Evaluation of the effect of apical lesion on mucosal thickening and thickness of apical bone using limited cone-beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of periapical lesion size on the degree of mucosal thickening of maxillary sinus and thickness of apical bone using cone-beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In Group 1 (teeth with apical lesions), diameter of apical lesion, width of apical bone, thickness of Schneiderian membrane; for Group 2 (teeth without apical lesions), width of apical bone in long axis of root and thickness of Schneiderian membrane were measured on coronal and sagittal images. RESULTS: Mann-Whitney U-test revealed no significant difference between two groups regarding mucosal thickening and apical bone measurements (P > 0.05). Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed no significant difference between the measurements in sagittal and coronal slices (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results of the present study showed that Schneiderian membrane near the maxillary premolars and molars with apical lesions is not significantly thicker compared to teeth without apical lesions.

Sequence-based identification, genotyping and virulence factors of Trichosporon asahii strains isolated from urine samples of hospitalized patients (2011-2016).

INTRODUCTION: Trichosporon asahii is the most common species that causes trichosporonosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, a collection of 68T. asahii strains recovered from hospitalized patients urine samples between 2011 and 2016 was examined. T. asahii strains were identified by sequencing the intergenic spacer 1 region (IGS1) and genotyped. In addition, proteinase, phospholipase, esterase, haemolytic activity, and biofilm formation of a total of T. asahii strains were investigated. RESULTS: The predominant genotype was 1 (79.3%) and followed by 5 (8%), 3 (6.9%), 6 (3.4%), 4 (1.1%), 9 (1.1%). In none of the 68 strains, proteinase and phospholipase activities could be detected, while all were found to be esterase positive. Biofilm production and hemolytic activity were detected in 23.5 and 97% respectively. DISCUSSION: Our results indicated that six genotypes were (1, 5, 3, 6, 4, 9) present among T. asahii strains and no property was found to associate with a genotype, in terms of virulence factors.

What is the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in sarcoidosis?

AIM: Information regarding the Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in sarcoidosis and the data from studies recommending its use as an indicator of inflammation and in the differential diagnosis and prognosis, are limited. With this study, it was aimed to obtain data regarding the NLR level in the patients at the time of presentation to the hospital and to determine the characteristics of patients in whom the NLR value was > 2. RESULTS: During the study period, of the 3434 patients with the sub-diagnosis of D86, 1300 cases whose complete blood count values had been recorded at the time of presentation were included in the study. Of the cases, 40 % were pulmonary sarcoidosis, 7 % were pulmonary sarcoidosis with sarcoidosis of the lymph nodes, 8 % were lymph node sarcoidosis, 1 % were sarcoidosis, of other combined areas, and 40 % of the cases were sarcoidosis that were unspecified. The F/M of the cases were 947/353, and the average age of the cases was 44. When the sarcoidosis groups were grouped into NLR < 2 (Group 1) and NLR ≥ 2 (Gorup 2), 27 % were Group 1, 73 % were Group 2, and a significant correlation was found between the two groups. When the inflammatory indicators were compared with NLR, the PLT/MPV was found to be statistically insignificant, and the ACE, ESR and CRP were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio in the complete blood count, which is an easy and cheap test, can be used as an indicator of inflammation in Sarcoidosis. In clinical practice, wide-based studies comprising the activity and the staging in the prognosis of sarcoidosis are required (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 26).

Does the imbalance between agonistic and antagonistic IL-1 play a role in progression of febrile convulsions?

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation may play an important role in the etiopathology of febrile convulsions (FC). IL-1ß is an important mediator of inflammation and fever is also important information of FCs. It is suggested that there may be a relationship between polymorphisms of IL-1ß and FC. The aim of the present study is to investigate the polymorphic situation of promoter region of IL-1ß in two sites (-31 and -511) and assess the IL-1 RA VNTR polymorphisms in FC patients in comparison with healthy control groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty FC patients and 50 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. DNA extraction was performed by QIAamp DNA Mini Kit from peripheral blood lymphocytes of all subjects. IL-1ß promoter polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP, IL-1 RA VNTR polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Genotype distribution of IL-1ß promoter region in position -31 was statistically different between FC patients and control groups. Allele I and allele II of IL-1 RA distribution were also statistically different in FC patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: We have found a significant association between IL-1 RA allele distribution and FC and a poor correlation of T/C substitution at the -31 position of IL-1ß promoter in FC. Further studies are needed to investigate the gene expression levels and polymorphic situation in same samples.

