Contact dermatitis induced by glatiramer acetate

Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone(®)) is an immunomodulatory polypeptide used in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It represents a safe treatment option with mild side effects. In this study, we look at a 39-year-old woman who received glatiramer acetate as subcutaneous injections for two months and developed contact dermatitis. The drug had to be stopped, and treatment with topical prednisone was initiated. Prick/scratch testing was negative but the lymphocyte transformation test was highly positive for glatiramer acetate. This is the first report on contact dermatitis induced by glatiramer acetate injections. The treatment consisted of local topical steroids and cessation of the drug.

Narrowing of airway caused by ingestion of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide

Although ingestion of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) is rare, it carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. This paper reports the first such case from Turkey in which a 70-year-old man unintentionally ingested MEKP in his kitchen. The patient was brought into the emergency department (ED) within 1 hour of ingestion, with the symptoms of sore throat, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. Visual examination of the oropharynx revealed minor burns and uvular edema. A laryngoscope examination performed in the ED showed superficial mucosal injury with edema of the oropharynx, uvula, posterior pharynx, epiglottis, arytenoids and vocal cords. Lateral cervical radiography revealed a narrowing of airway due to a thickened epiglottis. After the diagnostic evaluation was completed, the patient was admitted to the gastroenterology intensive care unit for monitoring of adverse reactions. During follow-up, the patient made an uneventful recovery. Ingestion of MEKP generally results from accidental ingestion from a container. Therefore, these containers should be kept in safe places. In addition, the priority following the ingestion of MEKP should be given to maintain open and adequate airway in the ED.

Lack of association of genetic polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D and glutathione-S-transferase enzyme T1 and M1 with retinopathy of prematures

One of the most frequently observed causes of blindness in infancy is the pathogenesis known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a vital enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; it is involved in the development of cardiovascular system diseases linked to I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene. Glutathione-S-transferase enzyme (GST) is one of the most important regulating components of the antioxidant system; there are indications that certain polymorphisms of GST genes (GSTT1, GSTM1), especially the null genotypes, increase the tendency for oxidative stress diseases. We investigated a possible correlation between ACE gene I/D and GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in 56 prematures suffering from ROP and a control group composed of 48 prematures without ROP in a hospital in Turkey. PCR was used to detect the ACE I/D, GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms. Genotype was determined based on bands formed on agarose gel electrophoresis. We found no significant differences in genotype frequency of the ACE I/D, GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes between normal subjects and patients with ROP. Our results do not support an association of ACE I/D, GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms with risk for ROP.

Multiple intestinal perforation in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis: a case report and review of the literature

Wegener's granulomatosis is a necrotizing vasculitis of unknown etiology characterized mainly by inflammation of the small- and medium-sized arteries and veins that affect any viscera. It may rarely involve the gastrointestinal tract. Only a few cases of multiple focus ileal perforation due to ulcers associated with Wegener's granulomatosis have been reported. Herein we report a case of a 32-year-old man with extensive intestinal small bowel ischaemic perforation due to Wegener's granulomatosis.

Biodiesel production from waste frying oils and its quality control

The use of biodiesel as fuel from alternative sources has increased considerably over recent years, affording numerous environmental benefits. Biodiesel an alternative fuel for diesel engines is produced from renewable sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats. However, the high costs implicated in marketing biodiesel constitute a major obstacle. To this regard therefore, the use of waste frying oils (WFO) should produce a marked reduction in the cost of biodiesel due to the ready availability of WFO at a relatively low price. In the present study waste frying oils collected from several McDonald's restaurants in Istanbul, were used to produce biodiesel. Biodiesel from WFO was prepared by means of three different transesterification processes: a one-step base-catalyzed, a two-step base-catalyzed and a two-step acid-catalyzed transesterification followed by base transesterification. No detailed previous studies providing information for a two-step acid-catalyzed transesterification followed by a base (CH(3)ONa) transesterification are present in literature. Each reaction was allowed to take place with and without tetrahydrofuran added as a co-solvent. Following production, three different procedures; washing with distilled water, dry wash with magnesol and using ion-exchange resin were applied to purify biodiesel and the best outcome determined. The biodiesel obtained to verify compliance with the European Standard 14214 (EN 14214), which also corresponds to Turkish Biodiesel Standards.

