Preparation and Characterization of Inclusion Complexes of β-Cyclodextrin and Phenolics from Wheat Bran by Combination of Experimental and Computational Techniques

Bitterness often associated with whole wheat products may be related to phenolics in the bran. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are known to form inclusion complexes. The objective was to form inclusion complexes between β-CD and wheat phenolics. Pure phenolic acids (trans-ferulic acid (FA), caffeic acid (CA), and p-coumaric acid (CO)) and phenolic acids from wheat bran were used to investigate complex formation potential. Complexes were characterized by spectroscopy techniques, and a computational and molecular modeling study was carried out. The relative amount of complex formation between β-CD and wheat bran extract was CA > CO > FA. The phenolic compounds formed inclusion complexes with β-CDs by non-covalent bonds. The quantum-mechanical calculations supported the experimental results. The most stable complex was CO/β-CD complex. The ΔH value for CO/β-CD complex was -11.72 kcal/mol and was about 3 kcal/mol more stable than the other complexes. The QSPR model showed good correlation between binding energy and 1H NMR shift for the H5 signal. This research shows that phenolics and β-CD inclusion complexes could be utilized to improve the perception of whole meal food products since inclusion complexes have the potential to mask the bitter flavor and enhance the stability of the phenolics in wheat bran.

Investigation of histopathological effects after intra-arterial sugammadex injection in an experimental animal model

PURPOSE

Intra-arterial injection of medications are related to mortality and morbidity. It was aimed to investigate the histopathological effects caused by two different intra-arterial doses of sugammadex, a new selective relaxant binding agent used to reverse the effects of steroidal systemic muscle relaxants used in surgeries carried out under general anesthesia.

METHODS

A total of 15 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. The control group was given 1 mL saline bolus into the central artery of the ear. The other two groups (Group Sgdx2 and group Sgdx16) were given 2 and 16 mg/kg sugammadex, respectively, intra-arterially.

RESULTS

In control group, histopathological evaluation was in normal limits. The cross-sections belonging to Group Sgdx2 did not have any significant pathological change compared with control group (p > 0.05). Edema and single-cell necrosis were significantly higher in Group Sgdx16 when compared to control group (p < 0.05). In comparison to Group Sgdx2, single-cell necrosis was significantly higher in Group Sgdx16 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Being broadly used in anesthesia, sugammadex should be administered with care because when given by intra-arterial route it may cause tissue damage and tissue loss and the patients' arteries should be carefully checked.

Effect of hypothyroidism in the thyroidectomized rats on immunophenotypic characteristics and differentiation capacity of adipose tissue derived stem cells

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid hormones influence multiple physiological functions, like growth, differentiation, protein synthesis and metabolic rate. The hypothyroid state is a complex hormonal dysfunction rather than a single hormonal defect. The relation between hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy and stem cells is not clear.

AIM

This study was designed to investigate the effect of thyroidectomy on the proliferation, telomerase enzyme activities, immunophenotypic properties and differentiation potentials of adipose tissue-derived (AT-) stem cells (SCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AT-SCs after 60 and 120 days of thyroidectomized (Tx) rats were compared to normal rats by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry analyses, and their telomerase activities were estimated.

RESULTS

The telomerase activity was found to be positive for AT-SCs of Tx rats of both 60 and 120 days used in this study, but a decrease was noticed in the cells with the long-term exposure to hypothyroidism. This might indicate the decrease in the regenerative ability of the AT-SCs after 120 days of Tx compared to cells after 60 days of Tx. Both cell lines were induced to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic and neurogenic cell lineages, but osteogenic marker expression was not detected in the undifferentiated AT-SCs of the Tx rats. Osteogenic differentiation was also failed in stem cells derived from Tx rats, shown by Alizarin red S staining and alkaline phosphates enzyme assays.

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that hypothyroidism affected SCs, altered stem cell characteristics, like telomerase activity and loss of in vitro bone formation, but not adipogenic or neurogenic differentiation ability.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypothyroidism after Tx affects the osteogenic differentiation capacity of stem cells, which might be one of the factors of bone loss due to postnatal hypothyroidism.

Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor with small cell neuroendocrine differentiation: a case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Small cell neuroendocrine differentiation (NE) in malignant mixed Müllerian tumors (MMMTs) is a rare and unusual occurrence with very few previously reported cases. There is no consensus regarding its diagnosis, classification, and optimal treatment options.

