Comparative analysis of protein profiles in skin secretions of some Rana species: Preliminary insights into antimicrobial activity.

Protein profiles of skin secretions of Rana dalmatina (Agile Frog), Rana macrocnemis (Uludag Frog), Rana tavasensis (Tavas Frog) and Rana holtzi (Taurus Frog) frog species belonging to the Rana genus distributed in the Anatolian region of Türkiye were determined for the first time using the Tricine-SDS-PAGE Electrophoresis method and Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) staining. By the results, some peptides with mass ≤5 kDa were detected. Just one peptide with mass ≤5 kDa was found in the secretion of each R. dalmatina, R. macrocnemis, and R. tavasensis while there was two in R. holtzi secretion. The antibacterial activity of secretions was determined using plate well diffusion assay on E. coli, S. typhimurium, S. aureus, B. cereus and L. monocytogenes bacteria. R. dalmatina created the inhibition zone for S. typhimurium, S. aureus, B. cereus, and L. monocytogenes. The zones of inhibition by R. tavasensis and R. macrocnemis species secretions were observed on S. aureus, B. cereus, and L. monocytogenes. It was found that R. holtzi creates an inhibition zone only on B. cereus. The results showed that the secretion of none of the species doesn't have antibacterial activity on E. coli. The skin secretion of R. dalmatina showed the most activity against bacteria, while R. holtzi had the least.

Orbital abscess a rare complication after bichectomy surgery.

Bichectomy is the partial removal of the Bichat's fat pad for the aim of smoothing the facial contour. The complications of bichectomy include soft tissue infections, hematoma, facial paralysis (especially buccal branch paralysis), stenon canal injuries and related complications such as sialocele and sialoadenitis, however these are not common complications in clinical practice. Here we report a case of a 29-year-old white female with a right sided orbital abscess following bichectomy. Right sided orbital abscess and orbital cellulitis was managed with endoscopic decompression and drainage. The patient healed completely with no sequela. The frequency of major complications leading to moridity after bichectomy is rare in the literature. This is the first reported intraorbital complication of bichectomy.

The new "cubism" graft technique in tympanoplasty: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective, randomized-controlled study is to analyze the outcomes of a new graft technique in tympanoplasty and compare its outcomes with cartilage island graft plus extra perichondrium. METHODS: A total of 44 patients with noncomplicated chronic otitis media were included in this prospective randomized-controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into 2 double-layer graft groups: The cartilage island graft + cubism graft (study group) and the cartilage island graft + extra perichondrium (control group). The main outcome measures of the study were the air-bone gap (ABG), ABG gain, and graft status. RESULTS: Graft success rate was 100% and 95.5% in the study group and the control group, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the postoperative first month ABG and ABG gain between study and control groups (P < .05). ABG and ABG gain showed no significant differences in the postoperative sixth month between groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that both graft techniques have satisfactory functional and morphological results compared to preoperative findings. The use of cubism graft with cartilage island graft has significantly better auditory outcomes in short-term and similar results in long-term compared to double-layered cartilage island graft with extra perichondrium. Cubism graft is a highly promising graft technique with its many advantages. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

A novel graft-harvesting technique in tympanoplasty: the cubism graft.

BACKGROUND: The slicing method that is used for thinning the cartilage graft may cause forming complications in tympanoplasty. Besides, double-layered grafting techniques may be required when graft medialization is observed. METHOD: This article presents a new and controlled graft cartilage thinning and the cubism graft-harvesting technique in tympanoplasty. CONCLUSION: Thanks to this new technique, over-curling and undesirable fractures of the cartilage island graft can be prevented and the obtained cartilaginous dust can be mixed with platelet-rich fibrin to form the cubism graft. This combined cartilage thinning and cubism graft technique provided 100% graft success and an average air-bone gap gain of 16.3 ± 2.9 dB (10.7-22.3 dB) in our series of 22 patients. In conclusion, 100% graft success, successful tympanic membrane re-epithelialization and significant auditory improvement can be achieved with this method.

Which Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Must We Apply Before? A Case Report of Crizotinib-resistant Patient with Concomitant EGFR and EML4-ALK Gene Mutations

ABSTRACT The concomitant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocations in lung adenocancers are very rare scenarios. Until now, 42 cases described in the literature have all been treated by different drugs. There is no overall consensus regarding the treatment for this adenocarcinoma subgroup. We report here a case of lung adenocarcinoma with concomitant EGFR mutation in exon 21 (L858R) and ALK rearrangement in primary tumour, EGFR mutation in exon 21 (L858R) and no ALK rearrangement in its synchronous metastasis. We treated this patient with crizotinib as the second-line therapy (after the first line docetaxel-cisplatin chemotherapy), but no response was obtained. The therapeutic choice for the lung adenocancer patients with concomitant EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement is unclear. Examination of c-ros oncogene 1 mutation can be used as an indicator in the prediction of the crizotinib treatment success. The ALK mutation may not responsible for the resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), and EGFR-TKI can be initiated to EGFR and ALK dual mutant patients as the first treatment.

Histological investigation of the effects of fenoxycarb on neurosecretory cells in the silkworm, Bombyx mori brain.

Fenoxycarb 0-ethyl N-(2-(4-pheoxyphenoxy)-ethyl) carbamate is the most potent juvenile hormone analogue against a variety of insect species including the silkworm Bombyx mori. In this study, the effects of fenoxycarb on silkworm Bombyx mori brain neurosecretory cells in 5th instar were investigated. Fenoxycarb (1 ng/10 µl) was applied topically along the dorsa-medial line to the animals in the spinning behavior on day 1 of the experimental group. Brains removed by dissection were histologically examined by hematoxylin eosin (hem&eosin) and paraldehyde fuchsin staining. Three types of neurosecretory cells (NSCs) were identified, NSC-1, NSC-2 and NSC-3. It was determined that cell secretions were in different density on different days. It was shown that the secretion density of cells on different days was not the same as the experimental and control groups. The fenoxycarb was found to suppress the bombyxin (insulin-like peptides) secretion of cells in the spinning behavior on day 2. Also, it stimulated the division of NSCs on the spinning behavior on day 5.

Depression and socio-economical burden are more common in primary caregivers of patients who are not aware of their cancer: TURQUOISE Study by the Palliative Care Working Committee of the Turkish Oncology Group (TOG).

In this study, we aimed to determine the personal, social and economic burden and the frequency of depression, as well as in caregivers of cancer patients who are being treated with chemotherapy in Turkey. The study is designed as a cross-sectional survey study using a 5-point Likert-type response scale, and the last part of the questionnaire includes the Beck Depression Inventory. The depression rate was found to be 64% (n = 476) among all subjects (n = 968), with 91% of those with depression demonstrating signs of mild depression. In this study, a significant difference was found between the presence of depression and age (young), sex (female), educational level (high), economic status (low), financial loss during treatment, patient's lack of knowledge about his/her diagnosis, metastatic disease and short survival time. In addition, 64% of all subjects had concerns of getting cancer, and 44% of all subjects had feelings of anger/rage against other people. In a multivariate regression analysis, the patient's lack of knowledge of the diagnosis was the independent risk factor. In conclusion, depression incidence and burden rate increased among cancer caregivers, and care burden was highly associated with depression. Accordingly, approaches to reducing the psycho-social effects of cancer should focus intensively on both the patients and their caregivers in Turkey.

The spectroscopic (FTIR, FT-Raman, NMR and UV), first-order hyperpolarizability and HOMO-LUMO analysis of methylboronic acid.

The solid phase FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of methylboronic acid (MBA) have been recorded in the regions 400-4000 and 50-4000 cm(-1), respectively. The spectra were interpreted interms of fundamentals modes, combination and overtone bands. The structure of the molecule was optimized and the structural characteristics were determined by density functional theory (B3LYP) and HF method with 6-311++G(d,p) as basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated for most stable conformer and were compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra were recorded and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method. UV-visible spectrum of the compound was recorded in the region 200-400 nm and the electronic properties HOMO and LUMO energies were calculated by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. Mulliken charges of the MBA molecule was also calculated and interpreted. The geometric parameters, energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, Raman intensities and absorption wavelengths were compared with the available experimental data of the molecule.

Intracranial chondrosarcoma: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Chondrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor originating from cartilagenous tissue. It tends to localize in the epiphysis of long bones and pelvic bones. Only 7% of the all chondrosarcomas originate in the craniocervical region. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with headache and dizziness. Physical examination and neurological examination were normal. Skull radiography revealed a radioopaque lesion in the right parieto-occipital region. Cranial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass lesion including calcification areas and homogenous contrast enhancement in the right parieto-occipital region. The tumor was removed totally by a microsurgical technique. A classical type chondrosarcoma was confirmed histopathologically. The patient was discharged with no neurological deficit. DISCUSSION: Intracranial chondrosarcoma has been first reported by Mott in 1899. Primary intracranial chondrosarcomas, constitute only less than 0.16% of all brain tumors. Most of them are located at the skull base. The choroid plexus, dura mater and brain parenchyma are extremely rarely invaded. Meningiomas, solitary fibrous tumor, chordoma, hemangiopericytoma, metastasis and vascular malformations should be considered as differential diagnoses. Radical surgical removal of the tumor is the preferred management procedure. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may by added as adjuvant therapy. We present the case of a patient with an intracranial chondrosarcoma, who has treated successfully with surgical removal.

