Tattoo inks: evaluation of cellular responses and analysis of some trace metals.

After tattoo application, inks remain in the skin, mostly in the dermal layer, and manufacturers use inks that have not been adequately evaluated for safety in tattoo production. In this study, the metal contents (Cd, Hg, Pb, and Cr) of tattoo inks available in the Turkish market were determined and the relationship between cell viability and inflammatory response of the detected metal levels was investigated. Nine tattoo inks (3 colors) from 3 different brands abbreviated as E, I, and W were examined. ICP-MS was used for element analysis. The viability of human keratinocyte cells was determined by the WST-1 assay following ink exposures at various dilutions. IL-18 levels were measured in cell culture supernatant by ELISA method following ink or metal (Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb) exposures. The concentrations of trace elements were found in inks as follows: Cd, 0.0641-1.3857; Hg, 0.0204-0.2675; Pb, 0.8527-6.5981; Cr, 0.1731-45.3962 µg mL-1. It was observed that the levels of Pb and especially Cr in the samples exceeded the limit values. Tattoo inks reduced the cell viability in a dose- and color-dependent manner. IL-18 release was significantly increased in all groups except Cr and black ink of brand I treated cells (p < 0.05). Our results show that the metal contents of tattoo inks exceed Council of Europe Resolution values in some samples and some inks induce immune system activation (IL-18 secretion) and cytotoxic effects. It is thought that these findings may contribute to the toxic/adverse effects of tattoo inks commonly used.

Are Some Metals in Tattoo Inks Harmful to Health? An Analytical Approach.

Tattoo application is widely performed all over the world; however, injection of coloring substances into the skin as metals may pose a risk for allergies and other skin inflammations and systemic diseases. In this context, tattoo inks in green, black, and red colors of three brands were purchased. Before starting the analysis, the acid mixture suitable for microwave burning was determined, and according to these results, the inks were digested with nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid. Then, method validation was performed for tattoo inks using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The relative contribution of metals to the tattoo ink composition was highly variable between colors and brands. Elements found in the main components of inks are as follows (in mg kg-1): Al, 1191.1-3424.9; Co, 0.04-1.07; Cu, 1.24-2523.4; Fe, 16.98-318.42; Ni, 0.63-17.53; and Zn, 2.6-46.9. It has been determined by the Environmental Protection Agency that in some products, especially the copper element is above the determined limit. The analysis results obtained were classified by chemometric analysis, and the color and brand relationship were determined. More toxicological studies are necessary to understand the effects of tattoo inks containing heavy metals and/or organic components.

Uterine-sparing laparoscopic lateral suspension in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

AIM: Apical prolapse is an important component of pelvic organ prolapse. The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) surgery, which we performed while sparing the uterus. METHODS: LLS surgery was performed on 62 patients due to apical prolapse, preserving their uterus. The patients' pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) points and sexual function using pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence sexual function questionnaire (PISQ-12) prior to and 12 months following the surgery were compared, and the results were evaluated. RESULTS: The POP-Q points and PISQ-12 scores evaluating sexual function of the patients who underwent LLS were significantly improved compared to pre-operation values (p Ë‚ 0.001). No intraoperative complications were observed in the patients. Recurrence was observed in 6 (9.6%) of 62 total cases in post-operative follow-up. Apical prolapse was seen in two patients (3.2%), and anterior vaginal wall recurrence was observed in one patient (1.6%). Posterior vaginal wall recurrence was seen in three patients (4.8%). Pelvic pain complications were observed in four patients (6.4%) in the postoperative follow-up. Mesh erosion was not observed in any of the cases. It was observed that 5 (38%) of 13 patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) had improved SUI complaints after surgery. The mean operation time was 66.3 ± 12.3 min. CONCLUSION: LLS is an effective and safe method for patients with apical prolapse who want to preserve their uterus. LLS can be applied as an alternative to the sacrocolpopexy procedure, which has risks such as potentially serious neurological and life-threatening vascular injury in the sacral region.

Unsuspected Diagnosis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma after Laparoscopic Myomectomy in an Isolated Bag.

