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Every year, hundreds of thousands of cancer patients receive radiotherapy treatment. Oxidative stress is observed in healthy tissues due to irradiation exposure. The present study is the first to address the effects of Vaccinium myrtillus (whortleberry, WB) against the effects of X-ray irradiation on retinal tissue. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: (1) control group: rats without any treatment, (2) X-ray irradiation group: 8 Gray (Gy) RT for 2 days, (3) 100 mg WB extract + X-ray irradiation group: 8 Gy irradiation for 2 days and followed by intraperitoneal (IP) WB extract (100 mg/kg) supplementation for 10 days, (4) 200 mg WB extract + X-ray irradiation group: 8 Gy irradiation for 2 days and followed by IP WB extract (200 mg/kg) supplementation for 10 days. Eyes were enucleated on the 10th day after RT for histopathological, immunohistochemical (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG], endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]), and biochemical analyses (glutathione peroxidase [GSH], and malondialdehyde [MDA]). The GSH levels significantly decreased and MDA levels and 8-OHdG staining increased after X-ray irradiation compared to the control group. Combined X-ray irradiation + WB treatment significantly increased GSH levels and significantly decreased MDA production and 8-OHdG staining. However, eNOS staining was not affected in any of the groups. Besides, X-ray irradiation significantly increased cell losses and edematous areas. The WB significantly reversed the cellular damage in ganglion cells, inner nuclear, and outer nuclear layers in quantitative analyses. The X-ray irradiation caused significant retinal impairment, and additional WB therapy provided protective effects against radiation-induced retinopathy. These results may suggest WB extract as an adjuvant therapy to reverse retinal impairments after X-ray irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We set out to investigate the effects of gadodiamide and gadoteric acid, used for magnetic resonance imaging, on the lungs. In this study, 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were used. These were allocated into four groups; The first group (control) was untreated. The second group received isotonic saline on the first and fourth days of the week for 5 weeks. Following the same schedule, the third and fourth groups received a total of 2 mg/kg gadodiamide and gadoteric acid, respectively, in place of saline. The alveolar Wall thickness was evaluated. Gadodiamide and gadoteric acid significantly increased the numbers of collagen‐3 and caspase‐3 positive cells in the lung tissue (p < 0.05). In addition, these two substances increased the alveolar Wall thickness (p < 0.05). Furthermore, they increased the levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that both linear and macrocyclic contrast agents are toxic for the lungs in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Severe sepsis is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Numerous biomarkers have been assessed to predict outcome and CRP is widely used. However, the relevance for mortality risk of the CRP level and the day when it is measured have not been well studied. We aimed to assess whether initial and/or third dayCRP values are as good predictors of mortality in ICU patients with severe sepsis as other well-known complex predictors of mortality, i.e., SOFA scores. Methods An observational cohort study was performed in a 20-bed respiratory ICU in a chest disease center. Patients with severe sepsis due to respiratory disease were enrolled in the study. SOFA scores, CRP values on admission and on the third day of hospital stay, and mortality rate were recorded. ROC curves for SOFA scores and CRP values were calculated. Results The study included 314 ICU patients with sepsis admitted between January 2009 and March 2010. The mortality rate was 14.2% (n = 45). The area under the curve (AUC) for CRP values and SOFA scores on admission and on the 3rd day in ICU were calculated as 0.57 (CI: 0.48-0.66); 0.72 (CI: 0.63-0.80); 0.72 (CI: 0.64-0.81); and 0.76 (CI: 0.67-0.86), respectively. Sepsis due to nosocomial infection, a CRP value > 100 mg/L and higher SOFA scores on 3rd day, were found to be risk factors for mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 3.76, confidence interval [CI]: 1.68-8.40, p < 0.001, OR: 2.70, CI: 1.41-2.01, p < 0.013, and OR: 1.68, CI: 1.41-2.01, p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions The risk of sepsis related mortality appears to be increased when the 3rd day CRP value is greater than 100 mg/dL. Thus, CRP appears to be as valuable a predictor of mortality as the SOFA score.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the potential protective effect of the selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine (DEX) against aortic occlusion-induced myocardial injury. Patients and methods: A total of 30 rats were randomly assigned into three groups of 10 animals each as control, ischemia+reperfusion (I/Rep), and I/Rep+DEX. In the I/Rep and I/Rep+DEX groups, after the completion of the shock stage, 60-min lower torso ischemia was induced with the application of cross-clamps to the abdominal aorta, followed by 120-min reperfusion. The I/Rep+DEX group received intraperitoneal 100 µg/kg DEX 30 min before the ischemia period. