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Elastic structures are opted in denim fabrics to increase elasticity and recovery properties of fabrics as well as comfort properties. In this study, performance properties of denim fabrics were evaluated comparatively as tensile strength, tearing strength, air permeability, mass change, dimensional stability, seam slippage, fabric growth, and stretchability. 100% cotton, core-spun and dual-core spun yarns (Ne 16/1) used at weft direction of denim fabrics. 100% cotton ring spun yarns (Ne 13.5/1) were used as warp yarns at all produced three denim fabrics. All the test results were measured numerically and evaluated statistically with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was significant difference found among fabrics for the variation of weft yarn structures from the statistical evaluation. The impact of varying washing processes on the stretch and growth (%) of denim fabrics was also revealed. Core-spun yarn containing denim fabric showed more growth and stretch percentage in all forms of washing processes. It was also found that packing density of yarns had a significant effect on air permeability of fabrics.

Worldwide yarn diversity in terms of structure and properties has increased in recent years. Especially composite yarns produced by multiple components have become very preferable in both weaving and knitting sectors. Among these yarns, core and dual core-spun yarn are more prominent in some areas due to their particular performance. In this study, the structure and properties of plain, elastane cored, and elastane + filament cored composite yarns, which were spun by using cotton as sheath fibers, are comparatively investigated. With a constant Ne 16/1 linear density, a carded yarn production line with modified ring-spinning system was used to produce the composite samples using 5.56% elastane ratio for both and 13.79% polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) ratio for dual core. It was observed that the strength of the composite yarns decreased, while the elongation values at the time of breaking tended to increase. There was some deterioration in transition from plain yarn to dual core composite yarn in terms of unevenness and yarn defects, while some improvement was observed in terms of yarn hairiness. In order to dwell on the causes of this situation, the surface and cross-sectional images of the yarns were also studied.

Tıbbi ve aromatik bitkiler, doğadan toplananlar ve yetiştirilenler olmak üzere iki gruba ayrılır. Doğadan toplanan tıbbi ve aromatik bitkiler, orman gibi doğal yerlerde kendiliğinden yetişen bitkilerdir. Akdeniz bölgesinde bulunan bu bitkilerden ikisi Laurus nobilis L. ve Myrtus communis L'dir. Bu çalışma, defne ağaçları ve mersin bitkilerinden elde edilen uçucu yağların oran ve bileşenlerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Türkiye'nin Osmaniye ili florasında yoğun olarak yetişen bu bitkilerden elde edilen yapraklar endüstriyel uygulamalarda büyük damıtma kazanlarında (imbik) su buharı distilasyon yöntemi uygulanarak uçucu yağları elde edilmiştir. İmbik yöntemleriyle elde edilen uçucu yağ oranları defne bitkisinde %0,9-1,4 ve mersin bitkisinde %0,4-0,8 arasında gözlenmiştir. Uçucu yağ bileşenleri incelendiğinde defnenin ana bileşenleri α-pinene (%5,75), sabinen (%8,9), eucalyptol (%44,42) ve α-terpinyl asetat (%17,37) olarak belirlenmiş olup, mersin bitkisinin ana bileşenleri ise, α-pinene (%50,79), limonene (%4,08), eucalyptol (%31,66), α-terpineol (%5,57), α-terpinyl acetate (%2,37) olarak belirlenmiştir.

A new and simple micelles-rich restricted access supramolecular solvent-based liquid phase microextraction method (RASUPRASs-LPME) based on the ion-pair complex formation of phosphate (PO43-) ions with ammonium heptamolybdate and malachite green in acidic medium was developed. The phosphate ion concentration after microextraction of the ion-pair complex to the hexagonal aggregates of decanoic acid (DA) was measured with micro-volume UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 625 nm. All analytical parameters which are effective on the method such as acid type and concentration, supramolecular solvent volume, amount of the components forming the complex, sample volume, were optimized. The preconcentration factor (PF), limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the developed method was found to be 15, 9.6 and 32.1, respectively. The RA-SUPRAs-LPME method was finally applied for the analysis of the phosphate content of different types of water samples.

This paper focuses on estimating the Self-Exciting Threshold Autoregressive (SETAR) type time-series model under right-censored data. As is known, the SETAR model is used when the underlying function of the relation-ship between the time-series itself (Yt), and its p delays (Yt−j)j=1p$$({Y_{t - j}})_{j = 1}^p$$ violates the lin-earity assumption and this function is formed by multiple behaviors that called regime. This paper addresses the right-censored dependent time-series problem which has a serious negative effect on the estimation performance. Right-censored time series cause biased coefficient estimates and unqualified predictions. The main contribution of this paper is solving the censorship problem for the SETAR by three different techniques that are kNN imputation which represents the imputation techniques, Kaplan-Meier weights that is applied based on the weighted least squares, synthetic data transformation which adds the effect of censorship to the modeling process by manipulating dataset. Then, these solutions are combined by the SETAR-type model estimation process. To observe the behavior of the nonlinear estimators in practice, a simulation study and a real data example are carried out. The Covid-19 dataset collected in China is used as real data. Results prove that although the three estimators show satisfying performance, the quality of the estimate SETAR model based on the kNN imputation technique dominates the other two estimators.

