Methanogenic inhibition by arsenic compounds

The acute acetoclastic methanogenic inhibition of several inorganic and organic arsenicals was assayed. Trivalent species, i.e., methylarsonous acid and arsenite, were highly inhibitory, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 9.1 and 15.0 microM, respectively, whereas pentavalent species were generally nontoxic. The nitrophenylarsonate derivate, roxarsone, displayed moderate toxicity.     

Low-dose, long-term macrolide therapy in asthma: An overview

Macrolides, a class of antimicrobials isolated from Streptomycetes more than 50 years ago, are used extensively to treat sinopulmonary infections in humans. In addition, a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence indicates that long-term (years), low (sub-antimicrobial)-dose 14- and 15-membered ring macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin and azithromycin, express immunomodulatory and tissue reparative effects that are distinct from their anti-infective properties. These salutary effects are operative in various lung disorders, including diffuse panbronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, persistent chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, bronchiectasis, asthma and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.The purpose of this overview is to outline the immunomodulatory effects of macrolide antibiotics in patients with asthma.     

Modeling a hydropic recipient twin in twin-twin transfusion syndrome

We developed a mathematical model of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) that includes a hydropic recipient twin, adding interstitial and intracellular fluid compartments, fetal congestive cardiac failure, and the dynamics of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) mediators to our previous TTTS model. Ten differential equations for each twin, coupled by the net fetofetal transfusion of blood and blood components, i.e., colloids, osmoles, and RAS mediators, describe the development of fetal arterial and venous blood volumes, blood osmolality and colloid osmotic pressure (COP), interstitial fluid volume and COP, intracellular fluid volume, amniotic fluid volume and osmolality, and RAS mediator concentration. We included varying placental anastomoses, placental sharing, and amnionicity. The 20 differential equations were solved numerically from 0 to 40 wk with a 0.6-s time step. Consistent with clinical experience, model predictions are as follows. Unidirectional arteriovenous anastomoses and arteriovenous anastomoses inadequately compensated by oppositely directed anastomoses cause severe TTTS that includes a hydropic recipient. Adequately compensated arteriovenous anastomoses simulated TTTS without hydrops. The probability that oppositely directed anastomoses prevent onset of a hydropic recipient after TTTS onset, i.e., the largest interval between onset of TTTS and onset of hydrops in the recipient, was best for a venovenous anastomosis, closely followed by an arterioarterial and finally an oppositely directed arteriovenous anastomosis. Hydropic recipients have decreased amniotic fluid volume. Unequal placental sharing and amnionicity modify hydrops onset. In conclusion, our model simulates a sequence of events that results in a hydropic recipient twin in severe TTTS. The model may allow an assessment of the efficacy of current therapeutic interventions for TTTS cases that include a hydropic recipient twin.     

Helminths of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

Fifteen roe deer were examined at necropsy from Northern Turkey in the period 2006-2010 for the helminth infections. Totally 6470 helminth specimens were collected and identified by morphological criteria. Twenty-five helminth species were identified (1 of the Class Trematoda, 1 of Cestoda and 23 of Nematoda). Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Prevalence 20%) was found in liver. Cysticercus tenuicollis (6.6%) was found in mesentery. Haemonchus contortus (53.3%), Ostertagia leptospicularis (73.3%), O. leptospicularis (minor morph: kolchida) (53.3%), Ostertagia ostertagi (26.6%), Spiculopteragia spiculoptera (66.6%), S. spiculoptera (minor morph: mathevossiani) (6.6%), Teladorsagia circumcincta (40.0%), T. circumcincta (minor morph: davtiani) (6.6%), T. circumcincta (minor morph: trifurcata) (6.6%), Trichostrongylus axei (66.6%) were found in abomasum. Trichostrongylus andreevi (6.6%), T. colubriformis (6.6%), T. longispicularis (26.6%), T. vitrinus (40.0%), T. capricola (6.6%), Cooperia oncophora (26.6%), C. punctata (6.6%), Nematodirus filicollis (66.6%), and Capillaria bovis (26.6%) were found in small intestine. Oesophagostomum venulosum (46.6%), Chabertia ovina (26.6%), and Trichuris ovis (13.3%) were found in large intestine. Dictyocaulus capreolus (6.6%) was found in lungs.     

Thermal and enzymatic pretreatment of sludge containing phthalate esters prior to mesophilic anaerobic digestion

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of thermal pretreatment of sludge at 70 degrees C on the anaerobic degradation of three commonly found phthalic acid esters (PAE): di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Also, the enzymatic treatment at 28 degrees C with a commercial lipase was studied as a way to enhance PAE removal. Pretreatment at 70 degrees C of the sludge containing PAE negatively influenced the anaerobic biodegradability of phthalate esters at 37 degrees C. The observed reduction of PAE biodegradation rates after the thermal pretreatment was found to be proportional to the PAE solubility in water: the higher the solubility, the higher the percentage of the reduction (DEP > DBP > DEHP). PAE were slowly degraded during the pretreatment at 70 degrees C, yet this was probably due to physicochemical reactions than to microbial/biological activity. Therefore, thermal pretreatment of sludge containing PAE should be either avoided or combined with a treatment step focusing on PAE reduction. On the other hand, enzymatic treatment was very efficient in the removal of PAE. The enzymatic degradation of DBP, DEP, and DEHP could be one to two orders of magnitude faster than under normal mesophilic anaerobic conditions. Moreover, the enzymatic treatment resulted in the shortest half-life of DEHP in sludge reported so far. Our study further showed that enzymatic treatment with lipases can be applied to raw sludge and its efficiency does not depend on the solids concentration.     

