Human fascioliasis

Infestation with fasciola hepatica is not often seen in humans. Only a few cases have been reported previously, while in our clinic only three cases have been observed in 20 years. All three cases (two males aged 35 and 40 and a 45-year-old female) were operated on with the possible diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, and parasites were later incidentally discovered at operation. In recent years praziquantel has been used with a high rate of success in the medical treatment of this disease. We have also prescribed praziquantel for our last two cases in order to prevent recurrence and to kill any parasites that might still remain after the operation. In the postoperative follow-up a complete cure was observed in all cases.     

The effects of carbamazepine and valproic acid on the erythrocyte glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and serum lipid peroxidation in epileptic children.

Some epileptic drugs may change antioxidant enzyme activities in humans and experimental animals. Recent studies suggest that membrane lipid peroxidation may be causally involved in some forms of epilepsy, and the differences are reported in free radical scavenging enzyme levels. GSHpX, SOD, GSH are important parameters of antioxidant defence mechanisms. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of valproic acid and carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy on erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation. During the treatment with VPA or CBZ, the erythrocyte GSHpX and GSH levels of epileptic children were significantly changed as compared to those of health control subjects. The mean levels of serum lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase were not statistically different from controls. The methods used for investigation of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and serum lipid peroxidation were all based on spectrophotometric measurement.     

In-vitro activity of ceftriaxone combined with newer agents against MRSA

In this study, in vitro synergism in combinations of agents as ceftriaxone/dalbavancin, ceftriaxone/linezolid and ceftriaxone/daptomycin against MRSA strains were investigated. Thirty clinical MRSA strains were tested. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of all antibiotics were determined using reference broth microdilution method. In-vitro activities of antibiotics combined against the strains were tested using two-dimensional checkerboard microdilution method. Results were interpreted as follows: synergy = FICI ≤0.5; ‘no interaction’ effect = FICI ?0.5-≤4; antagonism = FICI ?4. The MIC₅₀, MIC₉₀ and MIC_range of ceftriaxone, daptomycin, dalbavancin and linezolid were found as 128, 1024 and 16-2048 mg/L; 1, 1 and 0.5–1 mg/L; 0.12, 0.12 and 0.03–0.12 mg/L; and 1, 2 and 1–2 mg/L, respectively. Our results showed that the frequency of synergistic effects (FICI: ≤0.5) of three combinations were all at the same rate of 77% (23/30). No in vitro antagonism (FICI >4) was observed.     

Depression and anxiety levels in infertile Turkish women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of anxiety-depression in women with infertility and to investigate the relationship between psychologic symptoms, course of treatment and cultural factors. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 107 women with primary infertility in the index group and 63 healthy women in the control group. The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale was applied to both groups to evaluate psychologic symptoms. The same scale was applied once more after 3 months to the infertility group. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the level of depression-anxiety between the 2 groups. The severity of psychologic symptoms was greater in those in the infertility group who had attempted nonmedical solutions, who were under pressure from their husbands' families because of their infertility and who reported "bad" relations with their husbands. At the end of the 3 months, the group of patients who achieved pregnancy showed significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression scores than the group of patients who did not. Age, attempts at nonmedical solutions, pressure from the husband's family because of infertility and anxiety level at the start of the study were variables that predicted pregnancy negatively. CONCLUSION: It can be useful to take cultural factors into account in evaluating the mental health of infertile women.     

The effects of amalgam restorations on plasma mercury levels and total antioxidant activity

Objective

This study evaluated the effects of amalgam restorations on plasma mercury levels and total antioxidant activities (TAA).

Design

The study was comprised of 48 subjects ranging in age from 20 to 32 years. Of these, 33 had dental amalgam restorations and 15 had no dental amalgam restorations. In those patients with amalgams, the total number of amalgam restorations and surfaces were counted, and the total and occlusal areas (mm²) of restorations were measured using a Counting Measurement Machine. Blood samples were collected from all participants. Plasma mercury levels were measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and Hydride System, and plasma TAA levels were measured using an Antioxidant Assay Kit. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 10.01 software program. Data was evaluated by t test and correlation analysis.

Results

Plasma mercury (P-Hg) levels were found to be significantly higher in subjects with amalgam restorations when compared to subjects without amalgams (p < 0.01); the differences in P-TAA levels between subjects with and without amalgams were not found to be statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant correlations were found between P-Hg concentrations and P-TAA levels (p > 0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between P-Hg concentrations and the number of amalgam restorations (p < 0.01), number of amalgam surfaces (p < 0.05), total amalgam surface area (p < 0.05) and amalgam occlusal surface area (p < 0.01). However, no significant correlations were found between these parameters and P-TAA (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of our study showed that dental amalgams are a major source of plasma mercury; however, amalgam restorations were not found to have a significant effect on plasma-total antioxidant activities.     

An analysis of HELLP syndrome cases: does platelet count predict adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in women with HELLP syndrome?

Purpose  

To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcome in 44 pregnancies complicated with HELLP syndrome and to investigate the role of platelet counts in its prognosis.     

Papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 3-year-old child: case report

Thyroid cancers account for 0.5-3.0% of all childhood malignancies. These cancers are exceedingly rare at ages younger than 5 years. Although the disease is biologically more aggressive in children when compared with adults, the prognosis is better. There are only few case reports in the literature describing papillary thyroid carcinoma under age 5. In this case report, a 3-year-old child with bilateral multiple masses on the neck that were present for 6 months and who was diagnosed with thyroid papillary carcinoma is presented, and the diagnosis and therapy of the disease is discussed.     

Ginger (zingiber officinale) might improve female fertility: A rat model

Background

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a well known and extensively used antioxidant in traditional remedies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ginger powder on ovarian folliculogenesis and implantation in rats.

T2 hyperintensities in bipolar patients and their healthy siblings

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the frequency of hyperintensities, which are common in bipolar disorder, in sufferers' siblings who are free of bipolar disorder and to ascertain whether these lesions reflect any familial characteristics. It offers an assessment of the relationship between these lesions and clinical characteristics. METHODS: The study group consisted of 12 patients with bipolar disorder, their siblings who had no history of mental disorder, and a matched control group. All three groups were assessed using SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders) for diagnosis, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for signal hyperintensity. RESULTS: No periventricular white matter lesions were encountered in any groups. It was found that in the patients and siblings, the location was in the right cerebral hemisphere in the deep white matter, whereas it was in the left cerebral hemisphere for the control group. Only in the patient group were lesions detected in subcortical white matter in the right cerebral hemisphere. The lesions were localized in the fronto-parietal area. Considering the brain as a whole, more hyperintensities were detected in the patient group compared to the other two groups. The onset of the disorder with a manic episode was increasing probably in the presence of hyperintensities. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being alike in terms of age, more hyperintensities were detected in the patient group than in the siblings and control groups. Contrary to the control group, however, hyperintensities were localized in the right cerebral hemisphere in both the patients and the siblings groups. Hyperintensities seen in the left cerebral hemisphere yield a nonspecific impression. Siblings who have hyperintensities in the right cerebral hemisphere should be followed up and investigated with regard to bipolar disorder.