The effects of 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy studies on oxidative damage in patients

The aim of this study was to investigate gamma radiation-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes after 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Twenty patients (8 women and 12 men) who performed 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were included in this study. The blood samples were taken from patients just before, 1 hour after and three hours after injection of the radiopharmaceutical. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were measured to evaluate the gamma radiation induced oxidative damage. The enzyme activities of SOD, GPX and CAT were decreased 1 hour after (p = 0.042, p = 0.697 and p = 0.653 respectively) and 3 hours after (p = 0.003, p = 0.573 and p = 0.002 respectively) injection of the radiopharmaceutical. Malondialdehyde levels were increased 1 hour after (p = 0.10) and 3 hours after (p = 0.47) injection of the radiopharmaceutical. In this study, we found that radiation due to 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy decreased the erythrocyte antioxidant levels and increased MDA levels.

Comparison of germination responses of cultivated wheat ( Triticum ) and its wild relative ( Aegilops ) species under salinity, temperature and light

The seed germination of bread ( Triticum aestivum cv. Bezostaya 1 and Ceyhan 99) and durum ( Triticum durum cv. Diyarbakır 81 and Fırat 93) wheat species and their wild relative species ( Aegilops biuncialis and Ae. triuncialis ) was compared at two light levels, nine NaCl concentrations and three alternating temperature regimes. No seeds germinated at 675 mmol/L NaCl. The highest seed germination (100%) of cultivated wheat cultivars was noted in the control at 15/25°C and 20/30°C, and that of wild wheat species in both the control and the 150 mmol/L NaCl treatment under all temperature regimes. The seed germination of bread and durum wheat cultivars was completely inhibited at or above 450 and 375 mmol/L NaCl, respectively. No Ae. biuncialis seeds germinated at 600 mmol/L NaCl, while seeds of Ae. triuncialis germinated at this concentration (38.9%) only at 20/30°C in darkness. The inhibitory effect of light on germination in all genotypes was determined in some salinity levels at 15/25°C. The optimal germination treatment for all genotypes was 15/25°C temperature regime and darkness. The inhibitory effect of high salinity on germination was greater at 25/35°C than at 15/25°C or 20/30°C. In salinity and temperature interactions, the seeds of wild wheat species were found to be more tolerant than those of wheat cultivars.

Poisoning from wild mushrooms in Eastern Anatolia region: analyses of 5 years

The objective of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical features of patients who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) due to wild mushroom poisoning and to point the importance of mushroom poisonings in our area. This study was performed by examining the files of wild mushroom poisoning patients who were admitted to the ED of Firat University, Faculty of Medicine, between January 2000 and June 2004, retrospectively. Patients>or=16 years of age were included in the study. The frequency of wild mushroom poisoning, age and sex of the patients, season, place of the residence, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of the patients were investigated. During the study period, 64 patients with wild mushroom poisoning were admitted to the ED. From 64 overall patients, 25 (39.1%) were males. The most common complaints during the admission were nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort. The duration of hospitalization was two (range 1-4 days) days. No death was observed. Severity of mushroom poisoning depends on the type of mushroom eaten, the time lag between the poisoning and admission to the hospital, and the rapid and correct treatment given to the patient either in the ambulance or at health centre.

