Ocular findings in patients with attention deficit and hyperactivity.

AIM: To evaluate ocular findings, contrast sensitivity, color perception, and macular and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included a group of 37 patients aged 6-16 years diagnosed with combined ADHD and a healthy control group of 37 children. The participants underwent an ophthalmological examination. Color vision testing was administered using the Ishihara plates test. Contrast sensitivity test was performed using the Functional Acuity Contrast Test. Macular thickness and RNFL thickness were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the patient and control groups with regard to ocular findings, color vision, and convergence insufficiency (p > 0.05). Contrast sensitivity level was significantly lower at four out of five spatial frequencies (1.5, 3, 12, and 18 cpd) in the patient group compared to the control group. The RNFL thickness in nasal quadrant and macular thickness was significantly higher in the healthy control group compared to the ADHD group. CONCLUSION: Contrast sensitivity levels and the nasal quadrant RNFL thickness were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group. Based on the findings of the study, we suggest that the level of contrast in the tools used by ADHD patients in daily life settings should be enhanced.

The influence of post-fixation on visualising vimentin in the retina using immunofluorescence method.

BACKGROUND: Post-fixation of sections is especially required for cryostat sections of fresh frozen tissues. Vimentin is an intermediate filament in both fibrillary and non-fibrillary form, expressed in Müller's cells and astrocytes of the retina. Our aim was to determine the best post-fixation method for visualising vimentin in archival mouse eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used an archival mouse eye, slightly pre-fixed with paraformaldehyde and stored at -80°C for 4 years. We tried three fixatives (pa-raformaldehyde [PFA], alcohol/acetic acid [AAA] and methanol) for post-fixation of eye sections. RESULTS: We showed that post-fixation alters the labelling properties of vimentin expressed in the retina. In the sections with no post-fixation, vimentin positivity was observed in and around the nuclei in non-fibrillary form. In PFA post-fixed sections, the vimentin in the retina was not observed as fibrils. Positivity was observed in the nuclei and in perinuclear regions of the cells. In AAA post-fixed sections, positive labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. In methanol post-fixed sections, labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that post-fixation with AAA is more convenient for immunofluorescent labelling of vimentin in the retina for slightly PFA pre-fixed and long-term stored retina. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 246-252).

Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma mimicking chronic invasive fungal disease of paranasal sinuses.

Sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma or teratocarcinoma is an extremely rare aggressive tumour. It usually arises in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. In this study, the authors described magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings from a patient with sinonasal teratocarcinoma. Computed tomography of the sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma can mimic paranasal fungal infections. Magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful tool for making a differential diagnosis between the sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma and paranasal sinusitis.

Successful treatment of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ventriculitis with intravenous and intraventricular colistin.

Management of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) meningitis/ventriculitis is a difficult therapeutic problem owing to the limited penetration of antibiotics into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A 2-month-old girl with ventriculitis caused by MDRAB is reported. Despite therapy with intravenous (IV) colistin ventricular fluid, cultures remained positive for MDRAB. Institution of combination therapy with IV and intraventricular colistin resulted in a successful clinical and microbiological outcome. Intraventricular/intrathecal and IV colistin might be the best therapeutic option in the treatment of central nervous system infection caused by MDRAB. Further studies are required to evaluate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of combined IV and intraventricular/intrathecal colistin administration, especially in children.

The antimicrobial activity of Liquidambar orientalis mill. against food pathogens and antioxidant capacity of leaf extracts.

BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants are an important source of substances which are claimed to induce antimicrobial, antimutagenic and antioxidant effects. Many plants have been used due to their antimicrobial treatments. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of L. orientalis have not been reported to the present day. The aim of this work was to investigate of the antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of different extracts from L. orientalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against different food pathogens. These bacteria include 4 Gram positive and 3 Gram negative bacteria and one fungi. The leaf extracts of plant were tested by disc diffusion assay. The MIC was evaluated on plant extracts as antimicrobial activity. In addition to, the plant extracts were tested against the stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate) free-radical. RESULTS: The acetone, ethanol and methanol extracts of L. orientalis showed maximum inhibition zone of 12 mm against Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition to, the methanol extract displayed a strong antioxidant activity (trolox equivalent = 2.23 mM). CONCLUSION: L. orientalis extracts have antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential. Our results support the use of this plant in traditional medicine and suggest that some of the plant extracts possess compounds with good antibacterial properties that can be used as antibacterial agents in the search for new drugs.

An overlap of Coats and Eales diseases or a Coats variant?

