Kars, Ayhan; Atalay, Fatma; Kocaer, Sinem Burcu; Anbar, Sezai Sacid; Altıparmak, Serkan; Kılıc, Korhan; Topal, Kübra

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate vestibular function and the relationship between vestibular dysfunction, if present, and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients without vestibular symptoms, using the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) test. Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted with 44 RA patients without vestibular symptoms and 26 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent a detailed ENT examination and the cVEMP test. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were recorded on the date of the test, and disease activity score (DAS)28-CRP values were calculated. cVEMP recordings were then compared with ESR, CRP, and DAS28-CRP values. Results: A cVEMP response was observed in 29.6% of the RA group, a unilateral cVEMP loss being determined in 22.7% and bilateral loss in 47.7%. All members of the control group achieved a response. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). When disease activity was compared with cVEMP response status, no statistically significant differences were observed in terms of remission, or of low and moderate activity rates (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that vestibular dysfunction is widespread among RA patients, but no statistically significant relationship was determined between cVEMP findings and DAS28-CRP, ESR, or CRP values reflecting disease activity. These findings suggest that vestibular system involvement in RA may be independent of acute disease activity and more related to chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated processes.

Akarsu, Süleyman; Gürgen, Seren Gülşen; Yeşil Sarsmaz, Hayrunnisa; Yazici, Gülce Naz

Since the beginning of the pandemic, few studies have explored the histopathological and molecular characteristics of placentas from SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women. This study aimed to investigate changes in the expression of angiogenic growth factors in the placentas of SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant women (COVID-19 group) and compare them with placentas from non-infected women (control group). Placentas collected at birth from 20 healthy women (control group) and 20 women who tested positive for COVID-19 were prepared for histopathological analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on placental tissues using antibodies against Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 (VEGFR-1), and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF). Initially, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in placental tissue was evaluated through ACE2 immunohistochemical staining. ACE2 expression was weak in the placental syncytiotrophoblast cells of non-infected women, whereas it was markedly increased in the syncytiotrophoblasts of placentas from women infected with COVID-19. VEGF expression was strong in the endothelial and stromal cells of villi in the control group, but significantly reduced in the villi of infected placentas. VEGFR-1 was strongly expressed in the endothelial membranes of villi in the control group, but expression was notably weaker in infected placentas. PDGF expression was strong in the syncytiotrophoblast and stromal cells of the control group but was significantly weaker in COVID-19-positive placentas. VEGF, VEGFR-1, and PDGF were strongly expressed in the placental villi of the control group, and their marked reduction in COVID-19-positive placentas suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may adversely affect the development and differentiation of the placental villous tree.

Baser, Sumeyye; Celebi, Demet; Latifi, Fatgzim; Comaklı, Selim; Akarsu, Serkan Ali

Objective: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that impairs testicular and reproductive function. Apilarnil is an antioxidant-rich substance derived from drone larvae. In this study, the effects of apilarnil on gentamicin-induced testicular toxicity were investigated. Materials and Methods: The study used 35 rats, with 7 male rats randomly selected from each group. The rats were divided into five groups: control (Group 1), apilarnil (Group 2), gentamicin (Group 3), gentamicin + apilarnil 0.4 g/kg/day (Group 4), and gentamicin + apilarnil 0.8 g/kg/day (Group 5). All administrations were performed for 10 days. LC-HRMS assessment, oxidative stress, reproductive parameter analysis, and histological examinations were all conducted. Bacterial growth was evaluated by microbiological analysis. Results: The research results showed that gentamicin administration reduced total motility, increased the percentage of dead, abnormal, and DNA damaged spermatozoa, and decreased GSH, CAT, GPx, and SOD activity. Apilarnil treatment significantly increased SOD activity. MDA levels were significantly decreased in the apilarnil and low-apilarnil groups compared to the gentamicin group. Testicular histology was normal in both the control and apilarnil groups. Empty tubule lumens, vascular congestion, necrotic spermatids, and hyalinized interstitial tissues were seen in the gentamicin group, while the appearance improved in the high apilarnil group. Gentamicin administration increased 8-OHdG and caspase-3 immunopositivity. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. Citrobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp. grew in the gentamicin group. Apilarnil administration decreased microorganism growth. Conclusion: Apilarnil administration increased sperm quality in gentamicin-induced testicular damage and had a positive impact on testicular histology, bacterial growth, and oxidative stress parameters.

Kazanci, Burcu; Gokharman, Dilek; Aydin, Sonay; Eroğlu, Fatma Çorak; Apaydin, Nihal

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate morphometric measurements relevant for surgery in patients with unilateral nasolacrimal duct occlusion on CT images, comparing the sides with and without occlusion. Methods: Paranasal sinus computed tomography images of 37 patients (28 females, 9 males) who presented with unilateral epiphora and underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy were retrospectively analyzed. Two radiologists with 25 and 10 years of experience performed measurements. The nasolacrimal duct length, transverse diameter of its narrowest part, vertical length of the lacrimal fossa, thickness of the anterior lacrimal crest, its distance to anterior ethmoidal cells, thickness of the intranasal lateral mucosa, frontonasal angle, and distance between the frontozygomatic sutures were measured and compared bilaterally. Results: The narrowest diameter of the nasolacrimal duct on the occluded side was significantly narrower than on the intact side. There were no significant differences between the occluded and patent sides for other measurements or the interclass correlation results between the two radiologists’ evaluations. Conclusion: Stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct on both sides is observed clinically as chronic dacryocystitis in the same patient. Since the bony window for external dacryocystorhinostomy is determined based on the lacrimal fossa’s vertical width, the data from our study are crucial for surgical planning.

