The positive effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on bone health, which is a potent antioxidant, are known but its effects on fracture healing are not sufficiently covered in the literature. This study aims to investigate the effects of GSPE on fracture healing and biomechanics of healing bone. Sixty-four adult Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into 8 groups of 8 animals in each group. Osteotomy was performed to the right femurs of all groups except the negative control (G1) and positive control (G2) groups, and intramedullary Kirchner wire was used for fixation. GSPE was given to half of the rats (G2-G4-G6-G8) 100 mg/kg/day by oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed on the tenth (G3–G4), twentieth (G5–G6), and thirtieth (G1–G2–G7–G8) days, respectively, and histopathological, radiological, and biomechanical examinations were performed. Histopathological examination of the specimens from the callus tissues revealed that bone healing was more prominent in the groups supplemented with GSPE (G4, G6, G8). There was a statistically significant improvement in radiological recovery scores and callus volumes in groups with GSPE. When biomechanical strengths were evaluated, it was found that GSPE increased bone strength not only in fracture groups but also in the positive control group (G2). As a result, this study showed that GSPE, a potent anti-oxidant, had a positive effect on bone healing and improved mechanical strength of the healing bone.

Data evaluating the presence and characteristics of mesenteric lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the presence and characteristics of LNs in UC. The LN characteristics in computed tomography (CT), including LN dimension and attenuation, were evaluated retrospectively in 100 patients with UC (61 active and 39 inactive cases). Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters, including CBC, biochemical analysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C reactive protein (CRP) were also compared. Mesenteric LNs were evident in all patients with UC. The attenuation and dimension of mesenteric LNs did not differ between active and inactive patients with UC. No correlation was found among patients with UC in terms of LN dimension, attenuation, ESR, CRP, leucocyte, and albumin (all with p > 0.05). The current study suggested that inflammation results in the development of mesenteric LN in UC, similar to Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory disorders.

Difficult mask ventilation and difficult intubation are more common in obese patients. Ultrasound is a reliable andnoninvasive method for evaluating the airway. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution and availability of anterior necksoft tissue (ANS) thickness at different levels, tongue volume (TV), hyomental distance (HMD), the ratio of preepiglottic distance todistance between the epiglottis and the midpoint of vocal cords (PE/E-VC) measured by ultrasonography in predicting difficult airwayin morbidly obese patients.Materials and methods: Between March 2020 and November 2020, patients aged ≥18 years with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥40 kg/m2who underwent elective surgery under general anesthesia were included in this prospective study at Fırat University Hospital. Duringthe preoperative evaluation of patients, ultrasound was used to measure and record TV, ANS thickness at different levels, HMD, andratio of PE/E-VC. Patients with difficult intubation were identified using the Cormack-Lehane classification system. Patients whohaddifficulties with balloon mask ventilation were recorded. Subsequently, the parameters of patients with easy and difficult intubation werecompared. In addition, the parameters of patients with easy and difficult mask ventilation were also compared.Results: The preepiglotticANS thickness at the level of the thyrohyoid membrane and the PE/E-VC value in obese patients with difficult intubation weresignificantly greater than in obese patients with easy intubation (p < 0.001). In addition, TV (p < 0.001), preepiglottic ANS thickness atthe thyrohyoid membrane level (p < 0.001), ANS thickness at the thyroid isthmus level (p = 0.002), ANS-suprasternal notch thickness(p = 0.004), and PE/E-VC (p = 0.005) values were significantly greater in obese patients with difficult mask ventilation.Conclusion: Ultrasound may be a useful tool for predicting difficult airway and difficult mask ventilation. For this purpose, ANSthickness at different levels, PE/E-VC, and TV values measured by ultrasound can be used.

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) in determining the surface irregularity of carotid artery plaques. Material and methods This study included 50 patients (20 females and 30 males) aged between 56 and 82 years with plaques in the...