Detection of progressive and regressive phase and LINE-1 retrotransposon in transfected dogs with transmissible venereal tumor during chemotherapy

Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is a tumor that commonly occurs in genital and extragenital sites of both genders. Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE-1) retrotransposon has a pivotal role in allogenic transfection among uncontrolled dog populations. This study aimed to perform pathomorphological, immunohistochemical, and in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) evaluation of CTVT (n = 18) in transfected dogs during chemotherapy. Immunohistochemically, tumor phases were investigated by using specific markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD79, and transforming growth factor beta [TGF-β]), and investigated an amplified specific sequence of TVT LINE-1 retrotransposon by in situ PCR. Polyhedral-shaped neoplastic cells that had large, round, hypo/hyperchromatic nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm were detected. All marker results were positive, especially in the early weeks of recovery. CD4 and TGF-β markers were conspicuously positive at the initial stage. In situ PCR LINE-1 sequence was initially positive in only four cases. It is believed that the CD and TGF-β markers provide phase identification at tumor initiation and during chemotherapy. It is thought that presence of T and B lymphocytes, which have roles in cellular and humoral immunity, is needed so that regression of the tumor is possible.

Evaluation of new sensitizations in asthmatic children monosensitized to house dust mite by specific immunotherapy.

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is one of the treatment modalities recomended for the management of asthma and allergic rhinitis by international guidelines. A potential benefit of immunotherapy (IT) is to prevent the development of sensitisation to new allergens. There is stil no conclusion on this subject. One hundred twenty-twochildren 8-18 years old with intermittent asthma, with or without allergic rhinitis, all of whom were monosensitised to house dust mite (HDM) were selected. Sixty two of these children accepted to receive SIT with HDM extract for 4 years and the remaining 60 did not accept SIT and were treated with asthma medications only. This second group of children served as the control group. At the end of the 4-year study period, 36 of the 53 patients (67.9%) in the SIT group showed no new sensitizations, compared to 38 of 52 (73.0%) in the control group (p = 0.141). The most frequent new sensitizations at the end of the study were pollens, grasses and olive polen, followed by animal dander, alternaria and cockroach. In conclusion, SIT may not prevent the onset of new sensitizations in asthmatic children monosensitized to house dust mites. Further investigation is required to clarify the immunologic mechanisms and other factors by which SIT reduces or not the development of new sensitizations in monosensitized children.

Evaluation of problem based learning by tutors and students in a medical faculty of Turkey

To determine the opinion of tutors and students in charge of problem-based learning [PBL] courses during the academic year of 2006-2007 about the extent of contribution of PBL to certain skills in comparison with conventional education and to clarify whether or not they are content with PBL. Cross sectional research. Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. One hundred and fifty three tutorsin charge of PBL courses during the academic year of 2006-2007 and all of the first year medical students [n=170] were included. A questionnaire was sent to the study population in June 2007. Analysis of completed questionnaire. Independent sample t-test analysis was used to determine whether mean scores were different in two groups. Majority of the tutors [87.5%] and students [97.1%] responded to the questionnaire. The question "Is PBL an application that is in general beneficial to the student?" was answered as "yes" by 66.9% of the tutors. The question "Are you content with PBL?" was answered as "yes" by 54.9% of the tutors. On the other hand, 74.5% of the students answered "yes" to this second question. Our results show that PBL is well received by tutors and students and they think that PBL offers significant contribution to the students in areas that are considered to be superior aspects of PBL when compared to conventional education. performing their education programs completely based on PBL

Acinar cell ultrastructure after taurine treatment in rat acute necrotizing pancreatitis

To evaluate the organelle-based changes in acinar cells in experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis [ANP] after taurine treatment and the association of electron microscopic findings with histopathological changes and oxidative stress markers. The study was performed in February 2005 at Gulhane School of Medicine and Hecettepe University, Turkey. Forty-five rats were divided into 3 groups. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced in groups II and III. Groups I and II were treated with saline and Group III with taurine 1000 mg/kg/day, i.p, for 48 hours. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations were determined using one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Histopathologic findings improved significantly after taurine treatment. Degree of injury in rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulums, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria and nucleus of acinar cells also decreased with taurine in correlation with biochemical and histological results. Taurine improves acinar cell organelle structure, and ultrastructural recovery in ANP reflects histological improvement