A rare cause of retinal artery embolism: Accessory mitral valve tissue

A 42‐year‐old female patient was referred our clinic for investigation of a history of acute retinal artery occlusion. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a cyst‐like, mobile formation on posterior mitral valve leaflet. 2D and real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography showed a flexible circular mobile structure which was attached to posterior mitral valve leaflet. Echocardiographic appearance and morphological characteristics were suggestive of accessory mitral valve tissue.     

Atrial natriuretic peptide and aldosterone in sick premature neonates.

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone concentrations were investigated in 25 sick premature neonates. Group A consisted of 11 premature neonates with sepsis and group B of 14 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. In both groups, ANP and aldosterone levels were found to be higher than in the controls. Group A concentrations of ANP and aldosterone were also higher than in group B.     

The value of immunoglobulin and complement levels in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Serum IgG, IgGl, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c and C4 concentrations were measured in 24 term neonates with sepsis and 17 healthy normal neonates of similar age, sex and weight (control group). The serum IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c, and C4 levels were similar in the patients with sepsis and the control group ( p > 0. 05). In the neonates with sepsis, serum IgG, G1, G2, IgM and C4 levels were not significantly different between the 1st and 10th days, while there were significant differences for IgG3, G4 and C3c ( p < 0. 05). We conclude that the serum levels of IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c and C4 concentrations are of no value for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.     

Cellular and humoral immunity in prostitutes in Istanbul

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can be transmitted through heterosexual intercourse and prostitutes may be responsible for this form of transmission. Thirty-four prostitutes were included in this study and their humoral and cellular immunological parameters were compared with control group. Prostitutes were divided in two subgroups according to their sexual practice and the use of illicit drugs and compared with each other. The only immunological parameter that is significantly different from the control group was the serum IgM level. In prostitutes who have more than 11 partners in a week, the mean number of E rosettes, EAC rosette forming cells and cells expressing surface immunoglobulins were significantly higher than prostitutes who have 0-10 sexual partner in a week.     

Indriven sphenoid wing as a cause of post-traumatic epilepsy

Abstract. Post-traumatic epilepsy is more frequent after severe head injuries, however the severity of the trauma is not always correlated with the injured brain tissue. We report a patient whose seizures developed 4 years after a face trauma. Upward displacement of the sphenoid wing caused a contusion at the orbital surface of the frontal lobe. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalographic findings are presented. The patient responded well to commonly used antiepileptic drugs.     

Calcium loss from root canal dentin following EDTA, EGTA, EDTAC, and tetracycline-HCl treatment with or without subsequent NaOCl irrigation

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of calcium removal on root canal dentin after 17% EDTA, 17% EGTA, 15% EDTAC, and 1% tetracycline-HCl treatment; with or without subsequent use of 2.5% NaOCl. Extracted single-rooted human teeth were bisected longitudinally and the root halves (n=100) were isolated with nail varnish, leaving the root canal exposed. The samples were immersed in the test solutions for 1 and 5 minutes, after which the amount of calcium ion (Ca(2+)) release into the solutions was determined by flame photometry. Regardless of treatment time, all single (treatment solution only) and combined (treatment solution with subsequent NaOCl application) irrigation regimens removed significantly more Ca(2+) than control treatment (distilled water). Compared with other groups, treatment with 17% EDTA and 17% EDTA + 2.5% NaOCl resulted in the maximum amount of Ca(2+) removal from root canal dentin (p<0.05). All combined-treatment groups except 17% EGTA + 2.5% NaOCl removed significantly more Ca(2+) than their single-treatment versions (p<0.05). Within each test group, extending the treatment time to 5 minutes resulted in significantly more Ca(2+) removal (p<0.05).     

Effect of formoterol on clinical parameters and lung functions in patients with bronchial asthma: a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS: To determine the role of formoterol in the treatment of children with bronchial asthma who are symptomatic despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS: A randomised, double blind, parallel group, placebo controlled study to investigate the effects of inhaled formoterol (12 microg twice a day) in 32 children with moderate to severe bronchial asthma. The study consisted of two week run in periods and six week treatment periods, during both of which the patients continued their regular anti-inflammatory drugs. The efficacy parameters were symptom scores, bronchodilator use, daily peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), methacholine hyper-reactivity, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), lung volumes, and airway conductance. RESULTS: Formoterol treatment for six weeks decreased symptom scores, PEFR variability, and the number of rescue salbutamol doses, and increased morning and evening PEFR significantly. No adverse reactions were seen. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that inhaled formoterol is effective in controlling chronic asthma symptoms in children who are symptomatic despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids.