We aimed to investigate the effect of regular supervised exercise program on functional status, disease activity, and total antioxidant status (TAS) level in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Thirty-two patients (mean age: 44 years) with AS were included in the study and divided into two groups. Group 1, the exercise group (n = 16), attended a supervised exercise program that consisted of aerobic, strengthening, and stretching exercises for 1 h a day, five times a week for 3 weeks. Group 2, the control group, received a home exercise program (n:16). Bath AS Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) were calculated and serum TAS levels were measured for each patient at 0 and 3 weeks. There was no significant difference in patients' baseline characteristics (age, disease duration, BASFI, and BASDAI scores) between exercise and control groups. In the exercise group, there were significant improvements between pre-exercise and post-exercise assessments in BASFI (2.8 +/- 1,8; 1.7 +/- 1,40, p = 0.004) and BASDAI scores (2.1 +/- 1.7; 1.2 +/- 1.3, p = 0.01). Mean TAS levels were significantly decreased after supervised exercise program (1.48 +/- 0.16 mmol/L; 1.36 +/- 0.20 mmol/L, p = 0.03). In the control group, BASFI score (2.4 +/- 1.7; 2.9 +/- 2.1, p = 0.19), BASDAI score (2.6 +/- 2.2; 3.1 +/- 2.6, p = 0.33), and mean TAS levels (1.38 +/- 0.23 mmol/L; 1.39 +/- 0.20 mmol/L, p = 0.66) did not differ significantly between 0 and 3 weeks. Short-term, supervised exercise program improved functional status and decreased disease activity. However, the mechanism of this beneficial clinical effect does not seem to be through antioxidant activity.

OBJECT Epidural fibrosis is nonphysiological scar formation, usually at the site of neurosurgical access into the spinal canal, in the intimate vicinity of and around the origin of the radicular sheath. The formation of dense fibrous tissue causes lumbar and radicular pain. In addition to radicular symptoms, the formation of scar tissue may cause problems during reoperation. The authors aimed to investigate the effects of cross-linked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA), an HA derivative known as HA gel, on the prevention of epidural fibrosis by using histopathological and biochemical parameters. METHODS Fifty-six adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated. The rats were divided into 4 groups. Rats in the sham group (n = 14) underwent laminectomy and discectomy and received no treatment; rats in the control group (n = 14) underwent laminectomy and discectomy and received 0.9% NaCl treatment in the surgical area; rats in the HA group (n = 14) received HA treatment at the surgical area after laminectomy and discectomy; and rats in the HA gel group (n = 14) underwent laminectomy and discectomy in addition to receiving treatment with cross-linked high-molecular-weight HA in the surgical area. All rats were decapitated after 4 weeks, and the specimens were evaluated histopathologically and biochemically. The results were statistically compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS Compared with the sham and control groups, the HA and HA gel groups showed significantly lower fibroblast cell density and tissue hydroxyproline concentrations (p < 0.05). There was statistically significant lower dural adhesion and foreign-body reaction between the control and HA gel groups (p < 0.05). Granulation tissue and epidural fibrosis were significantly lower in the HA and HA gel groups compared with the sham group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in any histopathological parameters or biochemical values between Groups 3 and 4 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Cross-linked high-molecular-weight HA had positive effects on the prevention of epidural fibrosis and the reduction of fibrotic tissue density. The efficacy of this agent should also be verified in further experimental and clinical studies.

Objective: This study aimed to explore whether carvacrol (CV) had a protective effect on paclitaxel-induced ototoxicity from biochemical, functional, and histopathological perspectives.Methods: Forty Wistar albino male rats were randomly separated into five groups of eight rats. Group 1 was the control group, so Paclitaxel or CV was not administered. Group 2 was administered i.p. CV at 25 mg/kg once a week; Group 3, was administered i.p. paclitaxel at 5 mg/kg once a week; Group 4 was administered i.p. paclitaxel at 5 mg/kg followed (30 min later) by CV at 25 mg/kg once a week; and Group 5 was administered i.p. CV at 25 mg/kg followed (1 day later) by paclitaxel at 5 mg/kg. once a week. The drugs were administered intraperitoneally once a week for four consecutive weeks, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) tests were performed at the beginning of the study before the first drug administration and at the end of the study after the last drug administration. All rats were sacrificed, and cochleae were removed for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: Biochemical data indicated that paclitaxel caused oxidative stress in the cochlea. Histopathological findings revealed the loss of outer hair cells in the organ of Corti (CO) and moderate degenerative changes in the stria vascularis (SV). It was observed that DPOAE measurements were significantly reduced at high frequencies. In groups which CV was administered together with paclitaxel, these biochemical, histopathological, and functional changes were favorably reversed. Conclusion: CV may have a protective effect against paclitaxel-induced ototoxicity when given.

Intracranial chondroma is a rare benign neoplasm that occurs most often at the skull base. In extremely rare instances, it arises from the dura mater of the convexity or from the falx cerebri. The tumor cells are thought to originate from meningeal fibroblasts, perivascular mesenchymal tissue, or ectopic chondrocytes. Because the clinical presentation of such cases is nonspecific and because neuroimaging findings are not pathognomonic, intracranial chondromas mimic other intracranial tumors. Herein, we report a chondroma originating from the dura mater in the frontal region. The patient had been followed-up radiologically for 3 years after a preliminary diagnosis of meningioma until the correct diagnosis of chondroma was established with postoperative histological examination.

The screening of celiac disease in idiopathic osteoporosis should be restricted to patients without classical risk factors (younger, pre-menopausal, male gender) for osteoporosis. Bone mineral density measurements using z-scores should be considered for identifying risk groups for celiac disease.