CASE

The authors report a patient with endometrial MMMT and NE differentiation who initially received comprehensive surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy containing cisplatin and etoposide. She further underwent metastasectomy and received carboplatin and paclitaxel for the relapse. She is still alive 12 months after the diagnosis. The authors performed a review of literature in order to characterize the clinical phenotype. These patients have a very aggressive disease. Median life expectancy seems to be less than a year.

CONCLUSIONS

It is reasonable to perform comprehensive staging surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy irrespective to stage of the disease.

Mean platelet volume in nasal polyps

BACKGROUND

Many studies in literature point out that inflammation related to nasal polyp is mostly dependent on eosinophils and their inflammatory products. Beside eosinophils, platelets may have a role in nasal polyp development. Platelets are involved in haemostasis, tissue repairing and inflammation. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature that study the association between platelet parameters and nasal polyps.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty-three patients with nasal polyps and forty-nine healthy controls were enrolled in the study, retrospectively. Laboratory data of patients with nasal polyp were obtained at the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of white blood count, haemoglobin, haematocrit and platelet count. The mean platelet volume (MPV) value of the nasal polyp group was significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.025). Mean eosinophil count was significantly elevated in the nasal polyp group compared to the control group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction in MPV may be an indicator for nasal polyp formation. Further studies with a larger study population are needed to detect the possible correlation between eosinophil count and MPV values in patients with nasal polyps.

EFFECTS OF STANDARD AND/OR GLUTAMINE DIPEPTIDE AND/OR OMEGA-3 FATTY ASCID-SUPPLEMENTED PARENTERAL NUTRITION ON NEUTROPHIL FUNCTIONS, INTERLEUKIN-8 LEVEL AND LENGTH OF STAY--A DOUBLE BLIND,CONTROLLED, RANDOMISED STUDY

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Protein calorie malnutrition for cancer patients is related with altered cellular and humoral immunity. Standard TPN and glutamine and lipid emulsion with omega 3 fatty acids were given to colorectal cancer patients and the effects of these to neutrophil functions and IL-8 levels are compared.

METHODS

Consecutive 36 patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed with endoscopic biopsy and with malnutrition determined by subjective global assessment were enrolled to study. The patients are randomly divided into four groups. Standard TPN to control group, TPN with glutamine solution to S-D group, TPN with omega 3 fatty acid solution to S-O group and TPN with omega 3 fatty acids solution and glutamine to S-D-O group were given for seven days after the operation. At the preoperative, postoperative first day and 7th day, neutrophil phagocytosis index, neutrophil adhesivity index and IL-8 levels were determined.

RESULTS

In all groups compared to control group neutrophil phagocytosis index were increased significantly (p<0.05). The most increasing was in group 3. There wasn't significant difference between groups about postoperative first day neutrophil adhesiveness index (p>0.05). At the 7th day the neutrophil adhesivity index for study groups were increased compared with control group, but there was no significant differences between groups. There was no significant difference between groups for IL-8 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of the study, altered cellular immunity in colorectal cancer patients with malnutrition can be corrected with omega 3 fatty acid emulsions and glutamine added to TPN so the ratio of morbidity and mortality can be decreased.

Laparoscopic surgery compared to traditional abdominal surgery in the management of early stage cervical cancer

The purpose of the study was to compare laparoscopic total radical hysterectomy with classic radical hysterectomy regarding parametrial, and vaginal resection, and lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

Laparoscopic or laparotomic total radical hysterectomy with advantages and disadvantages was offered to the patients diagnosed as having operable cervical cancer between 2007 and 2010. Lymph node status, resection of the parametria and vagina, and margin positivity were recorded for both groups. Data were collected prospectively. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS statistical software program.

RESULTS

Totally, 53 cases had classical abdominal radical hysterectomy and 35 laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, respectively. Parametrial involvement was detected in four (11.4%) cases in laparoscopic radical surgery versus nine (16.9%) in laparatomic surgery. All the cases with parametrial involvement had free surgical margins of tumor. Also there were no significant statistical differences in lymph node number and metastasis between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

There is no difference in anatomical considerations between laparoscopic and laparatomic radical surgery in the surgical management of cervical cancer.

