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

Balo's concentric sclerosis in a Turkish patient: a serial MRI and MRS study

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Influence of nutrient media on callus induction, somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in selected Turkish crocus species

Callus induction, somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration were initiated in selected five species of Turkish crocus using three diffrent explants (leaf, stem and corm) cultured on four different media (MS, GB5, LS and CHE). The highest frequencies of callus induction (100%) and shoot regeneration (70%, with 7.2 shoots/callus) were found in the crocus species Crocus oliveri ssp. Oliveri, using the MS medium containing 5% (w/v) sucrose supplemented with (4 mg/L NAA + 4 mg/L TDZ) and (2 mg/L IAA + 2 mg/L TDZ + 2 mg/L BAP). When the embryogenic calli were transferred into the four nutrient media containing (2 mg/L IAA + 2 mg/L TDZ) and 100 mg/L ABA, these further developed into cotyledonary embryos. Maximum number of somatic embryos (2.9 embryos per leaf explant, with a frequency 46.6%) was obtained in C. oliveri ssp. Oliveri. During subculture using the half strength media, cotyledonary embryos gradually developed into plantlets

A new agent for tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibition: In vitro effects of dipyridamole in Crohn's disease

Background: Tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) plays a central role in inflammatory cascade in Crohn's disease (CD). Our study aims to investigate the in vitro effects of dipyridamole (DP) on the TNF- and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in the intestinal mononuclear cells of CD patients. Material and Methods: Thirteen patients with CD and in 17 healthy individuals underwent colonoscopy and biopsy samples were taken. Cultured mononuclear cells were preincubated with DP1 (0.7 microg/ml), DP2 (1.25 microg/ml), methotrexate (MTX)1 (0.5 nmol/L) and MTX2 (1.5 nmol/L). These cells were then stimulated with lipopolysaccaride (LPS) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The levels of TNF- and IL-10 in supernatants were measured with standard immunoassay monoclonal antibody method. Results: An appropriate cell culture could be obtained in 10 patients with CD and 12 healthy individuals. In LPS stimulated cells, MTX1 and MTX2 were superior to DP1 and DP2 in suppressing TNF- in both groups. In PHA stimulated cells, while MTX1 was superior to DP1, MTX2 and DP2 had an equivalent effect in CD patients (p0.05, p0.05, respectively). In LPS-stimulated cells DP2 was significantly superior to MTX2 in increasing IL-10 levels in both groups (p0.05). In PHA stimulated cells, DP1 and DP2 caused a higher increase in IL-10 levels compared with MTX1 and MTX2 in CD group (p0.05). Conclusions: Dipyridamole suppresses TNF- similar with MTX. It seems to be superior to MTX in increasing IL-10 levels. Addition of DP to anti-TNF medications may create a synergy in cytokine modulation

Common Mistakes in the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) in Turkey. A Retrospective Descriptive Multicenter Study

Background: Osteoporosis is a widespread metabolic bone disease representing a global public health problem currently affecting more than two hundred million people worldwide. The World Health Organization states that dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the best densitometric technique for assessing bone mineral density (BMD). DXA provides an accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis, a good estimation of fracture risk, and is a useful tool for monitoring patients undergoing treatment. Common mistakes in BMD testing can be divided into four principal categories: 1) indication errors, 2) lack of quality control and calibration, 3) analysis and interpretation errors, and 4) inappropriate acquisition techniques. The aim of this retrospective multicenter descriptive study is to identify the common errors in the application of the DXA technique in Turkey. Methods: All DXA scans performed during the observation period were included in the study if the measurements of both, the lumbar spine and proximal femur were recorded. Forearm measurement, total body measurements, and measurements performed on children were excluded. Each examination was surveyed by 30 consultants from 20 different centers each informed and trained in the principles of and the standards for DXA scanning before the study. Results: A total of 3,212 DXA scan results from 20 different centers in 15 different Turkish cities were collected. The percentage of the discovered erroneous measurements varied from 10.5% to 65.5% in the lumbar spine and from 21.3% to 74.2% in the proximal femur. The overall error rate was found to be 31.8% (n = 1021) for the lumbar spine and 49.0% (n = 1576) for the proximal femur. Conclusion: In Turkey, DXA measurements of BMD have been in use for over 20 years, and examination processes continue to improve. There is no educational standard for operator training, and a lack of knowledge can lead to significant errors in the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation

Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Cadmium-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats

Cadmium (Cd) is a serious environmental and occupational contaminant and may represent a serious health hazard to humans and other animals. Cd is reported to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species, and induces testicular damage in many species of animals. The goal of our study was to examine the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on Cd-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and testicular injury in rats. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: control, CAPE alone, Cd-treated, and Cd-treated with CAPE; each group consisted of 10 animals. To induce toxicity, Cd (1 mg/kg body weight) was dissolved in normal saline and subcutaneously injected into rats for 30 days. The rats in CAPE-treated group were given a daily dose of 10 mu mol/kg body weight of CAPE by using intraperitoneal injection. This application was continued daily for a total of 30 days. To date, no examinations of the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant properties of CAPE on Cd-induced apoptosis, oxidative damage, and testicular injury in rat testes have been reported. CAPE-treated animals showed an improved histological appearance and serum testosterone levels in Cd-treated group. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the number of apoptotic cells in testis tissues of the Cd-treated group with CAPE treatment. Moreover, CAPE significantly suppressed lipid peroxidation, compensated deficits in the anti-oxidant defenses in testes tissue resulted from Cd administration. These findings suggest that the protective potential of CAPE in Cd toxicity might be due to its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, which could be useful for achieving optimum effects in Cd-induced testicular injury.Namik Kemal University Research Center, Tekirdag, TurkeyNamik Kemal University [NKUBAP.00.20.AR.14.13]This study was funded under Project NKUBAP.00.20.AR.14.13 by the Namik Kemal University Research Center, Tekirdag, Turkey