Histopathologic investigation of the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids against boric acid-induced injury in kidney and testis tissue

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of boric acid on rat kidney and testis tissues histopathologically. Secondly, the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acid against boric acid-induced renal and testicular toxicity were investigated. Methods: 32 wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups as follows: Control, Omega-3 (400 mg/kg/day for 10 days), Boric acid (375 mg/kg/day for 10 days) and Boric acid+omega-3 (both drugs same dosage for same day). Kidney and testis tissues were evaluated using a scoring system based on the extent of certain histopathological changes. Results: In histopathological examination, boric acid caused significant degeneration in both testis and kidney tissues. Most evident findings were glomerular shrinkage and necrosis, hemorrhage and tubular cell degeneration in kidneys, and exfoliation of seminiferous tubule cells, detachement of epithelium from basement membrane, decreased cellularity and degeneration in epithelial cells in testis tissues. Omega-3 administration significantly attenuated these changes. Conclusion: To our literature search, this is the first study reporting protective effects of omega-3 fatty acid against boric-acid-induced testicular and renal injury

Development of a Psychometric Instrument Based on the Inference- Based Approach to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Obsessional Probabilistic Inference Scale

ABSTRACT Introduction: The current article addresses the validation of the construct of obsessional probabilistic inference in clinical and non-clinical samples. Obsessional probabilistic inference or obsessional doubt refers to a type of inferential process resulting in the belief that a state of affairs "maybe" causes development of a maladaptive cognitive coping style in terms of obsessing

Symptomatic Remission Determines Functional Improvement and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic illness that negatively affects the quality of life and psychosocial functions. Defined criteria to assess remission in schizophrenia are considered to be useful in the longterm follow-up of patients and in discriminating diagnostic factors. This study investigated the quality of life and functionality in schizophrenia patients in symptomatic remission (R-Sch) and not in remission (Non-R-Sch). Methods: Sociodemographic data were collected for 40 R-Sch and 40 Non-R-Sch patients, and the following scales were administered: the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Scale; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form, Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF-TR), Quality of Life Scale for Schizophrenia Patients (QLS), and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). Results: The total and all subscale scores of PANSS and the CGI-S score were significantly lower in the R-Sch group than in the Non-R-Sch group, whereas the GAF scores and all subscales of QLS and WHOQOL-BREF-TR were significantly higher. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that improvement in symptoms in schizophrenia patients improves quality and functionality in all areas of life, suggesting that an improvement in symptoms is the most important determinant of functional recovery in the treatment of schizophrenia

Effect of Modification of Lifestyle on Reproductive Potential Yașam Tarzı Değișikliğinin Üreme Potansiyeline Etkisi

ABSTRAC

An Unusual Anatomic Variation of Dorsal Sensory Branches of the Ulnar Nerve: A Case Report

ABSTRACT In some instances, it is mandatory to know the anatomy of th

Examining Acute Changes in Some Serum Biochemical Markers of Brain Tissue Damage After Free and Greco-Roman Style Wrestling

