The role of tonsil concretions in the nonspesific throat complaints

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to remind that the hidden tonsil concretions are also considered in the differansial diagnosis of patients who have nonspesific throat complaints though no significant pathology is found in a routine otorhinolaryngologic examination. MATERIALS and METHODS: Fifty one patients who presented to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with one or more complaints such as bad breath odour, irritable cough, dysphagia and unilateral sore throat, otalgia, sensation of sting in the throat but no significant pathology have been found in oropharynx examination were enrolled in this study. Tonsil concretions could be seemed when the anterior tonsillar plica was lateralized. The presenting complaints of patients and side of the removed concretions were noted. RESULTS: The most frequently detected complaints were sensation of sting in the throat (60.8%) and sore throat (45.1%). Tonsil stones more commonly were determined in female than male and the right side location (43.1%). All of the patient's complaints improved after treatment. CONCLUSION: The hidden tonsil concretions should be considered in the differansial diagnosis of patients who have nonspesific throat complaints

Successful Treatment of Essential Palatal Tremor Lasting Over a Long Term with a Rare Application of Botulinum Toxin in a Child

 AbstractHow to Cite This Article: Eryılmaz A, Başal Y, Günel C, Ozkul A, Tosun A. Successful Treatment of Essential Palatal Tremor LastingOver a Long Term with a Rare Application of Botulinum Toxin in a Child. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2015;9(4): 75-77.AbstractObjectiveAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders. In recent years, the impacts of various micronutrients on ADHD have been studied. However, vitamin D has received much less attention. This study was aimed at evaluating the association and level ofserum vitamin D in children with ADHD.Materials & MethodsThis case-control study was carried out, in 2012, on 6 to 12 yr-old children. Thirty-seven were children with ADHD in the cases group and another 37 healthy children were in the control group. Venous blood sample was drawn from each child to measure the serum level of vitamin D. Other variables were compared as well.ResultsThe mean serum vitamin D level of children with ADHD (19.11±10.10 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that of the control group (28.67±13.76 ng/ml) (P<0.001).ConclusionDeficiency of vitamin D has been proved in various psychiatric diseases. This study evidenced a significantly low level of serum vitamin D in children with ADHD. This suggests the need for regularly monitoring of serum vitamin D levels and treatment of patients with vitamin D deficiencies

Paranasal manifestations of early stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia

OBJECTIVE: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia. A few studies have been reported about the relationship between CLL and paranasal sinuses. We aimed to investigate the paranasal manifestations of CLL and to determine the expression of nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-kB) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the nasal mucosa in patients with CLL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a clinical trial that involved 40 patients. Group CLL (n=20) consisted of patients with early-stage CLL who were followed-up at the hematology clinic and who did not receive any treatment. The control group (n=20) consisted of patients who had undergone concha surgery because of nasal obstruction. Paranasal sinus computer tomography scans of all patients were taken, they were scored on the basis of the Lund–Mackay system, and sinusitis findings were recorded. The biopsy material taken from the inferior concha head of all patients was immunohistochemically stained with primary antibodies against NF-kB and TNF-α. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to NF-κB (p=0.716) and TNF-α staining scores (p=1.000). The Lund–Mackay scores were significantly higher in the CLL group than in the control group (p=0.004). Fourteen patients had sinusitis at different locations, while the most common diagnosis was maxillary sinusitis (n=8) in the CLL group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that patients with early-stage CLL tend to have rhinosinusitis. However, NF-kB and TNF-α may not have a role in the inflammatory process involving the paranasal sinuses in patients with CLL.AMAÇ: Kronik lenfositik lösemi (KLL) en yaygın görülen yetişkin lösemi alt grubudur. Ancak paranazal sinüsler ve KLL arasındaki ilişkiyi araştıran az sayıda çalışma rapor edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada KLL’nin paranazal belirtilerini ve KLL hastalarının nazal mukozalarında Nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-kB) ve Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) salınımını saptamayı amaçlandı. GEREÇ VE YÖNTEMLER: Bu çalışma 40 hastayı içeren bir klinik çalışma olarak yapılmıştır. Grup KLL (n=20) herhangi bir tedavi almamış hematoloji kliniği tarafından takip edilen erken evre KLL hastalarından oluşturuldu. Kontrol grubu (n=20) burun tıkanıklığı nedeniyle konka cerrahisi geçirmiş hastalardan oluşturuldu. Tüm hastaların paranazal sinus tomografileri çekilip Lund Mackay sistemine gore skorlandı ve sinüzit bulguları kaydedildi. Tüm hastaların alt konka başından alınan biyopsi materyalleri, NF-kB and TNF-α primer antikorları ile immünohistokimyasal olarak boyandı. BULGULAR: İki grup arasında NF-κB (p=0.716) ve TNF-α (p=1.000) boyama skorlarına göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık yoktu. Lund-Mackay skoru (p=0.004) kontrol grubuna göre KLLgrubunda anlamlı olarak daha yüksek bulundu. KLL grubunda en yaygın tanı maksiler sinüzit (n=8) iken, 14 hastada farklı lokalizasyonlarda sinüzit bulguları saptandı. SONUÇ: Bu çalışma erken evre KLL hastalarının akut rinosinüzite eğilimli olduğunu göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte, paranazal sinüsleri kapsayan inflamatuvar süreçte NF-kB ve TNF-α bir role sahip olmadığını düşünmekteyiz

