Fazli Erdogan

Silicosis Caused by Sandblasting of Jeans in Turkey: A Report of Two Concomitant Cases

Silicosis is a fibrotic disease of the lungs caused by inhalation, retention, and pulmonary reaction to crystalline silica. Crystalline silica exposure is widespread, and silica sand is an inexpensive and versatile component of many manufacturing processes. Its use and the incidence of silicosis are increased in industrial operations by the mechanization and the use of sandblasting, drilling, pulverizing, cutting, grinding tools and other pneumatic equipment. Sandblasting involves forcefully projecting a stream of abrasive particles onto a surface, usually with compressed air or steam. Mostly, silica sand is forced by compressed air onto the target surface. It has been commonly used in abrading metal or glass. Recently, it has been widely and increasingly used in sandblasting of jeans in Turkey. In this report, we present two concomitant cases of silicosis occurring in the same workplace, located in Istanbul, and caused by sandblasting of jeans. To our knowledge, there is no previous description of silicosis in such an occupation.

Protective effects of melatonin against myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol in rats.

Abstract: This study was performed to determine whether melatonin could have a protective effect against myocardial injury (MI) induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in rats. Twenty‐four rats were divided into three treatment groups: (1) control (n = 8): saline solution. (2) ISO (n = 8): ISO only. (3) melatonin + ISO (n = 8). Melatonin (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered 30 min before the initiation of ISO (150 mg/kg/day, s.c.). Drugs and saline were given at 14:00 hr for two consecutive days. At the end of the second day, blood samples were taken from the abdominal aorta shortly after the rats were anesthetized for the purpose of measuring cardiac troponins T (cTnT) and I (cTnI); hearts were removed, preserved and examined microscopically. Additionally, based on the histological changes in myocardial tissue, the rats were divided into three groups: no change, mild changes and moderate and/or marked changes. The mean cTnT and cTnI values were significantly increased in ISO group compared with control group [(1.29 ± 0.22 ng/mL versus 0.46 ± 0.07 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) and (0.56 ± 0.11 ng/mL versus 0.21 ± 0.01 ng/mL, P < 0.001)], respectively, and were significantly reduced in the ISO + melatonin group (0.65 ± 0.06 ng/mL for cTnT and 0.25 ± 0.01 ng/mL for cTnI) compared with the ISO only group (P < 0.01), respectively. cTnT and cTnI values were significantly increased in rats with moderate and/or marked cardiac changes compared with hearts where there were mild changes and no change (P < 0.05). ISO + melatonin group showed less histological changes than the ISO group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, this study revealed a protective effect of melatonin against ISO‐induced MI in rats, and its potential clinical application in the treatment of MI.

Intramedullary spinal tuberculoma: a case report.

Study Design. A case report showing an intramedullary thoracic spinal tuberculoma secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis in a 16-year-old patient with findings of subacute spinal cord compression. Objectives. The significance and the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intramedullary tuberculoma, and the treatment of the patient that involves surgically the excision of intramedullary lesion followed by appropriate antituberculous therapy. Summary of Background Data. Tuberculomas of spinal cord are rare entities. The possibility of intramedullary tuberculoma should be seriously considered when an intraspinal mass is found, provided that pulmonary tuberculosis is present in the history of the patient. Method. Th4–Th5 laminectomy was performed. Intramedullary tuberculoma was excised through a myelotomy. Antituberculous treatment was applied after the surgery. Results. Excellent clinical outcome was obtained with a combination of both medical and surgical treatments. Conclusion. The intramedullary spinal tuberculoma, although a rare entity, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of the spinal cord compression in patients with a history of tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and those who have a bad socioeconomic condition and bad nutrition habit. When confronted with a progressing neurologic deficit, a combination of microsurgical resection and antituberculous chemotherapy with the avoidance of steroids should be the choice of treatment for intramedullary tuberculomas.

Mammary tuberculosis – importance of recognition and differentiation from that of a breast malignancy: report of three cases and review of the literature

BackgroundWhile tuberculosis of the breast is an extremely uncommon entity seen in western populations, it accounts for up to 3% of all treatable breast lesions in developing countries.Case presentationsWe reviewed three female cases of mammary tuberculosis that were diagnosed and treated in Turkey during the same calendar year. All three patients presented with a painful breast mass. In all cases, fine needle aspiration was nondiagnostic for mammary tuberculosis. However, the diagnosis of mammary tuberculosis was confirmed by histopathologic evaluation at the time of open surgical biopsy. All three patients were treated with antituberculous therapy for six months. At the end of the treatment period, each patient appeared to be clinically and radiologically without evidence of residual disease.ConclusionThe diagnosis of mammary tuberculosis rests on the appropriate clinical suspicion and the histopathologic findings of the breast lesion. Its recognition and differentiation from that of a breast malignancy is absolutely necessary. Antituberculous chemotherapy, initiated immediately upon diagnosis, forms the mainstay of treatment for mammary tuberculosis.

Hydroxyapatite dip coated and uncoated titanium poly-axial pedicle screws: an in vivo bovine model.

