Melek Inci

Protective effects of thymoquinone on vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Aim: Oxidative stress has been implicated as a potential responsible mechanism in the pathogenesis of vancomycin (VCM)-induced renal toxicity. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of thymoquinone (TQ) against VCM-induced nephrotoxicity by tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters and histological changes in rats. Materials and methods: Wistar albino rats were randomly separated into four groups consisting of seven rats per group. The groups had normal saline (control group), VCM, VCM and TQ and TQ, respectively. VCM was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 200 mg/kg and continued at 12-h intervals for 7 days. TQ was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg and continued at 24 h intervals for 8 days. Animals were killed and blood samples were analyzed for the levels of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). Kidney specimens were analyzed for levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as for histopathological changes. Results: We found that the levels of serum BUN, Cr and kidney tissue MDA were increased in the VCM group. Activities of SOD and GSH-Px in kidney tissue were decreased. TQ administration ameliorated significantly these changes. Conclusion: These results indicate that the TQ produces a protective mechanism against VCM-induced nephrotoxicity and suggest a role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of thymoquinone in a rat model of acute bacterial prostatitis

Prostatitis plays a major role in morbidity and mortality related to prostate diseases. The aim of this study was to detect whether thymoquinone (TQ) could ameliorate oxidative damage and the proliferative response induced by Escherichia coli (E. coli) in rats. A total of 42 adult male Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups (three treatment groups, three infected groups and one control group). Control group received saline and was killed 24 h after saline administration. Infected rats were killed after 24, 48 and 72 h following direct injection of E. coli into the prostate. Treatment groups were administered with 10 mg/kg dose of TQ intraperitoneally following E. coli injection and after 24 and 48 h following E. coli injection. The rats were killed at 24, 48 and 72 h after the first drug administration. Each group was compared with each other and with the control group. In addition, infected groups were compared with treatment groups. Our findings show that the treatment with TQ has a protective effect against bacterial prostatitis-induced tissue injury. Increase in malondialdehyde levels and histological damage caused by E. coli were improved markedly with TQ treatment. TQ treatment particularly increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and decreased the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. These observations might be attributed, at least in part, to the antioxidant effect of TQ and suggest that it could be a clinically valuable agent in the prevention of acute prostatitis caused by E. coli.

The prevalence of interdigital erythrasma in southern region of Turkey

Background  Erythrasma is a skin infection which is caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum. Interdigital erythrasma is the most common form.

Antifungal activity of several root canal sealers against Candida albicans

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of several root canal sealers (iRoot SP, MTA Fillapex and GuttaFlow) against Candida albicans and compare them to that of AH Plus Jet. Materials and methods. A 10 μL fungi in suspension was allowed to directly contact the sealers, which were freshly mixed or allowed to set for 1 or 7 days. Fresh media was then added and survival of fungi was determined by using 10-fold serial dilution and inoculated onto agar plates. After incubation for 48 h, colony-forming units (CFU) were calculated and their log10 values converted. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). Results. Freshly mixed AH Plus Jet totally inhibited the growth of fungi and showed the highest antifungal activity. GuttaFlow did not show any significant antifungal activity at all times. Freshly mixed iRoot SP and MTA Fillapex were found to be antifungal. Statistical differences were found between freshly mixed and set samples (p < 0.05) in favor of the former, except GuttaFlow. No statistically significant differences were found among the tested sealers at the 1 and 7-day samples (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Fresh AH Plus Jet had very potent antifungal activity. All sealers, except GuttaFlow, exhibited antifungal activity when freshly mixed.

Brucellosis with very high ferritin levels: report of five cases:

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a kind of Brucella bacteria, which commonly appears in humans and rarely causes mortality. In our study, five cases, who were diagnosed by evaluation of clinical findings and serological tests, they also had very high ferritin levels, were reported. Ages of the patients were 16, 12, 10, 16 and 8 years, respectively. Serum ferritin levels were 1200, 985, 886, 748 and 435 ng/ml, respectively. We observed that complaints of the patients reduced after the treatment and ferritin levels returned to its normal range. In the situations of extremely evaluated serum ferritin which is an acute-phase reactant, its levels are able to raise in brucellosis, without existing hemochromatosis and Still’s disease

Investigation of Parvovirus B19 Seroprevalence, Endothelin-1 Synthesis, and Nitric Oxide Levels in the Etiology of Essential Hypertension

Background and Aims: Many studies have focused on the role of pathogen infection in hypertension (HT). It has been postulated that increased vascular tonus in HT is basically related to the imbalance between vasodilator, such as nitric oxide (NO), and vasoconstrictor, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), substances secreted by endothelium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) in the etiology of essential HT and the effect of HPV B19 on ET-1 and NO levels in this disorder. Materials and Methods: A total of 135 participants were enrolled in the study (90 patient and 45 controls). Antibodies to HPV B19 and ET-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Nitric oxide levels were calculated according to the Griess reaction. Results: Of the total participants, 27 patients (30%) and 7 control subjects (15.6%) had IgM positive (P = .068), whereas 27 patients (30%) and 14 control subjects (31.1%) had IgG positive (P = .895). There was no statistical difference between patients and control subjects in terms of serum ET-1 and NO levels. Conclusions: The role of HPV B19 in the etiology of essential HT was not shown in the present study. A larger sample may be needed for the investigation of these relations.

