Relationship of lumbar disc degeneration with hemoglobin value and smoking.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Although a number of studies report an important effect of smoking on disc degeneration and herniation, others did not identify such a relationship. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of lumbar disc degeneration with hemoglobin value and smoking. METHODS: The study included 200 adult patients who presented to the neurosurgery polyclinic with a complaint of back pain. Smoking habits were classified as "smoking for more than 10 years", "smoking for less than 10 years", and "not smoking". Lumbar disc degeneration was classified on modified Pfirrmann score according to lumbar MR images. Degeneration level was compared according to smoking group on Kruskal-Wallis test. The relationship between hemoglobin value and disc degeneration according to smoking group was assessed on the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Disc degeneration values were significantly different between groups in L5-S1, L4-L5 and L3-L4 (P=0.018, P=0.012, P=0.038). Degeneration levels in L5-S1 in those who did not smoke were significantly lower than in those who smoked for both less and more than 10 years (P=0.048, P=0.022). No significant differences were found in degeneration level between those who smoked for more versus less than 10 years. For L3-L4 degeneration, there was a significant relationship with hemoglobin value in the group that did not smoke and in the group that smoked for more than 10 years (r=-0.395; P=0.009, r=0.329; P=0.018). CONCLUSION: This study found that, when risk factors such as systemic disease, heavy working conditions, obesity, trauma and family history were excluded, smoking increased lumbar disc degeneration. In addition, chronic smoking was found to increase hemoglobin values.

Some 3-thioxo/alkylthio-1,2,4-triazoles with a substituted thiourea moiety as possible antimycobacterials.

A series of novel N-alkyl/aryl-N'-[4-(4-alkyl/aryl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione-5-yl)phenyl]thioureas 1-19 and three S-alkylated representatives of the former, N-alkyl/aryl-N'-[4-(3-aralkylthio-4-alkyl/aryl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-5-yl)phenyl]thioureas 20-22, were synthesized and tested for antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv as well as Mycobacterium fortuitum ATCC 6841 which is a rapid growing opportunistic pathogen. Compounds 4 and 9-11 were found to possess the same MIC value with that of Tobramycin against M. fortuitum ATCC 6841 whereas 1-3 and 21 had positive response against M. tuberculosis H37Rv at varying degrees. Compound 21 was identified as the most potent derivative of the 1-22 series by an MIC value of 6.25 microg/mL and selectivity index of 1.6.

Synthesis of some 4-(alkylidene/arylidene)amino-2,4-dihydro-5- (2-thienyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones tested for antimicrobial activity.

A series of 4-(alkylidene/arylidene)amino-2,4-dihydro-5- (2-thienyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones (2a-h) were synthesized. The structural elucidation of all the compounds was made on the basis of analytical and spectral data (IR, 1H-NMR and EIMS). All synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi. Some of the compounds demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. erinacei NCPF-375 and Microsporum canis (MIC 50-6.25 mg/ml). The in vitro antimycobacterial activity of the new compounds was also investigated. Some of the compounds showed varying degrees of inhibition (2-40%) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv in the primary screen that was conducted at 12.5 mg/ml using the BACTEC 460 radiometric system.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of new 6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives.

A series of new N2-substituted-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-3-acetic acid hydrazides (2a-j) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi. Some of the compounds showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. Erinacei NCPF-375, Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum audounii (MIC 25-0.24 micrograms/ml). The in vitro antimycobacterial activity of the new compounds was also investigated. The compounds exhibited different degrees of inhibition (17.98%) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv in the primary screen that was conducted at 12.5 micrograms/ml using the BACTEC 460 radiometric system.

Synthesis, characterization and pharmacological properties of some 4-arylhydrazono-2-pyrazoline-5-one derivatives obtained from heterocyclic amines.

The synthesis of a new series of 4-arylhydrazono-2-pyrazoline-5-ones 7-24 and 22a is described. Structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed using UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and EI-mass spectral data. These compounds were tested in vitro against one Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacterial strains, two mycobacterial strains and a fungus, Candida albicans. Compound 22 was found to be more active against Staphylococcus aureus than the other compounds at a concentration of 15.6 microg/mL. Some related compounds were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity. Compound 11 showed 40% protection against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in albino Swiss mice. In vitro antituberculosis activity of 4-arylhydrazono-2-pyrazoline-5-ones 7-12, 14-24, 22a and coupling products 6a-f were tested on Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Of these compounds, only 24, which exhibited > 90% inhibition in the primary screen at 12.5 microg/mL against this strain was re-examined for determination of its actual MIC. However, level II assay revealed that the MIC value was not less than 12.5 microg/mL. The same compound was also tested against Mycobacterium avium, which was observed not to be susceptible to 24.