Study Design. A 1-year-old calf was implanted with titanium pedicle screws either uncoated (n = 7) or coated with hydroxyapatite (n = 7) by the dipping method on the pedicles of vertebrae (t10–l3). Objective. To evaluate biomechanical and histomorphologic responses to titanium pedicle screws uncoated and coated with hydroxyapatite. Summary of Background Data. Failure of fixation caused by loosening of pedicle screws is a problem in spinal surgery. Enhancement of the fixation ability of screws by coating with biocompatible materials may improve prognosis of surgery. Methods. The calf was euthanized 4 months after implantation for determination of insertion and extraction torques for screws, and histologic and scanning electron microscopic examinations of areas screw embedded. Results. Insertion torques did not differ by the kind of screws (99 ± 5.7 Ncm). However, extraction torques for screws coated with hydroxyapatite were higher than for screws uncoated (249 vs. 133 Ncm, P < 0.01). As compared with uncoated screws, implanted areas for hydroxyapatite-coated screws were denser, had more cracks, and provided better bonding. Fibrous tissue and new bone formation were observed around the areas of uncoated and hydroxyapatite-coated screws embedded, respectively. Conclusions. Hydroxyapatite coating of titanium pedicle screws by the dipping method improved fixation and vertebral bone-implant interface, suggesting a decreased risk of a screw-loosening problem.

A giant teratoma of the tongue.

Teratoma of the tongue is an extremely rare tumour of the oral cavity, which is composed of ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm with differentiation to identifiable tissues and organs. We described a female neonate with a giant teratoma of the tongue and an incomplete cleft palate. The tumour was attached to 1/3 right anterior of her tongue and its largest diameter was 13 cm. Histopathologically, it consisted of stratified squamous epithelium on the surface, and ciliated prismatic epithelium, cartilage and neuroglial tissue. Two years after excision there was no sign of recurrence.

Comparative Cochlear Toxicities of Streptomycin, Gentamicin, Amikacin and Netilmicin in Guinea-Pigs

All the aminoglycoside antibiotics now in clinical use are ototoxic. This study was designed to compare the toxic effects of four aminoglycoside antibiotics, streptomycin, gentamicin, amikacin and netilmicin, administered to guinea-pigs systemically (at respective doses of 125 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg or 37.5 mg/kg, twice daily for 1 week) or topically via the transtympanic route (0.25 ml/kg in 4% saline, twice daily for 1 week). Chosen doses were 10–20 times higher than the recommended human dosage. Cochlear damage was observed in all animals that were given systemic and local aminoglycosides. The severity of the cochlear damage was in the order gentamicin, amikacin, streptomycin, netilmicin, with gentamicin being the most toxic. No statistically significant difference between the severity of cochlear damage resulting from the systemic and topical applications was detected.

A preliminary histopathological study of the effect of agmatine on diffuse brain injury in rats

The present study evaluates the effects of agmatine on histopathological damage following traumatic injury using a clinically relevant model of diffuse brain injury. A total of 27 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-225 g were anaesthetised and subjected to head trauma using Marmarous impact-acceleration model. The rats were then separated into two main groups: one was treated with agmatine and the other with saline for up to 4 days immediately after head trauma. Rats from both groups were killed 1, 3 or 8 days post-injury. The brains were examined histopathologically and scored according to the axonal, neuronal and vascular changes associated with diffuse brain injury. There were no significant differences between the groups at 1 day or 3 days after trauma, but evaluation after 8 days revealed a significant improvement in the group treated with agmatine. Our data indicate that agmatine has a beneficial effect in diffuse brain injury and should be trialled for therapeutic use in the management of this condition.

Diffractaic acid, a novel proapoptotic agent, induces with olive oil both apoptosis and antioxidative systems in Ti-implanted rabbits☆

Usnea longissima Ach., a lichen species, is a traditional herbal medicine with anti-detrimental effects. We evaluated the in vivo effects of a major constituent of U. longissima, diffractaic acid, and the main fatty component of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil, against apoptosis, including various caspase activations and oxidative injury in surrounding tissues after titanium implantation in rabbit femurs. Furthermore, we evaluated the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, this lichen metabolite and olive oil activated caspase-dependent cell death with apoptotic morphology, which is distinctly different from necrosis. Both orally and locally administered olive oil and diffractaic acid exerted pro-apoptotic induction in tissues surrounding the implants in titanium-implanted rabbits through the activation of initiator caspases (Cas-2, -8 and -9) and executioner caspase (Cas-3). In addition, they displayed strong myeloperoxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase activities, providing an alleviating effect. Furthermore, administrations of diffractaic acid and olive oil attenuated the Ti-alloy implantation, and decreased superoxide dismutase activity and total glutathione level in peri-implant tissues. These results demonstrate that diffractaic acid and olive oil are involved in the induction of apoptotic cell death both through caspase-dependent cell death and as an antioxidant. Thus, the data suggest that both diffractaic acid and olive oil could be developed as effective proapoptotic agents in various disorders treatments.

Neurenteric Cyst of the Upper Cervical Spine: Excision via Posterior Approach

Neurenteric cyst of the cervical spine is an uncommon congenital lesion and usually associated with many craniocervical anomalies. Solitary neurenteric cyst of the upper cervical spine is very rare. Surgery is the main treatment method. An 11-year-old female child presented with the symptoms of neck pain that radiated to both shoulders and arms. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient showed a cystic mass lesion ventral to the spinal cord and lying at the level from C1 to C3. She underwent surgical resection via a posterior approach and complete cyst resection was performed. Although removal of a neurenteric cyst through a posterior approach may result in spinal cord injury, this method is easier and safer than the anterior approach, especially in children.