Mustafa, Akkus; Zehra, Davarci Pinar; Süleyman, Bas; Hulya, Odluyurt; Miray, Aydogan

OBJECTIVES: Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are markers reflecting the inflammation process that can be easily calculated in the hemogram examination. In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in NLR, PLR and MPV values in patients who attempted suicide by taking drugs. METHODS: In total, 124 patients who were admitted to the emergency department after attempting suicide by taking drugs and who were followed up in the internal medicine department for observation purposes for 24–72 hours were included in the study. The study was retrospective and the data of the patients were recorded by scanning the hospital automation system. The NLR, PLR and MPV of the patients at the time of admission to the emergency department and at the time of discharge were evaluated and compared with each other. RESULTS: The NLR and PLR values of the patients at admission were found to be significantly higher than those values at discharge. In our study, NLR and PLR values were found to be high during the period when patients attempted suicide. CONCLUSION: The high detection of these markers of inflammation suggests that it may be a marker predictive of suicide attempt by taking medication (Tab. 4, Ref. 28). Text in PDF www.elis.sk

Mertoglu, C.; Ozmen, Z.C.; Firat, F.; Arici, A.; Unsal, V.; Erdemir, F.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of the myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) enzyme was investigated in the diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: In total, 40 rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 8, for each group) while left kidney ischemiareperfusion was implemented in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5. Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 underwent 1-hour ischemia and 2-hour reperfusion. Group 3 underwent 1-hour ischemia and 4-hour reperfusion. Group 4 underwent 2-hour ischemia and 2-hour reperfusion. Group 5 underwent 2-hour ischemia and 4-hour reperfusion. RESULTS: Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in all ischemia-reperfusion groups were higher than in the control group (p<0.001). Serum MIOX level was higher in groups 2, 3 and 4 than in group 1 (p=0.002). Tissue MIOX level was lower in groups 2, 4, and 5 than in group 1 (p=0.039). Serum and tissue neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels were not signifi cantly different between the groups. The injury level in histopathologic examination was as follows: group 1<group 3<group 2=group 4<group 5. CONCLUSION: The serum MIOX level increases in the early stages of AKI, however, decreases subsequently. Therefore, the serum MIOX may be a potential promising biomarker in the early diagnosis of AKI (Tab. 5, Fig. 6, Ref. 30). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Turkler, C.; Kulhan, M.; NG, Kulhan; Onat, T.; Yildirim, E.; Kaplan, S.; Suleyman, H.; Dinc, K.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of desflurane on reproductive capacity in female rats through a study of biochemical evaluations. METHOD: After experimental procedure, the blood samples of female rats were collected, and the malondialdehyde, interleukin-1-beta, total glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels were measured to evaluate oxidative stress. In addition to biochemical evaluations, the reproductive performance of the experimental groups was also examined. RESULTS: The results of our study demonstrated that in blood samples of desflurane-treated groups of rats, the parameters indicating oxidative stress and inflammation increased, and antioxidant parameters decreased (p < 0.05). It was also proven that repeated desflurane doses caused infertility in female rats, prolonged the gestation period and reduced the number of offspring. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that recurrent desflurane application can cause infertility problems through oxidative stress in female rats (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 25). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Turkler, C.; Kulhan, N.G.; Ata, N.; Kiremitli, T.; Cimen, F. Keskin; Suleyman, H.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to investigate biochemical and histopathological effects of lutein on the ovarian ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species and cytokines have a very important role in the pathogenesis of I/R injury. Lutein and its derivatives may show an anti-infl ammatory effect in relation to the decrease in infl ammatory cytokines and increase in antioxidant enzymes. METHODS: Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into three groups before surgery as follows: I/R group (IRG; n = 6), 1 mg/kg lutein + I/R group (LIRG; n = 6), and a healthy control group scheduled for a sham operation (SG; n = 6). The condition of ovarian ischemia was created by vascular clips. After two hours, the ovary was reperfused. Then, cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, malondialdehyde and total glutathione levels were examined in ovary tissues of rats. RESULTS: As the results of our study demonstrated, in ovarian tissues of animals after I/R, there was an increase in the levels of malondialdehyde and cyclooxygenase-2, while total glutathione and cyclooxygenase-1 were decreased. At the same time, it has been observed however that these ratios are reversed in the LIRG group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lutein ameliorates the I/R-induced ovarian injury in rats by its antioxidative and anti-infl ammatory activities (Fig. 2, Ref. 39). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Dasiran, F.; Eryilmaz, R.; Isik, A.; Okan, I.; Somay, A.; Sahin, M.

The prominent cells in the late phase of wound healing during proliferation and matrix deposition are fibroblasts. Foreign materials in the operation site like prosthesis prolong the inflammation and induce fibroblast proliferation (8). 3 different prostheses used in this study induced chronic inflammation and fibrosis and provided an effective repair. Dense and thick adhesions due to fibrosis also induced strong adhesions to omentum and small intestine if only polypropylene mesh used for hernia repair. However, there was no difference between SprayGel treated polypropylene mesh and Sepramesh when compared for fibrosis. It also prevents the intraabdominal adhesion formation. It is nontoxic, sticky adherent, non- immigrant and easy to use both in open and laparoscopic surgeries. This experimental study revealed that polyethyleneglycol applied polypropylene mesh accomplishes hernia repair with significantly less adhesion formation than polypropylene mesh alone while securing a remarkable economy than adhesion barrier coated dual meshes.