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Human bocavirus (HBoV) which was described in 2005 by molecular techniques, is a member of Parvoviridae. The role of HBoV is being questioned in acute respiratory diseases (ARD) in many recent studies. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of HBoV DNA in the respiratory specimens of patients with ARD. A total of 155 throat swab and/or washing specimens from 76 children and 79 adults with ARD were examined. HBoV DNA was investigated by single step in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using NS1 primers (5- 'TATGGCCAAGGCAATCGTCCAAG-3', 5'-GCC GCGTGAACATGAGAAA-CAG-3') which amplify the 290 base pair region of NS1 gene located between nucleotides 1545-1835 of prototype HBoV st1 strain. HBoV DNA was detected in 5 (6.5%) of 76 children and 2 (2.5%) of 79 adults. Three sequenced samples showed 100% homology with the reference sequences. This study in which HBoV DNA was detected in children and adults with ARD, is the first HBoV prevalence study in Turkey. Larger scale prospective clinical and molecular studies are required to explain the association between HBoV and respiratory disease.

A survey of ticks from domestic ruminants, together with a serosurvey in humans was conducted in Thrace (northwestern Turkey) to evaluate the prevalence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in ticks and humans. More prevalent ticks were Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma aegyptium, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, with low numbers of Dermacentor marginatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus group, and Ixodes ricinus. No differences in the tick faunal composition were found among surveyed provinces. CCHFV was detected using specific primers for strains belonging to both Europe 1 and Europe 2 clades in a total of 15 pools of ticks collected in nine localities. The maximum likelihood estimate of infection rate was calculated as 0.72/100 ticks (95% CI=0.42-1.16). Viral RNA was observed only in H. marginatum, R.(B.) annulatus, and R. bursa with overall maximum likelihood estimate infection rates being 0.93 (95% CI=0.35-2.05), 0.74 (95% CI=0.24-1.78), and 1.67 (95% CI=0.69-3.46), respectively. The surveyed region is the only place where both viral strains are circulating together in nature in Turkey. Results from serosurvey on 193 samples from three localities in the region showed that immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G rates are compatible with an epidemiological situation in which the virus has been present for a long time and is not the result of a recent invasive event from the main epidemic center in Anatolia (north-central Turkey). Seropositivity rates cannot be compared against the tick faunal composition, because of the homogeneity in the results about tick surveys. The high rate of seropositivity, and the prevalence of CCHFV in both Europe 1 and 2 clades among the ticks, but few clinical cases suggest that the circulation of both viral strains may confer protection against the CCHFV infection. © Copyright 2011, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Congenital leukemia is a rare disease. The majority of cases of this disease are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Congenital acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is rare and most often is of B cell lineage. Rarely, some cases have been designated biphenotypic or mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL). Herein, we report a preterm newborn referred to us as a result of the appearance of blue-violaceous dermal nodules on her body at birth. She was a twin and the product of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy. Physical examination showed jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, and peripheral facial nerve palsy in addition to dermal nodules. Bone marrow aspiration showed 40% blasts of lymphoid lineage; skin biopsy and its immunohistochemistry revealed myeloblastic infiltration of the dermis. Cytogenetic analysis (46,XX), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, and cranial magnetic resonance were normal. The patient was diagnosed with congenital MPAL, and an association between IVF and congenital leukemia was suggested. Copyright (C) 2013, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.

Congenital leukemia is a rare disease. The majority of cases of this disease are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Congenital acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is rare and most often is of B cell lineage. Rarely, some cases have been designated biphenotypic or mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL). Herein, we report a preterm newborn referred to us as a result of the appearance of blue-violaceous dermal nodules on her body at birth. She was a twin and the product of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy. Physical examination showed jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, and peripheral facial nerve palsy in addition to dermal nodules. Bone marrow aspiration showed 40% blasts of lymphoid lineage; skin biopsy and its immunohistochemistry revealed myeloblastic infiltration of the dermis. Cytogenetic analysis (46,XX), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, and cranial magnetic resonance were normal. The patient was diagnosed with congenital MPAL, and an association between IVF and congenital leukemia was suggested. Copyright (C) 2013, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.