Evaluation of the intraocular pressure in obese adolescents.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) levels of children with normal and high Body Mass Index (BMI) and to find out the potential correlation between glaucoma and obesity. METHODS: Thirty obese and thirty healty children were enrolled in this study. Physical examinations and anthropometric measurements of all patients and controls were performed. Obesity was defined as a BMI exceeding the 95th percentile for the patients according to age and sex. All participants were underwent a complete eye examination. The results of these measurements were considered for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 13.5±2.1 years in obese group and 13.3±2.0 years in control group. Mean BMIs were 28.1±3.9 kg/m2 and 19.7±1.2 kg/m2 in obese and control groups, respectively. No significant difference was found in mean IOP levels of both right and left eyes between two groups (P=0.837 and P=0.755, respectively). There was no significant difference in cup/disc ratios of each eyes and mean central corneal thickness of both right and left eyes between obese patients and controls. In visual field analysis, no statistically significant difference in mean false negativeness and mean false positiveness were found between two groups. There were not also any significant correlations in both mean deviation of each eyes (P=0.78 and P=0.94, respectively) and pattern standart deviation of right and left eyes (P=0.89 and P=0.90, respectively) between obese cases and controls. CONCLUSION: In this study, there were no significant difference in IOP measurements, central corneal thicknesses, cup/disc ratios and visual field parameters between obese and normal children. No significant correlation was found between obesity and glaucoma or elevated IOP in children.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity and reduce mitotic index in human amniotic fluid-derived cells.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used materials present in many consumables for which most people are exposed to. The biological hazards of the NPs on human health have been demonstrated previously. In this study, we aimed to assess the cytotoxicity potency of TiO2 NPs on the primary human amniotic fluid cells. The cells derived from amniotic fluid were treated with different dosages of TiO2 NPs for some periods. Cell adhesion status was assessed using a light microscopic observation. Cell proliferation and cell death rates were determined using trypan blue staining and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Also, mitotic index was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome 8 centromer-specific DNA probe. Disrupted cell adhesion, decreased proliferation, and increased mortality rates were detected in the cells that were treated with TiO2 NPs depending on the dosage (p < 0.001). Also, reduced mitotic index was determined in the cells depending on the time and TiO2 dosage when compared with the controls (p < 0.0001). These results showed that TiO2 NPs have high cytotoxicity for amniotic fluid-derived cells. Therefore, different products containing TiO2 NPs should be used with care, especially for pregnant women.

The prevalence of Familial Mediterranean Fever common gene mutations in patients with simple febrile seizures.

BACKGROUND: Febrile seizures (FS) represent the most common form of childhood seizures that occurs in 2-5 % of the children younger than 6 years. There have been many recent reports on the molecular genetic and pathogenesis of FC. It has been recognized that there is significant genetic component for susceptibility of FC with different reported mutation. FEB1, FEB2, FEB4, SCNA1, SCNA2, GABRG2 and IL-1ß are related to with febrile convulsions (FCs). Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) is a cytokine that contributes to febrile inflammatory responses. There are conflicting results on increasing this cytokine in serum during FC. AIM: The determine the association between mutations of MEFV gene product pyrine and febrile seizures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 104 children that were diagnosed as FS and 96 healthy children. MEFV gene mutations were detected and analyzed with PyroMark Q24. PCR was performed using the PyroMark PCR Kit and pyrosequencing reaction was conducted on instrument instructions. RESULTS: M694V is the most common mutation in our patient group and we found a significant association between MEFV gene mutations and FSs. Of 104 patients, 68 were heterozygotes for any mutation and 10 patients were compound. 17.7% of control group were heterozygotes for any studied mutation.Statistical analyses showed that there was strongly significant statistical difference between results obtained from FS and control group (X = 46.20, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: MEFV gene mutations, especially M694V mutation, are positively associated with FSs.

The frequency of MEFV gene mutation in patients admitted to hospital with preliminary diagnosis of familian mediterranean fever who undergone a prior appendectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Familial mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent and self-limiting fever, peritonitis, arthritis, synovitis, pleuritis, carditis, and erysipelas-like lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of the MEFV gene mutation in patients who admitted to hospital with preliminary diagnosis FMF and who had undergone a prior appendectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the files of 52 patients between the ages of 7-18 who admitted to hospital with preliminary diagnosis of FMF and who had undergone a prior appendectomy. Age, gender and the MEFV gene mutations were included in the data. The 12 known, common MEFV gene mutations [E148Q, P369S, F479L, M6801 (G/C), M6801 (G/A), 1692del, M694V, M6941, K695R, V726A, A744S, R761H] were investigated in the patients. RESULTS: Of these 52 cases, 29 (55.8%) were female and 23 (44.2%) were male. Their mean age was 12.1 +/- 3.1 years (range 7-18 yr). MEFV gene mutation was detected in 31/52 cases (59.6%). In this study was found an high frequency of the MEFV gene mutation in patients admitted to hospital with a preliminary diagnosis FMF who had undergone a prior appendectomy. MEFV gene mutations were M694V 16/41 (39%), E148Q 13/41 (31%), M6801 6/41 (15%), V726A 4/41 (10%) and R761H 2/41 (5%). Other genes mutations were F479L, M6801 (G/A), 1692del, M6941, K695R and A744S. CONCLUSION: There are too much indications of unnecessary appendectomy in MEFV gene mutation carriers. In MEFV gene mutation carriers the frequency of appendicitis can be higher than the normal population. A more detailed and extensive study should be done about it.

