Dietary supplementation with chitosan oligosaccharide affects serum lipids and nutrient digestibility in broilers

This research was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on the growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits, fatty acid composition of breast meat, and apparent nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. A total of 375 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were allocated to a control diet (T1) or diets supplemented with 50 ppm (T2) and 100 ppm (T3) of COS. There were five replicates of 25 chicks for each treatment. All the experimental birds were fed a starter (days 1 - 4), grower (days 15 - 28), and finisher diet (days 29 - 42). No differences were detected among treatments for live weight, gain, feed intake or feed conversion, except that feed intake was depressed in T3 during the grower period. Serum total protein and albumin levels did not differ among the treatments. Serum total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglyceride concentrations were reduced significantly by supplementation with COS, whereas the high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration was significantly lower only for T2 relative to T1. The dressing percentage was significantly higher for T2 and T3 than for T1. Fatty acid composition of the breast meat was unaffected by the treatments. The digestibility of the diet and some of its constituents was affected in a graduated manner by the addition of COS. Thus, supplementation of broiler diets with COS improved carcass yield and had a hypolipidemic effect in improving the serum lipid profile Keywords: carcass, digestibility, hypolipidemic effect, performance

3D evaluation of tooth crown size ın unilateral cleft lip and palate patients

Aim

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate and compare the 3-dimensional (3D) crown sizes of the left and right sides of upper and lower dental arches in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Materials and Methods

Dental casts of 94 patients all in permanent dentition were included in this study. Dental casts were divided into three groups as 36 casts with unilateral left cleft lip and palate (ULCLP), 18 casts with unilateral right cleft lip and palate (URCLP), and 40 casts without cleft (control). Mesiodistal (MD), buccolingual (BL), and gingiva incisal (GI) values of each tooth were measured by scanning the dental models with a high-precision optical 3D scanner. Paired t-test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

U1 MD, U6 MD (P = 0.001) and BL (P = 0.01), L3 GI (P = 0.05) were greater in UCLP patients on the non-cleft side while U1 GI, L1 BL, L5 MD (P = 0.001), L4 MD, and BL (P = 0.01) values were found to be greater on the cleft side. Comparison of the cleft-sides and the control group showed that MD, BL, and GI dimensions of teeth on the cleft sides were generally found to be smaller, excluding the UR7 GI values for URCLP group (P = 0.05).

Conclusion

In the measurements of teeth size, reliable and repeatable results were acquired through 3D software. Tooth size asymmetries can occur non-syndromic UCLP patients in both jaws. MD, BL, and GI dimensions of teeth are mostly found to be smaller in patients with CLP.

Alternative medicine usage among solid tumour patients receiving chemotherapy

We aimed to investigate complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) usage and knowledge levels of chemotherapy (CT) receiving cancer patients. Questionnaires about CAM usage and knowledge levels of the patients were completed. A total of 289 patients were included. Median age was 58 (min-max: 21-89) years. Sixty-two of 289 patients (22%) received CAM. Fifty-two patients (18%) thought CAM was beneficial and 237 of them (82%) thought that it was harmful. Sixty-one of them (98%) received CAM orally. Majority of CAMs used were herbal substances. Twenty-eight of the patients (45%) used CAM due to belief of natural products strengthen their body, 16 of them (26%) used CAM due to insistence of their relatives, 8 patients (13%) used CAM with thought of their CT did not benefit and 10 patients (16%) received CAM as a supportive treatment. Thirty-seven patients (60%) received CAM concomitant with CT. Thirty-two patients (52%) did not inform their clinicians while using CAM. Twenty-one (34%) and 45 (73%) of patients had no opinion or knowledge about effects and side effects of CAM they used respectively. Nearly half of the patients did not inform their clinicians about CAM they used. Knowledge level of patients used CAM was poor.