Consumption of the epidermis associated with effacement of the rete ridge pattern has been cited as a useful criterion in the diagnosis of melanoma, but the significance of consumption in the absence of rete ridge effacement is unknown. We evaluated 701 melanocytic neoplasms for presence and 'grade' of consumption by melanocytic nests relative to diagnosis, body location, gender and age. We defined 1+ consumption as collections of melanocytes occupying greater than two thirds of the viable epidermis, with or without loss of the rete ridge pattern. Nests extending to the bottom of, within, and through the granular layer were graded 2+, 3+ and 4+, respectively. Consumption was more frequent and higher grades were found in melanomas followed by Spitz nevi compared with conventional melanocytic nevi (p< 0.001). Melanomas with higher Breslow thickness showed higher grades (p< 0.05). In conventional nevi, consumption occurred most frequently in back (13.7%), acral (11.9%) and scalp (9.8%) locations. Consumption without the requirement for rete ridge effacement occurs more frequently and at higher grades in melanoma. Higher grades correlate with higher Breslow thickness. Consumption is also common in Spitz nevi and occurs at lower grades in conventional (non-Spitz) nevi, especially on the back, the scalp and at acral sites.

The aim of this work was to determine the seasonal changes in the activities of selected biomarkers in Capoeta umbla (Heckel, 1843) caught from Uzuncayir Dam Lake (Tunceli, Turkey) and to evaluate the effects of environmental factors on these activities. Fish were sampled on seasonal basis, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde in gills were determined. Significant variations of oxidative stress biomarkers were observed between seasons and sites. The results of this study show that seasonal variations of oxidative stress responses and lipid peroxidation in gills of C. umbla are sensitive to the contaminants present in water of Uzuncayir Dam Lake and selected parameters are in valuable biomarkers for monitoring of water systems, since they give an early warning signal of effects of xenobiotics on aquatic organisms at molecular levels which help to prevent their effects at organismal level.

… European Soc Clin Virol

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease of the skin. Several studies have shown that elevated levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) correlate with overproduction of sebum and acne. Recently functional relationship between IGF-I (CA) polymorphism and circulating IGF-I levels in adults has been reported. AIMS: The aim of our study was to investigate for the first time whether IGF-I (CA) polymorphism might be involved in the pathogenesis of acne or not. METHODS: We included 115 acne patients and 117 healthy subjects to the study. The clinical grade of acne was assessed based on the Global Acne Grading System. Participants were questioned about diabetes mellitus, PCOS and other systemic disease. We searched for the IGF-I (CA) 19 polymorphism in this study. The IGF-I (CA) 19 polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We categorized the IGF-I (CA) 19 polymorphism area into three groups as lower than 192 bp, 192–194 bp and higher than 194 bp. We found that the frequency of genotype IGF-1 (CA) 19 gene was significantly different between control and acne patients (P = 0.0002). A significant association between IGF-I (CA) genotypes and severity of acne was found (P = 0.015). No significant difference was found between male and female patients (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that IGF-I (CA) 19 polymorphism may contribute to a predisposition to acne in Turkish patients.

Background and Design: Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) is being widely used in medical education and is a reliable and valid method for the assessment of residents' competency in medical interviewing, physical examination, humanistic qualities/professionalism, clinical judgment, counseling skills, organization, and efficiency. In order to enhance formative evaluation methods in our faculty, we planned to apply the method to students on dermatovenereology training. Materials and Methods: The Mini-CEX was performed by residents to 42 medical students. At first, 5 residents were evaluated by a faculty member with Mini-CEX and were informed about their application-oriented evaluator roles. The students were informed prior to conducting the assessment. Standard Mini-CEX form was used for the assessment. The participants were rated in 7 competencies and each was rated using a 9-point Likert scale. At the end of each encounter, students and evaluators rated their satisfaction with Mini-CEX using a 9-point Likert scale. Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Student feedback was evaluated with "grounded theory". Results: A total of 50 assessments, 44 in outpatient and 6 in inpatient clinic, were performed. Satisfaction with the Mini-CEX was rated by the evaluators and the students as 7,16 and 7,98, respectively. There was no significant difference between the evaluators in terms of student satisfaction. Average time spent on observing the encounter and in giving feedback was 16.5 and 6.5 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference between assessors in terms of time spent observing and giving feedback. Average scores of assessed clinical competencies were between 4,28 and 8,14. The highest scores were reported on humanistic qualities/professionalism whereas the lowest were reported on clinical judgment skills. Discussion: According to our data, we believe that Mini-CEX may be used as an assessment tool in medical education. However, further researches should be carried out by different observers for Mini-CEX to be a part of medical education program.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological contamination of drinking water in Tunceli, Turkey. For this purpose, the presence of total coliforms, Escherichia coil, and Enterococci was investigated at ten water sampling stations in the Tunceli province. The microbiological dataset of the ten stations were obtained from the Health Directorate of Tunceli for this study. Detection of E. coli and total coliform was performed using the membrane filtration method, Turkish Standards (TS) 9308- 1.(1) Enterococci were enumerated according to the TS 7899-2(2) method. Varying levels of bacterial contamination were recorded in samples from these ten stations. It was observed that bacterial contamination was highest in the village of Burmagecit. Results indicate that microbiological contaminations were found to be above the allowable amount for drinking waters given by the World Health Organization (WHO). Because of this, appropriate disinfection methods and regular quality control mechanisms must be implemented by the Health Directorate of Tunceli.