Agronomic importance of first development of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under semi-arid conditions: II. Seed imbibition.

Due to the slowness growth and weakness of the first developments of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), it could not combated with weeds and easily caught up by Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei (Pass) Labr.) disease. Additionally, due to biotic and abiotic stress factors, esp. at the late sowing, important seed yield losses could be happened. To be able to avoid from them is only possible to accelerate of its first development as possible as. So, one of the best solutions to is to use chemical compounds such as Humic Acid (HA) known soil regulator under the semi-arid conditions. With this aim this research was performed in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications under semi-arid field conditions during (2008/2009) and (2009/2010) in Turkiye. Two cultivars (V1 = Gokce and V2 = Ispanyol) and four seed imbibition methods (A0 = 0, A1 = Tap Water, A2 = 1/2 Tap Water + 1/2 Humic acid (HA), A3 = Full HA, as w/w) and seven yield components Plant Height (PH), Number of Branches per Plant (NBP), Number of Pods per Plant (NPP), First Pod Height (NFP), Number of Seeds per Pod (NSP), Seed Weight per Plant (SWP) and 100-Seed weight (HSW) were investigated. The PH and FPH were affected the A0, the NBP, NPP and NSP were affected the A2 and the SWP and HSW were given the varied but not clear responses according to varieties for all the parameters in A1. The A0 and A1 were encouraged the germination and top soil of the plant but, the A2 to A3 were encouraged root system's development. It was concluded that the A2 is a promising method which makes the maximum and positive effect to the first development of the chickpea agronomy under the semi-arid conditions.

Agronomic importance of first development of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under semi-arid conditions: I. Effect of powder humic acid.

Due to slow growth and weakness of the first development of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plant could not combatted with weeds and easily get caught up by Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei (Pass) Labr.) disease; esp. under the late sowing and semi-arid conditions, due to effect of biotic and abiotic stress factors, significant yield losses could be arised. To be able to avoid from them is only possible to accelerate the first development of this crop. So, one of the best solutions is to use of "soil conditioner" chemical compounds such as HA at optimum dose. With this aim, it was established in order to find out the optimum dose range of HA. Three doses (D0 = 0 g, D1 = 100 g and D2 = 200 g), four varieties (V1 = Er-99, V2 = Gökçe, V3 = ILC-482 and V4 = Australia) and five yield components Plant Height (PH), First pod height (FPH), Number of Branches per Plant (NBP), Number of Pods per Plant (NPP) and Number of seeds per pod (NSP) were investigated. Obtained results are: Recommended (Optimum) HA doses and interactions were ranged and found as (V4 > V2 = V3 > V1); (D2 > D0 = D1); (D1 x V4) for the PH and FPH, (D2 x V3) for the NBP and (D1 x V3) for the NPP, respectively. It was concluded that when the recommended HA dose applied, it was seen that the first development has been clearly accelerated and increased under the semi-arid conditions in terms of investigated traits and cultivars.

Distribution of common methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutations in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Homocysteine levels have been investigated in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), a syndrome associated with a high level of comorbid cardiovascular disease (CVD). While significant increases in homocysteine levels have been observed in OSAS patients with CVD, no increases have been noted in OSAS patients without CVD. This study was designed to investigate the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, which is essential for homocysteine metabolism and has been shown to have a causal role in the development of CVD. Eighty subjects, 30 diagnosed with OSAS by polysomnography and 50 controls (healthy volunteers with no symptoms of OSAS) were enrolled. Two mutations in the MTHFR gene were investigated using polymerase chain reactions and restriction fragment length polymorphisms. No significant differences were found in mean age, body mass index, homocysteine levels, or MTHFR allele or genotype distributions between patient and control groups.

Miliary tuberculosis and bilateral multifocal choroidal involvement: place of indocyanine green angiography.

PURPOSE: To present the clinical features and angiographic findings of choroidal involvement in two cases with miliary tuberculosis. METHODS: 49-year and 23-year-old men were hospitalized for fever of unknown origin and they received a diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis following the systemic work-up. Both cases experienced mild visual acuity disturbances prior to initiation of systemic treatment. They underwent full ophthalmological examination including fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: The visual acuity of first case was 20/30 in OD, and 20/25 in OS. There was trace of cells in the anterior chamber and mild vitritis OU. Visual acuity of the second case was 20/20 OU. Anterior segment was unremarkable OU. Ophthalmoscopy of both cases showed cream-colored patchy choroidal infiltrations especially located at the posterior pole OU. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies were obtained with Heidelberg scanning laser ophthalmoscope. These lesions were hypofluorescent in early phases of fluorescein angiography and demonstrated gradually increased hyperfluorescence in late phases. Same lesions were hypofluorescent throughout the indocyanine green angiography and well delineated. Both patients received a systemic treatment of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and morphazinamide. Most of the choroidal lesions resolved without apparent changes whereas some healed as chorioretinal scars. CONCLUSION: In patients with miliary tuberculosis, indocyanine green angiography seems to show choroidal involvement much better than the fluorescein angiography and may be a more important diagnostic tool than fluorescein angiography during the disease course.

Effects of a major earthquake on blood donor types and infectious diseases marker rates.

This observational study attempted to identify the effect of a natural disaster on the safety of blood supply and donor types with the influx of donors after a severe earthquake. Blood donation rate, blood discard rate and safety of blood donations responding to the earthquake, as projected from the infectious disease marker rate, were evaluated in blood donated immediately before (1 July-17 August) and after 17 August 1999 (17 August-21 August). These were compared with the results from the corresponding periods in 1998 and 2000 for donations at a university medical centre and two regional blood centres. 8055 units of allogeneic blood were collected at two regional blood centres, and 450 units were collected at a university medical centre during 4 days. Viral marker rates were nearly the same at the former but were slightly lower at the latter. The blood discard rate was nearly twice the comparative periods at the former, but it remained unchanged at the latter. Voluntary donors replaced the replacement donors during 4 days. This analysis highlights the size of the pool of potential donors that are available as a national resource that can be motivated to give blood with the right motivation.

Trends in major transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors over 17 years in Istanbul, Turkey.

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis are serious complications of blood transfusion. These infections are routinely screened by blood banks; such tests are obligatory for transfusion safety in Turkey. The results of screening 1 737 943 blood donations from blood centres in Istanbul between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 2003 for HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis were analysed retrospectively. Hepatitis B surface antigen rates fell from 5.98% in 1987 to 2.07% in 2003. Anti-HCV seropositivity was found to be approximately 0.5%, whereas anti-HIV seropositivity was approximately 0.001%. Rapid plasma reagin rates (test for syphilis) were 0.04% in 1987, and increased to 0.2% in 2002. The decreasing trends observed in data from the 17-year period studied indicate the value of safety measures taken, in particular the implementation of donor screening procedures in 1997.

Unilateral Purtscher-like retinopathy after weight-lifting.

PURPOSE: To report a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy after weightlifting. METHODS: A 17-year-old man presented with a sudden visual loss in his left eye after weightlifting two weeks ago. Fundus examination of the left eye showed cotton-wool spots and scattered retinal hemorrhages in the posterior pole. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope were performed. RESULTS: Angiography showed hypofluorescent areas adjacent to the optic disc and in the posterior pole and partial filling insufficiency in the inferior and inferotemporal branch retinal veins. Complete venous filling was noted in late phases of angiography. CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenesis of weightlifting suggests the Purtscher-like changes as a result of Valsalva maneuver in our case. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with weightlifting.

Seroprevalence of tetanus antibody in Turkish population and effectiveness of single-dose tetanus toxoid.

The study presented here was performed to determine the rates of immunity to tetanus in a cross section of the Turkish population and to assess the impact of a single-dose tetanus toxoid in previously unvaccinated individuals. Among 18-year-old participants who received their last tetanus booster 4 years prior to the study and 22-year-old participants who received the booster 8 years previously, certain durable protective antibody (>1 IU/ml) was detected in 100%. However, only 3.3% of 20-year-old participants who did not know whether they had been vaccinated as children or young adults had a protective antibody level. After administering a single dose of tetanus vaccine to this group, the rate of protective antibody increased from 3.3% to 96.7%. For the prevention of tetanus, the optimal policy should focus on improving rates of complete primary immunization in adults and children and giving a single booster every 10 years, or at least at age 40 or 50 years.

Management of free floating iris cysts in the anterior chamber: a case report.

PURPOSE: To present a case with free iris cysts in the anterior chamber and its management with YAG laser. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old boy presenting with the complaint of seeing a small ball-like moving mass in his left eye. RESULTS: Slit-lamp examination revealed a pair of free-floating iris cysts located inferiorly in the anterior chamber. After YAG laser application both the cysts collapsed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a case with multiple free iris cysts in the anterior chamber. Considering the possibility of endothelial damage in the long-term, it is worth noting the favorable response to YAG laser treatment.