An Investigation of the COMT Gene Val158Met Polymorphism in Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department Because of Synthetic Cannabinoid Use.

Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) enzyme has a role in the inactivation of catecholamine neurotransmitters. Functional polymorphism in the COMT gene has been reported to play an important role in schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, aggressive and antisocial behavior, suicide attempts and the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the Vall58Met polymorphism of the COMT gene on substance use, and treatment history in patients with synthetic cannabinoid (SC) intoxication. The COMT enzyme Val158Met polymorphisms from DNA of 49 patients who were evaluated in the Emergency Department after SC use and 50 healthy control groups aged 18-45 years, were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses as reported in the literature. Information regarding recurrent intake or hospitalization due to substance use was obtained from hospital records. Wild-type (WT) genotypes in 14 (28.6%) patients, heterozygous genotypes in 25 (51.0%) and homozygous genotypes in 10 (20.4%) patients were detected. Wild-type genotypes The homozygous genotype was found to be significantly higher in patients hospitalized due to drug addiction and substance use (p 0.008). The Vall58 Met polymorphism of the COMT gene was not found to be significant in the first use after substance intake, while a significant relationship was found in terms of this polymorphism in patients with substance addiction diagnosis and treatment history.

Lytic Activity of Various Phage Cocktails on Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

PURPOSE: A bacteriophage is a virus that infects and replicates within a bacterium following the injection of phage genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. They are seen as a possible therapy for multi-drug-resistant strains of many bacteria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the lytic activity of the Pyo, Intesti and Fersisi bacteriophage cocktails on P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. METHODS: Ten different S. aureus and P. aeruginosa strains, which were isolated from hospitalized patients in Turkey, were used in the study. The identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates were performed using Vitec 2 system. The identities of the isolates were confirmed by a species-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. Lytic activity of the bacteriophage cocktails on bacteria was determined by spot test and plaque assay methods. RESULTS: The lytic activity of the Pyo phage cocktail was evaluated on P. aeruginosa and S. aureus strains. It was found that eight isolates of MDR S. aureus were susceptible to Pyo phage cocktail and two isolates were resistant. Nine isolates of antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa were found to be susceptible to this phage cocktail and one isolate was resistant. Thus, the Pyo, Intesti and Fersisi cocktails are very effective in treating clinical strains of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and S. aureus isolated in Turkey. CONCLUSION: The Pyo, Intesti and Fersisi cocktails may prove useful in the treatment of various infections caused by those bacteria.

The correlation between adiposity and adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Is adipocyte size associated with inflammation in adults?

OBJECTIVE: Hypertrophic obesity correlates with metabolic complications of obesity. We evaluated adipocyte volume and its relationship with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into 4 groups; lean healthy controls [body mass index (BMI): 24.2+/-1.4 kg/m2], non-diabetic obese patients (30.2+/-2.9), obese (30.1+/-3.2) and non-obese (22.2+/-1.5) Type 2 diabetic patients. TNF-alpha, hs-CRP, adiponectin and IL-6 levels were measured preoperatively and sc fat specimens were obtained during operation. Semi-thin sections were stained with toluidine-blue and evaluated by light microscopy. Fat volumes were calculated by Goldrick's formulation. RESULTS: Mean adipocyte volumes were higher in obese diabetic patients than in other groups (p<0.0001). Mean TNF-alpha, hs-CRP and IL-6 levels were higher in obese diabetic patients than in control subjects, obese non-diabetic and non-obese diabetic patients (p<0.0001, p<0.02 and p<0.01, respectively). Mean TNF-alpha levels of non-diabetic obese patients were higher than the control group (p<0.05). Mean IL-6 levels of diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients were higher than control subjects (p<0.02 and p<0.0001, respectively). Mean adiponectin levels of control subjects were higher than non-diabetic obese, non-obese diabetic and obese-diabetic subjects (p<0.0001). Mean adiponectin levels of obese diabetic patients were lower than non-diabetic obese subjects (p<0.008). Mean hs-CRP levels were higher in diabetic patients whether they were obese or not. There was a positive correlation between adipocyte size and TNF-alpha (p<0.01), IL-6 (p<0.03) and hs-CRP levels (p<0.004), and negative correlation between adipocyte size, adiponectin levels (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: TNF-alpha, IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were positively, adiponectin negatively correlated with adipocyte size. Therefore, adiposity may be an inflammatory condition.

Isolated sphenochoanal polyp: report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Choanal polyps constitute 3-6 % of all nasal polyps and are lesions which usually originate from the mucosa of the maxillary sinus and have a solitary growth pattern. Polyps originating from the sphenoid sinus are rarely seen and are known as sphenochoanal polyps. Surgical treatment of the sphenochoanal polyps is its complete excision together with the pedicle and the portion inside the sphenoid sinus. CASES REPORT: We report the cases of three patients who were referred to the ENT outpatient department for a persistent unilateral nasal obstruction that was resistant to medical treatment. After their clinical and endoscopic examination and imaging evaluation, these patients underwent endoscopic excision of the sphenochoanal polyps which in histopathology were proven to be inflammatory polyps. CONCLUSION: Although rarely seen sphenochoanal polyps must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of unilateral sphenoid sinus and posterior nasal cavity masses. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 150-153.