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to examine the acute changes in some serum biochemical markers due to overloading in one match of Greco-Roman and free style wrestling competitions. Method: In a repeated measures design, serum samples were collected before and 20 minutes after the first matches of the wrestlers during local wrestling competitions; subsequently analyzed for S-100B and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein. Study groups composed of Greco-Roman (n=15) and free style (n=16) wrestling groups of >19 yearold, healthy, male wrestlers. All matches were video-recorded for trauma analyses for each player. Results: Study results showed increments of 109% (p=.007) and 145% (p=.001) in serum S-100B; 63% (p=.023) and 198% (p=.002) in heart-type fatty acid-binding protein levels from pre to post match in the free and Greco-Roman style groups, respectively. The comparison of the increases obtained in the measured parameters did not reveal significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: Due to the significant increases in serum markers, there may be a possible additive effect of traumas in causing brain injuries/head traumas in free and GrecoRoman style wrestling. However, different style wrestling did not affect serum markers indicating brain tissue damage differently. Key words: Free Style Wrestling, Greco-Roman Style Wrestling, S-100B, heart-type fatty acid-binding protein. ÖZET Amaç: Bu çalışma serbest ve grekoromen güreş müsabakalarında tek bir güreş karşı-laşmasındaki aşırı yüklenmeye bağlı olarak bazı serum markerlerindeki akut değişimin incelenmesini amaçladı. Yöntem: Bölgesel güreş müsabakaları esnasında, tekrarlı ölçüm yöntemiyle güreşçile-rin ilk karşılaşmaları öncesi ve 20 dakika sonrasında kan örneği alındı; S-100B ve H tip yağ asidi bağlayıcı protein düzeyleri ölçüldü. Çalışma grupları grekoromen (n=15) ve serbest stil güreş gruplarına (n=16) ait >19 yaşında, sağlıklı, erkek güreşçilerden oluştu. Tüm müsabakalar her bir güreşçinin maruz kaldığı darbelerin analizi için kamera ile kaydedildi. Bulgular: Sonuçta serum S-100B düzeylerinde sırasıyla serbest ve Grekoromen stilde %109 (p=.007) ve %145 (p=.001), H tip yağ asidi bağlayıcı protein düzeylerinde ise %63 (p=.023) ve %198'lik (p=.002) artışlar saptandı. Ölçülen parametrelerdeki artışlar karşılaştırıldığında, gruplar arası anlamlı farklılık belirlenmedi. Sonuç: Serum markerlerindeki anlamlı artışlara bağlı olarak, serbest ve grekoromen stil güreşte darbelerin beyin yaralanması/kafa travması için olası bir etkisinin olabileceği düşünülebilir, fakat farklı stil güreş beyin doku hasarını gösteren serum markerlerini farklı olarak etkilemedi. Anahtar sözcükler: Serbest stil güreş, Grekoromen stil güreş, S-100B, H tip yağ asidi bağlayıcı protein. Turk J Biochem, 2010; 35 (4) ; 307-312. Arslan et al. 30

Etiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients in Turkey; a multicentric, cross-sectional study Etiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients in Turkey; a multicentric, cross-sectional study * TUCAP (Turkish Co

