Development of Interleukin-2 Loaded Chitosan-Based Nanogels Using Artificial Neural Networks and Investigating the Effects on Wound Healing in Rats.

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize rh- IL-2 loaded chitosan-based nanogels for the healing of wound incision in rats. Nanogels were prepared using chitosan and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by ionic gelation method and high temperature application, respectively. Particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index were measured for characterization of nanogels. The morphology of nanogels was examined by using SEM and AFM. The IL-2 loading capacity of nanogels was determined using ELISA method. In vitro release of IL-2 from nanogels was performed using Franz diffusion cells. Artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed using selected input parameters (stirring rate, chitosan%, BSA%, TPP%) where particle size was an output parameter for IL-2 free nanogels. Wound healing effect of IL-2 loaded chitosan-TPP nanogel was evaluated by determining the malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels of wound tissues in rats. The particle size of IL-2 loaded chitosan-TPP nanogels was found to be larger than that of IL-2 loaded BSA-based chitosan nanogels. Drug loading capacity of nanogels was found 100% ± 0.010 for both nanogels. IL-2 was released slowly after the initial burst effect. According to SEM and AFM imaging, BSA-chitosan nanogel particles were of nanometer size and presented a swelling tendency, and chitosan-TPP nanogel particles were found to be spherical and homogenously dispersed. IL-2 loaded chitosan-TPP nanogel was found suitable for improving wound healing because it decreased the MDA levels and increased the GSH levels wound tissues comparing to control group.

Clinicopathological consistency in skin disorders: a retrospective study of 3949 pathological reports.

BACKGROUND: Although the clinicopathological approach plays an important role in skin disorder diagnoses, few studies have evaluated the consistency between clinical and histopathological diagnoses of skin disorders. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the consistency, and factors affecting consistency, between clinical diagnoses and pathological diagnoses in patients with skin disorders referred for biopsy by dermatologists. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 3949 pathological reports of biopsy specimens, between 1999 and 2008. The relationships between clinical and pathological diagnoses were studied in 4 groups, namely: (1) definite pathological diagnoses consistent with the clinical diagnoses, (2) descriptive pathological diagnoses consistent with the clinical diagnoses, (3) definite pathological diagnoses inconsistent with the clinical diagnoses, and (4) descriptive pathological diagnoses inconsistent with the clinical diagnoses. The first two groups show consistency, whereas the latter two groups show inconsistency between the diagnoses. RESULTS: The pathological diagnoses were consistent with the clinical diagnoses in 3034 biopsy reports (76.8%), and they were inconsistent in 915 reports (23.2%). In all types of skin disorders, clinicopathological consistency was higher in patients with sufficient clinical descriptive information. No correlation was observed between clinicopathological consistency and biopsy type, number of clinical diagnoses, or specifying the location of disease. Disease duration was shorter in the biopsy reports showing clinicopathological consistency. Moreover, a statistically significant increase was found in clinicopathological consistency for inflammatory dermatoses, when pathologists evaluated the specimens with clinical diagnoses, in comparison with blind evaluation. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature of the study might have resulted in a loss of data. CONCLUSION: In a dermatology clinic setting, providing sufficient clinical descriptive information for pathology requisition forms increases the probability of making an accurate diagnosis.

Human papilloma virus persistence and neopterin, folate and homocysteine levels in cervical dysplasias.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection persistence and serum folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, neopterin levels in cervical dysplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Through the years 2007-2008, 122 women who have admitted to Gynecology Clinic were evaluated for cervical cytology, demographical characteristics, HPV infection, serum folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, albumin, and neopterin levels. RESULTS: Considering all the cases, the highest percentage of the HPV-infected patients was in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) group (83%, n = 25). The serum folate levels in all patient groups [HSIL 10.0 ± 0.4 ng/ml, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) 10.6 ± 0.5 ng/ml, atypical squamous cells-undetermined significance (ASCUS) 11.1 ± 0.8 ng/ml] were lower than control group (11.9 ± 0.5 ng/ml; p < 0.05). The vitamin B12 levels were not significantly altered in any of the patient groups. The serum homocysteine levels in all patient groups (HSIL 10.4 ± 0.5 Umol/l, LSIL 10.1 ± 0.5 Umol/l, ASCUS 10.5 ± 0.7 Umol/l) were higher than the control group (7.9 ± 0.5 Umol/l; p < 0.05). The neopterin levels of HSIL group (1.0 ± 0.2 ng/ml) were lower than the control group (1.5 ± 0.2 ng/ml; p < 0.05). The serum neopterin concentrations of HSIL with HPV group (0.6 ± 0.1 ng/ml) were significantly lower than HSIL without HPV (2.4 ± 0.9 ng/ml) and other study groups (p < 0.05). The serum homocysteine levels of HSIL HPV(+) group and LSIL HPV(+) were higher than control group (p < 0.05). The serum albumin levels of HSIL with HPV group are lower than control and other groups (p < 0.05). In all cervical dysplasia groups, folate levels in patients infected with HPV are lower than in HPV(-) patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Folic acid deficiency could be caused by insufficient cellular immunity. In case of folate deficiency, the predisposition of HPV infection persistency and progression of cervical dysplasia increase. The fact that neopterin is a strong cellular immunity marker and it was detected in patients with HPV persistence and cervical dysplasia in lower levels shows that these patients may have relatively insufficient immune system. In order for dysplasia progression to be prevented, folate fortification on diets may be advised to HPV-infected women.

