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Biomedical subjects

C Can

Publications and source records attributed to C Can.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effect of smoking on semen parameters of men attending an infertility clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of smoking on total sperm count, progressive sperm motility and sperm morphology among couples attending an infertility clinic. METHODS: A total of 223 sperm samples (126 smokers and 97 nonsmokers) from men attending an infertility clinic for routine infertility workup were compared on the basis of standard semen analysis. RESULTS: Cigarette smoking is negatively correlated with progressive motile sperm count (r = -0.1464, p = 0.042), but not with sperm concentration (p = 0.961), total motile sperm count (p = 0.890) and sperm morphology (p = 0.838). Furthermore, packages/ year (cumulative dose of cigarettes) did not correlate with any of the sperm parameters including sperm density (p = 0.976), total (p = 0.559) and progressive (p = 0.406) motile sperm count and sperm morphology (p = 0.449). CONCLUSIONS: Although the effect of smoking on male infertility remains inconclusive, smoking had an adverse effect on the progressive sperm motility, irrespective of total amount of cigarettes smoked per day.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

F-18 FDG PET in detecting renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of F-18 FDG imaging with a dual head coincidence mode gamma camera (Co-PET) in the detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with renal masses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An F-18 FDG Co-PET study was performed in 19 patients (7 F, 12 M; mean age 58.15 +/- 2.5 years, age range 45-79 years) with suspected primary renal tumors based on conventional imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) before nephrectomy or surgical resection of the mass. RESULTS: Histologically documented RCC was present in 15 patients. Of the 19 patients with suspected primary renal tumors, F-18 FDG Co-PET was true-positive in 13, false-negative in 2, true-negative in 3, and false-positive in I patient. Two angiomyolipomas and one renal mass due to infarction and hemorrhage showed a true-negative Co-PET result. The patient with false-positive FDG Co-PET study was diagnosed as xantogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG Co-PET for RCC were 86% (13/15), 75% (3/4), and 84% (16/19), respectively. Positive predictive value for RCC was 92% and negative predictive value 60%. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that F-18 FDG Co-PET may have a role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with RCC and primary staging of disease. Positive F-18 FDG study may be predictive of the presence of RCC. However, a negative study does not exclude the RCC.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Endotoxin-induced vascular hyporesponsiveness in rat aorta: in vitro effect of aminoguanidine.

The current study was designed to evaluate the endotoxin-induced alterations of the mechanisms involved in Ca(2+)handling within the rat thoracic aorta and further to examine whether in vitro inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by aminoguanidine would account for this effect or not. Endothelium denuded aortic rings from rats injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg kg(-1), i.p. 18 h prior to functional studies) or saline were mounted in isolated organ baths. Various experimental conditions were studied on paired rings of the same animal which were incubated in the presence or absence of aminoguanidine (100 microM). Phenylephrine contractility in Ca(2+)-containing buffer or in Ca(2+)-free buffer, contractions induced by K(+)depolarization and CaCl(2)in depolarized muscle and by caffeine exposure were significantly decreased in LPS-treated rings and were reversed by aminoguanidine exposure. Aminoguanidine also improved the contractions recorded while switching the Ca(2+)-free buffer to Ca(2+)-containing buffer. We conclude that endotoxin induces a generalized contractile defect in vascular smooth muscle including impairment in the influx of extracellular Ca(2+)and release of Ca(2+)from intracellular stores. An increase in iNOS activation leading to excessive nitric oxide synthesis, possibly non-endothelial in origin, may account for this defect.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Protective effect of oral L-arginine administration on gentamicin-induced renal failure in rats.

