sandflyDST: a dynamic web-based decision support tool for the morphological identification of sandflies present in Anatolia and mainland Europe, and user study.

Species identification of sandflies is mainly performed according to morphological characters using classical written identification keys. This study introduces a new web-based decision support tool (sandflyDST) for guiding the morphological identification of sandfly species present in Anatolia and mainland Europe and classified in the Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia genera (both: Diptera: Psychodidae). The current version of the tool consists of 111 questions and 36 drawings obtained from classical written keys, and 107 photographs for the quick and easy identification of 26 species of the genus Phlebotomus and four species of the genus Sergentomyia. The tool guides users through a decision tree using yes/no questions about the morphological characters of the specimen. The tool was applied by 30 individuals, who then completed study questionnaires. The results of subsequent analyses indicated that the usability (x‾SUSScore=75.4) and users' level of appreciation (86.6%) of the tool were quite high; almost all of the participants considered recommending the tool to others. The tool may also be useful in training new entomologists and maintaining their level of expertise. This is a dynamic tool and can be improved or upgraded according to feedback. The tool is now available online at http://parasitology.ege.edu.tr/sandflyDST/index.php.

A NEW ISOLATED 20q INTERSTITIAL DUPLICATION CASE AND ITS CLINICAL COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR ISOLATED CASES.

Duplications of 20q are rare. Here we report a 15 years old boy with de novo duplication of 17.1 Mb at chromosome 20q. We made a comparison with the other isolated 20q duplication cases. There are phenotypic similarities between the patients who have the same affected chromosomal regions. We also showed a clinical follow up of the patient. There may be a relationship with Glaucoma and Graves disease between the chromosomal region and these diseases may occur at the other patients when they get older.

Ab initio/DFT calculations of butyl ammonium salt of O,O'-dibornyl dithiophosphate.

O,O'-dibornyl dithiophosphete has been synthesized by the reaction of P2S5 and borneol in toluene. Fourier Transform Infrared spectra (FT-IR) of the title compound are measured. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities and NMR spectrum of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated by using the density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) methods with the basis set of 6-31G(d). The computed bond lengths and bond angles show the good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, the vibrational frequencies are calculated and the scaled values have been compared with experimental FT-IR spectra. Assignments of the vibrational modes are made on the basis of total energy distribution (TED) calculated with scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) method. The observed and calculated FT-IR and NMR spectra are in good agreement with each other.

Synthesis, crystal structure and ab initio/DFT calculations of a derivative of dithiophosphonates.

The compound 2 has been synthesized from the reaction of 2,4-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane-2,4-disulfide and (R)-1-[3,5-Bis(trifloromethyl)phenyl]ethanol in toluene. The obtained crude dithiophosphonic acid 1 has been treated with the excess of N(C2H5)3 to give rise to 2, [(+HN(C2H5)3][O-CH3CH-C6H3(CF3)2)(CH3OC6H4)PS2(-)]. The compound 2 has been characterized by using the spectroscopic methods such as IR, (1)H, (13)C, (31)P NMR and structural analysing method such as X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, whose space group is P212121. It consists of a dithiophosphonate bridged methoxyphenyl and bis(triflorophenylethyl) groups and a triethylammonium moiety linked by N-H⋯S and C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds. In the crystal structure, the C17H14F6O2PS2 molecule is elongated along the b-axis and stacked along the a-axis. The triethylammonium, N(CH2CH3)3, molecule fill in the cavities between the C17H14F6O2PS2 molecule. Moreover, ab initio methods based on Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with the basis set of 6-31G(d) are also carried out to determine the molecular structural properties and to calculate FT-IR and NMR spectrum of the compound 2. The experimental results and theoretical calculations have been compared, and they are found to be in good agreement.

Effects of estrogens on oxidative protein damage in plasma and tissues in ovariectomised rats.