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Objective: The aim of this study to evaluate the effects of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) on the healing of transected rat Achilles tendons via the assessment of biomechanical and histological parameters. Methods: The study was conducted on 45 male Sprague–Dawley rats. Five rats were used as donors for ACS preparation. Animals were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. In both groups, the Achilles tendon was cut transversally and then sutured. In the placebo control and ACS-treated groups, saline or ACS, respectively, was injected into the repair zone three times after surgery. Ten rats from each group (ACS group, n = 20; control group, n = 20) were euthanized at days 15 and 30 after surgery for histopathological (n = 5) and biomechanical (n = 5) testing. The histopathological findings were interpreted using the Bonar and Movin scales. Tendon remodelling was evaluated via the immunohistochemical staining of collagen type 3. Biomechanical effects were assessed by tensile testing. Results: The Bonar and Movin scale scores were significantly better in the ACS-treated group on both day 15 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.003, respectively) and day 30 (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively). The immunohistochemical density of collagen type 3 was significantly lower in the ACS-treated group on day 30 (p = 0.018). The type 1/3 collagen ratios of the groups were similar on days 15 and 30, as determined by Sirius Red staining (p = 0.910 and p = 0.133, respectively). In the biomechanical assessment results, the ACS-treated group's maximum load to failure values were significantly higher on day 15 (p = 0.049). Conclusion: Injection of ACS had a positive effect on the histopathological healing of rat Achilles tendons on days 15 and 30 and on biomechanical healing on day 15. ACS treatment contributed to lowering the collagen type 3 density by day 30. According to our study, ACS may be favourable for the treatment of human Achilles tendon injuries and tendinopathies. Keywords: Autologous conditioned serum, Achilles tendon rupture, Rats, Animal model, Growth factors

Bu araştırmanın amacı, bazıdeğişkenlere göre okullardaki örgütsel güven düzeyinin farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığınıtest etmektir. Araştırmanın bağımsız değişkenleri, öğretmenlerin cinsiyetleri, branşları, herhangi bir sendikaya üye olup olmama, okul dışında beraber sosyal etkinlik yapıp, yapmama durumlarıve okulların öğretmen sayılarıdır. Araştırmanın bağımlıdeğişkenleri; okulun örgütsel güvenin alt boyutlarıolan çalışanlara duyarlılık, yöneticiye güven, iletişim ortamıve yeniliğe açıklıktır. İlişkisel tarama yöntemiyle yapılan bu araştırmanın evrenini, Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı’na bağlıresmi ilköğretim okullarında çalışan öğretmenler oluşturmaktadır. Bu öğretmenlerin sayısı378 665’dir Araştırma evrenindeki öğretmenlerin nicel açıdan temsil yeterliliklerini sağlamak amacıyla uzman görüşleri ve örneklem tekniklerine dayalıolarak minimum kişi sayısı1536 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemi ise 1144’ü bayan, 1288’sierkek olmak üzere toplam 2432 öğretmenden oluşmaktadır. Bu araştırmada ilköğretim okullarının örgütsel güven düzeyini belirlemek için “Okulda Örgütsel Güven Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre, örgütsel güvenin çalışanlara duyarlılık, yöneticiye güven, iletişim ortamıve yeniliğe açıklık alt boyutlarıpuan ortalaması; öğretmenlerin cinsiyet. okul dışında beraber sosyal etkinlik yapıp ve yapmama durumları, okuldaki öğretmen sayısıdeğişkenlerine göre anlamlıdüzeyde farklılaşmaktadır. Öğretmenlerin branş, sendikaya üye olup olmama değişkenine göre okulların örgütsel güvenin boyutlarıolan çalışanlara duyarlılık, iletişim ortamı, yöneticiye güven ve yeniliğe açıklık alt boyut puan ortalamalarının anlamlıdüzeyde farklılaşmadığıbulunmuştur

Yüksek oranda bir adventif sürgün rejenerasyonu elde etmek için 6 farklı burçak hattına ait olgunlaşmamış kotiledon ve embriyo eksenleri değişik oranlarda TDZ içeren Murashige ve Skoog MS besin ortamında kültüre alınmıştır. Thidiazuron TDZ konsantrasyonları, hatlar ve kullanılan eksplantların sürgün rejenerasyonuna etkisi geniş bir varyasyon göstermiştir. En yüksek sürgün oluşturan eksplant oranı %90 ve eksplant başına en fazla sürgün sayısı da 22 adet olarak belirlenmiştir. Sekizinci hattan elde edilen adventif sürgünler farklı konsantrasyonlarda 6benzilaminopurin BAP , α–naftalenasetik asit NAA ve Thidiazuron TDZ içeren ortamlarda hızlı çoğaltıma alınmıştır. Burada eksplant başına en yüksek sürgün sayısı 7.33 adet ile 2 mg/l BAP ve 0.2 mg/l NAA içeren MS besin ortamından sağlanmıştır. Gelişen sürgünler daha sonra, 2 mg/l indol-3-bütrik asit IBA içeren MS ortamında köklendirilmiştir