We investigated the effects of orally supplemented L-arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide (NO) and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide-synthase inhibitor in gentamicin-induced renal failure. Rats were given gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day s.c.), gentamicin and L-arginine (2 g/l, drinking water), gentamicin and L-NAME (100 mg/l, drinking water) or gentamicin plus L-arginine and L-NAME. After 8 days, the gentamicin group developed marked renal failure, characterized by a significantly decreased creatinine clearance and increased blood creatinine, fractional excretion of sodium, fractional excretion of lithium, urine gamma glutamyl transferase, systolic blood pressure and daily urine volume when compared to controls. Renal histological analysis confirmed tubular necrosis. L-arginine administration caused normalization of these parameters, whereas L-NAME led to aggravation of the failure. Concomitant administration of L-NAME and L-arginine to gentamicin-treated rats caused no significant changes when compared to the rats receiving gentamicin alone. We conclude that L-arginine supplementation has beneficial effects in gentamicin-induced renal failure in rats and that these effects are reversed by the NO-synthase inhibitor, L-NAME.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica) resistance genes in Arabidopsis vary in functional requirements for NDR1, EDS1, NPR1 and salicylic acid accumulation.

To better understand the genetic requirements for R gene-dependent defense activation in Arabidopsis, we tested the effect of several defense response mutants on resistance specified by eight RPP genes (for resistance to Peronospora parasitica) expressed in the Col-0 background. In most cases, resistance was not suppressed by a mutation in the SAR regulatory gene NPR1 or by expression of the NahG transgene. Thus, salicylic acid accumulation and NPR1 function are not necessary for resistance mediated by these RPP genes. In addition, resistance conferred by two of these genes, RPP7 and RPP8, was not significantly suppressed by mutations in either EDS1 or NDR1. RPP7 resistance was also not compromised by mutations in EIN2, JAR1 or COI1 which affect ethylene or jasmonic acid signaling. Double mutants were therefore tested. RPP7 and RPP8 were weakly suppressed in an eds1-2/ndr1-1 background, suggesting that these RPP genes operate additively through EDS1, NDR1 and as-yet-undefined signaling components. RPP7 was not compromised in coi1/npr1 or coi1/NahG backgrounds. These observations suggest that RPP7 initiates resistance through a novel signaling pathway that functions independently of salicylic acid accumulation or jasmonic acid response components.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2000

Prevention of intimal hyperplasia by single-dose pre-insertion external radiation in canine-vein interposition grafts.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the efficacy of single-dose pre-insertion gamma radiation of vein grafts in the prevention of intimal hyperplasia. METHODS: femoral artery interposition grafts with internal jugular vein were inserted in 12 mongrel dogs. The animals were randomly divided into two groups. Immediately before graft replacement, jugular veins were treated with a single dose of cobalt-60 radiation at 14 Gy or received no radiation (control group). Six weeks after graft insertion, the vein grafts were pressure-perfusion fixed and harvested for the histomorphometric analysis. Quantitative data on anastomotic stenosis were calculated from Gilman parameters after cross-sectional image analysis. RESULTS: vein grafts treated with radiation demonstrated significantly decreased neointima formation compared with grafts in the control group. The mean Gilman parameter for the control group was 1.09 S.E.M. 0.34 mm and for the radiotherapy group was 0.65 S.E. M. 0.23 mm (p<0.05). All vein grafts in the radiotherapy group had a decreased amount of intimal and cellular infiltration. CONCLUSION: single-dose external pre-insertion gamma radiation of vein grafts reduced the amount of intimal hyperplasia in this animal model.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Multiple oligodendroglioma: case report.

An 18-year-old female patient was hospitalized with headache and disturbance of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor in the left parieto-occipital lobe. The tumor was totally removed, and postoperative radiation therapy was administered locally at 50 Gy. Ten months later, she experienced sudden onset of unconsciousness and headache. Computed tomography (CT) and MRI demonstrated multiple mass lesions in the whole brain. Following the systemic chemotherapy, removal of the largest tumor was performed. Histological examination proved all excised tumors to be oligodendroglioma without evidence of malignant change.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Fulminant hepatic failure as the initial manifestation of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

A 20-year-old male, with no history of chronic liver disease, presented with fulminant hepatic failure. The cause was not established until post mortem when it was found that he had a primary hepatocellular carcinoma in a non-cirrhotic liver. To our knowledge, this is the third report of hepatocellular carcinoma presenting in this manner. Although rare, primary malignancies of the liver should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fulminant hepatic failure, especially when other more common causes are excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of the effects of various anticancer agents on intestinal anastomosis after intraperitoneal administration.