Effects of chito-oligosaccharides and L-carnitine supplementation in diets for Japanese quails on performance, carcass traits and some blood parameters

The aim of this study was to determine effects of dietary supplementation with chitosanoligosaccharides (COS) and L-carnitine, individually or dually, on growth performance, carcass traits and some blood serum parameters in quails. A total of 192, four days old, Japanese quail chicks were allotted four groups, each of which included four replicates (12 birds per replicate). The groups received the same basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 150mg/kg chitosanoligosaccharides (COS), 150mg/kg L-carnitine (Carnitine), and 150 mg/kg chitosanoligosaccharides+150 mg/kg L-carnitine (COS+Car.) during the starter (1 to 21 days) and a grower (22 to 42 days) period. The feeding trial shoved that COS, L-carnitine and COS+L-carnitine had no significant effect on live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion. Supplementation with COS+L-carnitine induced higher leg ratio from than that of the Control. There were no differences on serum albumin, total protein, glucose and total cholesterol concentrations. It is concluded that due to the obtained higher leg ratio from COS+Car. group, after analysis of the profit and loss, if is economically profitable, chitosanoligosaccharides+L-carnitine could be added quail diets.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Blood transfusion is sometimes a necessary procedure during or following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)/possible TRALI is a rare and fatal complication and characterized by acute hypoxemia and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema that occurs within 6 hours following a transfusion. Anti-leukocyte antibodies or, possibly, other bioactive substances cause inflammation and capillary endothelial destruction in susceptible recipients’ lungs. Prompt diagnosis and mechanical ventilatory support are important. A successful treatment of two male patients following CABG surgery, compatible with TRALI/possible TRALI, is presented here.

Breast cancer in octogenarian women: clinical characteristics and outcome

PURPOSE

Breast cancer incidence increases in the elderly but data on treatment and outcomes of elderly patients is limited. We assessed the clinicopathological features and outcomes of our patients with breast cancer aged ≥80 years in comparison with their younger postmenopausal counterparts.

METHODS

The records of 83 patients diagnosed with breast cancer after the age of 80 (group 1) between 2003 and 2011 in 4 different centers were retrospectively evaluated and the clinicopathological features and outcomes were assessed in comparison with a control group (group 2) of 249 patients aged between 60-70 years.

RESULTS

Median ages at diagnosis were 82 years (range 80-95) and 64 years (range 60-70) for group 1 and group 2, respectively. The incidence of invasive cancers other than ductal or lobular type was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (20 vs 8%; p=0.0177rpar;. More patients in group 1 had Charlson Comorbidty scores ≥1 than those in group 2 (49 vs 36%; p=0.011). Patients in group 1 had more conservative operations and less axillary node dissections (ALND) and they received chemotherapy, trastuzumab or radiotherapy less frequently compared to their younger counterparts in group 2. Median follow up period was 36 months (range 1-178) in group 1 and 24 months (range 12-217) in group 2. Five-year disease free survival (DFS) was 53.7 and 75.9) (p=0.005), 5-year overall survival (OS) was 61.9% and 80.47percnt; in group 1 and group 2 (p=0.001), respectively. Advanced stage (stage IV vs stage I, II, III, p=0.051) and cerbB2 positivity (p<0.001) were found to be associated with shorter DFS in patients ≥80 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Although the majority of patients were undertreated in our study according to the current guidelines, mortality rates were quite low. Different biology of the disease in the elderly might explain this difference.

Promising therapeutic options in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a greater risk of recurrence despite more aggressive therapy even in lowrisk category. TNBC is high grade, hormone receptor and HER-2 negative, it exhibits a high level of Ki-67 staining and expresses the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). Because of its expression profile, treatment options are limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Molecular defects that give rise to BRCA1-associated breast cancer also occur in TNBC. Thus, the combination of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) inhibitors with drugs that cause DNA breakages, such as alkylating agents and topoisomerase I inhibitors, could theoretically potentiate the efficacy of each drug in patients with TNBC. Clinical trials with various targeted approaches alone or in combination with different chemotherapeutic agents are currently underway. In this review, current and future treatment approaches in TNBC with novel targeted agents are discussed.

