Serological and entomological survey in a zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis focus of North Central Anatolia, Turkey: Corum province

In the present study, we aimed to carry out an epidemiological and entomological survey on a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) focus located on the northern central part of Anatolia, Turkey. Five villages of Corum province, where five confirmed cases of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) (one patient/village) were reported between June 1998 and August 2001 were included in the study. A total of 625 children and 131 dogs were sampled and the physical examination was carried out by authorized physicians and veterinarians. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed by standard procedures for human and dog sera, while the direct agglutination test (DAT) was only performed for dog sera. Sand fly collection was performed in three villages by CDC miniature light traps. Hepatosplenomegaly and hepatomegaly were detected in two and eight children, respectively. The seropositivity rate among children was found to be 0.16% (1/625) in the region. The seroprevalence of canine infection in these five villages ranged between 0.0% and 28.26%. In two villages, named Ahlatcik and Asagifindikli, no seropositive dogs were found. A total of 1218 sand flies were collected throughout the study. Six species of Phlebotomus were identified: P. transcaucasicus, P. neglectus, P. halepensis, P. tobbi, P. papatasi, and P. jacusieli. P. transcaucasicus was found to be the predominant species in Cevizli (47.44%; 343/723) and Ucoluk (79.95%; 351/439) villages, while P. tobbi was abundant in Kucukerikli (42.85%; 24/56).     

Nickel Sensitivity in Asthma Patients

Nickel sulphate frequently causes allergic contact dermatitis; less known effects are nasal inflammation (rhinitis) and bronchial asthma. In this study, we aimed to find if there is a relationship between asthma and nickel sensitivity. Asthmatic patient, non-asthmatic atopic, and healthy control groups were patch tested with nickel sulphate. Nickel sensitivity was more prevalent in the asthmatic patient group compared to the non-asthmatic atopic and healthy control groups.     

Leishmaniasis in Turkey: molecular characterization of Leishmania from human and canine clinical samples

Human leishmaniasis, both visceral and cutaneous, and canine leishmaniasis have been reported in Turkey for centuries. However, the advent of new diagnostic tools during the last 30 years has led to the recognition that leishmaniasis is an important public health problem throughout the country. In most disease foci both canine and human leishmaniases exist together and identification of parasite species causing these diseases is a pre-requisite for understanding disease epidemiology. A total of 109 samples obtained from human and canine leishmaniasis cases were examined using internal transcribed spacer 1 PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Our results indicate that two species, Leishmania tropica and Leishmania infantum, are primarily responsible for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively, in Turkey. However, a new focus of human cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum in Hatay region is described. This finding further stresses the importance of Leishmania species molecular characterization in prescribing appropriate therapy and understanding the disease's transmission in different endemic foci.     

A case of generalized discoid lupus erythematosus: Successful treatment with Imiquimod cream 5%

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Classic DLE lesions begin as red-purple macules, papules, or small plaques and rapidly develop a hyperkeratotic surface. Most patients with untreated classic DLE lesions suffer indolent progression to large areas of cutaneous dystrophy and scarring alopecia that can be psychosocially devastating. A 44-year-old male patient presented to the clinic with erythematous scaly patches that began on his nose 1 y before. His face was most affected, however, lesions were also noted on his scalp, ears, and limbs. Histopathologic examination verified a diagnosis of DLE. Laboratory examinations and consultations revealed no signs of systemic involvement. Imiquimod cream 5% was applied to the lesions once a day 3 times a week. After 20 applications, entire lesions regressed significantly. Imiquimod cream 5% may represent an alternative treatment method for patients with DLE.     

p38 MAPK inhibitors attenuate pro-inflammatory cytokine production and the invasiveness of human U251 glioblastoma cells

Increasing evidence suggests that an inflammatory microenvironment promotes invasion by glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Together with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation being regarded as promoting inflammation, we hypothesized that elevated inflammatory cytokine secretion and p38 MAPK activity contribute to expansion of GBMs. Here we report that IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels and p38 MAPK activity are elevated in human glioblastoma specimens and that p38 MAPK inhibitors attenuate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by microglia and glioblastoma cells. RNAi knockdown and immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that the p38α MAPK isoform drives inflammation in GBM cells. Importantly, p38 MAPK inhibition strongly reduced invasion of U251 glioblastoma cells in an inflammatory microenvironment, providing evidence for a p38 MAPK-regulated link between inflammation and invasiveness in GBM pathophysiology.     

Imaging findings of lipomatosis: a comprehensive review

Lipomatosis is a benign and non-encapsulated mature form of fat tissue proliferation, which can be isolated or multiple, symmetrical or infiltrative, and may be associated with several syndromes. Lipomatosis has been reported to involve almost every part and organ in the body. In this review, we present imaging findings at common locations of lipomatosis and summarize lipomatosis-related syndromes.