Geothermal energy is classified as a clean and sustainable energy source, like all industrial activities, geothermal energy power plants (GEPP) technology has also some positive and negative effects on the environment. In this paper are presented by attent not only on environmental impacts of GEPP onto Büyük Menderes River and fresh water sources, which ere used for irrigation of agricultural fields from tousands of years in basin, but also on water quality contents like heavy metals and gases emition due to drilling and electricity producing technology of GEPP's. Aydın province is located in the southwestern part of the region and its city center has around 300000 population. The high geothermal potential of this region became from geographical location, which is held on active tectonic Alpine-Himalaya Orogen belt with active volcanoes and young faults. Since 1980's to 2016 there is about 70.97% (662.75 MW) of installed capacity by according to the Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate, there are totally 290 well licensed (540 explore licenses and 76 business licenses), and 31 geothermal powerplants purposely installed. Topic is important because of number of GEPP increased rapidly after 2012 to now a days to 36 in whole basin.

Background: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, laboratory results, imaging findings, and histopathological features of 28 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy from a hepatic lesion and were diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis. Results: Among 28 patients included in the study, 16 were females and 12 were males. The mean age of the studied population was 53 ± 16 years, and the age range was 18–79 years. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain, which was observed in 14 patients. A total of 36 lesions were detected in the patients’ livers, out of which 7 had a cystic appearance. Hepatic vascular involvement, bile duct involvement, and other organ involvement were depicted in 14, 5, and 7 patients, respectively. The average number of cores taken from the lesions was 2.7, ranging between 2 and 5. In histopathological evaluation, PAS+ parasitic membrane structures were visualized on a necrotic background in all cases. Regarding seven patients, who were operated, the pathological findings of preoperative percutaneous biopsies were in perfect agreement with the pathological examinations after surgical resections. None of the patients developed major complications after biopsy. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy is a minimally invasive, reliable, and effective diagnostic tool for the definitive diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Çalışmada Ankara Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Tarla Bitkileri Bölümünden temin edilen 6 farklı burçak hattı kullanılmıştır, Tohumlar MS besiyerinde çimlendirilmiş ve 4-5 gün sonra gelişen bitkilerden kotiledon boğum eksplantları izole edilerek değişik oranlarda Thidiazuron (TDZ) veya 6-benzilaminopurin (BAP) ve a-naftalenasetik asit (NAA) içeren MS besin ortamında kültüre alınmıştır. Eksplant başına en fazla sürgün sayısı 15.7 adet ile 7 numaralı hattan 4 mg/l BAP ve 0.25 mg/l NAA içeren besin ortamından elde edilmiştir. Gelişen bu sürgünler daha sonra değişik oranlarda indol-3-bütrik asit (IBA) içeren MS ortamında köklendirmeye alınmıştır. 7 hafta sonra en yüksek köklenme oranı (%100) ve sürgün başına ortalama kök sayısı (6 adet) 2 mg/1 IBA içeren ortamdan elde edilmiştir.

Breast cancer is rarely seen in man. The incidence of male breast cancer is less than 1% all of the cancer types of man and all types of breast cancer. During the evaluation of male patients with complaining of breast mass, breast cancer must be reminded and the therapy should be planned according to probable malignity. If breast cancer diagnosed predisposing factor must be evaluated. Hereby in this case report, the therapeutic approach of a 58 years old man who has been diagnosed high grade microinvasive in situ ductal carcinoma is presented with the literature data.

Abstract It is a long held doctrine in reproductive biology that women are born with a finite number of oocytes and there is no oogenesis during the postnatal period. However, recent evidence challenges this by showing the presence of germ line stem cells in the human ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), which can serve as a source of germ cells, and differentiate into oocyte like structures. Postnatal renewal of oocytes may have enormous therapeutic potential especially in women facing the risk of premature ovarian failure idiopathically or iatrogenically after exposure to gonadotoxic chemotherapy and radiation for cancer therapy. This article reviews current knowledge on germ line stem cells in human OSE.

