Effects of Cd^＋2, Cu^＋2, Ba^＋2 and Co^＋2 ions on Entamoeba histolytica cysts

AIM:The effects of cobalt, copper, cadmium and barium ions on the cysts of Entarnoeba histolytica (E.histolytica),an amebic dysentery agent,cultured in Robinson medium were investigated.METHODS: E.histolytica cysts and trophozoites isolated from a patient with amebiasis were cultivated in the medium,incubated at 37℃ for a period of 4 days and 40×10^4/ml amebic cysts were then transferred to a fresh medium. At the second stage, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2mM of selected metal ions were added to the medium,and the effects of these ions on parasitic reproduction compared with the control group were observed.RESULTS:It was determined that the number of living parasites in all the groups containing metal ions decreased significantly starting from 30 minutes (P<0.01). CuCl2 showed the highest lethal effect on E. histolytica cysts, whereas the lowest lethal effect was observed with CoCl2. It was also seen that the number of living cells was decreased as the ion concentration and exposure time were increased, and that there were no living parasites in the medium at the end of 24h (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:It may be stated that the effect of everincreasing contamination of the environment with metal waste materials on parasites should be investigated further.     

Neuroprotective effects of racemic ketamine and (S)-ketamine on spinal cord injury in rat

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate and to compare the potential neuroprotective effects of racemic ketamine, (S)-ketamine and methylprednisolone after an experimental spinal cord injury model in rats.MethodsFifty-nine Wistar albino rats were divided into three main groups as acute stage (A), subacute stage (SA) and sham groups and then acute and subacute stage groups were divided into four groups regarding the used drug as control (CONT), racemic ketamine (RK), (S)-ketamine (SK) and methylprednisolone (MP) groups. A dorsal laminectomy was performed; and spinal cord injury was induced by using a temporary aneurysm clip. Four hours later from the clip compression, except those of the sham and control groups, the drugs (60 mg/kg racemic ketamine, 60 mg/kg (S)-ketamine or 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone) were administered intraperitoneally. At 72th h and 7th days of the study, the spinal cords of rats were removed from T8 level to the conus medullaris level. The specimens were and evaluated histopathologically, tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) and myeloperoxidation (MPO) levels were measured and biochemically.ResultsThe histopathological results were similar both in the acute and in the subacute stage groups. There was a statistically significant difference among all groups regarding the tissue LPO levels (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the CONT-A group and the MP-A, RK-A and SK-A groups (p = 0.004, p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively) in acute stage and between the CONT-SA group and SK-SA group (p = 0.002) in subacute stage. There was a statistically significant difference among all groups regarding the tissue MPO levels (p = 0.001). The median MPO levels were similar among acute stage groups (p = 0.057), but there was a statistical difference among subacute stage groups (p = 0.046).Conclusion(S)-ketamine is more effective than methylprednisolone and racemic ketamine to reduce the LPO levels in subacute stage of spinal cord injury in rats. And, it is as effective as methylprednisolone in preventing secondary spinal cord injury histopathologically.     

Transient left paraduodenal hernia.

A 52-year-old woman with acute deterioration of recurrent abdominal pain was admitted to the hospital. Spiral computed tomography (CT) of abdomen was performed. A left paraduodenal hernia was identified on CT. There was no clinical sign or imaging finding suggesting intestinal obstruction or mesenteric ischemia. She refused surgical intervention since her pain was intermittant and decreasing. On the fifth day of hospitalization the patient's pain resolved completely and the follow-up CT demonstrated regression of the herniation.     

Successful caspofungin treatment of multidrug resistant Candida parapsilosis septicaemia in an extremely low birth weight neonate

Candida septicaemia with multidrug resistance is an uncommon event in preterm neonates. We present an extremely low birth weight infant (gestational age of 27 weeks, birth weight of 980 g) who developed congenital Candida parapsilosis septicaemia. Because the fungus was resistant both to amphotericin B and fluconazole, caspofungin was chosen for therapy. The fungus was successfully eradicated without any clinical or laboratory adverse effects.     

Propylthiouracil-related hemorrhagic diathesis: a case report and review of the literature

We present an unusual case of a drug-related hemorrhagic diathesis. One month prior to admission, the patient was diagnosed at another medical center as having Graves' disease and propylthiouracil therapy (PTU) was initiated. Since clinical recovery was not achieved, the PTU was quickly increased to an unconventional daily dose of 1,000 mg. The patient was referred to our hospital because of spontaneous epistaxis, multiple ecchymoses and prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), which developed soon after the increase in PTU dose. Drug-related hemorrhagic diathesis was considered, after other possible causes had been eliminated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of spontaneous hemorrhage due to PTU use.