Does platelet activity play a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic ischemic priapism?

ABSTRACT Purpose Mean platelet volume (MPV) is used to measure platelet size and is defined as a potential marker of platelet reactivity. Higher MPV levels have been defined as a risk factor for increased incidence of intravascular thrombosis and its associated diseases. We aimed to determine whether a relationship exists between the MPV and veno-occlusive component of idiopathic ischemic priapism (IIP). Materials and methods Between 2010 and 2014, 38 subjects were analyzed in two groups. One was composed of 15 patients with diagnosis as IIP in our institute, and the other contained 23 healthy control subjects. Complete blood count reports were retrospectively evaluated in both groups. MPV, platelet count (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), reticulocyte distribution width (RDW) were measured in both groups. : Results The mean ages were similar in IIP patients (45.86±15.82) and control subjects (47.65±10.99). The mean MPV values of IIP patients were significantly higher than control subjects (p<0.05). In contrast, also PLT counts were significantly lower in IIP patients, compared to control subjects (p<0.05). The mean hemoglobin and WBC values were significantly lower in control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference of RBC, PDW and RDW values in both groups. Conclusions We found that the MPV was significantly higher in IIP patients compared to control subjects. The high MPV levels may have contributed to the veno-occlusive etiopathogenesis of IIP disease. We strongly suggest further prospective studies to recommend the use of MPV in routine practice.

Achalasia secondary to lung adenocarcinoma

No abstract available.

Human infection with Dicrocoelium dendriticum in Turkey

Human dicrocoeliosis is reported sporadically in various parts of the world. We report a case in a 21-year-old male, who had right upper abdominal pain, weight loss, and chronic relapsing watery diarrhea three to four times daily for four weeks. The patient had abdominal tenderness to palpation in the right upper quadrant. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and serum immunoglobulin E levels were slightly elevated; all other biochemical and hematological findings were in their normal ranges. The duodenal biopsy samples were normal and an abdominal ultrasonography showed no biliary or hepatic abnormality. Stool microscopy revealed numerous eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. As pseudoparasitosis can result from eating raw, infected animal liver, the patient was given a liver-free diet for three days, to rule out that possibility. Subsequent stool examinations showed eggs in each of the samples indicating that the infection was genuine. The patient was treated with triclabendazole 10 mg/kg in a single dose. Four weeks later, no parasite eggs were detected in the microscopic examination of the stool samples. The patient got better gradually and the symptoms disappeared. Physicians should keep in mind parasitic diseases such as the rarely encountered dicrocoeliosis

Association of demodicosis with acne rosacea

Demodex spp of humans are encountered frequently all over the world. The role of these parasites is controversial in the causation of skin diseases. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the association of Demodex spp with acne rosacea. The study was conducted between the years of 2005-2008 in the output clinic of Dermatology and Parasitology Laboratory of Health Research and Training Hospital of Yuzuncu Yil University. One hundred two patients [patient group] composing of 59 females and 43 males with acne rosacea and randomly selected 50 healthy subjects [control group] were examined for Demodex spp. Twenty seven patients were under the age of 35, and 75 patients were aging 35 years old and over. Samples were plucked out from surface of nose and forehead of patients with acne rosacea and healthy subjects by standardized surface skin biopsy [SSSB] method in the Laboratory. The preparations prepared in Hoyer solution were examined under 4X and 10X objectives of light microscope. The detected parasites were higher in the patient group with acne rosacea [67.65%] than the control group [6%], in females [76.27%] than males [55.81%] and in patients aging 35 years old and over [74.67%] than the patients under 35 years of age [48.15%]. Significant relationships were detected between acne rosacea and demodicosis, sex and demodicosis, and age and demodicosis [p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively]. It was concluded that there is a relationship between the demodicosis and acne rosacea, and dermatologists should take into consideration the Demodex spp. in the etiology of acne rosacea

Investigation of cryptosporidiosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microscopy in children with diarrhea