Cervical segment nervus vagus neurofibroma with associated neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Neurofibroma occurs as an isolated or multiple lesions frequently associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Neurofibroma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor composed of a variable mixture of Schwann, perineurial-like, and fibroblastic cells, as well as ones with features intermediate between these various cells, immersed in a collagenous or myxoid matrix. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old boy visited the outpatient clinic with complaints of swelling and pain on the left side of his neck, which has been present for a year. A mass was discovered adjacent to the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and was removed by a microsurgical technique. No postoperative neurological deficit was identified and the pathological diagnosis was once more reported as neurofibroma. DISCUSSION: Nerve sheath tumors may be observed in patients with von Recklinghausen's disease, although vagal neurofibromas are noted more frequently than schwannomas among these patients. For unknown reasons, neoplasms associated with von Recklinghausen's disease occur more frequently on the right side. Cervical vagal neurofibromas most often present as asymptomatic, slowly enlarging, lateral neck masses. When symptoms are observed, hoarseness is the most common. Dysphonia, dyspnea, dysphagia, cough, syncopal episodes, tongue weakness and atrophy, and Horner's syndrome have also been reported as presenting complaints.

Multiple aneurysms of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery: two case reports.

INTRODUCTION: The distal segment of the PICA (posterior inferior cerebellar artery) is a very rare localization for the occurrence of intracranial aneurysms. They are almost always presented with SAH (subarachnoid hemorrhage). Hydrocephalus often develops following intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The distal PICA segment is a quite difficult localization for neurosurgical procedures. The authors could not find any case report presenting multiple aneurysms on a distal segment of PICA in the literature. CASE 1: A 62-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency room with complaints of sudden headache, vomiting and blackout of consciousness. Early CT scans demonstrated SAH and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). In his medical history, SAH had been determined in our clinic 3 month previously. He had carried out conservative treatment ever since the distal located PICA aneurysm had been determined. There was no determined symptom except for moderate neck stiffness in his physical examination. In his neurological examination, he was stuporous and he localized the pain in his left arm. A ventriculo-atrial shunt operation was performed after the external ventricular drainage which was applied at the acute period of hydrocephalus in his previous SAH. Both of the left distal PICA aneurysms were clipped via a left lateral suboccipital craniotomy. The patient was discharged from the hospital without neurological deficit in the seventh day postoperatively. His control examination was normal and there was not any fixed pathological filling in the control cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA). CASE 2: A 49-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency service with the complaint of headache, dizziness and vomiting. She was neurologically intact except for neck stiffness. A cranial CT demonstrated triventricular hydrocephalus and a hemispheric cerebellar hematoma, which was about 1 x 1.5 cm in diameter. The cerebellar DSA was normal. The patient was discharged with no neurological impairment. In the examination of the control cerebral DSA, two aneurysmatic fillings were determined in the distal segments of right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). Both of the aneurysms were clipped through a microsurgical approach. No neurological deficit was determined in the postoperative early and late stages. In the control cerebral DSA, no aneurysmatic filling was seen. DISCUSSION: Distal PICA aneurysms constitute only 0.28-1.4% of all intracranial aneurysms. Most of the patients present with SAH and along with this; intraventricular hemorrhage is seen and later on, hydrocephalus develops. As for treatment, surgery and endovascular interference methods can be applied.

Osteoblastoma of the temporal bone: a case report.

Benign osteoblastoma is an unusual primary bone tumor. It affects usually long bones or the vertebral column. Osteoblastoma affecting the calvarium is extremely rare. A 23-year-old man presented with a two-month history of swelling and tenderness in the right temporal region. Computed tomography revealed an expansile, lytic lesion in the left temporal bone. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images demonstrated an isointense lesion in the temporal bone. After gadolinium DTPA injection, MR images revealed dense enhancement. The histopathological findings proved that the lesion was a benign osteoblastoma. To date, very few cases of the benign osteoblastoma arising in the calvarium have been reported in the literature. We discuss diagnostic and management aspects of this uncommon tumor.

Agenesis of the left internal carotid artery associated with right anterior cerebral artery A1 segment bifurcation aneurysm: a case report.

