The protective effects of red ginseng and amifostine against renal damage caused by ionizing radiation

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of amifostine (ethyol) (AM), a synthetic radioprotector, and red ginseng (RG), a natural radioprotective agent, against the toxic effect of ionizing radiation (IR) on kidney tissues through changes in biochemical and histopathological parameters in addition to contributions to the use of amifostine and RG in clinical studies. Five groups were established: Group I (control, receiving only saline by gavage), Group II (IR only), and Group III (IR+AM, 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). Group IV (IR + RG, 200 mg/kg orally once a day for 4 weeks), and Group V (IR+RG+AM, 200 mg/kg orally once/day for 4 weeks before IR and 200 mg/kg AM administered (i.p.) 30 min before IR). All groups, except for the control group, were subject to 6-Gy whole-body IR in a single fraction. 24 h after irradiation, all animals were sacrificed under anesthesia. IR enhanced MDA, 8-OHdG, and caspase-3 expression while decreasing renal tissue GSH levels (p < .05). Significant numbers of necrotic tubules together with diffuse vacuolization in proximal and distal tubule epithelial cells were also observed. The examination also revealed substantial brush boundary loss in proximal tubules as well as relatively unusual glomerular structures. While GSH levels significantly increased in the AM, RG, and AM+RG groups, a decrease in KHDS, MDA, 8-OHdG, and caspase-3 expression was observed, compared to the group subject to IR only (p < .05). Therefore, reactive oxygen species-scavenging antioxidants may represent a promising treatment for avoiding kidney damage in patients receiving radiation

Concurrent Assay for Four Bacterial Species Including Alloiococcus Otitidis in Middle Ear, Nasopharynx and Tonsils of Children with Otitis Media with Effusion: A Preliminary Report

ObjectivesTo detect the prevalences of Alloiococcus otitidis, as well as Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis in children with chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) and to simultaneously investigate the colonization of these bacteria in the nasopharynx and palatine tonsils of these patients.MethodsThe study included 34 pediatric patients with OME, and 15 controls without OME. In the study group, A. otitidis, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, and M. catarrhalis were investigated in the samples obtained from middle ear effusions (MEE), nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and tonsillar swabs (TS), using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conventional culture methods. Only the samples obtained from NPS and TS were studied with the same techniques in the control group.ResultsA. otitidis was isolated only in MEE and only with multiplex PCR method. A. otitidis, S. pneumoniae, M. catarrhalis, H. influenzae were identified in 35%, 8.8%, 8.8%, and 2.9%, respectively, in 34 MEE. A. otitidis was not isolated in NPS or TS of the study and the control groups.ConclusionThe prevalence of A.otitidis is high in children with OME and A.otitidis doesn't colonize in the nasopharynx or tonsil

Civilizing vs destructive globalization? A multi-level analysis of anti-immigrant prejudice

This study investigates the impact of the latest wave of globalization on anti-immigrant prejudice. We discern and test two contradictory accounts of the impact of globalization on anti-immigrant prejudice from the prejudice and globalization literatures. On the one hand, there is the 'civilizing/integrative globalization' thesis, which implies that globalization should help to decrease prejudice by creating sustained and equal contact between previously alien cultures and peoples, and by spreading economic gains to everybody. On the other hand, there is the 'destructive globalization/globalization as a threat' thesis, which argues that globalization should increase anti-immigrant prejudice by intensifying competition over resources and by increasing perceived threat by native populations as a result of increasing immigrant populations. We test these two accounts using a multi-level analysis of 64 countries and nearly 150,000 individuals, derived from the World Values Surveys (waves 3-5). Our analyses reveal support for 'destructive globalization/globalization as a threat' thesis, but emphasize the multi-dimensional character of globalization. We find that citizens of countries with higher levels of trade openness have significantly more anti-immigrant sentiments. There is also some evidence that in countries where unemployment is accompanied by high levels of trade openness or the existence of large immigrant populations, citizens hold high anti-immigrant prejudice. By contrast, foreign direct investment (FDI) has a weak effect

Palmaris Longus Tendon Varl���� Ile Eldeki Flexor Retinac�Ler Ligaman Ve Palmar Apon�Roz Aras�Ndaki Ili��kinin Usg Ile De��erlendirilmesi

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the Palmaris Longus Tendon (PLT) and the relationship between the Flexor Retinacular Ligament (FRL) and the Palmar Aponeurosis (PA) of the hand. Method: 62 voluntary subjects (31 female, 31 male students and personnel from the Inonu University, at the average age 28.38 ± 6.86 years ranging from 19 to 48 years) took part in this study using ultrasound. Result: Significant differences were found in the PA p-m-d diameters of subjects between with and without PLT bilaterally, on the right and the left hand (p<0.05), whereas there was no meaningful difference considering FRL diameters (p> 0.05). Furthermore, this ultrasonographic assessment revealed the continuity of collagen bunches of the PL tendon up to FRL, but not PA. Conclusion: Although not demonstrated by ultrasonography here, the increased thickness of the PA in subjects with a PLT supports the findings in the literature in which the structural continuity between the PLT and PA have been stressed.Amaç: Elde palmaris longus tendonunun (PLT) varlığı ile palmar aponöroz ve fleksör retinaküler ligaman (FRL) arasındaki ilişki tartışmalıdır. Bu çalışmada Palmaris longus tendonun varlığı ile eldeki flexor carpal ligaman (FCL), Palmar aponöroz (PA) arasındaki ilişkinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Metod: Bu çalışmaya yaşları 19- 48 arasında (ortalama yaşları 28.38 ± 6.86 yıl) olan, 31’i erkek ve bayan, toplam 62 sağlıklı gönüllü hastane ve üniversitede çalışan personel alınmıştır. Yazı yazmada kullandıkları el dominant el olarak kabul edildi. Bulgular:Sağ elde, sol elde ve bilateral elde PLT olanlarla olmayanlarda karşılaştırıldığında PA p-o-d çapları bakımından anlamlı derecede fark bulunurken (p<0.05), FRL çapları bakımından anlamlı fark bulunmamıştır (p> 0.05). Ayrıca PLT mevcut olanların tümünde, PL kollajen demetlerinin FRL ve PA’da devamlılık gösterdiği bulunmuştur. Sonuç: USG incelemesi ile yapılan bu çalışmada, deneklerde PLT mevcut olanlarda, olmayanlara göre PA kalınlığının anlamlı derecede daha kalın bulunması; USG ile bu tendonun FRL ile devamı gösterilmesi, fakat PA’daki devamı gösterilemese de PA’nın PLT’nun anatomik yapı olarak devamı diyen çalışmaları desteklemektedi