Abdullah Ozgonul

Investigation of CTLA‐4 and CD28 gene polymorphisms in a group of Turkish patients with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. The immune system is an important defence mechanism against cancer and is often dysfunctional in patients with malignancies. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) and CD28 genes encode receptors that provide negative and positive signals, respectively. Polymorphisms in these genes can affect their functions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of cancer with the frequencies and roles of CTLA‐4/+49A > G (exon 1) and –318C > T (promoter), and CD28/IVS3 + 17T > C (intron 3 position + 17). These polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) in 218 Turkish subjects (56 patients with CRC and 162 healthy controls). No statistically significant differences in the genotype distributions of CTLA‐4/+49GG (1.8% vs. 6.8%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.250, P = 0.305) and CTLA‐4/−318TT (0% vs. 0.6%, OR = 1.006, P = 1.000), and CD28/IVS3 + 17CC (8.9% vs. 3.7%, OR = 0.2411, P = 0.155) between patients with CRC and healthy controls, were observed. We also found that there were no significant differences in the frequencies of CTLA‐4/+49G (18.8% vs. 20.1%, OR = 0.920, P = 0.891) and CTLA‐4/−318T (7.1% vs. 4.3%, OR = 1.653, P = 0.314), and CD28/IVS3 + 17C alleles (25.9% vs. 19.1%, OR = 1.353, P = 0.139) between two study groups. Present results suggested that CTLA‐4 and CD28 gene polymorphisms did not play an important role in Turkish patients with CRC.

Oxidative status and DNA damage in operating room personnel.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational exposure to anesthetic gases on peripheral mononuclear leukocyte DNA damage and oxidative status in operating room personnel. DESIGN AND METHODS The population of study includes 30 operating room personnel (Group I) and 30 non-operating room personnel for control groups (Group II). DNA damage was assessed by alkaline comet assay in peripheral lymphocyte. Plasma levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS) were determined by using a novel automated measurement method and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated (OSI was calculated as: OSI=(TOS/TAS)x100). RESULTS Mononuclear leukocyte DNA damage, plasma TOS and OSI were significantly higher in Group I than Group II [p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05 respectively]. There was also significantly decrease in plasma TAS in Group I than Group II [p<0.05]. There were positive significant correlations between DNA damage and TOS and OSI in Group I [r=0.84, p<0.001, r=0.89, p<0.001 respectively]. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that, mononuclear leukocyte DNA damage was significantly higher in operating room personnel. The increase of DNA damage might depend on oxidative effects of anesthetics.

Etiological Factors in Umbilical Pilonidal Sinus

The objective of this study is to investigate factors leading to the development of umbilical pilonidal sinus (UPS). 31 patients with UPS treated at Harran University and Keçiören State Training Hospital between January 1997 and November 2007. 100 consecutive volunteer outpatients were administered questionnary. The questionnary included questions on age, sex, profession, body mass index (BMI), skin color, hirsute status, frequency of taking baths, personal history of pilonidal sinus (PS), familyal history of PS, and whether –they wear tight clothes and wheteher they use belt. The results obtained from two groups were compared. UPS is one of the PS group diseases and involves umbilical region. There was statistically significant difference between the patient and control groups in terms of age, profession, hirsute status, familial history of PS, wearing tight clothes and BMI. Improvement in these factors may contribute to the reduction of the prevalance of the disease.

Surgical treatment of complicated pilonidal disease: limited separate elliptical excision with primary closure.

Objective  We aimed at treating complicated pilonidal sinus (PS) patients by a simple and effective surgical procedure.

The role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the classification of hepatic hydatid cysts

The aim of the study was to classify different types of hepatic hydatid cysts (HHCs) by measuring the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). This prospective study comprised 44 patients. The 44 HHCs were classified using Gharbi ultrasonographic classification (GUC) and then T2WIs and DWIs were obtained. The ADC values were measured of the hydatid cyst (HC) subtypes. The distribution of the ADC values in the cyst groups was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test for multi groups and the Mann-Whitney U test for paired groups. To evaluate the efficacy of ADC values in cyst diagnosis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. According to the GUC, there were 15 type 1, 11 type 2, 7 type 3, 5 type 4 and 6 type 5 HHCs. According to the ADC values in the paired comparisons, while types 1, 2 and 5 HCs were statistically differentiated from all other groups except the type 3 group, the type 4 group was differentiated from all other groups and the type 3 group was only differentiated from the type 4 group. When two groups were formed from the HHC subtypes with types 1, 2, and 3 in one group and types 4 and 5 in the other, a statistically significant difference was determined in the mean ADC values of these new groups. In conclusion the measurement of ADC values can be considered a promising parameter as an alternative to ultrasonography in the determination of subtypes of HHCs.

Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Licorice in Rats With Acute Tubular Necrosis

Objectives Various protective and therapeutic effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihistaminic, and antibacterial effects have been depicted for licorice. However, its biological effects in the kidney are still not clear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of licorice in rats with gentamicin (GM)-induced acute tubular necrosis. Design and Methods Rats were randomized into the control group (only saline for 12 days), licorice group (licorice for 12 days), GM group (GM for 12 days), GM + licorice group, and licorice-treated GM group (licorice for 12 days after taking GM for 12 days). Blood urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels were measured and histopathological analyses of the kidneys were performed. The oxidative side of oxidant-antioxidant balance was evaluated by detecting lipid peroxidation (LPO) and total peroxide levels, and antioxidative side was determined by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in plasma and kidney tissues. Results The oxidant-antioxidant balance seemed to be shifted to the oxidative side in the GM group when compared with the control and GM + licorice groups. In GM group, biochemical profiles showed a remarkable increase in blood uric acid, urea, and creatinine levels, and depletion of renal tissue and plasma TAC and GSH levels. In addition, histopathologic studies revealed severe acute tubular necrosis, congestion, and hyaline casts, verifying GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Licorice was effective in reduction of blood urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels, and also effective in decreasing the tubular necrosis score. Licorice treatment also significantly reduced LPO and total peroxide levels, and increased TAC and GSH levels in both renal tissue and blood. Moreover, these changes in rats subjected to the combined therapy (GM + licorice) were significantly less than those of GM group. Conclusions Licorice ameliorates GM-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage by scavenging oxygen free radicals, decreasing LPO, and improving antioxidant defense.

Fundal variant adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder (adenomyomas or adenomyomatous hyperplasia) is relatively uncommon tumor or tumor-like lesions that are found in 2% - 5% of all cholecystectomies. They may involve in the fundal localization as a second frequency and have a predilection for the middle and elderly-aged women. Adenomyomas are histologically characterized by epithelial proliferation and muscular hyperplasia of the gallbladder. The chronic irritation is mostly aetiological factor and rarely has malignant potential. In this paper, the authors present the clinicopathological features of three cases with adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder and discuss under the light of current literature because of the rarity of these conditions. Keywords Gallbladder; Adenomyomatosis; Fundal variant

Co-occurrence of diaphragmatic and serratus anterior muscle hydatidosis: an unusual localization.

BACKGROUND With hydatid cyst, the skeletal muscles and diaphragm are rarely affected, and hepatic and pulmonary hydatid cysts are far more common. We report a case with an unusual localization of diaphragmatic and serratus muscle anterior hydatidosis that occurred simultaneously. CASE REPORT A 37-year-old developmentally disabled woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) of Harran University with tachycardia, tachypnea, and dyspnea. On pulmonary auscultation, breath sounds were decreased on the right side. A chest X-ray study revealed a radiopaque right hemithorax with a mediastinal shift and tracheal displacement. Thoracic computed tomography scan revealed a hydatid cyst in the serratus muscle anterior and cystic vesicles in the pleural cavity. The patient underwent chest drainage. During drainage, daughter vesicles within the pus were detected macroscopically. An elective thoracotomy was performed after hemodynamic stabilization of the patient. Postoperative chest X-ray study demonstrated that the lungs had re-expanded. The patient had no postoperative complications and was discharged with relief of all symptoms. CONCLUSION Hydatid cyst should be considered, especially in endemic regions, in the differential diagnosis in the presence of a rare localization or unexpected clinical presentation. Surgical intervention is the appropriate approach for the treatment of hydatid cyst when there is concomitant intrathoracic involvement.

The effects of lycopene on intestinal injury due to methotrexate in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene (Lyc) on methotrexate (Mtx)-induced intestinal damage in rats. Method: Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: control, Mtx, Lyc, and Mtx-L. Control group: Rats were given only the vehicle. Lyc group: Rats were given Lyc (10 mg/kg) with corn oil by oral gavage for 10 days. Mtx group: Rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 20 mg/kg of Mtx and given corn oil by oral gavage. Mtx-L group: Rats were treated with Lyc (10 mg/kg) for 10 days after a single dose of Mtx (20 mg/kg). All of the rats were euthanized using terminal anesthesia, and the intestinal tissues were removed for histological examination and for pro-inflammatory cytokine measurement (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)), total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI). Results: Mtx administration increased histopathological damage and increased TNF-α, IL-1β, TOS, TAC, and OSI levels in the small intestine tissues. Lyc therapy applied to the Mtx-L group provided significant improvement in all parameters of histopathological damage to the small intestine and significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β, TOS, and OSI in the intestinal tissues. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that Lyc might be useful for protecting intestinal damage induced by Mtx in rats by reducing the increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β) levels.

Hemostatic Efficacy of a Traditional Medicinal Plant Extract (Ankaferd Blood Stopper) in Bleeding Control

The aim of this study is to assess the in vivo hemostatic effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) on rats using a tail bleeding model. Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups of 9 each: group 1, control, no pretreatment, irrigated with saline; group 2, no pretreatment, irrigated with ABS; group 3, control, heparin pretreatment, irrigated with saline; and group 4, heparin pretreatment, irrigated with ABS. To control bleeding, compressive dressings were placed after instilling 1 mL of either ABS or saline to the bleeding area. Without heparin pretreatment, ABS shortened hemostasis time by 1.57 minutes and reduced the amount of bleeding by 0.85 g. With heparin pretreatment, ABS shortened hemostasis time by 3.29 minutes and reduced the amount of bleeding by 1.32 g. The ABS was more effective than saline irrigation for treating tail tip bleeding in rats, with or without heparin pretreatment, while also using a compressive dressing.