Are Dermatophytid Reactions in Patients with Kerion Celsi Much More Common Than Previously Thought? A Prospective Study

Dermatophytid reactions are secondary eruptions in response to dermatophytosis. Only a few cases demonstrating an association between dermatophytid reactions and tinea capitis have been reported. Dermatophytid reactions were evaluated in patients diagnosed with kerion celsi. Patients admitted to the dermatology clinic of Van Regional Training and Research Hospital between November 22, 2012, and July 1, 2013, diagnosed with kerion celsi were evaluated for dermatophytid reactions. Six girls (32%) and 13 boys (68%) were included in this study. Dermatophytid reactions were detected in 13 of the 19 patients (68%). Seven patients (36.84%) had eczematous patches or plaques and three (15.8%) had papules. Eczematous lesions, papules, and pustules were noted in two patients (10.5%) and one (5.3%) had signs of an angioedema‐like reaction. Dermatophytid reactions in all patients were observed before the initiation of therapy. According to our clinical experiences, dermatophytid reactions in patients with kerion celsi were more common than reported. Eczematous scaly patches or plaques were the most frequently seen forms of dermatophytid in patients with kerion celsi. Dermatophytid reactions may occur before or after initiation of systemic antifungal therapy. Recognition of this reaction is important so that dermatophytids can be distinguished from drug reactions and the decision can be made whether to continue or to stop the systemic antifungal treatment.     

Correlation between penile angiography and duplex scanning of cavernous arteries in impotent men

During the diagnostic evaluation of patients with vasculogenic impotence duplex scanning has been proposed as a reliable noninvasive method to evaluate the cavernous arteries. However, the sensitivity and specificity of this test have never been elucidated. To provide insight into the clinical value of this test 25 men who presented with impotence and failed to respond to 60 mg. intracavernous papaverine were evaluated with duplex scanning and the results of this modality were compared to penile angiography. The cavernous arteries were considered normal by duplex scanning if the artery demonstrated either a 60% or greater increase in diameter and/or a peak flow velocity of greater than 25 cm. per second 5 minutes after papaverine injection. Penile angiography was considered normal if both cavernous arteries were visualized and appeared to be normal radiographically (after intracorporeal papaverine). In the 25 patients studied there was no significant difference in peak flow velocity between patients with normal or abnormal cavernous arteries by angiography. In addition, arterial dilatation (more than 60%) after papaverine injection did not correlate with the results of the angiogram. These data demonstrate that duplex scanning of the cavernous arteries does not correlate well with what is observed by penile angiography in a selected population of men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. Since penile angiography itself has limitations in the evaluation of the penile arteries, the reliability of duplex scanning to identify cavernous artery dysfunction needs additional confirmation.     

In vitro growth inhibition of neoplastically transformed cells by non-transformed cells: requirement for gap junctional intercellular communication

We examined whether the inhibition of neoplastically transformedcell growth by co-cultured non-transformed cells involved gapjunctional intercellular communication (GJIC). The growth ofpoorly communicating (     

Effects of probucol in hyperlipidemic rabbit liver: a preliminary ultrastructural study

Probucol is a lipid-lowering agent with an antioxidant effect; however, its influence on the liver remains unclear. The effects of probucol on hyperlipidemic rabbit liver are investigated to add a structural data on its therapeutical profile. Local albino rabbits were divided into three groups. 1) Hyperlipidemic group: fed with 1% cholesterol (150 g/kg/day) enriched chow for 2 months. 2) Probucol treated group: group 1 + intraperitoneal probucol (10 mg/kg/day) administration for 15 days. 3) Control group fed with normal chow. The blood lipid profile was investigated biochemically. Liver samples were examined electronmicroscopically. Within the parenchymal cells of group 1, the amount of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum was increased, its cisterna was dilated displaying a moderately electron dense substance in it and showed close apposition with the condensed mitochondria. In group 2, smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum was in extensive amounts filling almost all of the cytoplasm, displayed a reticular, degenerated appearance and was in close relation with the condensed, degenerated mitochondria. Probucol may cause degenerative changes on the liver parenchyme at the subcellular level. It alters the structure of these cells mainly acting on the smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria that are known to be involved in cellular detoxification.     

