RESUMEN
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on corneal endothelial layer using specular microscopy. Methods: Fifty-eight eyes of 58 patients whose vitamin D level was below 15 ng/ml and who had no ocular pathology were included in the study (Group 1). Forty eyes of 40 age-and sex-matched subjects were enrolled as control group (Group 2). Corneal endothelial cell density (CD), coefficient of variation (CV), hexagonal cell ratio (HEX), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured using specular microscopy (Konan Medical Inc., Nishinomiya, Japan). The obtained data were compared between the groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender (P = 0.344, P = 0.399, respectively). The mean CD value was 2772.79 ± 202.21 cells/mm2 in Group 1 and 2954.97 ± 116.89 cells/mm2 in Group 2 (P = 0.001). The mean CV value was 30.31 ± 3.65 in Group 1 and 28.20 ± 2.71 in Group 2 (P = 0.003). The mean HEX value was 46.56 ± 6.32 in Group 1 and 51.07 ± 5.28 in Group 2 (P = 0.001). The mean CCT value was 555.87 ± 36.90 ? in group 1 and 549.0 ± 37.39 ? in Group 2 (P = 0.96). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency may affect the corneal endothelial layer. Patients with vitamin D deficiency should be evaluated for endothelial parameters in particular before an intraocular surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.
RESUMEN
Objectives: Delayed healing and non-union of fractures have a significant effect upon patient morbidity. Studies have therefore largely concentrated on accelerating fracture healing. This study was intended to compare the effect of ''mad honey'' and propolis on fracture healing using radiological and histopathological analysis
Subjects and Methods: Femur fracture was surgically performed on 48 rats, followed by fixation. Animals were then divided into 8 groups: 2 control groups [15- and 30-day] and 6 treatment groups [15- and 30-day normal honey, 15- and 30-day ''mad honey'' and 15- and 30-day propolis]. Rats were sacrificed at the end of these periods, and radiological and histological examinations were performed
Results: Radiological healing in the propolis group after 15-day therapy was statistically better than in the control [p = 0.004] and normal honey [p = 0.006] groups. After 30-day therapy, healing in the propolis group [p = 0.005] and grayanotoxin-containing ''mad honey'' group [p = 0.007] were significantly better than in the control group. Histologically, there was a statistically significant difference between the 15-day propolis group and the other groups [control, honey, mad honey: p = 0.003, p = 0.003, and p = 0.002, respectively]. We also found a statistically significant difference when the 30-day propolis group [p = 0.005] and ''mad honey'' group [p = 0.007] were compared to the control group
Conclusions: This study shows that grayanotoxin-containing mad honey and propolis can accelerate fracture healing
RESUMEN
Anaerobes are important causes of pleural space infections. The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of the anaerobic bacteria in pleural infections. The study involved 278 consecutive clinical samples sent to the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of Tertiary Chest Hospital. Anaerobes were isolated in 39 community acquired and fi ve nosocomial cases out of 278 anaerobic cultivations (15.8%). Total of 56 anaerobe strains were identifi ed and 21 aerobes were accompanied to anaerobic isolates. Aerobe isolates were associated with anaerobic microorganisms in 19 cases (43.2%). Bacteroides species (21.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33.3%) were the most common anaerobic and aerobic isolates.