ÖZET Despite recent advances in diagnosis, treatment and vaccination, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. It remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and contributes significantly to excessive consumption of healthcare resources and related costs (1-4). In Turkey, a pneumonia rank 15 th among the 20 Etiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients in Turkey; a multicentric, cross-sectional study 120 Tüberküloz most frequent acute and chronic diseases and is the 5 th leading cause of death (5). Despite the fact that a great number of microbial agents can cause CAP, often no specific etiological diagnosis is established at the time of initial treatment, and antimicrobial therapy is usually performed using an empiric approach in such patients (2). In order to administer micro-organism-guided treatment, it is necessary to determine the causative pathogens of CAP. The etiological agents of CAP may vary according to geographic area and patients´ underlying risk factors. Decisions on proper empiric antibiotic therapy will therefore depend on prospective epidemiological studies (3). Surveillance studies constitute an important tool for determining local and regional susceptibility patterns and guiding empiric antimicrobial therapy (6). The majority of studies that have investigated the microbial causes of CAP have been carried out with patients admitted to hospital. Only a few studies have been undertaken to determine the etiology of CAP in the ambulatory patient Only a few studies of the etiology of CAP have been performed in adult patients in an ambulatory setting in Turkey MATERIALS and METHODS Study Design Eight university hospitals from different geographical regions of Turkey between November 2003 and March 2005 were included in this multicentric, cross-sectional study. In selecting centers, the following features were sought: the ability to represent different geographical areas, the ability to perform the investigative procedures in the study protocol in an optimal manner, and facility in coordination. A Turkish Community-Acquired Pneumonia (TU-CAP) Study Group was coordinated under the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis departments of the Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty. TUCAP members belong to infectious diseases and clinical microbiology departments or chest diseases and tuberculosis departments in the study centers. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients or their legal representatives before enrolment. Patients The study population consisted of adult CAP patients > 17 years old and who attended an outpatient clinic at one of the study centers. Patients consisted of individuals living in urban as well as rural areas. All patients had clinical features and radiological findings compatible with CAP. CAP was defined as an acute illness associated with at least one of the following criteria; fever (> 38°C) or hypothermia (< 36°C), new cough with or without sputum production, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea or altered breath sound on auscultation, plus a chest radiograph showing an opacity or new infiltrate consistent with pneumonia (11). CURB 65 score was used to determine disease severity (12). Patients with a diagnosis of immunosuppressive disorder, tuberculosis, health care associated pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, antibiotic use in the last 48 hours, transferred from any health institution, hospitalization within the previous 2 weeks or pregnancy were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were collected by an investigator using a standardized questionnaire. In order to establish microbial etiology, sputum, nasopharyngeal aspirate, blood and urine samples were taken from the subjects. All samples were collected before the start of antibiotic therapy. Acute serum samples were collected on admission, and convalescent serum samples 2 and 4 weeks after initial diagnosis of CAP. Microbiological Evaluation Sputum and nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were investigated using Gram's stain and then cultured. Only sputum samples with > 25 white blood cells and < 10 squamous cells/per lowmagnification field (X10) were evaluated. Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were also investigated for adenovirus, influenza A and B, parainfluenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus Köksal İ, Özlü T, Bayraktar Ö, Yılmaz G, Bülbül Y, Öztuna F, Çaylan R, Aydın K, Sucu N, TUCAP Çalışma Grubu. 121 Tüberküloz Criteria for Etiological Diagnosis The following criteria were used to determine etiology: Cases that did not fulfil these diagnostic criteria were interpreted to be "No etiology determined". Statistical Analysis The chi-square test was used. p< 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS Two hundred ninety-two CAP patients were enrolled, of whom 218 were eventually analyzed. Seventy-four patients were excluded from analysis due to failure to obtain paired serum samples or to meet eligibility criteria, or else due to incomplete data. The mean age of enrolled patients was 57.5 ± 17.6. Ninety-four patients (43.1%) were older than 65. One hundred forty-seven patients were male and 71 female. All of patients had CURB-65 < 2. One hundred forty-two of the 218 patients (65.1%) had at least one comorbidity. The main demographic characteristics of the patients were summarized Etiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients in Turkey; a multicentric, cross-sectional study 122 Tüberküloz ve Toraks Dergisi 2010; 58(2): 119-127 Two pathogens were identified in 22 (10.1%) of the 26 patients with mixed pathogens and 3 pathogens in 4 (1.8%) patients. The most frequent combinations were a bacterial pathogen plus a viral pathogen. S. pneumoniae was determined in 9 patients with mixed pathogens. H. influenzae was the second most frequent bacteria in mixed infections, in all cases together with a viral agent. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the most frequent comorbid factor, occurring in 42.7% of patients (93 out of 218). Other comorbidities were hypertension (29.8%), congestive heart failure (9.6%) and diabetes mellitus (8.7%). Seventy-eight pathogens were determined in 51 COPD subjects. The 4 most common pathogens were S. pneumoniae (27.4%), RSV (25.5%), H. influenzae (17.6%) and M. pneumoniae (17.6%). When the distribution of the microorganisms by age was evaluated, the most frequent pathogen in patients ≥ 65 was S. pneumoniae (17.0%), followed by RSV (13.8%) and M. pneumoniae (8.5%). In patients < 65, the most frequent agent was M. pneumoniae (17.7%), followed by S. pneumoniae (12.9%), H. influenzae (7.3%) and RSV (7.3%). Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus spp. and P. aeruginosa was observed in individuals aged > 65, though these agents were not encountered in subjects aged < 65 (p= 0.016; p= 0.037). Pneumonia due to atypical agents was greater in subjects aged < 65 (p= 0.034) ( DISCUSSION In this cross-sectional study conducted in Turkey, we determined etiology in 62.8% of patients with CAP. Levels of determination of the causative micro-organisms in CAP in the literature vary from 16% to 65% (13-27). In previous small studies in Turkey, the levels of etiological agents in pneumonia have been reported as, variously, 21% and 45.5 % of patients with CAP In our study, typical pneumonia agents were demonstrated in 35.8% of patients, atypical pneumonia agents in 20.2% and viral pneumonia agents in 20.6%. Mixed pneumonia agents were determined in 11.9% of patients. These proportions have been reported as 40%-54% for typical pathogens, 8%-63% for atypical pathogens and Köksal İ, Özlü T, Bayraktar Ö, Yılmaz G, Bülbül Y, Öztuna F, Çaylan R, Aydın K, Sucu N, TUCAP Çalışma Grubu. 123 Tüberküloz ve Toraks Dergisi 2010; 58(2): 119-127 4%-39% for mixed pathogens in different studies Major identifiable pathogens of CAP include S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and atypical pathogens such as M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae and Legionella spp. In the present study, M. pneumoniae was the most frequent atypical pathogen and the second most frequent agent in the etiology of CAP. Some other studies have also reported M. pneumoniae as the most frequent atypical agent 124 Tüberküloz ve Toraks Dergisi 2010; 58(2): 119-127 nostic methods (28). The proportion of atypical pneumonia in other studies has varied from 8% to 63% We determined respiratory viral agents in 20.6% of patients. RSV has been determined as the third most frequent pathogen and the most common viral pathogen at all ages. In patients ≥ 65 it is the second most frequent agent. In recent years, RSV and other respiratory viruses have been detected more often in CAP patients due to use of new diagnostic methods. In different studies the level of respiratory virus has varied from 9% to 63% L. pneumophila was diagnosed in 2.3% of cases, which agrees with results obtained from previous studies (30). The incidence of Legionella spp. is reported to vary from 0.6% to 12.2% in sporadic CAP cases. A comprehensive study from Korea reported that L. pneumophila is one of the most common atypical pathogens of CAP around the world (28). Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, K. pneumoniae) spp. and P. aeruginosa rarely cause CAP (30). In our study these pathogens were isolated as the least common microorganisms (1.8%, each). In our study, mixed pathogens were found in 11.9% of patients. Co-infection rates have been reported in 22.5%, 12.5%, 16%, 8.5% and 5.7% of CAP in other studies In CAP, the pattern of causative agents depends on age (33). Fifty-seven percent of the 218 patients in our study were younger than 65. In Turkey, the 15-64 age group represents 67% of the population (Turkish Statistical Institute, General Population Census and Economic Data, 2009). While S. pneumoniae was determined at the same rate in both groups, atypical pathogens were found less often in the elderly compared to younger patients. In elderly patients, the most frequent pathogen was S. pneumoniae (17.0%), followed by RSV (13.8%) and M. pneumoniae (8.5%). Viral pathogens have recently been increasingly diagnosed in elderly patients. In this study, as in others, M. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen in younger patients (30). Lim et al. reported atypical pathogen levels of 16% in elderly patients and 27% in younger patients (17). In this study COPD was the most important comorbidity. COPD has also been reported as the most common co-morbidity with CAP in other studies (30). The most important limitation in our study was the small number of CAP patients. Because university hospitals are tertiary referral centers, and because we excluded all patients who had received prior antibiotherapy, the number of CAP patients enrolled in this study was inevitably low. Köksal İ, Özlü T, Bayraktar Ö, Yılmaz G, Bülbül Y, Öztuna F, Çaylan R, Aydın K, Sucu N, TUCAP Çalışma Grubu. 125 Tüberküloz ve Toraks Dergisi 2010; 58(2): 119-127 Etiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients in Turkey; a multicentric, cross-sectional study 126 Tüberküloz ve Toraks Dergisi 2010; 58(2): 119-127 In conclusion, a causative pathogen was demonstrated in 62.8% of patients with CAP. S. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae and RSV were the 3 most frequent agents in adults with CAP in an ambulatory setting in this Turkish study. These results suggest that in patients with CAP in initial empiric therapy should cover S. pneumoniae and atypical pathogens. Our results showed that in the empirical treatment of CAP suggestions of the Turkish Thoracic Society consensus report are suitable and cover etiological agents of CAP for our country (34). Conflicts of Interest None of the authors had any financial or personal relationships with other individuals or organizations that might inappropriately influence their work during the submission process. ACKNOWLEDGEMEN

Dilek EVYAPAN AKKUŞ Orgasm Treatment in Migraine: A Native and Costless Choice? A Clinical Observation Migrende O rgazm Tedavisi: D oğal ve Maliyetsiz Bir Seçim ? K linik Bir G özlem

ABS TRACT To relieve headache, some people may resort to non-drug alternatives. In this paper, an unusual patient using orgasm for treatment of migraine attack is presented. On the basis of pain system and analgesic neuro-peptides, the possible mechanism of action of orgasm treatment for migraine headache is discussed

Epicardial hydatid disease: a rare cause of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction Epikardiyal kist hidatik hastalığı: sol ventrikül diyastolik disfonksiyonunun ender nedeni

Abstract Cardiac involvement in patients with hydatid disease is uncommon. A case of echinococcal infection with multiple cysts in the epicardium in a young man is reported. The diagnosis was suggested by echocardiography, which showed cystic masses adjacent to the left atrium and the left ventricle causing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Subsequently, he underwent a successful surgical resection for the cysts. 2011;4(1):35-7 Pam Tıp Der