Secondary hematological malignancies after treatment of non-metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency of secondary hematological malignancies in non-metastatic breast cancer (BC) patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

METHODS

Data of BC patients followed at Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology between 2004 and 2010 were retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

There were 1,475 BC patients followed between 2004 and 2010 at our department; 1,319 (89.4%) of them had not metastatic disease. One thousand, one hundred eighty three (89.7%) early-stage BC patients received at least one treatment modality (radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy). The number of patients receiving only chemotherapy or only radiotherapy were 228 (17.3%) and 117 (8.9%), respectively. Eleven (1%) out of 1,066 BC patients receiving adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy were also treated with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). The frequency of secondary hematological malignancies among adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy BC patients was 0.56% (6/1,066); it was 0.59% (7/1,183) among radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy treated non-metastatic BC patients. Five patients developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML); 3 of them were AML-FAB M3 and 2 could not be subclassified. The 6th patient had multiple myeloma and the 7th had diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the latter did not receive cytotoxic chemotherapy for BC.

CONCLUSION

Treatment-associated secondary hematological malignancies, especially myeloid leukemias, are a growing problem due to high prevalence of BC and the dismal outcome of secondary leukemias. Further studies are needed to determine the risk for other hematological malignancies, possible responsible agents, and mechanisms.

Pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast: a single center experience

PURPOSE

Mucinous breast carcinoma is rare subtype of breast cancer. Histopathologically, it is classified into two forms, pure and mixed type. It recurs late, metastasis to axillary lymph nodes is less common and is more hormone receptor positive. We herein present the data of our patients with pure mucinous breast cancer (PMBC) treated in our institution.

METHODS

Among 1211 breast cancer patients with breast cancer diagnosed and treated in Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, 20 patients (1.6%) with PMBC (defined as having mucinous component of more than 90%) were identified. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics and patient outcomes were assessed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 52.5 years (range 27-80). The majority of the patients presented with stage II disease (n=15; 75%). One of 20 patients recurred with bone metastasis 50 months after diagnosis. Median follow-up was 39 months (range 3-137). Estrogen receptors (ER) were positive in 16 (80%) patients and HER-2 positive in one (5%). Twenty-five percent of the patients had positive axillary nodes.

CONCLUSION

PMBC is a rare entity with favorable prognosis. Lymph node metastasis is rarely seen even in large -sized tumors.

Glucose tolerance of premenopausal women after menopause due to surgical removal of ovaries

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of the abrupt withdrawal of ovarian function on glucose tolerance by studying premenopausal women before and after oophorectomy.

METHODS

Thirty premenopausal women who needed hysterectomy for benign reasons volunteered for the study in our hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before surgery and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Fasting glucose, fasting insulin levels and insulin/glucose indexes, HOMA indexes, insulin and glucose levels were measured during OGTT.

RESULTS

The mean fasting and 2-h glucose levels of the women did not change significantly during the 12 months of follow-up. However, the glucose levels during the glucose tolerance tests changed significantly after surgery (p<0.05). Insulin responses to the glucose tolerance test also increased significantly (p<0.005). Insulin/glucose indexes were significantly higher after surgery (p<0.005). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was detected in five women and impaired glucose tolerance was detected in 12 of the 30 patients after surgery in the 12-month period.

CONCLUSION

The impairment of carbohydrate metabolism due to an abrupt decrease in natural estrogen levels should be considered before removing the ovaries during hysterectomy in premenopausal patients.

Malignancies after rituximab treatment: just coincidence or more?

PURPOSE

Rituximab has been successfully used in the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and some autoimmune diseases nearly for a decade. Several other malignancies and CD20-negative lymphomas have been reported in the literature after rituximab treatment. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between rituximab treatment and the development of second malignancies.

METHODS

A detailed search in English language literature on reports about rituximab treatment and secondary malignancies was made through Medline. The papers were reviewed and the cases were summarized according to secondary tumor types, intervals between rituximab treatment and second malignancy occurrence, indications for rituximab treatment and cytotoxic chemotherapy administration.

RESULTS

There were 26 previously reported cases of CD20-negative lymphoma and solid tumors after rituximab treatment. The median age of these cases was 62 years (range 34-80). The median time period from the initiation of rituximab treatment to diagnosis of second malignancies was 5 months (range 1-40). The most frequently reported solid tumors were skin tumors (squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma) (n=7; 27%), CD20-negative lymphomas (n=5; 20%), Kaposi sarcoma (n=4; 15%), and others (n=10; 38%).

