Environmental degradation as a security threat: The challenge for developing countries

The developments after industrial revolution have brought environmental degradation to the stage as a threat to human security in the last few decades. It has become obvious that the shortage of natural resources or negative changes in environmental conditions may lead different forms of conflict between states. Since environmental degradation may directly or indirectly cause a conflict, it will have a significant impact on international security. This problem mostly challenges developing countries on the edge of making a choice between rapid industrialism and environmental conservation. This paper analyzes this challenge by discussing the details of it and offering both national and international level solutions. The zeal for economic growth, enclosure of land and knowledge, and disenfranchisement compose the major challenges for developing countries. There is no easy way to meet those challenges; however, this study offers regional economic integration by cooperation with regional environmental issues, the avoidance of politics leading degradation, dealing with disenfranchisement, environmental education, protection of global commons more seriously, and strict legislation and sanctions against environmental crimes as the steps against environmental threat

Representation of the cartoon controversy on the U.S. newspapers

Cartoon Crisis composed one of the most comprehensive international security problems of the last decade. A Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, published 12 cartoons to satirize Prophet Mohammed in September 2005 which resulted in boycotts, anger and violent protest and thus a global conflict. The dispute over the cartoons has brought out the questions about the relations between the Islamic World and the West, the role of media on those relations, the limits of freedom of speech and right to protests and violence. This study aimed to find out how the cartoon controversy was represented in the US news media and the difference between newspapers depending on the rate of Muslim population in their circulation area.  A content analysis of Detroit Free Press, Herald News, Omaha World-News and Wyoming Tribune-Eagle newspapers are used to test the hypothesis about the publication of the cartoons and reaction of the Muslims to this issue. The findings suggest that the newspapers published in Muslim diverse communities are likely to draw more attention to the controversy. However, the difference is not significant. All of the four newspapers present negative views not only about the publication of the cartoons but also the reaction of the Muslims

The predictive role of haematological parameters in the diagnosis of osteoarticular brucellosis

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonosis that affects several systems, especially with the osteoarticular involvement. Objectives: This study aims to compare the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution (RDW) in patients with the osteoarticular involvement and those with non-localised brucellosis and evaluate their predictive value for the diagnosis of osteoarticular brucellosis.Methods: We enrolled 140 patients with brucellosis, 70 with the osteoarticular involvement and 70 without any localised involvement. We collected patients’ data retrospectively and compared haematological parameters between both groups. In patients with osteoarticular brucellosis, a correlation of the NLR with the ESR and CRP and correlation of the MLR with the ESR and CRP were assessed. Furthermore, the predictive performance of the ESR, CRP, NLR and MLR on the osteoarticular involvement was evaluated.Results: The NLR, MLR, ESR, CRP, neutrophil and monocyte levels were higher in the patient group than the control group. Conclusion: The NLR, MLR, ESR and CRP are useful parameters to estimate the clinical course of patients with brucellosis, and the NLR and MLR are alternative to inflammatory markers in the osteoarticular involvement.Keywords: Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, inflammatory marker

Application of vascular endothelial growth factor at different phases of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion: what are its effects on oxidative stress, inflammation and telomerase activity?

Background. Intestinal ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a great challenge in clinical practice, with high morbidity and mortality. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), asasignal protein, contributes tovasculogenesis and angiogenesis.Objectives. To evaluate the local effectiveness of VEGF following intestinal IRI and its relation with application time.Material and methods. Thirty Wistar albino rats were allocated to5 groups and underwent laparotomy. Thesuperior mesenteric arteries (SMA) were dissected in4 groups, while thecontrol group (GrC) underwent aresection ofsmall and large intestines. The VEGF group (Gr V) received VEGF following SMA dissection, with no further intervention, and theremaining 3 groups were subjected toischemia for 90min through occlusion ofSMA and reperfusion for 4h. Ischemic reperfusion group (Gr I/R) received no additional medication, while theremaining 2 groups received VEGF just before ischemia (Gr V+I/R) and during reperfusion (Gr I/R+V).Results. Both applications of VEGF caused decreases inplasma levels of interleukin6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF-?), intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized glutathione, protein carbonyl levels, and increases inintestinal total glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Telomerase activity, which disappeared for Gr I/R, was found to be elevated following both treatment groups. Similarly, the histopathological scores were found better for both treatment groups, but Gr V-I/R represented best outcomes.Conclusions. The findings of our study revealed that VEGF, applied either before ischemia or during reperfusion, iseffective onlocal damage following intestinal IRI. Byinterpreting thebiochemical analysis and histopathological findings, we conclude either treatment option to be considered according to the reason of intestinal IRI

Phytocontact dermatitis due to Ranunculus arvensis mimicking burn injury: report of three cases and literature review

