The relationship between occupations and head and neck cancers

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupation and head and neck cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 206 Turkish patients with head and neck cancers comprised the case group. The control group consisted of 206 age- and sex-matched patients without malignant disease. All patients completed a questionnaire regarding occupation; tobacco and alcohol consumption; educational status; and history of any systemic disease, benign head and neck disease, and cancer among family members. High-risk jobs were considered those in the industries of construction, wood, mining, metal, chemistry and agriculture. RESULTS: Patients with head and neck cancers worked in high-risk occupations more frequently than did controls [odds ratio (OR): 3.42, p<0.05]. Cancer risk decreased with the increase in time interval between quitting the high-risk job and time of interview. Smokers were at higher risk than nonsmokers (OR: 3.33, p<0.05). The risk was also higher in patients who drank alcohol regularly (OR: 1.59, p<0.05). However, occupation was found to be an independent high-risk factor for head and neck cancers in regression analysis. Frequency of benign head and neck disease and family history of cancer were not significant risk factors (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that occupation and smoking were significant independent risk factors for the development of head and neck cancers among workers.     

Relationship between left ventricle geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with untreated essential hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between different the left ventricle (LV) geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with hypertension (HT). METHODS: We studied 84 patients (50.0+/-6.1, years) with HT and 24 healthy control subjects (48.6+/-3.3, years). Four different geometric patterns were identified in patients according to LV mass index and relative wall thickness. Peripheral lymphocyte DNA damages and plasma levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined in all subjects. RESULTS: DNA damage was increased in hypertensive patients compared with control group (p=0.001). The major increase in DNA damage was observed in concentric hypertrophic geometric pattern compared with all other geometric patterns (p<0.001, for all). In multiple linear regression analysis, lymphocyte DNA damage was independently correlated with only TAS (beta=-0.444, p<0.001), but not LV geometry (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The major increase in lymphocyte DNA damage was observed in concentric hypertrophic geometric pattern. This result may be related to increased oxidative stress.     

Typhoid fever as a rare cause of hepatic, splenic, and bone marrow granulomas

During the course of typhoid fever, the usual histologic finding of the liver is "nonspecific reactive hepatitis." Hepatic granuloma (HG) is a rare complication of typhoid fever. We present two cases of typhoid fever with HG and review the relevant literature. Case 1 (a 53-year-old female) was found to have both hepatic and splenic granulomas. This is the first case of typhoid fever with splenic granulomas in the English language literature. Case 2 (a 66-year-old male) developed granulomas in the bone marrow in addition to HG. It should be considered that typhoid fever may lead to granulomas in several organs.     

Effect of creatine and pioglitazone on Hk-2 cell line cisplatin nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent, which is used in the treatment of various solid organ cancers, and its main dose limiting side effect of cisplatin is nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of pioglitazone and creatine on cisplatin nephrotoxicity in vitro. Real-time cell analyzer system (RTCA) was used for real-time and time-dependent analysis of the cellular response of HK-2 cells following incubation with cisplatin and combination with creatine or pioglitazone hydrochloride. First, half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of cisplatin, creatine and pioglitazone were calculated by RTCA system. Afterwards creatine and pioglitazone was administered with serial dilutions under RTCA system. IC50 dose for cisplatin was 7.69?M?×?10^?5 at 24th hour and 3.93?M?×?10^?6 at 48th hour. IC50 dose for pioglitazone was 1.61?M?×?10^?3 at 24th hour and 2.85?M?×?10^?4 at 48th hour. Although cells were treated the dose of 40,225?mM creatine, IC50 dose could not been reached. Neither pioglitazone nor creatine had additional protective effect in any dose. Consequently, beneficial effect of creatine and pioglitazone on cisplatin-induced cell death could not be found. Further studies and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effect of different doses of these drugs in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Demodex positive discoid lupus erythematosus: Is it a separate entity or an overlap syndrome?

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic inflammatory erythematous skin disease that can be triggered by several factors. Rosacea is another skin disease that causes facial redness and tenderness. Demodex mites have been reported in rosacea and DLE patients commonly in the literature. These two diseases can be seen concomitant, mimic each other clinically and share common possible etiologic factors. To assess demodex mite infestation in both clinical and histopathological findings in DLE patients. We retrospectively evaluated the files of 42 patients with DLE who had been diagnosed DLE based on clinical and histopathological findings between August 2018 and August 2019. Demodex positivity was detected 50% of patients (n = 21). Neutrophile percentages in the dermal and perivascular area were higher in the demodex positive patients (4.43%) than in the Demodex negative patients (2.19%). The intensity of demodex mites correlated positively with dermal neutrophile percentages. ANA was negative in 29 patients (69%) and positive in 13 patients (31%). Anti‐dsDNA was negative in serology and follicular plugging was positive in histopathology in all 42 patients (100%). This was a retrospective study. DLE and rosacea share common features in etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation. Inflammation and exacerbations caused by the demodex mites may increase the clinical severity of DLE. Although the position of demodex mites in DLE etiopathogenesis is not known exactly, the presence of high demodex in DLE patients has been determined. Standard skin surface biopsy can be a routine procedure for the evaluation of DLE patients in daily clinical practice.