PURPOSE: To assess estrogen-related changes in the redox status of the brain and liver proteins as well as the systemic oxidative stress in ovarectomised (OVX) rats METHODS: Twelve-week-old, sexually mature female Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250g) were randomly divided into four groups: The following treatment combinations were administrated daily to all in 0.05 ml 96% ethanol solution by gastric gavage. (1) Sham operation (2) OVX rats (3) OVX rats [0.02 mg/kg/day of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and 0.01 mg/kg/day of norethisterone acetate] (4) OVX rats [E2 (0.01 mg/kg/day) and drospirenon (0.02 mg/kg/day)]. Estrogen levels were determined using routine clinical-chemistry methods. We also measured protein oxidation parameters such as protein carbonyl (PCO), total thiol (T-SH) and the other oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). RESULTS: Ovariectomy resulted in abnormal elevation of plasma and tissue oxidative stress markers and changes in redox status of the proteins in tissue dependent manner. Supplementation of various estrogens combinations partially alleviated these abnormalities and restored redox homeostasis of proteins after the ovariectomy. Among the studied protein oxidation parameters, plasma and tissue PCO levels of the OVX rats were higher than those of the control groups (P < 0.01). Hormone replacement therapies (HRT) caused a decrease in PCO and MDA in both plasma and tissue of the OVX rats (P < 0.01). HRT in OVX rats decreased plasma MDA and increased liver and brain GSH (P < 0.01). Liver MDA levels of the Drospirenon-treated rats were lower than in the norethisterone acetate group (P < 0.01). On the other hand, Drospirenon increases brain GSH s more effectively than norethisterone acetate (P < 0.01). After bilateral oopherectomy, plasma and tissue T-SH levels decreased in the OVX group compared with control (P < 0.01). Norethisterone acetate increased plasma T-SH more effectively than Drospirenon (P < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The study showed the extent of oxidative protein damage (OPD) in this model of estrogen deficiency. The protective effect of estrogens against tissue specific OPD suggests that estrogens play an important role within the antioxidant defense systems in plasma, liver and brain. The exact molecular mechanisms leading to these findings are not yet completely known. Meanwhile, hormone replacement therapy for the prevention of OPD in a tissue specific manner may be required.

Changes in indications for endoscopic sinonasal surgery over 14 years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess how surgical indications for endoscopic sinonasal surgery have changed over time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The surgical indications of 1173 patients who underwent endoscopic sinonasal surgery between 1994 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Preoperative diagnoses were chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps in 511 patients (43.6%), chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps in 434 (36.9%), concha bullosa in 113 (9.6%), nasal mass in 66 (5.6%), and others in 49 patients (4.1%). Over 60% of patients had surgery for chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps between 1994 and 1999, whereas nearly 60% of patients who underwent surgery between 2001 and 2007 had chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. CONCLUSIONS: Reasons for the decrease in the number of the patients with chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps and the increase in the number of patients with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps might include: 1) Administration of maximal medical therapy; 2) Increased recognition of the possibility for false positive opacifications in computed tomography and increased understanding that not all anatomical variations predispose to sinusitis; 3) More careful "profit and loss" discussions with patients as our postoperative experience increased; 4) More patients with nasal polyps underwent endoscopic sinonasal surgery as surgical skills improved, and recurrences remained common.

Endoscopic resection of pleomorphic adenoma of the nasal septum.

Pleomorphic adenomas originating from the minor salivary glands are rare in the nasal cavity. Total surgical excision is the preferred treatment for pleomorphic adenomas. Lateral rhinotomy, midfacial degloving, transpalatal surgery and endoscopic surgery are among the surgical approaches. Endoscopic tumor removal produces less morbidity, reduces blood loss during surgery, decreases hospital stay, avoids external scars and excessive unnecessary resection, enables the surgeon to better visualize the tumor margins, and has a low recurrence rate. However, only 3 pleomorphic adenomas of the nasal septum have been removed by the endoscopic approach to date. In this paper we report on a case of pleomorphic adenoma of the nasal septum that was removed successfully by the endoscopic approach without any recurrences.