Identification and molecular epidemiology of dermatophyte isolates by repetitive‐sequence‐PCR‐based DNA fingerprinting using the DiversiLab system in Turkey

Dermatophyte species, isolation and identification in clinical samples are still difficult and take a long time. The identification and molecular epidemiology of dermatophytes commonly isolated in a clinical laboratory in Turkey by repetitive sequence‐based PCR (rep‐PCR) were assessed by comparing the results with those of reference identification. A total of 44 dermatophytes isolated from various clinical specimens of 20 patients with superficial mycoses in Kayseri and 24 patients in Hatay were studied. The identification of dermatophyte isolates was based on the reference identification and rep‐PCR using the DiversiLab System (BioMerieux). The genotyping of dermatophyte isolates from different patients was determined by rep‐PCR. In the identification of dermatophyte isolates, agreement between rep‐PCR and conventional methods was 87.8 % ( 36 of 41). The dermatophyte strains belonged to four clones (A ‐D) which were determined by the use of rep‐PCR. The dermatophyte strains in Clone B, D showed identical patterns with respect to the region. In conclusion, rep‐PCR appears to be useful for evaluation of the identification and clonal relationships between Trichophyton rubrum species complex and Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex isolates. The similarity and diversity of these isolates may be assessed according to different regions by rep‐PCR.

The Role of Topical Thymoquinone in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Externa; an Experimental Study in Rats

OBJECTIVE The aim of this experimental study was to compare the dose-related effect of topical thymoquinone (TQ) with other topical agents used in the management of acute otitis externa (AOE) in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups each with eight rats per group. Group I was the control group with no external otitis, whereas external otitis were created in the other five groups (study groups). Dexamethasone, 0.1% TQ, 0.4% TQ, ciprofloxacin, and 0.9% saline (NaCl) drops was applied once daily in Groups II-VI, respectively. The treatment was administered regularly for 10 days. Pathologic and microbiologic evaluation were performed. Pathologically, the thicknesses of the stroma and the epithelium in the external auditory canal (EAC) were measured using an occulometer. Edema in the stroma, density of inflammatory cells and blood vessels, presence of fibroblasts, and changes in collagen fibers in the EAC were evaluated in five different areas to obtain the area of highest concentration and classified into four grades (0=no change, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe). RESULTS The higher concentration of TQ (0.4%) was more effective than dexamethasone and 0.1% TQ with respect to antibacterial and the anti-inflammatory properties. CONCLUSION TQ, particularly at a concentration of 0.4%, may be considered for topical application alone in the treatment of AOE, without any requirement for a combined treatment.

The Seropositivity of Parvovirus B19 in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective: Parvovirus B19 is one of the most common causes of viral arthritis, which suggests that it can be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seropositivity of parvovirus B19 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Material and Methods: The patient group consisted of 43 patients with ankylosing spondylitis; the control group consisted of 70 subjects who did not have any bone joints complaints. Anti-parvovirus B19 IgM and IgG antibodies were measured by ELISA. Results: Parvovirus B19 IgM antibody positivity in patients with AS was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The high frequency of anti-parvovirus B19 IgM positivity in patients with AS suggests that the virus reactivates or persists in these patients due to immuno deficiency.

Çocuk Nöroloji Polikliniğine Başvuran Hastalarda Pediculus Capitis Görülme Sıklığı

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of Pediculus capitis (P.capitis) in Pediatric Neurology outpatients. Materials and Metods: The study included total of 110 children between the ages 1-16, 39male (35.5%) and 71 females (64.5%) who were referred to our hospital Pediatric Neurologyoutpatient clinic between March-May 2012. Childrens hair, especially the back of the head andthe neck were examined for adult lice, nymphs and eggs, and in order to determine thesociodemographic characteristics of families a questionaire was filled.Results: P. capitis infestation was detected in 3 male (2.7%), 34 female (30.9%) patients totallyin 37 patients (33.6%) in our study. The incidence of parasites when the subjects were comparedin terms of gender, significant differences were found in girls. When P. capitis infestationcompared to the familys level of monthly income, the fathers education level and occupation,was statistically significant but no significant correlation was found with the mothers educationlevel occupation, the frequency of bathing. Conclusion: As a result, due to use of the common items for examinations and investigationsin a hospital environment and with close contact P. capitis infection transmission should beconsidered. Therefore, we concluded that the health screenings must be done for head lice andwhen the subjects were treatment and education of the patients who are positive