Primer Hydatid Cyst of Thymus: Report of a Case

Cystic lesions in the mediastinum constitute one-fourth of all mediastinal masses and are usually identified incidentally. However, hydatid cysts very rarely present in the mediastinum. A 13-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of chest pain and cough. A chest roentgenogram and computed tomography examination found a homogeneous cystic lesion with a size of 7.5 x 7 cm in the anterior mediastinum. Thymectomy was performed following a left thoracotomy in order to complete the pericystectomy. The histological diagnosis was hydatid cyst. No recurrence was observed during 1 year of follow-up

Measurement of C-reactive protein and Prostaglandin F-2 alpha Metabolite Concentrations in Differentiation of Canine Pyometra and Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia/Mucometra

Canine pyometra is a dioestrus period disease in which systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common outcome due to the response of the body to the bacterial infection. The purpose of this study was i) to differentiate canine pyometra and cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)/mucometra by measuring serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and prostaglandin F-2 alpha metabolite (PGFM) concentrations in blood and ii) to compare serum concentrations of CRP and PGFM in bitches with a pathological uterus (pyometra or CEH/mucometra) to concentrations in bitches with a healthy uterus. Mean CRP concentrations were found significantly higher (p < 0.001) in dogs with pyometra compared to those with CEH/mucometra or healthy uterus. However, no statistical difference could be detected between the groups for mean PGFM concentrations. Mean white blood cell count (WBC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein concentrations were found significantly higher (p < 0.001) in dogs with pyometra. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated microorganism from dogs with pyometra (64.3%). Edwardsiella spp. was detected in a single case of pyometra for the first time. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that serum CRP concentrations were increased in dogs with pyometra and thus we conclude that serum CRP concentration but not PGFM might be useful as a marker to differentiate a case of CEH/mucometra from pyometra in female dogs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in which Edwardsiella spp. has been isolated in the canine uterus

The efficacy of minocycline against methotrexate-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice

OBJECTIVES: In addition to its antimicrobial effects, inhibitory effects of minocycline have been demonstrated, including against inflammation, apoptosis, proteolysis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. In this study, we aimed to determine the beneficial effects of minocycline on lung histology and its antioxidant activity in a murine model of pulmonary fibrosis

Comparison of the classification ratios of four depression rating scales commonly used in Turkey

Objective: According to literature more than 20 depression scales are in use in Turkey. Considering that depression is a popular area of study, it may not seem abnormally unusual that there are so many measuring scales available. However, so many measuring instruments may lead to a problem of different sensitivity levels and raise the question of whether or not all the instruments have the same sensitivity in measuring the particular entity. The purpose of this study is to compare the four commonly used self-report scales adapted into Turkish, namely CES-Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (depression subscale) by cross-validation. Method: These depression scales had been applied to three hundred and forty-one subjects and total scores of the subjects for each scale have been obtained. Next, the sample group was divided into two according to group averages of total scale scores. Normative scores and cut-off scores have not been considered because the study objective was to compare these scales on a theoretical basis. The groups below and above average for each of the four scales have been compared by the ROC curve analyzes. Results: The results showed that the total score of Beck Depression Inventory had been grouped correctly by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale at a ratio of 0.871, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (depression subscale) at a ratio of 0.885, and by CES-Depression Scale at a ratio of 0.874. The total score of CES-Depression Scale had been correctly grouped by Beck Depression Inventory at a ratio of 0.871, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale at a ratio of 0.869, and by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (depression subscale) at a ratio of 0.862. The total score of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale has been correctly grouped by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale at a ratio of 0.848, Beck Depression Inventory at a ratio of 0.872, and by CES-Depression Scale at a ratio of 0.878. The total score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (depression subscale) has been correctly grouped by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale at a ratio of 0.848, Beck Depression Inventory at a ratio of 0.889, and by CES-Depression Scale at a ratio of 0.887. Conclusion: The overall results showed that the scales cross-validated with ratios ranging from 0.85 to 0.89. The classifying ratios obtained by ROC analysis were similar across four depression scales