[Microbiology of the external auditory canal in patients with asteatosis and itching]. / Asteatosis ve kasintili hastalarda dis kulak yolu mikrobiyolojisi.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the microbiology of the external auditory canal in patients with asteatosis and itching and evaluated the efficacy of topical 2% alcohol and boric acid solution in patients with normal flora. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bacteriological and mycological cultures were obtained from 76 ears of 45 patients (36 females, 9 males; mean age 41.8 years; range 17 to 66 years) presenting with normal otoscopic findings and no history of ear diseases. Treatment protocols were planned according to the culture results. Patients with normal flora were administered topical 2% alcohol and boric acid solution to relieve itching. RESULTS: Cultures yielded normal flora in 65 ears (85.5%), bacterial pathogenic flora in 10 ears (13.1%), and mycosis in one ear (1.3%). Complaints of itching decreased significantly following treatment with alcohol and boric acid solution in patients with normal flora (p<0.05). No correlation was detected between age and the severity of itching (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite normal otoscopic findings, external auditory canal cultures may show pathogenic colonization in patients with asteatosis. Topical administration of alcohol and boric acid solution seems to relieve itching in patients with normal flora.

Giant cell reparative granuloma originating from the ethmoid sinus.

Giant cell granuloma is a reactive osseous proliferation and is histologically benign despite its aggressive clinical course. It usually involves the maxilla and the mandible in the region of the head and neck. It is rare in the ethmoid region. In this paper, an aggressive and recurrent giant cell reparative granuloma, which is recurred in a very short time period, originating from the ethmoid sinus is presented and the criteria for the differential diagnosis are noted in the light of the histological, clinical and biochemical parameters and the literature is reviewed.

Hearing loss and middle ear involvement in rheumatoid arthritis.

In this controlled study, hearing and middle ear functions were investigated in 37 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 35 controls in order to study the prevalence and the nature of hearing loss in RA. The prevalence of the hearing impairment was significantly higher in the RA group, and the majority was bilateral (P<0.001). Of the patients, 35.1% had sensorineural (SN), 24.3% had conductive loss, and 10.8% had a mixed type of hearing loss. The hearing loss was positively correlated to the Steinbrocker functional index. The prevalence of abnormal tympanograms was 37.8%, while it was 17.1% in the control group. The probable site of involvement responsible for the SN loss was the cochlea, and discontinuity of the ossicles, rather than stiffness, was responsible for the conductive hearing loss. The presence of a mixed type of hearing loss suggested a multifocal involvement of the audiologic system in RA.

[Problems encountered during natural disasters: a questionnaire study]. / Dogal afetler sirasinda karsilasilan sorunlar: bir anket çalismasi.

Human being has been encountering huge natural mass disasters since the dawn of existence. In the earthquake both Marmara region on August 17 1999 and Duzce region on November 12 1999, according to official records, 18.287 people were dead and 46.857 were injured. The purpose of this study is to get information by bilateral interviews with those who witnessed this big earthquake in different districts and to contribute in forming a prepared "disaster administration" consciousness for the prospective disasters, under the basis of these information. This study was made by interviewing with 262 people, 82 of whom witnessed the earthquake in the city of Yalova, 90 in Izmit, Bolu and Golcuk and 90 in Istanbul, used a questionnaire form consisted of multi choice and commentary questions. It is of very importance to diffuse educational programmes to increase social consciousness and sensibility about earthquake. Some projects to meet the basic requirements like communication, rescue, accommodation, nutrition and urgent medical support must be developed and embodied. Measures enabling to determine the identities of those who lose their lives in the earthquake must be determined and organized with the collaboration of forensic medical units.

Cathodoluminescence microscopy characterization of chrome-free refractories for copper smelting and converting furnaces

The results of an experimental program assessing the potential of several chrome-free refractory materials as potential replacements for the mag-chrome brick currently used in copper production furnaces are presented. Several commercial chrome-free bricks were subjected to the standard dip test in a high-copper calcium ferrite slag. The mineralogical changes in the bricks resulting from their interaction with the molten slag are described. The use of optical cathodoluminescence microscopy as an analytical tool is highlighted, along with reflected light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy. Using the three tools together provides a description of the experimental results not achievable using one or two alone. The penetration resistance of the potential replacement refractories is comparable to that of mag-chrome, but the substitution of Fe2+ for Mg2+ in the periclase and spinel crystalline structures of the replacements reduces their corrosion resistance compared with mag-chrome, diminishing the likelihood that they will serve as reliable alternatives.

Epidermoid tumor of the interhemispheric fissure.

In this report, we present a case of an interhemispheric epidermoid presenting with generalized seizure. The tumor was demonstrated radiologically and discussed with the pertinent literature.