Agenesis of the internal carotid artery occurs in less than 0.01% of the population. Intracranial aneurysms accompany agenesis in 25-43% of the patients. We present a unique patient with a saccular aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery associated with agenesis of contralateral internal carotid artery.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of sublingual or intramuscular piroxicam in the treatment of renal colic. A comparative study.

AIMS: To investigate the therapeutic effect of the fast-dissolving dosage form (FDDF) of sublingual piroxicam on renal colic compared with the intramuscular (IM) injection form of the same agent in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. METHODS: 80 patients were assigned to one of two treatment groups: Group 1 received 40 mg piroxicam FDDF sublingual tablets and IM injection of 2 ml distilled water. Group 2 received an IM injection of 40 mg piroxicam and two sublingual tablets of placebo. At baseline and 30 min after the medication, vital signs were recorded and the pain intensity was evaluated by the patient using a numeric rating scale. RESULTS: The overall efficacy of the treatment was 90%. There was no significant difference with respect to the required rescue treatment (p = 0.328), pain relapse within 24 h (p = 0.434) and the decrease in vital signs and numeric rating scale in both groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The piroxicam FDDF tablet was found to be as effective as the IM injection form of the same agent in the treatment of renal colic. The FDDF is a good alternative to the parenteral form because of its earlier onset of action and ease of self-administration which increases patient compliance.

[The relationship between uretero-cloacal structure in birds and sigmoidorectal pouch surgery]. / Verwandtschaft zwischen der ureterokloakalen Struktur bei Vögeln und der sigmoidorektalen Pouch-Chirurgie.

PURPOSE: The present study was planned to investigate morphological, functional and histological properties of the natural ureterocloacal for in birds as well as to provide an appropriate information which may contribute to rectosigmoidal pouch surgery and to decrease its complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty chickens (Gallus domesticus, 26 broilers, 4 layers) with a mean weight of 1870 +/- 88 g were used for this study. Histological and morphological evaluation of the cloaca was performed. Urethral reflux was estimated using X-rays. RESULTS: We found that the cloaca had three parts from cranial to caudal: coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum respectively. A coprourodeal fold (CUF) between the coprodeum and urodeum and a uroproctodeal fold between the urodeum and proctodeum were detected. Settling of the muscle clusters both in the ureter and urodeum near the opening area appeared to be a strong sphincter structure and the ureters are opened to a structure covered by a transitional epithelium, which is similar to bladder in humans (connecting two identical epithelia). According to X-rays following the administration of a radio-opaque substance, there was no ureteral reflux in any of them. CONCLUSIONS: The natural urointestinal structure in birds has a spontaneous ureterointestinal anti-reflux opening. The coprourodeal fold that prevents the mixing of faeces and urine, inhibits the effects of increased pressure and prevents the reflux of urine to the upper segments is provided with many of desired hinders properties for urointestinal diversion.

Rectodynamic and radiological assessment in modified mainz pouch II cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the radiologic findings and to measure the pressure changes in a modified sigmoidorectal pouch (Mainz pouch II procedure). METHODS: A total of 26 patients who had a radical cystectomy because of muscle-invasive bladder tumor underwent a Mainz pouch II procedure between 1993 and 1998. The differences from the original definition was a reverse ureteral anastomosis and a detubularized segment at least 30 cm in length. In all cases, sigmoidoscopy was done and sigmoidal pressure and capacity were measured preoperatively and at the 3rd and 6th months postoperatively besides the colon X-rays. The 24-hour pouch pressure changes called 'natural pouch pressure' was measured using a handmade system with a central venous pressure (CVP) manometer at the 3rd month postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative colon X-rays showed a passage of opaque substance through the descending colon at an average volume of 150 ml (average sigma capacity), whereas postoperative anteroposterior and oblique pouch X-rays showed no passage up to an average volume of 520 ml (270-650) though the descending colon. The sigmoidal colon pressure that was on average 20 cm H(2)O at the preoperative evaluation was measured as 6 cm H(2)O at the 3rd month and 6.5 cm H(2)O at the 6th months during the postoperative period. 24 hour natural pouch pressure was found to be 8.7 cm H(2)O on average while the pressure was found to be 13.8 cm H(2)O on average when the patient felt abdominal discomfort, in other words the desire to defecat (miction). CONCLUSIONS: A modified sigmoidorectal pouch procedure not only provides a reservoir with a higher capacity and lower pressure without a reflux to the upper urinary tract and descending colon with lower metabolic acidosis problem, but it is also a good alternative diversion procedure that whould be preferable especially in Muslim countries as it does not cause any difficulties in terms of Islamic worship.