Investigation of fungus at stratum corneum of patients with acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of acne is complex and multifactorial. In recent years, fungal infections have increased significantly. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of fungi in the etiopathogenesis of acne vulgaris. METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. A total of 200 individuals (100 with acne vulgaris and 100 without acne vulgaris) were enrolled in the study. Direct microscopic investigation and culturing of the samples were done according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute criteria. Descriptive analyses, independent sample t-tests, and chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis. The subjects in the control group were paired by age and gender with the patients. RESULTS: Direct microscopic examination revealed hyphae in the samples of all subjects with acne and in the samples of four of the healthy controls. The cultures of 18 of the patients with acne vulgaris were positive for the following: 6 with Aspergillus spp., 7 with Penicillium spp., 3 with Cladosporium spp., 1 with Candida spp., and 1 with Acremonium spp. In addition, Candida spp. was observed in the cultures of two of the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: We conclude that fungi may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, Distress and Insomnia and Related Factors in Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, distress, and insomnia and related factors in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. We applied the study survey online to HCWs during the pandemic in Turkey between 23 April and 23 May 2020. We used the sociodemographic data form, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Insomnia Severity Index, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Six hundred twenty (66.0%) of the 939 HCWs taking part in the study were female, 580 (61.8%) were physicians, 569 (60.6%) were working on the front line. Seven hundred twenty-nine (77.6%) participants exhibited depression, 565 (60.2%) anxiety, 473 (50.4%) insomnia, and 717 (76.4%) distress symptoms. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress symptoms were significantly greater among females, individuals with a history of psychiatric illness, and individuals receiving psychiatric support during the COVID-19 pandemic. HCWs serving in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress symptoms. Female gender, being a nurse, working on the front line, history of psychiatric illness, and being tested for COVID-19 were identified as risk factors for mental health problems.

Prevalence of allergic rhinitis symptoms and positive skin-prick test results in patients with dry eye.

BACKGROUND: Dry eye is characterized by decreased tear production and/or increased evaporation rates of the tear film barrier. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disease that develops through immunoglobulin E in the rhino-ocular mucosa due to allergens. To investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis symptoms and positive skin-prick test results in patients with dry eye. METHODS: This is a case-control study. The study included 57 patients with dry eye and 48 healthy subjects. The prevalence of allergic symptoms and skin-prick test results were assessed and compared with the control group. RESULTS: With regard to positive reactions to allergens in skin-prick tests, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergy (p = 0.0003), Dermatophagoides farinae allergy (p = 0.0003), grass-mix allergy (p = 0.049), Salicaces allergy (p = 0.006), and Compositae allergy (p = 0.019) were significantly observed to be higher in the group with dry eye. Nasal obstruction (p = 0.027), discharge (p = 0.0001), sneeze (p = 0.0003), itching (p = 0.0001), and postnasal drainage (p = 0.001) symptoms were observed to be significantly higher in the group with dry eye. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that there was a significant association between dry eye and allergic rhinitis with positive skin-prick test results. There may be a possible link between dry eye and allergy.

Two cases of tinea ciliaris with blepharitis due to Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton verrucosum and review of the literature.

Dermatophytes are rarely taken into account among the causes of blepharitis. In our report, we describe a 69-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman with chronic blepharitis for 10 years and 4 years respectively, in whom we examined the scales and pulled eyelashes on direct microscopy and isolated Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton verrrucosum in the culture. We emphasise that dermatophytes may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of chronic blepharitis. In chronic, treatment resistance blepharitis fungal infections may be considered as possible cause.

Women's perceptions and attitudes about cervical cancer in Turkey: Kato's device as an alternative to the Pap smear.

AIMS: To determine the status of women's perception and attitudes about cervical cancer and their thoughts on Kato's self-sampling device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive research was conducted between July- December 2012 with a study populationof married women older than 18 years. RESULTS: A total of 246 women volunteered, with a mean age of 34.9±9.22 (19-52). In the last year, 52.0% had been examined by a gynecologist to address a complaint or for a periodic health check. Of the 118 who had not had a gynecological examination, 42.4% indicated negligence, 26.3% stated the reason was no complaint, 14.4% feared they might receive bad results from the examination, and 8.5% stated that were shy or embarrassed. Of all of the women, 35.0% answered that they had information about cervical cancer, and 0.7% had heard about the HPV vaccine. No one in their families had received the vaccine. Of the women, 28.5% had had a Pap smear, and 71.4% of those had normal results. Of those who had never had a Pap smear, 47.2% had never heard about the test; 18.8% explained the reason for not having a test as shyness or embarrassment with a male doctor. None of the women had heard about Kato's device. Once the women were informed, 73.6% expresseed interest in use; 51.9% answered they could use it and not be embarrassed, 30.9% would use it because they did not have to see a doctor, and 17.1% would use it as it allows them to take a smear in all conditions and whenever they want. Of the women, 60.0% thought that they could not successfully use Kato's device; 40.0% thought that a smear should be taken by a doctor. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the women in our population had never had a Pap smear and wanted to use the Kato's device.

Two N-substituted 3,5-diphenyl-2-pyrazoline-1-thiocarboxamides.

The structures of N-ethyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline-1-thiocarboxamide, C19H20FN3OS, (I), and 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-2-pyrazoline-1-thiocarboxamide, C18H18FN3S, (II), have similar geometric parameters. The methoxy/methyl-substituted phenyl groups are almost perpendicular to the pyrazoline (pyraz) ring [interplanar angles of 89.29 (8) and 80.39 (10) degrees for (I) and (II), respectively], which is coplanar with the fluorophenyl ring [interplanar angles of 5.72 (9) and 10.48 (10) degrees]. The pyrazoline ring approximates an envelope conformation in both structures, with the two-coordinate N atom involved in an intramolecular N-H...N(pyraz) interaction. In (I), N-H...O and C-H...S intermolecular hydrogen bonds are the primary interactions, whereas in (II), there are no intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives.

Six new 5-(1-/2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione, 2-amino-5-(1-/2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 5-(1-/2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one derivatives have been synthesized from 1-and/or 2-naphthol. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by IR and 1H NMR spectral data and microanalysis. The antimicrobial properties of the compounds were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, C. krusei and C. parapsilosis using microbroth dilution method. 2-Amino-5-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole and 5-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one show significantly (32 microg/ml), compounds 5-(1-/2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione, 2-amino-5-(1-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole and 5-(1-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one moderately (64 microg/ml) active against C. krusei. All the compounds were active against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and C. parapsilosis at 64-256 microg/ml concentration.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of 1-acylthiosemicarbazides, 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones.

Sixteen 1-(2-naphthyloxyacetyl)-4-substituted-3-thiosemicarbazide, 2-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-5-substitutedamino-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-5-substitutedamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 5-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-4-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-3thione derivatives have been prepared and evaluated as orally active anti-inflammatory agents with reduced side-effects. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by IR and 1H NMR spectral data and microanalysis. The anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic activities of the compounds were compared with naproxen, indomethacin and phenylbutazone. In carrageenan-induced foot pad edema assay, 2-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-5-methylamino-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 5-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione and 5-(2-naphthyloxymethyl)-4-ethyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione showed an interesting anti-inflammatory activity. In the air-pouch test, 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives reduced total number of leukocytes of the exudate that indicates excellent inhibition of prostaglandin production. Side effects of the compounds were examined on gastric mucosa, liver and stomach and none of the compounds showed significant side effects compared with reference nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).