Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Borrelia species antibodies in patients with schizophrenia: a case–control study from western Turkey

Objectives. We examined IgG antibody seroprevalence and risk factors for anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Borrelia sp. in schizophrenic patients. Methods. This case–control study included 30 schizophrenic patients and 60 healthy individuals. Serological analyses were identified by using ELISA technique. Results. In the case group the Toxoplasma seropositivity was 33.3% and Borrelia seropositivity was 13.3%, while in the control group the Toxoplasma positivity was 21.7% and Borrelia seropositivity was 15.0%. There was no significant difference with regard to seroprevalence between the groups (P = 0.232; P = 0.832, respectively). There was statistically significant difference between case and control groups related to hand and kitchen utensil hygiene after dealing with raw meat (P = 0.001). Conclusions. Our data showed the rate of Toxoplasma antibodies was higher in the case group, while the rate of Borrelia antibodies was higher in the control group. In both groups the high rates of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii and Borrelia sp. is thought to be due to neglect of personal hygiene. The present study also is the first to examine the association between Borrelia sp. and schizophrenia. Further studies are needed to determine whether there is an association between Borrelia sp. and schizophrenia or not.     

Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Patients with Inguinal Hernia

Aim

The aim of this prospective study is to investigate if there is a relationship between inguinal hernia, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs).

Materials and methods

This case control study was performed on patients admitted to the general surgery department of Erzincan University Hospital. Four groups were created: control, indirect hernia, direct hernia, and bilateral hernia. All groups were comprised of 11 patients. Serum and tissue levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, and hydroxyproline were evaluated.

Results

MMPs values were significantly high at hernia groups, especially at bilateral hernia group (p < 0.05), whereas TIMPs values were significantly low at bilateral hernia group (p < 0.05). MMPs values were increasing at hernia groups in an order as control, indirect, direct, and bilateral. TIMPs values were decreasing at hernia groups in an order as control, indirect, direct, and bilateral.

Conclusion

Increased levels of MMP-1-2-9-13 and decreased levels of TIMP-1-2-3 may have played role in the formation of inguinal hernia. Hernia is not only a local defect, but a reflection of systemic disease. This is even more significant for bilateral hernias.

     

Investigation of thiol-disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria and chronic spontaneous urticaria

Background: Thiol–disulphide balance plays a major role in health and diseases. This balance may be disrupted by various diseases. We aimed to determine status of the effect of thiol–disulphide balance in urticaria.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the thiol–disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria (AUP) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

Methods: Study included 53 AUP and 47 healthy controls plus 57 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSUP) and 57 healthy controls. Levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols were evaluated in plasma using a new and automated spectrophotometric method. Ratios of disulphides/total thiols, disulphides/native thiols and native thiols/total thiols were calculated.

Results: For AU, there was no statistical difference compared to control group in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols. For CSU, however, there was an increase in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols and the ratio of thiol/disulphide in favour of disulphide.

Conclusion: Thiol–disulphide balance was not affected by AU but shifted towards to disulphide in CSU indicating the presence of oxidative stress (OS).     

The antioxidant,cytotoxic, and antigenotoxic effects of galangin,puerarin, and ursolic acid in mammalian cells

Phenolic compounds not only contribute to the sensory qualities of fruits and vegetables but also exhibit several health protective properties. Galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid are commonly used plant phenolics in folk medicine. In this study, the antioxidant capacities of galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid by the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay and the cytotoxic effects by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in V79 cells were investigated. The genotoxic potentials of galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid were evaluated by micronucleus (MN) and alkaline COMET assays in human lymphocytes and in V79 cells. Galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid (10, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000, and 20 000?μM) were found to have antioxidant activities at the studied concentrations. IC₅₀ values of galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid in V79 cells were found to be 275.48?μM, 2503.712?μM, and 224.85?μM, respectively. Galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid, at the all concentrations, have not exerted genotoxic effects and galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid revealed a reduction in the frequency of MN and DNA damage induced by H₂O₂.     

Percutaneous Treatment of Splenic Cystic Echinococcosis: Results of 12 Cases

Purpose

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the spleen is a rare disease even in endemic regions. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of percutaneous treatment for splenic CE.

Materials and Methods

Twelve patients (four men, eight women) with splenic CE were included in this study. For percutaneous treatment, CE1 and CE3A splenic hydatid cysts were treated with either the PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, respiration) technique or the catheterization technique.

Results

Eight of the hydatid cysts were treated with the PAIR technique and four were treated with catheterization. The volume of all cysts decreased significantly during the follow-up period. No complication occurred in seven of 12 patients. Abscess developed in four patients. Two patients underwent splenectomy due to cavity infection developed after percutaneous treatment, while the spleen was preserved in 10 of 12 patients. Total hospital stay was between 1 and 18 days. Hospital stay was longer and the rate of infection was higher in the catheterization group. Follow-up period was 5–117 months (mean, 44.8 months), with no recurrence observed.

Conclusion

The advantages of the percutaneous treatment are its minimal invasive nature, short hospitalization duration, and its ability to preserve splenic tissue and function. As the catheterization technique is associated with higher abscess risk, we suggest that the PAIR procedure should be the first percutaneous treatment option for splenic CE.

     

Delirium is associated with increased mortality in the geriatric population

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of delirium and its association with mortality rates in elderly inpatients.

Methods: The medical records of 1435 patients over 65 years old who were treated at a regional university hospital and were referred to the university’s Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry Clinic for psychological evaluation were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with and without a diagnosis of delirium were compared. The National Survival Database was used to determine mortality rates.

Results: The prevalence of delirium was 25.5%. The delirium group was older (p?p?p?Conclusions: Independent of all other factors, delirium is associated with higher mortality risk.