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2,4-Dichlorophenoxyl acetic acid (2,4-D), atrazine, glyphosate, and metribuzine, have been used extensively as herbicides, which can lead to contamination of soil and groundwater. The objective of ...

Objectives:We aimed to share our data on Behçet’s disease (BD) collected in the last fourteen years (demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients) and to update our knowledge on BD by comparing it with the results of similar studies conducted in our country.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective study conducted by examining the clinical and demographic characteristics of a total 197 patients, including 111 females and 86 males, who were admitted to the Ufuk University Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Polyclinic between January 2006 and January 2020 and who were diagnosed with BD according to the International BD Study Group Criteria (IBSG) and taken into the follow-up system in our BD Center.Results:One hundred eleven female and eighty-six male patients between the ages of 16 and 65 years were included in the study. The ratio of 10 men/women in patients was 0.77. The mean age of the patients at the time of presentation was 37.38±13.91 years, and the mean age at onset of disease was 27.07±9.77 years. Oral aphthae were observed in 100% of the patients because the IBSG criteria were used. Family history was positive in 20.8%. Genital ulcer was detected in 71%, erythema nodosum in 43.6% and papulopustular lesions in 54.3%. Pathergy test was positive in 42.6% of the patients. Eye involvement was detected in 38.8% of the patients, articular in 21.3%, vascular in 7.6%, gastrointestinal in 0.5% and pulmonary in 1.5%.Conclusion:BD is a multisystemic disease, morbidity of which can be reduced and mortality of which can be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment. Due to the high prevalence in our country and the fact that it is a disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach, the number of experienced centers that will deal with the disease in every aspect should be increased.

Origins and processes of groundwater salinization and pollution in urban coastal aquifer under the influence of serious industrialization and urbanization were determined using major and trace element/ion geochemistry, microbial and environmental isotope analyses, and statistical correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses of chemical parameters. Electrical conductivities (EC) of the groundwater in the coastal aquifer ranged from 487 to 4280 µS/cm. Average groundwater EC values measured in wet and dry seasons were 1130 ± 420 µS/cm and 1096 ± 526 µS/cm, respectively. Wells with high EC values were noticed not only near the gulf coastline (1799–2801 µS/cm) but also at the further inland (1709–4280 µS/cm). Statistical evaluation of the groundwater analyses showed that EC had a relatively good correlation with Cl (r = 0.85–0.90, p

Background and Design: Behçet’s disease (BD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a condition affecting oral health-related quality of life (QoL). In this study, we aimed to evaluate QoL of BD patients by using the Behçet’s disease quality of life instrument (BDQLI) and to compare the QoL of patients with BD with that of patients with RAS and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with BD and 40 patients with RAS and 40 healthy subjects with similar sociodemographic characteristics were included in the study. We used the BDQLI to evaluate QoL of patients with BD and the Dermatology-specific quality of life instrument for comparison of QqL between patients with BD and RAS. 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and clinical data form were applied in all participants. The results were analyzed statistically. The power of the study was 99%. Results: QoL of patients with BD were lower than that of healthy controls. It was observed that patients with BD had decreased physical functions, impaired perception of pain and poor general health (p0.05). Female gender, relapse periods and mucocutaneous symptoms negatively affected QoL of patients with BD. Female gender and duration of the disease were found to be the main factors affecting QoL of patients with RAS. Conclusion: Unlike the results obtained with other instruments, with BDQLI, QoL, particularly in patients with active period and female gender was found to be decreased. In this study, there was a dominance of active mucocutaneous symptoms. This may explain the effect of mucocutaneous symptoms on QoL and the fact that there was no difference in QoL between BD and RAS patients. Further studies comparing QoL of patients with BD in whom visceral involvement is also observed with those with other diseases. QoL of BD patients may be improved by paying attention on symptoms that patients have trouble and by evaluating QoL with multidisciplinary approach during routine follow up.