Background and Design: Most patients with dermatological complaints first present to their general practitioners. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the experiences of primary care physicians on dermatological diseases and their opinions of undergraduate education. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire composed of 15 questions was prepared and was completed by practitioners working in family and community health centers. Results: We included 124 out of 142 practitioners working in family and community health centers in Denizli. Sixty-five practitioners responded the questionnaire. It was recorded that health screening in schools and/or public education were performed as preventive dermatology in 42.8% of the institutions that the practitioners were working in. The most frequent diseases encountered were eczema (37.1%), mycosis (22.7%), urticaria (10.3%), acne (7.20/0 and psoriasis (6.9%), respectively. It was determined that practitioners were in need of dermatoscopy among the procedures that are not used routinely by practitioners and in need of education for potassium hydroxide and Wood lamp examination among the procedures that can be used by practitioners easily. It was found that the average dermatology training period for general practitioners was 3.5 +/- 2 weeks and most practitioners stated that this duration was insufficient. On-the-job training (median score 8.5), giving place to primary care institutions during education period (median score 8.1), giving place to dermatology during internship (median score 7.8) and case discussions (median score 7.8) were the education facilities that were reported to contribute mostly to postgraduate practical approach. Conclusion: The present study establishes very important data about practitioners' approach to patients with dermatological complaints. Practitioners' opinions of undergraduate education are also of importance because the suggestions were made according to postgraduate experiences. (Turkderm 2012; 46: 67-72)

Background Plantar warts are refractory to any form of treatment. High cure rates have been reported with a topical proprietary formulation consisting of 1% cantharidin, 5% podophyllotoxin and 30% salicylic acid (CPS). However, no data exists comparing the efficacy of this formulation with another treatment. Cryotherapy is a method that is also widely used in the treatment of plantar warts. Likewise, there is no evidence that it is more effective than any topical treatment. Objective We aim to compare the efficacy of topical CPS and cryotherapy in the treatment of plantar warts. Methods Patients with plantar warts were consecutively treated with either cryotherapy or topical CPS. Both treatments were performed every 2 weeks for up to five sessions. In patients without complete clearance, the therapy was switched to the other treatment option. Results Twenty-six patients with a total of 134 warts were included. Fourteen patients were completely cleared of their warts with topical CPS, whereas only in five of 12 patients (41.7%) warts were completely cleared with cryotherapy (P = 0.001). In seven patients without complete clearance, the therapy was switched to CPS. Four of these patients missed the follow-up. While the two of the remaining three patients were cleared of their warts, one patients warts still failed to clear. Conclusion Topical CPS is more effective than cryotherapy in the treatment of plantar warts.

Background: Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease characterized by increased squamous cell proliferation and impaired differentiation. Vitamin D, Calcitriol, and its analogues are successfully used for psoriasis therapy. However, it is unknown why some psoriasis patients are resistant to Vitamin D therapy. Vitamin D mediates its activity by a nuclear receptor. It is suggested that polymorphisms and haplotypes in the VDR gene may explain the differences in response to vitamin D therapy. Material/Methods: In this study, 102 psoriasis patients and 102 healthy controls were studied for VDR gene polymorphisms. The Fok I, Bsm I, Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms were examined by PCR-RFLP, and 50 subjects received vitamin D therapy to evaluate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and response to vitamin D therapy. Existence of cutting site is shown by capital letters, and lack was shown by lower case. The haplotypes were analysed by CHAPLIN. Results: There was significant difference in allele frequency of T and genotype frequency of Tt between cases and controls (p values 0.038 and 0.04, respectively). The Aa and bb genotypes were significantly higher in early onset than late onset psoriasis (p values 0.008 and 0.04, respectively). The genotypes Ff, ff and TT are significantly different between vitamin D3 therapy responders and non-responders (p values 0.04, 0.0001, 0.009, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing importance of VDR gene haplotypes in psoriasis, the significance of the Wald and LR (Likelihood Ratio) statistics (p=0,0042) suggest that FfBbAatt is a disease-susceptibility haplotype. Conclusions: Haplotype analysis is a recent and commonly used method in genetic association studies. Our results reveal a previously unidentified susceptibility haplotype and indicate that certain haplotypes are important in the resistance to vitamin D3 therapy and the onset of psoriasis. The haplotypes can give valuable data where genotypes unable to do.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease characterized by increased squamous cell proliferation and impaired differentiation. Vitamin D, Calcitriol, and its analogues are successfully used for psoriasis therapy. However, it is unknown why some psoriasis patients are resistant to Vitamin D therapy. Vitamin D mediates its activity by a nuclear receptor. It is suggested that polymorphisms and haplotypes in the VDR gene may explain the differences in response to vitamin D therapy. MATERIAL/METHODS: In this study, 102 psoriasis patients and 102 healthy controls were studied for VDR gene polymorphisms. The Fok I, Bsm I, Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms were examined by PCR-RFLP, and 50 subjects received vitamin D therapy to evaluate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and response to vitamin D therapy. Existence of cutting site is shown by capital letters, and lack was shown by lower case. The haplotypes were analysed by CHAPLIN. RESULTS: There was significant difference in allele frequency of T and genotype frequency of Tt between cases and controls (p values 0.038 and 0.04, respectively). The Aa and bb genotypes were significantly higher in early onset than late onset psoriasis (p values 0.008 and 0.04, respectively). The genotypes Ff, ff and TT are significantly different between vitamin D3 therapy responders and non-responders (p values 0.04, 0.0001, 0.009, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing importance of VDR gene haplotypes in psoriasis, the significance of the Wald and LR (Likelihood Ratio) statistics (p=0,0042) suggest that FfBbAatt is a disease-susceptibility haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: Haplotype analysis is a recent and commonly used method in genetic association studies. Our results reveal a previously unidentified susceptibility haplotype and indicate that certain haplotypes are important in the resistance to vitamin D3 therapy and the onset of psoriasis. The haplotypes can give valuable data where genotypes unable to do.

BACKGROUND: Plantar warts are refractory to any form of treatment. High cure rates have been reported with a topical proprietary formulation consisting of 1% cantharidin, 5% podophyllotoxin and 30% salicylic acid (CPS). However, no data exists comparing the efficacy of this formulation with another treatment. Cryotherapy is a method that is also widely used in the treatment of plantar warts. Likewise, there is no evidence that it is more effective than any topical treatment. OBJECTIVE: We aim to compare the efficacy of topical CPS and cryotherapy in the treatment of plantar warts. METHODS: Patients with plantar warts were consecutively treated with either cryotherapy or topical CPS. Both treatments were performed every 2 weeks for up to five sessions. In patients without complete clearance, the therapy was switched to the other treatment option. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with a total of 134 warts were included. Fourteen patients were completely cleared of their warts with topical CPS, whereas only in five of 12 patients (41.7%) warts were completely cleared with cryotherapy (P=0.001). In seven patients without complete clearance, the therapy was switched to CPS. Four of these patients missed the follow-up. While the two of the remaining three patients were cleared of their warts, one patient's warts still failed to clear. CONCLUSION: Topical CPS is more effective than cryotherapy in the treatment of plantar warts.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is characterized by solitary erythematous macules, edematous plaques and bullous lesions that occur at the same place with recurrent exposure to a drug. Though more than 100 drugs have been implicated in leading to FDE, this side effect is more commonly caused by tetracyclines, sulfonamides, sulfone, penicillins, pyrazolones, barbiturates, phenolphthalein, pirazones, aspirin, oral contraceptives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. FDE occurrence has been reported in association with cetrizine, hydroxyzine, loratadine and levocetirizine, which are widely used in the treatment of allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, eczema, asthma, urticaria. Patch, intradermal skin, prick tests or oral challenge test can be performed to identify the agent responsible for FDE. A 43-year-old male patient attended our outpatient clinic with itchy and erythematous rashes with sporadic blisters, starting from dorsum of his feet and spreading to other parts of his body, following oral intake of cetirizine for allergic rhinitis. He described that his eruptions exacerbated with hydoxyzin. Patient's history revealed that he had slightly suffered from the same cutaneous reactions one year ago, after oral administration of cetirizine. On physical examination, multiple, round, erythematoviolaceous, well-defined macules and plaques, with central blisters localized on the trunk, arms and legs were observed. Four months after the lesions regressed, patch test was performed to eight different antihistamines. The test was positive for cetirizine, levocetirizine and hydroxyzine. (Turkderm 2011; 45: 49-52)