The efficiency of hysterosalpingo-contrastsonography (HyCoSy) in the evaluation of tubal patency

Radiological hysterosalpingography (R-HSG) and laparoscopic hydrotubation are widely used for the evaluation of tubal patency in infertile patients. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages that limit their use. In this study, the efficiency of a new method (HyCoSy) in the diagnosis of tubal patency was evaluated by comparing it with the traditional methods (R-HSG and laparoscopic hydrotubation). In a total of 47 infertile patients HyCoSy was performed in the evaluation of tubal patency, between November 1996 and May 1997 at Akdeniz University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. In 18 of 47 patients, the traditional methods were also performed and the results were compared with HyCoSy. In this study laparoscopic hydrotubation was accepted as the 'gold standard'. In 36 fallopian tubes of 18 patients the clinical concordance of HyCoSy and laparoscopic hydrotubation was 86%, R-HSG and laparoscopic hydrotubation was 77%. In this study it was shown that in the evaluation of tubal patency the new method; HyCoSy is statistically comparable with the traditional methods. HyCoSy has the advantage of being easily repeatable compared with R-HSG and this may reduce false-positive results. Furthermore HyCoSy is a welltolerated and easily applicable method compared with R-HSG.

Glaucoma and increased central corneal thickness in aphakic and pseudophakic patients after congenital cataract surgery

AIM

To compare the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) among aphakic and pseudophakic patients following congenital cataract surgery with age matched controls.

METHODS

This study included 43 eyes of 43 aphakic and pseudophakic patients following congenital cataract surgery. 44 healthy, age and sex matched volunteers were recruited for comparison with the patients. After a complete eye examination, corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were measured.

RESULTS

In the study group, 33 eyes were aphakic, and the remaining 10 eyes were pseudophakic. The median CCT was 556.0 microm (range 490-640 microm) in the control group and 626 microm (range 523-870 microm) in the study group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in CCT between aphakic and pseudophakic eyes in which an intraocular lens (IOL) had been implanted at the time of congenital cataract surgery (p = 0.011). The same difference was not observed between aphakic and pseudophakic eyes in which an IOL had been implanted secondarily (p = 0.835). The median age of the patients at the time of lensectomy was 24 months (range 1 week to 120 months). There was a negative correlation between the age at lensectomy and CCT (r = -0.485, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Aphakic and pseudophakic patients have significantly thicker corneas than age matched controls. This difference can have an important effect on interpreting intraocular pressures in these patients. It is also important to assess the effects of early surgery for congenital cataracts, as well as those of primary and secondary IOL implantation, on CCT.

Efficacy of levodopa and carbidopa on visual function in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy

The benefit of levodopa and carbidopa therapy in improving visual function in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic neuropathy (NAION) was evaluated. Twenty-four subjects with NAION were randomly selected to receive either levodopa-carbidopa or a placebo. Visual functions of neither the study nor the placebo groups showed improvement. Side effects of levodopa such as dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, vomiting and cardiac arrhythmia were seen. Levodopa and carbidopa had no therapeutic effect on visual recovery in our patients with NAION.

Wolfram (DIDMOAD) syndrome: a multidisciplinary clinical study in nine Turkish patients and review of the literature

AIM

To study Wolfram syndrome (WFS) with multidisciplinary consultations and compare the results with the literature.

METHODS

Nine patients fulfilled the ascertainment criteria of WFS (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy). All patients were evaluated by the departments of paediatrics, ophthalmology, audiology, urology and medical biology.

RESULTS

The earliest manifestation of WFS was insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (at a median age of 6.9 y), followed by optic atrophy (8.9 y), diabetes insipidus (10.2 y) and deafness (10.5 y). Short stature was found in five cases, delayed puberty in two cases and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism in one case. Audiography disclosed hearing loss at high frequency in all patients (100%), but only five patients had clinical subjective hearing problems. Intravenous pyelography revealed hydroureteronephrosis in eight patients. Urodynamics revealed a normal bladder in only one patient. Three patients had a low-capacity, low-compliance bladder, detrusor external sphincteric dyssynergia and emptying problem, while five had an atonic bladder. Ocular findings were optic atrophy, low visual acuity and colour vision defects. Visual field tests revealed concentric and/or peripheral diminution in five patients. Visual evoked potentials were abnormal (reduced amplitude to both flash and pattern stimulation) in seven patients. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed mild or moderate atrophy of the optic nerves, chiasm, cerebellum, basal ganglia and brainstem in six patients; there was a partially empty sella in one case. There was no evidence of mitochondrial tRNA(Leu) (UUR) A to G (nucleotide 3243) mutation.