Objective: Sleep disorders in intensive care units after a craniotomy can decrease melatonin secretion and increase the inflammatory stress response. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of improving sleep quality via eye patches and earplugs on melatonin secretion and inflammatory mediator release., Methods: The study enrolled 41 patients who underwent craniotomy. Patients were randomized into 2 groups. "Group Intervention" received a sleep-promoting intervention with eye patches and earplugs to provide light and noise isolation, while "Group Control" received standard care. Blood levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 1 and interleukin 6 along with urine levels of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6) were measured preoperatively (baseline) and on postoperative days 1 and 3. Sleep quality was assessed with the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire., Results: Sleep quality was higher in the intervention group (Richards-Campbell score:80.61 ± 11.96 vs. 33.50 ± 16.32; P < 0.001). Urine aMT6 levels increased significantly in the intervention group in spot urine samples from 10.15 (5.38-14.40) ng/mL at baseline to 14.52 (6.24-29.11) and 11.51 (7.88-29.05) ng/mL on postoperative days 1 and 3. They also increased in 24-hour urine samples from 25.73 (8.24-52.73) ng/mL at baseline to 35.38 (11.48-95.65) and 39.18 (2.36-125.23) ng/mL on postoperative days 1 and 3 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). The aMT6 concentration did not change significantly in the control group. The C-reactive protein concentrations increased postoperatively compared with baseline concentrations in both groups (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Melatonin secretion significantly increased as a result of improving postoperative sleep quality by noise and light isolation in neurosurgical intensive care unit patients after craniotomy., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study we aimed to examine the effects on wound healing and nerve regeneration of human and rat amniotic membrane wraps around primary epineural anastomosis areas after a peripheral nerve transection injury in rats. We randomized 25 male adult rats with induced peripheral transection injuries into 5 groups (control, transection injury, primary epineural anastomosis [PEA] after injury, PEA with a human amniotic membrane [hAM] wrap, and PEA with a rat amniotic membrane [rAM] wrap groups and treated their injuries accordingly. We took tissue samples from the anastomosis regions, 12 weeks after the experiment, and analyzed them stereologically and ultrastructurally. We performed a statistical analysis with the recovered stereological counts and the measurement data. Our results showed that the use of amniotic membranes for allografts (between same species) instead of xenografts (between different species), along with microsurgery, provides a suitable microenvironment during the healing process with less immunological reaction on the injured site and supports axonal regeneration., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of etanercept (ETA) on histopathological and biochemical changes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats., Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were distributed into three groups ( n = 12 each). Control group rats were not subjected to trauma. Trauma group rats were subjected to TBI only. ETA group rats were subjected to TBI plus ETA (5 mg/kg intraperitoneal [i.p.]). The groups were further subdivided into those sacrificed in the hyperacute stage (1 h after TBI) (control-1, trauma-1, and ETA-1 groups) and the acute stage (6 h after TBI) (control-6, trauma-6, and ETA-6 groups). Tissue levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, malondialdehyde, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were analyzed. Histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations were also performed., Results: i.p. administration of ETA at 1 and 6 h significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine expression, attenuated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, prevented apoptosis, and increased antioxidant defense mechanism activity in comparison to trauma group. Histopathological and ultrastructural abnormalities were significantly reduced in ETA-treated rats compared to closed head injury trauma groups., Conclusions: ETA significantly improves neural function and prevents post-TBI histopathological damage in rats., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: The aim of our study is to assess the neuroprotective effects of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor etanercept (ETA) on histopathological and biochemical changes following spinal cord injury (SCI)., Patients and Methods: Fifty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into three main groups: The sham, trauma, and ETA group ( n = 18 per group). Each of these groups was further divided into three subgroups ( n = 6 per subgroup) based on the different tissue sampling times postinjury: 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h. Clip compression model was used for SCI. Rats in the ETA group were treated with 5 mg/kg of ETA immediately after the clip was removed. After 1, 6, and 24 h, the spinal cord was totally removed between the levels T8-T10. Sample tissue was immediately harvested and fixed for histopathological and electron microscopic examination and were analyzed for TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), superoxide dismutase (SOD), adenosine deaminase, catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde levels in both the tissue and serum., Results: The serum and tissue levels of cytokines and enzymes were seen to change after SCI between hyperacute, acute, and subacute stages. Treatment with ETA selectively inhibited TNF-α, and IL-1β expression together with increased levels of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT)., Conclusion: Early administration of ETA after SCI may remarkably attenuate neuronal injury by decreasing tissue and serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels, while increasing antioxidative enzymes such as SOD and CAT in subacute and acute stages, respectively., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the surgical outcome and the prognostic importance of clinical and radiological data of patients operated emergently for an extraaxial hematoma causing brain herniation., Material and Methods: This retrospective study comprised 108 adult patients who were operated due to herniated traumatic extraaxial hematomas from January 2000 to January 2013., Results: Of 108 patients, 63 patients (58.3%) were diagnosed as subdural hematoma (SDH), and 45 patients (41.7%) as epidural hematoma (EDH). An unfavorable outcome was significantly increased for patients who were diagnosed as SDH (90.4%) compared with EDH patients (33.3%). Mortality rate for herniated SDH patients was 65.1%, and 26.6% for herniated EDH patients. High mortality and unfavorable outcome ratios were associated with Glasgow Coma Scale scores at admission, mean postoperative intracranial pressure (ICP) values, type of the brain herniation, interval from the time of trauma to the time of hematoma decompression, the duration of the brain herniation, intraoperative acute brain swelling, hematoma volume and thickness, degree of the midline shift and the obliteration of the basal cisterns., Conclusion: Our data showed that, postoperative ICP values were one most important predictor of the mortality. We recommended postoperative ICP monitoring for all patients presenting with the brain herniation due to traumatic extraaxial hematoma.