The p63 gene is a transcription factor and a member of the p53 family. Heterozygote mutation of the p63 gene is suggested in a number of human syndromes including limb development and/or ectodermal dysplasia. The EEC syndrome, consisting of ectrodactyly (E), ectodermal dysplasia (E) and cleft lip (C) with or without cleft palate, is the prototype of these syndromes with the presence of heterozygote mutation in the p63 gene in most of the patients. Nonsyndromic split hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is one of the EEC-like syndromes, and the p63 gene mutation was reported in only a few patients. Five different loci have been mapped to date, but the etiology is yet to be explained in the rest of the patients. Here, we report two cases. Case 1, diagnosed with EEC syndrome, had type 2 urogenital sinus and a new heterozygous mutation of 934G>A (D312N) in exon 8 of the p63 gene. Case 2 was diagnosed as SHFM with no mutation in the p63 gene. Genotype and phenotype correlation of these two cases among the reported patients is discussed in this report.

Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is an infectious disease which occurs predominantly in immunosuppressive patients and rarely in immunocompetent individuals. We had a case of BA who presented with a red cutaneous nodule on his left leg of which histopathological examination revealed marked lobular proliferation of capillaries throughout the interstitium and clusters of bacilli with hematoxylin-eosin and Warthin-Starry stains, respectively. Antibody titer against Bartonella henselae was 1/32. The only systemic disease the patient had was chronic hepatitis B. HIV was negative and no other immunosuppressive status was established. In this case we believe that the immunological differences secondary to chronic hepatitis B could have caused a tendency for the disease development. © 2010 Japanese Dermatological Association.

The p63 gene is a transcription factor and a member of the p53 family. Heterozygote mutation of the p63 gene is suggested in a number of human syndromes including limb development and/or ectodermal dysplasia. The EEC syndrome, consisting of ectrodactyly (E), ectodermal dysplasia (E) and cleft lip (C) with or without cleft palate, is the prototype of these syndromes with the presence of heterozygote mutation in the p63 gene in most of the patients. Nonsyndromic split hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is one of the EEC-like syndromes, and the p63 gene mutation was reported in only a few patients. Five different loci have been mapped to date, but the etiology is yet to be explained in the rest of the patients. Here, we report two cases. Case 1, diagnosed with EEC syndrome, had type 2 urogenital sinus and a new heterozygous mutation of 934G>A (D312N) in exon 8 of the p63 gene. Case 2 was diagnosed as SHFM with no mutation in the p63 gene. Genotype and phenotype correlation of these two cases among the reported patients is discussed in this report.

Objective: : It was aimed to determine bacteria distribution and S. aureus colonization in nares, fornix and eyelid margin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) compared to controls and to investigate it's relationship with skin and eye involvement., Methods: Patients' dermatological and opthalmologic examinations were done. The standart tear break-up time and Schirmer tests were performed. Samples were taken from fornix, eyelid margin and nares for bacterial culture., Results: Tweenty seven patients and 28 controls were included. There was no difference between the patients with and without eye involvement with respect to dry eye (p>0.05). The bacteria was more frequently isolated in patients (85.2%) than controls (60.7%), however S. aureus colonization (51.9%, 50.0% respectively) didn't differ in both groups (p=0.042, p>0.05). The disease severity was positively correlated with S. aureus colonization (p=0.031). There was no difference between the patients with and without eye involvement with respect to S. aureus colonization and presence of bacteria (p>0.05). No bacteria was isolated from patients whom tear function analyses were performed., Conclusions: It wasn't established an increased percent of S. aureus colonization in AD patients compared with controls. There was no association between dry eye and eye involvement. No comment could be remarked about the possible relation between dry eye and bacterial colonization.