Hypozincaemia in febrile convulsion

To understand further the role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of febrile convulsions, serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and CSF Zn, Cu, Mg and protein levels were measured by spectrometry in patients with febrile convulsion (n=19), bacterial meningitis (n=9), viral CNS infection (n=16) and in the control groupn=10) which consisted of children with signs of meningeal irritation due to upper respiratory tract infection but normal CSF findings. Samples were obtained within 6 h after admission to hospital. Mean serum and CSF Zn levels in the febrile convulsion group were significantly lower than in the other groups (for serum Zn: 0.66±0.03 mg/l vs 0.98±0.07 mg/l, 1.06±0.08 mg/l, 1.05±0.09 mg/lP<0.05; for CSF Zn: 22.96±1.62 g/l vs 75.47 ±6.9 g/l, 50.32±5.235 g/l, 39.85 ±2.81 g/lP<0.05). A linear relationship was established between serum Zn and CSF Zn levels (P<0.001). Mean CSF Zn, Cu and protein levels in the bacterial meningitis group were significantly higher than in the other groups (for CSF Cu 63.94±6.33 g/l vs 38.77±2.70 g/l, 35.84±3.48 g/l, 33.86±2.88 g/lP<0.05; for CSF protein 0.80 ± 0.12 g/l vs 0.22±0.02 g/l, 0.53±0.08 g/l, 0.19±0.01 g/lP<0.05). In children with meningitis, the elevation of the mean CSF Zn and Cu levels may result from the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and subsequent leakage of trace elements and protein from serum to CSF. There was no significant difference between the four groups in terms of mean serum Mg and mean CSF Mg levels.Conclusion Serum and CSF Zn levels are decreased in children with febrile seizures. Zinc deprivation may play a role in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures.     

Neuroimaging findings in infantile GM1 gangliosidosis

GM1 gangliosidosis is an autosomal recessive glycosphingolipid storage disease caused by defects in the enzyme beta-galactosidase. Three clinical forms (infantile-, juvenile-, and adult-onset) of the disease are recognized. Patients with infantile GM1 gangliosidosis present at birth or shortly thereafter with somatic and bony changes, followed by severe neurological deterioration ultimately leading to death within the first 2 years of life. We present the brain CT, MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS) findings in a 17-month-old Turkish girl with infantile GM1 gangliosidosis. Neuroimaging findings in patients with infantile GM1 gangliosidosis have been reported only in a few cases. In this study, MRS of the thalamus was performed to study the metabolic changes in GM1 gangliosidosis. We showed a a decreased NAA/Cr ration and an increased Cho/Cr ratio. To our knowledge, this is the first report of magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings in type-1 GM1 gangliosidosis.     

Health Warnings,Smoking Rules,and Smoking Status: A Cross-National Comparison of Turkey and the United States

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of smoking status (i.e., current, former and never) between the United States and Turkey in terms of age and gender, and examine how smoking rules and health warnings are associated with smoking status within and between the two countries. Methods: The study used data from the 2012–2013 National Adult Tobacco Survey (U.S. sample, N = 60,196) and the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (Turkey sample, N = 9,581). SAS PROC SURVEYLOGISTIC with a weighted variable was used to examine the associations between demographics (age, gender and education), smoking rules, health warnings, and smoking status within and between the two countries. Results: There was an 18% current smoking prevalence among U.S. sample, compared to 27% of the Turkey sample. The U.S. sample had a higher rate of former smoking compared to the Turkey sample (25% vs. 22%). In both countries, being older and male gender predicted former smoking while being younger and female gender predicted never smoking. Having seen a health warning, and not allowing smoking in the vehicle and home positively predicted former and never smoking status. Higher education predicted both smoking statuses in the U.S. only. Conclusions: It is important to work with partners particularly in low- and middle-income countries (e.g., Turkey) to combat the global tobacco epidemic. In both counties, cessation endeavors should emphasize a comprehensive understanding of smoking status in terms of smoking rules in personal spaces and health warnings.