Introduction: In this study, we tried to determine whether darbepoetin-α would protect the brain from oxidative stress and apoptosis in a rat traumatic brain injury model., Material and Methods: The animals were randomized into four groups; group 1 (sham), group 2 (trauma), group 3 (darbepoetin α), group 4 (methylprednisolone). In the sham group only the skin incision was performed. In all the other groups, a moderate traumatic brain injury modelwas applied., Results: Following trauma both glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase levels decreased (p < 0.001 for both); darbepoetin-α increased the activity of both antioxidant enzymes (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). Trauma caused significant elevation in the nitric oxide synthetase and xanthine oxidase levels (p < 0.001 for both). Administration of darbepoetin-α significantly decreased the levels of nitric oxide synthetase and xanthine oxidase (p < 0.001 for both). Also, trauma caused significant elevation in the nitric oxide levels (p < 0.001); darbepoetin-α administration caused statistically significant reduction in the nitric oxide levels (p < 0.001). On the other hand, malondialdehyde levels were increased following trauma (p < 0.001), and darbepoetin α significantly reduced the malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.001). Due to the elevated apoptotic activity following the injury, caspase-3 activity increased significantly. Darbepoetin-α treatment significantly inhibited apoptosis by lowering the caspase-3 activity (p < 0.001). In the darbepoetin group, histopathological score was lower than the trauma group (p = 0.016)., Conclusions: In this study, darbepoetin-α was shown to be at least as effective as methylprednisolone in protecting brain from oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of inhibiting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in vivo using Anakinra in an experimental model of spinal cord injury (SCI)., Methods: All experimental procedures were performed in the animal laboratory of Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between August 2012 and May 2014. The SCI was induced by applying vascular clips to the dura via a 4-level T5-T8 laminectomy. Fifty-four rats were randomized into the following groups: controls (n = 18), SCI + saline (n = 18), and SCI + Anakinra (n = 18). Spinal cord samples were obtained from animals in both SCI groups at one, 6, and 24 hours after surgery (n = 6 for each time point). Spinal cord tissue and serum were extracted, and the levels of IL-1 beta, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were analyzed. Furthermore, histopathological evaluation of the tissues was performed., Results: The SCI in rats caused severe injury characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration, and cytokine production followed by recruitment of other inflammatory cells, lipid peroxidation, and increased oxidative stress. After SCI, tissue and serum IL-1 beta levels were significantly increased, but were significantly decreased by Anakinra administration. Following trauma, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were decreased; however, Anakinra increased the activity of these antioxidant enzymes. Malondialdehyde levels were increased after trauma, but were unaffected by Anakinra. Histopathological analysis showed that Anakinra effectively protected the spinal cord tissue from injury., Conclusion: Treatment with Anakinra reduces inflammation and other tissue injury events associated with SCI.

Aim: Previous studies demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of testosterone, but no previous study has examined the neuroprotective effects of testosterone on spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether testosterone could protect the spinal cord from ischemia/reperfusion injury., Methods: Rabbits were randomised into four groups of eight animals as follows: group 1 (control), group 2 (ischemia), group 3 (methylprednisolone) and group 4 (testosterone). In the control group only a laparotomy was performed. In all other groups, the spinal cord ischemia model was created by the occlusion of the aorta just caudal to the renal artery. Levels of malondialdehyde and catalase were analysed, as were the activities of caspase-3, myeloperoxidase, and xanthine oxidase. Histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations were performed. Neurological evaluation was performed with the Tarlov scoring system., Results: After ischemia-reperfusion injury, increases were found in caspase-3 activity, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, and xanthine oxidase activity. In contrast, decreases in catalase levels were observed. After the administration of testosterone, decreases were observed in caspase-3 activity, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde levels, and xanthine oxidase activity, whereas catalase levels increased. Furthermore, testosterone treatment showed improved results concerning histopathological scores, ultrastructural score and Tarlov scores., Conclusions: Our results revealed for the first time that testosterone exhibits meaningful neuroprotective activity following ischemia-reperfusion injury of the spinal cord., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Bacitracin is one of the most frequently used agents for the topical irrigation of the cerebral cortex. The aim of this study is to investigate whether bacitracin has histopathological and ultrastructural effects when applied topically to the cerebral cortex., Material and Methods: Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Except the control group, each rat underwent left frontoparietal craniectomy with dural removal. Then, in the sham group a piece of dry absorbable gelatin sponge was placed over the left hemisphere; in the saline group a gelatin sponge soaked in normal saline; and in the bacitracin group a gelatin sponge soaked in 500 units bacitracin was used. After 48 hours, brain tissues were extracted for histopathological and electron microscopic analyses., Results: Among the four groups dark stained neurons were found to be statistically higher in number in the bacitracin group compared with the control, sham and saline groups. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed that, in the bacitracin group, almost all cytoplasmic organelles were poorly preserved., Conclusion: Topical application of the bacitracin on to the cerebral cortex caused histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the neural tissue. These changes may be an evidence for the neurotoxic effects of bacitracin.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of Anakinra, an IL-1ß antagonist with anti-inflammatory effects, in an experimental model of traumatic brain injury (TBI)., Methods: Fifty-four rats underwent TBI after a weighted object was dropped onto a metal disc secured to their skulls. Animals were randomized into 3 main groups: control (n=18), TBI + saline (n=18; six animals per time-point) with samples obtained at the first, sixth and twenty-fourth h postoperatively, and TBI + Anakinra (n=18; six animals per time-point) with brain samples obtained at the first, sixth and twenty-fourth h postoperatively. Brain tissue and blood serum were extracted for the analysis of IL-1ß, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels. Tissue sections were evaluated histopathologically under a light microscope., Results: After trauma, tissue and serum IL-1ß levels were significantly elevated and after Anakinra administration, these levels substantially decreased. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity decreased following TBI and Anakinra administration proved effective in increasing the activity of these antioxidant enzymes. Histopathological analysis confirmed that Anakinra might protect the brain tissue and nerve cells from injury., Conclusion: Results demonstrate that Anakinra reduces the development of inflammation and tissue injury events associated with TBI.