Objective: : It was aimed to determine bacteria distribution and S. aureus colonization in nares, fornix and eyelid margin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) compared to controls and to investigate it's relationship with skin and eye involvement. Methods: Patients' dermatological and opthalmologic examinations were done. The standart tear break-up time and Schirmer tests were performed. Samples were taken from fornix, eyelid margin and nares for bacterial culture. Results: Tweenty seven patients and 28 controls were included. There was no difference between the patients with and without eye involvement with respect to dry eye (p>0.05). The bacteria was more frequently isolated in patients (85.2%) than controls (60.7%), however S. aureus colonization (51.9%, 50.0% respectively) didn't differ in both groups (p=0.042, p>0.05). The disease severity was positively correlated with S. aureus colonization (p=0.031). There was no difference between the patients with and without eye involvement with respect to S. aureus colonization and presence of bacteria (p>0.05). No bacteria was isolated from patients whom tear function analyses were performed. Conclusions: It wasn't established an increased percent of S. aureus colonization in AD patients compared with controls. There was no association between dry eye and eye involvement. No comment could be remarked about the possible relation between dry eye and bacterial colonization.

objective Reliable assessment of severity in nail psoriasis is essential to document treatment responses in clinical trials and routine clinical usage. In this study the correlation between Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) and Cannavo's scoring system was assessed, and inter-rater correlation of NAPSI scores were evaluated. Materials and Methods Forty-five patients with nail psoriasis were included. Target nails were selected and graded by the first dermatologist with both scoring systems. The nails were reevaluated by the second dermatologist with NAPSI. Results The two systems were highly correlated (P < 0.001). For NAPSI inter-rater correlation was also significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion Our results showed that the qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the same rater were similar. Although the qualitative scoring system of Cannavo's is less time consuming than NAPSI, to suggest this system inter-rater correlations should be evaluated.

Topical use of corticosteroids may cause immunosuppression and iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome via hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We report two cases with iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome with different clinical outcomes due to abuse of same potent topical steroid clobetasol propionate. One of them died because of fatal disseminated cytomegalovirus infection. The other patient recovered completely. Physicians and parents should be informed about the adverse effects of such potent topical corticosteroids and physicians should prescribe less potent agents, especially during infancy.

Topical use of corticosteroids may cause immunosuppression and iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome via hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We report two cases with iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome with different clinical outcomes due to abuse of same potent topical steroid clobetasol propionate. One of them died because of fatal disseminated cytomegalovirus infection. The other patient recovered completely. Physicians and parents should be informed about the adverse effects of such potent topical corticosteroids and physicians should prescribe less potent agents, especially during infancy. © 2008 The Authors.

Topical use of corticosteroids may cause immunosuppression and iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome via hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We report two cases with iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome with different clinical outcomes due to abuse of same potent topical steroid clobetasol propionate. One of them died because of fatal disseminated cytomegalovirus infection. The other patient recovered completely. Physicians and parents should be informed about the adverse effects of such potent topical corticosteroids and physicians should prescribe less potent agents, especially during infancy.