Cisplatin cytotoxicity is enhanced with zoledronic acid in A549 lung cancer cell line: Preliminary results of an in vitro study

We tested whether zoledronic acid, a biphosphonate with proposed apoptotic activity, augmented the cytotoxicity of cisplatin and/or gemcitabine in A549 lung cancer cell line. This cell line was subjected to different concentrations of the above chemotherapeutic agents and zoledronic acid. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrasodium bromide) assay. Particularly, zoledronic acid in 100 micromolar (microM) concentration augmented the cytotoxicity by cisplatin 1microg/ml from 25% to 70% (Z=3.22, P=0.0072). A significant portion of cells underwent apoptosis with or without zoledronic acid, but more so with the combination treatment as assessed by an Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit. However, 100microM zoledronic acid showed 50% cytotoxicity on its own, but failed to improve cytotoxicity by Gemcitabine. Thus, we show for the first time in a lung cancer cell line that zoledronic acid bears cytotoxic potential on its own and in conjunction with cisplatin. The clinical potential of this finding should be further studied.

Thyroid cancer in toxic and non-toxic multinodular goiter

BACKGROUND

Many authors have claimed that hyperthyroidism protects against thyroid cancer and believed that the incidence of malignancy is lower in patients with toxic multinodular goiter (TMG) than in those with non-toxic multinodular goiter. But in recent studies, it was reported that the incidence of malignancy with TMG is not as low as previously thought.

AIM

To compare the thyroid cancer incidence in patients with toxic and non-toxic multinodular goiter.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Histology reports of patients treated surgically with a preoperative diagnosis of toxic and non-toxic multinodular goiter were reviewed to identify the thyroid cancer incidence. Patients having a history of neck irradiation or radioactive iodine therapy were excluded from the study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 294 patients operated between 2001-2005 from toxic and non-toxic multinodular goiter. One hundred and twenty-four of them were toxic and 170 were non-toxic. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed by elevated tri-iodothyroinine / thyroxine ratios and low thyroid-stimulating hormone with clinical signs and symptoms. All patients were evaluated with ultrasonography and scintigraphy and fine needle aspiration biopsy.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Significance of the various parameters was calculated by using ANOVA test.

RESULTS

The incidence of malignancy was 9% in the toxic and 10.58% in the non-toxic multinodular goiter group. Any significant difference in the incidence of cancer and tumor size between the two groups could not be detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of malignancy in toxic multinodular goiter is not very low as thought earlier and is nearly the same in non-toxic multinodular goiter.

The effects of thyroid scintigraphy studies on oxidative damage in patients

The majority of radiation injury in cells depends on oxidative stress. Irradiation and absorbed doses, duration of the irradiation and the susceptibility of the tissue against radiation are the factors that cause variations on living cells. The aim of this study was to investigate gamma radiation-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes after thyroid scintigraphy with Tc-99m pertechnetate. Fifteen patients (8 women and 7 men) who performed thyroid scintigraphy with Tc-99m pertechnetate were included in this study. The median age was 52 +/- 8 years (range 33-65). The blood samples were taken from patients just before, 1 hour after and three hours after injection of radiopharmaceutical. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were measured to evaluate the gamma radiation induced oxidative damage. No difference was detected in any final measurement activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme such as SOD and GPX in the direct comparison between the before and after injection of the radiopharmaceutical groups, except erythrocyte CAT activities measured 1 hour after and 3 hours after injection of the radiopharmaceutical (p < 0.05). MDA levels were decreased 1 hour after and 3 hours after injection of the radiopharmaceutical.

Model based and experimental investigation of respiratory effect on the HRV power spectrum

The role of respiration in the genesis of heart rate variability (HRV) has been the subject matter of many experimental and modeling studies. It is widely accepted that the high frequency (HF) peak of a HRV power spectrum, which is centered at the average respiratory frequency, is caused by mechanisms activated by respiration. On the other hand, there is a debate on the possible role of respiration in the genesis of the low frequency (LF) peak which is usually centered around 0.1 Hz. In this study, a comprehensive cardiorespiratory interaction model is used to test various hypotheses regarding the role of respiration in the LF peak of HRV. In this model, chest and abdomen circumference signals and lung volume signal are used as respiratory inputs. Simulations are made for periodic, spontaneous and slightly irregular respiratory patterns, and it is observed that the more low frequency (LF) power there in the respiratory signals, the more LF power there in the model-predicted HRV. Experiments on nine volunteers are also performed for the same respiratory patterns and similar results are observed. Furthermore, the actual measured respiratory signals are input to the model and the model predicted and the actual HRVs are compared both in time domain and also with respect to their power spectra. It is concluded in general that respiration not only is the major contributor to the genesis of the HF peak in the HRV power spectrum, but also plays an important role in the genesis of its LF peak. Thus, the LF/HF ratio, which is used to assess sympathovagal balance, cannot be correctly utilized in the absence of simultaneous monitoring of respiration during an HRV test.