CONCLUSION

Wolfram syndrome should be evaluated in a multidisciplinary manner. Some specific and dynamic tests are necessary to make a more precise estimate of the prevalence and median age of the components of WFS. Short stature is a common feature in WFS. Hypogonadism may be hypogonadotropic or hypergonadotropic. Bladder dysfunction does not always present as a large atonic bladder in WFS. A low-capacity, high-pressure bladder with sphincteric dyssynergia is also common.

Pericardial cystic mass with fetal tachycardia

A pericardial cystic mass is a rare congenital anomaly and may be mistaken for other pericardial and pleural masses. A 31-year-old pregnant woman at 38 weeks of gestation presented with fetal pericardial cyst and fetal tachycardia, which were confirmed by transthoracal echocardiography after delivery. Tachycardia did not persist after delivery. The case is being followed up without any clinical problems at the pediatric cardiology clinic.

Case report: bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by cervical spinal osteophytes

Thyroid and cervical surgery, tracheal intubation, trauma and neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases may cause bilateral vocal cord paralysis. There are only a few reported cases of bilateral cord paralysis associated with cervical hyperostosis in the English literature. We report the MR and CT findings of a case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by cervical spinal osteophytes compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerves.

The effect of platinum-based combination chemotherapy on the lymph nodes in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer: does it decrease the incidence of lymph node involvement?

This paper aims to determine the impact of platinum-based combination chemotherapy on the lymph nodes in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma. From 1997 to 2000, the patients in whom we performed lymphadenectomy before (group A) or after chemotherapy (group B) in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine were enrolled in this study. A total of 47 cases were included in the study. Twenty five cases had lymphadenectomy during the initial laparatomy and 22 cases during second-look procedures. Lymph node metastasis was detected in 14 (56%) patients in group A and in 10 (45.4%) cases in group B (P > 0.05). Platinum-based combination chemotherapy does not decrease significantly the incidence of involved lymph nodes in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Impact of different hormone replacement therapy regimens on the size of myoma uteri in postmenopausal period: tibolone versus transdermal hormonal replacement system

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of different hormone replacement therapy regimens on myoma uteri in postmenopausal period.

METHODS

Totally 46 patients with 60 myomas attending to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine between May 2000 and March 2001 because of postmenopausal symptoms and having myoma uteri were included in this study. These patients were randomized for tibolone and transdermal hormonal replacement therapy system. The patients who were taking hormonal replacement therapy, discontinued the treatments and lost for follow-up were excluded from the study. Impact of the treatments on the size of myoma uteri was evaluated 6 months after starting the therapy. Size of myomas were evaluated by transvaginal sonography before and 6 months after onset of the treatment.

RESULTS

Mean age was 57.3 (50-70) and mean gravida 3.6 (1-6) for all the patients. Although, increase in the size of myoma uteri was frequent in transdermal HRT, it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

There are no statistical significant differences between tibolone and transdermal hormonal replacement therapy regimens in respect to increase in the size of myoma uteri.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 in epithelial ovarian tumours: correlation with DNA flow cytometric analysis

AIMS

The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of Ki-67 and Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining and DNA content measured by flow cytometry (FCM) in epithelial ovarian tumours. Further, we compared these variables with histopathologic features and each other.

METHODS

We used immunohistochemical methods on paraffin embedded tissue sections of 67 surgically resected epithelial ovarian neoplasms, diagnosed between 1987-1998, (benign serous n=12, benign mucinous n= 15, borderline mucinous n=3, malignant serous n= 15, malignant mucinous n=8, malignant endometrioid n=10, clear cell n=3 and malignant Brenner n= 1) for the presence of PCNA and Ki-67 reactivity. Samples from malignant and borderline tumours were also examined for DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) by flow cytometry. Five malignant tumours were excluded because there was not sufficient tissue for flow cytometric analysis.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant correlation between DNA ploidy, SPFs derived from FCM analysis, and proliferative activity, determined by PCNA and Ki-67 and the known histopathologic parameters of prognostic significance in ovarian epithelial malignancies.