Is there any association between blood glycoalkaloid levels and anencephaly in human?

AIM: In various experimental animal studies, it has been proven that solanine, a subtype of glycoalkaloids, is responsible for neural tube defects. However, there have not been any human studies yet in this area. Our aim is to investigate whether there are any connections between blood glycoalkaloid levels and anencephaly in humans. METHODS: Blood and amniotic fluid samples were taken from patients diagnosed with fetal anencephaly during pregnancy. The samples from patients with normal pregnancies were taken as well and was compared to the patients with fetal anencephaly during pregnancy. We searched the levels of three glycoalkaloids: solanine, chaconine and solamargine in the collected samples. RESULTS: Solanine, which is one of the glycoalkaloids, could not be detected in both serum and amniotic fluid in the anencephaly as well as the control groups. However, alpha-solamargine levels were observed to be significantly higher in the blood and amniotic fluid samples of the control group than in the study group (p = 0.04). Alpha-chaconine levels were also significantly higher in the control group (p < 0.001) as well. CONCLUSION: Based on our tests, we can conclude that no connections were found between blood solanine levels and anencephaly during pregnancy. Alpha-chaconine and alpha-solamargine levels were observed to be higher in blood and amniotic fluid in pregnancies without anencephaly. The relationship between glycoalkaloids and congenital anomalies needs to be further investigated in tissues other than blood.

Use of methylene blue and N,O-carboxymethylchitosan to prevent postoperative adhesions in a rat uterine horn model.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the anti-adhesion potential of 1% methylene blue (MB) solution and 2% N,O-carboxymethylchitosan (NOCC) gel in a rat uterine horn model. DESIGN: Experimental animal study. SETTING: University medical center. ANIMAL(S): Forty female Wistar albino rats randomized into four groups. INTERVENTION(S): We examined the effects of 1% MB solution and 2% NOCC gel to reduce the extent and severity of postoperative adhesions in a rat uterine horn model: no adjuvant therapy in control group, 2 mL of normal saline (NS) solution in NS group, 2 mL of 1% MB solution in MB group, and 2 mL of 2% NOCC gel in NOCC group was instilled onto uterine horns of the rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Adhesions were scored according to their extent and severity. RESULT(S): The extent and severity scores of adhesions in MB and NOCC groups were significantly lower than those of control and NS groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the extent and severity scores of adhesions between MB and NOCC groups. CONCLUSION(S): These findings suggest that MB and 2% NOCC gel should be considered as an adjuvant in the prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. Future experimental and clinical studies are required to find their optimal formulation and usage.

Identification of yeasts in public hospital primary care patients with or without clinical vaginitis.

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal yeast infections are one of the most common female genital tract infections. Candida albicans is the most common infectious cause. Candida species other than C. albicans are being diagnosed with increasing frequency. The aim of the present study was to determine species of yeasts obtained from the vaginal fluid among public hospital primary care patients with or without clinical vaginitis and to evaluate the correlation of vaginal yeast colonisation with epidemiological and clinical features of applicants. METHODS: Vaginal swabs from 622 women who underwent vaginal examination in a women's hospital were obtained. After isolation, identification tests were carried out on 106 yeast species. Epidemiological and clinical features of women with respect to these species were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 106 yeasts isolated, 67 C. albicans, 10 C. glabrata, seven C. kefyr (pseudotropicalis), six C. tropicalis, five C. parapsilosis, five C. krusei, three Saccharomyces boulardii, one C. guillermondii, one S. cerevisiae and one Trichosporon species were identified as yeast subtypes. Of the women with C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. kefyr, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, 60, three, one, one, and one, respectively, had symptoms of vaginitis. Of women with C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. kefyr, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, and the other species, 27, four, three, two, one, one, and one, respectively, had clinical findings of vaginitis. CONCLUSION: Despite the heterogeneity of the present study group, the results support the use of vaginal culture as the most sensitive test for final diagnosis. However, a positive culture does not mean that the C. albicans is pathogenic, as it may be the normal commensal pathogen. Correlation of clinical and laboratory findings is important as it enables the administration of appropriate treatment without delay.