Öğretmen Sorularının Yapısı İle Öğrencilerin Bilişsel Becerileri Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Bu çalışmada Argümantasyon Tabanlı Bilim Öğrenme (ATBÖ) yaklaşımının uygulandığı sınıftaki öğretmen sorularının yapısı (kapalı uçlu ve üst bilişsel soru tipleri) ile ünite sonunda öğrencilerin öğrenme ama çlı yazma aktivitesinde sergiledikleri bilişsel beceriler (gözlemler, ölçümler, karşılaştırmalar, analojiler, açıklamalar, iddialar, neden - sonuç ilişkileri, tümevarımlar, tümdengelimler, deneysel tasarımlar ve argümantasyon) arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Çalışma, Ankara ilinde gerçekleşen ATBÖ yaklaşımının merkeze alındığı boylamsal mesleki gelişim programına katılan bir öğretmen ve 24 öğrenci ile yürütülmüştür. Çalışma “Elektriğin İletimi” ünitesinde uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada öğretmen soruları, uygulam anın video kaydı alınması ve transkript edilmesi ile incelenmiştir. Öğretmen soru yapıları ise Grasser and Person’s (1994) tarafından geliştirilen Hmelo - Silver'in (2003) revize ettiği taksonomi ile incelenmiştir. Ünite sonunda öğrencilerden elektrik konusu ile ilgili öğrenme amaçlı yazma aktivitesi olarak mektup yazmaları istenmiştir. Öğrenci yazmaları Grimberg ve Hand (2009) tarafından geliştirilen ve metin analizi (text analysis) adı verilen bir araç ile analiz edilmiştir. Yapılan yüzeysel analiz öğretmenlerin soru yapısının sınıf söylemini değiştirdiğini göstermekle birlikte analiz devam etmektedir

Inhibitory Effect of Pycnogenol® on Airway Inflammation in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis

Background: The supplement Pycnogenol® (PYC) has been used for the treatment of several chronic diseases including allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the in vivo effects on allergic inflammation have not been identified to date. Aims: To investigate the treatment results of PYC on allergic inflammation in a rat model of allergic rhinitis. Study Design: Animal experimentation. Methods: Allergic rhinitis was stimulated in 42 rats by intraperitoneal sensitization and intranasal challenge with Ovalbumin. The animals were divided into six subgroups: healthy controls, AR group, AR group treated with corticosteroid (dexamethasone 1 mg/kg; CS+AR), healthy rats group that were given only PYC of 10 mg/kg (PYC10), AR group treated with PYC of 3mg/kg (PYC3+AR), and AR group treated with PYC of 10 mg/kg (PYC10+AR). Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (Ig-E) levels of serum were measured. Histopathological changes in nasal mucosa and expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-1β were evaluated. Results: The levels of the IL-4 were significantly decreased in the PYC3+AR, PYC10+AR and CS+AR groups compared with the AR group (p=0.002, p<0.001, p=0.006). The production of the IFN-γ was significantly decreased in the PYC3+AR and PYC10+AR groups compared with the AR group (p=0.013, p=0.001). The administration of PYC to allergic rats suppressed the elevated IL-10 production, especially in the PYC3+AR group (p=0.006). Mucosal edema was significantly decreased respectively after treatment at dose 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg PYC (both, p<0.001). The mucosal expression of TNF-α has significantly decreased in the PYC3+AR and PYC10+AR groups (p=0.005, p<0.001), while the IL-1β expression significantly decreased in the CS+AR, PYC3+AR, and PYC10+AR groups (p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.001). Conclusion: PYC has multiple suppressive effects on allergic response. Thus, PYC may be used as a supplementary agent in allergic response

Relationship among four functional classification systems and parent interpredicted intelligence level in children with different clinical types of cerebral palsy

Objective To investigate the relationships between four functional classification systems in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and parent-interpredicted intelligence level, and the functional status in clinical types of CP. Methods Two hundred and twenty-five children with CP ages between 2 and 18 (mean age 6.5 +/- 4.4) years included using the Surveillance of CP in Europe (SCPE) database in Turkey. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and Eating and Drinking Classification System (EDACS) levels were classified by clinical observation, and intelligence quotient (IQ) was determined by parent reports. Results Correlations were found between all functional levels; the strongest were between GMFCS-MACS (r = 0.784, p < .001), CFCS-EDACS (r = 0.772, p < .001). Strong correlations were found for the IQ-CFCS (r = 0.762, p < .001) and IQ-EDACS (r = 0.634, p < .001). Correlations were stronger in children with bilateral CP and IQ level Conclusions Taken together, these four classification systems and reported IQ levels can adequately describe overall functioning for children with CP. Our results can guide clinicians in the rehabilitation of children with CP

Protective effect of Pycnogenol on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats

Context: Pycnogenol((R)), which is French maritime pine bark extract, is a potent antioxidant. It is used in medical conditions caused by oxidative stress. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II) is an antineoplastic agent. However, its serious side effects such as ototoxicity limit its usage.Objective: Antioxidants can be used to prevent ototoxicity. We investigated the effect of Pycnogenol((R)) on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.Materials and methods: Rats were randomly assigned to four groups of five. Distortion product-evoked otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) test was performed for each rat. The experimental groups were as follows: Control Group, Pycnogenol((R)) Group: 10mg/kg Pycnogenol((R)) intraperitoneally for 7 days, Cisplatin Group: intraperitoneally 15mg/kg single injection of cisplatin on the fifth day, Cisplatin+Pycnogenol((R)) Group: intraperitoneally 10mg/kg Pycnogenol((R)) treatment for 7 days, additionally on the fifth day, 15mg/kg single injection of cisplatin was given. On the eighth day, DPOAE was re-performed and rats were sacrificed. Apoptosis was evaluated histopathologically.Results: Mean percentage of apoptotic cells was 1.5, 3, 30 and 11% in organ of Corti and 2, 2, 40, 15% in spiral ganglion neurons in Control Group, Pycnogenol((R)) Group, Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin+Pycnogenol((R)) Group, respectively. Cisplatin Group and Cisplatin+Pycnogenol((R)) Group were significantly different when compared to Control Group histopathologically both in organ of Corti and spiral ganglion neuron (p<0.001, p=0.019, p=0.001, p=0.015). DPOAE results showed that Cisplatin+Pycnogenol((R)) Group was significantly different when compared to Cisplatin Group at 3, 6 and 8kHz (p<0.05).Conclusion: Pycnogenol protected against cisplatin ototoxicity. Also, pycnogenol is not ototoxic