Minimally invasive techniques are generally applied for patients suspected of having benign fibroids if medical treatment is insufficient. On the other hand, sometimes some occult carcinomas of uterus like leiomyosarcomas may be reported for the patients' applied morcellation. This condition is rare but outcomes are clinically significant. Fragmentation of occult sarcoma in the abdominal cavity without isolation bag results in widespread and poor survival. In this article, we report a case of 37-year-old woman suffering from pain due to unexpected leiomyosarcoma. Laparoscopic myomectomy was performed with power morcellation in an isolated bag. Although isolation bag is generally reported to be preventive, recurrence of sarcoma was seen at 5th month of follow-up. Even though morcellation within a bag seems to block wide spreading, dispersion of tumor cannot be stopped and more investigations have to be done.

Calcium and Magnesium Contents in Three Hypericum L. Species from Turkey.

Hypericum L. (Hypericaceae), which has 400 species in the world and 96 species in Turkey, has grown in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and America. Hypericum species have antidepressant, analgesic, spazmolytic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and wound healing effects. The purpose of this study was to analyze the magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) contents of three Hypericum species (Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra, and Hypericum empetrifolium Willd.) collected from the western part of Turkey. Analyses were done by atomic absorption spectrometer using convenient conditions. Mg and Ca concentrations were determined in three Hypericum species. Mg levels were determined as 1.053 ± 0.09, 0.792 ± 0.06, and 0.798 ± 0.17 mg.g-1 and Ca levels were determined as 0.573 ± 0.19, 0.433 ± 0.06, and 0.329 ± 0.005 mg.g-1 in H. perforatum L., H. triquetrifolium Turra, and H. empetrifolium Willd., respectively. The sedative effect of the drug is compensated with the metal concentration observed from the analysis, which shows that high Mg levels overlap with the sedative effect of the drug.

Effects of different orthodontic primers on enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets.

AIM: The purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of one self-etching and two filled orthodontic primers on enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets. METHODS: Brackets were bonded to 84 bovine teeth and the vestibular enamel surfaces covered with acid-resistant nail varnish exposing 1 mm of space on each side of the bracket base. The teeth were allocated to four groups, using either Transbond XT conventional primer on etched enamel (group 1), Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer on untreated enamel (group 2), Pro Seal filled resin primer on etched enamel (group 3), or Opal Seal filled resin primer on etched enamel (group 4). Each tooth was subjected to 15,000 strokes of brushing followed by exposure to an acid challenge. Calcium-ion release from each sample was calculated using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey test. Differences were considered statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the four groups (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the controls (group 1) and the Opal Seal group. Higher calcium release was observed in the Pro Seal group and the self-etching primer group compared to the controls. The highest calcium release was recorded in the self-etching primer group. CONCLUSION: Filled sealants may not have a protective effect against enamel demineralization. Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer should be used cautiously, considering the risk of demineralization involved in its application.

Influence of extraction solvent on antioxidant capacity value of oleaster measured by ORAC method.

Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is a widely used hydrogen atom transfer-based method which measures the antioxidant capacity of natural products. ORAC values of oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.), which was extracted with ethanol/acetone (7:3, v/v), ethanol/water (1:1, v/v) and methanol/water (1:1, v/v) in order to evaluate the effects of solvent type on antioxidant capacity, were examined. In general, results revealed that ethanol/water extracts exhibited better antioxidant capacity values. Furthermore, results obtained by using ORAC-eosin y (ORAC-EY), one of the widely used derivative of fluorescein (FL), as a fluorescent probe were compared with those obtained by using ORAC-FL. According to the results, ORAC-EY values were found to be compatible with ORAC-FL values.

Some trace elements in front and rear dorsal ordinary muscles of wild and farmed bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L. 1758) in the Turkish part of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The levels of trace metals of front (F) and rear (R) dorsal ordinary muscles (dom) of wild and farmed bluefin tuna (BFT) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Wilds were obtained from Antalya Bay and farmed were taken from a fish farm in Ildir Bay (Izmir), during spring to early summer. The accuracy of the method was checked standard reference material (NRCC-DORM-2 Dogfish Muscle). Mean trace element content of the wild samples (Fdom and Rdom, respectively) was found as: Cu, 0.790 and 0.591; Mn, 0.084 and 0.096; Ni, 0.101 and 0.124; Zn, 4.788 and 5.577; Fe, 7.670 and 9.222 (µg g(-1)wet wt.). Values for farmed were detected as Cu, 0.581 and 0.453; Mn, 0.111 and 0.139; Ni, 0.072 and 0.092; Zn, 4.631 and 3.380; Fe, 4.957 and 7.156 (µg g(-1)wet wt.). The results were compared with literature values.