Background and Design: Autologous serum skin test (ASST), the best in-vivo test displaying in vitro basophil histamin releasing activity, is used in the diagnosis of chronic autoimmune urticaria. Besides, it is cheap and is easy to perform. It has been found that in ASST-positive chronic urticaria patients, autoimmune thyroid disease especially and other autoimmune diseases were more common and the level of autoimmune markers were higher compared to others. Autoimmunity is accused in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata and vitiligo. In this study, we assessed ASST results in healthy controls and those with autoimmune diseases, and aimed to explore the effects of thyroid autoantibodies and other factors in ASST positivity. Materials and Methods: ASST was administered to 51 patients with alopecia areata, 53 patients with vitiligo and 51 healthy controls, and thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-Tg, anti-TPO) were assessed. Results: ASST was positive in 64.7% of patients with in alopecia areata, 64.2% of those with vitiligo and in 45.1% of controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of ASST positivity. We observed that ASST positivity had no relationship with age, anti-Tg, anti-TPO and the presence of one or both autoantibody positivity. It was seen that the frequency of ASST positivity was higher in females than in men in all groups, but it was statistically significant in alopecia areata group only. Among the all study groups, the frequency of ASST positivity was statistically significantly higher in females than in men. Conclusion: The high rates of ASST positivity in individuals with alopecia areata and vitiligo as well as in healthy control, indicate that ASST positivity does not solely exist in chronic urticaria patients. With logical regression analysis, it was shown that, having alopecia areata and being female significantly increase the risk of having ASST positivity. Therefore, we assume that ASST positivity might indicate the autoimmune etiology for alopecia areata and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases in female gender.

Objective: Recent studies point to a relationship between allergic diseases and vitamin D deficiency. This relationship seems to be associated with immune-modulator effects of the derivatives of vitamin D. However, there are limited number of studies on the relationship between allergic rhinitis and derivatives of vitamin D. We planned our study to investigate this issue. Methods: The study group was composed of 30 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis according to ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) Criteria. The control group included 30 patients of the same age and gender without any allergic rhinitis disease. The patients with an underlying disease which may cause deficiency of calcium and vitamin D were excluded. The significance of the difference between study and control groups in terms of serum 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D levels was also evaluated. Results: It was determined that the levels of vitamin D were within normal (10-90 ng/mL) limits in both groups. It was found out that the mean serum 25(OH)vitamin D level (15.39 ng/mL) of the study group was significantly lower than the control group (53.80 ng/mL) (p=0.00). No significant difference was found between the genders in terms of vitamin D levels (p=0.398). Conclusion: It is necessary to do more researches on the effects of vitamin D derivatives on allergic rhinitis. This study indicates that a vitamin D deficiency should be taken into consideration during the treatment for resistant allergic rhinitis patients., Amaç: Son yıllarda alerjik hastalıklarla, D vitamini eksikliği arasındaki ilişkiye dikkat çeken çalışmalar bulunmaktadır. Bu ilişki D vitamini türevlerinin immünmodülatör etkilerine bağlanmıştır. Ancak alerjik rinit ile D vitamini türevlerinin ilişkisine dair sınırlı sayıda çalışma bulunmaktadır. Bu konuya ışık tutabilmek amacıyla çalışmamızı planladık. Yöntem: Çalışma grubu ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) kriterlerine göre alerjik rinit tanısı konulan 30 hastadan oluşturulmuştur. Kontrol grubuna ise aynı yaş ve cinsiyetlerde alerjik rinit hastalığı bulunmayan 30 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Altta yatan kalsiyum ve D vitamini eksikliği yapabilecek hastalığı bulunan hastalar çalışma dışında bırakılmıştır. Serum 25-hidroksi (OH) vitamin D düzeyleri açısından çalışma ve kontrol grupları arasında anlamlı fark olup olmadığı değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Her iki grupta D vitamini seviyelerinin normal (10-90 ng/mL) sınırlarda olduğu saptanmıştır. Çalışma grubunun ortalama serum 25(OH)vitamin D düzeyinin (15.39 ng/mL) kontrol grubuna (53.80 ng/mL) göre anlamlı olarak (p=0.00) düşük olduğu saptanmıştır. D vitamini düzeyleri açısından cinsiyetler arasında anlamlı farklılık saptanmamıştır (p=0.398). Sonuç: D vitamini türevlerinin alerjik rinit üzerindeki etkilerine dair daha fazla çalışma yapılması gerekmektedir. Bu çalışma özellikle tedaviye dirençli alerjik rinit hastalarında D vitamini eksikliğinin de göz önünde bulundurulması gerektiğine dikkat çekmektedir.

