Higher serum lipids and oxidative stress in patients with normal tension glaucoma, but not pseudoexfoliative glaucoma

This study entailed a cross-examination of oxidant/antioxidant balance, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-linked paraoxonase 1 (PON1) phenotypes, and levels of serum routine lipids among patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) compared with healthy control groups. We aimed to investigate the links between oxidative stress (OS), HDL-related antioxidant enzyme activities and dyslipidemia in distinct subtypes of glaucoma. The study included 32 patients with NTG, 31 patients with PEXG, and 40 control subjects. Levels of PON1 and arylesterase enzymatic activity, total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status were measured by spectrophotometry and OS indexes (OSI) were calculated. The phenotype distribution of PON1 was determined using the dual substrate method. Blood serum levels of HDL, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were measured. The TOS and OSI values in the NTG group were significantly higher compared with the other groups (both p < 0.01). The phenotype distribution found in the glaucoma and control groups were NTG: QQ, 59.4%; QR, 37.5%; RR, 3.1%; PEXG: QQ, 45.1%; QR, 48.4%; RR, 6.5%; and in the control group: QQ, 42.5%; QR, 50.0%; RR, 7.5%. Serum TC levels were significantly higher than the control in both NTG and PEXG groups, whereas TG was significantly higher in NTG only (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively). Hyperlipidemia, OS and variations in phenotype distribution of PON1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of different types of glaucoma

Epidemiology of pemphigus in Turkey: One-year prospective study of 220 cases

Pemphigus is a group of rare and life-threatening autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. Although they occur worldwide, their incidence shows wide geographical variation, and prospective data on the epidemiology of pemphigus are very limited. Objective of this work is to evaluate the incidence and epidemiological and clinical features of patients with pemphigus in Turkey. All patients newly diagnosed with pemphigus between June 2013 and June 2014 were prospectively enrolled in 33 dermatology departments in 20 different provinces from all seven regions of Turkey. Disease parameters including demography and clinical findings were recorded. A total of 220 patients were diagnosed with pemphigus during the 1-year period, with an annual incidence of 4.7 per million people in Turkey. Patients were predominantly women, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.41. The mean age at onset was 48.9 years. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) was the commonest clinical subtype (n=192; 87.3%), followed by pemphigus foliaceus (n=21; 9.6%). The most common clinical subtype of PV was the mucocutaneous type (n=83; 43.2%). The mean Pemphigus Disease Area Index was 28.14±22.21 (mean ± Standard Deviation).  The incidence rate of pemphigus in Turkey is similar to the countries of South-East Europe, higher than those reported for the Central and Northern European countries and lower than the countries around the Mediterranean Sea and Iran. Pemphigus is more frequent in middle-aged people and is more common in women. The most frequent subtype was PV, with a 9-fold higher incidence than pemphigus foliaceus.   </p

Role of Latex Hypersensitivity in Patients with Chronic Urticaria

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of latex hypersensitivity in patients with chronic urticaria and to investigate the effect of latex-cross reacting food on the clinical course of the disease. Methods: This study includes 100 patients who admitted to our dermatology clinic with chronic urticaria, 100 health care providers and 100 healthy individuals. In patients with chronic urticaria, latex skin prick test was performed in addition to routine laboratory investigations. In the control group, prick test was performed only with latex. Changes in urticaria activity scores before and after latex containing products and cross reacting food restrictions were statistically compared in patients with urticaria. Results: Latex skin prick test was positive in 4 (4%) patients with urticaria and in 10 (10%) health care providers. Positive reaction was not observed in the healthy control group. Latex hypersensitivity in patients of urticaria was higher than healthy individuals, but the difference was not statistically significant. Urticaria activity scores did not change significantly after avoiding latex-cross reacting foods and latex-containing products. Conclusion: Latex hypersensitivity in patients with chronic urticaria was not found to be higher than the healthy individuals. In latex-sensitive patients, avoidance of latex-cross reacting foods and latex-containing products do not change the clinical course of the disease

Diagnostic value of histopathologic examination in alopecias

Alopecias are evaluated in two groups, namely noncicatricial type and cicatricial type. Cicatricial alopecias are generally irreversible due to the permenant damage to the hair follicles and as follicular epithelium is replaced by connective tissue in the late stages. In noncicatricial alopecia, the follicular epithelia is intact and hair regrowth is likely. The accurate diagnosis of alopecia subtypes which have different etiologies and occasionally result in permanent hair loss is of paramount importance to initiate the appropriate treatment in the early stages. Most of the subtypes of alopecia can be diagnosed with a detailed history and clinical evaluation. However, most of the disorders leading to alopecia present with nonspecific and overlapping clinical findings which alter over the course of the disease. In those instances, scalp biopsy and histopathologic evaluation is necessary to make or confirm the diagnosis. Transverse and vertical sections used for the interpretation of scalp biopsy specimens offer different advantages. Therefore, idealy, obtaining two 4 mm punch biopsy samples and combining both methods is suggested to enhance the diagnostic yield in patients with alopecia. In this review, the value of scalp biopsy in the diagnosis of subtypes of alopecia, the significance of evaluation of transverse and vertical sections in the histopathologic examination and the major histopathologic findings of the disorders involved in the etiology are described

Two Strategic Success Factors for Firm Level Competitiveness: Innovation and Cooperation

http://www.sobiad.org/ejournals/journal_IJSS/arhieves/2012_2/mehmet_deniz.pd