In this study, the effects of intraperitoneal 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatinum (Cis), adriamycin (Adr), and methotrexate (MTX) administration on rat intestinal anastomosis were compared. Cis and MTX led to significant weight loss in the first 5 days compared with the control group. Within 14 days all rats except the MTX group nearly reached their preoperative weight. No remarkable weight loss or systemic toxicity was observed among the 5-FU and Adr groups. The anastomosis bursting pressure (ABP) at 1 week was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.005, respectively). On day 14 the anastomosis bursting pressure in the Cis group was similar to that of the control group but was significantly lower in the MTX group (P < 0.002). Histopathologically, MTX avoided the development of a mucosal layer at the anastomosis site and led to ulcer formation in some of the rats. The ABPs at 7 and 14 days were similar to those in the control group. Neither of the agents had any significant mechanical or histopathologic adverse effects on anastomosis. According to the results of our study, MTX impaired the healing of the anastomosis, and we thus conclude that the intraperitoneal administration of this agent is not safe. On the other hand, Cis showed a detrimental effect on the anastomosis, particularly in the early phase, but this effect disappeared in the late phase. Cis thus should not be administered in the early postoperative phase. As a result, 5-FU and Adr were found to be the safest agents as they did not delay wound healing and did not reduce the anastomotic strength.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

The use of polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) grafts in reconstruction of the urinary bladder.

The safety and histopathologic effects of polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) grafts in reconstruction of the urinary bladder were examined. Following partial excision of the bladder Gore-Tex was placed, and the rats were sacrificed at days 7, 14 and 30. Gore-Tex did not cause urine infection, and there was no peritonitis or sepsis in any of the rats. Inflammation around the Gore-Tex diminished after four weeks. Some mononuclear cells and exudate were observed on the inner surface of the Gore-Tex. There was no inflammation or fibrosis in the mucosa and muscular layers of the remaining bladder. In this study the Gore-Tex graft was found to be an infection resistant, urine impermeable material, with no adverse effects on the urinary bladder. Gore-Tex is suggested as a safe material for the reconstruction of the urinary bladder.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The tanycytic ependymoma of the lateral ventricle: case report.

The tanycytic ependymoma is an extremely rare, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, arising from the ependymoglial cells or tanycytes. Such cells are generally seen in the primitive nervous system instead of the mature ependymal cells. The tanycytic ependymoma described in this report was found in a 42-year-old man. Histological analysis strongly suggested that this tumor originated from a primitive progenitor cell, the ependymoglia or the tanycyte in the lateral ventricle.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Genetic and physical mapping of the RPP13 locus, in Arabidopsis, responsible for specific recognition of several Peronospora parasitica (downy mildew) isolates.