CONCLUSION

Association between rituximab and subsequent development of second malignancies might be a coincidence. However, we suggest close monitoring for second malignancies, particularly skin tumors, in patients treated with rituximab. This issue should be evaluated in further studies.

Trace elements and toxic heavy metals play a role in Buerger disease and atherosclerotic peripheral arterial occlusive disease

AIM

The aim of the present study was to define the roles of trace elements and toxic heavy metals in Buerger disease and atherosclerotic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).

METHODS

Seventy-five subjects who were identical in demographic charecteristics were selected for the study; 25 with Buerger disease, 25 with PAOD, 25 healthy volunteers. Serum selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe),whole blood cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), erythrocyte and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured.

RESULTS

Serum Se and Zn levels were significantly low in patients with Buerger disease compared to patients with PAOD and controls (P<0.001 and P<0.001 respectively). Serum levels of Fe and Zn were also significantly low in patients with PAOD compared to controls (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively). In contrast, Cu and Pb levels in Buerger disease group were significantly high compared to PAOD and control groups (P<0.001 and P<0.001 respectively). Erythrocyte GSH and GSH-Px levels were significantly lower in patients with Buerger disease compared to patients with PAOD and controls (P<0.001 and P<0.001 respectively), while erythrocyte and plasma MDA levels were significantly higher (P<0.001 and P<0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the levels of trace elments and toxic heavy metals and oxidative stress influence the disease process in Buerger disease more than PAOD.

The Frequency and Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Operable Stage I-III Breast Cancer

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of multiple risk factors including obesity, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL (high density lipoprotein), and hypertension. Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. We evaluated the frequency and determinants of metabolic syndrome in patients with operable stage I-III breast cancer.Methods: In this cross-sectional study we analyzed the frequency and determinants of metabolic syndrome in patients with stage I-III breast cancer. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP (National Cholesterol Education Program) definitions. Data on metabolic syndrome criteria were collected along with demographic data, tumor size, grade, lymph node, estrogen, progesterone, HER2 status, grade and history of chemotherapy/endocrine therapy.Results: A total of 331 patients were analyzed. Median age was 50.0 years (range 20-84 years). Eighty-five patients were using tamoxifen, 98 patients were using aromatase inhibitors and the remaining 148 patients were not receiving hormonal therapy (newly diagnosed and/or triple-negative patients). According to the NCEP criteria 48.0% of the patients had metabolic syndrome. More patients receiving aromatase inhibitors had metabolic syndrome than those receiving tamoxifen (60.2% vs. 37.6%, p = 0.008). The frequency of MS among those not taking any hormonal therapy was 45.9%. Additionally, post-menopausal patients had higher rate of MS compared to pre-menopausal ones (53.4% vs. 25.0% p=&lt;0.001). Patients with HER2 positive tumors and patients who had a history of oral contraceptive use had lower rates of metabolic syndrome than those with HER2 negative tumors and no oral contraceptive use, respectively (40,0% vs. 53,7% for HER2, p=0.028 and 32,6% vs. 50,3% for oral contraceptive use, p=0.034).There was no significant correlation between the presence of metabolic syndrome and estrogen/progesterone receptor status, tumor size, nodal status, stage, grade, adjuvant chemotherapy, hormone replacement therapy, smoking history.Conclusions: Nearly half of the patients with stage I-III breast cancer had metabolic syndrome. Adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy was found to be associated with higher rate of metabolic syndrome whereas history of oral contraceptive use and HER2 positivity were associated with lower rate. Whether the aromatase inhibitors contribute the development of metabolic syndrome or not needs to be elucidated by future prospective studies.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5121.