Ranunculus arvensis (corn buttercup) is a plant species of the genus Ranunculus that is frequently used in the Far East to treat rheumatic diseases and several dermatological disorders. In Turkey, the plant is seen in the eastern and southeastern Anatolian highlands, which are underdeveloped areas of the country. Herein, we report three patients who used Ranunculus arvensis for the treatment of arthralgia and osteoarthritis. A distinctive phytodermatitis developed on the right thumb in one patient (48-year-old male), on the anterior aspect of both knees in another patient (70-year-old female) and all around both knees in a third (59-year-old female). The patients were treated with topical antibiotics and daily wound dressing, and none of them experienced any complications. Ranunculus arvensis was confirmed as the cause of the phytodermatitis in the three cases. Poultices of plants applied to the skin demonstrate beneficial effects on many dermatological and rheumatic diseases; however, they have several adverse effects that should not be ignored. In this study, we also present a review of 25 cases reported in the literature

Shark cartilage (SC) and shark liver oil (SLO) treatment for lung damage via formaldehyde (FA) exposure

731-739Formaldehyde reacts with amino acids in living organisms to form toxic intermediates that cause epithelial cell damage. In past epidemiological studies, a statistically significant relationship was found between FA and leukemia risks and occupational inhalation exposure. As a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) technique or alternative medicine, shark cartilage (SC) and shark liver oil (SLO) are presented as a new and different alternative source in this study. In this study, the toxic effects of formaldehyde (FA) on lung and the protective effects of SC and SLO against these toxins have been investigated. For the experiment, 40 rats were classified as follows: 4, control group (experiment control); 6, the group that received FA but was not treated (treatment control); 15, the group that was given FA and SC for treatment; and the last 15 were the group that was given FA and SLO for treatment. Negative effects of FA on lung were evaluated biochemically, genetically and pathologically. In terms of therapeutic efficacy, SLO appears to be more effective in improving lung injury on the basis of genetic, pathological and biochemical findings, against to FA administration. The toxic effect of FA in lung and the therapeutic effect of SLO and SC were determined and we believe that our experimental model provided the desired goal and success on the basis of our work

Shark cartilage (SC) and shark liver oil (SLO) treatment for lung damage via formaldehyde (FA) exposure

Formaldehyde reacts with amino acids in living organisms to form toxic intermediates that cause epithelial cell damage. In past epidemiological studies, a statistically significant relationship was found between FA and leukemia risks and occupational inhalation exposure. As a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) technique or alternative medicine, shark cartilage (SC) and shark liver oil (SLO) are presented as a new and different alternative source in this study. In this study, the toxic effects of formaldehyde (FA) on lung and the protective effects of SC and SLO against these toxins have been investigated.  For the experiment, 40 rats were classified as follows: 4, control group (experiment control); 6, the group that received FA but was not treated (treatment control); 15, the group that was given FA and SC for treatment; and the last 15 were the group that was given FA and SLO for treatment. Negative effects of FA on lung were evaluated biochemically, genetically and pathologically. In terms of therapeutic efficacy, SLO appears to be more effective in improving lung injury on the basis of genetic, pathological and biochemical findings, against to FA administration. The toxic effect of FA in lung and the therapeutic effect of SLO and SC were determined and we believe that our experimental model provided the desired goal and success on the basis of our work

The predictive role of haematological parameters in the diagnosis of osteoarticular brucellosis

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonosis that affects several systems, especially with the osteoarticular involvement. Objectives: This study aims to compare the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution (RDW) in patients with the osteoarticular involvement and those with non-localised brucellosis and evaluate their predictive value for the diagnosis of osteoarticular brucellosis. Methods: We enrolled 140 patients with brucellosis, 70 with the osteoarticular involvement and 70 without any localised involvement. We collected patients\u2019 data retrospectively and compared haematological parameters between both groups. In patients with osteoarticular brucellosis, a correlation of the NLR with the ESR and CRP and correlation of the MLR with the ESR and CRP were assessed. Furthermore, the predictive performance of the ESR, CRP, NLR and MLR on the osteoarticular involvement was evaluated. Results: The NLR, MLR, ESR, CRP, neutrophil and monocyte levels were higher in the patient group than the control group. Conclusion: The NLR, MLR, ESR and CRP are useful parameters to estimate the clinical course of patients with brucellosis, and the NLR and MLR are alternative to inflammatory markers in the osteoarticular involvement

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir plus Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir +/- Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.Material and Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)+/- ribavirin (RBV) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir (PrOD)+/- RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed.Results: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90 +/- 54.60 U/L to 17.00 +/- 14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51 +/- 4.54 to 7.32 +/- 3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0 +/- 16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%).Conclusion: LDV/SOF or PrOD +/- RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.Turkish Association for the Study of The Liver (TASL