OBJECTIVE: To report an association between Coats and Eales diseases, an uncommon presentation. CASE: A 21-year-old male presented with gradual visual impairment of two years duration in his left eye. The slit-lamp examination of the affected eye revealed +2 vitreous cells. The other findings were peri-papillary fluid accumulation and extensive macular lipid exudate deposition. Small white vessels were coursing over the macula. The major veins were dilated and tortuous and massive sheathing of both arteries and veins was forming a common sheath. In the mid-periphery and periphery of the retina, discrete hard exudates, tiny superficial retinal hemorrhages and massive vascular sheathing were present. In the inferotemporal region, two intra-retinal macrocysts were located distal to the retinal vasculature. Fluorescein angiography (FA) of the left eye highlighted numerous aneurysmal dilatations throughout the posterior pole. Fluorescein angiography also showed para-foveal telangiectasia and tiny telangiectatic vessels on the optic disk that led to late staining of the macula and optic disk. Hyperfluorescent patches of deep choroiditis were present in the early phases. There was segmental but no diffuse staining of the retinal veins which showed massive sheathing on fundoscopy. In the periphery, segmental venous staining and choroidal leakage to a lesser extent were observed. In the infero-temporal quadrant, a clear-cut zone of non-perfusion and vascular abnormalities (micro-macro aneurysms, veno-venous shunts, venous beading) at the junction between the perfused and non-perfused zones were present. The findings were reminiscent of both Coats and Eales diseases. CONCLUSION: Though known as two distinct entities, both retinal pathologies may present in a single form.

Congenital IL-12R1ß receptor deficiency and thrombophilia in a girl homozygous for an IL12RB1 mutation and compound heterozygous for MTFHR mutations: A case report and literature review.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays an important role in the production of interferon gamma from T cells and natural killer cells and is essential for protection against intra-macrophagic pathogens such as Mycobacterium and Salmonella. Here, we describe a 16-year-old girl with homozygous mutation in exon 12 of the IL12RB1 gene, which causes complete IL-12Rß1 deficiency in association with heterozygous mutation (C677T and A1298C) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene. She presented with disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection, retroperitoneal fungal abscess and also thrombosis in the superior mesenteric-portal vein junction. This is the first case report of a primary immunodeficiency associated with a genetically determined venous thrombosis.

IGF-I and visfatin levels in retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: The authors hypothesized that circulating visfatin concentrations in preterm infants might be linked with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)-like insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. METHODS: The study group comprised 88 children born with a gestational age younger than 32 weeks between 2007 and 2009 who were screened and/or treated for ROP. The authors collected fetal cord blood (sample 1) and a blood sample at 4 to 6 weeks postnatal age (sample 2) for laboratory investigations. RESULTS: The non-ROP group had higher visfatin-1, visfatin-2, insulin-1, insulin-2, (IGF-I)-1, and (IGF-I)-2 levels than the ROP group (P < .001 for all levels). Change in visfatin was positively correlated with change in IGF-I and change in insulin (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Change in IGF-I was positively correlated with change in insulin (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Similar to IGF-I levels, determination of visfatin levels can be a predictive marker of ROP, but more studies are needed.

[Alexandre Vallaury and two of the buildings he constructed]. / Alexandre Vallaury ve Iki Yapisi.

A. Vallaury appears in the Ottoman society as an architect and an educator with his remarkable personality in the late XIX. century. In this essay two buildings designed by Vallaury, "Mekteb-i Tibbiye-i Sâhâne" and "Büyükada Greek Orphanage" are described. This study consists of three parts, Vallaury's life story, his works and contribution to the Ottoman architecture. Vallaury was born in Istanbul on April 2, 1850. His parents were of Levantin and French origin. He went to Paris for higher education and attended the School of Fine Arts. On returning to Istanbul, he worked as a teacher of architecture at the "Sanayi-i Nefise Mekteb-i Alisi", (today's Mimar Sinan University) from March 2, 1883 to August 10, 1908. He was rewarded with Legion d'Honneur in 1896. He died in Istanbul on May 2, 1921. Vallaury's works may be classified as, commercial, cultural, educational, residential and religious buildings. Some of his works may be exemplified as such: Afif Pasha Yalisi (Seaside Residence) at Istinye, Mecid Efendi Kiosk at Baglarbassi, Ottoman Bank at Galata and Eminönü, Dümayûn-i (Royal Museum of Archeology) at Sultanahmet, School of Medicine at Haydarpasha, and Greek Orphanage at Büyükada. A. Vallaury fused Ottoman culture and Western forms together in his works. He also designed buildings of free articulation, new measurement and novel proportions. He was a respected Ottoman intellectual, as well.