To investigate the frequency of cryptosporidiosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and microscopy and its relationship with diarrhea. The study was prospectively performed in the Parasitology Laboratory and Pediatric Outpatient Clinic of the Research Hospital, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey between 2004 and 2006. Stool samples were obtained from a total of 2000 children with diarrhea, 870 females, and 1130 males aging 0-15 years as study group, and 100 children of the same age were randomly selected as a control group. The flotation method was firstly carried out for all stool samples in saturated zinc sulfate solution, then staining process by modified acid-fast staining. All samples were also tested for Cryptosporidium parvum antigen by ELISA. Native-Lugol and trichrome staining were used to identify other intestinal parasites. The antigen was determined in 97 [4.9%] of 2000 children by ELISA, however, the oocysts were only seen in 39 children [1.95%] by microscopy. Cryptosporidium spp. were not detected in the control group either by ELISA or by microscopy. We found a significant [p<0.001] relationship between diarrhea and cryptosporidiosis. Other intestinal parasites were detected in 713 [35.7%] of 2000 diarrheic children. Cryptosporidium spp. antigen searching by ELISA in stool samples should be included for diagnosis of the disease in all hospitals

effect of Nigella sativa oil against Aspiculuris tetraptera and Hymenolepis nana in naturally infected mice

To investigate the antiparasitic effect of Nigella sativa oil [NSO] on Aspiculuris tetraptera [A. tetraptera] and Hymenolepis nana [H.nana] in mice in January 2005. Mice were obtained from the animal house facility of the Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey The natural infections were determined by the cellophane tape method and the centrifugal flotation method of stool samples. The infected mice with A. tetraptera and H. nana were divided into 4 groups; 2 treatment and 2 control groups. Nigella sativa oil was given at the dose of 250 microl/kg body weight orally for 2 consecutive days in the 2 treatment groups. All the mice were sacrificed on the seventh day after the last treatment. Gastrointestinal tract of the sacrificed animals was opened and washed with a serum physiologic. The contents were examined under a stereo microscope for counting and identifying of the parasites. The treatment and the control groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-Test. Nigella sativa oil reduced both A. tetraptera and its eggs. The difference was significant between Group 1 and Group 3 [P<0.05]. Nigella sativa oil reduced H.nana eggs starting from second day of the treatment until necropsy day during 5 days, but it was not significant between Group 2 and Group 4 [P>0.05]. Antiparasitic effect of NSO is related to its stimulating immune system

effect of combination therapy on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in cases with hypertension

Up to this date, it is well shown that several antihypertensive drugs have different regressive effect on left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH]. However, there are different studies regarding the effect of antihypertensive combination therapies on regression of LVH. In this study, 2 different combinations ACE-I plus calcium channel blocker and ACE-I plus diuretic were compared in cases with hypertension whose BPs were not controlled by ACE-I alone. Forty patients with mild to moderate hypertension were included in this study. The treatment was continued for 6 months in the Faculty of Medicine at Ege University, Turkey, between January and December 2003. Adequate response with lisinopril 20mg/daily failed to be achieved in all patients. Patients divided into 2 groups. There were no differences between the groups in patients' age, blood pressure [BP] and other clinical and laboratory range. First group patients received lisinopril 20mg + nifedipine GITS 30mg and second group patients received lisinopril 20mg + hydrochlorothiazide 25mg. The treatment was continued for 6 months. Blood pressure were measured every 2 weeks, echocardiographic findings, and blood and urinary analysis were performed before and at the end of treatment. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly in both groups and no significant difference regarding BP was found between the 2 groups. Left ventricular mass index also decreased significantly in both groups. However, in the first group left ventricular mass index decreased more compared to the second group. The effect of combination therapies with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ACE-I] plus diuretic and ACE-I plus calcium channel blocker on systolic and diastolic BP are similar. However, when LVH is present, regressive effect of the combination of ACE-I plus calcium channel blocker is superior to the combination of ACE-I plus diuretic