Serine protease inhibitor aprotinin ameliorates renal injury in a rat model of ischemia-perfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury may occur after renal transplantation, thoracoabdominal aortic surgery, and renal artery interventions.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic effects of aprotinin on tissue protection against I/R injury in a rat model. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, was also tested to assess the experimental model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four rats were categorized into 3 groups of 8 rats each: those receiving isotonic sodium chloride solution (control group); NAC, 150 mg/kg; and aprotinin, 40,000 KIU/kg. The animals underwent unilateral nephrectomy after 60 minutes of warm ischemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion of the kidney. Malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation marker, and antioxidant glutathione levels were measured in the kidney parenchyma. Tissue samples were obtained for histologic analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the NAC group demonstrated significantly low levels of malondialdehyde (P = .04) and high levels of glutathione (P = .01). At histopathologic analysis, less acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and cellular swelling was noted in the NAC group (P = .002 and P = .005, respectively). In the aprotinin group, histopathologic analysis revealed less tissue damage in terms of ATN (P < .001, cellular swelling (P < .001), and vacuolysis (P = .002). Compared with the NAC group, ATN (P = .01), vacuolysis (P = .04), and congestion (P = .05) were significantly less in the aprotinin group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that administration of aprotinin attenuates renal I/R injury. This observation has potential application for kidney preservation for transplantation, for aortic surgery, and for renal artery interventions by protecting cells from free radical damage.

The effects of calcium dobesilate on the mechanical function of rat hearts

AIM

Calcium dobesilate is an angio-protective agent that has positive effects on hemorheological parameters. It decreases blood and plasma viscosity, thrombocyte aggregation, and microvascular hyperpermeability. It is an antioxidant that increases endothelial-derived vasodilator substance secretion. In this experimental study, the effects of calcium dobesilate on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury were investigated.

METHODS

Using the Langendorff setup, 24 adult Wistar albino rat hearts were perfused. MeanP (mean pressure perfusing the coronary arteries), PSP (maximum left ventricle pressure), +dp/dt(max) (change in contraction power over time), -dp/dt(max) (change in relaxing power over time), PP (peak systolic pressure-minimum balloon pressure) and bpm (number of heart beats per minute) were evaluated. The control group (N.=6) was perfused with Tyrode solution alone. The other three groups (N.=6 for each group) were perfused with the Tyrode solution and calcium dobesilate either before ischemia, during the ischemia reperfusion period, or during the reperfusion-only period.

RESULTS

The meanP values were significantly higher in groups perfused by calcium dobesilate. For other parameters, calcium dobesilate did not demonstrate a positive effect.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that calcium dobesilate may have cardio-protective effects in isolated, perfused rat hearts. In hearts perfused by calcium dobesilate, the increase in mean P may be explained by the increase in endothelium-derived vasodilator substances. Further studies are needed to better characterize the myocardial protective effects of calcium dobesilate.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia during interferon-beta-I b treatment for multiple sclerosis

A 31-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis (MS), treated with interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b) for two years, presented with fatigue and dizziness. Coombs' positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) was found. Other potential etiologies of AIHA were ruled out. An association with IFNB-1b was highly suspected. Interferon therapy was discontinued and prednisone therapy instituted. There was resolution of the hemolytic anemia, and prednisone therapy was tapered gradually. To the best of our knowledge, there is no reported case of the development of AIHA associated with IFNB-1b use in MS patients. We conclude that if an unexplained drop in hematocrit occurs with a MS patient receiving IFNB-1b, autoimmune mediated hemolysis should also be considered.

Effect of Combining Phosphodiesterase III Inhibitors With St Thomas Hospital’s Solution Used as Transplantation Preservative Solution in Isolated Rat Hearts

