Characteristics of the clinical features and pharmacological treatment of epileptics with frequent seizures

The analysis of clinical features of groups of patients with frequent and rare epileptic seizures showed that the mean age of the first seizure, the mean age at the time of examination, and the mean duration of the disease were not significantly different in both studied groups. In the group with frequent seizures a significantly more frequent presence of features indicating serious organic brain damage was found (more frequent occurrence of known aetiological factors, more cases of posttraumatic epilepsy, psychic and neurological abnormalities). In group C changes in the background activity in EEG were also more frequent. The analysis of pharmacological treatment showed a more frequent application of polytherapy in group C. On the other hand, the mean levels of antiepileptic drugs in the serum and the mean doses of these drugs for kg of body mass were not significantly different in both groups. In about 40% of patients in both groups the prescribed drugs failed to reach the levels generally regarded as therapeutic (slightly more frequently in the group with rare seizures). This was true mainly of PHT since about 81% of patients in both groups failed to reach the therapeutic level of the drug (10 ug/ml). The likely causes of this fact were: too low doses prescribed (55% of the patients were given doses below the generally recommended), lower bioavailability of PHT (27% of patients had no therapeutic level of the drug in the serum, despite doses exceeding 5 mg/kg); or drug interaction. This requires elucidation in further studies.     

Anti-hyperglycemic and antigenotoxic potential of Ulva rigida ethanolic extract in the experimental diabetes mellitus

An increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant activity is known in diabetes mellitus (DM). Antioxidant compounds in the human foods or supplementary diets can be used to counteract several diseases. The analysis of micronuclei (MN) is a cytogenetic technique used to show chromosomal damage caused by clastogenic affects. The present study was designed to evaluate: (i) the effects of diabetes mellitus on bone marrow MN frequency, (ii) the effect of oral administration of Ulva rigida ethanolic extract (URE) on MN frequency produced by DM, and (iii) some hematological values in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Daily fluid and food consumptions, weekly body weights, blood glucose concentrations and serum insulin levels were also examined in the study groups during the two different administration periods. The blood glucose concentration and MN frequency have been significantly increased in diabetic rats compared with the normal rats (p < 0.0001). Especially, URE-30d group treatment in diabetic rats was significantly decreased blood glucose concentrations and MN frequency. This is the first report on the anti-hyperglycemic, anti-oxidative and genotoxic/antigenotoxic capacity of U. rigida in vivo. Our results suggest that URE shows strong anti-hyperglycemic and antigenotoxic effect on the genotoxicity produced by DM in rats.     

The effect of pentoxifylline on the healing of full-thickness skin defects of diabetic and normal rats

In this paper, the effects of systemic pentoxifylline administration on normal and diabetic wound healing are studied. Twenty-four normoglycemic and 24 diabetic rats were compared, exploring the healing of standardized (15᎗ mm) full-thickness wounds by secondary intention. Twelve rats of both groups received intraperitoneal pentoxifylline 10 mg/kg per day. The strength of the healed tissues was evaluated by straining tests, the healing time of each wound was recorded, and the healed tissues were examined histologically. In the diabetic group, the only significant difference between the rats receiving pentoxifylline and the others was the shortened healing time. Pentoxifylline significantly reduced the time needed for complete epithelization and also increased the tensile strength significantly in normoglycemic rats. As expected, significant differences were recorded between the normoglycemic and diabetic rats regarding healing time and scar tissue strength. In conclusion, systemic pentoxifylline administration may be helpful in shortening the healing time of full-thickness wounds both in diabetic and normoglycemic patients, and it can increase the tensile strength of the healed wound in normoglycemic organisms.     