Objectives: The roles of gabapentin and pregabalin are well established in the management of chronic neuropathic pain. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of pregabalin and gabapentin for treating acute neuropathic pain following lumbar discectomy., Methods: This prospective, non-randomized, and observational study included 54 patients who experienced acute neuropathic pain after lumbar discectomy. The assessments included the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs scale (LANSS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the visual analog scale (VAS) pre-operatively and at 3 days, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. The LANSS scores ≧12 suggest the presence of neuropathic pain. Those patients who reported neuropathic pain were randomly treated with gabapentin or pregabalin., Results: In the gabapentin group, the LANSS scores increased to 14 at 3 days after surgery. The patients improved neurologically and on the LANSS, which decreased to 10 points 6 months after surgery and to 4 points at 1 year (P < 0.001). In the pregabalin group, the LANSS scores increased from 12 to 16 points on post-operative day 3 and then decreased to 12 and 5 at the 6-month and 1-year follow-ups, respectively (both P < 0.001). The ODI and VAS scores significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.001)., Discussion: Many patients may suffer from neuropathic pain in the early post-surgical period after lumbar discectomy. Gabapentin and pregabalin are anticonvulsant agents that may decrease perioperative central sensitization and early post-surgical neuropathic pain. Gabapentin and pregabalin effectively relieved neuropathic pain and prevented the conversion of acute pain to chronic pain at the 1-year follow-up after lumbar discectomy.

Background: Darbepoetin alpha is a hypersialylated analogue of erythropoietin effective for activating erythropoietin-receptors. This study investigated the vasodilator and neuroprotective effects of darbepoetin alpha on an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model and compared it with erythropoietin., Methods: Forty adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of ten rabbits each: group 1 (control), group 2 (subarachnoid hemorrhage), group 3 (erythropoietin), and group 4 (darbepoetin alpha). Recombinant human erythropoietin was administered at a dose of 1,000 U/kg intraperitoneally after the induction of subarachnoid hemorrhage and continued every 8 h up to 72 h. Darbepoetin alpha was administered at a single intraperitoneal dose of 30 μg/kg. Animals were killed 72 h after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Basilar artery cross-sectional areas, arterial wall thicknesses, hippocampal degeneration scores and biochemical analyses were measured in all groups., Results: Both erythropoietin and darbepoetin alpha treatments were found to attenuate cerebral vasospasm and provide neuroprotection after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits. Darbepoetin alpha revealed better morphometric and histopathological results than erythropoietin among experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm., Conclusions: Our findings, for the first time, showed that darbepoetin alpha can prevent vasospasm and provides neuroprotection following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. Moreover, darbepoetin alpha showed better results when compared with erythropoietin.

Objective: We present the extremely rare case of sacral osteomyelitis due to an anterior sacral meningocele (ASM) with fistula to the skin. We also discuss the case's clinical significance and the importance of imaging in diagnosis., Methods: A 28-year-old female patient was referred to our clinic due to back and hip pain, erythema, and purulent discharge from the right gluteal region. Neurological examination was normal except for pain in the gluteal region. Physical examination revealed a porus lateral to the right gluteal region. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)showed osteomyelitis and a minimal occult sacral meningocele in the anterior sacral region. Contrast-enhanced radiographic imaging clearly showed the fistula tract. The patient underwent surgery via the posterior approach; debridement of the sacral osteomyelitis was performed and the fistula tract toward the skin was closed., Results: She was pain free after surgery. There were no postoperative complications., Conclusion: Although vertebral osteomyelitis due to ASMs is extremely rare, the risk of infection increases in cases of a fistula to the skin. When investigating the etiology of treatment-resistant infections, especially of the skin, sacral osteomyelitis and an underlying anomaly must be kept in mind., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Epidermoid cysts are rare benign tumors that constitute 0.3% to 1.8% of all intracranial tumors. They are inclusion tumors that include epidermoid elements and are most commonly located in the cerebellopontine angle cistern and the parasellar region, and their location in the diploic space is very rare. These lesions slowly grow and usually do not involve the intracranial compartment. In this article, a case of giant epidermoid cyst located in the left frontal intradiploic space is presented with clinical, radiologic features and surgical treatment.

