Search

Background: Several studies provide clear evidence that exposure to various infections during pregnancy are linked with an increased risk for schizophrenia. In preclinical studies, administration of polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) in pregnant rodents can induce maternal immune activation leading to impairments in brain function in the offspring. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vortioxetine, a multimodal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), in the pathophysiology of Poly I:C‐induced schizophrenia‐like model in rats. Methods: For this purpose, Poly I:C (8 mg/kg, ip) was injected into pregnant animals 14 days after mating, and tail blood was taken for determination of IL‐6 levels after 2 h. At postnatal days 83–86, behavioral tests were performed. Results: Our results revealed that Poly I:C caused impairments in prepulse inhibition, novel object recognition, social interaction, and open‐field tests. Chronic administration of vortioxetine (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, ip, postnatal days 69–83) caused significant improvements in these deficits. Conclusion: Overall, our findings indicate that vortioxetine may provide new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of schizophrenia. We think that increased serotonergic activity in frontal brain regions may provide the ameliorative effect of vortioxetine, especially on negative and cognitive symptoms. Therefore, it will be useful to determine the efficacy of vortioxetine with combined drugs with further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress increase the possibility of erectile dysfunction (ED) through a coordinated response to vascular endothelial damage. Aim The study aimed to evaluate the status of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in ED. Methods The analysis was a prospective, cross-sectional, single-center study. The study included non-ED (n = 54) and ED (n = 104) groups. The study analyzed demographics, clinical outputs, oxidative stress (total antioxidant status [TAS], total oxidant status [TOS], oxidative stress index [OSI]), and an inflammatory condition (multi-inflammatory index 1 [MII-1], MII-2). Outcomes Oxidative stress and systemic inflammation were evaluated together in ED, which was evaluated with the help of the International Erectile Function Index (IIEF) scale. Results TAS significantly decreased in the ED group compared with the non-ED group (2.25 ± 0.83 mmol Trolox equivalents/L vs 1.45 ± 0.65 mmol Trolox equivalents/L; P =.001). TOS increased in the ED group (14.1 ± 6.2 μmol H2O2 equivalents/L) compared with non-ED group (11.05 ± 6.8 μmol H2O2 equivalents/L) (P =.002). OSI was as low as 0.74 ± 0.33 in the non-ED group and as high as 2.38 ± 0.85 in the ED group (P =.001). Both MII-1 (273 ± 398 vs 745 ± 1311; P =.012) and MII-2 (4.66 ± 5.02 vs 19.7 ± 29.4; P =.031) increased in the ED group compared with the non-ED group. IIEF was negatively correlated with MII-1 (r = − 0.298; P =.009), MII-2 (r = − 0.341; P =.006), and OSI (r = −0.387; P  < .0001), while TAS had a strong positive correlation with the IIEF (r = 0.549; P =.0001). OSI was correlated with MII-1 (r = 0.304; P =.001) and MII-2 (r = 0.334; P =.001). OSI was the strongest parameter in predicting ED (P =.0001; area under the curve, 0.795; 95% confidence interval, 0.696-0.855). The cutoff was 0.71 at 80.5% sensitivity and 67.2% specificity. Clinical Implications OSI showed diagnostic potential for ED as an oxidative stress indicator, while MII-1 and MII-2 showed the effectiveness. Strengths and Limitations MIIs, a novel indicator of systemic inflammatory condition, were analyzed for the first time in patients with ED. The long-term diagnostic efficacy of these indices was lacking, as all patient data did not include long-term follow-up. Conclusion Considering their low cost and easy applicability compared with OSI, MIIs could be essential parameters in the follow-up for ED for physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the relationship between epilepsy and COX/5‐LOX inflammation pathways in the penicillin and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‐induced epilepsy models. For this purpose, 42 albino male Wistar rats were used in this study. In the penicillin and PTZ‐induced epilepsy models, epileptiform activity was induced by injection of penicillin (500 IU, i.c.) and PTZ (35 mg/kg, i.p., three times a week), respectively. Licofelone (20 mg/kg, i.p.), a dual inhibitor of COX/5‐LOX, and esculetin (20 mg/kg, i.p.), a 5‐LOX inhibitor, were given. In the penicillin‐induced epilepsy model, ECoG activity was recorded for 180 min. In the PTZ‐induced epilepsy model, both ECoG activity was recorded, and behavioral parameters were performed. In the penicillin groups, both licofelone and esculetin decreased the mean spike frequency and amplitude during the experiments. In the PTZ groups, licofelone (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was more effective than esculetin (20 mg/kg, i.p.). Licofelone showed its protective effects both in ECoG activity and in behavioral parameters. Esculetin was less effective when compared to licofelone. The electrophysiological and behavioral data from the present study indicated that inflammation pathways might have a crucial role in controlling epileptiform activity in rats. Licofelone might be a valuable candidate in advanced studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of laparoscopic and open ureterolithotomy in patients with ureteral stones.Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone open or laparoscopic ureterolithotomy between 2001 and 2013 in our clinic were enrolled in the study.Ureterolithotomy was performed due to the following reasons: failure to position the patient for ureteroscopy, unreachable stone with ureteroscopy also use of balloon dilatation, high stone volume, and the need for removal of kidney stones at the same session.. The patients' demographic data, the volume of the stones, the duration of the operation and the hospital stay, the amount of analgesics administered after the operation, and the need for another procedure were compared.Results: Of study subjects 32 patients had undergone open and 20 patients had undergone laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. When the two groups were compared, there was no statistically significant difference with regard to the mean age (44.5-44 years), the body mass index (26-24.7 kg/m²), the stone volume (420-580 mm³), the duration of operation (122-123 min), the need for another procedure and complications. The mean amount of analgesics administered after the operation (3.6 and 1.81 doses, P = .02) and the mean hospital stay (6.1 and 2.9 days, P = .01) were significantly lower in the laparoscopic ureterolithotomy group.Conclusion: Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy is a good alternative with less need for analgesia and a shorter hospital stay when compared with open ureterolithotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]