Background: The number of studies where non-malignant pulmonary diseases are evaluated after occupational arsenic exposure is very few. Aims: To investigate the effects of occupational arsenic exposure on the lung by high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: In this study, 256 workers with suspected respiratory occupational arsenic exposure were included, with an average age of 32.9±7.8 years and an average of 3.5±2.7 working years. Hair and urinary arsenic levels were analysed. High-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests were done. Results: In workers with occupational arsenic exposure, high-resolution computed tomography showed 18.8% pulmonary involvement. In pulmonary involvement, pulmonary nodule was the most frequently seen lesion (64.5%). The other findings of pulmonary involvement were 18.8% diffuse interstitial lung disease, 12.5% bronchiectasis, and 27.1% bullae-emphysema. The mean age of patients with pulmonary involvement was higher and as they smoked more. The pulmonary involvement was 5.2 times higher in patients with skin lesions because of arsenic. Diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary involvement. Conclusion: Besides lung cancer, chronic occupational inhalation of arsenic exposure may cause non-malignant pulmonary findings such as bronchiectasis, pulmonary nodules and diffuse interstitial lung disease. So, in order to detect pulmonary involvement in the early stages, workers who experience occupational arsenic exposure should be followed by diffusion test and high-resolution computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to emphasize the therapeutic effect of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy performed at our clinic for facial/scalp hyperhidrosis or blushing on coincidental facial acne vulgaris based on previous reports indicating an association between the sympathetic nerve stimulus, epithelial melanocyte system and sebogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The possible therapeutic effects of sympathicotomy on facial acne vulgaris were analyzed in a study design of retrospective review with prospective collection of the data from March 2005 to March 2013. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were operated on at our clinic due to facial/scalp hyperhidrosis or blushing and 30 of these also had facial acne vulgaris. However, none harbored a systemic co-morbidity. The patients' medical history indicated that they had used several medical therapies including topical or systemic antibiotherapies to treat their acne for several years but this had met with limited success and the treatment was stopped in all patients an average of 8 ± 2.4 months prior to the operations. Furthermore, the patients with acne vulgaris also underwent a thoracoscopic sympathicotomy procedure at the second costal head (R2) for hyperhidrosis or blushing. All 30 patients showed marked improvement of their acne grade at the first postoperative month (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the patients' facial acne vulgaris grade significantly improved after undergoing a sympathicotomy. This can be explained by the possible effect the nervous system had on the epithelial melanocyte system and sebogenesis. However, prospective studies with an increased number of patients are needed to verify our findings.

To evaluate the long-term effect of oral isotretinoin therapy on macula ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Newly diagnosed cystic acne patients who received low dose for a long time systemic isotretinoin therapy were included in this study. Thorough ophthalmic evaluation and GCC thickness analysis by using SD-OCT were performed at baseline, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment.Forty-eight eyes of 24 patients (15 females, 9 males) were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 19.37 ± 2.74 years (range 14-25 years). The full ophthalmologic examination was normal in all eyes before treatment. During the treatment there were no change in visual acuity, refractive error, intraocular pressure and tear break-up time. The mean GCC thicknesses were 81.45 ± 4.91, 81.45 ± 5.12, 81.81 ± 4.68, 81.87 ± 4.91 and 81.64 ± 5.09 μm at pretreatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment, respectively (p = 0.803).One-year systemic use of isotretinoin had no significant effect on the thickness of macula ganglion cell. Macular ganglion cell analysis is useful for determining and following the toxic effects of systemic drugs on the retina. However, it is more rational to consider it as an adjunct to electrophysiological testing rather than used alone.

