Medical and legal evaluation of injuries due to dog bites: a Türkiye study.

BACKGROUND: Dog bites are the most common type of injury related to animal bites in our country and worldwide. Dog bite wounds pose significant public health concerns and have medicolegal implications. In this study, we aimed to assess the problems associated with dog bites and propose potential solutions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 149 cases submitted by judicial authorities to our institution, the Istanbul Council of Forensic Medicine, between 2015 and 2021, to obtain medicolegal expert opinion reports. Information regarding the cases included in the study was obtained from our archives and the National Judicial Network Project (UYAP) system. Data were recorded using Microsoft Excel 2016, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). RESULTS: The mean age of the cases was 33.7 years, with 57% being male. 56.4% of the incidents occurred in the city center, and 30.9% took place during the summer months. 65.8% (n=98) of the cases were attributed to stray dogs. Superficial injuries without muscle tissue involvement were observed in 54.4% (n=81) of all cases, while 22.8% (n=34) had deep tissue defects or flap injuries, 4.7% (n=7) involved vascularnerve injuries, 16.1% (n=24) included bone fractures, and 2% (n=3) featured visceral injuries. Surgical treatment was performed on 37.5% (n=56) of the cases. Impairments were reported in 22.1% of the cases, with permanent facial scars affecting 16.7% of them. Psychiatric evaluations were required for 48.9% (n=89) of the cases, and 57.5% of them received a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION: People attacked by dogs may experience serious physical or psychological sequelae. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate all victims using a multidisciplinary approach, addressing their physical, social, and psychological needs, and providing rehabilitation when necessary. Non-governmental organizations, such as those dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals, in collaboration with local veterinary services, should play a role in national initiatives to provide objective and humane solutions for both victims and animals.

The effect of hypericum perforatum on kidney ischemia/reperfusion damage.

It has been revealed in recent studies that Hypericum Perforatum (HP) is influential on cancer, inflammatory diseases, bacterial and viral diseases, and has neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of HP, which is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, on kidney I/R damage. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, and each of the groups had eight rats: The Control Group; the Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) Group; and the IR + HP Group which was treated with 50 mg/kg of HP. The right kidneys of the rats were removed, and the left kidney developed ischemia during the 45th min, and reperfusion occurred in the following 3rd h. The histopathological findings and also the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) enzyme activations in the renal tissues were measured. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinin (Cre) from serum samples were determined. The levels of BUN, Cre, and kidney tissue MDA increased at a significant level, and the SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX enzyme activity decreased at a significant level in the I/R group, compared with the Control Group (p < 0.05). In the I/R + HP group, the levels of MDA decreased at a significant level compared to the I/R group, while the SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX activity increased (p < 0.05). In histopathological examinations, it was observed that the tubular dilatation and epithelial desquamation regressed in the IR + HP Group when compared with the I/R Group. It has been shown with the histological and biochemical results in this study that HP is protective against acute renal I/R.