Background. Nail involvement morphologically resembling onychomycosis frequently accompanies psoriatic lesions. The role of psoriasis as a predisposing factor for onychomycosis and the possible influence of psoriasis on responsiveness of onychomycosis to treatment are controversial. Aim. To investigate the frequency of onychomycosis, the aetiological agents responsible for it, and the efficacy of terbinafine 250 mg/day in patients with psoriasis compared with controls in order to reveal the role of psoriatic process on fungal growth. Methods. Over a 1-year period, 168 patients with psoriasis and 164 nonpsoriatic controls were recruited. In the case of clinically suspected of fungal infection, further mycological investigations were performed. Systemic terbinafine therapy 250 mg daily for 12 weeks was administered to the patients with onychomycosis. Patients were followed up clinically and mycologically for 24 weeks. Results. Onychomycosis was diagnosed in 22 patients with psoriasis (13.1% of the psoriasis group, which constituted 28.6% of patients with suspicion of onychomycosis) and 13 controls (7.9% of control group; 40.6% of controls with suspicion of onychomycosis). The prevalence rates of onychomycosis were similar in both groups. The most commonly isolated fungi were dermatophytes in the psoriasis group and nondermatophytic moulds in controls. Dermatophytes were more common in psoriatic than control nails (P = 0.02). All patients in each group were cured at the end of the therapy. Conclusion. It seems that nail psoriasis constitutes a risk factor not for onychomycosis, but specifically for dermatophytic nail infections. Because of the similar therapeutic results in each group, different antifungal treatment protocols may not be needed in psoriasis. However, to confirm this, new comprehensive studies are necessary.

'Tinea corporis gladiatorum' describes a dermatophytosis transmitted mainly from close skin contact among wrestlers. Although tinea corporis is well recognized, no data are available for tinea capitis infections in wrestlers. After finding tinea capitis infection in a student wrestler, we aimed to search for possible ringworm infections among wrestlers in a wrestling boarding-school. Of the 32 wrestlers, 29, aged 12-18 years, were affected, of whom 22 had scalp involvement. Trichophyton tonsurans was isolated from 20 of the patients, and T. mentagrophytes from the remaining two. Isolated strains of dermatophytes were susceptible to terbinafine and itraconazole. The patients with tinea capitis received oral terbinafine for 4 weeks, and patients with more than two lesions but without scalp involvement received oral terbinafine for 2 weeks. Overall clinical and mycological cure rate was 72.4% and 70%, respectively, at assessment at week 6. The asymptomatic dermatophyte carrier rate was negative 1 year after control of the epidemic. Terbinafine seems to be an alternative drug for the treatment of tinea capitis caused by T. tonsurans; however, control of an outbreak may be very difficult and effective preventive measures should be considered. C1 Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Dermatol, Denizli, Turkey. Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Microbiol, Denizli, Turkey.

Propionibacterium acnes is the main bacterial etiologic agent in acne vulgaris pathogenesis. The rate of antibiotic resistant P. acnes isolates is less than 10% in our country. The aim of this study was to biotype P. acnes strains which were isolated from acne vulgaris patients and to investigate the biotype distribution in our region. P. acnes isolates from 64 patients (18 male, 46 female; mean age 19 +/- 3.1 years) were included in the study and biotyped by sugar-specific pH changes using sorbitol, erythritol and ribose. Results were compared with the global acne grading scores and clinical types of the patients. The frequency rates of P. acnes biotypes were found as follows; 40 strains (62.5%) were biotype I, 3 (4.7%) were biotype II, 20 (31.3%) were biotype III and one (1.6%) was biotype IV, whereas biotype V was not detected. The acne cases who were admitted to dermatology outpatient clinics mostly complained of papulopustuler and nodulocystic lesions. Therefore the detection of antibiotic resistance rates of P. acnes strains by mass screening of the community has a growing importance. Since P. acnes biotype III is the main biotype which causes the most severe acne reactions, the 31.3% rate of frequency found in our study, can not be overlooked. As a result, this data should be considered as a guide while prescribing antibiotics for the treatment of acne patients.

WOS: 000242128800172 …

Arachnidism is a clinical entity occuring as local or systemic manifestations after a spider bite. Bite of Loxosceles spiders causes a clinical reaction termed as loxoscelism. Cutaneous loxoscelism manifests as cutaneous necrosis whereas systemic symptoms and findings are observed in visserocutaneous loxoscelism. Tan to brown coloured Loxosceles species are commonly found in Mediterranian region, Africa and America. Since the spider or the bites may be unnoticed by the victim and the culprit may not be easily identified the characteristic clinical features have an important role for the diagnosis. The rarity of reports from our country and the presence of sporadic cases from our region led us to present a male patient with a diagnosis of necrotic arachnidism.

Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (acne agminata) a chronic papular eruption of the face is considered among the granulomatous diseases. This condition occurs in adults and adolescents of both sexes. It is rarely seen in elderly individuals. The cause and the pathogenesis are unknown., A 26 year old man with a history of facial papular eruption for 6 months duration is diagnosed as LMDF and treated with isotretinoin with a good clinical outcome.

