Hypothetical study of small hive beetle aethina tumida infestation in honeybees, risk commodities and probabilities for its introduction in türkiye

Türkiye is the second-largest honey producer globally; however, the export of honey and bee products does not adequately support the beekeeping industry. Pests account for the largest share of expenditure for agents found in honeybees in the country. Although the Small Hive Beetle (SHB) has not been detected in Türkiye, a risk assessment was performed to determine what happens if it enters the country. The risk assessment included: a) hazard identification; b) risk pathway determination; c) risk assessment for entry via the identified pathways; and d) outcome assessment for becoming endemic in Türkiye. The Risk AMP add-in program was used to assess the probability of distribution for each method of entry, pathway, and simulation. According to the simulations, the probability of SHB introduction in Türkiye varies from 0.17 per 1000 events/days (1.7 per 10000 days or 27 years) to 0.6 per 1000 events/imports (6 per 10000 days or 27 years). The highest likelihood of introduction comes from fruit import (11/15) and soil/compost import (4/15). The mean probability of introducing SHB infestation after 1000 iterations of the constructed model is 0.37 per 1000 events/days (3.7 within 10000 days or 27 years). Finally, the simulated average cost of SHB after the possible introduction is 523 million US $ for Türkiye. With these simulated data, risk assessment of a non-detected pest, SHB, was determined for Türkiye

Microscopic and molecular detection of Nosema spp. in honeybees of Turkey

International audienceAbstractIn this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Nosema spp. in honeybees of Turkey. For this aim, adult honeybee (Apis mellifera) samples were collected from 1621 colonies within 95 apiaries located in 22 provinces of Turkey. Samples were examined microscopically. In case of positivity, spore identification was done by multiplex PCR. At the end of microscopic examination, Nosema spp. spores were detected in 7 out of 22 provinces (31.8 %), and 16 out of 95 colonies (16.8 %) that represent 1621 colonies. According to PCR results, 1 out of 16 isolates (6.25 %) was Nosema apis, and 15 out of 16 isolates (93.75 %) were Nosema ceranae. The result of our study indicated that N.ceranae is the dominant species in Turkey

Correction: The effect of activated protein C on experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis

PubMe

The effect of activated protein C on experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION: Acute pancreatitis is a local inflammatory process that leads to a systemic inflammatory response in the majority of cases. Bacterial contamination has been estimated to occur in 30–40% of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. Development of pancreatic necrosis depends mainly on the degree of inflammation and on the microvascular circulation of the pancreatic tissue. Activated protein C (APC) is known to inhibit coagulation and inflammation, and to promote fibrinolysis in patients with severe sepsis. We investigated the effects of APC on histopathology, bacterial translocation, and systemic inflammation in experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Rats were randomly allocated to three groups. Acute pancreatitis was induced in group II (positive control; n = 15) and group III (treatment; n = 15) rats by retrograde injection of taurocholate into the common biliopancreatic duct. Group I rats (sham; n = 15) received an injection of normal saline into the common biliopancreatic duct to mimic a pressure effect. Group III rats were treated with intravenous APC 6 hours after induction of pancreatitis. Pancreatic tissue and blood samples were obtained from all animals for histopathological examination and assessment of amylase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 levels in serum. Bacterial translocation to pancreas and mesenteric lymph nodes was measured. RESULTS: Acute pancreatitis developed in all groups apart from group I (sham), as indicated by microscopic parenchymal necrosis, fat necrosis and abundant turbid peritoneal fluid. Histopathological pancreatitis scores in the APC-treated group were lower than in positive controls (10.31 ± 0.47 versus 14.00 ± 0.52; P < 0.001). Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes and to pancreas in the APC-treated group was significantly decreased compared with controls (P < 0.02 and P < 0.007, respectively). Serum amylase, tumor necrosis factor--α, and IL-6 levels were also significantly decreased in comparison with positive controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: APC improved the severity of pancreatic tissue histology, superinfection rates and serum markers of inflammation during the course of acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in patients with chronic hepatitis C patients before and after pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin therapy

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress could play a role in pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of our study is to determine oxidant/antioxidant status of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and the effect of pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy on oxidative stress. METHODS: Nineteen patients with chronic HCV infection and 28 healthy controls were included in the study. In control and patient groups, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, erythrocyte CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured. After pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin combination therapy for 48 weeks, these parameters were measured again in the patient group. RESULTS: Serum MDA levels increased significantly in CHC patients (n:19), before the treatment when compared with healthy subjects (n:28) 9.28 ± 1.61, 4.20 ± 1.47 nmol/ml, p < 0.001 respectively. MDA concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.001) after the treatment as well as ALT, AST activity, in erythrocytes of these patients. Average antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were significantly lower in erythrocytes of patients with CHC before treatment compared with the control group (both, p < 0.001). Chronic Hepatitis C patients after pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin therapy showed values of SOD, GSH-Px were significantly higher than pretreatment levels (both, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results show that patients with chronic HCV infection are under the influence of oxidative stress associated with lower levels of antioxidant enzymes. These impairments return to level of healthy controls after pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy of CHC patients. Although interferon and ribavirin are not antioxidants, their antiviral capacity might reduce viral load, and inflammation, and perhaps through this mechanism might reduce virus-induced oxidative stress

Minimum Two-Year Follow-Up of Cases with Recurrent Disc Herniation Treated with Microdiscectomy and Posterior Dynamic Transpedicular Stabilisation