Solitary plasmacytoma comprises 2%-10% of all plasma cell diseases. Cranial localization of plasmacytoma is quite rare. They may emerge after years without systemic involvement and symptoms. They may be confused with other tumors as they are not remembered primarily in radiological diagnosis. The definite diagnosis is made upon histopathological examination. Surgical resection followed by radiotherapy is the first choice of therapy. Chemotherapy may be administered for secretory tumors. In this paper, we discussed a patient who underwent surgery with the prediagnosis of meningioma and histopathologically diagnosed with plasmacytoma.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the surgical outcome and prognostic importance of clinical and radiological data from children operated on under emergency conditions due to an extra-axial hematoma causing brain herniation., Methods: This retrospective study included 25 children operated on due to herniated traumatic extra-axial hematomas from January 2000 to December 2010., Results: Of those 25 children, 17 (68%) were diagnosed with subdural hematoma (SDH), 7 (28%) with epidural hematoma (EDH) and only 1 patient (4%) suffered from both SDH and EDH. Overall mortality from a herniated extra-axial hematoma was 44%. The mortality rate for herniated SDH patients was 52.9%, and only 1 patient died from a herniated EDH (14.2%). Low Glasgow coma scale scores at admission, high postoperative intracranial pressure (ICP) values, longer intervals from trauma to surgery, longer durations of brain herniation, the presence of intraoperative brain swelling, larger and thicker hematomas and more displacement of the midline structures and obliteration of the basal cisterns were all correlated with mortality and an unfavorable outcome., Conclusions: Brain herniation is a serious consequence of traumatic extra-axial hematomas in children, and approximately one third of these patients have the potential for a favorable outcome. We recommend postoperative ICP monitoring to predict outcome and early decompressive surgery when possible for promising results., (© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: The agent, 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (MESNA), is a synthetic small molecule, widely used as a systemic protective agent against chemotherapy toxicity, but is primarily used to reduce hemorrhagic cystitis induced by cyclophosphamide. Because MESNA has potential antioxidant and cytoprotective effects, so we hypothesized that MESNA may protect the brain against traumatic injury., Method: Thirty-two rats were randomized into four groups of eight animals each; Group 1 (sham), Group 2 (trauma), Group 3 (150 mg/kg MESNA), Group 4 (30 mg/kg methylprednisolone). Only skin incision was performed in the sham group. In all the other groups, the traumatic brain injury model was created by an object weighing 450 g falling freely from a height of 70 cm through a copper tube on to the metal disc over the skull. The drugs were administered immediately after the injury. The animals were killed 24 h later. Brain tissues were extracted for analysis, where levels of tissue malondialdehyde, caspase-3, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthetase and xanthine oxidase were analyzed. Also, histopathological evaluation of the tissues was performed., Results: After head trauma, tissue malondialdehyde levels increased; these levels were significantly decreased by MESNA administration. Caspase-3 levels were increased after trauma, but no effect of MESNA was determined in caspase-3 activity. Following trauma, both glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were decreased; MESNA increased the activity of both these antioxidant enzymes. Also, after trauma, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthetase and xanthine oxidase levels were increased; administration of MESNA significantly decreased the levels of nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthetase and xanthine oxidase, promising an antioxidant activity. Histopathological analysis showed that MESNA protected the brain tissues well from injury., Conclusions: Although further studies considering different dose regimens and time intervals are required, MESNA was shown to be at least as effective as methylprednisolone in the traumatic brain injury model.

Background: This study investigated the effects of thiocolchicoside to prevent cerebral vasospasm in a rabbit model of subarachnoid hemorrhage., Methods: Twenty-four adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of eight rabbits each: group 1 (control), group 2 (subarachnoid hemorrhage), group 3 (treatment). Thiocolchicoside (4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered just before intracisternal blood injection and continued for 72 h once a day in the same dose for group 3. Animals were killed 72 h after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Basilar artery cross-sectional areas and arterial wall thicknesses were measured in all groups., Results: Intraperitoneal administration of thiocolchicoside was found to attenuate cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits. Thiocolchicoside treatment was determined to be effective in increasing the luminal area and reducing the wall thickness of the basilar artery., Conclusions: Our findings, for the first time, showed that TCC can prevent vasospasm induced by SAH. Our results also showed that GABAergic activity may play an important role in cerebral vasospasm etiopathogenesis. In conclusion, the thiocolchicoside treatment might be beneficial in preventing vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, thus showing potential for clinical application.