Fifteen isolates of the biotrophic oomycete Peronospora parasitica (downy mildew) were obtained from a population of Arabidopsis thaliana plants that established naturally in a garden the previous year. They exhibited phenotypic variation in a set of 12 Arabidopsis accessions that suggested that the parasite population consisted of at least six pathotypes. One isolate, Maks9, elicited an interaction phenotype of flecking necrosis and no sporulation (FN) in the Arabidopsis accession Nd-1, and more extensive pitting necrosis with no sporulation (PN) in the accession Ws-2. RPP13 was designated as the locus for a single dominant resistance gene associated with the resistance in Nd-1 and mapped to an interval of approximately 60 kb on a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contig on the lower arm of chromosome 3. This locus is approximately 6 cM telomeric to RPP1, which was previously described as the locus for the PN interaction with five Peronospora isolates, including resistance to Maks9 in Ws-2. New Peronospora isolates were obtained from four other geographically distinct populations of P. parasitica. Four isolates were characterized that elicited an FN phenotype in Nd-1 and mapped resistance to the RPP13 locus. This suggests that the RPP13 locus contains either a single gene capable of multiple isolate recognition or a group of tightly linked genes. Further analysis suggests that the RPP11 gene in the accession Rld-0 may be allelic to RPP13 but results in a different recognition capability.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Extrusion and granuloma formation with mersilene mesh brow suspension.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A variety of biologic or synthetic materials have been used in brow suspension ptosis surgery. We describe extrusion and granuloma formation in 5 cases of congenital ptosis operated with Mersilene mesh sling. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case reports with review of literature. RESULTS: Two cases of extrusion and 3 cases of granuloma formation were encountered in 79 eye lids of 52 (6.3%) patients performed for the treatment of congenital ptosis. Mersilene mesh fibers in the cut surface and a foreign body reaction were found by microscopic evaluation of tissue harvested at the time of surgical removal of the sling. CONCLUSION: Despite the operative precautions, the probability of extrusion and granuloma formation should be in mind in cases of congenital ptosis operated with Mersilene mesh sling, a synthetic material.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of MK-886, a leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor, in a rabbit model of endotoxic shock.

Leukotrienes are one of the biological mediators that play a role in endotoxic shock. In this study, we investigated the effects of a leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor, MK-886, in a rabbit model of endotoxic shock. Lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli serotype 055:B5) infusion (1 mg kg(-1) h(-1)) to rabbits caused a biphasic decline in arterial blood pressure and decreased the vasoresponsiveness to phenylephrine, potassium chloride, sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine in abdominal aortic rings. Oral administration of MK-886 (3-(1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-t-butyl-thio-5-isopropylindol-2-yl(-2,2-+ ++dimethylpropanoic acid) (5 mg/kg) 3 h prior to lipopolysaccharide infusion significantly inhibited the decline in arterial blood pressure and enhanced the responsiveness to phenylephrine and acetylcholine, whereas the changes in sodium nitroprusside and potassium chloride responses were not significant. However, the pD2 (-log EC50) values for sodium nitroprusside in this group were higher than those of the group that received lipopolysaccharide alone. Neither the administration of the vehicle alone to endotoxemic rabbits, nor MK-886 administration to control animals, caused significant changes. These data suggest that MK-886 attenuates the hypotension and partially reverses the impaired vascular responsiveness observed in endotoxic shock.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1998

Effect of vitamin E on vascular responses of thoracic aorta in rat experimental arthritis.

1. Vascular contractile and relaxant responses were evaluated in isolated aortic rings of adjuvant-induced arthritic rats in comparison with control rats, and the effect of an antioxidant treatment on the development of the arthritis was investigated by vitamin E administration (100 mg/kg/day, i.m., for 26 days). 2. Arthritis was induced by an intradermal injection of Freund's complete adjuvant into rat paw. Vascular responses, arthritic lesions and serum copper levels were evaluated after 26 days from adjuvant inoculation. 3. Serum copper levels were significantly lower in arthritic rats than in the control. 4. The contractile response of aortic rings to phenylephrine (PE), but not to KCl, was increased in preparations from arthritic rats, which could be explained by an enhancement of intracellular calcium contents. 5. Acetylcholine (Ach)-mediated endothelium-dependent and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-mediated endothelium-independent relaxations were not changed significantly in vascular preparations from arthritic rats. 6. In arthritic rats, vitamin E treatment improved arthritic lesions with an increase in copper levels. Despite this ameliorating effect, vitamin E treatment caused an increase in contractile response to PE and a decrease in the relaxant response to Ach and SNP in arthritic rats. 7. These data show that vitamin E provides ameliorating effects in improving systemic signs of experimental arthritis, but it fails to restore abnormalities in vascular function, indicating that adjuvant-induced alterations in vascular function may include mechanisms other than oxygen-free radical formation.

Analysis of Variance↗