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare benign neoplasm of the skin that accounts for 0.5% of all soft-tissue tumors. The tumor mostly presents with a symptomatic slowly growing solitary nodule and overlying normal skin, therefore, it is not always considered in the differential diagnosis. Here, we report a 58-year-old female patient who presented with a 4-year history of a slowly growing mass, with a dimension of 5 × 4 cm on her left waist, diagnosed as a GCT at the histopathological examination. The neoplastic cells had centrally located nuclei and granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and stained positively for S100, neuron-specific enolase, and CD68 antibodies. Fifteen months after surgery, the patient still showed no signs of local recurrence or metastases. Although a large diameter is a feature of malignant GCT, our case with cutaneous GCT was localized on the trunk and did not present malignant features clinically and histopathologically.

The impact of uncontrolled industrialization and urbanization on surface water and groundwater qualities was assessed in a heavily industrialized district of Kocaeli (Turkey) considering source, types and levels of contaminants. A sampling campaign was conducted on both water bodies in dry (September) and wet (May) sampling periods. Water samples were taken from 6 surface water stations and 24 wells distributed from upstream to downstream along Dil stream to determine the degree of deterioration in water quality from background conditions. Results showed that Dil stream was heavily polluted with regard to many parameters including Al, Fe, Mn, Pb, DO, COD, NH4, NO2 and PO4. While sewage discharges, leachates from closed wild landfill and quarries create sources of contamination for Dil stream at upstream, primarily metal industries (mainly iron and steel manufacturing) at downstream contribute markedly to the metal contamination. Contribution of highly polluted Dil stream to the groundwater contamination is also significant in the alluvium aquifer at both upstream and downstream of Dil stream. Microbial pollution indicating fecal contamination and high nutrient levels exist in the groundwater. In addition, relatively high AOX concentrations over background levels were detected in wells at the downstream part of Dil stream where industrial activities were densely distributed. Deep wells located near the Gulf of Izmit were also affected by seawater intrusion. Results suggest that Dil stream contaminated by industrial discharges, sewages, and leachates from old wild landfill negatively influences the groundwater quality in the alluvial aquifer.

Kappa Opioid Peptide Receptor (KOPr) activation produces analgesic, psychotomimetic, diuretic and antipruritic effects. KOPr ligands are investigated for their potential roles in the treatment of addiction, depression, feeding behavior, psychosis and schizophrenia. In this study the methanolic extracts of a number of Salvia species which are native to Turkey (S. tomentosa, S. tchihatcheffii , S. rosifolia, S. dichroantha and S. sclarea) were tested for their potential binding to opioid receptors in rat brain membranes and Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells expressing human KOPr (CHO-KOPh). [ 3H]Diprenorphine, an unselective opioid antagonist, was utilized in the radioligand receptor binding assays. All extracts (0.11 mg/ml) inhibited the [ 3H]Diprenorphine binding with ranging KOPr binding affinities. More than 50% inhibition of diprenorphine binding was shown only with Salvia dichroantha and Salvia sclarea both in rat brain membranes and CHO-KOPh membranes.Among them Salvia sclarea deserves further investigation for its active component(s) and its pharmacological characterization. This study clearly demonstrates the potential opioid receptor binding activities of several Turkish Salvia species. This work constitutes the first study on in vitro opioid receptor binding activities of Salvia species from the Turkish flora.

Aim: Spitz nevus is a benign, mostly acquired melanocytic nevus, which is commonly seen in childhood. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, dermatoscopic, and histopathological features of Spitz nevus. Methods: Clinical data, histopathological slides, and dermatoscopic images of the patients that were histopathologically or clinically diagnosed with Spitz nevus between 2000-2005 were retrospectively analyzed. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used. Results: Among the 30 patients included in the study, 56.7% were female. Median patient age was 15.5 years (range: 3-49 years) and 40% were younger than 12 years of age. The most frequent clinical diagnoses before biopsy were Spitz nevus (33%) and melanocytic nevus (30%). Median disease duration was 12 months (range: 1month-20 years) and mean diameter of the lesions was 5 mm. Lesions were most commonly localized on the lower extremities (44.8%) in both children and adults, and lower extremity localization was more common in females (P=0.007). The most common histopathological types noted were Spitz nevus 53.5% (n=15) and Reed nevus 32% (n=9). Dermatoscopy was performed in 16 patients; 31.3% had reticular pattern, 18.8% had starburst pattern, and 18.8% had atypical pattern. Conclusion: Spitz nevi were seen in both children and adults. Pigmented Spitz nevus, which resembles melanocytic nevus, was the most common type and lower extremity localization was more common in females.