Looking at trauma and deaths: Diyarbakir city in Turkey.

There were 329 trauma related deaths in Diyarbakir in 1997. Of these 226 were male (69%) and 103 were female (31%). The median age was 20 years old (range 1-82 years). Of the deaths, 30.5% were under 10, 51% were under 20 and 67% were under 30 years old. Two hundred and eleven deaths occurred in the hospital while 118 deaths occurred prehospital. Seventy-seven percent of hospital deaths (191) occurred in the first day. The most common cause of death was multiple injuries (151, 46%). Head injuries were the main reason for 128 deaths (46%). The most common mechanism of death was motor vehicle accident (131, 40%). The second was falls from a residential building (117, 33.7%).

The epidemiology of onychomycoses in Istanbul, Turkey.

Between September 1995 and September 1997, 1840 patients attending our mycology department were suspected as having onychomycoses. Of the patients 985 were females and 855 were males. A total of 426 finger nail and 1414 toe nail scrapings were examined. Both microscopic and culture tests were carried out for each specimen. In 759 cases positive fungal cultures were found and 1081 cases were determined as negative. One fungal species was isolated from 715 specimens, in 44 of the cases two different species were found.

New 4-thiazoline-2-hydrazono-1H-2-indolinones as possible antimicrobial agents.

In order to test their antimicrobial activity a series of new 3-[(3-substituted-4-methyl-5-carboxy/carbetoxy-4-thiazolin-2 - ylidene)hydrazono]-1H-2-indolinones (3a-i/4) were synthesized from the reaction of 3-(4-substituted-3-thiosemicarbazono-1H-2-indolinones (1a-I) with 2-chloroacetoacetic acid ethyl ester (2). All synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, EIMS and elementary analysis.

Evaluation of antimycobacterial and anticonvulsant activities of new 1-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-4-substituted-thiosemicarbazide and 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-substituted-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives.

Some new 1-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-4-alkyl/arylthiosemicarbazide (2a-g), 5-(4-fluorophenyl)4-alkyl/aryl-2,4-dihydr-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thio ne (3a-g) derivatives, 3-(benzylthio)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole (3h) and 2-acetyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thi one (3i) were prepared and tested for their antimycobacterial and anticonvulsant activities. The structure of compounds was confirmed by elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques. The antimycobacterial activity of the synthesized compounds was investigated against M. fortiutum ATCC 6841 and most of them were found active against the above strain with MIC values of 64 or 32 micrograms/ml. The anticonvulsant activity of the 2d, 3d-i was determined against pentylenetetrazole induced seizures. 3f-i showed anticonvulsant activity (10 to 30% protection).

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 1,4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazide and 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives.

Various new 1,4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazide and 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. The structure of compounds was confirmed by elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques. Some of the synthesized compounds were found to be active against C. Albicans.

Synthesis of some 1-(2-arylvinyl)-3-arylpyrazino[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives and their antimicrobial activities.

Some 1-(2-arylvinyl)-3-arylhyrazino[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized, their structures were elucidated, and their antibacterial and antifungal activities were examined. None of the compounds proved to be sufficiently active.

Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of new 4-(alkylidene/arylidene)- amino-5-(2-furanyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones and 6-aryl-3-(2-furanyl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines.

A series of 4-(alkylidene/arylidene)amino-5-(2-furanyl)-2,4-dihydro- 3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones (2) and 6-aryl-3-(2-furanyl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines (3) were synthesized. The configuration of 2g was assigned on the basis of 1H-NMR data. Of the new derivatives tested, only 2b, 2g, and 4f were found to be active against Staphylococcus aureus and/or Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC 125-1.95 micrograms/ml), whereas all exhibited varying degrees of antifungal activity (MIC 25-0.8 micrograms/ml).

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of new tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives.

A series of 3,5-disubstituted tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thiones was synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity. All of the tested compounds were found active against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The compounds were also active against yeast-like fungi and molds where the anticandidal activity of 3a against Candida albicans was superior to the standards miconazole and clotrimazole.

Synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted carbamodithioic acid esters tested for antifungal activity.

The synthesis of 12 new 4-[(N,N-disubstituted thiocarbamoylthio)acetamido]antipyrines and their antifungal activity are reported. Of these compounds, only 3e, showed good antifungal activity against C. tropicalis KUEN 1021, C. krusei KUEN 1001, C. stellatoidea KUEN 1018, C. pseudotropicalis KUEN 1012, C. albicans ATCC 10231 when compared with clotrimazole and miconazole (MIC = 12.5 micrograms/ml).