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in myocardial tissue increased with the application of I/Rep, while glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. We also observed swollen, degenerative, apoptotic cardiac myofibrils exhibiting caspase-3 positivity, widespread edematous areas, vascular congestion, and an increase in the heart damage scores. The MDA levels decreased with DEX administration, while the GSH levels increased. Degenerative, apoptotic cardiac myofibrils exhibiting loss of cytoplasm content, and vascular congestion also decreased. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that DEX may have a future role in the treatment of myocardial damage occurring due to reperfusion, following ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery / Ulusal Travma ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: Recent studies suggest that apelin can be a novel potential therapeutic mediator to improve the diagnosis, and treatment of preeclampsia. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum apelin‐13 and apelin‐36 with preeclampsia and to detect their relationship with preeclampsia‐associated perinatal morbidity. Methods: Forty‐four women with preeclampsia were included as the study group. Forty‐four healthy pregnant women, at similar gestational week with similar gravidity, formed the control group. The clinical findings, biochemical indicators, maternal and perinatal outcomes, and the serum concentrations of apelin‐36 and apelin‐13 were evaluated. The levels of apelin‐13 and apelin‐36 were determined with commercial kits using a competition‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: The mean gestational age at sampling was 35.77 ± 2.515 weeks in the preeclamptic group, 36.45 ± 2.057 weeks in the control group (P = 0.270). Maternal serum apelin‐36 and apelin‐13 concentrations were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia compared to the individuals in the control group (P = 0.030 and P = 0.005, respectively). The optimal cut‐off points of apelin‐36 and apelin‐13 measurements for discriminating between preeclampsia and controls were evaluated by the receiver–operator curve analysis. The results showed that apelin‐13 and apelin‐36 are moderately successful markers to differentiate subjects with preeclampsia from healthy pregnant women. The concentrations of apelin‐13 and apelin‐36 in both groups were not statistically different in cases with and without adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: In conclusion, we investigated serum apelin‐13 and apelin‐36 concentrations in preeclamptic patients and demonstrated markedly lower maternal concentrations compared to healthy pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Language & Linguistics Studies is the property of Journal of Language & Linguistics Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Respiratory Case Reports is the property of LookUs Scientific and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Asthma is a chronic disease which is prevalent throughout the world. Physical problems such as deterioration in oral health, which may occur due to the triggering factors of asthma as well as the ineffective use of asthma medicine, seem to affect the daily lives of asthma patients. Therefore, it is important to protect oral health and promote positive behavior changes in asthma patients in order to achieve effective treatment and asthma control. Aims: The present study aimed to determine the effects of a training program provided for asthma patients on oral health, inhaler use skills, and behavior change. Study Design: Controlled experimental study. Methods: A total of 124 asthma patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 62 were assigned to the experimental group and the other 62 were assigned to the control group. Data were collected using the patient identification form, the oral assessment guide, the inhaler use skill form, and the evaluation form for behavior change over time. The experimental group received training provided by the researchers on the first meeting and one month later. Written and visual training material were used. Both groups were subject to a final evaluation which was conducted 4 months after their first meeting. Results: It was determined that the oral assessment guide scores (p<0.01) and inhaler use skills of the experimental group improved significantly after the training compared to the control group (p<0.01). In addition, it was observed that the number of patients in the experimental group who quit smoking (p<0.05), used their medicine (p<0.01) and brushed their teeth on a regular basis (p<0.01), and washed their mouth after inhaler use significantly increased in the experimental group after training compared to the control group (p<0.01). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the training provided for asthma patients improved oral health and promoted inhaler use skills and was partially effective in promoting positive asthma-related behavior change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]