Aim: Spitz nevus is a benign, mostly acquired melanocytic nevus, which is commonly seen in childhood. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, dermatoscopic, and histopathological features of Spitz nevus.Methods: Clinical data, histopathological slides, and dermatoscopic images of the patients that were histopathologically or clinically diagnosed with Spitz nevus between 2000-2005 were retrospectively analyzed. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used.Results: Among the 30 patients included in the study, 56.7% were female. Median patient age was 15.5 years (range: 3-49 years) and 40% were younger than 12 years of age. The most frequent clinical diagnoses before biopsy were Spitz nevus (33%) and melanocytic nevus (30%). Median disease duration was 12 months (range: 1month-20 years) and mean diameter of the lesions was 5 mm. Lesions were most commonly localized on the lower extremities (44.8%) in both children and adults, and lower extremity localization was more common in females (P=0.007). The most common histopathological types noted were Spitz nevus 53.5% (n=15) and Reed nevus 32% (n=9). Dermatoscopy was performed in 16 patients; 31.3% had reticular pattern, 18.8% had starburst pattern, and 18.8% had atypical pattern.Conclusion: Spitz nevi were seen in both children and adults. Pigmented Spitz nevus, which resembles melanocytic nevus, was the most common type and lower extremity localization was more common in females.

It was recently reported that the hexapeptide Ac-RYYRIK-ol binds with high affinity nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptors and competitively antagonizes N/OFQ actions in the mouse vas deferens assay. Here we further describe the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological features of this NOP receptor ligand. In mouse brain homogenate the degradation half life of Ac-RYYRIK-ol (2.48 min) was significantly higher than that of the parent compound Ac-RYYRIK-NH 2 (1.20 min). In the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens, Ac-RYYRIK-ol (10–1000 nM) competitively antagonized the inhibitory effect of N/OFQ (pA 2 = 8.46), while in the isolated mouse colon the hexapeptide mimicked N/OFQ contractile effects thus behaving as a NOP receptor agonist (pEC 50 = 9.09). This latter effect was no longer evident in colon tissues taken from mice knock out for the NOP receptor gene (NOP −/− ). In vivo in mice, similarly to N/OFQ, Ac-RYYRIK-ol (dose range 0.001–1 nmol) produced: i) pronociceptive effects after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration and antinociceptive actions when given intrathecally (i.t.) in the tail withdrawal assay; ii) inhibition of locomotor activity and iii) stimulation of food intake after supraspinal administration. Finally, in the forced swimming test, Ac-RYYRIK-ol was inactive per se, but reversed the antidepressant-like effects elicited by the NOP receptor selective antagonist UFP-101 ([Nphe 1 ,Arg 14 ,Lys 15 ]N/OFQ-NH 2 ). Thus, in all these in vivo assays Ac-RYYRIK-ol mimicked the actions of N/OFQ showing however higher potency. In conclusion, Ac-RYYRIK-ol displayed a complex pharmacological profile which is likely due to the low efficacy agonist nature of this novel ligand of the NOP receptor. The high potency, selectivity of action, and in vivo effectiveness make Ac-RYYRIK-ol a useful pharmacological tool for future studies in the field of N/OFQ and its NOP receptor.

