde increase during reperfusion period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy without causing any bleeding disorder while having no effect on serum alanine transferase, aspartate transferase increase.

Little is known about the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of pediatric migraine. The objective of the present study was to investigate, during a headache-free period, the activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in children and adolescents diagnosed with migraine. In all, 47 migraine patients (age range, 8-17 years; mean, 14.1 +/- 2.4 years, 14 with aura) and 35 control subjects were included. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities were measured in erythrocytes. Although superoxide dismutase activities did not differ between groups, both catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly lower in migraine patients (P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Activities of all three antioxidant enzymes were similar across migraine subgroups; there was no correlation with age and sex. These results confirm vulnerability to oxidative stress in pediatric migraine. Further studies and search for new therapeutic agents with antioxidant properties are needed.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the interfacial strengths and failure modes of new polymeric endodontic obturation systems consisting of different material combinations., Study Design: Extracted human single-rooted teeth (n = 105) were instrumented using HERO Shaper rotary instruments and obturated with different combinations of core and sealer as follows: group 1, RealSeal/Resilon; group 2, RealSeal/Herofill; group 3, Hybrid Root Seal/Resilon; group 4, Hybrid Root Seal/Herofill; group 5, MM-Seal/Resilon; group 6, MM-Seal/Herofill; group 7 (control). Failure modes of root slices (1.00 +/- 0.05-mm thick) after push-out testing were examined with stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy., Results: Hybrid Root Seal/Resilon combination had significantly greater bond strength than all the other groups (P < .001); RealSeal/Resilon combination proved to have the second highest bond strength (P < .001). Bond failure was mainly mixed failure in both adhesive and cohesive modes at the dentin/sealer interface., Conclusion: The push-out bond strengths of methacrylate-based sealers (Hybrid Root Seal and RealSeal) and thermoplastic synthetic-polymer-based core material (Resilon) combinations were higher than epoxy-resin-based sealer (MM-Seal) and gutta-percha (Herofill) combination.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) has an essential role in tissue remodeling after inflammation. Recent literature revealed only one study evaluating PAI-1 4G/5G gene polymorphism in children with asthma and none in children with allergic rhinitis. We aimed to investigate distribution of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism in a group of Turkish children with asthma and allergic rhinitis and compare these findings with those obtained in normal peers. Patients with physician-diagnosed asthma (n = 106) and allergic rhinitis (n = 99) and 83 healthy peers were included in this study. We evaluated PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism genotype as well as the possible association between PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and pulmonary function tests, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), total eosinophil count, and skin-prick test positivity in our study. The prevalence of the 4G allele significantly exceeded the values found in the controls both in patients with asthma (p = 0.001) and in patients with allergic rhinitis (p = 0.002). Interestingly, comparison of asthmatic patients revealed that mean baseline percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were significantly higher in patients who bear 5G/5G genotype than in those who have 4G/4G or 4G/5G genotypes. No statistically significant relationship were found between PAI-1 polymorphism and total serum IgE levels, total eosinophil count, or selected skin test responses to aeroallergens. Our study suggests that Turkish children with asthma or allergic rhinitis have a higher prevalence of PAI-1 4G allele compared with their healthy peers.

Aims: Two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy has been accompanied by testicular atrophy in some cases but neither of the mechanisms responsible for testicular injury are clear, nor is there an effective agent that might prevent this injury. In this study we aimed to investigate the long-term effects of naloxone, a morphine antagonist, on testicular histopathology and oxidative stress after spermatic vessel ligation (SVL) in rats., Methods: 32 prepubertal rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: group 1: control (only bilateral orchiectomies were performed); group 2: sham-operated group; group 3: SVL, and group 4: SVL+naloxone (1 mg/kg twice daily for 1 month). One month postoperatively, bilateral orchiectomies were performed to evaluate histopathologic findings and measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels., Results: Considering group 3, left SVL resulted in significant tissue damage in both testes, more severe in the ipsilateral testis. The SVL resulted in a significant increase in testicular MDA levels of both testes in this group (p < 0.05). While the ipsilateral testicular NO levels of groups 2 and 3 were significantly lower than of group 1 (p < 0.05), the contralateral testicular NO levels of all these groups were similar. After naloxone therapy, while there was no significant improvement in ipsilateral testicular histopathology (p > 0.05), the contralateral testicular histopathology improved significantly (p < 0.05). However, naloxone did not change either testicular MDA or NO levels., Conclusions: The SVL led to bilateral testicular injury, and oxidative stress may be a reason for this injury. Naloxone significantly improved contralateral testicular injury without showing any antioxidative effect., (2008 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Dental erosion is a common oral finding in chronic renal failure and may develop due to extrinsic and/or intrinsic causes. The aim of this study was to compare the salivary calcium and phosphorus levels, salivary flow rate, salivary buffer capacity, salivary pH, serum calcium and phosphorus levels and parathyroid hormone levels in chronic renal failure patients with and without dental erosion. Twenty-four men and 19 women who had had chronic renal failure for at least 2 years were studied. Twenty-two subjects displayed erosion-like patterns on their teeth and the other 21 patients showed no signs of erosion. Two closely age- and sex-matched control groups (control groups 1 and 2) were enrolled in this study because of the age disparity between the erosion and non-erosion groups. The data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test, Student t test, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests. None of the comparisons were statistically different between the erosion and non-erosion groups. There were statistically significant differences in salivary calcium (P < 0.01) and phosphorus (P < 0.01) levels, serum phosphorus level (P < 0.01) and serum PTH level (P < 0.01) for the erosion group and control group 1 and also for the non-erosion group and control group 2. There was also a significant difference in salivary flow rate (P < 0.05) for the erosion group and control group 1. There was a positive significant correlation between saliva buffer capacity and salivary phosphorus level (r = 0.454, P < 0.05) in the erosion group.