Insecticidal activity of major lichen compounds, (−)- and (+)-usnic acid,against the larvae of house mosquito, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Culex pipiens</Emphasis> L.

In this research, (−)-usnic acid and (+)-usnic acid, commonly encountered lichen secondary metabolites, were evaluated for their insecticidal effects against the larvae of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions. Both compounds showed strong larvicidal activity and caused 100% mortality on third–fourth larval stages of the species at 24 h at the doses of 5 and 10 ppm. Bioassays with (−)- and (+)-usnic acids against larvae of C. pipiens revealed that the LC₅₀ values were 0.8 and 0.9 ppm, respectively. The results suggest that lichen compounds could be useful in the search of new insecticides.     

Disturbance of pro-oxidative/antioxidative balance in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

High dose chemotherapy causes increased free radical formation and depletion of tissue antioxidants. Whether allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has an effect on oxidative stress is uncertain. The aims of the study were to determine the effect of allogeneic HSCT on plasma concentrations of antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers, and to investigate their relationships with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), conditioning regimens, and transplant-related mortality (TRM) in patients with hematological malignancies. Patients (n=25) undergoing allogeneic HSCT from HLA-matched sibling donors were enrolled in the study. Plasma oxidant and antioxidant status were measured at day -1 before transplantation and 30 days after HSCT. In both myeloablative (n=14) and non-myeloablative (n=11) transplant groups, the mean levels of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) increased after allogeneic HSCT (p <0.01), whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities decreased compared with baseline values (p <0.01). No significant relationships were found between either the pretransplant or post-transplant mean levels of the oxidative stress parameters and the existence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the type of conditioning regimen, or transplant related mortality (TRM). This study documents a significant disturbance of pro-oxidative/antioxidative balance in the plasma of patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT regardless of the intensity of the conditioning regimen.     

Unusual arachnoid cyst of the quadrigeminal cistern in an adult presenting with apneic spells and normal pressure hydrocephalus--case report

A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus, lower cranial nerve pareses, and pyramidal and cerebellar signs associated with respiratory disturbances. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 4.7 x 5.4 cm quadrigeminal arachnoid cyst causing severe compression of the tectum and entire brain stem, aqueduct, and cerebellum, associated with moderate dilation of the third and lateral ventricles. Emergency surgery was undertaken due to sudden loss of consciousness and impaired breathing. The cyst was totally removed by midline suboccipital craniotomy in the prone position. Postoperatively, her symptoms improved except for the ataxia and impaired breathing. She was monitored cautiously for over 15 days. CT at discharge on the 18th postoperative day revealed decreased cyst size to 3.9 x 4.1 cm. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of the arachnoid cyst of the quadrigeminal cistern. The patient died of respiratory problems on the 5th day after discharge. Quadrigeminal arachnoid cysts may compress the brain stem and cause severe respiratory disturbances, which can be fatal due to apneic spells. Patients should be monitored continuously in the preoperative and postoperative period until the restoration of autonomous ventilation is achieved.     

Neurotization of the frontal muscle after scalp replantation: case report

A case of immediate replantation of an avulsed scalp by microvascular anastomosis is presented. Microvascular replantation of the scalp seems to offer significant social and psychological advantages over secondary reconstructive procedures. The significance of the case presented is the regaining of the motor neural function of the facial nerve after 38 months.     

Relationship between renal size and hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare renal size, shape and volume in hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients with end-stage renal failure. METHODS: Patients with volume overload and diabetes mellitus, myeloma, amyloidosis, or polycystic renal disease were all excluded. Fifty patients undergoing hemodialysis for the first time were grouped as normotensive (23/50) and hypertensive (27/50). Hypertensive patients were then divided into subgroups having slight (4/27), medium (13/27), or high (10/27) hypertension. Using ultrasonographic methods, absolute renal size, relative renal size (renal length/body length), renal volume (length x width x depth x 0.52), and renal shape (width/length) were calculated. RESULTS: In hypertensive patients, right and left relative and absolute renal lengths and left renal volume were found to be significantly less than in normotensive patients. Within the hypertensive group, no significant differences were found in the parameters. There was no relationship between age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, creatinine, creatinine clearance, sodium, calcium levels, renal shape and hypertension. CONCLUSION: In this study, etiopathogenesis of the renal disease, individual and multifactorial effects, residual renal function and nephron numbers may be involved in the results. Further investigations are needed to evaluate multifactorial effects on blood pressure and kidney size in chronic renal failure patients.     

Prevalence of TT virus in a CAPD population

TT virus (TTV) has recently been identified in patients with post-transfusion non-A, non-G hepatitis. It is reported to be common in patients with a variety of liver diseases and with history of transfusion. Its pathogenesis in chronic liver diseases remains unclear. In this study, we have determined the prevalence of TTV in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) population and related its prevalence with history of previous hemodialysis, transfusion, HCV positivity and serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels. TTV was detected in 44% of 63 CAPD patients and 30% of 43 healthy controls (p = 0.15). Frequency of TTV was similar in previously hemodialysed and never hemodialysed (8/14, 57% vs. 20/40, 41%, p = 0.15) and previously transfused and non-transfused (7/19, 37% vs. 15/44, 34%) CAPD patients. Prevalence of TTV was also similar in HCV(+) and HCV(-) patients. Serum ALT levels were 19 +/- 16 and 20 +/- 12 U/l in TTV(+) and TTV(-) patients, respectively. These results indicate that prevalence of TTV in a CAPD population is similar to healthy controls, and other routes of transmission in addition to parenteral routes might be involved in the transmission of TTV.     

Effect of magnesium sulfate,isradipine, and ritodrine on contractions of myometrium: pregnant human and rat

BACKGROUND: Magnesium sulfate, isradipine, and ritodrine are smooth muscle relaxants used for treating preterm labor. The aim of this study is to investigate the action profile of these drugs on the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions of isolated myometrial strips of pregnant human and rat. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Isolated myometrial strips were obtained from humans undergoing elective cesarean section at term pregnancy and Wistar albino rats on gestational days 19-21. These strips were mounted in organ baths for recording of isometric tensions. The effect of magnesium sulfate, isradipine, and ritodrine on the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions was compared with the anova test. RESULTS: Ritodrine (10-8-10-5 M) concentration-dependently inhibited the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of myometrial strips. At 10-4 M, tachyphylaxis of ritodrine occurred and contractions started again. Magnesium sulfate (10-7-10-4 M) inhibited the frequency but did not change the amplitude of the spontaneous contractions. Isradipine (10-7-10-4 M) had a concentration-related inhibitor effect on both the frequency and amplitude of the spontaneous contractions. The effects of magnesium sulfate, isradipine, and ritodrine were considerably similar in myometrium strips obtained from pregnant rats and humans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of tachyphylaxis, the effectiveness of ritodrine is limited for inhibition of myometrial contractions. Magnesium sulfate reduced the frequency of spontaneous contractions without affecting the amplitude. Isradipine may be an interesting therapeutic alternative in situations where inhibition of uterine activity is desirable.