Following the discovery of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP) and its endogenous ligand, an extensive search has started to find selective agonists and antagonists targeting this novel receptor-ligand system due to their therapeutic potentials. By the help of the combinatorial chemistry a series of hexapeptides with a general formula of Ac-RYY-R/K-W/I-R/K-NH(2) having high NOP receptor affinity and selectivity were identified. On the basis of this information we developed a number of novel compounds. The detailed structure-activity studies on the partial agonist Ac-RYYRIK-NH(2) are reported in this communication. Besides the modifications on N- and C-terminal, Arg-Cit exchange was performed on the template structure. The novel hexapeptides were analyzed in radioligand binding, functional biochemical [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding assays by using membranes from rat brains and Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human NOP receptor. The agonist/antagonist properties were also tested on in the mouse vas deferens bioassay. C-terminal modification yielded a high affinity, selective and potent NOP ligand (Ac-RYYRIK-ol) with a partial agonist property. Several analogs of this compound were synthesized. The presence of the positively charged arginine residue at the first position turned out to be crucial for the biological activity of the hexapeptide. The N-terminal modifications with various acyl groups (ClAc, pivaloyl, formyl, benzoyl, mesyl) decreased the affinity of the ligand towards the receptor and the intrinsic activity for stimulating the G-protein activation was also decreased. The structure-activity studies on the hexapeptide derivatives provided some basic information on the structural requirements for receptor binding and activation.

In search for effective antagonist structures for the nociceptin (NOP) receptor, a number of N-acylated oligopeptides, including N-acyl tetra- and pentapeptides selective for the kappa-opioid receptor, as well as N-acyl hexapeptides bearing the Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-Lys (Ac-RYYRIK) core sequence originally isolated from combinatorial chemical libraries, were synthesized and studied in radioreceptor binding assays, [(35)S]GTPgammaS functional tests and in mouse vas deferens (MVD) bioassays. The properties of the novel antagonist candidates were compared to known antagonists. A new antagonist structure with a reduced, primer alcohol C-terminus, Ac-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Ile-lysinol (Ac-RYYRIK-ol) was described in the mouse vas deferens tests, showing an equilibrium inhibitory constant value (K(e)) of 2.44 nM, and no agonist effect at 10 microM ligand concentration. Schild-analysis indicated a clearly competitive interaction at the NOP receptor, whereas the peptide did not affect the action of the delta-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala(2),D-Leu(5)]enkephalin. Ac-RYYRIK-ol also exhibited a high affinity in [(3)H]nociceptin-NH(2) binding competition assays using rat brain membranes. Agonist-induced G-protein activation via NOP receptors was studied in [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding stimulation assays by the use of both native brain tissue preparations and membranes from cultured CHO cells expressing recombinant nociceptin receptors. Ac-RYYRIK-ol displayed only weak intrinsic agonist activity, whereas it effectively inhibited the stimulation generated by nociceptin. The results support the high potency and antagonist nature of Ac-RYYRIK-ol and reveal important roles for both the N- and the C-terminal region of the molecule.

Amac: Dis teknisyenlerinde el ekzemasi sikligini belirlemek ve bunu etkileyen faktorleri gozden gecirmek. Materyal ve Metot: Eylul 2009 – Aralik 2011 tarihleri arasinda Ankara Meslek Hastaliklari Hastanesine basvurmus ve dermatoloji bolumune konsulte edilmis 86 dis teknisyeni el ekzemasi yonunden incelenmistir. Ellerinde ekzema tespit edilen hastalara deri yama testi uygulanmistir. El ekzemasi ile calisma suresi, yas, koruyucu eldiven kullanimi ve gecirilmis ekzemasi oykusu arasindaki iliski istatistiksel olarak degerlendirilmistir. Bulgular: Deri muayene bulgularina gore bes dis teknisyeninde (%5,8) ellerde ekzema saptanmistir. Istatistiksel olarak el ekzemasi gelisimi ile hasta yasi, calisma suresi ve koruyucu eldiven kullanimi arasinda anlamli bir iliski ortaya konulamamisken, gecirilmis ekzema oykusu ile el ekzemasi gelisimi arasinda istatistiksel olarak anlamli bir iliski bulunmustur. Sonuc: Dis teknisyenlerindeki el ekzemasi sikligi literaturdeki diger calismalarla benzer olarak bulunmustur. Oncesinde ekzema oykusu bulunan dis teknisyenlerinin, korunma yontemlerine daha dikkatle uymalari gerektigi dusunulmektedir.