A Case of Rhinoorbital Mucormycosis in a Leukemic Patient with a Literature Review from Turkey

Mucormycosis (Zygomycosis) is a rare, invasive, opportunistic fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses, caused by a fungus of the order Mucorales. We report a case of rhinoorbital mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient and review the 79 Mucormycosis cases reported in the last decade from Turkey. In our case, the diagnosis was made with endoscopic appearance, computerized tomography of the paranasal sinuses, and culture of the surgical materials. Following aggressive surgical debridement and parenteral amphotericin B therapy, the patient recovered completely. In Turkish literature, rhinocerebral manifestations were the most common form of the mucormycosis (64 cases), followed by pulmonary form (6 cases). The most common risk factor was hematologic malignancies (32 cases) and diabetes mellitus (32 cases), similar to those reported from the rest of the world. The etiologic agents responsible for the review cases were Rhizopus sp., Mucor spp., Rhizomucor spp., Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor circinelloides, and Lichtheimia corymbifera. Although various treatment modalities were used, amphotericin B was the mainstay of therapy. Mortality rate was found to be 49.4% in review cases. It seems that strong clinical suspicion and early diagnosis, along with aggressive antifungal therapy and endoscopic sinus surgery, have great importance for better prognosis in mucormycosis.     

Familial genetic risk factors in premature cardiovascular disease: a family study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is closely associated with familial predisposition. The aim of the present study was to investigate predisposing risk factors in the family of a young patient who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery due to CVD. The father and uncle of the patient died at an early age due to myocardial infarction. Various stages of CVD were identified in both of the patient’s brothers (28 and 32 years of age). Biochemical tests (fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, urea, creatinine and liver enzymes) and a complete blood count (haemoglobin, haematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelet count) were performed. Physiological coagulation inhibitory factors (protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III), prothrombotic genetic risk factors (factor V Leiden, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1C and C6T, angiotensin-converting enzyme, β-fibrinogen, glycoprotein IIIa and factor XIII) and homocysteine levels were evaluated in all cases. Defects were observed in many genetic factors and in the systems regulated by these factors. The results were compatible with those reported in the literature. In conclusion, it is possible to determine a specific family history in young adults with CVD. From this perspective, the emergence of more serious CVD may be prevented by providing disease-related information to the other family members and implementing preventive measures.     

Seroprevalence of equine babesiosis in the Black Sea region of Turkey

The prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi was determined in equid blood samples in five provinces of the Black Sea region of Turkey by using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of 153 samples, 53 (34.6%) and 33 (21.5%) were seropositive to B. caballi and T. equi, respectively. In addition, 8 (5.2%) of samples were seropositive to both T. equi and B. caballi. Anti T. equi and B. caballi antibodies were detected in all five regions. The prevalence of B. caballi was higher than T. equi in all counties. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in horses of all ages, and there were no significant differences among age groups. Out of 84 horses, 32 (38.0%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 20 (23.8%) were positive for T. equi infection. Five horses (5.6%) were found to be seropositive to both B. caballi and T. equi. Of 38 donkeys, 14 (36.8%) were found to be positive for B. caballi infection and 5 (13.1%) positive for T. equi infection. In addition, 2 (5.2%) samples were seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Out of 31 mules, 8 (25.8%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 8 (25 8%) positive for T. equi infection. One (3.2%) sample was seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Of all the animals in this study, only 3 horses were infected by Rhipicephalus turanicus and Hyalomma detritum, and no haemoparasites were detected by microscopic examination.     

Methanogenic Inhibition by Arsenic Compounds

The acute acetoclastic methanogenic inhibition of several inorganic and organic arsenicals was assayed. Trivalent species, i.e., methylarsonous acid and arsenite, were highly inhibitory, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 9.1 and 15.0 μM, respectively, whereas pentavalent species were generally nontoxic. The nitrophenylarsonate derivate, roxarsone, displayed moderate toxicity.     

Cryptococcus neoformans varieties from material under the canopies of eucalyptus trees and pigeon dropping samples from four major cities in Jordan

To our best knowledge, any study related to the ecological distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Jordan does not exist in the medical literature. In order to determine the environmental occurrence of both varieties of Cryptococcus neoformans in Jordan, pigeon droppings and material under the canopies of eucalyptus trees were collected from four major cities of this country. For the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans variety gattii from environmental sources, 500 samples of the mixed soil debris, including tree materials, under the eucalyptus trees from cities of Amman, Irbid, Jerash, and Ajlun were collected. Also, 509 samples of pigeon droppings were collected from the same cities for the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans variety neoformans. After inoculating the samples onto modified Staib agar medium in Petri dishes, a total of 336 melanoid yeast colonies were picked up during screening process. At the end of serial mycological studies, none of these isolates was identified as Cryptococcus neoformans, but all were Cryptococcus species other than C. neoformans. For determining the exact status, more extensive environmental studies need to be done in the future.