Synthesis of soluble heat shock proteins in seminal root tissues of some cultivated and wild wheat genotypes

Effect of heat stress on the synthesis of soluble heat shock proteins (HSPs) and the regrowth in seminal roots of three cultivated and three wild wheat genotypes was examined. In regrowth experiments, 2-d-old etiolated seedlings were exposed to 23 (control), 32, 35, 37 and 38 degrees C for 24 h, and 35 and 37 degrees C (24 h) followed by 50 degrees C (1 h). The lengths of the seminal roots generally decreased significantly at the end of 48 and 72 h recovery growth periods at 35, 37 and 38 degrees C temperature treatments compared with control. Genotypic variability was significant level at all temperature treatments for the seminal root length. Also, genotypic differences for the number of seminal roots were determined among the wheat cultivars and between the wild wheat species and the wheat cultivars at all temperature treatments; but genotypic differences among wild wheat species were only detected at 37-->50 degrees C treatment. Acquired thermotolerance for the seminal root length is over 50% at 37-->50 degrees C treatment. The genotypic variability of soluble heat shock proteins in seminal root tissues were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Total number of low molecular weight (LMW) HSPs was more than intermediate-(IMW) and high- (HMW) HSPs at high temperature treatments. The most of LMW HSPs which were generally of acidic character ranged between 14.2-30.7 kDa. The genotypes had both common (43 HSP spots between at least two genotypes and 23 HSP spots between 37 and 37-->50 degrees C) and genotype-specific (72 HSP spots) LMW HSPs.

Response to growth hormone with respect to pubertal status on increased dose in idiopathic growth hormone deficiency: an analysis of Turkish children in the KIGS database (Pfizer International Growth Study)

AIM

To compare the growth response to growth hormone (GH) treatment in patients with idiopathic GH deficiency (IGHD) who were prepubertal with the response of those who were pubertal at the onset of GH therapy on an increased GH dose.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Among the Turkish patients enrolled in the Pfizer International Growth Study (KIGS) database with the diagnosis of IGHD, the growth data over 2 years of GH therapy were analyzed longitudinally of 113 (79 M) prepubertal (Group 1) and 44 (33 M) pubertal (Group 2) patients. Pubertal signs were reported to be present initially or to have appeared within 6 months of GH therapy in Group 2. Mean +/- SD age at onset of therapy was 8.7 +/- 3.5 and 13.5 +/- 1.8 years; height SDS -4.2 +/- 1.4 and -3.2 +/- 1.1 (p < 0.05) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mid-parental height (MPH) SDS did not show a significant difference between the two groups (-1.5 +/- 1.1 vs -1.7 +/- 1.1).

RESULTS

Delta height SDS over 2 years of therapy was significantly higher in Group 1 (1.1 +/- 1.0) than in Group 2 (0.7 +/- 0.6) (p <0.05) in spite of a significantly lower dose of GH (14.6 +/- 3.3 in Group 1 vs 17.0 +/- 3.1 IU/m2/week in Group 2, p < 0.05). Ht--MPH SDS showed an increase from -2.4 +/- 1.7 to -1.4 +/- 1.5 in Group 1 and from -1.5 +/- 1.5 to -0.8 +/- 1.3 in Group 2. Overall delta height SDS showed negative correlations with age (r = -0.32), height SDS (r = -0.41) and height--MPH SDS (r = -0.40) at onset of therapy (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that in IGHD the slight increase (15-20%) in the dose of GH during puberty was not adequate to maintain height velocity at the same magnitude as in prepuberty, and thus was not cost effective.