Improved preservation of the harvested heart with attenuation of the reperfusion injury is important for successful outcomes of cardiac transplantations. The most commonly used cardioplegic solution, to prevent ischemic changes has been St Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution (STHCS). However, it is neither ideal nor sufficient to prevent myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors can attenuate the damage due to the injuries of ischemia and reperfusion. In this study we sought to enrich STHCS with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor to improve preservation of cardiac functions. The harvested hearts of 24 rats were divided into four groups. All hearts were mounted on a Langendorff perfusion system. After a stabilization period, cardiac arrest was maintained by STHCS. The hearts were stored in STHCS alone or with milrinone, amrinone, or enoximone for 6 hours. The reperfusion was maintained using a modified Tyrode's solution. All hearts were compared for their preischemic and postischemic left ventricular developed pressure, +dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax, duration of systole, ejection time, and time to reach peak systolic pressure. Coronary effluent was collected for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurements. The initial values for all metrics were comparable between the groups. During the postreperfusion period, all hearts showed lower peak systolic pressures than the initial values. Although the amrinone group seemed to have higher values, the 25-minute result was at the border of significance and the 30-minute value, significantly higher. All hearts showed far lower results of maximum changes in contractility during the time period (+dp/dtmax) versus the initial values; comparisons between groups were not significant. For the parameter of maximum changes in relaxation during the time period (-dp/dtmax), while other hearts showed lower results, the amrinone group displayed values comparable to the initial ones after 20 minutes. Comparisons between groups were insignificant. While other hearts had comparable values for time of systole, the hearts applied with milrinone reached these values after 15 minutes. Group comparison for time of ejection revealed that the results at 5-minute postreperfusion were higher in the enoximone and the amrinone groups than the milrinone group. Postreperfusion 5-minute results were higher in the enoximone and the amrinone groups than the milrinone group for time to reach peak systolic pressure. LDH levels were lowest in the amrinone group. In conclusion, our study revealed that adding phosphodiesterase inhibitors to STHCS improved peak systolic pressure and maximum changes in relaxation during the time period (-dp/dtmax, mm Hg/s). It also decreased the LDH leakage, which corresponded to the degree of ischemic tissue damage. Amrinone seemed to result in more favorable results, which may be attributed to its additional effects on inflammation, including those on cytokines and leukocyte aggregation.

Effects of L-carnitine administration on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks

Effects of L-carnitine administration via drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks was examined. One hundred day-old Turkish native duck chicks were divided into two groups, each with five replicates and given the same diets with 0 and 200 mg/l carnitine chlorhydrate via drinking water. The study lasted 8 weeks, with the first 4 weeks as a starter and the last 4 weeks as grower period. At the end of the study five ducks were randomly selected from each subgroup for slaughter. Growth performance parameters of ducks were not affected significantly by L-carnitine administration. Live weight, daily weight gain, cumulative feed consumption and average feed conversion efficiency were found to be 1490 and 1621 g, 26.0 and 28.1 g, 5386 and 5662 g, 3.75 and 3.54 kg/kg in the control and in the carnitine groups respectively. L-carnitine administration did not effect carcass traits and serum cholesterol, total lipid, triglyceride and glucose levels. Total saturated fatty acid content of abdominal fat significantly decreased, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content were not affected by L-carnitine administration. In conclusion, L-carnitine administration by drinking water did not affect growth performance, carcass traits and blood parameters in ducks.

The impact of acute dynamic exercise on intraocular pressure: role of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor polymorphism

Effects of mutations in the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) gene on intraocular pressure (IOP), in response to acute dynamic exercise, were investigated in 19 healthy males (age 22.6 +/- 2.8 years). Intraocular pressures were measured pre- and post-exercise. Weight, height, body mass index, and maximal oxygen (VO2max) uptake were recorded and subjects were genotyped for Arg16Gly, Gln27Glu and Thr164Ile mutations of the beta 2AR gene. Post-exercise, reductions in mean IOP values were found in 16 subjects with the Gly16Gly and Arg16Gly genotypes, but these values remained low in the eight patients with the Gly16Gly genotype 3 h post-exercise, whereas they returned to baseline within 1 h in the eight subjects with the Arg16Gly genotype. beta 2AR stimulation during exercise could be an important regulator of IOP response and determining beta 2AR polymorphisms may improve understanding of pathogenesis and treatment selection in ophthalmic diseases, e.g. glaucoma.

Metastatic cardiac myxoma

A 22-year-old woman who had a history of three cardiac operations and a bilateral femoral embolectomy for recurrent cardiac myxoma and myxoma embolism, respectively, was accepted to our clinic with multiple immobile peripheral masses. One of them was compressing the left common femoral artery. This mass was extirpated. Pathology examination revealed myxoma. Chemotherapy was given to the patient and regression of the masses was observed.

The primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the heart

A young man was admitted to hospital with dyspnea, malaise, chest pain and night sweating. Investigative studies revealed a cystic mass lesion originating from the heart. Surgical exploration of the tumor showed that it was unresectable and pathology of the biopsy material was primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Medical literature concerning this unusual type of tumor is reviewed.