Flavopiridol Induces Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Pathway in B16F10 Murine Melanoma Cells and a Subcutaneous Melanoma Tumor Model

Flavopiridol is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor that promotes cell cycle arrest. We aimed to examine the anti-proliferative effects of the flavopiridol and oxaliplatin combination on p16INK4A deficient melanoma cells B16F10 and also its apoptotic effects on a subcutaneously injected B16F10 allograft melanoma tumor model. Flavopiridol and oxaliplatin treated B16F10 cell viability was determined by MTT assay. C57BL6 mice were injected with B16F10 cells and treated with flavopiridol after tumor implantation. BRAF and BCL2L1 mRNA expression levels were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Caspase 9 and caspase 3/7 activity were determined by activity assay kits. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) protein expression levels were analyzed immunohistochemically. Flavopiridol and oxaliplatin decreased cell death. Flavopiridol enhanced caspase 3/7 and caspase 9 activities in vitro and in vivo in a dose dependent manner via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Even though there was a significant increase in Bcl-2 staining, PCNA staining was decreased in flavopiridol-administered mice. Decreased PCNA expression showed antiproliferative effects of flavopiridol which might be the result of cell-cycle arrest. Flavopiridol can be used as a cell cycle inhibitor, which induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, independently from BCL2 in B16F10 cells and B16F10 injected C57BL6 allografts. </p

Intestinal parasites prevalence and related factors in school children, a western city sample-Turkey

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most common infections worldwide. Epidemiological research carried out in different countries has shown that the social and economical situation of the individuals is an important cause in the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Previous studies in Turkey revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Aydin among 7–14 years old school children and to identify associated socio-demographic and environmental factors, behavioral habits and also related complaints. METHODS: Multistage sampling was used in the selection of the study sample. A questionnaire, cellulose adhesive and a stool specimen examination were done. RESULTS: A total of 456 stool specimens were collected. 145 students (31.8%) were infected with one or more intestinal parasites. 29 (6.4%) of the students were infected more than one parasite, 26 (5.7%) with two parasites and 3 (0.7%) with three parasites. The three most common were E. vermicularis, G. intestinalis and E. coli. Intestinal parasite prevalence was higher in rural area, in children with less than primary school educated mother, in children who use hands for washing anal area after defecation, and in children who use toilet paper sometimes or never. The relation between child health and mother education is well known. Children were traditionally taught to wash anal area by hand. Toiler paper usage was not common and might be due to low income or just a behavioral habit also. Most of the complaints of the study population were not significantly related with the intestinal parasitic infection. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal parasitic infection is an important public health problem in Aydin, Turkey. Rural residence, mother education less than primary school, sometimes or never usage of toilet paper, and washing anal area by hands after defecation were the significant associations. Interventions including health education on personal hygiene to the students and to the parents, especially to mothers are required. The ratio of uneducated women should be declined with specific programs. A multisectoral approach is needed

Limb Lengths of Primary School Children in a City From Western Region of Turkey

Anthropometry has been used for the assessment of growth at different ages. Among the anthropometric measurements, weight, height, arm circumference, and lower and upper limb lengths are of the most important criteria showing the development of children in school age. The aim of the present study was to measure the lengths of upper (arm, forearm, hand) and lower (thigh, leg, foot) limbs of children studying in primary schools of Aydin, a city in the western region of Turkey, and to assess the differences according to the gender (female, male) and living areas (urban, rural). In different age groups, many differences were observed when compared for gender and area. Differences were also seen when compared with the other studies done in different part of Turkey. The data was the first one for the region and it might be useful for further regional studies or for national comparisons. More studies designed with bigger sample sizes that cover many cities belonging to the same region of the country are needed. In addition to cross-sectional studies, Longitudinal studies may give more useful knowledge for understanding the growth of children

Topiramate in the Adjunctive Treatment of Tourette Syndrome: A Case Report

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic. In many of the cases, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a frequent comorbid disorder. Many treatment options have been suggested for TS and ADHD comorbidity. In this article, we present a case diagnosed with TS and ADHD whose tics were refractory to many other suggested treatment options for Tic Disorders (TD) and worsened during the use of recommended first-line treatment agents for ADHD, that were significantly reduced by using topiramate. New therapeutic options that would be easily used and with less side effects are needed in the treatment of TD. Topiramate treatment seems like an appropriate option raising hope for the future to be used as monotherapy or in adjuvant treatment for TD. Larger trials with longer follow up are required in this field

Diagnosing an 11-Year-Old Girl with Narcolepsy in a Child Psychiatry Unit: A Case Presentation

Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder that might cause severe morbidity and functional deterioration with a wide range of complicated symptoms and without any clearly identified etiology. The condition is even more difficult to diagnose in children as clinical picture and clusters of symptoms that vary extremely. With this report, we aimed to present, and discuss an 11-year-old case diagnosed with narcolepsy in a child psychiatry unit along with relevant literature. Psychiatric assessment of the case that applied to our child psychiatry unit was carried out by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria. Detailed clinical examination, neurological tests and imaging modalities as well as polysomnography were performed. The case was diagnosed,and followed up as having narcolepsy after completion of processes of evaluation, and differential diagnosis. She demonstrated clinical improvement with a combined treatment regimen of methylphenydate-OROS and behavioral therapy for sleep pattern and hygiene. She is still being followed up in our unit. Since narcolepsy is a rarely seen condition encountered in child psychiatry settings and symptoms might mimic other neurological and psychiatric conditions, its earlier recognition is a remote possibility. Therefore, we believe that we, as child psychiatrists, need to bear this disorder in our minds for differential diagnosis. Since current treatment options mainly target visible symptoms, developing novel treatment strategies directed towards underlying etiology will carry importance. In that sense, we believe that increasing the number of case studies and clinical researches in this understudied field of child psychiatry shall contribute greatly to more improved understanding of the disorder

The effects of sodium perchlorate on the liver of Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops, Cyprinidae, Teleostei)

WOS: 000268830900039Adult male molly fishes were reared up to ten days in control water or in water containing sodium perchlorate at concentrations of 1, 5, 25 and 125 ppm. Remarkable steatosis, fibrosis, hyperemia and necrosis were distinguished in parallel with increasing sodium perchlorate concentrations. The striking cellular damages were observed especially in 25 and 125 ppm sodium perchlorate exposed animals. The exposition to 25 ppm sodium perchlorate induced hepatocellular breakdowns and nuclear polymorphism. In 125 ppm sodium perchlorate exposed fish, hyperemia and widened necrotic areas were discovered. The results were evaluated as being the first documentation of histopathological effects of sodium perchlorate on teleost liver

Behavioral characteristics of children with type-1 diabetes and the effect of family attitudes on dietary adherence problems

Objective: Assessing the behavioral characteristics and family attitudes of children and adolescents in diabetes is linked to determining the reasons for difficulties in dietary adherence. Our aim was to assess the relationship between behavioral characteristics, family attitudes in children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and the dietary adherence and glycemic control