Background: Darbepoetin-alpha (DA) is a novel erythropoiesis-stimulating agent developed for treating anemia. In animal models, recombinant human erythropoietin has been reported to be beneficial for neuroprotection. In this study, we determined whether DA would protect the spinal cord against ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rabbit model., Methods: Forty rabbits were randomized into five groups of eight animals each: group 1 (sham), group 2 (ischemia), group 3 (vehicle), group 4 (30 mg/kg methylprednisolone), group 5 (30 μg/kg DA). Only laparotomy was performed in the sham group. In all the other groups, the spinal cord ischemia model was created by a 20-min occlusion of the aorta just caudal to renal artery with an aneurysm clip. The drugs were administered immediately after the clamp was removed. The animals were killed 24 h later. Spinal cord segments between L2 and L5 were harvested for analysis. Neurological evaluation was performed with the Tarlov scoring system just before the animals were killed. Level of tissue malondialdehyde was analyzed as a marker of lipid peroxidation and tissue caspase-3 activity as a marker of apoptosis. Also, histopathological evaluation of the tissues was performed., Results: Both malondialdehyde and caspase-3 levels were significantly decreased by DA administration. Histopathological evaluation of the tissues also demonstrated decrease in neuronal degeneration and infiltration parameters after DA administration. In the DA group, neurological outcome scores were statistically significantly better compared with the ischemia and the vehicle groups., Conclusions: Although further studies considering different dose regimens and time intervals are required, DA was shown to be at least as effective as methylprednisolone in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion model.

Transorbital intracranial injuries due to a wooden foreign body traversing superior orbital fissure is an extremely rare condition. A 9-year-old boy was struck by a tree branch in the left eye while playing in the garden two months ago. On physical examination, the patient had only a hypertrophic scar on his medial side of left upper eyelid at the admission. A history of recurrent cutaneous fistula from the puncture site due to a retained foreign body was suspected, and the patient was hospitalized to evaluate and remove the object to prevent severe infection. Afterwards, the child was operated successfully via the left transcranial route to detect and remove the foreign body. The authors described an unusual case of wooden foreign body that traversed the superior orbital fissure yet caused no deficit and was associated with no fracture. Even if symptoms are absent, removal of a wooden foreign body should be immediately performed to prevent sight-threatening and life-threatening complications.

Both chronic subdural hematoma and arachnoid cysts are common lesions in neurosurgical practice. Arachnoid cysts are a well-known predisposing factor for chronic subdural hematoma. Here, we present a 12-year-old taekwondo athlete with chronic subdural hematoma associated with arachnoid cysts. The chronic subdural hematoma was evacuated through 2 burr holes and the patient was discharged in good condition. To our knowledge, this is the first case of chronic subdural hematoma with associated arachnoid cysts in a taekwondo athlete. We also review the literature on sports-related chronic subdural hematomas associated with arachnoid cysts in children., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Although the precise mechanism by which ischemia/reperfusion injury occurs in the spinal cord remains unclear, it is evident that free oxygen radicals and apoptosis play major roles in the destruction of membrane lipids, damage to DNA and cell death. The apoptotic process involves activation of the caspase-3 cascade. Although it is widely used as a protective agent against cell injury, it is unknown whether mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) ameliorates neuronal ischemic injury. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mesna on caspase-3 activity in a rabbit model. Adult rabbits underwent spinal cord ischemic injury via occlusion of the abdominal aorta for 20 min. Twenty-four hours after ischemia, spinal cord samples were obtained and tissue caspase-3 activity was measured. Rabbits that had been given a single dose of 150 mg/kg mesna had decreased caspase-3 activity in the spinal cord following ischemia/reperfusion injury, indicating a protective effect. However, caspase-3 activity was lower in rabbits given methylprednisolone than in those given mesna, indicating that methylprednisolone has the stronger protective effect of the two agents., ((c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chiari Type I malformations can present with several clinical signs and symptoms. We describe a 44-year-old female patient presenting with bilateral hearing loss with hydrocephalus coexisting with Chiari Type I malformation and a unilateral arachnoid cyst. Thus, sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by hydrocephalus with Chiari Type I malformation. The placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt without a posterior fossa decompression is an effective treatment.

A 68-year-old woman presented with a 2 month history of progressive headache, left extremity weakness, and cognitive difficulties. Neuroimaging results demonstrated a macrocystic tumour attached to ethmoid sinuses and disclosed atypical findings. The tumour was totally removed. All the symptoms and signs ameliorated after surgery. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations led to a diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumour. A solitary fibrous tumour could be seen in various intracranial areas but ethmoid sinuses and anterior fossa are not an exceptional site. They appear as extra-axial tumours with a characteristic pattern on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but the cystic component is very unusual. Intracranial location and MRI features of this rare entity are presented and discussed along with various dura based tumours.

Background: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are uncommon lesions of the temporal bone and their occurrence in the calvarium is rare., Case Description: A case of a right temporal ABC is reported in a 14-year-old boy who presented swelling of the right temporal region. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a destructive and expansile bone lesion on the right anterior temporal and orbital bone. The lesion was removed in total by the right temporal craniotomy and orbitozygomatic osteotomy. ABC was diagnosed in the pathologic examination. The patient had good recovery during the postoperative course., Conclusions: This report presents the diagnosis and imaging of an ABC in the temporal bone. This localization is very rare for ABC. Total excision, if feasible, is the ideal treatment.