Successful treatment of auricular pseudocyst with clothing button bolsters alone.

Abstract Auricular pseudocyst is clinically characterized by asymptomatic, non-inflammatory benign cystic swelling, usually located on the anterior or posterior helix. Recurrences have been observed frequently after simple drainage or aspiration of the lesions. Certain treatment modalities for the condition have been reported with variable success, complications and cosmetic results. These include intralesional steroid injection, sclerosing agent administration such as minocycline, fibrin glue, trichloracetic acid with or without compression, compressive treatment alone (e.g surgical bolsters, prosthesis) and surgical intervention. Here we report the successful treatment of an auricular pseudocyst using clothing button bolsters alone.

Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in infertile couples and effects of these infections on fertility.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections among infertile couples and effects of these infections on infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prevalence of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma antibodies and Chlamydia IgM antibodies and its effect on these agents' sperm parameters, namely, morphology, density, and motility were investigated among a total of 212 patients including fertile and infertile couples. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma antigens were evaluated using ELISA in the cervical and urethral samples. Chlamydia IgM antibody was measured using micro-ELISA in blood samples. RESULTS: No difference was detected among the fertile and infertile groups in the serological investigation of urethral and cervical samples with respect to the prevalence of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma antigens and Chlamydia IgM antibody and sperm parameters (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION: There is no significant difference between fertile and infertile couples in terms of the prevalence of the above mentioned infections. Accordingly, during the infertility assessment, infertile couples should not be routinely screened for these infective agents without any clinically sound evidence.

Neurofibroma like nodules on shoulder: First sign of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Cutaneous metastasis is a relatively uncommon manifestation of visceral malignancies. It most often occurs late in the course of a disease but may also be the first presenting sign of advanced visceral cancer. The average incidence of cutaneous metastasis from a visceral neoplasm is 5.3 percent. The incidence of cutaneous metastases from carcinomas of the upper digestive tract has been reported as less than 1 percent. Cutaneous metastases of gastrointestinal tumors are usually nodular and their typical location is in the abdominal wall. A 68-year-old woman presented with a three-month history of painless nodules on the right side of her neck. Skin examination revealed two joined nodules on the right side of her neck. The nodules were skin colored, well-circumscribed, non-motile, soft, and non-tender. Histopathological examination of the skin growth revealed diffuse infiltration of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue by tumoral cells. A diagnosis of metastatic gastric carcinoma was made. However,various cutaneous metastases have been reported as erysipelas-like, zosteriform, and epidermoid cyst-like. Cutaneous metastases must always be distinguished from primary skin tumors. This report emphasizes the need for appropriate investigation of newly appearing, unusual, or persistent skin lesions such as non-healing ulcers, persistent indurated erythemas, and all skin nodules of undetermined causes.

Ross syndrome: Unilateral hyperhidrosis, Adie's tonic pupils and diffuse areflexia.

Ross syndrome is a rare disorder first described in 1958 with partial autonomic dysfunction. It has three basic components including unilateral or bilateral segmental anhidrosis, Adie's tonic pupils and areflexia or hyporeflexia of deep tendon reflexes. The most disturbing symptom in the patients is segmental compensatory hyperhidrosis and often the hypohidrosis or anhidrosis is not even noticed. While the pathogenesis of Ross syndrome is unclear, degenerative changes or damage to the peripheral autonomic nerve system or dorsal root ganglia have been suggested as possible causes. About 50 cases have been reported, usually by neurologists and ophthalmologists, and less often by dermatologists. We present a 26-year-old patient who displayed the classic triad of this syndrome, emphasizing that the presenting complaint may be hyperhidrosis and that multidisciplinary evaluation in neurology and ophthalmology is essential.

Treatment of focal epithelial hyperplasia with topical imiquimod: report of three cases.

Focal epithelial hyperplasia (Heck disease) is a rare disorder caused by specific types of HPV. It mainly involves oral mucosa and children are affected more frequently. It may persist for years, producing a significant reduction in quality of life. Several treatment modalities such as surgical excision, laser ablation, cryotherapy, electrocauterization, topical, intralesional, systemic interferon, and systemic retinoic acid have been used with inconsistent results and many side effects. Here we report three children of Turkish origin with focal epithelial hyperplasia successfully treated with imiquimod 5% cream. No serious side effects were observed and recurrence did not occur during the 1-year follow-up period.

Iododerma following sitz bath with povidone-iodine.

A 50-year-old man developed numerous pustules and bullae on the trunk and limbs 15 days after anal fissure surgery. The clinicopathological diagnosis was iododerma induced by topical povidone-iodine sitz baths postoperatively. Complete resolution occurred within 3 weeks using systemic corticosteroids and forced diuresis.