The effects of magnesium, calcium and EDTA on slime production by Staphylococcus epidermidis strains.

Effect of magnesium, calcium and EDTA on slime production by 15 slime-positive and 13 slime-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from various clinical specimens was determined. The slime production on tryptic soy broth was significantly enhanced after addition of 128 mumol/L Mg2+. Similarly, the addition of Ca2+ caused a significant increase in slime production of all tested strains when concentration of Ca2+ exceeded 64 mumol/L. In contrast, in the presence of EDTA the slime production by all strains was significantly reduced. Hence Ca2+ and Mg2+ increase slime production of S. epidermidis. This finding is important in the context of the pathogenesis of biomedical implant infections caused by S. epidermidis.

Listeria monocytogenes in products of animal origin in Turkey.

A study was carried out on 430 samples of different foodstuffs (soft cheese, raw chicken, minced beef, sausage, fish) and 400 carcase samples (sheep, young and adult cattle) for screening of Listeria monocytogenes. It was found that only one of the samples contained L. monocytogenes at > 10(3) cfu/ml in the initial examination, but another 42 samples contained L. monocytogenes following an enrichment process. L. monocytogenes was isolated most frequently from raw chicken samples (18%), but was not isolated from sausage samples. Forty-three isolates were defined as serotypes by using Bacto-Listeria-O-antisera Type 1 (Difco 2300-50-2) and Type 4 (Difco 2301-50-1) except that Type poly was not used. For these reasons, all isolates were classified as type 1 or type 4 and the other was termed untypeable. Twenty-one samples were type 1, 17 were untypeable, and 5 were both serotype 4 and untypeable.

[Problems in the diagnosis of intrauterine viral infections, applicable methods and our current studies]. / Intra uterin viral enfeksiyonlarin tanimlanmasindaki sorunlar, uygulanabilecek pratik yöntemler ve kendi çalismalarimiz

In this review article the authors summarize the prevelance and diagnosis of "intra uterin viral infections", including their studies in this field.

Lamivudine and Adefovir Motif Variants Detected in chronic Hepatitis B patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic hepatitis B is an important health problem worldwide. Lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir and telbivudine are the oral drugs licensed for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Implementation of antiviral therapy leads to the emergence of mutant strains during the treatment in chronic hepatitis B. Primary antiviral resistance may be rarely encountered. The aims of this study were to detect the resistance patterns of Hepatit B Virus strains in treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 147 CHB patients were included to this study which was carried on between January 2007- December 2010. HBV DNA levels were detected by using the Real time PCR (COBAS Ampli- Prep/COBAS TaqMan HBV Test). HBV-DNA was extracted from the sera of the patients by using extraction kit (Invisorb, Instant Spin DNA/RNA Virus Mini Kit, Germany). A line prob assay (Inno-Lipa HBV DR v2, Innogenetics N.V, Ghent, Belgium) was used to determine motif variants at viral polymerase gene fragment in HBV-DNA samples of these patients and evaluated colorimetrically. RESULTS: In 147 patients antiviral resistance rate was found 17% (25/147) for lamivudin, 5.44% (8/147) adefovir, 0.68%(1/147) lamivudin and adefovir. Various mutations were detected. This mutations; responsible for lamivudine resistance YMDD+YVDD (n=10), YMDD+YIDD (n=12), YIDD (n=2), YVDD (=1); responsible for adefovir resistance N236T (n=3), A181T (n=5); responsible for lamivudine and adefovir resistance YMDD+YIDD+N236T (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion, it is thought that drug resistance should be followed up regularly, the determination of HBV drug resistance as immediate as possible period may be instructive for the treatment and follow-up in CHB patients. Although determination of known mutations with Inno Lipa DR v2 method is disadvantage, because of ease of application and the determination of both lamivudin-adefovir resistance in a short time, it can be used for the treatment and follow-up in CHB patients.

The effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by a Global System for Mobile Communications source on cochlear development in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by 900 and 1800 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications sources on cochlear development in the rat model. METHODS: Eight pregnant albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. The latter two groups of pregnant rats were exposed to radiofrequency radiation for 1 hour per day starting on the 12th day of pregnancy until delivery. The rats in the control, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz groups gave birth to 24, 31 and 26 newborn rats respectively. Newborn rats in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz groups were exposed to radiofrequency radiation for 1 hour per day for 21 days after delivery. Hearing evaluations of newborn rats were carried out using distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing. Eight newborn rats were randomly selected from each group for electron microscopic evaluation. RESULTS: Distortion product otoacoustic emission tests revealed no significant difference among the groups, but electron microscopic evaluation revealed significant differences among the groups with regard to the number of normal, apoptotic and necrotic cells. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated cellular structural damage in the cochlea caused by radiofrequency radiation exposure during cochlear development in the rat model.

The protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract against experimental cisplatin ototoxicity: animal research using distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin, an effective therapeutic agent for various human cancers, has dose-limiting side effects of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin ototoxicity is thought to result from increased amounts of toxic free radicals or cell membrane changes leading to increased intracellular calcium content. Ginkgo biloba extract prevents lipid peroxidation, decreases intracellular free oxygen radical levels, regulates the cell membrane calcium transport mechanism and prevents cell death. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats. METHODS: Twenty Wistar albino rats with normal hearing (confirmed by distortion product otoacoustic emission testing prior to cisplatin application) were randomly allocated to two groups. Both groups received a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (12 mg/kg). Group two also received daily intraperitoneal doses of Ginkgo biloba extract (100 mg/kg) for 10 days. Distortion product otoacoustic emission measurements were repeated on days 10 and 17 and signal-to-noise ratios were compared. RESULTS: Compared with group one, group two had significantly better distortion product otoacoustic emission results at 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz on days 10 and 17. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Ginkgo biloba extract protects the inner ear against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Platelet-rich plasma improves healing of tympanic membrane perforations: experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of local application of platelet-rich plasma to perforated rat tympanic membranes, in terms of healing time and histopathological outcome. METHODS: Eighty-eight tympanic membranes of 44 rats were given a standard 3 mm perforation, and platelet-rich plasma was applied to the right tympanic membrane perforations. The left tympanic membranes were left to heal spontaneously, as controls. The 44 rats were divided into two groups. In group one, comprising 20 rats, daily otomicroscopic examination of the tympanic membrane perforations was performed. The 24 rats in group two were subdivided into four subgroups of six rats each; these subgroups were sacrificed sequentially on days three, seven, 14 and 28 for histopathological examination, regardless of tympanic membrane healing stage. RESULTS: In group one, the mean tympanic membrane healing times for tympanic membrane perforations receiving platelet-rich plasma and controls were respectively 10.2 +/- 2.1 and 13.0 +/- 2.9 days (mean +/- standard deviation). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In group two, histopathological evaluation of tympanic membrane perforation healing at days three, seven, 14 and 28 did not reveal any statistically significant difference, individually or within the four groups as a whole. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that earlier healing of tympanic membrane perforations occurred in the platelet-rich plasma group compared with the control group. These findings suggest that platelet-rich plasma is effective in accelerating tympanic membrane perforation healing, and that it may be effective in human subjects, particularly as it is an autologous material.

Laser treatment in 341 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To document the prognosis of laser treatment in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS:Efficacy of the intervention was evaluated using a before-after method.RESULTS:A total of 392 eyes of 341 patients with exudative AMD were examined.77.6% had choroideal neovascularisation (CNV).Before the use of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography,occult CNV was detected in only 1.8% of the eyes,but after the use of ICG angiography,this increased to 19.5% (P<0.001).Of the 349 eyes which were followed up,visual acuity had remained stable in 68.2% of the eyes.There was a statistically significant relationship between localization of lesion and visual acuity changes on pre-and post-laser treatment (P<0.001).Also there was a statistically significant relationship between localization of lesion and recurrence (P<0.05).The recurrence was less in subfoveal lesions than that in juxtafoveal and extrafoveal lesions.CONCLUSION:ICG angiography is highly important in the treatment of occult CNV.

The management of lichen planus with low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin).

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of low-dose, low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin) in the treatment of lichen planus (LP). Twenty-four patients clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as LP with intense pruritus were treated with 3 mg of enoxaparin (Clexane), subcutaneously once a week for 4-14 weeks. Complete remission was observed in 20 of 24 patients (83%) who had widespread cutaneous involvement, but no or minimal effect was observed in four of 24 patients, three of whom had chronic hypertrophic LP. Low-dose enoxaparin was observed to be effective in the treatment of LP without any side-effects. Enoxaparin may be an effective and simple alternative therapy for LP.

Tinea capitis in Diyarbakir, Turkey.

The incidence and types of tinea capitis in 234 children aged 1-12 referred to our laboratory with a preliminary diagnosis of tinea capitis infection in the past 5 years were investigated. Tinea capitis was determined in 149 (63.7%) of these patients, of which agents grew in culture in 124 (83.2%). The most frequently isolated agents, in order of frequency, are as follows: Trichophyton violaceum (43.6%), Microsporum canis (37.9%), T. mentagrophytes (8.1%) and T. verrucosum (4.8%).

Determination of amlodipine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A sensitive and specific HPLC method has been developed for the assay of amlodipine in human plasma. The assay involves derivatization with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl), solid-phase extraction on a silica column and isocratic reversed-phase chromatography with fluorescence detection. Nortriptyline hydrochloride was used as an internal standard. The assay was linear over the concentration range of 0.25-18.00 ng/ml. Both of the within-day and day-to-day reproducibility and accuracy were less than 11.80% and 12.00%, respectively. The plasma profile following a single administration of 10 mg amlodipine to a healthy volunteer was presented.