Epilepsy and other convulsive states in long-term EEG monitoring

The authors report the results of EEG monitoring lasting many hours with cassette recording and with interpretation after reproduction on monitor screen. The Medilog 9000 System Oxford was used for that purpose. The group comprised 32 verified cases of epilepsy and 19 cases of seizures with unestablished aetiology. In epileptics the method made possible determination of the actual frequency of seizures and their clinico electroencephalographic qualification. In the remaining group of 18 patients the epileptic character of their seizures was demonstrated in 3 cases, in 9 cases the mechanism of these seizures varied, sometimes they were neurotic vasovagal. In 6 cases the monitoring failed to provide sufficient data. These results demonstrate a highly usefulness of cassette EEG monitoring in neurological practice, especially in case of seizures. A valuable supplementation of these investigations are records monitored by television, which make possible establishing of a more close correlation between clinical symptoms and EEG findings.     

Anti-pancreatic antibody in Turkish patients with inflammatory bowel disease and first-degree relatives

AIM: To identify the role of anti-pancreatic antibody (PAB) in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) among Turkish patients, and its frequency in firstdegree relatives.METHODS: PAB and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA) were examined in serum samples of 214 subjects including patients with Crohn’s disease (CD, n = 64), ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 63), first-degree relatives of patients with CD (n = 25), first-degree relatives of patients with UC (n = 28),and a control group with gastrointestinal symptoms other than (IBD) (n = 34) by indirect immunofluorescence Positivity of PAB and ASCA was compared in terms of Vienna classification, disease activity and medications used.RESULTS: In terms of PAB positivity, no difference was found between patients with CD (14.1%) and UC (7.9%) however, significant difference was observed between patients with CD and subjects in the control group (P < 0.05). No difference was found between patients with CD and their relatives in terms of ASCA positivity, whereas a significant difference was found between other groups (P < 0.001). Compared to ASCA, the sensitivity of the PAB was 19% (7/37), its specificity was 93% (25/27), positive predictive value was 77% (7/9) and negative predictive value was 45% (25/55). ASCA was found with significantly higher prevalence in patients with CD activity index > 150 (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: PAB is valuable in the diagnosis of IBD rather than CD, but cannot be used alone for diagnostic purposes. PAB is not superior to ASCA in CD diagnosis and in detecting CD among relatives of patients with CD.     

Isolated congenital heart block

Isolated congenital heart block, frequently seen in mothers who have connective-tissue disease, can be transmitted to the fetus through transplacental passage of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB autoantibodies. Even if the antibodies appear transiently in the fetal circulation, the block is permanent and can require pacemaker implantation. Complete congenital heart block is seen in 1% to 5% of neonates born to mothers who carry these autoantibodies. Herein, we report the case of a baby-born to a 31-year-old asymptomatic woman-who manifested congenital heart block in utero, at 30 weeks of gestation. During gestation and following birth, no further problems were detected. At her last follow-up appointment, 8 years later, the girl still had no clinical symptoms, and exercise increased her heart rate despite complete heart block. We report this case for its unique presentation, and we discuss isolated congenital heart block within the context of the inadequate literature on its pathogenesis and treatment.     

Thermotherapy in dermatology

Heat has been used as a medicinal and healing modality throughout human history. Today, thermotherapy is being studied in the treatment of many diseases. Although the exact anti-infective mechanism of thermotherapy is yet to be solved, this historically important healing method has shown significant results in the treatments of a variety of dermatological infectious diseases ranging from simple acne to bacterial, parasitic and viral infections, in modern medicine. Induction of cellular apoptosis in medium doses and necrosis in high doses has made thermotherapy an important modality in the treatment of malignant tumors. Especially in dermatology, significant results have been achieved in the treatment of Bowen's disease, melanoma and simple warts. Thermotherapy, which today has also shown advancements in cosmetology, can be delivered by liquid nitrogen in the form of hypothermia and a variety of ways ranging from hot water pads to ultrasound and even to lasers, in the form of hyperthermia. In this article, the place of this historically important treatment method in modern medicine, especially in dermatology, has been reviewed by an extensive search of the literature.     

Clinical characteristics and treatment of pars planitis: an adalimumab experience

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - This study aims to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics, treatment outcomes and complications of patients with...