Excitotoxicity is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of acute or chronic neurodegenerative disease states. Kainic acid (KA) is an excitotoxic substance and the administration of it to rodents induces seizure activity (status epilepticus, SE) and leads to neurodegeneration. In this study the effect of KA-induced excitotoxicity on the G-protein activations and the gene expression levels of the opioid/nociceptin system receptors as MOPr, KOPr, DOPr, ORL-1, and PNOC (N/OFQ) were investigated, and the regulator effect of naloxone (Nal) on the gene expressions of the opioid system receptors against KA-induced seizures in the rat hippocampus was tested. In addition, the expression levels of stress-toxicity genes were assessed in the hippocampus following KA-induced excitotoxicity in order to determine the potential genetic targets which can be helpful for neuroprotective interventions. Our results indicate that the KA-induced excitotoxicity increased the mRNA levels of MOPr, DOPr, KOPr, PNOC, and ORL-1. However, G-protein activations of MOPr, DOPr, and KOPr remained relatively unchanged while both the potency and efficacy of N/OFQ were significantly increased. The PCR array data showed that KA-induced excitotoxicity altered the expression levels of genes in the cellular stress or toxicity pathways. Our data suggests that the induction of the opioid/nociceptin system may be involved in the cellular stress response following a neurodegenerative insult and that the genes modulated by the KA-treatment in the stress-toxicity pathways may be evaluated as targets of potential neuroprotective interventions.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute, self-limiting papulosquamous disorder of unknown etiology. Published studies of childhood PR are scarce and most are reviews. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical features of childhood PR.

WOS: 000290955200018, In order to make a contribution to displaying of the harmful effects of the petrochemical production processes to our health and environment, it has been investigated the histopathological changes obseved in the intestine and hepatic tissues of Pelvicachromis pulcher, a teleost fish, after a 15-day exposure to 40% sublethal concentrations of the water-soluble fractions of crude oil, by light microscopy. Several histological alterations such as prominent ulceration, desquamation, lymphocyte infiltration and necrosis, were noted for the intestinal tissue of the crude oil exposed animals when compared with controls. The liver was also shown marked deformative changes identified as steatozis, hemorrhage, dilatation of sinusoids and pronounced hepatocellular degeneration which was specially characterized pyknotic and karyorrhetic nuclei. It was concluded that the water soluble fractions of crude oil was drastically effected both of the tissues studied, as expected.

Nociceptin, a 17-amino acid peptide (FGGFTGARKSARKLANQ, N/OFQ), is the endogenous ligand of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor. This receptor-ligand system is involved in various physiological as well as pathophysiological mechanisms, but owing to the peptidic structure, it is rapidly degraded by enzymes. The enzymatic digestion of nociceptin involves mainly aminopeptidases and yields Noc(2-17)-OH and other smaller fragments. We aimed at increasing the enzymatic stability against aminopeptidases in the case of peptide Noc(1-13)-NH(2), which possesses the minimum sequence capable of interacting with the NOP receptor. Therefore we developed a new procedure for the synthesis of peptides with the carbamic acid residue [...-NH-CH(R)-CO-NH-CO-NH-CH(Q)-CO-.]. A set of four carbamic acid-nociceptin derivatives were produced. The carbamic acid residue was incorporated into the inner part of the peptides, building on solid phase, by using a suitable dipeptide fragment with carbamic acid residue produced by a simple and efficient three-step solution phase procedure. Enzymatic stability of carbamic acid peptides was studied in the presence of aminopeptidase M (AP-M) and in rat brain membrane homogenate. The receptor-binding properties were also studied by radioligand binding assay on crude rat brain membranes and the activity of the ligands were analyzed on isolated mouse vas deferens (MVD) tissues. We found that incorporation of the carbamic acid residue into the N-terminal part of nociceptin significantly increases the resistance against AP-M. We observed the decrease of binding affinities to the NOP receptor in case of the peptides modified in the N-terminal portion. Consequently, the incorporation of the carbamic acid residue into peptides can be proposed as a promising and reasonable tool for increasing enzymatic stability, where the native molecule is less sensitive for carbamic acid residue-related structural change.