European Association for Signal Processing (EURASIP);KAREL;TUBITAK;NORTEL Networks - Business Without Boundaries;ARGELA Technologies, 13th European Signal Processing Conference, EUSIPCO 2005 -- 4 September 2005 through 8 September 2005 -- Antalya -- 91025, The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different forms of between-class scatter matrices on multi-class problems. Two different between-class scatter matrices are defined in Fisher's linear discriminant analysis (FLDA) and the classification rates better than that of classical FLDA are obtained for TI-digit database. In this study, the criteria that give separate subspaces for each class are also proposed. It is seen that considering only the within-class scatter in the classification gives better results than that of considering both the within- and between-class scatters for TI-digit database.

Henoch-Schölein purpura is usually a disease of children presenting with arthralgia, abdominal pain, renal involvement, and palpable purpura. Viral and bacterial infections may have a role in its etiology. We present a 32-year-old male patient with recurrent Henoch-Schölein purpura in association with a chronic hepatitis B infection of ten years duration. The patient had received lamuvidine and interferon-alpha for the treatment of hepatitis B infection for a year. The skin lesions disappeared with the treatment of the hepatitis B infection. Four months after discontinuation of the therapy, the purpuric papules reappeared with reactivation of the hepatitis B infection. Although rarely reported, hepatitis B virus infection should be considered in patients with Henoch-Schölein purpura.

Henoch-Scholein purpura is usually a disease of children presenting with arthralgia, abdominal pain, renal involvement, and palpable purpura. Viral and bacterial infections may have a role in its etiology. We present a 32-year-old male patient with recurrent Henoch-Scholein purpura in association with a chronic hepatitis B infection of ten years duration. The patient had received lamuvudine and interferon-alpha for the treatment of hepatitis B infection for a year. The skin lesions disappeared with the treatment of the hepatitis B infection. Four months after discontinuation of the therapy, the purpuric papules reappeared with reactivation of the hepatitis B infection. Although rarely reported, hepatitis B virus infection should be considered in patients with Henoch-Scholein purpura. C1 Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Dermatol, Denizli, Turkey. Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Infect Dis, Denizli, Turkey. Akdeniz Univ, Fac Med, Dept Microbiol, Antalya, Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of topical 0.1% diclofenac in prophylaxis in patients who had undergone cataract surgery and were at risk for cystoid macular edema (CME). Our results revealed that patients who received diclofenac and used topical corticosteroids far a short period (3 weeks) had a lower CME incidence compared with patients who used topical steroids for a longer term (8 weeks) without diclofenac.

The purpose of this study is to determine pupils’ misconceptions about the electricity and the effects of 4MAT teaching method on these misconceptions. For this purpose, a non-equivalent pretest-posttest control group design was adopted and a three tier test with a sample of 100 ninth grade pupils was used to detect pupils’ misconceptions about the electricity. The analysis of the data showed that pupils have the following misconceptions; local reasoning, attenuation model, empirical rule model, shared current model, current-potential difference confusion, short circuit misconception, current flow as water flow, power supply as a constant current source model and sequential reasoning etc. It was determined that the frequency of most of the misconceptions decreased after the application of the innovation. A greater fall was observed in the experimental group which suggests that the 4MAT teaching method was more effective than the traditional method in reducing misconceptions. Based on the results of this study, investigation of the effects of 4MAT teaching method on other complicated subjects of physics such as magnetism, regular circular momentum is suggested for further studies. Key words: electricity, 4MAT teaching method, misconceptions, ninth grade pupils, physics teaching.

Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected at rates of 2%, 6%, 4.17%, 20%, and 19% in 50 bovine brains, 50 bovine muscles, 120 ovine brains, 20 ovine muscles, and in 100 fermented sausage samples, respectively. Sequenced positive samples showed 100% identity with T. gondii RH strain. Seropositivity rates were detected as 24% in cattle and 25% in sheep slaughtered in local slaughterhouses. The detection of the parasite in uncooked meat and commercial meat products, and the high ratio of seropositive slaughtered animals, emphasise that the risk still exists for food-transmitted toxoplasmosis. This is the first report horn Turkey describing the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in food using the molecular method.