The objective of this article is to evaluate two-year clinical and radiological follow-up results for patients who were treated with microdiscectomy and posterior dynamic transpedicular stabilisation (PDTS) due to recurrent disc herniation. This article is a prospective clinical study. We conducted microdiscectomy and PDTS (using a cosmic dynamic screw-rod system) in 40 cases (23 males, 17 females) with a diagnosis of recurrent disc herniation. Mean age of included patients was 48.92 ± 12.18 years (range: 21-73 years). Patients were clinically and radiologically evaluated for follow-up for at least two years. Patients’ postoperative clinical results and radiological outcomes were evaluated during the 3rd, 12th, and 24th months after surgery. Forty patients who underwent microdiscectomy and PDTS were followed for a mean of 41 months (range: 24-63 months). Both the Oswestry and VAS scores showed significant improvements two years postoperatively in comparison to preoperative scores (p<0.01). There were no significant differences between any of the three measured radiological parameters (α, LL, IVS) after two years of follow-up (p > 0.05). New recurrent disc herniations were not observed during follow-up in any of the patients. We observed complications in two patients. Performing microdiscectomy and PDTS after recurrent disc herniation can decrease the risk of postoperative segmental instability. This approach reduces the frequency of failed back syndrome with low back pain and sciatica

IGF-1 Increases with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Promotes Wound Healing in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Objectives. To investigate insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) levels in response to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for diabetic foot ulcers and to determine whether IGF-1 is a predictive indicator of wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Design and Methods. We treated 48 consecutive patients with diabetic foot ulcers with HBOT. Alterations of IGF-1 levels in patients whose wound healed with HBOT were compared with those in patients who did not benefit from HBOT. Results. There was no significant difference in initial IGF-1 levels between the two groups (P=0.399). The mean IGF-1 level increased with HBOT (P<0.05). In the healed group, the mean IGF-1 increase and the final values were significantly higher (P<0.05). In the nonhealed group, the mean IGF-1 increase was minus and the final values were not significantly different (P<0.05). The increase in IGF-1 level with HBOT was significantly higher in the healed group (P<0.001). Conclusions. IGF-1 increased significantly in the healed group. We believe that HBOT is effective in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, with an elevation of IGF-1. This alteration seems to be a predictive factor for wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers treated with HBOT

IMPLICATIONS OF BAX, FAS, AND P53 IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF EARLY-STAGE MYCOSIS FUNGOIDES AND ALTERATIONS IN EXPRESSION FOLLOWING PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY

Background: The underlying molecular basis of mycosis fungoides (MF) has not yet been clarified. However, defects in apoptosis may contribute to its pathogenesis. Aim: We investigated the expression of Bax, Fas, and p53 in early-stage MF patients and any alterations in expression following photochemotherapy. Materials and Methods : Bax, Fas, and p53 expressions were studied by immunohistochemistry in both keratinocytes and lymphocytes on paraffin-embedded skin specimens from 27 early-stage MF patients. Results: Bax, Fas, and p53 staining was shown in the lymphocytes in 0/27, 26/27, and 11/27 patients at the time of diagnosis, whereas these ratios were 0/27, 9/27, and 0/27, respectively, after psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment. The decrease in p53 and Fas expression in the lymphocytes was found statistically significant. Bax, Fas, and p53 staining in the keratinocytes was shown in 5/27, 27/27, and 25/27 patients at the time of diagnosis, whereas these ratios were 0/27, 22/27, and 4/27, respectively, after PUVA treatment. The decrease in p53, Fas, and Bax expression in the keratinocytes was found statistically significant. Conclusion: Although Bax seems unrelated with early-stage MF, Fas and p53 expression in the lymphocytes may contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease

Systemic lupus erythematosus with an erythema multiforme-like lesions

Patients with lupus erythematous may develop an acute eruption clinically similar to toxic epidermal necrolysis or erythema multiforme. The presence of erythema multiforme-like lesions and characteristic pattern of immunological abnormalities including antinuclear antibody (speckled pattern), anti-Ro antibody or anti-La antibody and positive rheumatoid factor in lupus patients has been termed as Rowell&#x2032;s syndrome. Although diagnostic criteria of this syndrome have been reviewed recently, definite mechanisms of pathogenesis is still unknown. Here we reported a 29-year-old female patient who had systemic lupus erythematosus developed erythema multiforme-like lesions

Does the Endoscopic Treatment of Lower Ureter Stones Affect Uroflowmetric Values? A Prospective Clinical Trial

WOS: 000325832600012PubMed ID: 24052067Objectives:The aim of this study was to document if stones at the lower ureter alter the micturition capability of the patients and to investigate whether endoscopic removal of these stones restores normal urinary flow rates or not in the 3 months of follow-up. Methods: Forty patients with lower ureteral stone (group 1) and 20 control subjects with proximal ureteral stone (group 2) were enrolled into the study. All patients underwent uroflowmetry testing before and 3 months after the treatment for endoscopic stone removal. The mean average and peak flow rates with a sufficient voided volume (>= 150 ml) were evaluated before and after surgery and compared between the groups. Results: Mean values of the peak flow rates before and after surgery were 20.3 and 27.5 ml/s in group 1 and 22.5 and 23.6 ml/s in group 2, and the mean average flow rate values before and after surgery were 10.5 and 13.6 ml/s in group 1 and 11.4 and 12.1 ml/s in group 2. Statistically significant differences were determined between before and after ureteroscopy values were determined in terms of average (p < 0.05) and peak flow rates (p < 0.01) in group I; however, there no significant difference was seen in the control group. Conclusion: We document for the first time in the literature that patients with lower ureteric stones have a reduction in their urinary stream which resolves with endoscopic removal of the stones. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Base