Nociceptin is an endogenous anti-opiate heptadecapeptide primarily interacting with the nociceptin (NOP) receptor. This neuropeptide-receptor system is involved in pain regulation, tolerance to and dependence on opiates as well as many other physiological and pathophysiological events. The role and mechanisms of nociceptin in pathological conditions is not clearly known yet. In an attempt to have a radiopharmaceutical labeled either with 99mTc or (111)In, we incorporated diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) as chelator into the structure of [Arg14,Lys15]nociceptin(1-17)-NH2 at the epsilon-amino group of Lys15. Such a radiopeptide may be useful in imaging for diagnostical purposes. Preparation of the peptide ligands was carried out by solid phase synthesis. Two peptides containing DTPA were obtained and purified. The products were [Arg14,Lys(DTPA)15]nociceptin(1-17)-NH2 and its cross-linked dimer on the basis of mass spectrometric analysis. In (115)In3+ binding experiments the conjugates exhibited preserved indium ion chelating properties, indicating the potential use of radiolabeled DTPA-nociceptin derivatives as radiopharmaceutical. Biological properties of these compounds were studied in rat brain membrane preparations by radioligand binding, functional biochemical [35S]GTPgammaS binding assays and mouse vas deferens (MVD) bioassay. Besides the similar in vitro binding characteristics to nociceptin receptor, both of the DTPA-chelated compounds were more potent and efficient than nociceptin in functional biochemical and mouse vas deferens bioassays. Our further aim is to radiolabel these compounds in order to get a radiopharmaceutical which can be used diagnostically.

Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a common but rarely diagnosed disease. For diagnosis, it's sufficient to see a bundle of vellus hair located in a keratinous sheath microscopically. In order to obtain these vellus hair settled in comedone-like openings, Standard skin surface biopsy (SSSB), a non-invasive method was chosen. It's aimed to remind the differential diagnosis of TS in treatment-resistant open comedone-like lesions and discuss the SSSB method in diagnosis. A 25-year-old female patient was admitted with a complaint of the black spots located on bilateral cheeks and nose for 12 years. In SSSB, multiple vellus hair bundles in funnel-shaped structures were observed under the microscope, and a diagnosis of 'TS' was made. After six weeks of treatment with tretinoin 0.025% and 4% erythromycin jel topically, the appearance of black macules was significantly reduced. Treatment had to be terminated due to her pregnancy, and the lesions recurred within 1 month. It's believed that TS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of treatment-resistant open comedone-like lesions, and SSSB might be an inexpensive and effective alternative method for the diagnosis of TS.

Objective: A relationship between the pathogenesis of some cancers and growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 has been shown. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 in actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and to compare the expression patterns of tumoral areas with normal epidermis and skin appendages. Material and Method: Th e formalin-fixed, paraff in-embedded tissues of 40 patients which were diagnosed as 15 actinic keratosis, 15 basal cell carcinoma and 15 squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed for growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 with the immunohistochemical method using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Results: Th ere was no diff erence between tumoral areas of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in expression of growth hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factors binding protein-3 (P>0.05). However, a significantly higher expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor was observed in tumoral areas of squamous cell carcinoma (P

A number of new synthetic nociceptin ligands were studied in receptor binding and functional tests in rat brain membranes and in cloned systems. Ligand binding experiments were performed with three different radioprobes developed in our lab. The nociceptin derivatives exhibited high affinity in competition experiments. Receptor-mediated G-protein activation was determined in [35S]GTPgS binding assays. Among the new structures examined, Ac-RYYRIK-ol was found to be only a weak stimulator by itself, whereas this compound inhibited receptor-mediated G-protein activation. These data suggest that Ac-RYYRIK-ol is a high affinity peptide antagonist for the nociceptin receptor. Acknowledgements: Supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund OTKA T-035211, T-033078, T-030841, and the Ministry of Education, NKFP 1/027 Hungary.